Mrs. Scorbitt, at his urgent request, was allowed to accompany him. Perhaps at the last attempt the influence of this amiable lady might be successful. It would not do to neglect anything. All means were legitimate that might secure the word of the enigma. If they did not succeed, they would see! “They will see!” said the knowing ones. “Suppose they hang J. T. Maston, and the catastrophe takes place all the same?” At eleven o’clock, then, Maston found himself in the presence of John Prestice and Evangelina Scorbitt. “For the last time,” said Prestice, “will you answer me?” “What about?” said Maston. “Where has your colleague, Barbicane, gone to?” “I have already told you a hundred times.” “Repeat it for the hundred and first.” “He has gone where he will fire the cannon.” “And where will he fire the cannon?” “Where Barbicane is at this present moment.” “Take care, Maston!” “Of what?” “Of the consequences of your refusal to reply. The result will be—” “That you will not discover what you have no right to know.” “What we have the right to know.” “That is not my opinion.” “We are going to put you on your trial.” “You can put me on my trial.” “And the jury will find you guilty.” “Let them find me guilty.” “And the sentence will immediately be given and immediately executed.” “Very well.” “Dear Maston!” said Evangelina, whose heart trembled at the prospect. “Oh! Mrs. Scorbitt,” said J. T. Maston. She bowed her head, and was silent. “Would you like to know what the sentence will be?” “Yes, if you like.” “You will be hanged, as you deserve.” “Really.” “And you will be hanged, sir, as sure as two and two make four.” “Then, sir, I shall have a chance,” said the phlegmatic Maston. “If you were only the least bit of a mathematician you would not say as sure as two and two make four. What is it that proves that all mathematicians up to now have not been mad in asserting that the sum of two numbers is equal to that of their parts, that two and two make exactly four?” “Sir!” exclaimed the president, completely puzzled. “Ah!” continued Maston. “If you had said as sure as one and one make two, all right! That is absolutely evident, for it is no longer a theorem, it is a definition.” At this lesson in arithmetic, the president of the Commission retired, while Mrs. Scorbitt’s eyes were ablaze with admiration for the extraordinary abilities of her beloved calculator. CHAPTER XIV. THE GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE OF _x_. Fortunately for J. T. Maston, the Federal Government unexpectedly received the following telegram:— “To John S. Wright, Washington, U.S.A.