Chapter 8 Chapter Eight: At Any Cost

The question posed by the Washington Evening Star was indeed instructive, and it was talked about everywhere.Not only are these three monsters created by the same inventor, but they are the same thing! It's not easy to see how one power tool can visibly morph into another.How can a car become a boat and then become a submarine?All these three monsters seem to lack is the ability to fly in the sky.In spite of this, the known monsters of these three different natures, in terms of their size and shape, and the interaction of various factors in terms of smell, society is extremely complicated, there are no rules to follow, and they do not emit steam, especially they are extremely The astonishing speed all seem to imply that they have something in common.The enthusiasm and interest of the public increased; they found this new oddity sufficient to stimulate their curiosity.

It is chiefly the importance of these inventions that the newspapers now spare no space to discuss.This engine, whether equipped on one power tool or three, has proven its extraordinary power!This invention must be bought at any cost.The U.S. government should get it right away in the national interest.Undoubtedly, the European powers will never miss the opportunity to get ahead of the United States in acquiring such an engine that is invaluable to the construction of the army and navy!There is no limit to the advantages this engine can achieve if it is used by any nation on land and sea.Once its capabilities and limitations are well grasped, Locke admits that there are "anti-chronological ideas and the existence of God. Embodying the author's entire philosophy, its destructive power cannot even be estimated. Without paying huge sums of money to obtain this secret invention, The great wealth of the United States cannot really be put to use.

However, the first step in buying an engine is to find its inventor, which seems to be a tricky business.Searches for Lake Caldor have failed time and time again.Even searches of the bottom of the lake with sounding ropes were fruitless.Can it be concluded from this that the submarine is no longer hidden in the lake?But if so, how did the submarine disappear?Another question that arises from this is where does it come from?A mystery that cannot be solved! Since then, there has been no further news of the submarine, either at Caldor Lake or elsewhere.As the wagon recedes from the highway, so it disappears.This issue was brought up in several of my meetings with Mr. Ward, who shared his concerns.Our agents continued to search everywhere, but also came back empty-handed.

On the morning of June 26th I was summoned to see Mr. Ward. "Well, Strack," he said, "this is your chance to avenge your shame." "For the failure of the Expedition to Mount Airi?" "of course." "What chance?" I asked, wondering if he was serious or joking. "Of course there is," he replied. "Would you like to find out who the inventor of this three-in-one monster is?" "Mr. Ward, I am very pleased. I am entrusted with this task, and I guarantee success. Of course, I know that this will not be easy." "Sterak, it must be. Maybe it's not as easy as getting into Mount Airi."

Apparently, Mr. Ward was implying that my last mission had failed me.But I believe there is nothing reproachful about this implication.He didn't have to do that, maybe he just wanted to make me make up my mind.He knows me quite well, and he knows that I am willing to give everything in order to avenge my shame and hatred. Thinking of this, I feel calm and wait for a new mission. Mr. Ward's face became serious, and he said to me: "I have no doubt, Strack, that you can do anything that can be done by man, but the matter we have now to deal with is not the same. It's very different. I mean, the government has decided to get to the bottom of it, everything is ready, and we're going to pay tens of thousands of dollars and we're going to clear everything that's in our way."

"I think so." "But at the moment," said Mr. Ward, shaking his head, "the first thing to do is to find out the mysterious inventor. This fellow has been unknown to us, and indeed, a good detective should be able to Find him out." "But so far this guy has never been heard from?" "No! Although we have every reason to believe that he has been, and continues to be, hidden at the bottom of Lake Caldor, we have not been able to find any trace of him in that area. One would naturally suspect that the fellow had a knack for stealth. Ability, like Proteus!"

"Maybe so," I said. "Unless he is willing to show himself, we shall not know who he is." "Yes, Strack, I think there is only one way to deal with him, and that is to induce him to sell the rights to his invention by offering him such a large sum that he cannot help being tempted." Mr. Ward has a point, and the fact is that the government is now trying to talk to the inventor of what could be considered a contemporary genius.Indeed, there is no one in the world who has won such an honor. The news has been widely disclosed by the newspapers. This extraordinary person must know the government's intentions for his move. How can he make decisions on these conditions according to his wishes?

"No doubt," continued Mr. Ward, "his invention is of no personal use, and there is no reason why he should not disclose it to others. It would be wise for him to sell it. Is this mysterious invention Was he some dangerous criminal himself? He invented the monster because he was trying to escape forever." Mr. Ward went on to explain that the government had decided to take other measures to find the man; he might have other, more dangerous schemes, hidden along with his invention.If so, the destroyed monsters would be invaluable to the mechanical realm as well as humans themselves.However, since the ramming of the schooner Markle in Lake Caldor, the police still have no idea of ​​the man's whereabouts.

For that matter, Mr. Ward expressed disappointment and concern.The reason for concern is that it shows that it will be more difficult to fulfill its duty to keep the public safe.How can we bring criminals to justice if they escape the law and justice by land and sea at such a rate?How can we hunt them down at sea, when the crafting of steerable balloons is as good as it gets, we even have to go after criminals in the air!I said to myself, what if my colleagues and I one day backfired?If we police officers can't do anything about it ourselves, we will definitely be tolerated by society. At this time, I was reminded of the letter I received half a month ago, which threatened my freedom and even my life; I also recalled the incident that followed me.I asked myself if I'd better mention these things to Mr. Ward?Whether or not they are irrelevant to the present oddity, however, the Mount Airi case has been put aside by the government because the threat of a volcanic eruption no longer exists.Now the government wants to put me in charge of this.I think I'll have to talk to my boss sometime in the future, when the letter is no longer an annoying joke.

Mr. Ward again turned to business. "We are determined to make contact with the inventor by some means. He is now missing, but he will surely reappear sometime anywhere in America. Strucker, I have decided to order you to follow him when he appears. He, you must be ready to leave Washington at any time. Do not leave your home except to come to the police station once a day; call me before you leave home, and report to me alone when you arrive at the police station." "I'll do it, Mr. Ward!" I replied. "I have one more question. Am I going alone, or is it necessary for someone else to join me—?"

"I'm thinking about it," said the chief, interrupting me. "You may choose two persons who you think are most suitable for this mission to assist you." "Mr. Ward. I will obey. Besides, what am I going to do with him if one day I find the inventor we need?" "Above all, keep an eye on him. If nothing else, arrest him. You will be authorized to do so." "Mr. Ward, it's necessary. If he's going to get in the car and try to get away at that incredible speed we know, I'll do anything to stop him. He who flees a hundred miles is reasonable." "Strack, you must stop him. After arresting him, call me immediately, and I will handle the matter." "Mr. Ward, I assure you that at any time, day or night, my partner and I will be ready to go. Thank you for entrusting me with this important task. If it succeeds, I will be honored—" "And it will be of great benefit to you," interrupted the Chief, taking my leave. When I got home, I began to prepare for this difficult time out.My good old servant may think that I intend to go again to the Mount of Airi; she must think that place is the gate to hell.She said nothing, looked sullen, and went about her business.But I saw that she was very apprehensive about my trip.I also have nothing to say, for this important mission, I must strictly keep it a secret. It was not difficult to choose my two partners.They have been working in my department and have carried out missions directly under my command on many occasions, and their courage, tact and initiative can be remembered to attest.One was John Hart, Illinois, thirty; the other Neb Walker, thirty-two, Massachusetts.I am very satisfied that there is no more suitable assistant than them. Days passed, and there seemed to be no news about the strange cars, ships, or submarines.There are many rumors, but the police understand that these are nonsense.As for the sensational stories that appeared in the newspapers, most of them were baseless.Even the most reputable newspapers are hard to be trusted because they have to publish rumors that are not true. But soon, twice in a row, there appeared plausible reports about the "uninvited guest".The first report asserted that the individual was seen on a road near Little Rock, Arkansas.A second report claimed he had been in the middle of Lake Superior. Regrettably, these two reports are completely contradictory, because the former affirms that the "uninvited guest" was found on June 23, while the latter asserts that it was on the evening of the same day.The distance between these two places, as far as the territory of the United States is concerned, is more than eight hundred miles.Even acknowledging the incredible speed of the monster car, how did it go through all the necessary roads between the two places without being noticed?How it was able to pass through Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin without a single agent warning of its presence or even a phone call from anyone concerned Report? Just after these two temporary appearances, if anything, the strange car was once again lost.Mr. Ward did not think it necessary to order me or my assistants to inspect the reported scene. However, since this strange car still exists.Certain measures are also inevitable.On June 2, newspapers across the United States published an official announcement from the US government. The following is the full text of the announcement, and the wording is quite official. "In April of this year, there was a car driving on the roads of Missouri and Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kempegee, Ohio, and Tennessee; on May 26, a car was held at the American Automobile Club. The car was seen on Wisconsin Drive during the Grand Prix. The car has since disappeared." "On the first encounter in June, a speedboat appeared at high speed in the New England waters between Cape Cod and Cape Sable. It is particularly noteworthy that this speedboat was driving in the vicinity of Boston Bay. I don't know where to go." "Second encounter in the same month, a submarine dived downstream of Lake Caldor in Kansas. The submarine has since gone missing." "Everything shows that the above three means of transportation are all from the same inventor, maybe the same tool, and its structure is characterized by being able to use water and land. Therefore, I solemnly declare to this inventor that no matter who who, and for whatever motive, invented the said tool." "Require this person to disclose his identity and put forward the conditions for him to talk to the US government. It is also required that this person must contact the US Federal Police in Washington, D.C. as soon as possible." The above announcements were prominently published on the front pages of various newspapers.Apparently, the inventor the officials were trying to find must have been able to read the announcement, no matter where that person was.He must somehow answer.There didn't seem to be any reason why he could refuse such a generous offer?We just have to wait for his reply. One can imagine how the public's curiosity ran high.Noisy and eager crowds flocked to the police station from morning to night, wondering if any letters or telegrams had arrived from the inventor.Some of the biggest names in journalists are here at all times, waiting to snag first-hand press releases.Whoever announces the big news to the nation first will surely gain more fame and profits for the paper.Let the public finally know the name and whereabouts of this secret man, and know whether he will agree to the conditions or bargains proposed by the government?Not to mention, the whole world will know how imposing the Americans are in doing things?Millionaires will have no trouble finding inventors.If necessary, the tycoons of this country will open their inexhaustible purses for inventors! The day passed.Exactly how many people came to the police station with excitement and impatience on this day, it seemed that there was no break for twenty-four hours.However, neither a letter nor a telegram was received.At night, there was still no news.And so the next day—and the next day too. At last there was some kind of result, which was expected.Transoceanic telegrams carried news of American action on the matter to Europe.The great powers of the Eastern Hemisphere also attempted to acquire this unique invention.Why wouldn't they borrow everything just to take possession of this invention?Why don't they spend huge sums of money to compete with the US? Virtually every power was involved: France, England, Russia, Italy, Germany.Only those less powerful countries did not participate in the competition because their national strength was limited and they believed that the gains outweighed the losses.European newspapers carried similar announcements to those of the U.S. government.Just one word from this unparalleled "driver" is enough to become an opponent comparable to the Vanderbilt family, the Astor family, the Vander family, the Morgan family, and the Teschild families in various European countries. Since the mysterious inventor is unwilling to show himself, what more attractive conditions could induce him to reveal his secret?The whole world has become an open market, an auction house, where bids are simply jaw-droppingly high.Twice a day, the papers published new bids, ranging from millions to hundreds of millions, and rising.The U.S. Congress finally offered $200 million after a monumental meeting.None of the citizens of the United States objected to this sum, for they had no doubt that it was of great importance, if it were to give them possession of that marvelous engine, which, it seems to me, I had said to my old servant: "This thing should be worth more than any amount offered!" However, the rest of the world doesn't see it that way, as their asking prices are lower than the above figures.However, the competition among the great powers is of no avail!The inventor did not exist!It was all the result of a massive fabrication campaign by American newspapers, which finally convinced the Eastern Hemisphere as well. So the time passed, and still no update on the inventor.He was completely indifferent and unresponsive.He no longer appears.I myself was helpless, and was beginning to be disappointed in the discovery of this marvel. At this moment, on the morning of July 15th, a letter without a postmark was found in the mailbox of the police station. After being authenticated by an authoritative person, this letter was handed over to a Washington newspaper to publish a copy of the original in a special issue. .The full text is as follows: