For several months past, however, he had found no occasion for my services.

Therefore I awaited with impatience what he had to say.

I did not doubt that his questioning implied a serious and important task for me.
"Doubtless you know," said he, "what has happened down in the Blueridge Mountains near Morganton." "Surely, Mr.Ward, the phenomena reported from there have been singular enough to arouse anyone's curiosity." "They are singular, even remarkable, Strock.

No doubt about that.

But there is also reason to ask, if these phenomena about the Great Eyrie are not a source of continued danger to the people there, if they are not forerunners of some disaster as terrible as it is mysterious." "It is to be feared, sir." "So we must know, Strock, what is inside of that mountain.