Page:The Zeppelin Destroyer.djvu/205

 bush got badly burnt, and at a thousand it made a fearful crackle and was alight.'

'But it really acted at three thousand—you say?'

'It acted perfectly—and over a twelve-inch spark, too!'

'Then it shows that, after all, we can direct the electric current and thus create sparks across from metal to metal!' I remarked.

'Yes. We've succeeded,' he said. 'To-night I've witnessed something that no man has hitherto seen. Our minor experiments were interesting enough, but this is proof positive that an invincible power to successfully destroy Zeppelins has at last been put into our hands.'

'I hope so,' declared Roseye. 'Mr. Munro and I have had a most exciting flight. 'But why,' she asked, 'why did you send us away on our arrival?'

'Because the terrible roar made by your engine alarmed the whole neighbourhood, and some people ran out in their night-clothes towards the church, believing you to be an enemy machine. Therefore I climbed a wall and signalled to you to return in an hour, when all would, I hope, be quiet again.'

'Was all quiet when we returned?'

'Yes, they had all gone back to their beds. Theed had arrived for me by that time, so after your second visit he assisted me to take out the asbestos sheet and rejoin the conductor with the copper cable. We made a good joint; so that there'll be no danger to the church in case of a thunderstorm.'

'Then the importance of the invention is proved?' asked Roseye.