“Yes, yes,” exclaimed Dean, “we noticed that!” “Next to the King’s chamber was a room with open windows,” went on the High President, “occupied, as they knew, by an officer on guard. Either an air current must have affected the air-ship which was at the moment almost motionless, or the steersman made some slight miscalculation, for they suddenly drifted in too close to the room. Our men suddenly saw an officer in full uniform spring forward and peer out. It looked as if he had caught sight of them and was about to give an alarm. Instantly, one of our men fired. The officer was seen to stagger back and, without groan or cry, he fell!” With a cry of rage and pain, as of some wounded animal, Mortimer clenched his hands and began pacing the floor, in deep agitation. “But how can this be!” exclaimed Dean. “We were close at hand and we heard no sound--no shot!” “You forget,” replied the High President indulgently, “that most of our firearms to-day are noiseless as well as smokeless.” “My God--my God!” exclaimed Mortimer, still pacing the floor, “that officer was Ralph--my comrade and friend, Captain Swords. Tell me, did that shot kill?” “That is not known,” replied the High President. “After the shot, our men hovered around, peering into the lighted room and prepared to flee at the slightest sign of an alarm. But no sign of such alarm appeared. The officer’s fall upon the heavy carpet appeared to have been unheard, for no one came to the room and he lay there motionless. Our men then passed on to their work at the King’s window, when you appeared a moment later upon the scene. You know the rest.” “To think that he is lying wounded, perhaps dead, and I here--a prisoner!” muttered Mortimer fiercely. “The fortunes of war,” replied the High President coldly. “What is one life in such a struggle? Alas! think of the many, many lives which must be sacrificed before this contest closes. As to your imprisonment, I am willing to give you the freedom of this entire valley upon your parole not to leave it, or to attempt any communication whatsoever with the outside.” “I refuse such parole,” answered Mortimer curtly. “And you, Professor Dean?” “I follow Captain Mortimer’s lead absolutely.” “Very well,” answered the High President, “prisoners you must then remain. But console yourselves with the thought that it will not be for long. Ten days from to-day the signal to attack will flash forth--in ten days from to-day the new era will have dawned and your freedom will be near at hand. Look forward to your liberation--as tens upon tens of millions are awaiting their liberation--to the birth of the New Republic!” He sprang up the steps and called to the sentinel without. The door was hurriedly thrown open and an instant later he was gone. CHAPTER V A STRANGE MESSAGE