Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/200

188 'Very well,' said the Admiral. 'There are fifty torpedo-boats in the dockyard in the Kentucky cavern ready for action. These shall be placed at your disposal, and two officers shall go with you to help you in the navigation. There is a small air-ship that I will order to be in readiness to convey you and the fifty instruments to Kentucky.'

The Admiral-in-Chief went to a telephone and transmitted a few orders, while James Tarrant's eyes gleamed with a strange bright light.

'Now about the reward,' continued the Admiral. 'In the name of our Empire, I promise that what you ask for will be granted. That is'

'That in case of success I have the title of Prince of Kairet, and have the supreme government of one of their planets if we conquer them, together with the absolute disposal of its revenues.'

'We agree,' said the Admiral, and the other officers bowed their assent.