“His Majesty’s air-ship, the ‘Royal Dean’,” replied Mortimer, adding with an aside and a chuckle to the Professor: “How’s that?” The reply appeared to exercise a strange effect upon the men addressed. The man in the bow turned to those behind him and a brief parley seemed to ensue. Finally he turned about and again hailed them. “You are our prisoners!” he shouted. “Prisoners!” roared back Mortimer. “By what authority do you dare thus address an officer of the King’s Guard?” All four air-ships had now drawn quite close and had come to a stop. All were drifting in the air currents. “Authority!” called back the spokesman. “You’ll learn that later. Surrender!” Mortimer was standing in the extreme bow of the air-ship. He turned to his companion. “Professor, hand me that rifle.” Professor Dean bent forward and picked up the rifle from the floor of the air-ship. As he rose with the weapon in his hand there came a warning shout from the spokesman. “Fire one shot,” he cried, “and we will blow you to the moon!” “You scoundrels!” called back Mortimer, “try it!” And he turned to the Professor, holding out his hand for the rifle. The Professor calmly drew back and dropped it over the side of the air-ship. “What have you done--what have you done?” cried Mortimer furiously. “Saved you from yourself!” replied his companion coolly. “I don’t mind your fighting when you have half a chance, but to resist here is sheer madness.” Captain Mortimer paused an instant, hesitatingly. “I suppose you’re entitled to some consideration in this matter,” he said sulkily. “There may be some truth in what you say. Perhaps I can best aid the cause I serve by exercising diplomacy for the moment and biding my time.” “Now you’re talking concentrated sense,” replied the Professor. “That’s the proper way to look at it.” As he spoke, the air-ship on either side had drawn close in upon them. Each of these air-ships threw out a long, powerful prong, resembling a giant boat-hook, and held “The Royal Dean” securely. Words of command rang out and an instant later the two air-ships began descending at moderate speed to the valley below, drawing down the captive craft between them. Mortimer picked up his sword and buckled it about his waist. The Professor was silent. Both stood in their respective positions, expectant and alert but offering no further resistance.