The scientists all looked surprised. Professor Brown actually laughed out loud and slyly tapped his forehead. Finally the chairman said:
“Really, Mr. Wade, you must allow that that is quite a remarkable assertion. In what manner can you expect to visit this—this imaginary sunken isthmus?”
Wade’s eyes flashed.
“Imaginary if you will,” he said; “I shall conduct my investigations with a submarine boat.”
There was a great stir in the assemblage. Even Professor Brown forgot to interject his sarcasm.
“In a submarine boat?” repeated the chairman. “Does such a craft exist?”
“It does!” replied Mr. Wade, suavely. “And a very dear friend of mine is the inventor and owner.”
“His name?”
“Frank Reade, Jr., of Readestown.”
A murmur went through the throng. At once the sentiment began to change. Professor Brown faded from view.