o’clock, from beneath the ridge of the mountain, where the shadows of night still lingered, a strange noise swept across the air, a sort of whirring, accompanied by the beating of mighty wings. And had it been a clear day, perhaps the farmers would have seen the passage of a mighty bird of prey, some monster of the skies, which having risen from the Great Eyrie sped away toward the east. 

 

II. I REACH MORGANTON

 The twenty-seventh of April, having left Washington the night before, I arrived at Raleigh, the capital of the State of North Carolina. 

 Two days before, the head of the federal police had called me to his room. He was awaiting me with some impatience. “John Strock,” said he, “are you still the man who on so many occasions has proven to me both his devotion and his ability?” 

 “Mr. Ward,” I answered, with a bow, “I cannot promise success or even ability, but as to devotion, I assure you, it is yours.” 

 “I do not doubt it,” responded the chief. “And I will ask you instead this more exact question: Are you as fond of riddles as ever? As eager to penetrate into mysteries, as I have known you before?” 

 “I am, Mr. Ward.” 

 “Good, Strock; then listen.” 

 Mr. Ward, a man of about fifty years, of great power and intellect, was fully master of the important position he filled. He had several times entrusted to me difficult missions which I had accomplished successfully, and which had won me his confidence. For several months past, however, he had found no occasion for my services. Therefore I awaited with impatience what he had to say. I did not doubt that his questioning implied a serious and important task for me. 

 “Doubtless you know,” said he, “what has happened down in the Blueridge Mountains near Morganton.” 

 “Surely, Mr. Ward, the phenomena reported from there have been singular enough to arouse anyone’s curiosity.” 

 “They are singular, even remarkable, Strock. No doubt about that. But there is also reason to ask, if these phenomena about the Great Eyrie are not a source of continued danger to the people there, if they are not forerunners of some disaster as terrible as it is mysterious.” 

 “It is to be feared, sir.” 

 “So we must know, 

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