Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/19

 hypotheses of the floating island and the unassailable rock, upheld by some minds, had been altogether abandoned. And indeed, unless this rock possessed a machine in its interior, how could it move at such a tremendous pace! The floating hull of some large wrecked vessel was also set aside as untenable, and for the same reason.

There thus remained two possible solutions to the question, which called into existence two distinct clans or cliques—those who believed in a monster of enormous size, on the other hand those who supported the idea of a submarine vessel of a wonderful motive-power.

Now this last hypothesis, allowable after all, could not be supported in face of the inquiry directed against it. That any one person had such a mechanical power at his disposal was scarcely likely. Where and when had he manufactured it, and how had he kept the construction a secret?

A Government only could have possession of such a destructive machine, and in these disastrous days, when everyone is bending his energies to multiply the effect of offensive weapons, it was possible that one State might, unknown to others, attempt such a formidable engine. After chassepôts, torpedos—after torpedos, submarine rams; then—a reaction. At least, I hope so!

But the suggestion of an engine of war was dissipated by the declarations of the various Governments. As the question agitated was of public interest, since inter-oceanic communication was being interrupted, the statement of the Governments could not be called in question. Moreover, how could the construction of such a machine have escaped notice? To guard such a secret under the circumstances would be a very difficult task