"
"I fear you flatter the man in the moon," was my laughing reply.
"No, I don't," returned Hall, "and some day you'll admit it."
"Well, what about that something that shines down there? You seem to
see more in it than I can."
But my companion had fallen into a reverie and didn't hear my
question. He was gazing abstractedly at the faint image of the waning
moon, now nearing the distant mountain-top over in Idaho. Presently
his mind seemed to return to the old magnet, and he whirled about and
glanced down at the Syx mill. The column of smoke was diminishing in
volume, an indication that the engine was about to enjoy one of its
periodical rests. The irregularity of these stoppages had always been
a subject of remark among practical engineers. The hours of labor were
exceedingly erratic, but the engine had never been known to work at
night, except on one occasion, and then only for a few minutes, when
it was suddenly stopped on account of a fire.
Just as Hall resumed his inspection two huge quarter spheres, which
had been resting wide apart on the roof, moved towards one another
until their arched sections met over the circular aperture which they
covered like the dome of an observatory.
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