At length, all preparations for the voyage were complete, and as we did not wish to excite any remark, it was arranged that we should start on the first night that was dark enough to conceal our movements.

While these thoughts were passing through my head, a footman, in plush, entered the smoking-room, and presented a telegram on a golden salver.  Anticipating the contents, I tore it open, and read as follows: 

     “We leave to-night.  Come on at once.—­CARMICHAEL.”

After writing a reply to the message, I turned to the Viscount, who had never raised his eyes from the board, and said,

“You had better give me the game.”

He simply stared at me, and asked,

“Why?”

“Well, make it a draw.”

“Oh, dear no.  Let’s play it out.”

“I can’t.  I’m sorry to say I must leave you now.  I have just received a telegram making an urgent appointment.  When beauty calls—­”

“Oh!” replied his lordship, with an amiable smile.  “In that case we’ll finish it another time.  I mean to win this game.”

“It will take you all your time.”

“I’ll wager you ten to one—­a thousand sovereigns to a hundred that I win.”

It is not my habit to lay wagers; but I was anxious to be gone.

“All right,” I responded with a laugh, as I went away.  “Good-night!”

On arriving at Mr. Carmichael’s cottage I found the rest of the party waiting for me.  No time was lost in proceeding to the garden, where the car stood ready to mount into the air.  All the lights were out, and in the darkness it might have been mistaken for a tubular boiler of a dumpy shape.  It was built of aluminium steel, able to withstand the impact of a meteorite, and the interior was lined with caoutchouc, which is a non-conductor of heat, as well as air-proof.  The foot or basement contained the driving mechanism, and a small cabin for Mr. Carmichael.  The upper shell, or main body, of an oval contour, projected beyond the basement, and was surmounted by an observatory and conning tower.  It was divided into several compartments, that in the middle being the saloon, or common chamber.  At one end there was a berth for Miss Carmichael, and at the other one for Professor Gazen and myself, with a snug little smoking cell adjoining it.  Every additional cubic inch was utilised for the storage of provisions, cooking utensils, arms, books, and scientific apparatus.

The vessel was entered by a door in the middle, and a railed gallery or deck ran round it outside.  The interior was lighted by ports, or scuttles, of stout glass; but electricity was also at our service.  Air constantly evaporating from the liquid state would fill the rooms, and could escape through vent holes in the walls.  This artificial atmosphere was supplemented by a reserve fund of pure oxygen gas compressed in steel cylinders, and a quantity of chemicals for purifying the air.  It need hardly be said that we did not burden the ship with unnecessary articles, and that every piece of furniture was of the lightest and most useful kind.