helpless in the face of some great force of nature, people must be
warned in time of the danger which threatens them."

"It is clearly the duty of the authorities, Mr. Ward," responded I,
"to learn what is going on within there."

"True, Strock; but that presents great difficulties. Everyone reports
that it is impossible to scale the precipices of the Great Eyrie and
reach its interior. But has anyone ever attempted it with scientific
appliances and under the best conditions? I doubt it, and believe a
resolute attempt may bring success."

"Nothing is impossible, Mr. Ward; what we face here is merely a
question of expense."

"We must not regard expense when we are seeking to reassure an entire
population, or to preserve it from a catastrophe. There is another
suggestion I would make to you. Perhaps this Great Eyrie is not so
inaccessible as is supposed. Perhaps a band of malefactors have
secreted themselves there, gaining access by ways known only to
themselves."

"What! You suspect that robbers --"

"Perhaps I am wrong, Strock; and these strange sights and sounds have
all had natural causes. Well, that is what we have to settle, and as
quickly as possible."

"I have one question to ask."