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What Had Happened in Surrey
Savethatanunknownelementgivingagroupoffourlinesintheblueofthespectrumisconcerned,wearestillentirelyignorantofthenatureofthissubstance.
Oncethetumultuousupheavalofitsdispersionwasover,theblacksmokeclungsocloselytotheground,evenbeforeitsprecipitation,thatfiftyfeetupintheair,ontheroofsandupperstoriesofhighhousesandongreattrees,therewasachanceofescapingitspoisonaltogether, aswasprovedeventhatnightatStreetCobhamandDitton.
Themanwhoescapedattheformerplacetellsawonderfulstoryofthestrangenessofitscoilingflow,andhowhelookeddownfromthechurchspireandsawthehousesofthevillagerisinglikeghostsoutofitsinkynothingness. Foradayandahalfheremainedthere,weary,starvingandsun-scorched, theearthundertheblueskyandagainsttheprospectofthedistanthillsavelvet-blackexpanse,withredroofs,greentrees,and,later,black-veiledshrubsandgates,barns,outhouses,andwalls,risinghereandthereintothesunlight.
ButthatwasatStreetCobham,wheretheblackvapourwasallowedtoremainuntilitsankofitsownaccordintotheground. AsaruletheMartians,whenithadserveditspurpose,clearedtheairofitagainbywadingintoitanddirectingajetofsteamuponit.
Thistheydidwiththevapourbanksnearus,aswesawinthestarlightfromthewindowofadesertedhouseatUpperHalliford,whitherwehadreturned. FromtherewecouldseethesearchlightsonRichmondHillandKingstonHillgoingtoandfro, andabouteleventhewindowsrattled,andweheardthesoundofthehugesiegegunsthathadbeenputinpositionthere.
