The latter
clamped fast the cover of the opening by which they had entered.
The interior of the Annihilator was brilliant with electric
lights.
Mr. Roumann made his way to the pilot house, to see that all the
levers and wheels that controlled the engines were in working
order. Then he went to the engine-room, where he adjusted the
two motors.
"Well," he said a bit nervously, "we are all ready to start."
"Let her go!" cried Jack gaily.
There was no crowd on hand to see them off. Professor
Henderson's relative was the only spectator.
Mr. Roumann and Mr. Henderson went to pilot house again. They
held a brief consultation.
"Come here, boys, if you want to see us start the motors going,"
called the professor.
Jack and Mark stood in the doorway. Mr. Roumann grasped a lever.
He threw it over. There was a spark as the electrical contact
was made.
"The atmospheric motor is now ready to start!" he remarked.
"Push that knob, Professor Henderson."
The professor pushed in a small, shiny knob. Mr. Roumann turned
a small wheel, and closed another electrical switch.
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