does something, all the rest are up in arms against him, and more
years are wasted in trying to prove him right or wrong. I, as a mere
woman, ask nobody for an opinion--I risk my own existence--spend my
own money--and have nothing to do with governments. If I succeed I
shall be sought after fast enough!--but I do not propose to either
give or sell my discovery."

"Surely you will not keep it to yourself?"

"Why not? The world is too full of inventions as it is--and it is
not the least grateful to its inventors or explorers. It would make
the fool of a film a three-fold millionaire--but it would leave a
great scientist or a noble thinker to starve. No, no! Let It swing
on its own round--I shall not enlighten it!"

She walked on, gathering a flower here and there, and he kept pace
beside her.

"The men who are working here"--he at last ventured to say--"are
deeply interested. You can hardly expect them not to talk among each
other and in the outside clubs and meeting-places of the wonderful
mechanism on which they have been engaged. They have been at it now
steadily for fifteen months."

"Do I not know it?" And she turned her head to him, smiling, "Have I
not paid their salaries regularly?--and yours? I do not care how
they talk or where,--they have built the White Eagle, but they
cannot make her fly!--not without ME! You were as brave as I thought
you would be when you decided to fly alone, trusting to the means I
gave you and which I alone can give!"