“Yes, I know,” answered Dean, “but long before they can even reach their ships, we will have disappeared from view. We are at least fast enough for that and don’t forget that we leave no trail behind us.” Up and up they rose until they were invisible to anything upon the surface of the earth. Onward they sped, and no pursuing form appearing behind them, they realized that they had indeed escaped. For an hour or more they held on thus and at last Dean spoke. “I have been keeping entirely away from our proper course,” he said, “as in that manner I thought we should be less likely to be in the line of pursuit, if indeed a pursuit be attempted at all. I feel that we are quite safe from that now and I had best lay the course for the palace, I suppose?” “I should think that would be the right thing to do,” assented Mortimer. “But first,” said Dean, “in case of any possible further mishap, I think it would be well for us to open up communication with Kearns and send him a message. Don’t you think it is time that he had one?” “Decidedly,” answered Mortimer. “An excellent idea. But can you do it? Remember the instrument is in his room in the Chancellerie and the windows of that room face South, while we are now due North.” “Quite so,” answered Dean, “but the instrument in that room is connected with one on the roof of the Palace, so that at this altitude I can operate from all four points of the compass.” Dean brought the air-ship to a standstill and allowed it to drift in the air currents. Then he applied himself to the aërestograph. Silently Mortimer sat awaiting results. Presently Dean laid aside the instrument and turned to Mortimer. “He does not make any response,” he said. “He is probably away from the instrument. We must try again later.” Dean again started the air-ship and for half an hour they kept on their course. Then Dean again stopped and gave the aërestograph a further trial. “Ah!” he exclaimed immediately, a pleased expression coming into his face; “now we have him!” Dean operated the instrument for a minute or more and then was occupied for quite some time in the reception of the reply. Kearns, thought Mortimer, was evidently either not a very rapid or very accurate operator, or else the reply must be of some length. At last it was over and Dean sent back a brief answer. “Very curious!” he muttered, laying aside the instrument. “What is very curious?” questioned Mortimer. “The reply to our message.” “What was it?” “First let me give you what I sent,” said Dean. “It was this: ‘We have been prisoners, but have escaped. We are returning with big news and fullest information.’” “Yes, yes,” replied Mortimer; “that would seem to cover the ground very nicely. And the answer?”