“Very well. Now listen carefully,” she continued. “Your air-ship has been moved from where you last saw it. It’s no longer in this inlet. When you pass the door, keep straight out into the main valley. The moment you reach the valley you will notice, a short distance away, two inlets to the right. Keep on to the second inlet and there, among several others, you will find your air-ship. If you are seen at all, it won’t be until after you have risen well over the mountain tops, and long before any of the men can get back to the air-ships, you will be well out of sight and beyond any chance of pursuit. Besides, I don’t believe they will attempt any chase as they have never taken any chance of the air-ships being seen by going above the mountain tops in daylight. How the ‘Black Hawk’ will carry on when he finds you have got away! I owe him a grudge or two and it will be great fun to see him storm and rage. You have now the whole plan. Are you sure you understand it?” “Quite!” replied the Professor. “Keep it well in mind, then,” said Valerie. “In half an hour I shall be back and the time for you will have come.” She ran up the steps and tapped three times lightly on the door. As it opened they caught a glimpse of the big, good-natured face of the sentry, as he beamed joyously upon the departing Valerie. When the door closed after her, Mortimer began striding up and down the cabin, strongly agitated by conflicting emotions. On the one hand was his strong desire to escape from confinement, so maddening under existing circumstances; on the other hand was his dislike for the means to be adopted. “Is it right?” he asked the Professor, “to let this girl mix herself up in this? We ought not to let her run risks in our behalf. How do we know what may be the consequences to her? If she’s suspected, this devil, Henry, would stop at nothing.” “Oh! you’re hypersensitive,” responded the Professor. “Valerie can be trusted to find her way out of any entanglement. The best thing for us is to accept the chance she offers and get away.” Mortimer listened, but shook his head moodily and seemed by no means satisfied. Thus the half-hour quickly sped by and, punctually at its expiration, the door opened and Valerie reappeared. “All ready?” she exclaimed, in rapid tones. Mortimer raised his head slowly. “I shall not go,” he said. “Not go! and why?” “For the reasons I’ve explained. Don’t think, though, that I am insensible to your great kindness--that I thank you the less.” “Keep your thanks till some other time,” exclaimed Valerie, with flushed cheeks; “now is the time to act. You won’t go, eh? We’ll see about that. When I make up my mind to something, that something generally comes off, as you shall see!” With these words she sprang up the steps and tapped on the door. It was immediately opened. “Jack, come here!” Jack, grinning broadly, promptly descended into the cabin. Valerie dropped into a seat and pointed to one of the little coils of rope.