“The government’s warships,” continued the High President, “are scattered over the various seas. But let us assume that a number of them were concentrated in Atlantic waters. Could a ship of the sea do successful battle with a ship of the air, hovering directly above her and raining death and destruction down upon her decks? I ask you, what chance would a ship of the sea have?” “A warship,” answered Mortimer with impatience, “could, of course, not elevate her guns so as to bring within range anything immediately above her.” “Then,” exclaimed the High President triumphantly, “I am pleased to find that our minds are in accord on at least some important points and we can now, perhaps, come to an understanding.” “I don’t fully catch your meaning,” said Mortimer. “You don’t suppose,” answered the High President, “that I have held this interview with you and disclosed our position so thoroughly simply for the purpose of discussing political economy, or questions of military tactics?” “Perhaps not,” said Mortimer. “I await the explanation of your purpose.” “It is this,” replied the High President. “I sought first to show you the merit and justice of our cause, and next, our certitude of success. You, Captain Mortimer, with your military experience, and you, Professor Dean, with your scientific attainments, would be valuable additions to our ranks--not so much for the first attack, for all the details of that first attack are already mapped out and settled; but for the subsequent work of organization and handling great masses of men which must necessarily follow our preliminary successes. We shall first attack the palace and almost simultaneously the city of New York. We shall seize upon the persons of the King and the officers of the Government. This preliminary success and demonstration of our power will be accompanied by uprisings all over the East, followed a little later by similar movements in the West and the South. How could you lend your aid to a nobler work than the uplifting of your countrymen in particular and of mankind in general--how engage in a more truly patriotic task! I invite you--I beg you--to aid in this cause--to join our ranks.” The High President paused, with eager eyes turned upon his auditors. For some moments they sat in silence. “I await your answer,” said the High President, turning his gaze directly upon Mortimer. For yet a moment Mortimer sat speechless. At last he spoke.