slow plodding of commonplace minds. I must
startle, or remain obscure. That is why I chose this place for my
venture, and you for my helper and associate."

"You want me to ascend with you?"

"Exactly."

"At the end of three days?"

"Yes."

"Orlando, I cannot."

"You cannot? Not strong enough yet? I'll wait then,--three days more."

"The time's too short. A month is scarcely sufficient. It would be
folly, such as you never show, to trust a nerve so undermined as mine
till time has restored its power. For an enterprise like this you need
a man of ready strength and resources; not one whose condition you might
be obliged to consider at a very critical moment."

Orlando, balked thus at the outset, showed his displeasure.

"You do not do justice to your will. It is strong enough to carry you
through anything."

"It was."

"You can force it to act for you."

"I fear not, Orlando."

"I counted on you and you thwart me at the most critical moment of my
life."

Oswald smiled; his whole candid and generous nature bursting into view,
in one quick flash.

"Perhaps," he assented; "but you will thank me when you realise my
weakness. Another man must be found--quick, deft, secret, yet honourably
alive to the importance of the occasion and your rights as a great
original thinker and mechanician."

"Do you know such a man?"

"I don't; but there must be many such among our workmen."

"There isn't one; and I haven't time to send to Brooklyn. I reckoned on
you."

"Can you wait a month?"

"No."

"A fortnight, then?"

"No, not ten days."

Oswald looked surprised. He would like to have asked why such
precipitation was necessary, but their tone in which this ultimatum was
given was of that decisive character which admits of no argument. He,
therefore, merely looked his query. But Orlando was not one to answer
looks; besides, he had no reply for the same importunate question urged
by his own good sense. He knew that he must make the attempt upon which
his future rested soon, and without risk of the sapping influence of
lengthened suspense and weeks of waiting. He could hold on to those two
demons leagued in attack against him, for a definite seven days, but
not for an indeterminate time. If he were to be saved from folly,--from
himself--events must rush.

He, therefore, repeated his no, with increased vehemence, adding, as he
marked the reproach in his brother's eye, "I cannot wait. The test must
be made on