in tones of forced composure.

"A balloon was the best, in my day, and I was proud of my
profession, although even then I was dreaming of better
things--of something akin to this marvellous creation of yours,
sir," casting a fleeting glance at the air-ship, then at the face
of its builder, afterward resuming his former attitude.

"Let that pass, though. I wanted to tell you how I met with my
awful loss; how I came to be out here in this modern hell!

"I had a wife, a daughter, each of whom felt almost as powerful
an interest in aerostatics as I did myself. And one day--but,
wait!

"I had an enemy, too; one who had, years before, sought to win my
love for his own; in vain, the cur! And that day--we were out
here in Washington Territory, living in comparative solitude that
I might the better study out the theory I was slowly shaping in
my brain.

"The day was beautiful, but almost oppressively warm, and, as
they so frequently wished, I let my dear ones up in the balloon,
securely fastening it below. And then--God forgive me!--I went
back to town for something; I forget just what, now.

"A sudden storm came up. I hurried homeward; home to me was
wherever my dear ones chanced to be; but I was just too late!
That devil of all devils was ahead of me, and I saw him--merciful
God! I saw him--cut the ropes and let the balloon dart away upon