Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/98

78 the matter on my own account, and I find there is one very important point that you have entirely overlooked, and which yet will he sufficient to prevent the car from ever going through to New York."

"Out with it, James! Don't keep me in suspense like this!" said the doctor, with mock gravity; for he was accustomed to his friend's objections, and knew that they were generally of the utmost insignificance.

"Yes, doctor," said Mr. Curtis, with ill-concealed triumph, "there is one very important factor you have failed to take into consideration."

"Well, what is it?" asked the doctor, still smiling.

"The centrifugal force of the earth!" said Mr. Curtis, impressively.

Flora Curtis was a passive spectator in this scene, which she only imperfectly understood. But as her father uttered these last words she saw the doctor's face become ashy pale, and he sank back in his arm-chair almost without consciousness.

"James, you are right!" he articulated hoarsely. "I'm the greatest idiot alive! I had completely forgotten the centrifugal force of the earth; and