Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/198

186 were several strange-looking instruments. These were composed of an intricate mass of wheels and wires, and a long cone-shaped reflector projected from the middle of each. The admirals were carefully examining these instruments, while the Admiral-in-Chief, clad in full uniform, was talking to James Tarrant.

'The trial has been quite satisfactory, Dr. Tarrant,' said the former. 'You have proved that the Electro-Ednogen machine you have invented is capable of doing what you claim for it; that is to say, it will throw out waves of force that will stop the working of the antigravitation apparatus and cause the war-ship on to which it is directed to fall to the ground. Now, how many of these machines did you say you have ready for use?'

'There are thirty here,' replied Tarrant, 'and there are twenty more in my laboratory. That makes fifty altogether. We might manage to get another fifty constructed in a few days.'