noon
I thereupon made a film of composition , as thin as possible , and stretched it upon the frame of my instrument , as a diaphragm behind the wires , hoping that the sound-waves would pass between the wires , and vibrate the diaphragm , which , being made of composition , would undoubtedly glow , but not more than the film had done . This , I concluded , would not interfere with the image on the wires , owing to the brilliancy of the latter . I was now hopeful of success , and anxiously waited for the day to close . Everything was in readiness by noon , and I had at least eight hours to wait before Mars would be in a position for wave contact . But now appeared an adversary with which I had not reckoned . Clouds began to gather , thin and fleecy at first , but growing heavier as the afternoon passed , until by evening the heavens were completely obscured . This was a condition that might last for several days , and the dread of it filled me with despair .