"If this car,now within three days of its completion,"Orlando proceeded,"does not rise from the oval of my hangar like a bird from its nest,and after a wide and circling flight descend again into the self same spot without any swerving from its direct course,then have I failed in my endeavour and must take a back seat with the rest.But it will not fail.I'm certain of success,Oswald.
All I want just now is a sympathetic helper -you,for instance;someone who will aid me with the final fittings and hold his peace to all eternity if the impossible occurs and the thing proves a failure.""Have you such pride as that?"
"Precisely."
"So much that you cannot face failure?"
"Not when attached to my name.You can see how I feel about that by the secrecy I have worked under.No other person living knows what I have just communicated to you.Every part shipped here came from different manufacturing firms;sometimes a part of a part was all I allowed to be made in any one place.My fame,like my ship,must rise with one bound into the air,or it must never rise at all.
It was not made for petty accomplishment,or the 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.Ireckoned 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 Saturday evening next,whatever the conditions;whatever the weather.An air-car to be serviceable must be ready to meet lightning and tempest,and what is worse,perhaps,an insufficient crew."Then rising,he exclaimed,with a determination which rendered him majestic,"If help is not forthcoming,I'll do it all myself.Nothing shall hold me back;nothing shall stop me;and when you see me and my car rise above the treetops,you'll feel that I have done what I could to make you forget -"He did not need to continue.Oswald understood and flashed a grateful look his way before saying:
"You will make the attempt at night?"
"Certainly."
"And on Saturday?"
"I've said it."
"I will run over in my mind the qualifications of such men as Iknow and acquaint you with the result to-morrow.""There are adjustments to be made.A man of accuracy is necessary.""I will remember."
"And he must be likable.I can do nothing with a man with whom I'm not perfectly in accord.""I understand that."
"Good-night then."A moment of hesitancy,then,"I wish not only yourself but Miss Scott to be present at this test.Prepare her for the spectacle;but not yet,not till within an hour or two of the occasion."And with a proud smile in which flashed a significance which startled Oswald,he gave a hurried nod and turned away.
When in an hour afterwards,Doris looked in through the open door,she found Oswald sitting with face buried in his hands,thinking so deeply that he did not hear her.He had sat like this,immovable and absorbed,ever since his brother had left him.
XXXV
SILENCE -AND A KNOCK
Oswald did not succeed in finding a man to please Orlando.He suggested one person after another to the exacting inventor,but none were satisfactory to him and each in turn was turned down.
It is not every one we want to have share a world-wide triumph or an ignominious defeat.And the days were passing.
