A man appeared on the threshold.

It was Robur.
"Honorable balloonists" he said, in a serious voice, "you are now free to go and come as you like." "Free!" exclaimed Uncle Prudent.
"Yes--within the limits of the "Albatross!" Uncle Prudent and Phil Evans rushed out of their prison.

And what did they see?
Four thousand feet below them the face of a country they sought in vain to recognize..