THE CONSPIRACY
“Foul whisp’rings are abroad; unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles; infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.”
(+Shakespeare.+)
Almost the first thing to excite comment amongst the visitors was the
appearance of the stars. On Earth stars are seen above and around,
as if the spectator were placed in the centre of a great ball, on
the inner side of which ball stars are seen, but owing to the Earth
intervening and cutting off all sight below the horizon, only the
upper half of the dome is visible. But here in space the stars were
above, around, and below; in every direction they shone brilliantly,
the _Regina_, notwithstanding her rapid movement, being always and at
all times the altering centre of a vast and ever-changing space, with
ever-changing objects, which appeared weird and awful when viewed in
the absence of an atmosphere through which everything in nature must
necessarily be seen from Earth, and which softens and beautifies by
its moisture and substance and clouds and refraction and dozens of
other blessings, or the inhabitants would be driven almost mad to see
the wonders of creation and the terrible sun, shorn of the Earth’s
beneficent veil of atmosphere.
Many of the passengers were appalled, and several intensely regretted
their misplaced enthusiasm. They had, all their lives, examined their
celestial globes from _without_, as they necessarily were obliged to
do, merely bearing in mind, in a casual sort of way, that the Earth
was really _within_, and instead of the dome of the heavens being
above, the Earth was itself the centre of limitless space. They nearly
lost their self-control and were driven to the verge of hysterics to
realise that the frail thing on which they stood was actually adrift in
immeasurable space, and only the All-seeing Eye could guide them back
to their own world.
As seen from Earth, stars are mere points of light, the rays from
which in passing to us become subject to various laws, and are also
not only refracted, but are affected by the density, humidity and
temperature of our atmosphere, coming to us as twinkling lights. Also
under the highest telescopic power stars show no appreciable size, and
are comparatively fixed in their places, forming such small points
in the heavens that their positions can be determined so correctly
that the measurements and movements of other stars and planets can be
recorded with almost certain accuracy, for keeping the same position
themselves with regard to Earth, they define clearly and unmistakably
the movements of our world.
A star being _one_ point of light, twinkles only, whilst planets,
moons, and the sun have so many points and rays of light, all
twinkling, that the combination of all the scintillating rays causes
a steady light which is quite distinct from the light of a star, the
magnitudes of which are classed according to their relative brightness,
the first half-dozen or so classes being visible to the naked eye, and
the next eighteen or more to the lens of a good telescope.
For many centuries it had been thought that the difference in the
brilliancy of the stars came from the fact that though they were
nearly all equally brilliant, their distances were so remote as more
or less to reduce their light, and that ether in space was entirely
transparent. The _Regina_, however, had been the cause of considerable
modification of these views by enabling many of the difficulties to
be removed by actual observation on the spot, when it was found that
certain parts of the ether of space were more or less opaque and
partially, and often entirely, obliterated certain of the stars by
intervening and absorbing some, or all, of their light; also that
many, if not all, of these semi-opaque webs of ether were in motion,
and sometimes this movement caused the more dense web to pass away
from between certain stars and Earth, and thus in the more transparent
space certain stars would appear brighter, and the new stars and moons
of planets would become visible; at the same time the opaque web of
ether having changed position, stars hitherto visible were blotted out
of sight from Earth. This accounted for many discoveries of new stars
and the loss of many previously observed, also for the periodic loss
and reappearance of others, for in certain cases the fog-like stratum
of ether was found to move in definite and periodic pulsations which
exposed one or more stars beyond, as the veil lifted, or fell, or moved
aside. Such stars may then have remained visible for years and would
again vanish as the stratum moved back, and in course of time, probably
anything from a few hours to thousands of years, it would again
expose the hidden star, which would appear and disappear in definite
cycles of time. Such stars are called “variables,” of which there
are considerably over a thousand, and others are being added as time
goes on; some have definite periods of visibility and invisibility,
and some change erratically, being seldom equal, all depending on the
size, movement and density of the particular semi-transparent web of
intervening ether, which, although appearing to be bound by no known
law, yet has a certain law of movement of its own, because it may be
timed and its passage anticipated with accuracy.
One of the chief of these periodical stars is Mira Ceti, the “wonderful
star,” which was visible from Earth when the travellers left, but in
a few days they passed through a great bank of dense, semi-opaque
ether, thousands of miles in thickness and extent. This was almost
imperceptible when they were in it, but as they had approached it had
appeared like a faint cloud, the mass of which was sufficient to hide
the star from Earth when intervening. The magnitude of Mira—in common
with that of all other such stars—varies according to the density
and opacity of the intervening stratum, undergoing many ‘wonderful’
changes. Its period is less than an Earth-year by about thirty-four
days, thus going through about twelve changes in eleven Earth-years,
or thereabouts. Its brightness, which is fiery red, causes it to be
classed in the second magnitude, in which it remains about fifteen
days, when it diminishes in brightness till, in about three months’
time, the full bulk of the bank of ether hides it altogether from the
naked eye, and only through powerful telescopes can it be seen for a
little under five months, when a more transparent portion of the web
of ether gradually pulsates before it. In the course of a little under
three months the belt has lifted, or become so thin as to be wholly
transparent, and the “wonderful star” comes into view again without
anything intervening. She has thus regained her original brilliancy
as a star of the second magnitude, and Mira has now gone through her
average changes, but even these are subject to much variation. The
movements of the ether follow a law at present unknown, to discover
which the _Regina_ would have been obliged to stay close at hand,
probably for years, which was scarcely advisable, so the scientists
left the definition of the law of ether-movement to some future
occasion, contenting themselves with the elucidation of the cause of
the variability of stars, and particularly of this “wonderful star,”
which has been the source of so much controversy and speculation since
its discovery in Cetus in 1596 by David Fabricius. It was also found
that the ether pulsated and moved in such a manner as to cause the star
to appear of varying brightness, and to alter its period to a longer
or shorter time—probably a matter of twenty to thirty days either way.
They, however, noticed that at the eleventh maximum of brilliancy,
which was then approaching, the star was completely exposed to view
from Earth, thus causing it to appear at that particular time far
brighter than when at its greatest brilliancy. It was seen far away,
shining steadily, but without the scintillating, fiery glow seen from
Earth, which, along with other characteristics peculiar to their unique
point of sight, caused much friendly discussion amongst the voyagers
as the ship sped onward direct for her goal—the star which warms,
illumines and governs all the planets and the thousands of planetoids
forming the solar system, binding them all together by such close
and common ties, as of relationship, that no shock or change of any
magnitude can take place in any one of them without affecting all the
others, however remote.
By this time the _Regina_ had travelled a little over twenty-seven
of the ninety-three millions of miles which separate the earth from
the sun, and consequently had arrived within the orbit of Venus. The
details of the visit the original owners had paid to this “Star of
Love” centuries before, were, of course, matters of history, well
known to every person on board; notwithstanding which, several of
the visitors wished to go out of their course to follow in the wake
of the planet, and land, and pressed Dennis to go there, but he
refused, saying they must travel direct to the sun and back, and in
this decision the rest of the party concurred, seeing that Venus was
at the opposite side of the sun to Earth and they would have to go
past the sun and then come back. Then for the first time dissension
arose, and amongst the few who wished to go to Venus were some of those
who first regretted having embarked. These openly expressed their
dissatisfaction, and endeavoured to inflame the fears of their more
courageous and peace-abiding companions by referring constantly to the
now awful-looking sun which, shorn of the protecting veil of Earth
atmosphere, glared with terrible power into the vessel, and contrasted
his malignancy with the benign, yet distant Venus, rolling onward in
stately movement. So effective were these constant comparisons that
before many days had passed other faint-hearts saw in the sun and its
slowly increasing and awful bulk a doom by the worst of deaths, and
they commenced to argue with all the owners in turn, that even if the
vessel could withstand the enormous heat and friction, she could not
possibly sustain the equally enormous pressure, but would be cracked
like a nut as she drew nearer, for a tiny jet of vapour on the sun
would strike with a force of thousands, perhaps millions of tons, and
shatter the ship like burnt paper.
“The vessel can withstand lightning and any other force,” said Dennis,
with conviction.
“Lightning, may be!” retorted Edgar Holt, who seemed to be regarded by
his friends as their spokesman, “but not solar energy. In lightning
you have direct electrical energy, and I will admit for argument your
sources of power to be greater than lightning, but solar energy is
infinitely stronger, and we shall be crushed.”
“Energy, solar or otherwise, is all the same to us; the energy
radiated from each square foot of the sun’s surface has been computed
at something like twelve thousand horse-power, but that is, of
course, only a guess, as must be all estimates. Now the secret of the
_Regina’s_ power lies in the fact that not only can we absorb any form
of opposing energy—be it gravity, heat, electricity, magnetism, or
what not—but oppose to it the same force increased a thousand-fold and
more, so that we can assure you there is no danger; we may safely enter
the sun’s atmosphere, and no matter what force opposes us, it will be
harmless.”
“It will not!” retorted Holt, in rude contradiction, “we shall be
annihilated!”
“Oakland is right, Holt,” broke in Ross, with some warmth; “and if not,
and we are burnt up, you knew the risks—why did you come if you were
not prepared to face them?”
“We were blinded with the glamour of the adventure, but that has worn
off and we cannot go!”
“You cannot go?” exclaimed Godfrey, who had heard all. “My most
estimable friends, you’ve got to go, you must go! unless you prefer
being put outside, and even then you’d go, for you’d follow us.”
“We do not intend going,” repeated Holt, quietly, but with evident
determination.
“You see that collection of spots over there, good people?” queried
Godfrey, sarcastically. “One of them is our world—I’ll be hanged if I
know which, and yet I’m here. I know no more about this ship than you
do, and it seems like tempting Providence even to hope that we can
ever find our own little speck of a planet again amongst the thousands
of others, which seem to me to be all alike, and yet I am perfectly
content—as are we all except you—to trust to Providence, the _Regina_,
and to the power the three owners have over her. Going to the sun we
are, and as we have been friendly so far, let us proceed and all work
together amicably for the general good. Believe me, we are sure to
return to Earth safe and sound. If we don’t—well—we don’t!”
This long and sensible speech of Godfrey’s, despite the cold comfort of
the climax, created an excellent impression, and caused several who
seemed wavering to side with the owners and remain true to the original
plan, but it was plain to see that the dissentients to the number of
eight were unconvinced, and it was equally evident that some plan,
known only to themselves, had been formed.
Fearing an attempt at mutiny, Dennis wisely professed to compromise
and suggested that the objectors should talk the matter over amongst
themselves in the far saloon, and the rest should do the same
where they now were, all meeting the following morning (_i.e._,
Earth-morning, for they kept Earth-time) so that they could settle the
matter amicably, if possible.
The eight went away as suggested, and after a short discussion, the
meeting terminated and work proceeded as before. In the meantime,
immediately the eight had left, Gilbert slipped into the sanctum and
set the sehen-microphones in recording motion, which, minute by minute,
recorded the mutineers’ every act and speech, how they had formulated a
plan to seize the ship, for as there were several eminent electricians
amongst them, they did not for a moment doubt their ability to work
her. They considered all the cautionary notices placed in various parts
of the vessel, forbidding further passage, to be but ‘bluff,’ merely
placed there to give an air of mystery to intensify the influence
of the owners, and it was absurd to think that if they transgressed
they would be held rigid, if not seriously injured. And all the time,
silently and secretly, the recorders reproduced their every word
with persistent and remorseless accuracy, working automatically by
electricity and independent of attention. Occasionally one or other of
the owners saw that the supply of films was ample, and so, hour after
hour, from the first suspicion of danger, each of the eight cabins
and the far saloon were kept in circuit, and waking or sleeping every
action of the eight suspects was recorded in indisputable evidence.
On turning in for the night, the owners took out some of the films,
and placing them on a reproducer in their private room heard the whole
scheme. Upon this, ascertaining that all the occupants were in their
berths, the doors of their cabins were electrically sealed, and the
friends retired to rest, keeping a four hours’ watch in turn, for they
had agreed that during the whole of the voyage, considering they were
not alone, at least one of them should always be in guarded territory.
The following morning, all met together as arranged, and Dennis—who
as chief and senior owner was deputed spokesman—requested the eight
mutineers to stand at one side of the saloon, and the rest at the
opposite side; he, with his two partners, being behind the barrier.
“My friends,” he began, addressing the friendly passengers, “before
going further into the matter we are discussing, I am sure you will be
interested to hear what these eight objectors have to say, in order
to come to a proper decision—No, Holt! it is not necessary for either
you or any of your party to speak yet,” he remarked, as Edgar Holt
stepped forward, “we have something here that will explain everything;”
saying which he motioned to his companions, and Ross and Gilbert, who
had brought out the recorder from the sanctum, set it working and the
machine spoke out loudly as the films travelled through it. For a
moment the offenders seemed struck dumb with amazement and when Holt
understood what was happening, he made a dart forward, instantly to
become rigid, for within a few feet of where the party stood the floor
had been electrified and he could not pass. As soon as the others saw
this and that all was going to be disclosed, they became furious, and
one, losing his self-control, pulled out a revolver which shot electric
pellets, but before he could use it, Gilbert, who had left Ross to the
machine, whilst he went to the switch-board to prepare for such an
emergency, instantly put the whole of that portion of the steel floor
in circuit with the roof, and the men, being between the two metallic
surfaces, were brought into electric field and became immovable. Still
the machine talked on, reproducing their very voices, tones, and
expressions, disclosing the whole scheme, clearly and exactly as when
the words were uttered, all that had been said and done, both when
in the saloon and in conversations together in the privacy of their
own cabins; even their breathings and talks during sleep were equally
distinct, as Ross put through such of the films taken by the various
instruments as would give a general idea of their proceedings and
plots. When these were finished Dennis resumed, “This is no time for
sentiment. You have heard their schemes as from their own lips, and
we should be justified in destroying them; with you all as witnesses,
the law would uphold our action in so doing, for they have not only
mutinied but attempted murder. We must not, however, take life except
in dire necessity, and yet these people cannot stay here. As they say
they do not intend going to the sun, they shall not do so. Last night
we went through most of the films you have just heard, and we decided
that these men should leave us, for their presence here would be a
constant source of danger and suspicion, and at the very least, they
would disturb that harmony which our association together renders
necessary to ensure a happy and successful voyage. At the same time,
we cannot land them on Venus, they are not good enough; so we have
arranged to seek, out of the numerous planetoids around us, one with
an atmosphere similar to that of our own world and leave them there
till we return, they running the risk of our not finding them; and you
will be witness to the wisdom of this course, for as they positively
refuse to go to the sun, we have no alternative but to yield. We shall,
therefore, provide them sufficient water and general provisions for
twelve months, and if we do not pick them up before then, they must
look after themselves, or die;” then turning to the mutineers, he
continued,—“You have heard your fate! you will now go to your cabins
and remain there as prisoners until such time as we find that for which
we shall search. We do not fear your arms, as by this time they will be
too hot for use, if not actually dangerous to yourselves;” and nodding
to Gilbert, he stepped back, and Gilbert switched off the current,
when Bosworth Keeth, who had his revolver poised, dropped it with a
cry of agony, for some of his skin was still sizzling on it, though
the pain had not been felt till the electric current was broken. His
companions, also, with cries of pain, hurriedly snatched revolvers from
their pockets and threw them down with burning fingers, as they were
scorching through their clothing to the skin.
In complete silence, cowed but malevolent, they then marched to
their respective cabins, instantly to find the metal doors strongly
magnetised to the frames and themselves prisoners, each in a
chilled-metal, drill-proof cabin, which, however, was warm and
luxurious.
Had any of the other passengers questioned the powers of the _Regina_,
or the determined characters of the three men in charge, the tragedy
just enacted must have set all doubts at rest. They one and all
approved the punishment following the conviction from the men’s own
lips, and the attempt at murder, which the others were evidently
prepared to follow up, seeing that all were armed, and they commended
the way in which the mutiny had been quelled at its inception, while
the few who had wavered now felt devoutly thankful they had decided
rightly.
The following day nothing occurred, and for two more days there was no
sign of anything likely to prove a suitable object on which to deposit
the mutineers, but on the fourth day they saw what happened to be a
wandering star, or planet, which was ahead, near Venus, and would be
between her and the sun, as seen from Earth at that time. This star
had a faint phosphorescent glow, showing through the spectrum flutings
of a peculiar purple; evidently a star which was cooling though not to
extinction and would therefore be easily distinguishable, and far out
of their course as this was, they decided to go to it. An examination
of a portion of its atmosphere proved it to be capable of supporting
Earth-life, whilst the gravitometer showed it to have a surface-gravity
only slightly exceeding that of Earth.
“We are not likely to find a world more suitable than this,” said
Gilbert. “Shall we dump them here?”
The others assenting, the two attendants got together the necessary
provisions and brought the men, each from his cabin. In the meantime,
the ship sank slowly through the clouds and hovered over water. Slowly
she roved, but everywhere was water broken only by rocky islands,
barren and fruitless, on which no food of any kind could be obtained,
so they sailed towards the other side, and as they approached the
further hemisphere, they saw the islands were by no means so numerous,
though larger, and were covered with vegetation, and well stocked with
animals.
At last they came to a great continent dotted with numerous cities,
and selecting one they descended to within fifty feet of the ground,
which caused numbers of people to collect. These seeming friendly,
the eight prisoners were brought forward, their weight regulated to
the weight of the air at that level and, some of them sullen and
revengeful, others frightened into pleading for mercy, they were all
floated outside and their weights gradually increased. So they slowly
sank down to the ground, each with his supply of provisions; then
seeing the men reach _terra firma_ and be received by the astonished
natives with demonstrations of warm welcome and friendliness, the net
of the vessel was joined again, the doors sealed, and the _Regina_
rose like an eagle. Getting a rebound from the gravity of the planet,
the good ship continued her course to the sun, her passengers, sure of
themselves and of each other, feeling more tranquil and comfortable
now that the only disturbing element and source of danger had been
removed from their midst, and they tried to dismiss the occurrence
from their minds by assiduous devotion to the object of their voyage,
which now lay before them like an awful furnace of molten fire. But
enthusiastic as they were and confident as they might be of safety,
they could not look ahead without feelings of awe and a nervous tremor.
The _Regina_ had travelled slowly in order that all should have time
and opportunity for astronomical and other observations, and although,
with a gravity similar to that of Earth and so powerful an objective as
the sun, she could have travelled the distance in a very short space
of time, the journey had occupied three weeks, and every one on board
had been intensely busy, some checking the Earth-measured distances
of stars by actual measurement in celestial survey, others from their
unique position in space noting the physical and chemical changes
and dispositions of the stars; taking moving photographs in colour;
testing and analysing the structure and movements of the ether-web;
the currents; passages of light; atoms, germs, meteoric stones and
other substances floating on, and passing through, the ether, and
scores of other phenomena hitherto impossible to deal with first hand:
all this was so engrossing that the hours and days appeared to slip
away ere they had well begun. Every one on board worked with feverish
application to add to his knowledge, each allowing himself merely the
amount of sleep actually necessary to maintain health in order that he
could—in his own line—gather as much information as possible for the
ultimate benefit of the people on Earth. Very quickly, as it seemed,
the time drew near when the sun was but a few million miles ahead, and
its gravity had just altered the position of their vessel. Instead of
the sun being _before_ them, they approaching bows first, their ship
had, as it were, stood on end and the sun was _below_ them, they being
still on an even keel, but instead of going _forward_, they now had
simply to sink to his surface, like descending on our own world from
the clouds. As soon as they perceived this change, they paused, making
the ship in equilibrium, and, over five million miles above him, rested
for final discussion and completion of arrangements.
Already they were encountering clouds of metallic dust, still red-hot,
being rapidly drawn to the sun again by their own gravity; and although
the intrepid travellers were intent on sinking to the actual furnace
raging below them, which now blotted out the whole of the lower
heavens, the sight of the awful mass of seething ‘something’ made all
quake, and the pause was generally welcome. At the same instant there
rang through the ship the soft, silvery sound of the electric tubular
bells, calling all to the saloon for a meeting, whilst each passenger
received a telepathic message stating the object. A few moments later
all were assembled and Dennis, as usual, being elected spokesman,
began, with considerable emotion,—
“Fellow-travellers, on the last occasion when we assembled here there
were, unfortunately, mutinous companions in our midst, but now we
all meet together in heart and mind one, and it may be for the last
time, for in that fearful heat below us—that heat which no human
mind has power to grasp or means of defining—we may be destroyed,
notwithstanding all our precautions; and at this sacred and solemn
moment we cannot do better than kneel and ask Him who keeps yon
furnace in its place, and dots limitless space with wondrous worlds, to
keep us safely also, and watch over us.”
All knelt, and he continued,—
“O Almighty and Eternal God! at Whose command worlds burst forth from
chaos and darkness to perfection, without Whom nothing is strong,
nothing is holy, we Thy unworthy servants humbly implore Thee to look
down upon us who are assembled in Thy Most Holy Name; and may we so
consider our present undertaking that we proceed not lightly in it,
or recede from it dishonourably, but pursue it steadfastly, ever
remembering that the object and intent of our journey is to learn
obedience to Thy sacred laws. Also grant to us Thy Truth, that Thou
being our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal as
finally not to lose the things eternal, and as Thou never failest
those who trust Thee, be now our Guide. For we know that our eternal
welfare is considered in every atom and law of the ineffable mysteries
of Creation, and that from all eternity, now and through endless time,
Thou art the Being from Whom all perfection springs.
“And bringing us safely through this solar fire, grant that we may use
the knowledge gained to Thy Glory. May it inspire us with the most
exalted idea of Thee, and lead us to the exercise of pure and solemn
piety and a greater reverence for the Universe and Thee, the Eternal
Maker and Ruler of it and of its life; the primordial source of all its
principles and the very spring and fountain of all its virtues. Amen.”
On rising, Dennis remained silent for a few moments and then, after a
few preliminary words on the danger which possibly threatened them, he
proceeded,—
“The diameter of the sun is supposed to be about 866,500 miles, as you
know; we will, of course, measure this and ascertain its accuracy. We
have been sailing in the curiously shaped corona for over five million
miles, in fact we entered the corona at a height of about twelve of
its diameters, or, roughly speaking, when we were ten million four
hundred thousand miles from its surface. And as you will see through
the darkened sun-screens, we are in the midst of the vast clouds and
flames lying over the solar atmosphere, and even here, sound-insulated
as we are, the noises of the explosions and collidings of the vast jets
of vapour which are hurtling around us on all sides are unpleasantly
evident. Thanks to our net, the shell of the vessel is not advanced
the fraction of a degree in temperature, and you will notice the
de-atomising force around the ship prevents any of the jets of fire
and vapour from touching us. From the fact that for some distance back
the flames and fiery vapour have played about us, and at this height
we are encountering vaporous metals at enormous pressure, we gain an
idea of what the force must be on the surface of the sun itself. And
my partners and I thought it a time for us all to consult together
as to the manner in which the observations shall be conducted.” Here
he paused, and Crawford Rollsborough, the chief astronomer on board,
asked,—
“So far, we are all right; but before we test the still greater dangers
below us, are you _certain_ the vessel is likely to be proof against
the terrific power of the vapours and forces there? for we had better
be sure before we leap.”
“We have every reason to believe so,” replied Dennis; “her resisting
or repulsive force is now about two thousand times less than she is
capable of projecting, and it is more than sufficient to withstand the
present forces and awful turbulence immediately outside.”
“But as we get lower and the forces increase?”
“So will our power to resist increase in equal ratio, and judging from
the needle here,” looking at the dial, “we shall then have in reserve
at least two thousand times more force than that being projected, so
that so far as power to resist is concerned, we have no fear: a danger
might arise if our de-atomising force, backed up by the net, would
not withstand the heat, but this we cannot tell without actual test,
although we feel sure there is nothing to fear.”
“Would not the net alone answer?” inquired Price Rowland, a physicist.
“Certainly it would, but without the protecting force, it would itself
be for weeks and months in actual contact with baths of liquid fire,
explosive vapours and gases, many of which may be corrosive to its
substance; and there are elements to encounter of which we Earth-folk
do not understand the nature, and consequently could not test before
we left; so by projecting the de-atomising force to, say, a distance
of one or two feet beyond the vessel, the net is protected from every
danger, and will, we hope, see us through safely.”
“But the pressure?” said Raymond Sorrel, the geologist. “Will not that
be difficult to overcome below?”
“No, it should not be. All forces should be de-atomised, and whether
they take the form of pressure, expansion, or heat in solid, liquid,
or gaseous form, or any other force, all should be pulled up at our
current, which is self-adjusting and is always more than enough to
dispel anything brought or projected near it.”
“Then you think we can safely approach the surface?” questioned Merrick
Rutherford, a metallurgist.
“Without doubt. You see the large needle over your head; it is still as
if welded where it stands; the fearful thunders and explosions round us
and the rushing of flaming vapours under enormous pressure, are turned
aside by us and go round, causing not so much as a tremor. The needle
shows us absolutely motionless, moving only with the sun, so that I
feel sure we can reach his surface unharmed.”
“Will the windows sustain the pressure?” asked Sorrel, again.
“Yes, both heat and pressure,” replied Dennis, reassuringly. “No
one nowadays knows how the glass was made, but it is unbreakable,
uncutable, and neither heat nor anything we know affects it except
fluorine, and it is covered with the net, as you see, like the casing.”
“But when we sink through this corona, and through these flames and
the atmosphere, and reach the photosphere, what shall we do then? go
through that?” asked Rollsborough.
“Yes, if possible, and see what lies below!”
“But suppose below the photosphere there is nothing but molten
fire—liquid chaos; what then?”
“Go through that to the other side and see what it is.”
“Could we do that!” exclaimed several, jumping up in excitement.
“Certainly, if you wish it!”
“But if we sank to the centre, should we not be fixed there?” asked
Kirkby Reeve, a zoologist.
“Certainly not; we should become heavier as we descended till we
reached the interior, from which we should repel ourselves and come out
at the other side on a straight line. Anyway, we will risk it if you
are willing. So far, no one, even with the most powerful glasses, has
ever penetrated the photosphere, so we cannot say what is below, but it
would be interesting to discover.”
“But is not the project of going _through_ the sun an impossibility?”
objected Rowland. “The ship, when resting on the ground in the shed,
did not de-atomise the ground below her, and how could she sink
through the sun’s mass—solid or liquid—unless that mass were in part
de-atomised? if not, she would crush herself.”
“That is so,” replied Dennis; “when in the shed and when resting on
land, there was no real line of current under the ship, but the force
surrounding her was so placed that nothing, however small, could come
upwards under any part of the vessel without entering into electric
field, and causing the current to fly from each side to itself, and the
intruding object would be destroyed long before contact. This is the
ship’s safety, as it precludes all risk of danger through tunnelling.
When going through the sun—if we decide to do so—we should, in that
case, connect the current below us and be completely enveloped in it
as we are now, and as we always are when there is danger, such as
hovering over formidable foes, and any matter through which we wished
to sink would become de-atomised, and we should sink through it as
through water. We should use this power to give a temporary and local
alteration only, so that the instant our force had passed, and _as_
it passed, the power would be lost, and the objects, solid or liquid,
would resume their former condition—it would be equivalent to passing
through solids without altering their substances and compactness, and
on this point there is nothing we are likely to encounter but what the
forces of the ship will take without being taxed.”
“Gentlemen!” cried Rollsborough, standing up and turning slightly
to face his companions, “to my thinking there is no obstacle to the
accomplishment of our purpose; it seems as if we could go through the
sun as easily as not, and I, personally, would dearly like to see of
what it really is composed, and as the owners have placed the decision
with us, are you willing to risk your lives in this manner as the
owners risk the ship, for the cause of science? Are you——”
He got no further, for he was interrupted by shouts of “Aye” and
applause which drowned all words, leaving no doubt of the unanimity of
opinion.
The conversation then became general, drifting to the _modus operandi_
of conducting the observations and examinations, and for several hours
the voyagers discussed the subject in detail, deciding to examine the
corona in which they rested; to sink into the atmosphere, testing,
photographing, and analysing as they proceeded, and measuring its
depth in various places. Then to settle down to the photosphere and
travel round the sun in or over this, take all measurements, find its
composition, its physical and chemical properties, its spots, granules,
and, in short, settle beyond dispute every detail at present doubtful
or unknown, and verify all now accepted as fact.
After this the _Regina_ was to sink through the photosphere, be it
gaseous, molten elements, or what not, and risk annihilation by
penetrating to its heart to find its inner structure, coming out, in
all probability, on the other side. Not a soul on board flinched at the
possible danger of a horrible death, not one doubted the powers of the
_Regina_ or the skill of the men controlling her, to whose hands they
had gladly entrusted their lives. Heroes, and possibly martyrs, in the
cause of science, facing death itself and that in its most awful form
on the mere chance of adding a little more scientific knowledge to that
already possessed which, great as it might seem, was less than a mere
drop in the vast ocean of the unknown. Grey-headed men, many of them,
they anticipated the perilous venture with the same keen enthusiasm
with which a youth anticipates his play, and the details being settled,
they were impatient to proceed.
Accordingly, the _Regina_ was made slowly to sink, perhaps her last
descent, and as she gently settled down like a falling leaf in a
motionless air, the occupants became completely absorbed in their
work, which had been so arranged that each one took such items and
branches as would collectively cover every phase and detail on which
information was necessary or desirable, and so they slowly but surely
approached nearer and ever nearer the glorious but annihilating
Mystery, defying the Death that was lurking there with sharpened scythe.