The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

“ A MONTH IN THE MOON. 339 ‘“ But what do you infer ?”’ ‘‘T don’t know. I canonly think that thieves have been here within the last hour or half hour, and they have carried off not only an enormous quantity of provisions, but also = ‘* What ?”’ ‘Arms and ammunition! My rifle, which stood behind the door of the storeroom, arid the doctor’s rifle that was hanging up in the drawing room.’ He has not noticed its abserice, but I did.’’ CHAPTER XX XI.—ONLY CATALEPSY. AFTER ascertaining the state of things in the storeroom, and Ainding that Virgil had in no wise exaggerated, Norbert called Briet into the Hall of Tel- escopes, to take counsel with him and his faithful servant. Who were those strange thieves, that they should pounce ipon the pro- visions, and leave the baronet’s splendid plate untouched? ‘That circum- stance alone seemed to point to the probability of the theft having been com- mitted by an animal, or a troop of unknown animals, rather than by a human being. On the other hand, the disappearance of the firearms must haye been the work of intelligent though mischievous beings. Anyhow, it was most im- portant to find out the truth, and also to organize a search party for the baronet. As the expedition hdd its dangers, it was settled that Gertrude and Fatima should be left behind in charge of Smith. The doctor and Virgil, armed to the teeth, accompanied Norbert. The model valet was told of this decision, and strictly enjoined not to dis- quiet the ladies left to his protection, as they were not to know the reason of the sortie. Ele was, however, to lock the door, and to have loaded firearms at hand, and not to admit any one without good cause. Having taken these precautions, our three explorers hastened to equip themselves for the adventure, filled their breechloaders with explosive bullets, and put on their respirators. ‘Then they bid good by to Gertrude under pre- text of going out to look for the baronet. ** Where shall we begin !’’ asked the doctor. ‘‘ Iam inclined to go towards the Sea of Serenity,’’ replied Norbert. ‘“The sea !’’ cried Fatima, clapping her hands. ‘‘Oh, how I should like to see it, and, above all, to bathe in it, as at Suakim!”’ ‘Don’t be in such a hurry, Fatima,’’ said N ernest ‘There is no water in this sea.’’ ‘“ No water in a sea?’’ ‘No, my child ; there is not a drop on the whole surface of the moon, nor even in its atmosphere. We should suffer terribly from thirst if we had not a good supply in store, which saves us, at least that torment. As to the sea of which I speak, it is, like all the others in this world, simply a sandy plain. *’ ‘“Then why call them seas?’’ asked Gertrude. CONNIE OOKS. CO) 5}