Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/97

Rh As to the furnishing of the interior of the car, it is needless to say that the doctor had omitted nothing that would conduce either to the comfort or convenience of the passengers.

Mr. Curtis and his daughter happened to be in the doctor's office when the finishing touches were put to the work, and Dr. Giles rubbed his hands gleefully as he exclaimed:

"Well, James, what do you say now to my project?"

The doctor was justified in feeling elated, for the tube was at last complete, a veritable triumph of human skill, bringing Australia and New York into direct communication for the first time in the history of the world.

"What do I think now of your project?" repeated Mr. Curtis, with a sardonic smile. "I think that you have succeeded in this part of the work far better than anybody ever expected, and you deserve great credit for what you have done."

Dr. Giles noticed his friend's lurking smile, and understood it at once. "So, James," he said, "you're not satisfied yet as to the practicability of my enterprise?"

"No," replied Mr. Curtis, his smile broadening to a grin. "The fact is, I have been studying up