Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/67

Rh "You sell it!"

"Yes; I have had special wires laid to the Australian shore; and what electrical energy I do not myself use for my boring operations, I transmit to Australia and sell to different parties there to run the machinery of their factories, draw their cars, light their houses, cook their dinners, and perform innumerable other operations. I have contracts at very remunerative figures for all the electrical power I can possibly furnish."

Mr. Curtis was nonplussed. "Well, that does beat everything!" he exclaimed. "It is beyond my comprehension how practical business men can be such fools as to pin their faith on an enterprise of this kind, and make contracts for electricity dug up from the center of the earth."

Dr. Giles laughed. "You'll be more astonished yet," he said, "before I finish this job I have undertaken. But that reminds me that, if you want to see something interesting, you'd better come along with me, and take a look at my submarine houses. I think that Flora, too, would like to see them."

"Oh, yes, indeed," said the young girl, who had been intently listening to the conversation. "I find everything so interesting down here, and you make matters so plain to me."