At a critical moment, however, the big ball was seen to slacken in its downward rush, until finally it hung suspended in the air directly above the mast tops, drifting slowly astern.
At this close range several round windows could be seen in the heavily riveted walls of the sphere. A glimpse of the operator was caught as he busily maneuvered divers levers.
Although evidently of considerable weight, and without visible means of support or propulsion, the sphere seemed to float in midair as lightly as a balloon. It appeared to be nearly thirty feet in diameter.
Suddenly a deep humming was heard. A moment later the sphere rose with gathering speed until it appeared to have reached a height of about half a mile. Then it shot abruptly off toward the south at great speed, disappearing rapidly over the horizon.
While this was of great interest to Henry, it but served to increase his uneasiness. He could think of no good reason for the failure of the Sphere to return from its trial trip but a fatal reoccurrence of the mechanical trouble suggested in the freighter’s report.
It was at this point in Henry’s gloomy reflections that a hearty laugh outside startled him. The professor!
A moment later Robert and Professor Palmer entered. Both were in fine spirits.
“Should have been along, Henry,” boomed the professor. “Missed the time of your young life.”
“Been reading about it,” Henry replied, tapping the paper. “Were you really trying to drop into the lake, or couldn’t you help it?”
“Fast work, Robert,” laughed the professor, as together they read over the article; “private trial trip in the afternoon—front page headlines next morning! Not so bad, eh?”