Chapter Five
THE WORK was full of a real live peril, but the aeroplane was cast loose at length. Its upward motion was slow, perhaps owing to the denseness of the atmosphere. For some time nobody spoke. Something seemed to oppress their breathing. They were barely conscious of the faint upward motion. If they only rose perfectly straight all would be well.
“That’s a fine light you had in the workshop,” said Eldred. “But why not have established a few hundreds of them—”
“All over London,” Hackness cut in, “For the simple reason that the lamp my friend lent me is the only one in existence. It is worked at a dangerous voltage too.”
The upward motion continued. The sails of the aeroplane rustled slightly. Grimfern drew a deep breath.
“Air,” he gasped, “real pure fresh air! Do you notice i
