depends upon the barometric pressure. There
are gases in the earth which may be ignited, and there are combustible
materials as we see in the volcanoes; but if we came across anything of
the sort in our borings, we could turn a river or two down the shaft,
and get the better of it in that fashion."

"It would be rather awkward if the other end of your shaft came out
under the Pacific Ocean," said Robert, choking down his inclination to
laugh.

"I have had estimates and calculations from the first living
engineers--French, English, and American. The point of exit of the
tunnel could be calculated to the yard. That portfolio in the corner is
full of sections, plans, and diagrams. I have agents employed in buying
up land, and if all goes well, we may get to work in the autumn. That is
one device which may produce results. Another is canal-cutting."

"Ah, there you would compete with the railways."

"You don't quite understand. I intend to cut canals through every neck
of land where such a convenience would facilitate commerce. Such a
scheme, when unaccompanied by any toll upon vessels, would, I think, be
a very judicious way of helping the human race."

"And where, pray, would you cut the canals?" asked Robert.

"I have a map of the world here," Haw answered, rising, and taking one
down from the paper-rack. "You see the blue pencil marks. Those are the
points where I propose to establish communication. Of course, I should
begin by the obvious duty of finishing the Panama business."

"Naturally." The man's lunacy was becoming more and more obvious, and
yet there was such precision and coolness in his manner, that Robert
found himself against his own reason endorsing and speculating over his
plans.

"The Isthmus of Corinth also occurs to one. That, however, is a small
matter, from either a financial or an engineering point of view. I
propose, however, to make a junction here, through Kiel between the
German Ocean and the Baltic. It saves, you will observe, the whole
journey round the coast of Denmark, and would facilitate our trade with
Germany and Russia. Another very obvious improvement is to join the
Forth and the Clyde, so as to connect Leith with the Irish and American
routes. You see the blue line?"

"Quite so."

"And we will have a little cutting here. It will run from Uleaborg to
Kem, and will connect the White Sea with the Gulf of Bothnia. We must
not allow our sympathies to be insular, must we? Our litt