The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 112: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

112 A MONTH IN THE MOON. to come down to us. Do you want me now to forego the pleasure of making her acquaintance, and send her back into space ?’’ “You could do it, then?’’ ‘With the greatest ease. Simply by the means of that ivory knob yon- der, marked zB.’’ “What! The action of your magnet could be suspended simply by touching the motor B?’’ cried the baronet, evidently startled. ‘Not precisely by touching it, but by lowering it and raising the fetter-A.*’ ‘“In that case, my dear friend, I am of opinion that you had better use your power without delay.’’ ‘“There are very good reasons, my dear Coghill, why I should not follow your advice.”’ ‘Then the moon is to fa// upon the earth?” ‘“ Just so.’? ‘Will it not cause a shock ?”’ ‘Yes, for those who happen to be between the anvil and hammer certainly. But the chain of the Lunar Apennines will come into contact with the earth about a hundred leagues off, striking the Sahara from the northeast to the southwest. J expect we shall feel a sharp shock, but nothing more.”’ ‘“And supposing you should be mistaken? If the shock does fall upon ST" ‘In that case, of course, we shall be crushed. But I have not made a mistake. I don’t know that we should be better off massacred by the Mahdi, for at all events we know what we have to expect,’’ added Norbert, as he looked at his chronometer again. ‘‘In twenty two seconds and a half,’’ he continued, ‘‘ Il expect———”’ ‘‘T still think it would be wise to stop this experiment,’’ interposed the baronet. No sooner had he uttered these words ee Smith, as if this had been the oracle long waited for, flung himself on the ebony tablet, and before any one suspected his intention, he had seized the knob A with his right hand, and the knob B with his left, and raising the former he lowered the other. Norbert had but just time to rush upon him, exclaiming aloud in his anger and despair. It was too late ! A fearful explosion ensued, followed by an uproar and din that can only be likened to the noise of a thousand volcanoes, or the roar of a million cannon. There was one terrible shock, and then darkness sudden and complete. The unfortunate actors of the drama sank unconscious to the floor. Norbert had just strength enough to cry aloud: “Gertrude !”’ But his voice had scarcely died away in the tremendous noise that prevailed when he lost consciousness of the disaster that had befallen all alike. A. Laurte, (TO BE CONTINUED. ) Se CEN AA it ea lg ge a eee a x a a = s ‘ ~ BS OS eee / = i. ; LS nag Sig” * . : = : Seon S * > note t 4 . AM mE AO er *s ao f - 2 = 5 te a) Fy | (€( 0) AA Eboo ee Som > ee,