Suppose it lacked the requisite velocity for reaching the neutral point.

In such a case it would just as certainly fall back to the Earth, in obedience to the law of Terrestrial attraction.
3.

Suppose it to be animated by just sufficient velocity to reach the neutral point, but not to pass it.

In that case, the Projectile would remain forever in the same spot, perfectly motionless as far as regards the Earth and the Moon, though of course following them both in their annual orbits round the Sun.
Such was now the state of things, which Barbican tried to explain to his friends, who, it need hardly be said, listened to his remarks with the most intense interest.

How were they to know, they asked him, the precise instant at which the Projectile would reach the neutral point?
That would be an easy matter, he assured them.