Even Captain Penniman’s eyes kindled with enthusiasm as he walked up to his guests and asked their opinion of the _Mystery’s_ qualities. It was not until they had sought shelter from the wind a little later in the saloon that they gave expression to their feelings. “You have introduced a new epoch in navigation, captain,” said the naval expert of the _Times_ expressively. “The days of steam are gone by. America has once more revolutionized the naval construction of the world. The _Mystery_ will be more important in history than the _Monitor_. A new race for naval supremacy must begin to-morrow. In a word, gentlemen,” he concluded, as the vast significance of the subject grew upon him, “the building of this ship is the most important event of this half century.” “Yes, we’ve got the biggest story to tell to-morrow morning that any newspaper has told in our day,” added another in whom the journalist instinct was uppermost. They inspected the splendid ship throughout, and before they had finished word was passed to the captain that the Lizard was in sight about six miles off. “Let us see,” said the captain, glancing at his watch and figuring on a bit of paper. “Call it one hundred and four miles, and the time is two hours fifty-four minutes--that is nearly thirty-six miles an hour. I think that will do. Ask Mr. Walters to shape her course for Southampton.” Before half the distance to Southampton had passed, each of the half-dozen correspondents had ensconced himself before a pile of white paper at a table in the saloon, and was grinding away for dear life upon the narrative which was to astonish the world on the morrow. And the world was astonished, doubly so, for just before parting with his guests Captain Penniman quietly informed them of the nature of the cargo which the _Mystery_ had carried on her maiden voyage. They received the announcement with amazement, and as soon as they set foot ashore hastened to the telegraph office to advise their respective editors to seek corroboration of the extraordinary news from the bank officers. The world’s surprise over the strange tale was extensively mixed with incredulity in many quarters. But three days later this latter emotion was changed to consternation in the cabinet councils of France and Russia, when it was announced that the British admiralty had purchased the wonderful American ship _Mystery_, had engaged her staff of engineers, and would speedily equip her for special naval service. The next day came the news that a special government loan of £20,000,000 for naval construction purposes had been taken _en bloc_ by the house of Munster & Thorp for an American client. The papers further announced that the government would as speedily as possible equip certain existing warships with the new motive power employed on the _Mystery_, and would build new ones similar in general design to the American ship, but heavily armored and on a larger scale.