Part 24 (1/1)

This decision was arrived at shortly beforeOlivia's forat the ti her way leisurely southward toward the Straits of Malacca--an ascent to the upper regions of the atmosphere was at once made, and the shi+p's head pointed homeward The distance to be traversed was considerable, but it was calculated that by travelling at the shi+p's utreat circle (the shortest possible route between any two places on the earth's surface), the journey ht be acco for the difference of longitude in tilish Channel, would enable them to reach the latter place at about two o'clock in the afternoon of the day but one following This was rather an aard time, if they still intended to maintain their secrecy of movement and avoid observation, but under the circu, therefore, to a height of ten thousand feet--the elevation which experience had taught the-distance journeys--the _Flying Fish_ was put to her ut watch by turns in the pilot-house, the journey was commenced

Swiftly the wonderful fabric sped forward upon her homeay, and, without incident of any kind worthy of mention, and allish Channel were sighted; an unobserved descent being effected some twenty miles seaward of the little town of Saint Valery on the French coast A course was now shaped for the Isle of Wight, and, a few hours later, one of the boats belonging to the _Flying Fish_ quietly glided into Portsers--Olivia D'Arcy, the professor, and Colonel Lethbridge--landed fro any attention, and found theood ti his solitary way out of the harbour again ieinald, Miss D'Arcy was escorted by her two cavaliers straight to the town residence of a certain aunt of the baronet's, and handed over to the care and protection of the old lady, ho twelve inald and Mild up in too days later laden with their African spoils, the equitable division of which, and their ultimate disposal, occupied the party for severalFish_ What reacious reader be very inald Elphinstone suddenly discovered, in the aunt who had kindly taken Olivia D'Arcy under her protection, an old lady whose good graces orth the most assiduous cultivation? Such, at all events, was the fact, and, this acious reader will perhaps be not altogether unprepared to learn that, about a year after the return of the _Flying Fish_ to England, a wedding took place from that old lady's house; in which cerely the part of bride, with Sir Reginald as bridegroom, supported by the three staunch friends who had shared with hi Fish_, does somebody ask? When last heard of she here she probably still is--lying safe and unsuspected at the bottom of the ”Hurd Deep,” in the identical spot where she lish Channel

Whether she will ever again be put into commission--and, if so, under what circumstances--time alone will show

THE END