"I thought the earth's
atmosphere was variously estimated at from only forty to two
hundred miles in thickness."
"The oxygen atmosphere may be," agreed Mr. Roumann. "As a matter
of fact, the atmosphere we are now in would not support life for
you and me a single instant. But it is atmosphere, nevertheless,
or my instruments would indicate something different, and my
atmospheric motor would not work. No, I expect to be traveling
through the atmosphere for several days yet. Then we shall reach
the true ether, and the Etherium motor will be put into
operation."
"Well," said Jack, "this trip isn't going to be very strong on
scenery, anyhow."
"No," agreed Mr. Roumann. "We shan't be able to observe anything
but this fleeciness until we get to Mars."
"We can see the stars and moon at night, can't we?" asked Mark.
"There isn't going to be any night," replied the German with a
smile. "We are now in the region of perpetual day."
"No night!" repeated Jack blankly.
"No. Just stop to think for a moment. We have left the earth,
and are many thousands of miles away from it.
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