“I was going to release the shutters from the bow. I can close the patent traps, and leave the ether protection all round the ship,” he explained to the others. “But it is possible to leave a small portion of the glass in the bows, exposed, through which we shall be able to see the course we are taking.” “I think it’s worth making the experiment,” said Sir John, and they all followed him into the comfortable front cabin. “Now if you see the slightest sign of danger, ’phone me,” said Masters, who was going into the lever room. “How can you tell if danger is near?” asked Mavis with interest. “This way,” said Masters. He pointed to a portion of the glass wall, now covered with the outer sheet of aluminium. “That portion of the glass is of extra thickness and strength. If the outside air pressure is too great, or the gravitation or any unknown element too powerful for it, that glass will bulge, either inwards, or outwards. Only slightly at first, but it will get bigger and bigger until it bursts asunder. Now, if you see the slightest suspicion of that happening, ’phone through to me, and I will close the shutters again. At any rate, we shall have done no harm, and at least we shall have tried to do something to ease our position.” In breathless silence they waited, watchful in the dark. Suddenly a tiny ray of light lit up the stygian gloom. Bigger and bigger it grew, until the whole of Masters’ wonderfully planned “lookout” was exposed to view. Breathlessly they watched. There was not the slightest sign of strain upon the glass. It was certainly capable of protecting them for the present at any rate. “All serene,” cried Alan through the ’phone. “Everything safe?” from Masters at the other end. “Quite safe.” “Oh-h-h-h.” It was Mavis. “How wonderful!” They were looking into endless space at last! They had no sense of location—no ordinary sense of North or South—East or West. They were in the heart of the Solar system, with no horizon to act as a guiding line! The vastness of space overwhelmed them; there was no landmark to direct them. There was no comforting horizon, with mighty arms outstretched, embracing the world. There was nothing to give them a feeling of security. Here space just “went on” for ever and ever, beyond human comprehension. Wherever they looked, there was just—no end. But the scene was beautiful beyond comparison. Away to their right, in the dark recesses of the firmament, was a wonderful brightness. “It’s the Milky Way,” said Mavis clapping her hands in ecstasy. “I don’t think so,” said Alan. “But all the same, I think that gives us an idea in what direction we are flying. That brightness must be the Greater Magellanic Clouds in the Southern Constellation.” “What, are they only clouds, then?” “No, just stars. Stars of all magnitudes, richly strewn in the heavens. Even the faintest of the nebulæ are more abundant than in any other part of the firmament.”