Perhaps a band of malefactors have secreted themselves there, gaining access by ways known only to themselves." "What! You suspect that robbers--" "Perhaps I am wrong, Strock; and these strange sights and sounds have all had natural causes.

Well, that is what we have to settle, and as quickly as possible." "I have one question to ask." "Go ahead, Strock." "When the Great Eyrie has been visited, when we know the source of these phenomena, if there really is a crater there and an eruption is imminent, can we avert it ?" "No, Strock; but we can estimate the extent of the danger.

If some volcano in the Alleghanies threatens North Carolina with a disaster similar to that of Martinique, buried beneath the outpourings of Mont Pelee, then these people must leave their homes." "I hope, sir, there is no such widespread danger." "I think not, Strock; it seems to me highly improbable that an active volcano exists in the Blueridge mountain chain.

Our Appalachian mountain system is nowhere volcanic in its origin.

But all these events cannot be without basis.