A whole minute passed, and still there was no change in the conditions; nor did William feel in the least uncomfortable in his awkward position, although he was completely at a loss for an explanation of this curious phenomenon.
Wishing for some definite information, he screwed his head around until he could see the telemeter on the side of the car—an instrument designed to indicate the speed and position of the vehicle at every stage of its journey. To William's surprise, the needle of the instrument was descending rapidly from the top to the bottom of the first glass tube.
"Sure enough," said William, "we have started. And we're going pretty rapidly, too, if that instrument is correct, though, to look at the car, I should n't for a moment imagine that it was moving."
Then the truth flashed over him. "I see it all!" he exclaimed. "I understand now how it is I don't get any nearer the bottom of the car, but float up here in the air like a balloon; for, as Dr. Giles said, although I am falling at a good speed, the car is falling just as fast as I am. Consequently I can never reach the bottom, and unless something happens, I shall remain up here,
