98 MILLIONS OF THE BEGUM
science of projectiles, the solution of which I have till this
moment sought in vain. Herr Schultz is mistaken! The
threatened danger is but a dream. For once, his science is
at fault! Nothing of what he foretold will come to pass.
It's impossible! His formidable shell will fly over Frank-
ville without touching it, and if there is anything to fear,
it will be only in the future!"
What could Max mean? His friends did not understand! The young Alsacian then explained the result of his calculations. In his clear ringing voice he explained his demonstration in such a way as to render it luminous, even to the most ignorant. It was light succeeding darkness, calm following agony. Not only would the projectile leave un- touched the doctor's city, but it would touch nothing what- ever. It was destined to lose itself in space!
Dr. Sarrasin acknowledged the correctness of Max's cal- culations, and then, pointing to the luminous dial in the hall, "In three minutes," he exclaimed, we shall know whether Schultz or Max Bruckmann is right! Whatever happens, my friends, we need not regret any of the pre- cautions we have taken, and we still must neglect nothing which can baffle the inventions of our enemy. If his design fails for the present, as Max has just given us reason to hope, it won't be the last. Schultz's hate will never be stifled or arrested."
"Come!" exclaimed Max.
All followed him into the square. Three minutes passed in breathless suspense. The quarter before twelve was tolled forth from the great clock!
Four seconds after, a dark mass was seen high above their heads; quick as thought it rushed onward, and with a sinister hiss soon disappeared far beyond the town.
"A pleasant journey to it!" shouted Max, with a burst of laughter. "If Herr Schultz's shell keeps up that speed, it will never again fall upon terrestrial soil!"
In two minutes a roar was heard like distant thunder.
This was the report of the cannon in the Bull Tower, the sound reaching Frankville a hundred and thirteen seconds after the projectile had passed at the rate of four hundred and fifty miles an hour.
