“None whatever,” answered Kearns. “I’ve been too busy with other matters. I’m after the main quarry. The subordinate details, if necessary, can be attended to later.” This seemed sound reasoning and neither of the others ventured a reply. The moments slowly passed. They sat there in the darkness exchanging only occasional whispers. They heard the chime of one of the palace clocks--an hour had passed and still nothing. Again the clock chimed; it was the quarter. The sound had barely died away in the darkness of the summer night, when Kearns laid a light touch upon the Professor’s arm. “_At last!_” The three bent their heads together. “Look upward--to the right!” came the low whisper. They strained their eyes in the direction indicated. Faintly seen in the darkness was a shadowy something, the outline of some black object floating in the air. “Steady!” whispered Kearns, in an ever so faint whisper. “Not a move till I give the word!” The dark object, though still indistinct, became gradually more clearly outlined. It crossed at some little distance out and above their window, passed the windows of the King’s apartment and was lost to their view opposite the window of the antechamber where the King’s officer on duty kept guard. “An air-ship--an air-ship, sure enough,” whispered the Professor. “And apparently painted dead black.” “Quite so,” replied Kearns, “but this time we’ll match your gray one against the black. Great Scott! To think that I’m not in the race.” Several minutes passed and the ship did not reappear. “My God!” exclaimed Captain Mortimer, “you haven’t allowed them to escape us?” “Hush, no!” answered Kearns; “do not fear. They’re cute ones. They’re scouting and ’ll surely return.” The whispered words had hardly left his lips when the air-ship reappeared. This time it halted in a line with the King’s window. “Steady and quiet!” said Kearns. “The time has come.” Quickly, silently they rose and took their positions in the air-ship, as it lay upon its rests. Stealthily Kearns crept to the window and with one turn of the well-oiled and carefully prepared machinery, the entire bay window curved outward, leaving a wide opening. Through this gap, the launch-like air-ship skilfully guided by the Professor, gracefully slid into the night. Rapid as had been these movements, they were not more rapid than those of the attacking party. As the window flew back and the prow of the air-ship passed out, the Professor and Mortimer saw them loosen their mooring, turn about and away. By the time the opening had been cleared, the pursued were several lengths in the lead, but the royal air-ship was following hot in their wake. High over the tree-tops of the park they flew and on and on until they reached the river. Thus far they had maintained their respective distances, neither apparently gaining or losing. “Turn on the flash-light!” called out the Professor, “or we may lose them in the darkness.”