“And I,” said Doctor Sims, “am about to finish a valuable monograph on ‘Epitaphs of the World, Past and Present,’ a book which contains the fruit of twenty years of search and selection. I should like to dedicate it, with an appropriately commendatory inscription, to your daughter.” “To me?” cried Dulcie, flinging her arms around Doctor Sims in a quick hug. “How splendid! Won’t the girls at college be green with envy?” Doctor Sims looked at her. “My dear,” he said, “you are kind to accept it. It is all an old man who loves you has to offer. To write an appropriate book for you would tax Orpheus and put Sappho to shame.” “You are very kind, doctor,” Mr. Hammond replied; then turning to Dulcie, “My dear, I want you to pick yourself out a nice little roadster in New York.” “Isn’t daddy a dear?” asked Dulcie of the world at large. “You have earned it,” said Mr. Hammond, and went into the control room to gloat once more over the speed indicator. Doctor Trigg led Dulcie over to a window. “I want to add a word, dear child,” he said. “I want to thank you for what you have done for two old men. You have shared your youth and freshness with us. You have opened the portal into a new world, for Sims and for me. You have unlocked a door leading into the secret place of my heart. I had thought that it was full of ashes, but I find that it is still peopled by loving and lovely ghosts, who are glad to accept me again.” “Oh, dear Doctor Trigg,” murmured Dulcie, squeezing his arm. A shout from Mr. Hammond interrupted them, attracting the attention of everyone. “Lakehurst in sight,” he cried. “Around the world in nineteen days, and eight hours! Ahead of the flying time of the Graf Zeppelin, and in a much larger ship.” The reporters cheered lustily. Everyone rushed to shake the commander’s hand. Dulcie, with Koko under her arm, went and stood by David at the wheel. “We will soon be there, Captain Ellison.” “Yes indeed, Miss Hammond,” he answered, smiling. “Look down, David. The place is black with people. Aren’t there acres of cars over there?” “Many more than when we left,” said David. “A terrible mob. It would be, you know. It is the Fourth of July, and the world and his wife and the kiddies are here to see us finish the cruise. Just look at them! I hope they can keep the field clear. Take this glass. See the flags, and the mobs on the buildings outside the field. Enthusiasm! Why, they’re crazy! What they won’t do to us!” “It scares me somehow,” said Dulcie. “I’d like to stay right here.” “Well, the first flight of the silver ship is ended,” David mused, as he guided his ship over the field. “I wonder what her next will be. So many things have happened.” “The Moonbeam has brought you fame and fortune, hasn’t she, David?” David did not answer. The great ship hovered above the field, then slowly sank, the landing crew in full formation beneath her. Down and down, slowly, gracefully until her ropes were seized by eager, practiced hands.