Of course, it was difficult to do anything.

Where could one find this Master of the World?
And even if he were discovered, how could he be captured?
He had at his disposal not only the powers he had displayed, but apparently still greater resources as yet unknown.

How had he been able to reach Lake Kirdall over the rocks; and how had he escaped from it?
Then, if he had indeed appeared on Lake Superior, how had he covered all the intervening territory unseen?
What a bewildering affair it was altogether! This, of course, made it all the more important to get to the bottom of it.

Since the millions of dollars had been refused, force must be employed.

The inventor and his invention were not to be bought.