The man was positively offensive, and caused the fat and pompous Carl to squirm, while the ferrety little eyes, sunk behind their lashes, positively glared at the rascal who had spoken. "Well, let us hear it," said Adolf flippantly, flicking his cigar ash with one finger, and inspecting the glowing end with every sign of approval. "Carl Reitberg has an inspiration; his friends long to hear all about it." "It is about the airship," began Carl, ignoring the man's words, though his cheeks were purple. "It always is," came the retort. "You dream of the thing; you think of it by day and night. That hundred thousand pounds weighs as heavily as a ton of lead." "And rightly so," Carl answered sharply. "I was deluded, I say. I had no idea that this Joe Gresson could succeed in his undertaking, I----" "Exactly," came the dry answer. "If you had been fully awake you'd never have issued that challenge. You were too cocksure, Carl. You put down that money feeling that it was safe. Now you're doubtful. So am I. You'll lose it if all that the papers report is correct. Just fancy! the ship sails across to Adrianople quicker than an aeroplane could take you. She hovers over the city. She rises and falls and disappears at will. Then she heads back for England, while her wireless tells _The Daily Flier_ all the news. If that hundred thousand pounds were mine--and some of it will be according to our agreement--why, I'd begin to get fidgety. I'd begin to dream and seek for inspirations. Well, what's yours?" "I use the wireless also. I call up the ship. I follow the idea of behaving as a sportsman." "Ah!" Adolf smiled satirically. "That cost a heap!" he said. "Well?" "I ask to be taken aboard for this world trip. Can they refuse me?" It was his companion's turn to show some irritation. If Carl Reitberg had the intention of accompanying the great airship on her voyage, then it could be with one object, for there were no secrets between these two rascals. He desired to gain access to the ship with the sole idea of wrecking or damaging it. Very good, that! Crafty! Quite commendable. "But there's myself to be considered. If he succeeds, what do I get? Where is the reward promised?" The ruffian eyed Carl with undisguised contempt, and yet half fearfully. "Clever idea, very," he said aloud. "You go aboard for the trip. There is, perhaps, an accident. Unfortunate, of course, but--er--necessary. You are as sorry as the others. You express a thousand regrets--but all the while you are laughing in your sleeve. You are really thinking of something far harder to give than regrets; you are thinking of your one hundred thousand pounds, eh, my friend? That is, I think, the beginning and end of the inspiration." It was so obvious that Adolf admired the craftiness of the scheme that Carl almost forgave him. But the next few seconds undeceived him, and reminded the magnate of the fact that he had others to consider.