"I can offer no other solution, sir," said the scientist. "It is at last evident that this man's power over ethereal vibrations extends to those forming heat-rays. If this is so, it follows that he can cut off all life by stopping all heat. If his threat is carried out, we can but look forward to a repetition on a large scale of the City Hall affair."
The aged financier now spoke to Simmons.
"And the last report from the searchers?" he asked formally.
"The search is being pushed, sir," replied the operator, "by twenty thousand men. There remain some fifty miles of country to go over, Mr. Lyons."
Lyons turned his shaggy head toward a younger, slim, keen-eyed man of fifty.
"And the city will, in your judgment, Mr. Perkins, take how long to empty?"
"Days—in the present confusion," said Perkins shortly. "We can move only a limited percentage. Thank God, most of our men are standing by. I think all our rolling stock is moving."
Lyons nodded twice.
"And you?" he asked the third of the party, a stout young man of thirty-eight or so.
"How many stations are on the job, Simmons?" asked this man.