The thought came to me that Robur was preparing to leave this retreat forever! In fact, he could not be ignorant that the attention of the public was now keenly fixed upon the Great Eyrie; and that some further attempt was likely to be made to penetrate it.

Must he not fear that some day or other the effort would be successful, and that men would end by invading his hiding-place?
Did he not wish that they should find there no single evidence of his occupation?
The sun disappeared behind the crests of the Blueridge.

His rays now lighted only the very summit of Black Dome towering in the northwest.
Probably the "Terror" awaited only the night in order to begin her flight.

The world did not yet know that the automobile and boat could also transform itself into a flying machine.

Until now, it had never been seen in the air.