"No," said Torrence, "I did not suppose it was necessary. The transportation would have been costly, and I knew that if you insisted, it could be shipped after me. My last effort was deficient in some minor details, which would have necessitated a thorough overhauling of the parts, with readjustment. My position now is that of absolute mastery of the subject, and I thought, with your assistance, that I might build a full-sized vessel at once. There is no longer any need to waste money on models, as the next machine will fly, full size." Mr. Wetherbee lifted his head a little. "How can you be sure of it?" he asked. "Because my last model did," answered Torrence. "And yet you admit there was an error." "There was a slight error of calculation, which impaired the power I hoped to evolve; but I know where the mistake lay and can remedy it. All my plans and formulas are with me. There is no vital principle at stake. The thing is assured beyond a doubt." "And what would be the size of the vessel you propose to build?" asked Wetherbee. "My idea is to construct a ship for practical aerial navigation, capable of carrying half a dozen passengers, with their luggage. Such a vessel would be about sixty feet long, with ten feet beam; while her greatest depth would be about eleven feet." "And how long a time would it take to construct such a craft?" "With everything at our hand, and all necessary funds forthcoming, I should say it would require about six weeks." The old man’s figure was growing wonderfully erect. His eyes shone with vivid intensity. I could see that my brother was making an impression, and hoped for a successful turn in affairs. "And what did you say would be the probable cost of such a machine?" inquired Wetherbee, his back still unrelaxed. "I did not say," answered Torrence; "but from the best of my knowledge—provided labor and material are no dearer over here than at home—I should estimate that the thing could be turned out ready for service, at an expense of—say, twenty thousand dollars." Wetherbee’s eyes were fixed intently upon the fire. He looked even more interested than our most sanguine expectations could have pictured. "That is—let me see!" he muttered. "About four thousand pounds," I answered. "And you will guarantee the result?" "Mr. Wetherbee," said Torrence, drawing his chair a little nearer the invalid’s, "I have not the means to make a legal guaranty; but this much I will say—so absolutely certain am I of success, that I will expend the few pounds I have with me, in a working model, provided I have your promise, in the event of my demonstrating satisfactorily the principle, to place the necessary means at my disposal for building and equipping a ship of the dimensions named. But let me repeat my assurance that such a model would be a waste of time and money. I have a large batch of evidence to prove all that I say."