Unknown

“ Hallucinations such as even the bravest heroes fall prey to sometimes. This is what I believe. But should I be wrong, should there really be a craft which surpasses everything which the human mind has dared imagine, then we will surely hear more about it. So for now I ask you gentlemen to remain silent on this subject, indeed, I order you to be silent. You know how quickly the superficial masses rush to judgment, and I do not want to expose our two friends to ridicule. ”

“ The gentlemen of the committee exchanged puzzled looks, for now this matter was getting more and more mysterious. They no longer believed that they were dealing with a hallucination or a fairy tale. They were taken aback at the thought that there might be such a giant airship in existence. ”

“ Then people started to exchange knowing glances and a look of incredulity could be seen on everyone's face.
"Gentlemen!" This was spoken by an old officer with silver hair. His military bearing could be seen at a hundred yards distance, and his button hole was decorated with the colored ribbons of many different orders. "Gentlemen, you have just told us a fairy tale, probably in order to explain the completely inexcusable interruption of your journey. But I really think you should have been able to come up with a better excuse. Both of you are experienced aeronauts. ”

“ People reproached the aeronauts, they wanted to know why the balloon had broken off its trip. But their curiosity was not to be satisfied. Instead the two men rushed to the balloon depot which also contained military balloons and a few of the so-called steerable airships.
Here also the appearance of the two men created the greatest surprise and much shaking of heads. But this surprise was only increased when the two men reported their strange adventure to the committee, on which there were also a few military officers. ”

“ The apparatus kept on ticking, the apparently meaningless words continued. Finally there was the signal which indicated the end of the transmission. Shaking his head, the clerk handed the strip of paper to the old man. ”