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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/3046-0.txt b/3046-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0fe7567 --- /dev/null +++ b/3046-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5638 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Land of the Changing Sun, by William N. Harben + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Land of the Changing Sun + +Author: William N. Harben + +Posting Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3046] +Release Date: January, 2002 +Last Updated: March 12, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAND OF THE CHANGING SUN *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss + + + + + +THE LAND OF THE CHANGING SUN + + +By Will. N. Harben + + + + +Chapter I. + +The balloon seemed scarcely to move, though it was slowly sinking toward +the ocean of white clouds which hung between it and the earth. + +The two inmates of the car were insensible; their faces were bloodless, +their cheeks sunken. They were both young and handsome. Harry Johnston, +an American, was as dark and sallow as a Spaniard. Charles Thorndyke, +an English gentleman, had yellow hair and mustache, blue eyes and a +fine intellectual face. Both were tall, athletic in build and +well-proportioned. + +Johnston was the first to come to consciousness as the balloon sank +into less rarefied atmosphere. He opened his eyes dreamily and looked +curiously at the white face of his friend in his lap. Then he shook him +and tried to call his name, but his lips made no sound. Drawing himself +up a little with a hand on the edge of the basket, he reached for a +water-jug and sprinkled Thorndyke's face. In a moment he was rewarded by +seeing the eyes of the latter slowly open. + +“Where are we?” asked Thorndyke in a whisper. + +“I don't know;” Johnston answered, “getting nearer to the earth, for we +can breathe more easily. I can't remember much after the professor fell +from the car. My God, old man! I shall never forget the horror in the +poor fellow's eyes as he clung to the rope down there and begged us +to save him. I tried to get you to look, but you were dozing off. I +attempted to draw him up, but the rope on the edge of the basket was +tipping it, and both you and I came near following him. I tried to keep +from seeing his horrible face as the rope began to slip through his +fingers. I knew the instant he let go by our shooting upward.” + +“I came to myself and looked over when the basket tipped,” replied the +Englishman, “I thought I was going too, but I could not stir a muscle to +prevent it. He said something desperately, but the wind blew it away and +covered his face with his beard, so that I could not see the movement of +his lips.” + +“It may have been some instructions to us about the management of the +balloon.” + +“I think not--perhaps a good-bye, or a message to his wife and child. +Poor fellow!” + +“How long have we been out of our heads?” and Johnston looked over the +side of the car. + +“I have not the slightest idea. Days and nights may have passed since he +fell.” + +“That is true. I remember coming to myself for an instant, and it seemed +that we were being jerked along at the rate of a gunshot. My God, it +was awful! It was as black as condensed midnight. I felt your warm body +against me and was glad I was not alone. Then I went off again, but into +a sort of nightmare. I thought I was in Hell, and that you were with me, +and that Professor Helmholtz was Satan.” + +“Where can we be?” asked Thorndyke. + +“I don't know; I can't tell what is beneath those clouds. It may be +earth, sea or ocean; we were evidently whisked along in a storm while we +were out of our heads. If we are above the ocean we are lost.” + +Thorndyke looked over the edge of the car long and attentively, then he +exclaimed suddenly: + +“I believe it is the ocean.” + +“What makes you think so?” + +“It reflects the sunlight. It is too bright for land. When we got above +the clouds at the start it looked darker below than it does now; we may +be over the middle of the Atlantic.” + +“We are going down,” said Johnston gloomily. + +“That we are, and it means something serious.” + +Johnston made no answer. Half-an-hour went by. Thorndyke looked at the +sun. + +“If the professor had not dropped the compass, we could find our +bearings,” he sighed. + +Johnston pointed upward. Thin clouds were floating above them. “We are +almost down,” he said, and as they looked over the sides of the car they +saw the reflection of the sun on the bosom of the ocean, and, a moment +later, they caught sight of the blue billows rising and falling. + +“I see something that looks like an island,” observed Thorndyke, looking +in the direction toward which the balloon seemed to be drifting. “It is +dark and is surrounded by light. It is far away, but we may reach it if +we do not descend too rapidly.” + +“Throw out the last bag of sand,” suggested the American, “we need it as +little now as we ever shall.” + +Thorndyke cut the bag with his knife and watched the sand filter through +the bottom of the basket and trail along in a graceful stream behind the +balloon. The great flabby bag overhead steadied itself, rose slightly +and drifted on toward the dark spot on the vast expanse of sunlit water. +They could now clearly see that it was a small island, not more than a +mile in circumference. + +“How far is it?” asked Thorndyke. + +“About two miles,” answered the American laconically, “it is a chance +for us, but a slim one.” + +The balloon gradually sank. For twenty minutes the car glided along not +more than two hundred feet above the waves. The island was now quite +near. It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp +precipices by the action of the waves and rain. Hardly a tree or a shrub +was in sight. + +“It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the +ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet +to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against +those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds. We +must fall into the water and swim ashore. There is no use trying to save +the balloon.” + +“We had better be about it, then,” said Johnston, rising stiffly and +holding to the ropes. “If we should go down in the water with the +balloon we would get tangled in the ropes and get asphyxiated with the +gas. We had better hang down under the basket and let go at exactly the +same time.” + +The water was not more than forty feet beneath, and the island was +getting nearer every instant. The two aeronauts swung over on opposite +sides of the car and, face to face, hung by their hands beneath. + +“I dread the plunge,” muttered Thorndyke; “I feel as weak as a sick +kitten; I am not sure that I can swim that distance, but the water looks +still enough.” + +“I am played out too,” grunted the American, red in the face; “but it +looks like our only chance. Ugh! she made a big dip then. We'd better +let go. I'll count three, and three is the signal. Now ready. One, two, +three!” + +Down shot the balloonists and up bounded the great liberated bag of +gas; the basket and dangling ropes swung wildly from side to side. The +aeronauts touched the water feet foremost at the same instant, and in +half a minute they rose, not ten feet apart. + +“Now for it,” sputtered Johnston, shaking his bushy head like a swimming +dog. “Look, the shore is not very far.” Thorndyke was saving his wind, +and said nothing, but accommodated his stroke to that of his companion, +and thus they breasted the gently-rolling billows until finally, +completely exhausted, they climbed up the shelving rocks and lay down in +the warm sunshine. + +“Not a very encouraging outlook,” said Johnston, rising when his +clothing was dry and climbing a slight elevation. “There is nothing +in sight except a waste of stone. Let's go up to that point and look +around.” + +The ascent was exceedingly trying, for the incline was steep and it was +at times difficult to get a firm footing. But they were repaid for the +exertion, for they had reached the highest point of the island and could +see all over it. As far as their vision reached there was nothing beyond +the little island except the glistening waves that reached out till +they met the sky in all directions. High up in the clouds they saw the +balloon, now steadily drifting with the wind toward the south. + +“We might as well be dead and done with it,” grumbled Thorndyke. “Ships +are not apt to approach this isolated spot, and even if they did, how +could we give a signal of distress?” + +Johnston stroked his dark beard thoughtfully, then he pointed toward the +shore. + +“There are some driftwood and seaweed,” he said; “with my sun-glass I +can soon have a bonfire.” He took a piece of punk from a waterproof box +that he carried in his pocket and focussed the sun's rays on it. “Run +down and bring me an armful of dry seaweed and wood,” he added, intent +on his work. + +Thorndyke clambered down to the shore, and in a few minutes returned +with an armful of fuel. Johnston was blowing his punk into a flame, and +in a moment had a blazing fire. + +“Good,” approved the Englishman, rubbing his hands together over the +flames. “We'll keep it burning and it may do some good.” Then a smile of +satisfaction came over his face as he began to take some clams from his +pockets. “Plenty of these fellows down there, and they are as fat and +juicy as can be. Hurry up and let's bake them. I'm as hungry as a bear. +There is a fine spring of fresh water below, too, so we won't die of +thirst.” + +They baked the clams and ate them heartily, and then went down to the +spring near the shore. The water was deliciously cool and invigorating. +The sun sank into the quiet ocean and night crept on. The stars came out +slowly, and the moon rose full and red from the waves, adding its beams +to the flickering light of the fire on the hill-top. + +“Suppose we take a walk all round on the beach,” proposed the +Englishman; “there is no telling what we may find; we may run on +something that has drifted ashore from some wrecked ship.” + +Johnston consented. They had encompassed the entire island, which was +oval in shape, and were about to ascend to the rock to put fresh fuel +on the fire before lying down to sleep for the night, when Thorndyke +noticed a road that had evidently been worn in the rock by human +footsteps. + +“Made by feet,” he said, bending down and looking closely at the rock +and raking up a handful of white sand, “but whether the feet of savage +or civilized mortal I can't make out.” + +Johnston was a few yards ahead of him and stooped to pick up something +glittering in the moonlight. It was a tap from the heel of a shoe and +was of solid silver. + +“Civilized,” he said, holding it out to his companion; “and of the very +highest order of civilization. Whoever heard of people rich enough to +wear silver heel-taps.” + +“Are you sure it is silver?” asked the Englishman, examining it closely. + +“Pure and unalloyed; see how the stone has cut into it, and feel its +weight.” + +“You are right, I believe,” returned Thorndyke, as Johnston put the +strange trophy into his pocket-book, and the two adventurers paused a +moment and looked mutely into each other's eyes. + +“We haven't the faintest idea of where we are,” said Johnston, his tone +showing that he was becoming more despondent. “We don't know how long we +were unconscious in the balloon, nor where we were taken in the storm. +We may now be in the very centre of the North Polar sea--this knob may +be the very pivot on which this end of the earth revolves.” + +The Englishman laughed. “No danger; the sun is too natural. From the +poles it would look different.” + +“I don't mean the old sun that you read so much about, and that they +make so much racket over at home, but another of which we are the +original discoverer--a sun that isn't in old Sol's beat at all, but one +that revolves round the earth from north to south and dips in once a day +at the north and the south poles. See?” + +The Englishman laughed heartily and slapped his friend on the shoulder. + +“I think we are somewhere in the Atlantic; but your finding that +heel-tap does puzzle me.” + +“We are going to have an adventure, beside which all others of our lives +will pale into insignificance. I feel it in my bones. See how evenly +this road has been worn and it is leading toward the centre of the +island.” + +In a few minutes the two adventurers came to a point in the road where +tall cliffs on either side stood up perpendicularly. It was dark and +cold, and but a faint light from the moon shone down to them. + +“I don't like this,” said Johnston, who was behind the Englishman; “we +may be walking into the ambush of an enemy.” + +“Pshaw!” and Thorndyke plunged on into the gloomy passage. Presently the +walls began to widen like a letter “Y” and in a great open space they +saw a placid lake on the bosom of which the moon was shining. On all +sides the towering walls rose for hundreds of feet. Speechless with +wonder and with quickly-beating hearts they stumbled forward over the +uneven road till they reached the shore of the lake. The water was so +clear and still that the moon and stars were reflected in it as if in a +great mirror. + +“Look at that!” exclaimed Thorndyke, pointing down into the depths, +“what can that be?” + +Johnston followed Thorndyke's finger with his eyes. At first he thought +that it was a comet moving across the sky and reflected in the water; +but, on glancing above, he saw his mistake. It looked, at first, like a +great ball of fire rolling along the bottom of the lake with a stream of +flame in its wake. + + + +Chapter II. + +The two men watched it for several minutes; all the time it seemed to be +growing larger and brighter till, after a while, they saw that the light +came from something shaped like a ship, sharp at both ends, and covered +with oval glass. As it slowly rose to the surface they saw that it +contained five or six men, sitting in easy chairs and reclining on +luxurious divans. One of them sat at a sort of pilot-wheel and +was directing the course of the strange craft, which was moving as +gracefully as a great fish. + +Then the young men saw the man at the pilot-wheel raise his hand, +and from the water came the musical notes of a great bell. The vessel +stopped, and one of the men sprang up and raised an instrument that +looked like a telescope to his eyes. With this he seemed to be closely +searching the lake shores, for he did not move for several minutes. Then +he lowered the instrument, and when the bell had rung again, the vessel +rose slowly and perpendicularly to the surface and glided to the shore +within twenty yards of where the adventurers stood. + +“Could they have seen us?” whispered Thorndyke, drawing Johnston nearer +the side of the cliff. + +“I think so; at all events, they are between us and the outlet; we may +as well make the best of it.” + +The men, all except the pilot, landed, and a dazzling electric +search-light was turned on the spot where Thorndyke and Johnston stood. +For a moment they were so blinded that they could not see, and then they +heard footsteps, and, their eyes becoming accustomed to the light, they +found themselves surrounded by several men, very strangely clad. They +all wore long cloaks that covered them from head to foot and every man +was more than six feet in height and finely proportioned. One of them, +who seemed to be an officer in command, bowed politely. + +“I am Captain Tradmos, gentlemen, in the king's service. It is my duty +to make you my prisoners. I must escort you to the palace of the king.” + +“That's cool,” said Johnston, to conceal the discomfiture that he felt, +“we had no idea that you had a kingdom. We have tramped all over this +island, and you are the first signs of humanity we have met.” + +He would have recalled his words before he had finished speaking, if he +could have done so, for he saw by the manner of the captain that he had +been over bold. + +“Follow me,” answered the officer curtly, and with a motion of his hand +to his men he turned toward the odd-looking vessel. + +The two adventurers obeyed, and the cloaked men fell in behind them. +Neither Johnston nor Thorndyke had ever seen anything like the peculiar +boat that was moored to the rocky shore. It was about forty feet in +length, had a hull shaped like a racing yacht, but which was made of +black rubber inflated with air. It was covered with glass, save for a +doorway about six feet high and three feet wide in the side, and looked +like a great oblong bubble floating on the still dark water. As they +approached the searchlight was extinguished, and they were enabled to +see the boat to a better advantage by the aid of the electric lights +that illuminated the interior. It was with feelings of awe that the two +adventurers followed the captain across the gang-plank into the vessel. + +The electric light was brilliantly white, and in various places pink, +red and light-blue screens mellowed it into an artistic effect that was +very soothing to the eye. The ceiling was hung with festoons of prisms +as brilliant as the purest diamonds, and in them, owing to the gently +undulatory movement of the vessel, colors more beautiful than those of +a rainbow played entrancingly. Rare pictures in frames of delicate +gold were interspersed among the clusters of prisms, and the floor was +covered with carpets that felt as soft beneath the foot as pillows of +eider-down. + +As he entered the door the officer threw off his gray cloak, and his men +did likewise, disclosing to view the finest uniforms the prisoners had +ever seen. Captain Tradmos's legs were clothed in tights of light-blue +silk, and he wore a blue sack-coat of silk plush and a belt of pliant +gold, the buckles of which were ornamented with brilliant gems. His eyes +were dark and penetrating, and his black hair lay in glossy masses on +his shoulders. He had the head of an Apollo and a brow indicative of the +highest intellect. + +Leaving his men in the first room that they entered, he gracefully +conducted his prisoners through another room to a small cabin in the +stern of the boat, and told them to make themselves comfortable on the +luxurious couches that lined the circular glass walls. + +“Our journey will be of considerable length,” he said, “and as you are +no doubt fatigued, you had better take all the rest you can get. I see +that you need food and have ordered a repast which will refresh you.” + As he concluded he touched a button in the wall and instantly a table, +laden with substantial food, rare delicacies and wines, rose through +a trap-door in the floor. He smiled at the expressions of surprise on +their faces and touched a green bottle of wine with his white tapering +hand. + +“The greater part of our journey will be under water, and our wines +are specially prepared to render us capable of subsisting on a rather +limited quantity of air during the voyage, so I advise you to partake of +them freely; you will find them very agreeable to the taste.” + +“We are very grateful,” bowed Thorndyke, from his seat on a couch. “I am +sure no prisoners were ever more graciously or royally entertained. To +be your prisoner is a pleasure to be remembered.” + +“Till our heads are cut off, anyway,” put in the irrepressible American. + +Tradmos smiled good-humoredly. + +“I shall leave you now,” he said, and with a bow he withdrew. + +“This is an adventure in earnest,” whispered Johnston; “my stars! what +can they intend to do with us?” + +“One of the first things will be to take us down to the bottom of this +lake where we saw them awhile ago, and I don't fancy it at all; what if +this blasted glass-case should burst? We may have dropped into a den of +outlaws on a gigantic scale, and it may be necessary to put us out of +the way to keep our mouths closed.” + +“I am hungry, and am going to eat,” said the American, drawing a +cushioned stool up to the table. “Here goes for some of the wine; +remember, it is a sort of breath-restorer. I am curious enough not to +want to collapse till I have seen this thing through. He said something +about a palace and a king. Where can we be going?” + +“Down into the centre of the earth, possibly,” and the handsome +Englishman moved a stool to the table and took the glass of +green-colored wine that Johnston pushed toward him. “Some scientists +hold that the earth is filled with water instead of fire. Who knows +where this blamed thing may not take us? Here is to a safe return from +the amphibious land!” + +Both drank their wine simultaneously, lowered their glasses at the same +instant, and gazed into each other's eyes. + +“Did you ever taste such liquor?” asked Thorndyke, “it seems to run like +streams of fire through every vein I have.” + +Johnston shook his head mutely, and held the sparkling effervescing +fluid between him and the light. + +“Ugh! take it down,” cried the Englishman, “it throws a green color on +your face that makes you look like a corpse.” Johnston clinked the glass +against that of his companion and they drained the glasses. “Hush, what +was that?” asked Thorndyke. + +There was a sound like boiling water outside and as if air were being +pumped out of some receptacle, and the vessel began to move up and down +in a lithe sort of fashion and to bend tortuously from side to side like +a great sluggish fish. Through the partitions of glass they saw one of +the men closing the door, and in a moment the vessel glided away from +the shore. The men all sank into easy positions on the couches, and +delightful music as soft as an Aeolian lyre seemed to be breathed from +the walls and floor. Then the music seemed to die away and a bell down +in the vessel's hull rang. + +“We are in the middle of the lake,” said Thorndyke, looking through +the glass toward the black cliffy shore; “the next thing will be our +descent. I wonder----” + +But he was unable to proceed, and Johnston noticed in alarm that +his eyes were slightly protruding from their sockets. The air seemed +suddenly to become more compact as if compressed, and the water was set +into such violent commotion that it was dashed against the glass sides +in billows as white as snow. Then Johnston found that he could not +breathe freely, and he understood the trouble of the Englishman. + +Captain Tradmos came suddenly to the door. He was smiling as he motioned +toward the wines on the table. + +“You had better drink more of the wine,” he advised sententiously. + +Both of the captives rushed to the table. The instant they had swallowed +the wine they felt relieved, but were still weak. The captain bowed and +went away. Thorndyke's hand trembled as he refilled his friend's glass. +“I thought I was gone up,” he said, “I never had such a choky sensation +in my life; you are still purple in the face.” + +“Eat of what is before you,” said the captain, looking in at the door; +“you cannot stand the increasing pressure unless you do.” + +They needed no second invitation, for they were half-famished. The fish +and meat were delicious, and the bread was delightfully sweet. + +“Look outside!” cried Johnston. The water was now still, but it was +gradually rising up the sides of the boat, and in a moment it had closed +over the crystal roof. Both of the captives were conscious of a heavy +sensation in the head and a dull roaring in the ears. Down they went, at +first slowly and then more rapidly, till it seemed to them that they had +descended over a thousand feet. Great monsters like whales swam to the +vessel, as if attracted by the lights, and their massive bodies jarred +against the glass walls as they turned to swim away. They sank about +five hundred feet lower; and all at once the lights went out, and the +boat gradually stopped. + +It was at once so dark that the two captives could not see each other, +though only the width of the table separated them. Everything was +profoundly still; not a sound came from the men in the other rooms. +Presently Thorndyke whispered, “Look, do you see that red light +overhead?” + +“Yes,” said Johnston, “it looks like a star.” + +“It is our bonfire,” said Thorndyke, “that's what betrayed us.” + +Again the vessel began to sink, and more rapidly than ever; indeed, +as Thorndyke expressed it, he had the cool feeling that nervous people +experience in going down quickly in an elevator. + +“If we go any lower,” he added, as the great rubber hull seemed to +struggle like some living monster, “the sides of this thing will +collapse like an egg-shell and we will be as flat as pancakes.” + +“You need not fear, we have much lower to go!” It was the captain's +voice, but they could not tell from whence it came. Then they heard +again the seductive music, and it was so soothing that they soon fell +asleep. + +They had no idea how long they had slept, but they were awakened by the +ringing of a bell and felt the vessel was coming to a stop. They were +still far beneath the surface; indeed, the boat was resting on the +bottom, for in the light of two or three powerful search-lights they saw +a wide succession of submerged hills, vales, and rugged cliffs. Before +them was a great mountain-side and in it they saw the mouth of a dark +tunnel. They had scarcely noticed it before the vessel rose a little and +glided toward the tunnel and entered it. Through the glass walls they +could see that it was narrow, and that the ragged sides and roof were +barely far enough apart to admit them. + +Suddenly one of the men came in and drew a curtain down behind them, +and, with a vexed look on his face retired. + +When he was gone Johnston put his lips close to Thorndyke's ear and +whispered: + +“Did you see that?” + +“See what?” + +“Just as he drew the curtain down I saw what looked to me like a cliff +of solid gold. It had been dug out into a cavern in which I saw a vessel +like this, and men in diving suits digging and loading it.” + +This took the Englishman's breath away for a moment, then he remarked: +“That accounts for the heel-tap we found; who knows, these people may be +possessors of the richest gold and silver mines on earth.” + +The bell rang again. “We are rising,” said Johnston. “If this is the +only way of reaching the king's domain, we could never get back +to civilization unless they release us of their own accord, that's +certain!” + +“Heavens, isn't it still!” exclaimed the Englishman. “The machinery +of this thing moves as noiselessly as the backbone of an eel. I wish I +could understand its works.” + +“I am more concerned about where we are going. I tell you we are being +taken to some wonderful place. People who can construct such marvels of +mechanical skill as this boat will not be behind in other things; then +look at the physiques of those giants.” + +Just then the man who had drawn down the shade came in and raised it. +Both the captives pretended to be uninterested in his movements, but +when he had withdrawn they looked through the glass eagerly. + +“See,” whispered Thorndyke, in the ear of his companion, “the walls are +close to us, and are as perpendicular as those of the lake in which they +found us.” + +Johnston said nothing. His attention was riveted to the walls of rock; +the vessel was rising rapidly. An hour passed. The soft music had +ceased, and the air seemed less dense and fresher. Then the waters +suddenly parted over the roof and ran in crystal streams down the oval +glass. + +They were on the surface, and the vessel was slowly gliding toward the +shore which could not be seen owing to there now being no light except +that inside the boat. Captain Tradmos entered, followed by two of his +men holding black silken bandages. + +“We must blindfold you,” he said; “captives are not allowed to see the +entrance to our kingdom.” + +Without a word they submitted. + +“This way,” said the captain kindly, and, holding to an arm of each, he +piloted them out of the vessel to the shore. Then he led them through +what they imagined to be a long stone corridor or arcade from the +ringing echoes of their feet on the stone pavement. Presently they came +to what seemed to be an elevator, for when they had entered it and sat +down, they heard a metallic door slide back into its place, and they +descended quickly. + +They could form no idea as to the distance they went down; but Thorndyke +declared afterward that it was over ten thousand feet. When the elevator +stopped Captain Tradmos led them out, and both of the captives were +conscious of breathing the purest, most invigorating air they had ever +inhaled. Instantly their strength returned, and they felt remarkably +buoyant as they were led along over another pavement of polished stone. + +Tradmos laughed. “You like the atmosphere?” + +“I never heard of anything like it,” said Thorndyke. “It is so +delightful I can almost taste it.” + +“It was that which made Alpha what it is--the most wonderful country in +the universe,” said the officer. “There is much in store for you.” + +The ears of the two captives were greeted by a vague, indefinable hum, +like and yet unlike that of a busy city. It was like many far-off sounds +carefully muffled. Now and then they heard human voices, laughter, and +singing in the distance, and the twanging of musical instruments. + +Then they knew that they were entering a building of some sort, for they +heard a key turn in a lock and the humming sound in the distance was +cut off. They felt a soft carpet under their feet, and the feet of their +guards no longer clinked on the stones. + +When the bandages were removed they found themselves in a sumptuous +chamber, alone with the captain. The brilliant light from a +quaintly-shaped candelabrum, in the centre of the chamber, dazzled them, +but in a few minutes their eyes had become accustomed to it. + +Tradmos seemed to be enjoying the looks of astonishment on their faces +as they glanced at the different objects in the room. + +“It is night,” he said smilingly. “You need rest after your voyage. +Lie down on the beds and sleep. To-morrow you will be conducted to the +palace of the king.” + +With a bow he withdrew, and they heard a massive bolt slide into the +socket of a door hidden behind a curtain. The two men gazed at each +other without speaking, for a moment, and then they began to inspect the +room. + +In alcoves half-veiled with silken curtains stood statues in gold and +bronze. The walls and ceilings were decorated with pictures unlike any +they had ever seen. Before one, the picture of an angel flying through a +dark, star-filled sky, they both stood enchanted. + +“What is it?” asked Thorndyke, finding voice finally. “It is not done +with brush or pencil; the features seem alive and, by Jove, you can +actually see it breathe. Don't you see the clouds gliding by, and the +wings moving?” + +“It is light--it is formed by light!” declared the other +enthusiastically, and he ran to the wall, about six feet from the +picture, and put his hand on a square metal box screwed to the wall. + +“I have it,” he said quickly, “come here!” + +The Englishman advanced curiously and examined the box. + +“Don't you see that tiny speck of light in the side towards the picture? +Well, the view is thrown from this box on the wall, and it is the motion +of the powerful light that gives apparent life to the angel. It is +wonderful.” + +In a commodious alcove, in a glow of pink light from above, was a +life-sized group of musicians--statues in colored metal of a Spanish +girl playing a mandora, an Italian with a slender calascione, a Russian +playing his jorbon, and an African playing a banjo. Luxurious couches +hung by spiral springs from the ceiling to a convenient height from the +floor, and here and there lay rugs of rare beauty and great ottomans of +artistic designs and colors. + +“We ought to go to bed,” proposed Thorndyke; “we shall have plenty of +time to see this Aladdin's land before we get away from it.” + +There were two large downy beds on quaintly wrought bedsteads of brass, +but the two captives decided to sleep together. + +Thorndyke was the first to awaken. The lights in the candelabrum were +out, but a gray light came in at the top and bottom of the window. He +rose and drew the heavy curtain of one of the windows aside. He shrank +back in astonishment. + + + +Chapter III. + +“What is it, Thorndyke? What are you looking at?” And the American +slowly left the bed and approached his friend. + +Thorndyke only held the curtain further back and watched Johnston's face +as he looked through the wide plate-glass window. + +“My gracious!” ejaculated the latter as he drew nearer. It was a +wondrous scene. The building in which they were imprisoned stood on a +gentle hill clad in luxuriant, smoothly-cut grass and ornamented with +beautiful flowers and plants; and below lay a splendid city--a city +built on undulating ground with innumerable grand structures of white +marble, with turrets, domes and pinnacles of gold. Wide streets paved +in polished stone and bordered with lush-green grass interspersed with +statues and beds and mounds of strange plants and flowers stretched away +in front of them till they were lost in the dim, misty distance. Parks +filled with pavilions, pleasure-lakes, fountains and tortuous drives and +walks, dotted the landscape in all directions. + +Thorndyke's breath had clouded the glass of the window, and he rubbed +it with his handkerchief. As he did so the sash slowly, and without +a particle of sound, slid to one side, disclosing a narrow balcony +outside. It had a graceful balustrade, made of carved red-and-white +mottled marble, and on the end of the balcony facing the city sat a +great gold and silver jug, ten feet high, of rare design. The spout was +formed by the body of a dragon with wings extended; the handle was a +serpent with the extremity of its tail coiled around the neck of the +jug. + +The air that came in at the window was fresh and dewy, and laden with +the most entrancing odors. Thorndyke led the way out, treading very +gently at first. Johnston followed him, too much surprised to make any +comment. From this position, their view to the left round the corner of +the building was widened, and new wonders appeared on every hand. + +Over the polished stone pavements strange vehicles ran noiselessly, as +if the wheels had cushioned tires, and the streets were crowded with an +active, strangely-clad populace. + +“Look at that!” exclaimed the American, and from a street corner they +saw a queer-looking machine, carrying half-a-dozen passengers, rise like +a bird with wings outspread and fly away toward the east. They watched +it till it disappeared in the distance. + +“We are indeed in wonderland,” said the Englishman; “I can't make head +nor tail of it. We were on an isolated island, the Lord only knows +where, and have suddenly been transported to a new world!” + +“I can't feel at all as if we were in the world we were born in,” + returned Johnston. “I feel strange.” + +“The wine,” suggested the Englishman, “you know it did wonders for us in +that subwater thing.” + +“No; the wine has nothing to do with it. My head never was clearer. The +very atmosphere is peculiar. The air is invigorating, and I can't get +enough of it.” + +“That is exactly the way I feel,” was Thorndyke's answer. + +“Look at the sunlight,” went on Johnston; “it is gray like our dawn, but +see how transparent it is. You can look through it for miles and miles. +It is becoming pink in the east, the sun will soon be up, and I am +curious to see it.” + +“It must be up now, but we cannot see it for the hills and buildings. My +goodness, see that!” and the Englishman pointed to the east. A flood of +delicate pink light was now pouring into the vast body of gray and +was slowly driving the more sombre color toward the west. The line +of separation was marked--so marked, indeed, that it seemed a vast, +rose-colored billow rolling, widening and sweeping onward like a swell +of the ocean shoreward. On it came rapidly, till the whole landscape was +magically changed. The flowers, the trees, the grass, the waters of the +lakes, the white buildings, the costumes of the people in the streets, +even the sky, changed in aspect. The white clouds looked like fire-lit +smoke, and far toward the west rolled the long line of pink still +struggling with the gray and driving it back. + +The sun now came into sight, a great bleeding ball of fire slowly rising +above the gilded roofs in the distance. + +“By Jove, look at our shadows!” exclaimed Johnston, and both men gazed +at the balcony floor in amazement; their shadows were as clearly defined +and black as silhouettes. “How do you account for that?” continued +the American, “I am firmly convinced that this sun is not the orb that +shines over my native land.” + +Thorndyke laughed, but his laugh was forced. “How absurd! and yet--” He +extended his hand over the balustrade into the rosy glow, and +without concluding his remark held it back into the shadow of the +window-casement. “By Jove!” he exclaimed; “there is not a particle of +warmth in it. It is exactly the same temperature in the shade as in the +light.” He moved back against the wall. “No; there is no difference; the +blamed thing doesn't give out any warmth.” + +Johnston's hands were extended in the light. “I believe you are right,” + he declared in awe, “something is wrong.” + +At that moment appeared from the room behind them a handsome youth, +attired in a suit of scarlet silk that fitted his athletic figure +perfectly. He rapped softly on the window-casement and bowed when they +turned. + +“Your breakfast is waiting for you,” he announced. They followed him +into a room adjoining the one they had occupied, and found a table +holding a sumptuous repast. The boy gave them seats and handed them +golden plates to eat upon. The fruits, wine and meats were very +appetizing, and they ate with relish. + +“I believe we are to be conducted to the palace of your king to-morrow,” + ventured the Englishman to the boy. + +The boy shook his head, but made no reply, and busied himself with +removing the dishes. As they were rising from the table, they heard +footsteps in the hall outside. The door opened. It was Captain Tradmos, +and he was accompanied by a tall, bearded man with a leather case under +his arm. + +“You must undergo a medical examination,” the captain said smilingly. +“It is our invariable custom, but this is by a special order from the +king.” + +Johnston shuddered as he looked at the odd-looking instruments the +medical man was taking from the case, but Thorndyke watched his +movements with phlegmatic indifference. He stood erect; threw back his +shoulders; expanded his massive chest and struck it with his clenched +fist in pantomimic boastfulness. + +Tradmos smiled genially; but there was something curt and official in +his tone when he next spoke that took the Englishman slightly aback. +“You must bare your breast over your heart and lungs,” he said; and +while Thorndyke was unbuttoning his shirt, he and the medical man went +to the door and brought into the room a great golden bell hanging in a +metallic frame. + +The bell was so thin and sensitive to the slightest jar or movement +that, although it had been handled with extreme care, the captives could +see that it was vibrating considerably, and the room was filled with a +low metallic sound that not only affected the ear of the hearer but set +every nerve to tingling. The medical man stopped the sound by laying his +hand upon the bell. To a tube in the top of the bell he fastened one end +of a rubber pipe; the other end was finished with a silver device shaped +like the mouth-piece of a speaking tube. This he firmly pressed over the +Englishman's heart. Thorndyke winced and bit his lip, for the +strange thing took hold of his flesh with the tenacity of a powerful +suction-pump. + +“Ouch!” he exclaimed playfully, but Johnston saw that he had turned +pale, and that his face was drawn as if from pain. + +“Hold still!” ordered the medical man; “it will be over in a minute; +now, be perfectly quiet and listen to the bell!” + +The Englishman stood motionless, the sinews of his neck drawn and +knotted, his eyes starting from their sockets. Thorndyke felt the rubber +tube quiver suddenly and writhe with the slow energy of a dying snake, +and then from the quivering bell came a low, gurgling sound like a +stream of water being forced backward and forward. + +Tradmos and the medical man stepped to the bell and inspected a small +dial on its top. + +“What was that?” gasped the Englishman, purple in the face. + +“The sound of your blood,” answered Tradmos, as he removed the +instrument from Thorndyke's flesh; “it is as regular as mine; you are +very lucky; you are slightly fatigued, but you will be sound in a day or +two.” + +“Thank you,” replied the Englishman, but he sank into a chair, overcome +with weakness. + +“Now, I'll take you, please,” said the medical man, motioning Johnston +to rise. + +“I am slightly nervous,” apologized the latter, as he stood up and +awkwardly fumbled the buttons of his coat. + +“Nervousness is a mental disease,” said the man, with professional +brusqueness; “it has nothing to do with the body except to dominate it +at times. If you pass your examination you may live to overcome it.” + +The American looked furtively at Thorndyke, but the head of the +Englishman had sunk on his breast and he seemed to be asleep. Johnston +had never felt so lonely and forsaken in his life. From his childhood he +had entertained a secret fear that he had inherited heart disease, and +like Maupassant's “Coward,” who committed suicide rather than meet a +man in a duel, he had tried in vain to get away from the horrible, +ever-present thought by plunging into perilous adventures. + +At that moment he felt that he would rather die than know the worst from +the uncanny instrument that had just tortured his strong comrade till he +was overcome with exhaustion. + +“I never felt better in my life,” he said falteringly, but it seemed to +him that every nerve and muscle in his frame was withering through fear. +His tongue felt clumsy and thick and his knees were quivering as with +ague. + +“Stand still,” ordered the physician sternly, and Johnston was further +humiliated by having Tradmos sympathetically catch hold of his arm to +steady him. + +“Your people are far advanced in the sciences,” went on the physician +coldly, “but there are only a few out of their number who know that the +mind governs the body and that fear is its prime enemy. Five minutes ago +you were eating heartily and had your share of physical strength, and +yet the mere thought that you are now to know the actual condition of +your most vital organ has made you as weak as an infant. If you kept up +this state of mind for a month it would kill you. + +“Now listen,” he went on, as the instrument gripped Johnston's flesh and +the rubber tube began to twist and move as if charged with electricity. +The American held his breath. A sound as of water being forced through +channels that were choked, mingled with a wheezing sound like wind +escaping from a broken bellows came from the bell. + +“Your frame is all right,” said the medical man, as he released the +trembling American, “but you have long believed in the weakness of your +heart and it has, on that account, become so. You must banish all fear +from your thoughts. You perhaps know that we have a place specially +prepared for those who are not physically sound. I am sorry that you do +not stand a better examination.” + +Tradmos regarded the American with a look of sympathy as he gave him a +chair and then rang a bell on the table. Thorndyke looked up sleepily, +as an attendant entered with a couple of parcels, and glanced +wonderingly at his friend's white face and bloodshot eyes. + +“What's the matter?” he asked; but Johnston made no reply, for the +captain had opened the parcels and taken out two suits of silken +clothing. + +“Put them on,” he said, giving a suit of gray to Johnston and one of +light blue to Thorndyke. “We shall leave you to change your attire, and +I shall soon come for you.” + + + +Chapter IV. + +In a few minutes the captain returned and found his prisoners ready to +go with him. Thorndyke looked exceedingly handsome in his glossy tights, +close-fitting sack-coat, tinsel belt and low shoes with buckles of gold. +The natural color had come back into his cheeks, and he was exhilarated +over the prospect of further adventure. + +It was not so, however, with poor Johnston; his spirits had been so +dampened by the physician's words that he could not rally from +his despondency. His suit fitted his figure as well as that of the +Englishman, but he could not wear it with the same hopeful grace. + +“Cheer up!” whispered Thorndyke, as they followed the captain through +a long corridor, “if we are on our way to the stake or block we are at +least going dressed like gentlemen.” + +Outside they found the streets lined with spectators eagerly waiting to +see them pass. The men all had suits like those which had been given the +captives, and the women wore flowing gowns like those of ancient Greece. + +“These are the common people,” whispered Thorndyke to Johnston, “but +did you ever dream of such perfect features and physiques? Every face is +full of merriment and good cheer. I am curious to see the royalty.” + +Johnston made no reply, for Captain Tradmos turned suddenly and faced +them. + +“Stand here till I return,” he said, and he went back into the house. + +“Where in the deuce do you think we are?” pursued Thorndyke with a grim +smile. + +“Haven't the slightest idea,” sighed Johnston, and he shuddered as he +looked down the long white street with its borders of human faces. + +Thorndyke was observant. + +“There is not a breath of air stirring,” he said; “and yet the +atmosphere is like impalpable delicacies to a hungry man's stomach. +Look at that big tree, not a leaf is moving, and yet every breath I draw +is as fresh as if it came from a mountain-top. Did you ever see such +flowers as those? Look at that ocean of orchids.” + +“They think we are a regular monkey-show,” grumbled the American. “Look +how the crowd is gaping and shoving and fighting for places to see us.” + +“It's your legs they want to behold, old fellow. Do you know I never +knew you had such knotty knee-joints; did you ever have rheumatism? I +wish I had 'em; they wouldn't put me to death--they would make me the +chief attraction in the royal museum.” Thorndyke concluded his jest with +a laugh, but the face of his friend did not brighten. + +“You bet that medical examination meant something serious,” he said. + +“Pooh!” and the Englishman slapped his friend playfully on the shoulder. + +“Since I have seen that vast crowd of well-developed people, and +remember what that medicine man said, I have made up my mind that we are +going to be separated.” Poor Johnston's lip was quivering. + +“Rubbish! but there comes the captain; put on a bold front; talk up New +York; tell 'em about Chicago and the Fair, and ask to be allowed to +ride in their Ferris Wheel--if they ain't got no wheel, ask 'em when the +first train leaves town.” + +“This is no time for jokes,” growled Johnston, as Tradmos returned. +Tradmos motioned to something that in the distance looked like +a carriage, but which turned out to be a flying machine. It rose +gracefully and glided over the ground and settled at their feet. It +was large enough to seat a dozen people, and there was a little +glass-windowed compartment at the end in which they could see “the +driver,” as he was termed by Tradmos. The mysterious machinery was +hidden in the woodwork overhead and beneath. + +“Get in,” said the captain, and the door flew open as if of its own +accord. Thorndyke went in first and was followed by the moody American. +“Let up on the ague,” jested Thorndyke, nudging his friend with his +elbow; “if you keep on quivering like that you may shake the thing loose +from its moorings and we'd never know what became of us.” + +Johnston scowled, and the officer, who had overheard the remark, smiled +as he leaned toward the window and gave some directions to the man in +the other compartment. + +“You both take it rather coolly,” he remarked to Thorndyke. “I took a +man and a woman over this route several years ago and both of them were +in a dead faint; but, in fact, you have nothing to fear. We never have +accidents.” + +“It is as safe as a balloon, I suppose, and we are at home in them,” + said the Englishman, with just the hint of a swagger in his tone. + +“But your balloons are poor, primitive things at best,” returned Tradmos +in his soft voice. “They can't be compared to this mode of travel, +though, of course, our machines would not operate in your atmosphere.” + +“Why not?” impulsively asked the Englishman. “I thought----” + +But he did not conclude his remark, for they were rising, and both he +and Johnston leaned apprehensively forward and looked out of one of the +windows. Down below the long lines of people were silently waving their +hats, scarfs and handkerchiefs as the machine swept along over their +heads. As they rose higher the scene below widened like a great circular +fan, and in the delicate roselight, the whole so appealed to Thorndyke's +artistic sense that he ejaculated: + +“Glorious! Superb! Transcendent!” and he directed Johnston's attention +to the wonderful pinkish haze which lay over the view toward the west +like a vast diaphanous web of rosy sunbeams. + +“You ask why our air-ships would not operate in your atmosphere,” said +the captain, showing pleasure at Thorndyke's enthusiasm. “It is simple +enough when you have studied the climatic differences between the two +countries. You have much to contend with--the winds, for instance, the +heat and cold, etc.; this is the only known country where the winds are +subjugated. I have never been in your world, but from what I have heard +of it I am not anxious to see it. Your atmosphere and climate are so +changeable and so diverse in different localities that I have heard your +people spend much of their time in seeking congenial climes. I think it +was a man who came from London that claimed he once had a cold--'a bad +cold,' I think he called it. It was a standing joke in the royal family +for a long time, and he heard so much about it that he tried to deny +what he had said!” + +Johnston glanced at the speaker non-plussed, but the captain was looking +at Thorndyke. + +“Your climate is delightful here now,” said the Englishman; “is it so +long at a time?” + +“Perpetually; it is regulated every moment, and every year we perfect it +in some way.” + +“Perfect it?” + +“Yes, of course, why not? If it ever fails to be up to the usual high +standard, it is owing to neglect of those in charge, and neglect is +punished severely.” + +Thorndyke's eyes sought those of the American incredulously. Seeing +which Tradmos looked amused. + +“You doubt it,” he smiled. “Well, wait till you have been here longer. +The fact is, any one born in our climate could not live in yours. The +king experimented on a man who claimed to have only one lung, but who +had two sound ones when he was cut open. Well, the king sent him to +China, or America, or some such place, and he wheezed himself to death +in a week by your clocks. The weather was too fickle for him. Our system +has been perfected to such an extent that we live four lives to your +one, and our fruits and vegetables are a hundred per cent. better than +those in other countries.” + +“What is the name of your country?” asked Thorndyke, feeling that he was +not losing anything by his boldness. + +“Alpha.” + +“Where is it located?” + +“I don't know.” Tradmos looked out at the window for a moment as if to +ascertain that they were going in the right direction, then he fixed his +dark eyes on Thorndyke and asked hesitatingly:-- + +“I never thought--I--but do you know where your country is located?” + +“Why, certainly.” + +“Well, I don't know where this one is. We are taught everything, I +think, except geography.” Nothing more was said for several minutes, +then an exclamation of admiration broke from the Englishman. The color +of the sunlight was changing. From east to west within the entire arc of +their observation rolled an endless billow of lavender light leaving a +placid sea of the same color behind it. On it swept, slowly driving back +the pink glow that had been over everything. + +“I see you like our sunlight?” said Tradmos, half interrogatively. + +“Never saw anything like it before.” + +“Yours is, I think, the same color all day long.” + +“Except on rainy days.” + +“Must be a great bore, monotonous--too much sameness. It is white, is it +not?” + +“Yes, rather--between white and yellow, I call it.” + +“Something like our sixth hour, I suppose; this is the fourth hour of +morning. Then come blue, yellow, green, and at noon red. The afternoon +is divided up in the same way. The first hour is green, then follow +yellow, blue, lavender, rose, gray and purple. Yes, I should think you +would find yours somewhat tiresome.” + +“We can rely on it,” said Johnston speaking for the first time and in a +wavering voice, “it is always there.” + +“Doing business at the old stand,” laughed Thorndyke, attempting an +Americanism. + +“Well, that is a comfort, anyway,” said the captain seriously. “In my +time they have had no solar trouble, but some of the old people tell +horrible tales of a period when our sun for several days did not shine +at all.” + +“Can it be possible?” said the Englishman dubiously. + +“Oh, yes; and the early settlers had a great deal of trouble in +different ways; but I am not at liberty to give you information on that +head. It is the king's special pleasure to have new-comers form their +own impressions, and he is particularly fond of noting their surprise, +and, above all, their approval. People usually come here of their own +accord through the influence of our secret force of agents all over the +earth, but you were brought because you happened to drop on our island +and would have found out too much for our good, and that red light you +kept burning night and day might have given us trouble. There is no +telling how long you could have kept alive on those clams.” + +“We meant no offence,” apologized Thorndyke; “we----” + +“Oh, I know it, I was only explaining the situation,” interrupted the +officer. + +“What is that bright spot to the right?” asked Thorndyke, to change the +subject. + +“The king's palace; that is the dome. We shall soon be there. Now, +I must not talk to you any longer. Somebody may be watching us with +glasses. I have taken a liking to you, and some time, when I get the +opportunity, I shall give you some useful advice, but I must treat you +very formally, at least till you have had audience with the king.” + +“Thank you,” said the Englishman, and Tradmos stood up in the car to +watch their progress through the circular glass of a little cupola on +top. Thorndyke smiled at Johnston, but the American was in no pleasant +mood. The indifference with which Tradmos had treated him had nettled +him. + +The machine was now slowly descending. A vast pile of white marble, with +many golden domes and spires, rose between them and the earth below. + +“To the balcony on the central dome,” ordered Tradmos through the window +of the driver's compartment; and the adventurers felt the car sweep +round in a curve that threw them against each other, and the next moment +they had landed on a wide iron balcony encircling a great golden cone +that towered hundreds of feet above them. + + + +Chapter V. + +“Follow me,” said the captain stiffly, for there were several guards in +white and gold uniforms pacing to and fro on the battlement-like walls. +He led the two adventurers through a door in the base of the dome. At +first they were dazed by a brilliant light from above, and looking +up they beheld a marvel of kaleidoscopic colors formed by a myriad of +electric-lighted prisms sloping gradually from the floor to the apex +of the dome. Thorndyke could compare it to nothing but a stupendous +diamond, the very heart of which the eye penetrated. + +“Don't look at it now,” advised Tradmos, in an undertone; “it was +constructed to be seen from below, and to light the great rotunda.” + +Mutely the captives obeyed. At every turn they were greeted with a new +wonder. The captain now led them round a narrow balcony on the inside of +the vast dome, and, looking over the railing down below, they saw a vast +tessellated pavement made of polished stones of various and brilliant +colors and so artistically arranged that, from where they stood, +lifelike pictures of landscapes seemed to rise to meet the vision +wherever the eye rested. Statues of white marble, gold and bronze were +placed here and there, and, in squares of living green, fountains threw +up streams of crystal water. Tradmos paused for them to look down and +smiled at their evident admiration. + +“How far is it down there?” Thorndyke ventured to ask. + +“Over a thousand feet,” replied Tradmos. “Look across opposite and you +will see that there are fifty floors beneath us, and each floor has a +balcony like this overlooking the court.” + +“What is the sound that comes up from below?” asked the Englishman. + +“It is the voices of the people and their footsteps on the stone.” + +“What people?” + +“Don't you see them? Your eyes are dazzled by the light; I ought to have +warned you against looking up into the dome. The people are down there; +do the views in the pavement not look a little blurred?” + +“Yes.” + +“Well, if you will look more closely you will see that it is a multitude +of people.” + +“Great heavens!” exclaimed the Englishman, and he became deeply absorbed +in the contemplation of the rarest sight he had ever seen. As he looked +closely he noticed a black spot growing larger and nearer, and he +glanced inquiringly at the captain. + +“It is an elevator. There are a great many of them used in the palace, +but none have happened to rise as high as this since we came. The one +you see is coming for us.” The next moment the strange vehicle was +floating toward them. The captain opened the door and preceded the +captives into the interior. + +“The royal audience chamber,” he said, carelessly, to the driver behind +the glass of the adjoining compartment, and down they floated as lightly +as a bubble--down past balcony after balcony, laden with moving throngs, +until they alighted in a great conservatory. + +Near them was a tall fountain the water of which was playing weird music +on great bells of glass, some of which hung in the fountain's stream +and others rose and fell, giving forth strange, submerged tones in the +foaming basin. + +“It is a new invention recently placed here by the king's son who is a +musical genius,” explained Tradmos. “You will be astonished at some of +his inventions.” + +He led them, as if to avoid the great crowds that they could now hear +on all sides, down a long vista of palms, the branches of which met over +their heads, to the wide door of the audience chamber. A party of men +dressed in uniforms of white silk with gold and silver ornaments bowed +before the captain and made way for him. + +The captives now found themselves in the most splendid and spacious room +they had ever seen, at the far end of which was a long dais and on it an +elaborate throne. + +“I shall be obliged to leave you when the king comes,” said Tradmos to +Thorndyke, “but I shall hope to see you again. Don't forget my name and +rank, for I may send you a message some time that may aid you.” “Thank +you,” replied the Englishman, and then as a throng of beautiful young +women came from a room on the side and gathered about the throne he +added inquisitively: “Who are they?” + +“The wives and daughters of the king and the wives of the princes,” was +the cautious answer, “but don't look at any one of them closely.” + +“I don't see how a fellow can help it; they are ravishingly beautiful, +don't you think so, Johnston?” + +“Don't be a fool,” snapped the American, “don't you know enough to hold +your tongue.” + +Tradmos smiled as if amused, and when he had shown them to seats near +the great golden throne, he said: + +“Stay where you are till the king sends for you, and then go and kneel +before the throne. Do not rise till he bids you.” + +The captives thanked him and the captain turned away. The eyes of all +the royal party now rested on the strangers, and it was hard for them to +appear unconscious of it. A great crowd was slowly filling the room +and an orchestra in a balcony on the left of the dais began to make +delightful music on instruments the strangers had never before seen. +After an entrancing prelude a sound of singing was heard, and far up in +a grand dome, lighted like the one the captives had just admired over +the central court of the palace, they saw a bevy of maidens, robed in +white, moving about in mid-air, apparently unsupported by anything. + +“How on earth is that done?” asked Thorndyke. + +“I don't know,” returned Johnston, speaking more freely now that the +captain had gone. “I am not surprised at anything.” + +“Their voices are exquisite, and that orchestra--a Boston symphony +concert couldn't be compared to it.” + +“There goes the sunlight again,” cried Johnston, “by Jove, it is blue!” + +The transition was sublime. They seemed transported to some other scene. +The great multitude, the elegantly-dressed attendants about the throne, +the courtiers, the beautiful women, all seemed to change in appearance; +on the view through the wide doors leading to the conservatory, and the +great swarming court beyond, the soft blue light fell like a filmy veil +of enchantment. + +“Wonderful!” exclaimed the American. + +“It is ahead of our clocks, anyway,” jested Thorndyke. “Any child that +can count on its fingers could tell that this is the fifth hour of the +day.” + +The music grew louder; there was a harmonious blare of mighty trumpets, +the clang of gongs and cymbals, and then the music softened till it +could scarcely be heard. There was commotion about the throne. + +The king was coming. Every person on the dais stood motionless, +expectant. A page drew aside the rich curtain from a door on the right, +and an old man, wearing a robe of scarlet ornamented with jewels and a +crown set with sparkling gems, entered and seated himself on the throne. +The music sank lower; so soft did it become that the tinkling bells of +the great fountain outside could be heard throughout the room. + +The king bowed to the throng on the dais and spoke a few words to a +courtier who advanced as he sat down. The courtier must have spoken of +them, for the king at once looked down at Johnston and Thorn-dyke and +nodded his head. The courtier spoke to a page, and the youth left the +dais and came toward the captives. + +“We are in for it,” cautioned Thorndyke, “now don't be afraid of your +shadow; we'll come out all right.” + +“The king has sent for you,” said the page, the next instant. “Go to the +throne.” + +They were the cynosure of the entire room as they went up the carpeted +steps of the dais and knelt before the king. + + + +Chapter VI. + +“Rise!” commanded the king, in a deep, well-modulated voice, and when +they had arisen he inspected them critically, his eyes lingering on +Thorndyke. + +“You look as if you take life easily; you have a jovial countenance,” he +said cordially. + +Thorndyke returned his smile and at once felt at ease. + +“There is no use in taking it any other way,” he said; “it doesn't +amount to much at best.” + +“You are wrong,” returned the king, playing with the jewels on his robe, +“that is because you have been reared as you have--in your unsystematic +world. Here we make life a serious study. It is our object to assist +nature in all things. The efforts of your people amount to nothing +because they are not carried far enough. Your scientists are dreaming +idiots. They are continually groping after the ideal and doing nothing +with the positive. It was for us to carry out everything to perfection. +Show me where we can make a single improvement and you shall become a +prince.” + +“If my life depended on that, my head would be off this instant,” was +the quick-witted reply of the Englishman. + +This so pleased the king that he laughed till he shook. “Well said,” he +smiled; “so you like our country?” + +“Absolutely charmed; my friend (Thorndyke was determined to bring his +companion into favor, if possible) and I have been in raptures ever +since we rose this morning.” + +A flush of pleasure crossed the face of the king. “You have not seen +half of our wonders yet. I confess that I am pleased with you, sir. The +majority of people who are brought here are so frightened that they grow +morbid and desirous to return to their own countries as soon as they +learn that such a thing is out of the question.” + +Thorndyke's stout heart suffered a sudden pang at the words, but he +did not change countenance in the slightest, for the king was closely +watching the effect of his announcement. + +“Of course,” went on the ruler, gratified by the indifference of the +Englishman, “of course, it could not be done. No one, outside of a few +of the royal family and our trusted agents, has ever left us.” + +“I can't see how any one could be so unappreciative as to want to go,” + answered Thorndyke, with a coolness that surprised even Johnston. +“I have travelled in all countries under the sun--the sun I was born +under--and got so bored with them that my friend and myself took to +ballooning for diversion; but here, there is a delightful surprise at +every turn.” + +“I was told you were aeronauts,” returned the ruler, deigning to cast +a glance at the silent Johnston, who stood with eyes downcast, “and I +confess that it interested me in you.” + +At that juncture a most beautiful girl glided through the curtains at +the back of the throne and came impulsively toward the king. Her brown +hair fell in rich masses on her bare shoulders; her eyes were large, +deep and brown, and her skin was exquisitely fine in texture and color; +her dress was artistic and well suited to her lithe figure. She held an +instrument resembling a lute in her hands, and stopped suddenly when she +noticed that the king was engaged. + +“It is my daughter, the Princess Bernardino,” explained the king, as +he heard her light step and turned toward her; “she shall sing for you, +and, yes (nodding to her) you shall dance also.” + +As she took her position on a great rug in front of the throne, she kept +her eyes on the handsome Englishman as if fascinated by his appearance. +Thorndyke's heart beat quickly; the blood mantled his face and he stood +entranced as she touched the resonant strings with her white fingers and +began to play and sing. An innocent, artless smile parted her lips from +her matchless teeth, and her face glowed with inspiration. Far above in +the nooks and crannies of the vast dome, with its divergent corridors +and arcades, the faint echoes of her voice seemed to reply to her during +the pauses in her song. Then she ceased singing and to the far-away and +yet distinct accompaniment of some stringed instrument in the orchestra, +she began to dance. Holding her instrument in a graceful fashion against +her shoulder as one holds a violin, and with her flowing white gown +caught in the other hand, she bowed and smiled and instantly seemed +transformed. From the statuesque and dreamy singer she became a marvel +of graceful motion. To and fro she swept from end to end of the great +rug, her tiny feet and slim ankles tripping so lightly that she seemed +to move without support through the air. + +Thorndyke stood as if spell-bound, for, at every turn, as if seeking his +approval, she glanced at him inquiringly. When she finished she stood +for a moment in the centre of the rug panting, her beautiful bosom, +beneath its filmy covering of lace, gently rising and falling. Then, +asking her father's consent with a mute glance, she ran forward +impulsively, and, kneeling at Thorndyke's feet, she took his hand and +pressed it to her lips. And rising, suffused with blushes, she tripped +from the dais and disappeared behind the curtain. + +The king frowned as he looked after her. “It is a mark of preference,” + he said coldly. “It is one of our customs for a dancer or singer to +favor some one of her spectators in that way. My daughter evidently +mistook you for an ambassador from one of my provinces, but it does not +matter.” + +“She is wonderfully beautiful,” replied the tactful Englishman, +pretending not to be flattered by the notice of the princess. + +“Do you think our people fine looking as a rule?” asked the king, to +change the subject. + +“Decidedly; I never imagined such a race existed.” + +Again the king was pleased. “That is one of the objects of our system. +Generation after generation we improve mentally and physically. We are +the only people who have ever attempted to thoroughly study the science +of living. Your medical men may be numbered by the million; your +remedies for your ills change daily; what you say is good for the health +to-day is to-morrow believed to be poison; to-day you try to make blood +to give strength, and half a century ago you believed in taking it from +the weakest of your patients. With all this fuss over health, you will +think nothing of allowing the son of a man who died with a loathsome +hereditary disease to marry a woman whose family has never had a taint +of blood. Here no such thing is thought of. To begin with, no person who +is not thoroughly sound can remain with us. Every heart-beat is heard by +our medical men and every vein is transparent. You see evidences of +the benefit of our system in the men and women around you. All our +conveniences, the excellence of our products, our great inventions are +the result.” + +“I have been wondering about the size of your country,” ventured +Thorndyke cautiously. + +The king smiled. “That will be one of the things for you to discover +later,” he returned. “But this, the City of Moron, is the capital; our +provinces, farming lands, smaller cities, towns and hamlets lie around +us. Come with me and I will show you something.” + +He waved his hand and dismissed a number of courtiers who were waiting +to be called, and rose from the throne and led the two captives into a +large apartment adjoining the throne-room. Here they found six men in +blue uniforms looking into a large circular mirror on a table. They all +bowed and moved aside as the king approached. + +“These men are the municipal police,” explained the king, resting his +hand on the gold frame of the glass; “they are watching the city.” And +when the strangers drew nearer they were surprised to see reflected, +in the deeply concave glass, the entire city in miniature; its streets, +parks, public buildings, and moving populace. And what seemed to be the +most remarkable feature of the invention was, that the instant the eye +rested on any particular portion of the whole that part was at once +magnified so that every detail of it was clearly observable. + +“This is an improvement on your police system,” continued the king. “No +sooner does anything go wrong than a red signal is given on the spot of +the trouble and the attention of these officers is immediately called +to it. A flying machine is sent out and the offender is brought to the +police station; but trouble of any nature rarely occurs, and the duties +of our police are merely nominal; my people live in thorough harmony. +Now, come with me and I will give you an idea of the surrounding +country.” + +As the king spoke he led them into a circular room, the roof of which +was of white glass, and the walls were lined with large mirrors. + +“This is our general observatory from which every part of Alpha can be +seen,” said the king with a touch of pride in his tone. “Look at the +mirror in front of you.” + +They did as he requested, and at first saw nothing; but, as he went to a +stone table in the centre of the room and touched an electric button, +a grand view of green fields, forests, streams, lakes and farm-houses +flashed upon the mirror. The king laughed at their surprise and touched +another button. As he did so the scene shifted gradually; the landscapes +ran by like a panorama. A pretty village came into sight, and passed; +then a larger town and still a larger; then fields, hills and valleys +and forests of giant trees. + +“It is that way all over my kingdom,” said the king; “in an hour I can +inspect it all.” + +“But how is it done?” asked Thorndyke, forgetting himself in wonder. + +“Through a telescopic invention, aided by electricity and the clearness +of our atmosphere,” replied the king. “It would take too long to go +into the details. The views, however, are reflected to this point +from various observatories throughout the land. Such a system would be +impossible in any other country on account of the clouds and atmospheric +changes; but here we control everything.” + +“I noticed,” returned the Englishman, “that green fields lie beside +ripening ones and those in which the grain is being harvested.” + +“We have no change of seasons,” answered the king. “Change of seasons +may be according to nature, but it is in the province of man's intellect +to improve on nature. But I must leave you now; I shall summon you again +when I have the leisure to continue our conversation.” + +“Well, what do you think of it?” asked Johnston, as the king disappeared +behind a curtain in the direction of the audience chamber. + +“I give it up; I only know that the old fellow's daughter, the Princess +Bernardino is the most beautiful, the most bewitching creature that ever +breathed. Did you notice her eyes and form? Great heavens! was there +ever such a vision of human loveliness? Her grace, her voice, her +glances drove me wild with delight.” + +“You are dead gone,” grumbled the American despondently; “we'll never +get away from here in the world. I can see that.” + +“I gave up all hope in that direction some time ago,” said Thorndyke; +“and why should we care? We were awfully bored with life before we came; +for my part I'd as soon end mine up here as anywhere else. Besides, +didn't his majesty say that they live longer under his system than we +do?” + +“I don't take stock in all he says,” growled the American; “he talks +like a Chicago real estate agent who wants to sell a lot. Why doesn't he +chop off our heads and be done with it?” + +Thorndyke burst into a jovial laugh. “You are coming round all right; +that is the first joke you have got off since we came here; his royal +Nibs may need a court-jester and give you a job.” + +“There goes that blamed sunlight again,” exclaimed Johnston, grasping +his companion's arm, “don't you see it changing?” + +“Yes, and this time it is white, like old Sol's natural smile; but isn't +it clear? It seems to me that I could see to the end of the earth in +that light. I want to know how he does it.” + +“How who does it?” + +“Why, the king, of course, it is his work--some sort of invention; but +we must keep civil tongues in our heads when we are dealing with a man +who can color the very light of the sun.” + +They were walking back toward the great rotunda, and, as they entered +the conservatory, the crowds of men and women stared at them curiously. +They had paused to inspect the statue of a massive stone dragon when a +young officer in glittering uniform approached and addressed Johnston. + +“Follow me,” he said simply; “it is the king's command.” + +The American started and looked at Thorndyke apprehensively. + +“Go,” said the latter; “don't hesitate an instant.” + +Poor Johnston had turned white. He held out his hand to Thorndyke, +“Shake,” he said in a whisper, not intended for the ears of the officer, +“I don't believe that we shall meet again. I felt that we were to be +parted ever since that medical examination.” + +Thorndyke's face had altered; an angry flush came in his face and his +eyes flashed, but with an effort he controlled himself. + +“Tut, tut, don't be silly. I shall wait for you round here; if there is +any foul play I shall make some one suffer for it. You can depend on me +to the end; we are hand in hand in this adventure, old man.” + + + +Chapter VII. + +Johnston followed his guide to a flying machine outside. He hesitated +an instant, as the officer was holding the door open, and looked back +toward the conservatory; but he could not see Thorndyke. + +“Where are you taking me?” he asked desperately. But the officer did not +seem to hear the question. He was motioning to a tall man of athletic +build who wore a dark blue uniform and who came hastily forward and +pushed the American into the machine. Through the open door Johnston saw +Thorndyke's anxious face as the Englishman emerged from the conservatory +and strode toward them. The two officers entered and closed the glass +door. + +Then the machine rose and Johnston's spirits sank as they shot upward +and floated easily over the humming crowd into the free white light +above the smokeless city. The poor captive leaned on the window-sill +and looked out. There was no breeze, and no current of air except that +caused by their rapid passage through the atmosphere. + +Up, up, they went, till the city seemed a blur of mingled white and +gray, and then the color below changed to a vague blue as they flew over +the fields of the open country. + +The first officer took a glass and a decanter from a receptacle under a +seat, and, pouring a little red fluid into the glass, offered it to the +American. + +“Drink it,” he said, “it will put you to sleep for a time.” + +“I don't want to be drugged.” + +“The journey will try your nerves. It is harmless.” + +“I don't want it; if I take it, you will have to pour it down my +throat.” + +The officer smiled as he put the glass and decanter away. Faster and +faster flew the machine. They had to put the window down, for the +current of air had become too strong and cool to be pleasant. The color +of the sunlight changed to green, and then at noon, from the zenith, +a glorious red light shimmered down and veiled the earth with such a +beautiful translucent haze that the poor American for a moment almost +forgot his trouble. + +The afternoon came on. The sunlight became successively green, white, +blue, lavender, rose and gray. The sun was no longer in sight and the +gray in the west was darkening into purple, the last hour of the day. +Night was at hand. Johnston's limbs were growing stiff from inaction, +and he had a strong desire to speak or to hear one of the officers say +something, but they were dozing in their respective corners. The moon +had risen and hung far out in space overhead, but they seemed to be +leaving it behind. Later he felt sure of this, for its light +gradually became dimmer and dimmer till at last they were in total +darkness--darkness pierced only by the powerful search-light which threw +its dazzling, trumpet-shaped rays far ahead. But, search as he would +in the direction they were going, the unfortunate American could see +nothing but the ever-receding wall of blackness. + +Suddenly they began to descend. The officers awoke and stretched +themselves and yawned. One of them opened the window and Johnston heard +a far-off, roaring sound like that of a multitude of skaters on a vast +sheet of ice. + +Down, down, they dropped. Johnston's heart was in his mouth. + +The machine suddenly slackened in its speed and then hung poised in +mid-air. The rays of the search-light were directed downward and slowly +shifted from point to point. Looking down, the American caught glimpses +of rugged rocks, sharp cliffs and yawning chasms. + +“How is it?” asked the first officer, through a speaking-tube, of the +driver. + +“A good landing!” was the reply. + +“Well, go down.” And a moment later the machine settled on the uneven +ground. + +The same officer opened the door, and gently pushed Johnston out. +Johnston expected them to follow him, but the door of the machine closed +behind him. + +“Stand out of the way,” cried out the officer through the window; “you +may get struck as we rise.” + +Involuntarily Johnston obeyed. There was a sound of escaping air from +beneath the machine, a fierce commotion in the atmosphere which sucked +him toward the machine, and then the dazzling search-light blinded him, +as the air-ship bounded upward and sailed back over the course it had +come. + +Johnston stood paralyzed with fear. “My God, this is awful!” he +exclaimed in terror, and his knees gave way beneath him and he sank to +the rock. “They have left me here to starve in this hellish darkness!” + He remained there for a moment, his face covered with his hands, then +he sprang up desperately, and started to grope through the darkness, +he knew not whither. He stumbled at almost every step, and ran against +boulders which bruised his hands and face, and went on till his strength +was gone. Then he paused and looked back toward the direction from which +he had come. It seemed to him that he could see the straight line of +mighty black wall above which there was a faint appearance of light. A +lump rose in the throat of the poor fellow, and tears sprang into his +eyes. + +But what was that? Surely it was a sound. It could not have been the +wind, for the air was perfectly still. The sound was repeated. It was +like the moaning of a human voice far away in the dark. Could it be some +one in distress, some poor unfortunate, banished being, like himself? +Again he heard the sound, and this time, it was like the voice of some +one talking. + +“Hello!” shouted the American, and a cold shudder went over him at the +sound of his own husky voice. There was a dead silence, then, like an +echo of his own cry, faintly came the word, “Hello!” + +Filled with superstitious fear, the American cautiously groped toward +the sound. “Hello, there, who are you?” + +“Help, help!” said the voice, and it was now much nearer. + +Johnston plunged forward precipitately. “Where are you?” + +“Here,” and a human form loomed up before him. + +For a moment neither spoke, then the strange figure said: “I thought +at first that you were some one sent to rescue me, but I see you are +alone--damned like myself.” + +“It looks that way,” replied Johnston. + +“When did they bring you?” + +“Only a moment ago.” + +“My God, it is awful! A week ago I did not dream of such a fate as this. +I had enemies. The medical men were bribed to vote against me. Am I not +strong? Am I not muscular? Feel my arms and thighs.” + +He held out an arm and Johnston felt of it. The muscles were like stone. + +“You are a giant.” + +“Ah! you are right; but they reported that there was a taint in my +blood. I was to marry Lallio, the most beautiful creature in our +village--Madryl, you know, the nearest hamlet to the home of the Sun. I +was rich, and the best farmer there. But Lyngale wanted her. She hated +him and spat at him when he spoke against me. He proved by others that +my lungs were weak, and showed them the blood of a slain dog in my +fields that they said had come from my lungs. Ah, they were curs! My +lungs weak! Strike my chest with all your might. Does it not sound like +the king's thunder? Strike, I say!” and as the enfeebled American struck +his bare breast he cried:--“Harder, harder! Pooh, you are a child, see +this, and this,” and he emphasized his words with thunderous blows on +his resounding chest. + +“But it has been so for a century,” he panted; “hundreds have been +unjustly buried alive here. The king thinks it is not murder because +they die of starvation. I have stumbled over the bones of giants here in +the dark lands, and have met dying men that are stronger than the king's +athletes.” + +“What, are there others here?” gasped the American. + +The Alphian was silent in astonishment. + +“Why, where did you come from?” he asked, after a pause. + +“From New York City.” + +“I don't know of it, and yet I thought I knew of all the places inside +the great endless wall.” + +Johnston was mystified in his turn. “It is not in your country--your +world, or whatever you call it. It is far away.” + +“Ah, under the white sun! In the 'Ocean Country,' and the world of +fierce winds and disease. And you are from there. I had heard of it +before they banished me; but two days since I came across a dying man, +away over there. He was huddled against the wall, and had fallen and +killed himself in his efforts to climb back to food and light. + +“I saw him die. He told me that he had come from your land when he was a +child. His trouble was the lungs and he had fallen off to a skeleton. He +talked to me of your wide ocean land. Is it, indeed so great? And has it +no walls about it?” + +“No, it is surrounded by water.” + +“I cannot understand,” and, after a pause, in which Johnston could hear +the great fellow's heart beating, he continued; “That must be the Heaven +the man spoke about. And beyond the water is it always dark like this, +and do they banish people there as the king has us?” + +“No; beyond are other countries. But is there no chance for us to escape +from here?” + +The Alphian laughed bitterly. “None. What were you banished for?” + +“I hardly know.” + +“Hold out your arm. There,” as he grasped Johnston's arm in a clasp +of iron, “I see; you are undeveloped, unfit--none but the healthy and +strong are allowed to live in Alpha. It is right, of course; but it is +hard to bear. But I must lie down. I am wearied with constant rambling. +I am nervous too. I fell asleep awhile ago and dreamt I heard all my +friends in a great clamoring body calling my name, 'Branasko!' and then +I awoke and cried for help.” + +As he spoke he sank with a sigh to the ground and rested his head on his +elbows and knees and seemed asleep. The American sat down beside him, +and, for a long time, neither spoke. Branasko broke the silence; he +awoke with a start and eyed his companion in sleepy wonder. + +“Ugh, I dreamt again,” he grunted, “are you asleep?” + +“No,” was Johnston's reply. “I am hungry and thirsty and cannot sleep.” + +“So am I, but we must wait till it is lighter, then we can go in search +of food. When I was a boy I learned to catch fish in pools with my hands +and it has prolonged my life here. When the light comes again, I shall +show you how I do it.” + +“Then the day does break? I thought it was eternally dark here.” + +“It does not get very light, because we are behind the sun; but it is +lighter than now, for we get the sun's reflection, enough at least to +keep us from falling into the chasms.” + +Branasko lowered his head to his knees and slept again, but the +American, though wearied, was wakeful. Several hours passed. The Alphian +was sleeping soundly, his breathing was very heavy and he had rolled +down on his side. + +Far away in the east the darkness gradually faded into purple, and then +into gray, and slowly hints of pink appeared in the skies. It was dawn. +Johnston touched his companion. The man awoke and looked at him from his +great swollen eyes. + +“It is day,” he yawned, rising and stretching himself. + +“But the sun is not in sight.” + +“No; it shows itself only in the middle of the day, and then but for a +few minutes. We must go now and search for food. I will show you how to +catch the eyeless fish in the black caverns over there.” And he led the +American into the blackness behind them. Every now and then, as they +stumbled along, Johnston would look longingly back toward the faint pink +light that shone above the high black wall. But Branasko hastened on. + +Presently they came to the edge of a black chasm and the American was +filled with awe, for, from the seemingly fathomless depths, came a great +roaring sound like that of a mighty wind and the air that came from it +was hot, though pure and free from the odor of gas. + +“What is this?” he asked. + +“They are everywhere,” answered Branasko, “if it were not for their hot +breathing the Land of the Changing Sun would be cold and damp.” + +“Then the sun does not give out heat?” + +“No.” + +“It is cold?” + +“I believe so, I have never thought much about it.” + +The American was mystified, but he did not question farther, for +Branasko was carefully lowering himself into the hot gulf. + +“Follow me,” he said; “we must cross it to reach the caves. I will guide +you. I have been over this way before.” + +“But can we stand the heat?” + +“Oh, yes; when we get used to it, it is invigorating. I perspire in +streams, but I feel better afterward. Come on.” + +Branasko's head only was above the ground. “I am standing on a ledge,” + he said. “Get down beside me. Fear nothing. It is solid; besides, what +does it matter? You can die but once, and it would really be better to +fall down there into the internal fires than to starve slowly.” + +Johnston shuddered convulsively as he let himself down beside Branasko. +His foot dislodged a stone. With a crash it fell upon a lower ledge and +bounded off and went whizzing down into the depths. Both men listened. +They heard the stone bounding from ledge to ledge till the sound was +lost in the internal roaring. + +“It is mighty deep,” said Johnston. + +“Yes, but follow me; we cannot stop here; we must go along this ledge +till we get to the point where the chasm is narrow enough to jump +across. I have done it.” + +“The American held to his companion with one hand and the rock with the +other, and they slowly made their way along the narrow ledge, pausing +every now and then to rest. At every step the path grew more perilous +and narrower, and the cliff on their left rose higher and higher, till +the reflected light of the sun had entirely disappeared. At certain +points the hot wind dashed upon them as furiously as the whirling mist +in 'The Cave of Winds' at Niagara Falls. Once Johnston's foot slipped +and he fell, but was drawn back to safety by the strong arm of the +Alphian. + +“Be careful; hold to the cliff's face,” warned Branasko indifferently, +and he moved onward as if nothing unusual had occurred. Presently they +reached a point where a narrow boulder jutted out over the chasm toward +the opposite side, and Branasko cautiously crawled out upon it. When +he had got to its end, Johnston could not see him in the gloom, but his +voice came to him out of the roaring of the chasm. + +“I can see the other side, and am going to jump.” An instant later, the +American heard the clatter of the Alphian's shoes on the rock, and his +grunt of satisfaction. Then Branasko called out: “Come on; crawl out +till you feel the end of the rock, and then you can see me.” + +In great trepidation the American slowly crawled out on the narrow rock. +Below him yawned the hot darkness, above hung that black ominous canopy +of nothingness. Slowly he advanced on hands and knees, every moment +feeling the sharp rock growing narrower, till finally he reached the +end. He looked ahead. He could but faintly see the ledge and Branasko's +tall form silhouetted upon it. + +“See, this is where you have to alight,” cried the Alphian. “Jump, I +will catch you!” + +“I am afraid I shall topple over when I stand up,” replied the American. +“The rock is narrow and my head is already swimming. I fear I cannot +reach you. It is no use.” + +“Tut, tut!” exclaimed Branasko. “Stand up quickly, and jump at once. +Don't stop to think about it.” + +Johnston obeyed. He felt his feet firmly braced on the rock and he +sprang toward the opposite ledge with all his might. Branasko caught +him. + +“Good,” he grunted. “There is another place, we must jump again. It +is further on.” Along this ledge they went for some distance, Branasko +leading the way and holding the arm of the American. + +“Now here we are, the chasm is a little wider, but the ledge on the +other side is broader.” As he spoke he released Johnston's arm and +prepared to jump. He filled his lungs two or three times. But he seemed +to hesitate. “Pshaw, watching you back there has made me nervous. I +never cared before. If I should happen to fall, go back to where we met, +it is safer there without a guide than here.” + +Without another word Branasko hurled himself forward. Johnston held +his breath in horror, for Branasko's foot had slipped as he jumped. +The Alphian had struck the opposite ledge, but not with his feet, as +he intended. He clutched it with his hands and hung there for a moment, +struggling to get a foothold in the emptiness beneath him. + +“It's no use, I am falling; I can hold no longer!” And Johnston,--too +terrified to reply,--heard the poor fellow's hands slipping from the +rock, causing a quantity of loose stones to go rattling down below. With +a low cry Branasko fell. An instant later Johnston heard him strike the +ledge beneath, and heard him cry out in pain. Then all was still except +the echoes of Branasko's cry, which bounded and rebounded from side to +side of the chasm, and grew fainter and fainter, till it was submerged +in the roaring below. Then there was a rattle of stones, and Branasko's +voice sounded: “A narrow escape!” he said faintly. “I am on another +ledge”--then after a slight pause, “it is much wider, I don't know how +wide. Are you listening?” + +“Yes, but are you hurt?” + +“Not at all. Simply knocked the breath out of me for a moment. There is +a cave behind me, and (for a moment there was silence) I can see a light +ahead in the cave. I think it must be the reflection of the internal +fire. Come down to me and we will explore the cavern, and see where the +light comes from.” + +“I can't get down there!” shouted Johnston, to make himself heard above +a sudden increase in the roaring in the chasm, “there is no way.” + +“Wait a moment!” came from the Alphian. “This ledge seems to incline +upward.” + +Johnston stood perfectly motionless, afraid to move from the ledge +either to right or to left, and heard Branasko's footsteps along the +rock beneath. “All right so far,” he called up, and his voice showed +that he had gone to a considerable distance to the left, “the ledge +seems to be still leading gradually upward. I think I can reach you.” + +Fifteen minutes passed. The lone American could no longer hear +Branasko's footsteps. Johnston was becoming uneasy and the hot air +was causing his head to swim. He was thinking of trying to retrace his +footsteps to a place of more security when he heard footsteps, and then +the cheery voice of Branasko nearly opposite him across the chasm: + +“Are you there?” + +“Yes.” + +“It is well; I have discovered a good pathway down to the cave, and a +pool of fish besides. I have saved some for you. I was so hungry I had +to eat. Now, you must jump over to me.” + +“I cannot,” declared the American. “I cannot jump so far; besides, you +failed.” + +Branasko laughed. “I did not leap in the right direction. It is this +point on which I am now standing that I should have tried to reach. +Come, I will catch you.” + +Johnston could not bear to be considered cowardly, so he stepped to the +verge of the chasm and prepared to jump. His head felt more dizzy as he +thought of the fathomless depths beneath, and the rush of hot air up the +side of the cliff took his breath away, but he braced himself and said +calmly: “All right, I am coming.” The next instant he sprang forward. +Branasko caught him into his arms and they both rolled back on the level +stone. + +“Good,” cried the Alphian, trying to catch his breath, which Johnston +had knocked out of him by the fall. “You did better than I; you are +lighter.” + +“Where shall we go now?” asked Johnston, regaining his feet and feeling +of his legs and arms to see if he had broken any bones. + +“Down this winding path to the place where I saw that light. I want to +understand it. But you must first eat this fish. It is delicious. They +are swarming in the pools below.” + +“And water?” said Johnston. + +“An abundance of it, and as cold as ice.” + +As Branasko preceded him down the tortuous path, Johnston ate the raw +fish eagerly. Presently they came to a deep pool of water, and both men +threw themselves down on their stomachs and drank freely. After this +they proceeded slowly for several hundred yards, and finally reached +the entrance to the cave in which Branasko had seen the light. At that +distance it looked like the light of some great conflagration reflected +from the face of a cliff. + +They entered the cave and made good progress toward the light, for it +showed them the dangerous fissures, sharp boulders and stalactites. They +had walked along in silence for several minutes when the Alphian +stopped abruptly and turned to his companion. “What is the matter?” asked +Johnston. + +“It cannot come from the internal fires,” replied Branasko, “for the +atmosphere grows cooler as we get nearer the light and away from the +chasm.” + +Johnston was too much puzzled to formulate a reply, and he simply waited +for the Alphian to continue. + +“Let's go on,” said Branasko; and in his tone and hesitating manner +Johnston detected the first appearance of superstitious fear that he had +seen in the brawny Alphian. + + + +Chapter VIII. + +As Thorndyke watched the flying machine that was bearing his friend +away a genuine feeling of pity went over him. Poor Johnston! He had been +haunted all day with the belief that he was to meet with some misfortune +from which Thorndyke was to be spared, and Thorndyke had ridiculed +his fears. When the air-ship had become a mere speck in the sky, the +Englishman turned back into the palace and strolled about in the vast +crowd. + +A handsome young man in uniform approached and touched his hat: + +“Are you the comrade of the fellow they are just sending away?” he +asked. + +“Yes. Where are they taking him?” + +“To the 'Barrens,' of course; where do you suppose they would take such +a man? He couldn't pass his examination. You are not a great physical +success yourself, but they say you pleased the king with your tongue.” + +“To the Barrens,” repeated Thorndyke, too much concerned over the fate +of his comrade to notice the speaker's tone of contempt; “what are they, +where are they?” + +The Alphian officer changed countenance, as he looked him over with +widening eyes. + +“Your accent is strange; are you from the other world?” + +“I suppose so,--this is a new one to me at any rate.” + +“The world of endless oceans?” + +“Yes.” + +“And the unchanging sun--forever white and----?” + +“Yes; but where the devil is the Barrens?” + +“Behind the sun, beyond the great endless wall.” + +“Do they intend to put him to death?” + +“No, that would be--what do you call it? murder; they will simply leave +him there to die of his own accord. And the king is right. I never saw +such a weakling. He would taint our whole race with his presence.” + +Without a word Thorndyke abruptly turned from the officer and hastened +toward the apartment of the king. He would demand the return of poor +Johnston or kill the king if his demand was not granted. In his haste +and perturbation, however, he lost his way and wandered into a part of +the palace he had not seen. At every step he was more and more impressed +with the magnificent proportions of the structure and the grandeur of +everything about it. + +Passing hurriedly through a large hall he saw an assemblage of beautiful +women and handsome men dancing to the music of a great orchestra. +Further on--in a great court--a regiment of soldiers were drilling, +their rapid evolutions making no more sound than if they were moving in +mid-air. In another room he saw a great body of men, women and children +in vari-colored suits bathing in a pool of rose-colored, perfumed water. + +He was passing on when a woman, closely veiled and simply dressed, +touched his arm. + +“Be watchful and follow me,” she said, in a low, guarded tone. + +The heart of the Englishman bounded and his blood rushed to his face, +for the speaker was the Princess Bernardino. She did not pause, but +glided on into the shade of a great palm tree, and, behind a row of +thick-growing ferns of great height and thickness, she waited for him. + +She lowered her veil as he approached and looked at him from her deep +brown eyes in great concern. He stood spell-bound under the witchery of +her beauty. + +“I came to warn you, Prince,” she said, and her soft musical voice set +every nerve in Thorndyke's body to tingling with delight. “My father +has banished the faithful slave that you love, but you must not show +the anger that you feel, else he will kill you. You must be exceedingly +cautious if you would save him. My father would punish me severely if +he knew that I had sought you in this way. I was obliged to come in +disguise; this dress belongs to my most trusted maid.” + +“And you came for my sake?” blurted out the Englishman, much +embarrassed; “I am not worthy of such a high honor.” + +She smiled and tears rose in her eyes. + +“Oh, Prince, don't speak to me so! You are far above me. I am weak. I +know nothing. I never cared for other men than the king and my brothers +till I saw you today, but now I would willingly be your slave.” + +“I am yours forever, and an humble one,” bowed the courteous Englishman. +“The moment I saw you at the throne of your father my heart went out to +you. You wound it up in your music and trampled it under your dancing +feet. I have been over the whole world, and you are the loveliest +creature in it. It is because I saw you, because you are here, that I do +not want to leave your country. They may do as they will with me if they +only will let me see you now and then.” + +The princess was deeply moved. The blood rushed to her face and +beautified it. Her eyes fell beneath his admiring glance. Thorndyke +could not restrain himself. He caught her slender hand and pressed it +passionately to his lips, and she made only a slight effort to prevent +it. + +“I am your obedient slave; what shall I do?” he asked. + +“Do not try to rescue him now,” she said softly. “I shall come to you +again when we are not watched--you can know me by this dress. There is +no need for great haste, he could live in the Barrens several days; +I shall try to think of some way to save him, though such a thing has +never been done--never.” + +Footsteps were heard on the other side of the row of ferns. A man was +passing and others soon followed him. The bathers were leaving the great +pool. + +“I must leave you now,” she whispered. “If the king honors you again by +talking of his kingdom, continue to act as you did; your fearlessness +and good humor have pleased him greatly.” + +“Could I not persuade him to bring Johnston back?” + +“No; that would be impossible; those who are pronounced physically unfit +are obliged to die. It has been a law for a long time; you must not +count on that. I have, however, another plan, but I cannot tell you of +it now, for they may miss me and wonder where I am, and then, too, my +father may be looking for you. He will naturally desire to see you soon +again.” + +Bowing, she turned away and passed on toward the apartments of the king, +which the Englishman now recognized in the distance. Thorndyke went +into the bathing-room to watch those remaining in the great pool of +rose-colored water. The sight was beautiful. The waves which lapped +against the shelving shores of white marble were pink and white, and the +deeper water was as red as coral. + +The Englishman was at once troubled over the fate of Johnston and elated +over having won Bernardino's regard. Thoughtfully he strolled away from +the bathers into a great picture-gallery. Here hung on the walls and +stood on pedestals some of the rarest works of art he had ever seen. He +passed through this room and was entering a shady retreat where plants, +flowers and umbrageous trees grew thickly, when he heard a step behind +him and the rustling of a silken skirt against the plants. + +It was Bernardino. + +“We can be unobserved here,” she said, taking off her thick veil and +arranging her luxuriant hair. “I hasten back. The king thinks, so +my maid tells me, that I am asleep in my chamber. He is busy with an +audience of police from a neighboring town and will not think of us.” + +She sat down on a sofa upholstered in leather, and he took a seat beside +her. “I am glad that we can talk alone,” he said, “for I have much to +ask you. First, tell me where we are,--where this strange country is on +the map of the world.” + +“It is a long story,” she replied, “and it would greatly incense the +king if he should find out that I had told you, for one of his chief +pleasures is to note the surprise and admiration of new-comers over what +they see here. But if you will promise to gratify his vanity in this +particular I will try to explain it all.” + +“I promise, and you can depend on my not getting you into trouble,” + replied Thorndyke. “I never was so puzzled in my life, with that sullen +sky overhead, the wonderful changing sunlight, and the remarkable +atmosphere. I am both bewildered and entranced. Every moment I see +something new and startling. Where are we?” + +“Far beneath the ocean and the surface of the earth. I only know what +the king has let fall in my hearing in his conferences with his men of +science and inventors; but I shall try to make you understand how it all +came about.” + +“It was a long time ago, two hundred years back, I suppose, that one of +my ancestors discovered a little isolated island in the Atlantic Ocean. +He was forced in a storm to land there with his ship and crew to make +some repairs in his vessel. In wandering about over the island he +discovered a narrow entrance to a cave, and, with two or three of his +men, he began to explore it. When they had gone for a mile or two down +into the interior of the cavern, which seemed to lead straight down +toward the centre of the earth, they began to find small pieces of gold. +The further they went the more they found, till at last the very cavern +walls seemed lined with it. + +“They were at first wildly excited over their sudden good fortune and +were about to load their ship with it and return to Europe at once, but +the better judgment of my ancestor prevailed. He explained that, if the +world were informed of the discovery of such an inexhaustible mine of +gold, that the value of the precious metal would decline till it would +be worth little more than some grosser metal, and that if they would +only keep their secret to themselves they could in time control the +finances of the world. So, acting on this suggestion, they only dug out +a few thousand pounds and took part of it to Europe and part of it to +America and turned it into money. + +“Then, to curtail my story, they elected my ancestor as ruler, and, with +ships loaded with every available convenience that inexhaustible wealth +could procure and a colony of carefully chosen men, they returned to the +island. + +“After the men and their families had settled in the great roomy mouth +of the cavern my ancestor supplied himself with several strong men and +food and lights, and sought to explore the entire cavern. + +“To their astonishment they found that it was practically endless. When +they had gone down about sixty or seventy miles below the sea level they +found themselves on a vast, undulating plain, the soil of which was dark +and rich, with the black roof of the cavern arching overhead like the +bottom of a great inverted bowl. And when they had travelled about ten +days and reached the other side my ancestor calculated that the cave +must be over one hundred miles in diameter and almost circular in shape. +But what elated and surprised them most was the remarkable salubrity +of the atmosphere. In all parts of the cave it was exactly the same +temperature, and they found that they scarcely felt any fatigue from +their journey, and that they had little desire to eat the provisions +with which they were supplied. Indeed, the very air seemed permeated +with a subtle quality that gave them strength and energy of mind and +body. + +“Finally, when, after a month had passed, and they returned to their +anxious friends, these people overwhelmed them with exclamations of +surprise over their appearance. And in the light of day the explorers +looked at one another in astonishment, for, in the dim light of the +lanterns they had carried, they had not noticed the great change that +had come over them. They had all become the finest specimens of physical +health that could be imagined. Their bodies had filled out; they were +remarkably strong; their skins shone with healthful color and their eyes +sparkled with intellectual energy, and their minds, even to the humblest +burden-carrier, were astonishingly acute and active. + +“My ancestor was a remarkable man, and he had hitherto shown much +inventive ability; but in that month in the cave he had developed +into an intellectual giant. After mature deliberation, he proposed a +prodigious scheme to his followers. He explained that, while they might, +by using the utmost discretion, hold the financial world in their power +by means of their inexhaustible wealth, that the laws and restrictions +of different countries prevented men of vast wealth from really enjoying +more privileges than men of moderate means. He grew eloquent in speaking +of the underground atmosphere, and proposed that they light the great +cavern from end to end and make it an ideal place where they could live +as it suited them. + +“I see that you guess the end. My ancestor was a great student of the +sciences and had already thought of putting electricity to practical +use. You are surprised? Yes, it has been applied to our purposes for two +hundred years, while your people have understood its use such a short +time.” + +“Great heavens!” exclaimed the Englishman. “I see it all; the sun is an +electric one!” + +“Yes.” + +“And it runs mechanically over its great course as regularly as +clock-work.” + +“More accurately, I assure you, but there probably never was a greater +mathematical problem than they solved in deciding on the size the sun +should be and amount of light necessary to fill up all the recesses of +the great vacancy. It was all very crude at the start; for years a great +electric light was simply suspended in the centre of the cavern's roof +and the light did not vary in color. A son of the first king suggested +the plan of giving the sun diurnal movement and the changing light. The +moon and stars were a later development. They found, too, that the light +could not be made to reach certain recesses in the cavern where the roof +approached the earth, so they finally built a great wall to keep the +inhabitants within proscribed boundaries, and to prevent them from +understanding the machinery of the heavens.” + +“Wonderful!” exclaimed Thorndyke. “But the temperature of the +atmosphere, how does that happen to be so delightful and beneficial?” + +“I believe they do not themselves thoroughly comprehend that. The heat +comes from the internal fires, and the fresh air from without in some +mysterious way. At first, in a few places, the heat was too severe, but +the scientific men among the first settlers obviated this difficulty by +closing up the hottest of the fissures and opening others in the cooler +parts of the cavern.” + +“And the people, where did they come from?” + +“From all parts of the earth. We had agents outside who selected +such men and women that were willing to come, and who filled all the +requirements, mentally and physically.” + +“But why do they desire to live here instead of out in the world, when +they have all the wealth that they need to assure every advantage.” + +“They dread death, and it is undoubtedly true that life is prolonged +here; our medical men declare that the longevity of every generation is +improved.” + +“Is it possible? But tell me about the sun, when it sets, what becomes +of it?” + +“It goes back to its place of rising through a great tunnel beneath us.” + +Thorndyke sat in deep thought for a moment; then he looked so steadily +and so admiringly into Bernardino's eyes that she grew red with +confusion. “But you, yourself, are you thoroughly content here?” + +“I know nothing else,” she continued. “I have heard little about your +world except that your people are discontented, weak and insane, and +that your changeable weather and your careless laws regarding marriage +and heredity produce perpetual and innumerable diseases; that your +people are not well developed and beautiful; that you war with one +another, and that one tears down what another builds. I have, too, +always been happy, and since you came I am happier still. I don't know +what it means. I have never been so much interested in any one before.” + +“It is love on the part of both of us,” replied the Englishman +impulsively, taking her hand. “I never was content before. I went roving +over the earth trying to end my life at sea or in balloon voyages, but +now I only want to be with you. I have never dreamed that I could be so +happy or that I would meet any one so beautiful as you are.” + +Bernardino's delight showed itself in blushes on her face, and +Thorndyke, unable to restrain himself, put his arm around her and drew +her to his breast and kissed her. + +She sprang up quickly and he saw that she was trembling and that all the +color had fled from her face. + +“What is the matter?” he asked, in alarm. + +At first she did not answer, but only looked at him half-frightened, +and then covered her face with her hands. He drew them from her face and +compelled her to look at him. + +“What is the matter?” he repeated, a strange fear at his heart. + +“You have broken one of the most sacred laws of our country,” she +faltered, in great embarrassment; “my father would punish me very +severely if he knew of it, and he would banish you; for, to treat me in +that manner, as his daughter, is regarded as an insult to him.” + +“I beg your pardon most humbly,” said the contrite Englishman. “It was +all on account of my ignorance of your customs and my impulsiveness. It +shall never happen again, I promise you.” + +Her face brightened a little and the color came back slowly. She sat +down again, but not so near Thorndyke, and seemed desirous of changing +the subject. + +“And do you love the man my father has transported?” she questioned. + +“Yes, he is a good, faithful fellow, and it is hard to die so far away +from friends.” + +“We must try to save him, but I cannot now think of a safe plan. The +police are very vigilant.” + +“Where was he taken?” + +“Into the darkness behind the sun--beyond the wall of which I spoke.” + +A flush of shame came into Thorndyke's face over the remembrance that he +had made no effort to aid poor Johnston, and was sitting listening with +delight to the conversation of Bernardino. He rose suddenly. + +“I must be doing something to aid him,” he said. “I cannot sit here +inactive while he is in danger.” + +“Be patient,” she advised, looking at him admiringly; “it is near night; +see, it is the gray light of dusk; the sun is out of sight. To-night, +if possible, I shall come to you. Perhaps I shall approach you without +disguise if you are in the throne-room and my father does not object to +my entertaining you, but for the present we must separate. Adieu.” + +He bowed low as she turned away, and joined the throng that was passing +along outside. An officer approached him. It was Captain Tradmos, who +bowed and smiled pleasantly. + +“I congratulate you,” he said, with suave pleasantness. + +“Upon what?” Thorndyke was on his guard at once. + +“Upon having pleased the king so thoroughly. No stranger, in my memory, +has ever been treated so courteously. Every other new-comer is put under +surveillance, but you are left unwatched.” + +“He is easily pleased,” said the Englishman, “for I have done nothing to +gratify him.” + +“I thought he would like you; and I felt that your friend would have to +suffer, but I could not help him.” + +“He shall not suffer if I can prevent it.” + +“Sh--be cautious. Those words, implying an inclination to treason, if +spoken to any other officer would place you under immediate arrest. +I like you, therefore I want to warn you against such folly. You are +wholly in the king's power. Another thing I would specially warn you +against----” + +“And that is?” + +“Not to allow the king to suspect your admiration for the Princess +Bernardino. It would displease the king. She is much taken with you; I +saw it in her eyes when she danced for your entertainment.” + +Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed searchingly into the eyes of the +officer. Tradmos laughed. + +“You are afraid of me.” + +“No, I am not, I trust you wholly; I know that you are honorable; I +never make a mistake along that line.” + +Tradmos bowed, pleased by the compliment. + +“I shall aid you all I can with my advice, for I know you will not +betray me; but at present I am powerless to give you material aid. Every +subject of this realm is bound to the autocratic will of the king. It is +impossible for any one to get from under his power.” + +“Why?” + +“The only outlet to the upper world is carefully guarded by men who +would not be bribed.” + +“Is there any chance for my friend?” + +“None that I can see, but I must walk on; there comes one of the king's +attendants.” + +“The king has asked to speak to you,” announced the attendant to +Thorndyke. + +“I will go with you,” was his reply, and he followed the man through the +crowded corridors into the throne-room of the king. Thorndyke forced a +smile as he saw the king smiling at him as he approached the throne. + +“What do you think of my palace?” asked the king, after Thorndyke had +knelt before him. + +“It is superb,” answered the Englishman, recalling the advice of +Bernardino. “I am dazed by its splendor, its architecture, and its art. +I have seen nothing to equal it on earth.” + +The king rose and stood beside him. His manner was both pleasing and +sympathetic. “I am persuaded,” said he, “that you will make a good +subject, and have the interest of Alpha always at heart, but I have +often been mistaken in the character of men and think it best to give +you a timely warning. An attendant will conduct you to a chamber beneath +the palace where it will be your privilege to converse with a man who +once planned to get up a rebellion among my people.” + +There had come suddenly a stern harshness into the king's tone that +roused the fears of Thorndyke. He was about to reply, but the king held +up his hand. “Wait till you have visited the dungeon of Nordeskyne, then +I am sure that you will be convinced that strict obedience in thought +as well as deed is best for an inhabitant of Alpha.” Speaking thus, he +signed to an attendant who came forward and bowed. + +“Conduct him to the dungeon of Nordeskyne, and return to me,” ordered +the king. + +Thorndyke's heart was heavy, and he was filled with strange forebodings, +but he simply smiled and bowed, as the attendant led him away. The +attendant opened a door at the back of the throne-room and they were +confronted by darkness. They went along a narrow corridor for some +distance, the darkness thickening at every step. There was no sound +except the sound of the guide's shoes on the smooth stone pavement. +Presently the man released Thorndyke's arm, saying: + +“It is narrow here, follow close behind, and do not attempt to go back.” + +“I shall certainly stick to you,” replied the Englishman drily. They +turned a sharp corner suddenly, and were going in another direction when +Thorndyke felt a soft warm hand steal into his from behind, and knew +intuitively that it was Bernardino. The guide was a few feet in advance +of them and she drew Thorndyke's head down and whispered into his ear. + +“Be brave--by all that you love--for your life, keep your presence of +mind, and----” + +“What was that?” asked the guide, turning suddenly and catching the +Englishman's arm, “I thought I heard whispering.” + +“I was saying my prayers, that is all,” and the Englishman pressed the +hand of the princess, who, pressed close against the wall, was gliding +cautiously away. + +“Prayers, humph--you'll need them later, come on!” and he caught the +Englishman's arm and hastily drew him onward. Thorndyke's spirits sank +lower. The air of the narrow under-ground corridor was cold and damp, +and he quivered from head to foot. + + + +Chapter IX. + +Branasko paused again in his walk towards the mysterious light. + +“It cannot be from the internal fires,” said he, “for this light is +white, and the glow of the fires is red.” + +“Let's turn back,” suggested Johnston, “it can do us no good to go down +there; it is only taking us further from the wall.” + +“I should like to understand it,” returned the Alphian thoughtfully; +“and, besides, there can be no more danger there than back among the hot +crevices. We have got to perish anyway, and we might as well spice the +remainder of our lives with whatever adventure we can. Who knows what we +may not discover? There are many things about the land of Alpha that the +inhabitants do not understand.” + +“I'll follow you anywhere,” acquiesced Johnston; “you are right.” + +They stumbled on over the rocky surface in silence. At times, the roof +of the cavern sank so low that they had to stoop to pass under it, and +again it rose sharply like the roof of a cathedral, and the rays of the +far-away, but ever-increasing light, shone upon glistening stalactites +that hung from the darkness above them like daggers of diamonds set in +ebony. + +“It is not so near as I supposed,” said the Alphian wearily. “And the +light seemed to me to be shining on a cliff over which water is pouring +in places. Yes, you can see that it is water by the ripples in the +light.” + +“Yes, but where can the light itself be?” + +“I cannot yet tell; wait till we get nearer.” + +In about an hour they came to a wide chasm on the other side of which +towered a vast cliff of white crystal. It was on this that the trembling +light was playing. + +“Not a waterfall after all,” said Branasko; “see, there is the source +of the reflection,” and he pointed to the left through a series of dark +chambers of the cavern to a dazzling light. “Come, let's go nearer +it.” He moved a few steps forward and then happening to look over his +shoulder he stopped abruptly, and uttered an exclamation of surprise. + +“What is it?” And Johnston followed the eyes of the Alphian. + +“Our shadows on the crystal cliff,” said Branasko in an awed tone; “only +the light from the changing sun could make them so.” + +Johnston shuddered superstitiously at the tone of Branasko's quivering +voice, and their giant shadows which stood out on the smooth crystal +like silhouettes. So clear-cut were they, that, in his own shadow, the +American could see his breast heaving and in Branasko's the quivering of +the Alphian's huge body and limbs. + +“If we have happened upon the home of the sun, only the spirit of the +dead kings could tell what will become of us,” said Branasko. + +“Puh! you are blindly superstitious,” said Johnston; “what if we do come +upon the sun? Let's go down there and look into the mystery.” + +Branasko fell into the rear and the American stoutly pushed ahead toward +the light which was every moment increasing. As they advanced the cave +got larger until it opened out into a larger plain over which hung +fathomless darkness, and out of the plain a great dazzling globe of +light was slowly rising. + +“It is the sun itself,” exclaimed Branasko, and he sank to the earth and +covered his face with his hands. “I have not thought ever to see it out +of the sky.” + +The American was deeply thrilled by the grand sight. He sat down by +Branasko and together they watched the vast ball of light emerge from +the black earth and gradually disappear in a great hole in the roof of +the cavern. It left a broad stream of light behind it, and, now that the +sun itself was out of view, the silent spectators could see the great +square hole from which it had risen. + +As if by mutual consent, they rose and made their way over the rocks +to the verge of the hole, which seemed several thousand feet square. +At first, owing to the brightness of the sun overhead, they could see +nothing; but, as the great orb gradually disappeared, they began to see +lights and the figures of men moving about below. Later they observed +the polished parts of stupendous machinery--machinery that moved almost +noiselessly. + +Johnston caught sight of a great net-work of moving cables reaching +from the machinery up through the hole above and exclaimed +enthusiastically:--“A mechanical sun! electric daylight! What genius! +A world in a great cave! Hundreds of square miles and thousands of well +organized people living under the light of an artificial sun!” + +The Alphian looked at him astonished. “Is it not so in your country?” he +asked. + +Johnston smiled. “The great sun that lights the outer world is as much +greater than that ball of light as Alpha is greater than a grain of +sand. But this surely is the greatest achievement of man. But while I +now understand how your sun goes over the whole of Alpha, I cannot see +how it returns.” + +“Then you have not heard of the great tunnel of the Sun,” replied the +Alphian. + +“No,what is it?” + +“It runs beneath Alpha and connects the rising and setting points of the +sun. There is a point beneath the king's palace where, by a staircase, +the king and his officers may go down and inspect the sun as it is on +its way back to the east during the day.” + +“Wonderful!” + +“And once a year a royal party goes in the sun over its entire course. +It is said that it is sumptuously furnished inside, and not too warm, +the lights being only innumerable small ones on the outside.” + +The two men were silent for a moment then Johnston said: + +“Perhaps we might be able to get into it unobserved and be thus carried +over to the other side, or reach the palace through the tunnel.” + +Branasko started convulsively, and then, as he looked into the earnest +eyes of the American, he said despondently: + +“We have got to die, anyway; it may be well for us to think of it; but +on the other side, in the Barrens, there is no more chance for escape +than here. But the adventure would at least give us something to think +about; let's try it.” + +“All right; but how can we get down there where the sun starts to rise?” + asked the American, peering cautiously over the edge of the hole. + +“There must be some way,” answered Branasko. “Ah, see! further to the +left there are some ledges; let's see what can be done that way.” + +“I am with you.” + +The rays of the departing sun were almost gone, and the electric lights +down among the machinery seemed afar off like stars reflected in deep +water. With great difficulty the two men lowered themselves from one +sharp ledge to another till they had gone half down to the bottom. + +“It is no use,” said Branasko, peering over the lowest ledge. “There +are no more ledges and this one juts out so far that even if there were +smaller ones beneath we could not get to them.” + +“That is true,” agreed the American, “but look, is not that a lake +beneath? I think it must be, for the lights are reflected on its +surface.” + +“You are right,” answered Branasko; “and I now see a chance for us to +get down safely.” + +“How?” + +“The workers are too far from the lake to see us; we can drop into the +water and swim ashore.” + +“Would they not hear the splashing of our bodies?” + +“I think not; but first let's experiment with a big stone.” + +Suiting the action to the word, they secured a stone weighing about +seventy-five pounds and brought it to the ledge. Carefully poising it +in mid-air, they let it go. Down it went, cutting the air with a sharp +whizzing sound. They listened breathlessly, but heard no sound as +the rock struck the water, and the men among the machinery seemed +undisturbed. Only the widening circles of rings on the lake's surface +indicated where the stone had fallen. + +“Good,” ejaculated the Alphian; “are you equal to such a plunge? The +water must be deep, and we won't be hurt at all if only we can keep our +feet downward and hold our breath long enough. Our clothing will soon +dry down there, for feel the warmth that comes from below.” + +The Alphian slowly crawled out on the sharpest projection of the ledge. +“Are you willing to try it?” he asked, over his shoulder. + +“Yes.” + +“Well, wait till you see me swim ashore, and then follow.” + +Johnston shuddered as the strong fellow swung himself over the ledge and +hung downward. + +“Adieu,” said Branasko, and he let go. Down he fell, as straight as +an arrow, into the shadows below. For an instant Johnston heard the +fluttering of the fellow's clothing as he fell through the darkness, +and then there was no sound except the low whirr of the cables and the +monotonous hum of the great wheels beneath. Then the smooth surface +of the lake was broken in a white foaming spot, and, later, he saw +something small and dark slowly swimming shoreward. It was Branasko, and +the men to the right had not heard or seen him. + +Johnston saw him reach the shore, then he crawled out to the point +of the projecting rock and tremblingly lowered himself till he +hung downward as Branasko had done. He had just drawn a deep breath +preparatory to letting go his hold, when, chancing to look down, he saw +a long narrow barge slowly emerging from the cliff directly under him. +For an instant he was so much startled that he almost lost his grip +on the rock. He tried to climb back on the ledge, but his strength was +gone. He felt that he could not hold out till the boat had passed. Death +was before him, and a horrible one. The boat seemed to crawl. Everything +was a blur before his eyes. His fingers began to relax, and with a low +cry he fell. + + + +Chapter X. + +To Thorndyke the dark corridor seemed endless. The king's last words had +now a sinister meaning, and Bernardino's whispered warning filled him +with dread. “Keep your presence of mind,” she urged; was it then, some +frightful mental ordeal he was about to pass through? + +Presently they came to a door. Thorndyke heard his guide feeling for +the bolt and key-hole. The rattling of the keys sounded like a ghostly +threat in the empty corridors. The air was as damp as a fog, and the +stones were cold and slimy. After a moment the guard succeeded in +unlocking the door and roughly pushed the Englishman forward. The door +closed with a little puff, and Thorndyke felt about him for the guide; +but he was alone. For a moment there was no sound. With the closing +of the door it seemed to him that he was cut off from every living +creature. In the awful silence he could hear his own heart beating like +a drum. + +“Stand where you are!” came in a hissing whisper from the darkness near +by, and then the invisible whisperer moved away, making a weird sound as +he slid his hand along a wall, till it died away in the distance. + +A cold thrill ran over him. He was a brave man and feared no living man +or beast, but the superstitious fears of his childhood now came upon him +with redoubled force. For several minutes he did not stir; presently he +put out his hand to the door and his blood ran cold. There was no knob, +latch, or key-hole, and he could feel the soft padding into which the +door closed to keep out sound. Then he remembered the warning of the +princess, and strove with all his might to fight down his apprehensions. +“For your life keep your presence of mind,” he repeated over and over, +but try as he would his terror over-powered him. He laughed out loud, +but in the dreadful silence and darkness his laugh sounded unearthly. + +A cold perspiration broke out on him. It seemed as if hours passed +before he again heard the sliding noise on the wall. Some one was coming +to him. The sound grew louder and nearer, till a firm hand was laid on +his arm; it felt as cold as ice through his clothing. + +“Come,” a voice whispered, and the Englishman was led forward. Presently +another door opened--a door that closed after them without any sound. +Here the silence was more intensified, the darkness thicker as if +compressed like air. + +Hands were placed on the shoulders of Thorndyke and he was gently forced +into a chair. As soon as he was seated two metal clamps grasped like +a vise his arms between the elbows and the shoulders, and two more +fastened round his ankles. + +There was a faint puff of air from the door and the prisoner felt +that he was alone. Terror held him in bondage. He tried to think of +Bernardino, but in vain. Did they intend to drive him to madness? He +began to suspect that the king had discovered his natural superstition +and had decided to put it to a test. What he had undergone so far he +felt was but the introduction to greater terrors in store for him. + +There was a sigh far away in the darkness--then a groan that seemed to +flit about in space, as if seeking to escape the dark, and then died +away in a low moan of despair. Before him the blackness seemed to hang +like a dark curtain about ten yards in front of him, and in it shone a +tiny speck of light no larger than the head of a pin, and which was so +bright that he could not look at it steadily. It increased to the size +of a pea, and then he discovered that, at times, it would seem miles +away in space and then again to draw quite near to hand. Glancing down, +he noticed that it cast a bright round spot about an inch in diameter on +the floor, and that the spot was slowly revolving in a circle so +small that its motion was hardly observable. Surely the mind of a +superstitious man was never so punished! When Thorndyke looked steadily +at the spot, the black floor seemed to recede, and the spot to sink far +down into the empty darkness below like a solitary star; So realistic +was this that the Englishman could not keep from fancying that this +chair was poised in some way over fathomless space. Presently he noticed +that the spot had ceased its circular movement and was slowly--almost as +slowly as the movement of the hand of a clock--advancing in a straight +line toward him. + +No such terror had ever before possessed the stout heart of the +Englishman. As the uncanny spot, ever growing brighter, advanced toward +him, he thought his heart had stopped beating; his brain was in a whirl. +After a long while the spot reached his feet and began to climb up his +legs. With a shudder and a smothered cry, he tried to draw his feet +away, but they were too firmly manacled. + +“It is searching for my heart,” thought Thorndyke. “My God, when it +reaches it, I shall die!” As the strange spot, gleaming like a burning +diamond in whose heart leaped a thousand different colored flames, and +which seemed possessed of some strange hellish purpose, crossed his +thighs and began to climb up his body, the brain of the prisoner seemed +on fire. He tried to close his eyes, but, horror of horrors! his eyelids +were paralyzed. It was almost over his heart, and Thorndyke was fainting +through sheer mental exhaustion when it stopped, began to descend +slowly, and, then, with a rapid, wavering motion, it fell to the floor, +flashed about in the darkness, and vanished. + +An hour dragged slowly by. What would happen next? The Englishman felt +that his frightful ordeal was not over. To his surprise the darkness +began to lighten till he could see dimly the outlines of the chamber. It +was bare save for the chair he occupied against a wall, and a couch on +the opposite side of the room. The couch held something which looked +like a human body covered with a white cloth. He could see where the +sheet rounded over the head and rose sharply at the feet. + +Something told him that it was a corpse and a new terror possessed him. +For several minutes he gazed at the couch in dreadful suspense, then his +heart stopped pulsing as the figure on the couch began to move. Slowly +the sheet fell from the head and the figure sat up stiffly. There was +a faint hum of hidden machinery at the couch, and a flashing blue and +green line running from the couch to the wall betrayed the presence of +an electric wire. + +Slowly the figure rose, and with creaking, rattling joints stood erect. +Pale lights shone in the orbits of the eyes and the sound of harsh +automatic breathing came from the mouth and nostrils. Slowly and +haltingly the figure advanced toward Thorndyke. The poor fellow tried +to wrench himself free from the chair, but he could not stir an inch. +On came the figure, its long arms swinging mechanically, and its feet +slurring over the stone pavement. + +When within ten feet of the Englishman it stopped, nodded its head three +or four times, and slowly opened its mouth. There was a sharp, whirring +noise, such as comes from a phonograph, and a voice spoke: + +“My voice shall sound on earth for a million years after my spirit has +left my body; and I shall wander about my dark dungeon as a warning to +men not to do as I have done.” + +The voice ceased, but the whirring sound in the creature's breast went +on. The figure shambled nearer to Thorndyke and the voice began again: + +“I disobeyed the laws of great Alpha and her imperial king and am +to die. Beware of the temptation to search into the royal motives +or attempt to escape. The fate of all the inhabitants of Alpha, the +wonderful Land of the Changing Sun, is in the hands of its ruler. +Beware! My death-torture is to be lingering and horrible. I sink into +deepest dejection. I was eager to return to my native land and tried +to escape. Behold my punishment! Even my bones and flesh will not be +allowed to rest or decay. Beware, the king is just and good, but he will +be obeyed!” + +Slowly the figure retreated toward the couch and lay down on it. The +whirring sound ceased, the light along the wire went out, and the +darkness thickened till the couch and the outlines of the chamber were +obscured. Then Thorndyke's chair was lifted, as if by unseen hands, and +he was borne backward. In a moment he felt the cool, damp air of the +corridor, and some one raised him to his feet and led him back to the +throne-room. + +In the bright light which burst on him as the door opened, the beautiful +women and handsome men moving about the throne were to him like a +glimpse of Paradise. The attendant left him at the door and he walked +in, so dazed and weak that he hardly knew what to do. No one seemed to +notice him and the king was engaged in an animated conversation with +several ladies who were sitting at his feet. + +In a bevy of women Thorndyke noticed Bernardino. She gave him a quick, +sympathetic glance of recognition and then looked down discreetly. +Presently she left the others and moved on till she had disappeared +behind a great carved wine-cistern which stood on the backs of four +crouching golden leopards in a retired part of the room. Something in +her sudden movement made the Englishman think she wanted to speak to +him, and he went to her. He was not mistaken, for she smiled as he +approached. + +“I am glad,” she whispered, touching his arm impulsively, and then +quickly removing her hand as if afraid of detection. + +“Glad of what?” he asked. + +“Glad that you stood that--that torture so well; several men have died +in that chair and some went mad.” + +“I remembered your advice; that saved me.” + +“I have a plan for us to try to rescue your friend.” + +“Ah, I had forgotten him! what is it?” + +“Captain Tradmos likes you and has consented to aid us. We shall need +an air-ship and he has one at his disposal which is used only for +governmental purposes.” + +“What do you want with the air-ship?” + +“To go beyond and over the great wall.” + +“But can we get away from here without being seen?” + +“Under ordinary circumstances, neither by day nor night, but tomorrow +the king has planned to let his people witness a 'War of the Elements.'” + +“A War of the Elements?” + +“Yes, the grandest fete of Alpha. There will be a frightful storm in the +sky; no light for hours; the thunder will be musical and the lightning +will seem to set the world on fire. That will be our chance. When it +is darkest we shall try to get away unseen. We may fail. Such a daring +thing has never been attempted by any one. If we are detected we shall +suffer death as the penalty, the king could never pardon such a bold +violation of law.” + + + +Chapter XI. + +Johnston clung tenaciously to the rock. He tried to look down to see if +the barge had passed beneath him, but the intense strain on his arm now +drew his head back, so that he could not do so. Once more he made an +effort to regain his position on the rock, but he was not able to raise +himself an inch. + +He felt certain that the fall would kill him, and he groaned in agony. +His fingers were benumbed and beginning to slip. Then he fell. The air +whizzed in his ears. He tried to keep his feet downward, but it was +no use. He was whirled heels over head many times, and his senses were +leaving him when he was restored by a plunge into the cold water. + +Down he sank. It seemed to him that he never would lose his momentum +and that he would strangle before he could rise to the surface. Finally, +however, he came up more dead than alive. He had narrowly missed the +flat-boat, for he saw it receding from him only a few yards away. On the +shore stood Branasko motioning to him; and, slowly, for his strength was +almost gone, Johnston swam toward him. + +The latter waded out into the shallow water and drew him ashore. + +“You had a narrow escape,” he said, with a dry laugh. “I saw the boat +come from under the cliff just as you hung down from the ledge. At first +I hoped that you would get back on the rock, but when I saw you try and +do it and fail I thought that you were lost.” + +The American could not speak for exhaustion; but, as he looked at the +departing craft with concern, Branasko laughed again: “Oh, you thought +it had a crew; so did I at first, but it has no one aboard. It is drawn +by a cable, and seems to be laden with coal.” + +“Did they notice our fall up there?” panted Johnston, nodding toward the +lights in the distance. + +“No, they are farther away than I thought.” + +“Well, what ought we to do?” “Hide here among the rocks till our +clothing dries and then look about us. We have nearly twenty-four hours +to wait for the sun to return through the tunnel.” + +“Where is the tunnel?” + +“Over on the other side of that black hill. There, you can see the mouth +of the tunnel through which the sun comes.” + +“We need sleep,” said the Alphian, when their clothing was dry, “and it +may be a long time before we get a chance to get it. Let us lie down in +the shadow of that rock and rest.” + +Johnston consented, and, lying down together, they soon dropped asleep. +They slept soundly. + +Johnston was the first to awake. He felt so refreshed that he knew he +must have been unconscious several hours. He touched Branasko and the +latter sat up and rubbed his eyes and looked about him bewildered. + +“I had a horrible dream,” he said shuddering. “I thought that we were in +the sun and over the capital city when it fell down. I thought the +fall was awful, and that all Alpha was aflame. Then the fires went out. +Everything was black, and the whole world rang with cries of terrified +people. Ugh! I don't want to dream so again; I'd rather not sleep at +all. But hush! what is that?” + +Far away, as if in the centre of the earth, they heard a low monotonous +rumbling. They listened breathlessly. Every moment the sound increased. +They could feel the ground trembling as if shaken by an earthquake. + +“It is the coming sun,” said Branasko. “We must get nearer the tunnel +and see what can be done. It would be useless to try to go back now.” + +Stealing along in the shadow of the cliffs to keep from being seen by +the workmen on the plateau above, they climbed over a rocky incline +and saw in the side of a towering cliff, a great black hole. It was the +mouth of the tunnel. Into it ran eight wide tracks of railway and six +mammoth cables each twenty or thirty feet in diameter. + +“The sun cannot be far away now,” remarked the Alphian. + +“Is it not lighted?” + +“I presume not; I think it comes through in darkness. The light is saved +for its passage over Alpha.” + +“Would it not be as safe for us to attempt to walk through the tunnel to +the palace of the king?” + +“Never; it would be over fifty miles in utter darkness. There may be a +thousand trestles and bridges over frightful chasms: for the most part, +I have heard the tunnel is a natural channel or a succession of caverns +united by tunnels. The other is the safer way, though it certainly is +risky enough.” + +Louder and nearer grew the rumbling noise, and a faint light began to +shine from the tunnel and flash on the cliff opposite. + +“It is the sun's headlight,” explained Branasko. + +Johnston was thrilled to the centre of his being as he saw the light +playing over the polished tracks and cables and illuminating the walls +of the great tunnel. + +Suddenly there was a deep, mellow-toned stroke of a bell in the sun, +and, as the two men shrank involuntarily into the deeper shade of the +cliff, the great globe, a stupendous ball of crystal, five hundred feet +in height, slowly emerged from the mouth of the tunnel and came to a +stop under the opening in the rock which led to the space above. + +“What had we better do now?” said Johnston. + +“Wait,” cautioned Branasko, and he drew the American to a great boulder +nearer the sun, from behind which they could, without being seen, watch +the action of the crowd of workmen that was hurriedly approaching. They +placed ladders of steel against the sides of the sun and swarmed over it +like bees. + +“They are cleaning the glass and adjusting the lights,” said the +Alphian; “wait till they go round to the other side. Don't you see that +square opening near the ground?” + +The American nodded. + +“It is the door,” said Branasko, “and we must try to enter it while they +are on the other side. Let us slip nearer; there is another rock ahead +that we can hide behind.” Suiting the action to the word, Branasko led +the way, stooping near to the ground until both were safely ensconced +behind the boulder in question. They were now so near that they could +hear the electricians rubbing the glass. + +One who seemed to be superintending the work opened the door and went +into the sun and lighted a bright light. From where they were crouched +Johnston and Branasko caught a view of a little hall, a flight of +stairs, and some pictures on the walls. + +Presently the man extinguished the light and came out. + +“They are removing their ladders from this side,” said Branasko in a +whisper. “Be ready; we must act quickly and without a particle of sound. +Run straight for that door and climb up the steps immediately.” + +The men had all gone round to the other side, and no one was in sight. + +“Quick! Follow me,” and bending low to the earth the Alphian darted +across the intervening space and into the doorway. Johnston was quite +as successful. As he entered the door he saw Branasko crawling up the +carpeted stairs ahead of him, and, on his all-fours, he followed. The +first landing was large, and there in the wall they found a closet. It +would have been dark but for a dim light that streamed down from above. +Branasko opened the closet door. “We must hide here for the present,” he +whispered. + +They had barely got seated on the floor and closed the door when a +bright light broke round them and they heard somebody ascending the +stairs. The person passed by and went on further up. The two adventurers +dared not exchange a word. They could hear the footsteps above and the +sound of the electricians outside as they polished the lights and moved +their ladders from place to place. + +“If he should stay, what could we do?” asked Johnston, after a long +pause, and when the footsteps sounded farther away. + +“There are two of us and one of him,” grimly replied the brawny Alphian. + +Johnston shuddered. “Let's not commit murder in any emergency,” he said. + +“It would not be murder; every man has a right to save his own life.” + +Nothing more was said just then, for the footsteps were growing nearer. +The man was descending. He crossed the landing they were on and went +down the last flight of stairs and out of the door. + +Branasko rubbed his rough hands together. “We are going alone,” he said +with satisfaction. + +There was a sound of sliding ladders on the walls outside. The workmen +had finished their task. A moment later a great bell overhead rang +mellowly; the colossal sphere trembled and rocked and then rose and +swung easily forward like the car of a balloon. + +“We are rising,” said the Alphian, in a tone of superstitious awe. +Johnston said nothing. There was a cool, sinking sensation in his +stomach and his head was swimming. Branasko, however, was in possession +of all his faculties. + +“We shall soon be through the shaft we first discovered and throw our +light over Alpha.” As he spoke the space about them broke into blinding +brightness and for a few moments they could only open their eyes for +an instant at a time. After a while Branasko opened the closet door and +they went up the stairs. + +The first apartment they entered was most luxuriously furnished. Sofas, +couches and reclining-chairs were scattered here and there over the +elegant carpet, and statues of gold and marble stood in alcoves and +niches and strange stereopticon lanterns, hanging from the ceiling threw +ever-changing and life-like pictures on the walls. The light streamed in +from without through small circular windows. After they had walked about +the room for some minutes, the Alphian pointed to a half-open door and a +staircase at one side of the room. + +“I think it leads to some sort of observatory on top,” he said. “I have +heard that when the royal family makes this voyage they are fond of +looking out from it. Suppose we see.” Johnston acquiesced, and Branasko +opened the door. From the increased brightness that came in they were +assured that the stairs led outward. + +Ascending many flights of stairs and traversing a narrow winding gallery +which seemed to be gradually sloping upward, they finally reached the +outside, and found themselves on a platform about forty feet square +surrounded by iron balustrades. Above hung impenetrable blackness, below +curved a majestic sphere of white light. + + + +Chapter XII. + +The sunlight was fading into gray when the princess turned to leave +Thorndyke. Night was drawing near. + +“Have they assigned you a chamber yet?” she paused to ask. + +“No.” + +“Then they have overlooked it; I shall remind the king.” + +Her beautiful, lithe form was clearly outlined against the red glow of +the massive swinging lamp as she moved gracefully away, and Thorndyke's +heart bounded with admiration and hope as he thought of her growing +regard for him. He resumed his seat among the flowers, listening, as if +in a delightful dream, to the seductive music from bands in different +parts of the palace and the never-ceasing sound in the air which seemed +to him to be the concentrated echo of all the sounds in the strange +country rebounding from the vast cavern roof. + +It grew darker. The gray outside had changed to purple. In the palace +the brilliant electric lights in prismatic globes refused to allow the +day to die. He was thinking of returning to the throne-room when a page +in silken attire approached from the direction of the king's quarters. + +“To your chambers, master,” he announced, bowing respectfully. + +Thorndyke arose and followed him to an elevator near by. They ascended +to the highest balcony of the great rotunda. Here they alighted and +turned to the right, the page leading the way, a key in his hand. +Presently the page stopped at a door and unlocked it and preceded +the Englishman into the room. As they entered an electric light in a +chandelier flashed up automatically. + +It was a sumptuous apartment, and adjoining it were several connecting +rooms all elegantly furnished. The page crossed the room and opened a +door to a little stairway. + +“It leads to the roof,” he said. “The princess told me to call your +attention to it, that you might go out and view the starlight.” + +When the page had retired, Thorndyke, feeling lonely, ascended the +stairs to the roof. It was perfectly flat save for the great dome which +stood in the centre and the numerous pinnacles and cupolas on every +hand, and was very spacious. The Englishman's loneliness increased, for +no matter in what direction he looked, there was not a living soul in +sight. Far in front of him he saw a stone parapet. He went to this and +looked down on the city. The electric lights were vari-colored, and +arranged so that when seen from a distance or from a great height they +assumed artistic designs that were beautiful to behold. + +The regular streets and rows of buildings stretched away till the light +in the farthest distance seemed an ocean of blending colors. Overhead +the vault was black, and only here and there shone a star; but as he +looked upward they began to flash into being, and so rapidly that the +sky seemed a vast battlefield of electricity. + +“Wonderful! Wonderful!” he ejaculated enthusiastically, when the black +dome was filled with twinkling stars. He leaned for a long time against +the parapet, listening to the music from the streets below, and watching +the flying-machines with their vari-colored lights rise from the little +parks at the intersection of the streets and dart away over the roofs +like big fireflies. Then he began to feel sleepy, and, going back to his +chambers, he retired. + +When he awoke the next morning, the rosy glow of the sun was shining +in at his windows. On rising he was surprised to find a delectable +breakfast spread on a table in his sitting-room. + +“Treating me like a lord, any way,” he said drily. “I can't say I +dislike the thing as a whole.” When he had satisfied his sharp hunger he +went out into a corridor and seeing an elevator he entered it and went +down to the throne-room. The king was just leaving his throne, but +seeing Thorndyke he turned to him with a smile. + +“How did you sleep?” he asked. + +“Well, indeed,” replied Thorndyke, with a low bow. + +“I cannot talk to you now. I intended to, but I have promised my people +a 'War of the Elements' to-day and am busy. You will enjoy it, I trust.” + +“I am sure of it, your Majesty.” + +“Well, be about the palace, for it is a good point from which to view +the display.” + +With these words he turned away and the Englishman, as if drawn there by +the memory of his last conversation with Bernardino, sought the retreat +where he had bidden her good-night. He sat down on the seat they had +occupied, and gave himself over to delightful reveries about her beauty +and loveliness of nature. Looking up suddenly he saw a pair of white +hands part the palm leaves in front of him and the subject of his +thoughts emerged into view. + +She wore a regal gown and beautiful silken head-dress set with fine +gems, and gave him a warm glance of friendly greeting. + +“I half hoped to find you here,” she said, blushing modestly under his +ardent gaze; “that is, I knew you would not know where to go----” She +paused, her face suffused with blushes. + +“I did not hope to find you here,” he said, coming to her aid gallantly, +“but it was a delight to sit here where I last saw you.” + +She blushed even deeper, and a pleased look flashed into her eyes. “It +was important that I should see you this morning,” she continued, with a +womanly desire to disguise her own feeling. “I wanted to tell you where +to meet me when the storm begins.” + +“Where?” he asked. + +“On the roof of the palace, near the stairs leading down to your +chambers. At first it will be very dark, and it is then that we must get +out of sight of the palace. No other flying-machines will be in the +air, and Captain Tradmos thinks, if we are very careful, we can get away +safely before the display of lightning.” + +“If we find my friend what can we do with him?” + +She hesitated a moment, a look of perplexity on her face, then she said: +“We can bring him back and keep him hidden in your chambers till some +better arrangement can be made. We shall think of some expedient before +long, but at present he must be saved from starvation.” + +Thorndyke attempted to draw her to a seat beside him, but she held +back. “No,” she said resolutely, “it would never do for us to be seen +together. If my father should suspect anything now, all hope would be +lost.” + +Thorndyke reluctantly released her hand. + +“You are right, I beg your pardon,” he said humbly. “I shall meet you +promptly. Of course I want to save poor Johnston, but the delight of +being with you again, even for a moment, so intoxicates me that I forget +even my duty to him.” + +After she left him he wandered out in the streets along the busy +thoroughfares, and into the beautiful parks, the flowers and foliage +changing color as each new hour dawned. The fragrance of the flowers +delighted his sense of smell, and the luscious fruits hung from vine and +tree in great abundance. + +He was impatient for the time to arrive at which he was to meet the +princess. After awhile he noticed the people closing the shops and +booths, and in holiday dress going to the parks and public squares. +He hastened to the palace. The great rotunda and the throne-room were +energetically astir. Everybody wore rich apparel and was talking of +the coming fete. The king was on his throne surrounded by his men +of science. In a cluster of ladies in court dress, the Englishman +recognized Bernardino. Catching his eye, she looked startled for an +instant, and, then, with a furtive glance at the king, she swept +her eyes back to Thorndyke and raised them significantly toward his +chambers. He understood, and his quick movement was his reply. He turned +immediately to an elevator that was going up, and entered it. Again +he was alone on the palace roof. The color of the sunlight looked +so natural that he studied it closely to see if he could not detect +something artificial in its appearance, but in vain. He found that it +did not pain his eyes to look at the sun steadily. He took from his +pocket a small sunglass, and focussed the rays on his hand, but the heat +was not intensified sufficiently to burn him. + +Just then he heard a loud blast of a trumpet in a tall tower to the left +of the palace. It seemed a momentous signal. The jostling crowds in the +streets below suddenly stood motionless. Every eye was raised to the +sky. Not a sound broke the stillness. Following the glances of the crowd +a few minutes later, Thorndyke noticed a dark cloud rising in the west, +and spreading along the horizon. A feeling of awe came over him as it +gradually increased in volume, and, in vast black billows, began to roll +up toward the sun. + +Suddenly out of the stillness came a faraway rumble like a fusillade of +cannon, now dying down low, again reaching such a height that it pained +the ears. Belated flying-machines darted across the sky here and there, +like storm-frightened birds, but they soon settled to earth. Every eye +was on the cloud which was now gashed with dazzling, vivid, electric +flashes. Thorndyke looked over the vast roof. He was alone. He walked to +the western parapet to get a broader view. + +The clouds had increased till almost a third of the heavens were +obscured by the madly whirling blackness. There was a rumble in the +cloud, or beyond it, like thunder, and yet it was not, unless thunder +can be attuned, for the sound was like the music of a great orchestra +magnified a thousand-fold. The grand harmony died down. There was +a blinding flash of electricity in the clouds, and the Englishman +involuntarily covered his eyes with his hands. When he looked again the +blackness was covering the sun. For a moment its disk showed blood-red +through the fringe of the cloud and then disappeared. Total darkness +fell on everything. + +The silence was profound. The very air seemed stagnant. + +Then the wind overhead, by some unseen force, was lashed into fury, and +all the sky was filled with whirlpools of deeper blackness. Suddenly +there was a flash of soft golden light; this was followed by streams +of pink, of blue and of purple till the whole heavens were hung with +banners, flags, and rain-bows of flame. Again darkness fell, and it +seemed all the deeper after the gorgeous scene which had preceded it. +Thorndyke strained his sight to detect something moving below, but +nothing could be seen, and no sound came up from the motionless crowds. + +Behind him he heard a soft footstep on the stone tiling. It drew nearer. +A hand was being carefully slid along the parapet. The hand reached him +and touched his arm. + +It was the princess. “Ah, I have at last found you,” she whispered, “I +saw you in the lightning, but lost you again.” + +He put his arm round her and drew her into his embrace. He tried to +speak, but uttered only an inarticulate sound. + +“I could not possibly come earlier,” she apologized, nestling against +him so closely that he could feel the quick and excited beating of +her heart. “My father kept me with him till only a moment ago. Captain +Tradmos will be here soon.” + +“When do we start?” he asked. + +“That is the trouble,” she replied. “We had counted on getting away in +the darkness, before the display of lightning, but there is more danger +now. If our flying-machine were noticed the search-lights would be +turned on us and we would be discovered at once.” + +“But even if we get safely away in the darkness when could we return?” + +“Oh, that would be easy,” she replied. “As soon as the fete is over, +commerce will be resumed and the air will be filled with air-ships that +have been delayed in their regular business, and, in the disguises which +I have for us both, we could come back without rousing suspicion. We +could alight in Winter Park and return home later.” + +“What is Winter Park?” + +“You have not seen it? You must do so; it is one of the wonders of +Alpha. It is a vast park enclosed with high walls and covered with a +roof of glass. Inside the snow falls, and we have sleighing and coasting +and lakes of ice for skating. It was an invention of the king. The +snowstorms there are beautiful.” + +Thorndyke's reply was drowned in a harmonious explosion like that of +tuned cannon; this was followed by the chimes of great bells which +seemed to swing back and forth miles overhead. + +“Listen!” whispered Bernardino, “father calls it 'musical thunder,' and +he declares that it is produced in no other country but this.” + +“It is not; he is right.” And the heart of the Englishman was stirred +by deep emotion. He had never dreamed that anything could so completely +chain his fancy and elevate his imagination as what he heard. The +musical clangor died down. The strange harmony grew more entrancing +as it softened. Then the whole eastern sky began to flush with rosy, +shimmering light. + +“My father calls this the 'Ideal Dawn of Day,'” whispered Bernardino. +“See the faint golden halo near the horizon; that is where the sun is +supposed to be.” + +“How is it done?” asked the Englishman. + +“Few of our people know. It is a secret held only by the king and half a +dozen scientists. The whole thing, however, is operated by two men in a +room in the dome of the palace. The musician is a young German who was +becoming the wonder of the musical world when father induced him to come +to us. I have met him. He says he has been thoroughly happy here. He +lives on music. He showed me the instrument he used to play, a little +thing he called a violin, and its tones could not reach beyond the +limits of a small room. He laughs at it now and says the instrument +that father gave him to play on has strings drawn from the centre of the +earth to the stars of heaven.” + +The rose-light had spread over the horizon and climbed almost to the +zenith, and with the dying booming and gentle clangor it began to fade +till all was dark again. + +“Captain Tradmos ought to be here now,” continued the princess, glancing +uneasily toward the stairway. “We may not have so good an opportunity as +this.” + +Ten minutes went by. + +“Surely, something has gone wrong,” whispered Bernardino. “I have never +seen the darkness last so long as this; besides, can't you hear the +muttering of the people?” + +Thorndyke acknowledged that he did. He was about to add something else, +but was prevented by a loud blast from the trumpet in the tower. + +Bernardino shrank from him and fell to trembling. + +“What is the matter?” he asked. “The trumpet!” she gasped, “something +awful has happened!” + +A moment of profound silence, then the murmuring of the crowd rose +sullenly like the moaning of a rising storm; a search-light flashed up +in the gloom and swept its uncertain stream from point to point, but it +died out. Another and another shone for an instant in different parts of +the city, but they all failed. + +“Something awful has happened,” repeated Bernardino, as if to herself; +“the lights will not burn!” + +“Had we not better go down?” asked Thorndyke anxiously, excited by her +unusual perturbation. + +For answer she mutely drew him to the eastern parapet. Far away in the +east there still lingered a faint hint of pink, but all over the whole +landscape darkness rested. + +“See!” she exclaimed, pointing upward, “the clouds are thinning over the +sun, and yet there is no light. What can be the matter?” + +At that juncture they heard soft steps on the roof and a voice calling: + +“Bernardino! Princess Bernardino!” + +“It is Tradmos,” she ejaculated gladly, then she called out softly: + +“Tradmos! Tradmos!” + +“Here!” the voice said, and a figure loomed up before them. It was the +captain. He was panting violently, as if he had been running. + +“What is it?” she asked, clasping his arm. + +“The sun has gone out,” he announced. + +A groan escaped her lips and she swayed into Thorndyke's arms. + +“The clouds are thinning over the sun, yet there is no light. The king +is excited; he fears a panic!” + +“Has such a thing never happened?” asked Thorndyke. + +“An hundred years ago; then thousands lost their lives. As soon as the +people suspect the cause of the delay they will go mad with fear.” + +“What can we do?” asked the princess, recovering her self-possession. + +“Nothing, wait!” replied Tradmos. “This is as safe a place as you could +find. Perhaps the trouble may be averted. Look!” + +The disk of the veiled sun was aglow with a faintly trembling light; +but it went out. The silence was profound. The populace seemed unable +to grasp the situation, but when the light had flickered over the black +face of the sun once more and again expired, a sullen murmur rose and +grew as it passed from lip to lip. + +It became a threatening roar, broken by an occasional cry of pain and +a dismal groan of terror. There was a crash as if a mountain had been +burst by explosives. + +“The swinging bridge has been thrown down!” said Tradmos. + +Light after light flashed up in different parts of the city, but they +were so small and so far apart that they seemed to add to the darkness +rather than to lessen it. + +“The moon, it will rise!” cried the princess. + +“It cannot,” said Tradmos in his beard, “at least not for several +hours.” + +“They will kill my father,” she said despondently, “they always hold him +responsible for any accident.” + +“They cannot reach him,” consoled Tradmos. “He is safe for the present +at least.” + +“Is it possible to make the repairs needed?” + +“I don't know. When the accident happened long ago the sun was just +rising.” + +“Has it stopped?” + +“I think not; it has simply gone out; the electric connection has, in +some way, been cut off.” + +The tumult seemed to have extended to the very limits of the city, and +was constantly increasing. The smashing of timber and the falling of +heavy stones were heard near by. + +Tradmos leaned far over the parapet. “They are coming toward us!” he +said; “they intend to destroy the palace; we must try to get down, but +we shall meet danger even there.” + + + +Chapter XIII. + +Johnston and Branasko looked down at the great ball of light below them +in silent wonder. Johnston was the first to speak. He pointed to the +four massive cables which supported the sun at each corner of the +platform and extended upward till they were enveloped in the darkness. + +“They hold us up,” he said, “where do they go to?” + +“To the big trucks which run on the tracks near the roof of the cavern; +the endless cables are up there, too, but we can not see them with this +glare about us.” + +“We can see nothing of Alpha from here,” remarked Johnston +disappointedly, “we can see nothing beyond our circle of light.” + +“I should like to look down from this height at night,” said the +Alphian. “It would be a great view.” + +“What is this?” Johnston went to one side of the platform and laid his +hand on the spokes of a polished metal wheel shaped like the pilot-wheel +of a steamboat. Branasko hastened to him. + +“Don't touch it,” he warned. “It looks as if it were to turn the +electric connection off and on. If the sun should go out, the +consequences would be awful. The people of Alpha would go mad with +fear.” + +The American withdrew his hand, and he and Branasko walked back to the +centre of the platform. Johnston uttered an exclamation of surprise. +“The light is changing.” + +And it was, for it was gradually fading into a purple that was +delightfully soothing to the eye after the painful brightness of a +moment before. + +“I understand,” said the Alphian, “we are running very slow and are only +now about to approach the great wall, for purple is the color of the +first morning hour.” + +“But how is the light changed?” asked Johnston curiously. + +“By some shifting of glasses through which the rays shine, I presume,” + returned the Alphian; “but the mechanism seems to be concealed in the +walls of the globe.” + +Not a word was spoken for an hour. They had lain down on the platform +near the iron railing which encompassed it, and Branasko was dozing +intermittently. Again the light began to change gradually. This time it +was gray. Johnston put out his hand to touch Branasko, but the Alphian +was awake. He sat up and nodded smiling. “Wait till the next hour,” he +said; “it will be rose-color; that is the most beautiful.” + +Slowly the hours dragged by till the yellow light showed that it was the +sixth hour. Branasko had been exploring the vast interior below and came +back to Johnston who was asleep on the floor of the platform. + +“I have just thought of something,” said Branasko. “This is the day +appointed by the king to entertain his subjects with a grand display of +the elements.” + +“I do not understand,” said Johnston. + +“The king,” explained the Alphian, “darkens the sun with clouds so that +all Alpha is blacker than night, and then he produces great storms in +the sky, and lightning and musical thunder. We may, perhaps, hear the +music, but we cannot witness the storm and electric display on account +of the light about us. It usually begins at this hour; so be silent and +listen.” + +After a few minutes there was a rumble from below like the roar of a +volcano and an answering echo from the black dome overhead. This died +away and was succeeded by a crash of musical thunder that thrilled +Johnston's being to its very core. Branasko's face was aglow with +enthusiasm. + +“Grand, glorious!” he ejaculated, “but if only you could see the +lightning and the dawn in the east you would remember it all your life. +The sunlight is cut off from Alpha by the clouds, and there is no light +except the wonderful effects in the sky.” + +Johnston had gone back to the wheel and was examining it curiously. + +“I have a mind to turn off the current for a moment anyway,” he said +doggedly; “if the sun is hidden they would not discover it.” + +Branasko came to him, a weird look of interest in his eyes. “That +is true,” he said; “besides, what matters it? We may not live to see +another day.” + +Johnston acted on a sudden impulse. He intended only to frighten +Branasko by moving the wheel slightly, and he had turned it barely an +eighth of an inch, when, as if controlled by some powerful spring, it +whirled round at a great rate, making a loud rattling noise. To their +dismay the light went out. + +“My God! what have I done?” gasped the American in alarm. + +“Settled our fate, I have no doubt,” muttered the Alphian from the +darkness. + +Johnston had recoiled from the whirling wheel, and now cautiously groped +back to it, and attempted to turn it. It would not move. + +“It has caught some way,” he groaned under his breath. + +“And we have no light to find the cause of the trouble,” added the +Alphian, who had knelt down and was feeling about the wheel. Presently +he rose. + +“I give it up,” he sighed, “I cannot understand it. The machinery is +somewhere inside.” + +“It has grown colder,” shuddered Johnston. + +“We were warmed by the light, of course,” remarked Branasko, “and now we +feel the dampness more. We are going at a frightful speed.” + +Just then there was a jar, and the sun swung so violently from side to +side that the two men were prostrated on the floor. The speed seemed to +slacken. + +“I wonder if we are going to stop,” groaned the American, and he sat +up and held to Branasko. “Perhaps they will draw us back to rectify the +mistake, and then----” + +“It cannot be done,” interrupted the Alphian. “The machinery runs only +one way. We shall simply have to finish our journey in darkness.” + +“They may catch us on the other side before the sun starts back through +the tunnel,” suggested the American. + +“Not unlikely,” returned Branasko. “There, we are going ahead again. One +thing in our favor is that we can more easily escape capture in darkness +than if the sun were shining.” + +“Does the sun stop before entering the tunnel?” + +“I do not know,” replied Branasko; “perhaps somebody will be there to +see what is wrong with the light. We must have our wits about us when we +land.” + +Johnston was looking over the edge of the platform. “If the king's +display is taking place down there I can see no sign of it.” + +“How stupid of us!” ejaculated Branasko. “Of course, clouds sufficiently +dense to hide the sun from Alpha would also prevent us from seeing the +display below. I ought to----” + +He was interrupted by a grand outburst of harmony. The whole earth +seemed to vibrate with sublime melody. “Our blunder has not been +discovered yet,” finished Branasko, after a pause, “else the fete down +below would have been over. I am cold; shall we go inside?” + +Johnston's answer was taken out of his mouth by a loud rattling +beneath the floor, near the wheel he had just turned; the sun shook +spasmodically for an instant, and its entire surface was faintly +illuminated, but the light failed signally. + +“It must have been an extra current of electricity sent to relight the +lamps,” remarked Johnston; and, as he concluded, the sun trembled again, +and another flash and failure occurred. “Look,” cried the American, +“the clouds are thinning; see the lights below! They have discovered the +accident!” + +They both leaned over the railing and looked below. As far as the eye +could reach, within the arc of their vision, they could see fitful +lights flashing up, here and there, and going out again. And then they +heard faint sounds of crashing masonry and the condensed roar of human +voices, which seemed to come from above rather than from below. The +Alphian turned. “I cannot stand the cold,” he said. + +Johnston followed him. The rapid motion of the swinging sphere made him +dizzy, and he caught Branasko's arm to keep from falling. + +“How can we tell when we go over the wall?” he asked anxiously. + +“We shall have to guess at it,” was the answer. “At any rate we must be +near the lower door so as to get out quickly if it is necessary to do so +to escape detection.” + +In the darkness they slowly made their way down the stairs to the great +room. + +“There ought to be some way of making a light,” said the Alphian, and +his voice sounded loud and hollow in the empty chamber. After several +failures to find the stairs they descended to the door they had entered. +Branasko opened it a little, and a breeze came in. They sat down on +the stone, and after a while, in sheer fatigue, they fell asleep. Hours +passed. Branasko rose with a start, and shook Johnston. + +“Our speed is lessening,” he exclaimed. “We must be going down. Be ready +to jump out the instant we stop. There, let me open the door wider.” + + + +Chapter XIV. + +When Tradmos spoke the words of warning, Thorndyke put his arm round +the princess and drew her after Tradmos, who was hastening away in the +gloom. + +“Wait,” she said, drawing back. “Let us not get excited. We are really +as safe here as there; for in their madness they will kill one another +and trample them under foot.” She led him to a parapet overlooking the +great court below. “Hear them,” she said, in pity, “listen to their +blows and cries. That was a woman's voice, and some man must have struck +her.” + +“Tell me what is best to do,” said the Englishman. “I want to protect +you, but I am helpless; I don't know which way to turn.” + +“Wait,” she said simply, and the Englishman thought she drew closer to +him, as if touched by his words. + +There was a crash of timbers--a massive door had fallen--a scrambling +of feet on the stone pavement, and they could see the dark human mass +surging into the court through the corridors leading from the streets. + +“What are they doing?” asked Thorn dyke. + +She shrank from the parapet as if she had been struck. + +“Tearing the pillars down,” she replied aghast; “this part of the palace +will fall. Oh, what can be done!” + +There was a grinding of stone upon stone, a mad yell from an hundred +throats, the crash of glass, and, with a thunderous sound, a colossal +pillar fell to the earth. The roof beneath the feet of the princess and +Thorndyke trembled and sagged, and the tiling split and showered about +them. + +Raising Bernardino in his arms, as if she were an infant, Thorndyke +sprang toward the stairway leading to his chambers, but the roof had +sunken till it was steep and slippery. One instant he was toppling +over backward, the next, by a mighty effort, he had recovered his +equilibrium, and finally managed to reach a safer place. As he hurried +on another pillar went down. The roof sagged lower, and an avalanche of +mortar and tiling slid into the court below. Yells, groans, and cries of +fury rent the air. + +Bernardino had fainted. Thorndyke tried to restore her to consciousness, +but dared not put her from him for an instant. On he ran, and presently +reached a flight of stairs which he thought led to his chambers. He +descended them, and was hastening along a narrow corridor on the floor +beneath when Bernardino opened her eyes. She asked to be released from +his arms. He put her down, but supported her along the corridor. + +“We have lost our way,” he said, as he discovered that the corridor, +instead of leading to his chambers, turned off obliquely in another +direction. + +“Let's go on anyway,” she suggested; “it may lead us out. I have never +been here before. I--” A great crash drowned her words. The floor +quivered and swayed, but it did not fall. On they ran through the +darkness, till Thorndyke felt a heavy curtain before. He paused +abruptly, not knowing what to do. Bernardino felt of its texture, +perplexed for an instant. + +“Draw it aside, it seems to hang across the corridor,” she said. He +obeyed her, and only a few yards further on they saw another curtain +with bars of light above and below it. They drew this aside, and found +themselves on the threshold of a most beautiful apartment. + +In the mosaic floor were pictures cut in colored stones, and the ceiling +was a silken canopy as filmy and as delicately blue as the sky on a +summer's night. The floor was strewn with richly embroidered pillows, +couches, rugs and ottomans; and here and there were palm trees and beds +of flowers and grottoes. A solitary light, representing the moon, showed +through the silken canopy in whose folds little lights sparkled like +far-off stars. + +Thorndyke looked at the princess inquiringly. She was bewildered. + +“I have no idea where we are,” she murmured. “I am sure I have never +been here before; but there is another apartment beyond. Listen! I hear +cries.” + +“Some one in distress,” he answered, and he drew her across the room and +through a door into another room more beautiful than the one they had +just left. Here, huddled together at a window overlooking the court, +were six or eight beautiful young women. They were staring out into the +darkness, and moaning and muttering low cries of despair. + +“It is my father's ladies,” ejaculated the princess aghast. “He would +be angry if he knew we had come here. No one but himself enters these +apartments.” + +Just then one of the women turned a lovely and despairing face toward +them, and came forward and knelt at the feet of Bernardino. + +“Oh, save us, Princess,” she cried. + +“Be calm,” said the princess, touching the white brow of the woman. “The +danger may soon pass; this portion of the palace is too strongly built +for them to injure it.” Then she turned to Thorndyke: “We must hasten on +and find our way down; it would never do for us to be seen here.” Then +she turned to the kneeling woman and said gently: “I hope you will say +nothing to the king of this; we lost our way in trying to get down from +the roof.” + +“I will not,” gladly promised the woman, and seeing that Bernardino +knew not which way to turn, she guided them to a door opening into a +dimly-lighted corridor. “It will take you out to the balconies and down +to the audience-chamber,” she said. The princess thanked her, and she +and the Englishman descended several flights of stairs. Reaching one +of the balconies they met the denser darkness of the outside and the +deafening clang and clamor of the multitude. There was no light of +any kind, and Thorndyke and his charge had to press close against the +balustrade of the balcony to keep from being crushed by the mad torrent +of humanity. + +Now and then a strident voice would rise above the din:-- + +“Down with the palace! Death to the king!” + +The trumpet in the tower sounded again and again. + +“It is my father trying to attract their attention,” explained the +princess. “Something very serious has happened for once. In speaking +of the time the sun went out before, he told me that he had made an +invention which, in such a crisis, would instantly restore confidence to +the people. I cannot understand why he does not use it. Oh, I am afraid +they will kill him!” + +Thorndyke tried to console her, for he saw that she was weeping, but +just then there was a strange lull in the general tumult. What could +have happened? + +“The dawn! the ideal dawn!” cried Bernardino, pointing to the eastern +sky. Thorndyke looked in wonder. A purple light had spread along the +horizon, and as it gradually softened into gray and slowly turned to +pink, the noise of the populace died down. No sound could now be heard +save the low groans of wounded men and women. What a sight met the view +as the rose-light shimmered over the city! The dead and dying lay under +the feet of the crowd. Almost every creature bore some mark of violence. +Eyes were blood-shot, clothing torn, limbs were bleeding, and mingled +fury and sudden hope struggled in each ashen face. The young trees and +shrubbery had been trampled under foot, and walls, arcades and triumphal +arches had been thrown down. The fragments of statues lay here and +there, and the bodies of human beings filled the basins of broken +fountains. + +“It is not the sun,” explained Bernardino; “but the invention my father +spoke of. He is doing it to calm them.” + +Thorndyke made no answer. He stood as if transfixed, gazing at the +horizon. The rose-light had spread over a third of the sky when +gradually there appeared in its centre a bright circle of yellow light. +The yellow light faded, leaving a perfect picture of the throne of the +king; and as the now silent masses looked at the picture, a curtain +behind the throne parted and the king himself appeared. He advanced and +sat on the throne, and turned a calm face towards his subjects. + +“Wonderful!” ejaculated Bernardino, and her face was full of hope. “See +what he will do!” + +“Where is the picture?” asked Thorndyke; “can it be seen by all of--of +the people?” + +“Yes, by all Alpha, for it is on the sky.” + +Thorndyke said nothing further, for the king had stood up, and with +hands out-stretched was bowing. Above the circle of light, as if cut out +of the solid blackness, in flaming letters stood the word, + +“SILENCE!” + +And there was silence. Even the lips of the wounded men closed as the +king began to speak. The sound of his voice seemed as far away as the +stars, and to permeate all space:-- + +“All danger is over. Tidings from the west state that the sun is +setting. No harm has come to it. It will rise in the morning, and the +moon and stars will be out in a few hours. Let the dead be removed, the +wounded cared for, and everything be repaired. This is my will.” + +That was all. The king bowed sedately and retired from the throne, and +the circle and pink glow faded from the black sky. The stillness +was unbroken for a moment, then glad murmurings were heard in all +directions. + +“They are lighting the palace,” cried the princess. “See, down there is +the arcade leading to the rotunda.” + +“I am glad it is over,” said Thorndyke. + +She grasped his arm and impulsively looked into his face. “But your +friend, we have forgotten him, and done nothing to save him, and now it +is too late.” + +“We could not help it; we had to think of our own safety.” + +“I shall send for Captain Tradmos and try to devise some other plan,” + she said, as they descended the stairs. + +“We should not be seen together,” she added, as they approached the +throne-room; “besides, you ought to go to your chambers. No one is +allowed to be out when the dead is being removed.” + +“Where is the dead taken?” + +“Over the wall, to be burned in the internal fires,” she concluded, as +she was leaving him. + +He found everything in order in his rooms and he lay down and tried to +sleep, but he was too much excited over the happenings of the day. Hours +must have passed when his attention was drawn to a bright light shining +on the wall of his room. He went to a window and looked out on the +court. The light came from the rising moon. + +Below lay the ruins of fallen columns, capitals, cornices and statues. +Figures in black cloaks and cowls were removing the dead from the +debris. With a fluttering sound something swooped down past his window +to the ground. It looked like a great bird, carrying the car of a +flying-machine. Thorndyke watched its circular descent to the earth, and +shuddered with horror as the black figures filled the car with bodies +and the gruesome machine spread its wings and rose slowly till it was +clear of the domes and pinnacles of the palace, and then flew away +westward. + +Other machines came, and, one after another, received their ghastly +burdens and departed. In a short time all the dead was removed, and +hundreds of workmen came from the palace and began repairing the fallen +masonry. + +Thorndyke went back to his couch and tried to sleep, but in vain. Slowly +the hours of night passed, and as the purple of dawn rose in the east he +dressed himself and went up on the roof. The moon had gone down and the +stars were fading from the sky. The dark earth below showed no signs of +life; but as the purple light softened into gray he saw that the streets +of the city were filled with silent expectant people, all watching the +eastern sky. And, as the gray light flushed into rose, and the rose +began to scintillate with gold, they began to stir, and a hum of joyful +voices was heard. The promised day had come. + + + +Chapter XV. + +The sun was, indeed, slowing up. The two men peered out at the door. + +“It would be unlucky for us if it should not come so near to the earth +as it did on the other side,” whispered Branasko. + +“I can hardly feel any motion to the thing at all,” replied the +American. “Look! for some reason it is not so dark below. I can see the +rocks. Surely we have already passed over the wall.” + +“That's so,” returned the Alphian. “Come; we must be quick and watch our +opportunity to land. I can't imagine where the light comes from unless +it be from the people waiting for the arrival of the sun.” Every instant +the speed was lessening. Overhead the cables were beginning to creak +and groan, and, now and then, the great globe swung perilously near some +tall stony peak, or passed under a mighty stalactite. Slower and slower +it got till, when within a few feet of the ground, it stopped its onward +motion and only swung back and forth like a pendulum. + +“Quick,” whispered Branasko, “we must get down while it is swinging, no +time to lose--not an instant!” And as the sun moved backward, with his +hand on the doorsill, he leaped to the earth. Johnston followed him. +They were not a moment too soon, for about fifty yards away they saw a +body of sixty or seventy men with lights in their hands hastening toward +them. + +“Just in time,” exulted Branasko, and he quickly drew Johnston into a +little cave in the face of a cliff. Crouching behind a great rock, they +saw and heard the men as they approached. + +Some of them walked around the sun, and two, evidently in authority, +entered the door. The others were placing ladders against the side of +the sphere, when suddenly there was a loud clattering in the interior, a +whirling of wheels under the platform above, and the surface of the sun +burst into light. + +The two refugees were momentarily blinded. Branasko had the presence of +mind to quickly draw his companion down close to the earth behind the +rock. “They could see us in the light,” he whispered. + +There was a joyous clamoring of voices among the men, and they withdrew +several yards to look at the sun. This drew them nearer the hiding-place +of the two refugees. + +“Only an accident,” said a voice; “it won't happen again.” + +Then one of them went into the sun and the lights died out. In a moment +the sun began to move. Slowly and majestically it swept over the rocky +earth, followed by the crowd, till it reached a great hole and sank into +it. + +“Gone into the tunnel,” said the Alphian, as the crowd disappeared +behind the cliff. + +“What are we to do now?” asked Johnston. “We certainly can't go through +with the sun.” + +“Wait till the next trip,” grimly replied Branasko. + +The rumbling noise from the big hole gradually died away, and the two +men left their hiding-place. + +“What is that?” asked Johnston. He pointed to the west, where a red +light shone against the towering cliffs. + +“It must be the internal fires,” answered Branasko, with a noticeable +shudder. “Let's go nearer; I have heard that there is a point near here +where one can look down into the Lake of Flame.” + +“The Lake of Flame!” echoed the American, “What is that?” “It is where +all of the dead of Alpha is cast by the black 'vultures of death.'” + +Johnston said nothing, for it was difficult to keep up with the Alphian, +who was bounding over rocks and dangerous fissures toward the red glow +in the distance. + +At every step the atmosphere got warmer, and they detected a slight +gaseous odor in the air. Finally, after an arduous tramp of an hour, +they climbed up a steep hill and looked sharply down into a vast +bubbling lake of molten matter more than a thousand yards below. +Branasko noticed a stone weighing several tons evenly balanced on the +verge of the great gulf, and pushed it with both his hands. It rocked, +broke loose from its slender hold on the cliff and bounded out into the +red space. Down it went, lessen-ing as it sank till it became a mere +black speck and then disappeared. + +“That's where the dead go,” said Branasko gloomily. + +Just then the American, happening to glance up, saw something like a +huge black bird with outspread wings circling about in the red light +over the pit. Branasko saw it, too, and his face paled and a tremolo was +in his voice when he spoke. + +“It is one of the 'vultures of death;' don't stir; we won't be seen if +we remain where we are!” The strange machine sank lower over the lake +of fire, till, as if buoyed up on the hot air, with faintly quivering +wings, it paused. A man opened a door of the black car and carelessly +threw out the bodies of a woman and a child. + +The bodies whirled over and over and disappeared in the pit, and the man +closed the door. The machine then rose and gracefully winged its flight +to the east. In a moment others came with their grim burdens, and still +others, till the mouth of the pit was dark with them. + +“Something has happened,” whispered Branasko, “some great calamity, for +surely so many people do not die in Alpha in a single day.” + +For an hour they watched the coming and going of the vultures, till, +finally the last one hovered over the lake of fire. Suddenly the machine +swerved so near to Branasko and Johnston that they shrank close to the +earth to keep from being seen. Something was evidently wrong with the +machine, for there was a wild look of desperation on the driver's face +as he tugged excitedly at the pilot-wheel. But all his efforts only +caused the air-ship to dart irregularly from side to side, and, now and +then, to strike the rocks of the pit's mouth, to shoot up suddenly, or +to sink dangerously down toward the fire. + +“He is losing control of it,” whispered Branasko, “he does not know what +to do. See, he is trying to lighten the load, by kicking out the body.” + +That was true, and, as the machine made a sudden plunge toward the cliff +a few yards to the left of the refugees, the dead body, which the driver +had managed to move to the door with his feet, fell out and lodged upon +the edge of the cliff instead of falling into the fiery depths. The +machine bounded up a few yards and paused, now apparently under the +control of its driver. The man looked down hesitatingly at the corpse +for a moment and then lowered the machine to the sloping rock near where +the body lay. He alighted and cautiously crept down the steep incline +to the body. He raised it in his arms and was about to cast it from him +when his foot slipped, and with a cry of horror he fell with his burden +over the cliff's edge into the red abyss. + +Johnston uttered an exclamation of horror, but Branasko was unmoved. +After a moment he rose, and carefully scanning the space overhead, +he crawled on hands and knees toward the machine. Johnston heard him +chuckling to himself and uttering spasmodic laughs, and he watched him +closely as he reached the machine. For several minutes he seemed to be +inspecting it critically, both inside and out; then he stood away from +it, a bold, black silhouette on a background of flame, and motioned the +American to come to him. + +Johnston promptly, but not without many misgivings, obeyed his signal. +“What are you up to?” asked he, as the Alphian assisted him to rise from +his hands and knees. + +Branasko touched the machine and smiled. His face was shining with +enthusiasm. + +“The question of our returning to Alpha is settled,” he said +sententiously. + +“How?” + +“We can go in this.” + +“Can you manage it?” + +“Easily; that fellow must have been drunk; the machine is in good order, +I think.” + +“When do you propose to start?” and the American eyed the funeral-car +dubiously. + +“The night is before us; we could not get a better time.” As he spoke +he entered the car and laid his hand on the wheel. Johnston, obeying +his nod, followed, shuddering as he remarked the traces of blood on the +floor. + +“All right!” Branasko turned the wheel slowly, and the wings outside +began to flap, and the car mounted into the air like a startled bird and +flew out quickly over the pit. + +Branasko bit his lip, and Johnston heard him stifle an exclamation of +impatience. As for the American, he was at once thrilled and fascinated +by the awful sight below; he could now see beneath the overhanging mouth +of the pit, and look far down into a boundless lake of molten matter +that seemed as restless as an ocean in a storm. + +Then the air became so hot he could hardly breathe. He looked at the +Alphian in alarm. The latter was whirling the wheel first one way and +then another with a startled look of fear in his eyes, and then Johnston +noticed that the walls of the pit were rising about them, and the black +canopy overhead rapidly receding. + +They were sinking down into the fire. + +Almost wild with terror, the American sprang toward the wheel, but +Branasko pushed him away roughly. + +“Stand back,” he ordered gruffly. “It is the heat; let me alone!” + +The American sank into his seat. The heat became more and more intense. +Both men were purple in the face, and the perspiration was rolling from +their bodies in streams. Down sank the machine. + +“I can't manage it,” said Branasko hoarsely, “we'd as well give up.” + Just then Johnston noticed the mouth of a cave behind Branasko. + +“Look,” he cried, “can't we get into it?” + +Branasko looked over his shoulder, and, as he saw the cave, he uttered a +glad cry. He quickly turned the wheel and drew out a lever at his right. +The machine obeyed instantly; it swerved round suddenly and dived +into the cave. The cool air soon revived them, and Branasko had little +trouble in bringing the car to a resting-place on the rocky floor of the +cave. Before them hung impenetrable darkness, behind a curtain of red +light. + +“We are in a pretty pickle now,” said Johnston despondently, as they +alighted from the car. + +“Nothing to do but to make the best of it,” sighed Branasko. + +“Perhaps this cave may lead out into some place of safety.” + +Johnston's eyes had become somewhat accustomed to the gloom, and he +began to peer into the darkness. + +“I see a light,” he exclaimed; “it cannot be a reflection from the fire +in the pit, for it is whiter.” + +The Alphian gazed at it steadily for a moment, then he said decidedly: +“We must go and see what it is.” Without another word he started toward +the white, star-like spot, sliding his hand over the rocky wall, and +springing over a fissure in the floor. + +Gradually the light grew brighter, till, as they suddenly rounded a +cliff, a grand sight burst upon their view. They found themselves in a +vast dome-shaped cavern, thousands of yards in diameter and height. +And almost in the centre of the floor, from a red and purple mound of +cooling lava, leapt a white stream of molten matter from the floor to +the dome. And in the black dome, where the lava turned to molten spray, +hung countless stalactites of every color known to the artistic eye. And +from the foot of the fountain ran a tortuous rivulet that lighted the +walls and roof of a narrow chamber that extended for miles down toward +the bowels of the earth. + +Branasko was delighted. + +“The king does not know of this,” he declared, “else he would make it +accessible to his people, and call it one of the wonders of Alpha. +By accidentally sinking into the pit we have discovered it. But,” he +concluded, “we must at once try to find some way out other than that by +which we came.” + +They turned from the beautiful fountain, and, holding to each other's +hands, and aided by the light behind them, they stumbled laboriously +through the semi-darkness. Branasko's ears were very acute. He paused to +listen. + +“Hark ye!” he cautioned. + +The combined roar of the pit and the fountain of lava had sunk to a low +murmur, but ahead of them they now heard a rushing sound like a distant +tornado. + +“Come on,” said the Alphian, and he drew his companion after him with an +eagerness the American was slow to understand. The light in the +cavern gradually grew brighter. By a circuitous route they were again +approaching the pit of fire, though it was still hidden from sight. + +Finally they reached a point where the wind was blowing stiffly, and +further on a volume of cold spray suddenly dashed upon them and wet them +to the skin. And when their eyes had become accustomed to the rolling +mist, they saw a great lake, and pouring into it from high above was a +mighty waterfall. + +“Mercy!” ejaculated the Alphian, in great alarm. “If this is salt water +we are lost. All Alpha will come to an end!” + +“What do you mean?” And Johnston wondered if Branasko's trials and +struggle could have turned his brain. + +“If it be salt water, then it has broken in from the ocean above Alpha,” + he explained. “The king has often said that not a drop of the ocean has +ever entered the great cavern.” + +Branasko stooped and wet his hand in a little pool at his feet. “I am +almost afraid to taste it,” said he, holding his hand near his mouth. +“It would settle all our fates.” He waited a moment and then touched his +fingers to his tongue. + +“Salt!” That was all he said for several moments. He folded his arms and +looked mutely toward the boiling lake. Presently he raised his eyes +to the great hole in the roof, and groaned: “The break is gradually +widening. These stones are freshly broken, and the great bowl is +filling.” + +“It will fill all Alpha with water and drown every soul in it,” added +the terrified American. + +“That, however, is not the most immediate danger,” said Branasko wisely. +“They would first suffocate, and later their bodies would be swallowed +up in the stomach of the earth.” + +“What do you mean?” + +Branasko shrugged his shoulders. “As soon as this bowl is filled with +water, which would not take many hours, it would run over into the lake +of fire and produce an explosion that would rend Alpha from end to end.” + +“Who knows, it might turn the whole Atlantic into the centre of the +earth, and destroy the entire earth.” But Branasko was unable to grasp +the full magnitude of the remark, for to him the world was simply a +vast cavern lighted by human ingenuity. He fastened a narrow splinter +of stone upright in the shallow water at his feet, and, lying down on his +stomach with his eyes close to it, he studied it for several minutes. +When he got up, a desperate gleam was in his dark eyes. + +“It is rising fast,” he said. “We must attempt to get to the capitol and +warn the king. It is possible that he may be able to stop the opening. +The only thing left to us is to try our machine again.” + +Johnston found it hard to keep pace with him as he bounded out of the +mist and on toward the faint glow ahead. Reaching the flying machine +Branasko entered it and turned on a small electric light. + +“Ah,” he grunted with satisfaction, “I have found a light. I can now see +what is the matter with it.” + +Johnston stood outside and heard him hammering on the metal parts in the +car, and became so absorbed in thinking of the peril of their position +that he was startled when Branasko cried out to him:--“All right. I +think we can make it do; a pin has lost out, but perhaps I can hold the +piece in place with my foot. If only we can stand the heat of the pit +long enough to rise above it, we may escape.” + +Johnston followed him into the car. Branasko seated himself firmly and +gave the wheel a little turn. Slowly the machine rose. “See!” cried +Branasko, “it is under control. We must not be too hasty. Now for the +pit!” + +The heart of the American was in his mouth as the long black wings waved +up and down and the air-ship, like some live thing, shuddered and swept +gracefully out of the mouth of the cave into the glare and heat of the +pit. + +“Hold your breath!” yelled Branasko, and he bent lower into the car to +escape the shower of hot ashes that was falling about them. Far out +over the lake in a straight line they glided, and there came to a sudden +halt. Johnston's eyes were glued on his companion's face. Branasko sat +doubled up, every muscle drawn, his eyes bulging from their sockets. +Would he be strong enough? To Johnston everything seemed in a whirl. The +walls of the pit were rising around them. + + + +Chapter XVI. + +Thorndyke went down into his chambers to make his toilet and was ready +to leave when there was a soft rap on his door. He opened it, and to his +surprise saw Bernardino modestly draw herself back into the shadow of +the hall. + +“Pardon me, but I must speak to you,” she stammered in confusion. + +“What is it?” he asked, going out to her. + +“I want to advise you to avoid my father to-day. He is greatly +disappointed with the accident of yesterday, and he is never courteous +to strangers when he is displeased. He was particularly anxious to have +you entertained by the fete.” + +“Thank you; I shall keep out of his way,” promised the Englishman. +“Where had I better stay--here in my rooms?” + +“No, he might send for you. If you would care to see Winter Park, I can +go with you as your guide.” + +“I should be delighted; nothing could please me more.” + +“But,” (as a servant passed in the room with a tray) “that is your +breakfast. Meet me at the fountain at the north entrance of the palace +in half an hour.” And, drawing her veil over her face, she vanished in +the darkness of the corridor. + +After he had breakfasted and sent the man away, he hastened below to the +place designated by the princess. She was waiting for him under the palm +trees, and was so disguised that he would not have known her but for her +low amused laugh as he was about to pass her. + +“It would not do for any one to suspect me,” she explained; “my father +would never forgive me for doing this.” She pointed to a flying-machine +near by. “We must take the air; I have made all the arrangements. Winter +Park is beyond the limits of the city.” + +He followed her across the grass to the machine and into the car. They +could see the driver behind the glass of the narrow compartment in which +he sat, and when he turned the polished metal wheel the machine rose +like a liberated balloon. + +Thorndyke looked out of the window. The blue haze of the fifth hour of +the morning was breaking over everything, and as the domes, pinnacles, +and vari-colored roofs fell away in the beautiful light, the breast of +the Englishman heaved with delightful emotions. Bernardino was watching +his face with a gratified smile. + +“You like Alpha,” she said, half anxiously, half inquiringly. + +“Very much,” he replied; “but I want to show you the great world I came +from;--and some day perhaps I can.” + +The blood ran into her cheeks suddenly, and then as quickly receded, +leaving a wistful expression in her eyes. She sighed. “It has been my +dream for a long time. I have always imagined that it is more wonderful +than Alpha; but you know there is no chance for you to return now.” + +“I shall manage to escape some way and you shall go with me as my wife.” + +Her blushes came again. “I did not know that you cared that much for +me,” she said. Then, as if to change the subject, she pointed through +the window. “See, we are approaching the Park, and shall descend in a +moment.” + +He looked out of the window and then drew his head in quickly. + +“We are coming down into a big lake!” he cried out. “Oh, no, it is only +the glass roof of the park,” she laughed; “true, it does look like water +in the sunlight.” + +The machine sank lower and finally rested on a plot of grass in a little +square ornamented with beds of flowers and white statues. Thorndyke +saw a seemingly endless wall, so high that he could not calculate its +height. Bernardino preceded him in at a great arching door in the wall, +and they found themselves in a stone-paved vestibule several hundred +feet square. + +A maid servant came forward at once and brought heavy fur clothing +for them and invited them into separate toilet rooms. When he came out +Bernardino was waiting for him. He could hardly breathe, so thick were +the furs he had put on. + +“It is warm here, but it will be colder in a moment,” said the princess. +And she led him to a door across the room. When the door was opened, +Thorndyke uttered an exclamation of astonishment. Before their eyes lay +a wide expanse of snow-covered roads, woodlands and frozen lakes and +streams. The air was as crisp and invigorating as a Canadian winter. + +Bernardino led him to a pavilion where a number of pleasure-seekers were +gathered and selected a sleigh and two mettlesome horses. She took +the reins from the man, and sprang lightly into the graceful cutter. +Thorndyke followed her and wrapped the thick robes about her feet. Away +they sped like the wind down the smooth road, through a leafless forest. +Overhead the glass roof could not be seen, but a lowering gray cloud +hung over them and a light snow was falling. + +“Winter Park is a great resort,” the princess explained; “we get tired +of the unchanging climate, and it is pleasant to visit such a place as +this. There is a winter park in every town of any size in Alpha.” + +They drove along the shore of a beautiful lake, on the frozen surface +of which hundreds of skaters were darting here and there, and passed +hillsides on which crowds of young people were coasting in sleds. When +they had driven about ten miles in a circuitous route she turned the +horses round. + +“We had better return,” she said; “you have not seen all of the Park, +but we can visit it some other time.” + +Outside they found their flying-machine awaiting them, and were soon on +the way back to the city. They parted at the fountain in the park, she +hastening to the palace, and he turning to stroll through the little +wood behind him. + +He was passing a thick bunch of trees when he was startled by hearing +his name called. He turned round, but at first saw no one. + +“Thorndyke!” There it was again, and then he saw a hand beckoning to him +from a hedge of ferns at his right. He stepped back a few paces; a man +came out of the wood. + +It was Johnston, his face was white and haggard, his clothing rent and +soiled. + +“My God, can it be you?” gasped the Englishman. + +“Nobody else,” groaned Johnston, cautiously advancing and laying a +trembling hand on the arm of Thorndyke; “but don't talk loud, they will +find me.” + +“Where did you come from?” + +Johnston pointed first to the east, and then swept his hand over the sky +to the west. + +“Over the wall,” he said despondently. “From the dead lands behind the +sun.” + +“How did you get back here?” + +For reply Johnston parted the fern leaves and pointed to the lank figure +of the tall Alphian, who lay curled up on the grass as if asleep. +“He brought me in that flying-machine there; but he has spent all his +strength in trying to manage the thing, which was out of order, and now +he is helpless. Twice we came within an inch of sinking down into the +internal fires. The last time we escaped only by the breadth of a hair; +if he had not had the endurance of a man of iron he would have succumbed +to the heat and we would have been lost. We sank so far down that I +became insensible and never knew a thing till the fresh air revived me. +See, my beard and hair are singed, and look how he is blistered. Poor +fellow! He is a hero.” Johnston stepped back and shook the Alphian, but +the poor fellow's head only rolled to one side, showing his bloodshot +eyes. He was insensible. + +“He is in a bad fix,” said Thorndyke; “where did he come from?” + +“Banished like myself; we met over there in the dark and roamed about +together.” + +“What are you going to do?” + +“I don't know; I was following his lead. We will both be put to death if +we are discovered.” + +“Did he not tell you his plan?” + +Johnston started visibly. “Oh, I forgot,” he exclaimed. “He declares +that all this vast cavern is in danger. Over in the west we discovered +a hole in the roof through which the ocean is streaming in a torrent. +He calculated that before many hours the water would overflow into the +internal fires and produce a volcanic eruption that will swallow up all +of Alpha.” + +“Merciful Heaven! and you are hiding here at such a moment? The king +must be informed at once.” + +Johnston had grown suddenly paler. “It may not be as bad as Branasko +feared, and the king would have no mercy on me and him.” + +“Leave that to me,” said Thorndyke; “I have made a good friend of the +Princess Bernardino. She will tell me what is best to do. Remain here.” + +In breathless haste, Thorndyke went into the audience chamber. +Fortunately the king was not on his throne, and he caught sight of the +confidential maid of the princess. + +She saw him approaching, and withdrew behind a cluster of tall white +jars of porcelain containing rare plants. + +“I must see your mistress,” he said; “tell her to come to me at once; we +are in great peril!” + +The girl swept her eyes over the balconies and the throne and said: “She +is in her apartments, sir; I shall bring her.” + +“Tell her to meet me at the fountain where we last met,” and he hastened +back to the spot mentioned. + +She soon came. “What is it?” she asked excitedly. + +“Johnston is back,” he replied. “He is in the wood there with a fellow +who escaped with him in a disabled flying-machine. He says the sea +has broken through over in the west and is streaming into Alpha in a +torrent.” + +“Surely there is some mistake,” she said; “such a thing has never +happened.” + +“It may have been caused by the explosives during the storm,” went on +Thorndyke. “Branasko, the Alphian who was with Johnston, says we are in +imminent peril.” + +“There must be some mistake,” she repeated incredulously, as she looked +to westward. The green glow of the second hour of the afternoon lay +over everything. She stood mute and motionless for a long time, +looking steadily at the horizon; then she started suddenly, changed her +position, and shaded her eyes from the sunlight. + +“It really does seem to me that there is a cloud rising, and it is +unlike any cloud I ever saw.” + +“I see it too!” cried the Englishman; “it must be that the water has +already reached the internal fires.” + +Bernardino was very pale when she turned to him. + +“My father must know this at once; come with me.” + +Into the palace, through the vast rotunda, past the throne, and into +the very apartment of the king himself she led him hastily. A royal +attendant met them and held up his hands warningly. “The king is +asleep,” he said in an undertone. + +“Wake him--wake him at once!” commanded the excited girl. + +“I cannot, it would offend him,” was the reply. + +She did not pause an instant, but darting past the man and running to +the king's couch, she drew the curtain aside and touched the sleeper. He +waked in anger, but her first word disarmed him. + +“Alpha is in danger.” + +“What!” he growled, half awake. “The sea is breaking through in the +west, and running into the internal fires.” + +“How do you know that?” + +“A dense cloud is rising in the west, and:----” + +“Impossible!” the word came from far down in his throat, and he was +ghastly pale. He ran to the table and touched a button and, to the +astonishment of Thorndyke, the walls on the western side of the room +silently parted, showing a little balcony overlooking the street +below. The king went hastily out and looked toward the west. The others +followed him. The princess stifled a cry of alarm when she glanced at +the sky. + +Great black, rolling clouds were rapidly spreading along the horizon. + +The king looked at them as helplessly as a frightened child. “The air!” + he groaned. “It is hot!” and then he held out his hand to the princess, +and showed her a flake of soot on it, and he dumbly pointed to others +that were falling about them. + +“How did you discover it?” he asked, and Thorndyke saw that he was +trying to appear calm. + +“Mr.--this gentleman's friend has returned from banishment, and----” + +“Returned! has the wall been destroyed?” + +“No; he accidentally discovered the danger, and came in a flying-machine +to warn you.” + +“Where is he? bring him to me, quick!” + +“But you will not ----” + +He waved his hand impatiently. “Go; if Alpha is saved he shall be at +liberty--if it is not, what does it matter?” + +Thorndyke hastened away after Johnston, who, when he was told of the +king's words, readily accompanied his friend to the presence of the +ruler. They found him with his daughter still on the balcony. + +“How did you discover this?” asked the king, turning to the American. + +As quickly as possible, Johnston related his adventures, and +particularly the story of the shooting fountain and the fall of salt +water. The king did not wait for him to conclude. He ran back into his +chamber, touched another button, and the next instant alarm-bells were +ringing all over the city. + +“A signal to the protectors,” explained the princess to Thorndyke; “by +this time they are ringing all over Alpha. Oh, what will become of us?” + as she spoke she leaned over the balustrade and looked down into the +street. Vast crowds had gathered and were motionless, except at points +where the purple-clad “protectors” rushed from public buildings to +assemble in squads on the street corner. + + + +Chapter XVII. + +Bernardino turned to look after her father as he was leaving the room. + +“He is going to the observatory,” she said to Thorndyke and Johnston. +“Let us go also.” And they followed the king into the room with the +glass roof and walls covered with mirrors which he had shown the +strangers several days before. A white-headed old man stood at the +stand, his fingers trembling over the half circle of electric buttons. +In a mirror before him he was studying the reflection of a town of +perhaps a hundred houses. The streets were filled with excited +citizens, and a squad of protectors stood ready for action near a row of +flying-machines. + +“Ornethelo,” said the king, and at the sound of his voice the old man +turned and bowed humbly. + +“All right,” went on the king, “I will take your place a moment.” + +He went to the stand and touched a button. Instantly the scene changed; +fields, forests, streams and hills ran by in a murky blur, and then +a larger town flashed on the mirror. Here the same stir and alertness +characterized the scene. The gaze of every inhabitant was fixed on the +threatening horizon. Rapidly the scenes shifted at the king's will, till +a hundred cities, towns and villages had been reviewed. + +“Enough! They are all ready--all faithful,” groaned the king, “and, +Ornethelo, they may all have to perish to-day, and all for our ambition. +Poor mortals!” + +Ornethelo's face was half submerged in the beard on his breast, but he +looked up suddenly and spoke: + +“For their sakes, then, we ought not to delay; there may yet be hope.” + +“You are right, Ornethelo.” There was a ring of hope in the voice of the +king. “Quick! show me my capitol, that I may see if all the protectors +are ready.” + +Ornethelo touched another button, and, as if seen from a great height, +the fair and wondrous city dawned before the eyes of the spectators. +In every street policemen and protectors and flying-machines stood +in orderly readiness. The housetops were colored with the variegated +costumes of men, women and children. Over all lay the wondrous sunlight, +through the green splendor of which the flakes of soot were falling like +black snow. + +The king touched the old man's arm. “I must see beyond the walls; are +the connections made?” + +“Ready, sir.” + +“Try them; they must not fail me now!” + +The old man tremblingly unlocked a cabinet on the table, and another row +of electric buttons was displayed. Ornethelo touched one. Immediately +there was a sharp clicking sound under the stand, and the view was swept +from the mirror. Nothing could be seen but a dark suggestion of towering +cliffs and yawning caverns. + +“Not the east, Ornethelo,” cried the king impatiently. “Go on! the west! +the west!” + +The black landscape flashed by like a glimpse of night from a flying +train, and then a blur of redly illuminated smoke in rolling billows +seemed to swell out from the surface of the mirror into the room. + +“There, slow!” cried the king, and then a frightful scene burst upon +their sight. They beheld a great belching pit of fire and flames. The +sky from the earth to the zenith was a vast expanse of illuminated +smoke, and the black landscape round about was cut by rivulets of molten +lava rolling on and on like restless streams of quicksilver. + +The king leaned against the stand as if faint with despair. “Call Prince +Arthur!” he ordered, and almost at that instant the young man appeared. + +“Father!” + +The king pointed a quivering finger at the mirror, and said huskily: + +“Let not the sun go down! Let its light be white as at noon.” + +“But, father, it has never been done before; it----” + +“Alpha has never faced such danger. All our dream is about to end. Go!” + +Without a word the young man hastened away, and it seemed scarcely a +moment before the sunlight streaming in at the oval glass roof changed +from green to white. + +The king pushed Ornethelo impatiently aside; his eyes held a dull gleam +of despair, and he seemed to have grown ten years older. He touched a +button, and the awful scene at the pit gave place to a bright view +of the capitol, which was plainly seen from its crowded centre to its +scattering suburbs. The squads of “protectors” stood like armies ready +for battle, their rigid faces still toward the awful west. + +“They are ready--the signal!” yelled the king, waving his hand, “the +signal!” Ornethelo caught his breath suddenly and tottered as he went +across the room, and touched a button on the wall. The king's eyes were +glued on the mirrored view of the capitol, his trembling hands held out, +as if commanding silence. Then a deafening trumpet blast broke on the +ear. The masses of citizens pressed near the edges of the roofs and +close against the walls along the streets, as the protectors rushed into +the flying-machines. Another trumpet-blast, and away they flew, a long +black line, every instant growing smaller as it receded in the murky +distance. The princess, white and silent, led Thorndyke and Johnston +back to the balcony. The line of machines was now a mere thread in the +sky, but the ominous cloud in the west had increased, and fine sand and +ashes were added to the fall of soot. + +“What was that?” gasped the princess. It was a low rumble like distant +thunder, and the balcony shook violently. + +“An earthquake,” said Thorndyke. “I am really afraid there is not a +ghost of a chance for us; the water running into the fire is sure to +cause an eruption of some sort, and even a slight one would be likely to +enlarge the opening to the ocean.” + +Johnston nodded knowingly as he looked into his friend's face, but, +considering the presence of the princess, he said nothing. + +“My brother, Prince Marentel, is the greatest man in our kingdom,” she +re marked. “He has taken enough explosives to remove a mountain.” + +“How will he use them?” asked Thorndyke. + +“I don't know, but I fancy he will try to close the opening in some +way.” + +The latter slowly shook his head. “I fear he will fail. The fall must be +as voluminous as Niagara by this time.” + +“My father must have lost hope, or he would not have stopped the sun,” + sighed the princess, and she cast a sad glance towards the west. The +rolling clouds had become more dense, and the rumbling and booming in +the distance was growing more frequent. A thin gray cloud passed before +the sun, and a dim shadow fell over the city. + +“That is a natural cloud,” said Thorndyke; “it comes from the steam that +rises from the pit.” + +“It is exactly like our rain clouds,” returned the princess; “but +it comes from the steam, as you say. But let us go into the Electric +Auditorium and hear the news. As soon as anything is done we will +hear of it there.” The others had no time to question her, for she was +hastening into the corridor outside. She piloted them down a flight of +stairs into a large circular room beneath the surface of the ground. It +was filled with seats like a modern theatre, and in the place where +the stage would have been, stood a mighty mirror over an hundred feet +square. She led them to a private box in front of the mirror. The room +was filled from the first row of chairs to the rear with a silent, +anxious crowd. In the massive frame of the mirror were numerous +bell-shaped trumpets like those on the ordinary phonograph, though much +larger. + +“Watch the mirror,” whispered Bernardino as she sat down. + +And at that instant the surface of the great glass began to glow like +the sky at dawn, and all the lights in the room went out. Then from the +trumpets in the frame came the loud ringing of musical bells. + +“They are ready,” whispered Bernardino; “now watch and listen.” + +The pink light on the mirror faded, and a life-like reflection +appeared--the reflection of a young man standing on a rock in bold +relief against a dark background of rugged, slabbering cliffs and the +forbidding mouths of caves. + +“Waldmeer!” ejaculated the princess, and she relapsed into silence. + +The young man held in his hand a cup-shaped instrument from which +extended a wire to the ground. He raised it to his lips, and instantly a +calm, deliberate voice came from the mirror, soft and low and yet loud, +enough to reach the most remote parts of the great room. + +“The ocean,” began he, “is pouring into the 'Volcano of the Dead' in a +gradually increasing torrent. Prince Marentel hopes temporarily to delay +the crisis by partially turning the torrent away from the pit into the +lowlands of the country. For that purpose a portion of the endless wall +is being torn down, and Marentel's forces are placing their explosives. +After this is done an attempt will be made to stop the original break. +There is, however, little hope. The prince has warned the king to be +prepared for the worst.” + +At this point, the speaker turned as if startled toward the red glare +at his right. He quickly picked up another instrument attached to a wire +and put it to his ear. A look of horror changed his face as he turned +to the audience and began to speak:--“The opening in the wall is not +progressing rapidly. Workmen are drowning and the tunnel of the sun is +filling with water. It will be impossible for the sun to go through to +the east.” + +Just then there was a far-away crash, and instantly the mirror was void. +There was now no sound except the low groans of women in the audience +and the subdued curses of maddened men. The silence was profound. Then +the mirror began to glow, and the image of another man took Waldmeer's +place. + +“It is the Mayor of Telmantio,” whispered the princess, “a place near +the western limits of Alpha.” + +He held a like instrument to the one used by Waldmeer, and through +it spoke:--“Venus, one of the great stars, has been shaken from the +firmament. It fell in the suburbs of Telmantio, and many lives were +lost.” + +That was all, and the figure vanished. Presently Waldmeer reappeared. +He seemed to be standing nearer the pit, for the entire background was +aflame; volumes of black smoke now and then hid him from view, and a +thick shower of ashes and small stones were falling round him. He +spoke, but his voice was drowned in a deafening explosion, and the +whole landscape about him seemed afire. In the semi-darkness hundreds of +protectors could be seen struggling in the rushing water, moving stones +and building a dam. Waldmeer again faced his far-off audience and +spoke:--“Prince Marentel has turned the course of the stream. All now +depends on the success or failure of his final test with explosives, +which will take place in about half an hour.” + +“We ought to go outside again,” suggested Bernardino, as Waldmeer's +image disappeared; “my father might want us.” + +Seeing no one in the king's apartment, they passed through it to the +balcony. Half the sky was now covered with mingled fog and smoke, and +the sun could be seen only now and then. A drizzling rain was falling--a +rain that brought down clots of ashes and soot. But this made no +difference to the throngs in the now muddy and slippery streets. They +stood shivering in damp and soiled clothing, their blearing eyes fixed +hopelessly on the lowering signs in the west. Johnston noticed a bent +figure crouched against a wall beneath them. It was Branasko. + +“Who is it?” inquired the princess. + +“Branasko, the companion of my adventures,” he replied. + +“Call him to us,” she said eagerly, and the American went down to the +Alphian. + +As they entered together, Branasko uncovered his dishevelled head and +bowed most humbly. + +“You look tired and sick and hungry; have you eaten anything today?” she +asked. + +“Not in two days,” he replied. + +The princess called to a frightened maid who was wringing her hands in a +corridor. + +“Give this man food and drink at once,” she ordered, and Branasko, with +a grateful bow and glance, withdrew. Johnston followed him to the door. + +“Fear nothing,” he said. “If the danger passes we are safe; the king has +promised to pardon me, and he will do the same for you.” + +“There is no hope for any of us,” replied Branasko grimly; “but I do not +want to die with this gnawing in my stomach; adieu.” + +“If the worst comes, is there any chance for us to escape from here to +the outer world?” the Englishman was asking the princess when Johnston +turned back to them. + +“For a few hundred, yes,--by the sub-water ships, but for all, no; and, +then, my father would not consent to rescue a part and not the whole of +his subjects. He would not try to save himself or any of his family.” + +The clouds still covered the sun; but on the eastern sky its rays were +shining gloriously. Ever and anon there sounded from afar a low rumbling +as if the earth were swelling with heat. + +Johnston left the two lovers together and went to the door of the +Electric Auditorium, and over the heads of the breathless crowd he +watched the great mirror. After a few moments Waldmeer appeared and +spoke: + +“Prince Marentel is operating with great difficulty. A large quantity of +his explosives has been injured by water, but he hopes there is enough +left intact to serve his purpose. The final explosion will soon take +place. The greatest peril hangs over Alpha.” + +Waldmeer's reflection was becoming in-distinct, and sick at heart the +American elbowed his way through the muttering crowd into the corridor. +Here he met Branasko, and together they walked back to Thorndyke and the +princess, who were mutely watching the signs in the east. Just then the +sun slowly emerged from the cloud. + +“Look!” cried Bernardino in horror. “The cloud is not moving; the +sun has not stopped! It is going down and we shall soon be in utter +darkness. Oh, it is awful--to die in this way!” + +The king had just returned, and he over-heard her words. He came hastily +to the edge of the balcony, and gazed at the sun. The others held their +breath and waited. His face became more rigid; he swayed a little as he +turned to her. + +“You are right, my daughter,” he groaned; “it is going down; the +cowardly dogs in the east have deserted their posts. It is going down! +It will sink into a tunnel filled with water, and the light of Alpha +will be extinguished forever. We are undone! Say your prayers, my +child, your prayers, I tell you, for an Infinite God is angry at our +pretensions!” + +“Don't despair, father,” and Bernardino put her arms gently round the +old man's neck. “You understand the solar machinery; could you not stop +the sun?” + +The eyes of the old man flashed. He seemed electrified as he drew +himself from her embrace and looked anxiously over the balustrade to a +flying-machine in the street below. + +“I might reach the east in time,” he cried; “yes, you are right, I was +acting cowardly. The fastest air-ship in Alpha is ready, and Nanleon +can drive it to its utmost speed. If the worst comes, I shall see you no +more, good-bye!” He kissed her brow tenderly, and her eyes filled as +he hastened away. Down below they saw him spring lightly into the +gold-mounted car, and the next instant the graceful vessel rose above +the palace roof and sped like an arrow across the sky toward the east. + +A faint cheer broke from the lips of the crowd which seemed suddenly to +take new hope from the king's departure. Some of them waved their hats +and scarfs, and many watched the air-ship till it had disappeared in the +murky distance. + +“He may not get there in time!” cried the princess; “it seems to be +going down faster than it ever did before, and he has a great distance +to go.” + +The little party on the balcony were silent for a long time. Presently +Bernardino turned her tearful eyes to the face of Thorndyke. + +“The smoke and steam do not seem so voluminous, do you think all will go +well?” + +The Englishman slowly shook his head. “I don't want to depress you more +than you are; but I think at such a time we ought to realize the worst. +It is true, the clouds are not so heavy, and the earth-quakes are less +frequent, but, unfortunately, it is owing to the fact that the volume of +water has been turned away from the pit into the tunnel. Be prepared for +the worst. If your father cannot reach the machinery in the east soon +enough, our light will go out; and, worse than that, if Prince Marentel +should fail in his next venture with explosives, all hope will be gone.” + +“I have never desired to live so much as now,” she answered, inclining +with an air of tenderness toward him. “I never knew what it was to fear +death till--till you came to us.” + +He made no reply. There was a lump in his throat and he could not trust +his voice to speech. Branasko and Johnston left them together to go into +the Electric Auditorium. They returned in great haste. + +“The prince is ready for the explosion,” panted Johnston. “Thorndyke, old +man, this is simply awful! It is not like standing up to be shot at, or +being jerked through the clouds in a balloon. It seems to me that out +there is the endless space of infinity, and that all the material world +is coming to an end. My God! look at that hellish fire, the awful smoke +and that black sky! Oh, the blasphemy of a such a paltry imitation of +the handiwork of the Creator! We are damned! I say damned, and by a just +and angry God!” + +“Don't be a fool,” said Thorndyke, and he threw a warning glance at +Bernardino, who, with staring, distended eyes was listening to Johnston. + +“No, he is right,” she said in a low tone. “I have never seen your +world, but I know my people must be woefully wrong. In your land they +say men teach things about Infinity and an eternal life for the soul; +and that one may prepare for that life by living pure, and in striving +to attain a high spiritual state. Oh, why have you not told me about +that? It is the one important thing. I have long wanted to know if my +soul will be safe at death, but I can learn nothing of my people. They +have always tried to rival God, and, in their mad pursuit of perfection +in science, they have been reduced to--this. That black cloud is the +frown of God, hose mad flames may burst forth at any moment and engulf +us.” + +She uttered a low groan and hung her head as if in prayer. Johnston and +Thorndyke were awed to silence. Never had the Englishman loved her as at +that moment. She was no longer simply a beautiful human creature, but +a divinity, speaking truths from Heaven itself. He felt too unworthy to +stand in her presence, and yet his heart was aching to comfort her. + +She raised her pallid face heavenward and extended her fair, fragile +hands toward the lowering sky and began to pray. “My Creator,” she said +reverently, childishly, “I have never come to Thee, but they say that +people far away from this dark land, under Thy own sun, moon and stars +do ask aid of Thee, and I, too, want Thy help. Forgive me and my people. +They have been sinful, and vain, and thoughtless, but let them +not perish in utter gloom. Forgive them, O thou Maker of all that +exists--thou Creator of pain that we may love joy, Creator of evil that +we may know good, turn not from us! We are but thoughtless children--and +Thy children--give us time to realize the awful error of our hollow +pretensions! Give them all now, at once, if they are to die, that spirit +which is awakened in me by the awful majesty of Thy anger! Hear me, O +God!” And with a sob she sank on her knees, clasped her hands and raised +them upward. Thorndyke tried to lift her up, but she shook her head and +continued her prayer in silence. A marked change had come over Branasko. +He looked at Johnston and Thorndyke in a strange, helpless way, and +then, in a corner of the balcony the begrimed and tattered man fell on +his knees. He knew not the meaning of prayer, but there was something +in the reverent attitude of the princess that drew his untutored being +toward his Maker. He covered his face with his hands and his shaggy head +sank to his knees. + +Johnston hastened back into the Auditorium. Returning in a moment, he +found the Englishman tenderly lifting Bernardino from her knees and +Branasko still crouching in a corner. + +“What is the news?” asked Thorndyke. + +“Everything is ready for the explosion. The prince seems only waiting +because he dreads failure. The people in there are so frightened that +they cannot move from their seats.” + +Just then Branasko raised a haggard face and looked appealingly at the +princess. She caught his eye. + +“Fear nothing, good man,” she said; “the God of the Christians will not +harm us; we are safe in His hands. I felt it here in my heart when I +prayed to Him. Oh, why has my father and the other kings of Alpha not +taught us that grand simple truth! But before I die I want to leave this +dark pit of sin, and look out once into endless, world-filled space.” + +A joyous flush came into the face of the Alphian. His fear had vanished. +She had promised him safety. He bowed worshipfully, but he spoke not, +for Bernardino was eagerly pointing to the sun. + +“Look!” she cried gleefully, with the merry tremolo of a happy, +surprised child. “The sun is not moving. Father has been successful! It +is a good omen! God will save us!” + +It was true; the sun was standing still. A deep silence was on the city. +The crowds in the street neither moved nor spoke. Without a murmur or +complaint they stood facing the frowning west. Suddenly the silence was +interrupted by a low volcanic rumble. The earth heaved, and rolled, and +far away in the suburbs of the city the spire of a public building fell +with a loud crash. A groan swept from mouth to mouth and then died away. + +“The cloud is increasing rapidly,” said Thorndyke. “I can really see +little hope. I shall return in a moment.” + +While he was gone Bernardino knelt and prayed. Again overcome with fear +Branasko crouched down in his corner. Another shudder and rumble from +the earth, another long moan from the people. Thorndyke came back. He +spoke to the princess: + +“The dam built by Prince Marentel has been swept away. The ocean is +pouring into the internal fires. There is scarcely any hope now.” + +Branasko groaned, but Bernardino's face was aglow with celestial faith. +She shook her head. + +“They will not be destroyed in this way,” she said; “they have had no +chance to know God.” + +“It all depends on the explosion which may take place at any moment,” + and Thorndyke took her into his arms and whispered into her ear, “I do +not care for myself; but I cannot bear to think of your suffering pain.” + +She answered only by pressing his hand. The clouds were now rolling +upward in greater volume than ever. It was growing darker. The little +group on the balcony could now scarcely see the people below them. The +fall of damp ashes was resumed. The air had grown hot and close. + +Boom! Boom! Boom! the streets of the city rose and fell with the +undulating motion of a swelling sea. Blacker and blacker grew the sky; +closer and closer the atmosphere; damper and damper became the fog; +thicker and thicker fell the wet sand and ashes. + +“Perhaps we would be safer in the streets,” suggested Thorndyke, drawing +Bernardino closer into his arms, “the palace may fall on us.” + +But the princess shook her head. “Father would not know where to find +me, I shall await him here.” Branasko had edged nearer to her. His eyes +were glued on her face and he hung on her words as if his fate were in +her hands. He had no regard for the opinions of the others. + +“The explosion will soon take place now unless something has happened +contrary to the expectations of the prince,” said the Englishman. + +Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! The noise seemed to shake the earth to +its centre. Now the far-away pit was belching forth fire and molten +lava rather than steam and smoke. The flames had spread out against the +sloping roof of the cavern, and seemed to extend for a mile along the +horizon. “They can do nothing in that heat,” exclaimed Johnston; “they +could not get near enough to the pit. Thorndyke, old fellow, I can't see +a ghost of a chance. We might as well say good-bye.” + +“Hush!” It was the voice of the princess. “I feel that we shall not be +lost, I say.” And as she spoke Branasko crept toward her and raised the +hem of her gown to his white lips. Something dark came between them and +the far-off glare. It was a flying-machine. + +“It is father,” cried Bernardino, and she called out to him: “Father! +father! Here we are, waiting for you!” In a moment he was with them. + +“All right in the east,” he said gloomily. “Baryonay is there. They +deserted him, but they returned when the flames went down. This is +awful, daughter; it means death! It means annihilation!” + +She put her arms round his neck and drew his face close to hers. “No, +no,” she said earnestly; “I see with a new light--a new spiritual light. +There is mercy in the divine heart of Him that made the walls of our +little world and constructed countless other worlds. I have prayed for +mercy, and into my heart has come a sweet peace I never knew before. We +shall not be lost. He will give us time to give up our sinful life here +and seek Him.” + +The old man quivered as with ague; he searched her face eagerly, drew +her spasmodically into his arms, and then sank to the floor, overcome +with exhaustion. + +The roar in the west was increasing. Hot ashes, gravel and small stones +were falling on the roofs and the people. Now and then a cry of pain was +heard, but they would not seek the shelter of the buildings. If they had +to die they wanted to fall facing the enemy. Suddenly the king rose. He +looked to the west and groaned. Something told them that the explosion +was coming. Expectation, horrible suspense was in the air. There was a +mighty flare of light. The entire heavens were lighted from horizon to +horizon, and then the light went out. + +“Oh, I thought it----” but the princess did not finish her sentence. + +“The explosion,” said Thorndyke, “the sound will follow in a moment.” + +“My God, have mercy on us!” cried the king. But his prayer was drowned +in a deafening sound. Bernardino had leaned into the arms of her +lover. “Don't despair,” he said tenderly, “the prince may have been +successful.” + +“I feel that he has,” she replied. “But, oh, it is dreadful!” + +The crowds below seemed to understand that their fate depended on the +news that would reach them in a few minutes. + +Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! There seemed to be no lessening of the +volcanic disturbance, and the earth groaned and rocked and quivered as +before. + +“It is impossible to tell yet,” groaned the king. “Oh, God, save us; +give us a chance to escape this awful doom!” + +Johnston bethought himself that he might learn something in the Electric +Auditorium and he went into it. It was empty and dark; not a soul was +there save himself. He was turning to leave when his eye was drawn to +the great mirror by a faint pink glow appearing upon it. He stood still, +a superstitious fear coming over him as he thought of being alone with +a possible messenger from the far-away scene of disaster. The light went +out tremblingly; then it flashed up again, and the American thought +he saw the face of Waldmeer. The light grew steadier, stronger. It was +Waldmeer, but he was submerged in smoke. Hark! he was speaking. + +“Marentel is successful! Entrance closed temporarily, and will be +strengthened!” + +Johnston rushed out to the balcony. “I have been to the Auditorium,” he +announced. “I have seen Waldmeer. He says the experiment was successful. +It is closed temporarily, and can be strengthened.” + +The king grasped the hand of the American. “Thank God!” he ejaculated, +“if I can only save my people I shall desire nothing more.” The princess +moved toward him affectionately, but he put her aside and retired into +the palace. + +“He will at once communicate with the people,” remarked Bernardino +hopefully, and she turned her face again toward the west. The red glare +was dying down, and the dense clouds in the sky were thinning. In +an hour the face of the sun broke through the smoke, and the +flying-machines of the protectors began to return. + +That night the king caused the pink light of the “Ideal Dawn” to flood +the eastern sky, and, as before, he appeared in a circle of dazzling +light and addressed his subjects: + +“All danger to life is over; but the ultimate fate of Alpha is sealed. +Prince Marentel has effectually closed the entrance of the ocean, but +the internal fires are gradually burning through the rocky bed of the +ocean. In a couple of years Alpha will be demolished. All our wealth +shall be equally distributed among you, and my ships shall transport you +to whatever destination you desire. Let there be no haste. Order shall +be preserved throughout.” + +That was all. The king bowed and the picture faded from view. A deep +silence was over everything. The only light came from the stars and +from the moon. Then there was a sound like the wind passing over a vast +forest of dry-leaved trees--the people were returning to their homes. + +“I should have thought they would greet the king's announcement with a +cheer of joy,” said Thorndyke to the princess, as they returned to the +palace. + +“They don't know whether to weep or laugh,” she replied. “They love +Alpha, and the other world will be strange to most of them. As for +myself, now that I am to leave, I feel a few misgivings.” + +“I shall see that you are perfectly happy,” he said tenderly. “You are +to be my wife. I shall always love you and care for you; you need have +no fears.” + +And a moment later, with joyous tears and face aglow, she assured him +she had none. + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Land of the Changing Sun, by William N. 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N. Harben + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Land of the Changing Sun, by William N. Harben + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Land of the Changing Sun + +Author: William N. Harben + +Release Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3046] +Last Updated: March 12, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAND OF THE CHANGING SUN *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE LAND OF THE CHANGING SUN + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Will. N. Harben + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter XI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter XIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> Chapter XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> Chapter XV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> Chapter XVI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> Chapter XVII. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Chapter I. + </h2> + <p> + The balloon seemed scarcely to move, though it was slowly sinking toward + the ocean of white clouds which hung between it and the earth. + </p> + <p> + The two inmates of the car were insensible; their faces were bloodless, + their cheeks sunken. They were both young and handsome. Harry Johnston, an + American, was as dark and sallow as a Spaniard. Charles Thorndyke, an + English gentleman, had yellow hair and mustache, blue eyes and a fine + intellectual face. Both were tall, athletic in build and + well-proportioned. + </p> + <p> + Johnston was the first to come to consciousness as the balloon sank into + less rarefied atmosphere. He opened his eyes dreamily and looked curiously + at the white face of his friend in his lap. Then he shook him and tried to + call his name, but his lips made no sound. Drawing himself up a little + with a hand on the edge of the basket, he reached for a water-jug and + sprinkled Thorndyke's face. In a moment he was rewarded by seeing the eyes + of the latter slowly open. + </p> + <p> + “Where are we?” asked Thorndyke in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know;” Johnston answered, “getting nearer to the earth, for we + can breathe more easily. I can't remember much after the professor fell + from the car. My God, old man! I shall never forget the horror in the poor + fellow's eyes as he clung to the rope down there and begged us to save + him. I tried to get you to look, but you were dozing off. I attempted to + draw him up, but the rope on the edge of the basket was tipping it, and + both you and I came near following him. I tried to keep from seeing his + horrible face as the rope began to slip through his fingers. I knew the + instant he let go by our shooting upward.” + </p> + <p> + “I came to myself and looked over when the basket tipped,” replied the + Englishman, “I thought I was going too, but I could not stir a muscle to + prevent it. He said something desperately, but the wind blew it away and + covered his face with his beard, so that I could not see the movement of + his lips.” + </p> + <p> + “It may have been some instructions to us about the management of the + balloon.” + </p> + <p> + “I think not—perhaps a good-bye, or a message to his wife and child. + Poor fellow!” + </p> + <p> + “How long have we been out of our heads?” and Johnston looked over the + side of the car. + </p> + <p> + “I have not the slightest idea. Days and nights may have passed since he + fell.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true. I remember coming to myself for an instant, and it seemed + that we were being jerked along at the rate of a gunshot. My God, it was + awful! It was as black as condensed midnight. I felt your warm body + against me and was glad I was not alone. Then I went off again, but into a + sort of nightmare. I thought I was in Hell, and that you were with me, and + that Professor Helmholtz was Satan.” + </p> + <p> + “Where can we be?” asked Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know; I can't tell what is beneath those clouds. It may be earth, + sea or ocean; we were evidently whisked along in a storm while we were out + of our heads. If we are above the ocean we are lost.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke looked over the edge of the car long and attentively, then he + exclaimed suddenly: + </p> + <p> + “I believe it is the ocean.” + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think so?” + </p> + <p> + “It reflects the sunlight. It is too bright for land. When we got above + the clouds at the start it looked darker below than it does now; we may be + over the middle of the Atlantic.” + </p> + <p> + “We are going down,” said Johnston gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “That we are, and it means something serious.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston made no answer. Half-an-hour went by. Thorndyke looked at the + sun. + </p> + <p> + “If the professor had not dropped the compass, we could find our + bearings,” he sighed. + </p> + <p> + Johnston pointed upward. Thin clouds were floating above them. “We are + almost down,” he said, and as they looked over the sides of the car they + saw the reflection of the sun on the bosom of the ocean, and, a moment + later, they caught sight of the blue billows rising and falling. + </p> + <p> + “I see something that looks like an island,” observed Thorndyke, looking + in the direction toward which the balloon seemed to be drifting. “It is + dark and is surrounded by light. It is far away, but we may reach it if we + do not descend too rapidly.” + </p> + <p> + “Throw out the last bag of sand,” suggested the American, “we need it as + little now as we ever shall.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke cut the bag with his knife and watched the sand filter through + the bottom of the basket and trail along in a graceful stream behind the + balloon. The great flabby bag overhead steadied itself, rose slightly and + drifted on toward the dark spot on the vast expanse of sunlit water. They + could now clearly see that it was a small island, not more than a mile in + circumference. + </p> + <p> + “How far is it?” asked Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “About two miles,” answered the American laconically, “it is a chance for + us, but a slim one.” + </p> + <p> + The balloon gradually sank. For twenty minutes the car glided along not + more than two hundred feet above the waves. The island was now quite near. + It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by + the action of the waves and rain. Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight. + </p> + <p> + “It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the + ocean,” said the Englishman; “half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet to + the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against those + rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds. We must fall + into the water and swim ashore. There is no use trying to save the + balloon.” + </p> + <p> + “We had better be about it, then,” said Johnston, rising stiffly and + holding to the ropes. “If we should go down in the water with the balloon + we would get tangled in the ropes and get asphyxiated with the gas. We had + better hang down under the basket and let go at exactly the same time.” + </p> + <p> + The water was not more than forty feet beneath, and the island was getting + nearer every instant. The two aeronauts swung over on opposite sides of + the car and, face to face, hung by their hands beneath. + </p> + <p> + “I dread the plunge,” muttered Thorndyke; “I feel as weak as a sick + kitten; I am not sure that I can swim that distance, but the water looks + still enough.” + </p> + <p> + “I am played out too,” grunted the American, red in the face; “but it + looks like our only chance. Ugh! she made a big dip then. We'd better let + go. I'll count three, and three is the signal. Now ready. One, two, + three!” + </p> + <p> + Down shot the balloonists and up bounded the great liberated bag of gas; + the basket and dangling ropes swung wildly from side to side. The + aeronauts touched the water feet foremost at the same instant, and in half + a minute they rose, not ten feet apart. + </p> + <p> + “Now for it,” sputtered Johnston, shaking his bushy head like a swimming + dog. “Look, the shore is not very far.” Thorndyke was saving his wind, and + said nothing, but accommodated his stroke to that of his companion, and + thus they breasted the gently-rolling billows until finally, completely + exhausted, they climbed up the shelving rocks and lay down in the warm + sunshine. + </p> + <p> + “Not a very encouraging outlook,” said Johnston, rising when his clothing + was dry and climbing a slight elevation. “There is nothing in sight except + a waste of stone. Let's go up to that point and look around.” + </p> + <p> + The ascent was exceedingly trying, for the incline was steep and it was at + times difficult to get a firm footing. But they were repaid for the + exertion, for they had reached the highest point of the island and could + see all over it. As far as their vision reached there was nothing beyond + the little island except the glistening waves that reached out till they + met the sky in all directions. High up in the clouds they saw the balloon, + now steadily drifting with the wind toward the south. + </p> + <p> + “We might as well be dead and done with it,” grumbled Thorndyke. “Ships + are not apt to approach this isolated spot, and even if they did, how + could we give a signal of distress?” + </p> + <p> + Johnston stroked his dark beard thoughtfully, then he pointed toward the + shore. + </p> + <p> + “There are some driftwood and seaweed,” he said; “with my sun-glass I can + soon have a bonfire.” He took a piece of punk from a waterproof box that + he carried in his pocket and focussed the sun's rays on it. “Run down and + bring me an armful of dry seaweed and wood,” he added, intent on his work. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke clambered down to the shore, and in a few minutes returned with + an armful of fuel. Johnston was blowing his punk into a flame, and in a + moment had a blazing fire. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” approved the Englishman, rubbing his hands together over the + flames. “We'll keep it burning and it may do some good.” Then a smile of + satisfaction came over his face as he began to take some clams from his + pockets. “Plenty of these fellows down there, and they are as fat and + juicy as can be. Hurry up and let's bake them. I'm as hungry as a bear. + There is a fine spring of fresh water below, too, so we won't die of + thirst.” + </p> + <p> + They baked the clams and ate them heartily, and then went down to the + spring near the shore. The water was deliciously cool and invigorating. + The sun sank into the quiet ocean and night crept on. The stars came out + slowly, and the moon rose full and red from the waves, adding its beams to + the flickering light of the fire on the hill-top. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we take a walk all round on the beach,” proposed the Englishman; + “there is no telling what we may find; we may run on something that has + drifted ashore from some wrecked ship.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston consented. They had encompassed the entire island, which was oval + in shape, and were about to ascend to the rock to put fresh fuel on the + fire before lying down to sleep for the night, when Thorndyke noticed a + road that had evidently been worn in the rock by human footsteps. + </p> + <p> + “Made by feet,” he said, bending down and looking closely at the rock and + raking up a handful of white sand, “but whether the feet of savage or + civilized mortal I can't make out.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston was a few yards ahead of him and stooped to pick up something + glittering in the moonlight. It was a tap from the heel of a shoe and was + of solid silver. + </p> + <p> + “Civilized,” he said, holding it out to his companion; “and of the very + highest order of civilization. Whoever heard of people rich enough to wear + silver heel-taps.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure it is silver?” asked the Englishman, examining it closely. + </p> + <p> + “Pure and unalloyed; see how the stone has cut into it, and feel its + weight.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, I believe,” returned Thorndyke, as Johnston put the + strange trophy into his pocket-book, and the two adventurers paused a + moment and looked mutely into each other's eyes. + </p> + <p> + “We haven't the faintest idea of where we are,” said Johnston, his tone + showing that he was becoming more despondent. “We don't know how long we + were unconscious in the balloon, nor where we were taken in the storm. We + may now be in the very centre of the North Polar sea—this knob may + be the very pivot on which this end of the earth revolves.” + </p> + <p> + The Englishman laughed. “No danger; the sun is too natural. From the poles + it would look different.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean the old sun that you read so much about, and that they make + so much racket over at home, but another of which we are the original + discoverer—a sun that isn't in old Sol's beat at all, but one that + revolves round the earth from north to south and dips in once a day at the + north and the south poles. See?” + </p> + <p> + The Englishman laughed heartily and slapped his friend on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “I think we are somewhere in the Atlantic; but your finding that heel-tap + does puzzle me.” + </p> + <p> + “We are going to have an adventure, beside which all others of our lives + will pale into insignificance. I feel it in my bones. See how evenly this + road has been worn and it is leading toward the centre of the island.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes the two adventurers came to a point in the road where + tall cliffs on either side stood up perpendicularly. It was dark and cold, + and but a faint light from the moon shone down to them. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like this,” said Johnston, who was behind the Englishman; “we may + be walking into the ambush of an enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw!” and Thorndyke plunged on into the gloomy passage. Presently the + walls began to widen like a letter “Y” and in a great open space they saw + a placid lake on the bosom of which the moon was shining. On all sides the + towering walls rose for hundreds of feet. Speechless with wonder and with + quickly-beating hearts they stumbled forward over the uneven road till + they reached the shore of the lake. The water was so clear and still that + the moon and stars were reflected in it as if in a great mirror. + </p> + <p> + “Look at that!” exclaimed Thorndyke, pointing down into the depths, “what + can that be?” + </p> + <p> + Johnston followed Thorndyke's finger with his eyes. At first he thought + that it was a comet moving across the sky and reflected in the water; but, + on glancing above, he saw his mistake. It looked, at first, like a great + ball of fire rolling along the bottom of the lake with a stream of flame + in its wake. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter II. + </h2> + <p> + The two men watched it for several minutes; all the time it seemed to be + growing larger and brighter till, after a while, they saw that the light + came from something shaped like a ship, sharp at both ends, and covered + with oval glass. As it slowly rose to the surface they saw that it + contained five or six men, sitting in easy chairs and reclining on + luxurious divans. One of them sat at a sort of pilot-wheel and was + directing the course of the strange craft, which was moving as gracefully + as a great fish. + </p> + <p> + Then the young men saw the man at the pilot-wheel raise his hand, and from + the water came the musical notes of a great bell. The vessel stopped, and + one of the men sprang up and raised an instrument that looked like a + telescope to his eyes. With this he seemed to be closely searching the + lake shores, for he did not move for several minutes. Then he lowered the + instrument, and when the bell had rung again, the vessel rose slowly and + perpendicularly to the surface and glided to the shore within twenty yards + of where the adventurers stood. + </p> + <p> + “Could they have seen us?” whispered Thorndyke, drawing Johnston nearer + the side of the cliff. + </p> + <p> + “I think so; at all events, they are between us and the outlet; we may as + well make the best of it.” + </p> + <p> + The men, all except the pilot, landed, and a dazzling electric + search-light was turned on the spot where Thorndyke and Johnston stood. + For a moment they were so blinded that they could not see, and then they + heard footsteps, and, their eyes becoming accustomed to the light, they + found themselves surrounded by several men, very strangely clad. They all + wore long cloaks that covered them from head to foot and every man was + more than six feet in height and finely proportioned. One of them, who + seemed to be an officer in command, bowed politely. + </p> + <p> + “I am Captain Tradmos, gentlemen, in the king's service. It is my duty to + make you my prisoners. I must escort you to the palace of the king.” + </p> + <p> + “That's cool,” said Johnston, to conceal the discomfiture that he felt, + “we had no idea that you had a kingdom. We have tramped all over this + island, and you are the first signs of humanity we have met.” + </p> + <p> + He would have recalled his words before he had finished speaking, if he + could have done so, for he saw by the manner of the captain that he had + been over bold. + </p> + <p> + “Follow me,” answered the officer curtly, and with a motion of his hand to + his men he turned toward the odd-looking vessel. + </p> + <p> + The two adventurers obeyed, and the cloaked men fell in behind them. + Neither Johnston nor Thorndyke had ever seen anything like the peculiar + boat that was moored to the rocky shore. It was about forty feet in + length, had a hull shaped like a racing yacht, but which was made of black + rubber inflated with air. It was covered with glass, save for a doorway + about six feet high and three feet wide in the side, and looked like a + great oblong bubble floating on the still dark water. As they approached + the searchlight was extinguished, and they were enabled to see the boat to + a better advantage by the aid of the electric lights that illuminated the + interior. It was with feelings of awe that the two adventurers followed + the captain across the gang-plank into the vessel. + </p> + <p> + The electric light was brilliantly white, and in various places pink, red + and light-blue screens mellowed it into an artistic effect that was very + soothing to the eye. The ceiling was hung with festoons of prisms as + brilliant as the purest diamonds, and in them, owing to the gently + undulatory movement of the vessel, colors more beautiful than those of a + rainbow played entrancingly. Rare pictures in frames of delicate gold were + interspersed among the clusters of prisms, and the floor was covered with + carpets that felt as soft beneath the foot as pillows of eider-down. + </p> + <p> + As he entered the door the officer threw off his gray cloak, and his men + did likewise, disclosing to view the finest uniforms the prisoners had + ever seen. Captain Tradmos's legs were clothed in tights of light-blue + silk, and he wore a blue sack-coat of silk plush and a belt of pliant + gold, the buckles of which were ornamented with brilliant gems. His eyes + were dark and penetrating, and his black hair lay in glossy masses on his + shoulders. He had the head of an Apollo and a brow indicative of the + highest intellect. + </p> + <p> + Leaving his men in the first room that they entered, he gracefully + conducted his prisoners through another room to a small cabin in the stern + of the boat, and told them to make themselves comfortable on the luxurious + couches that lined the circular glass walls. + </p> + <p> + “Our journey will be of considerable length,” he said, “and as you are no + doubt fatigued, you had better take all the rest you can get. I see that + you need food and have ordered a repast which will refresh you.” As he + concluded he touched a button in the wall and instantly a table, laden + with substantial food, rare delicacies and wines, rose through a trap-door + in the floor. He smiled at the expressions of surprise on their faces and + touched a green bottle of wine with his white tapering hand. + </p> + <p> + “The greater part of our journey will be under water, and our wines are + specially prepared to render us capable of subsisting on a rather limited + quantity of air during the voyage, so I advise you to partake of them + freely; you will find them very agreeable to the taste.” + </p> + <p> + “We are very grateful,” bowed Thorndyke, from his seat on a couch. “I am + sure no prisoners were ever more graciously or royally entertained. To be + your prisoner is a pleasure to be remembered.” + </p> + <p> + “Till our heads are cut off, anyway,” put in the irrepressible American. + </p> + <p> + Tradmos smiled good-humoredly. + </p> + <p> + “I shall leave you now,” he said, and with a bow he withdrew. + </p> + <p> + “This is an adventure in earnest,” whispered Johnston; “my stars! what can + they intend to do with us?” + </p> + <p> + “One of the first things will be to take us down to the bottom of this + lake where we saw them awhile ago, and I don't fancy it at all; what if + this blasted glass-case should burst? We may have dropped into a den of + outlaws on a gigantic scale, and it may be necessary to put us out of the + way to keep our mouths closed.” + </p> + <p> + “I am hungry, and am going to eat,” said the American, drawing a cushioned + stool up to the table. “Here goes for some of the wine; remember, it is a + sort of breath-restorer. I am curious enough not to want to collapse till + I have seen this thing through. He said something about a palace and a + king. Where can we be going?” + </p> + <p> + “Down into the centre of the earth, possibly,” and the handsome Englishman + moved a stool to the table and took the glass of green-colored wine that + Johnston pushed toward him. “Some scientists hold that the earth is filled + with water instead of fire. Who knows where this blamed thing may not take + us? Here is to a safe return from the amphibious land!” + </p> + <p> + Both drank their wine simultaneously, lowered their glasses at the same + instant, and gazed into each other's eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever taste such liquor?” asked Thorndyke, “it seems to run like + streams of fire through every vein I have.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston shook his head mutely, and held the sparkling effervescing fluid + between him and the light. + </p> + <p> + “Ugh! take it down,” cried the Englishman, “it throws a green color on + your face that makes you look like a corpse.” Johnston clinked the glass + against that of his companion and they drained the glasses. “Hush, what + was that?” asked Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + There was a sound like boiling water outside and as if air were being + pumped out of some receptacle, and the vessel began to move up and down in + a lithe sort of fashion and to bend tortuously from side to side like a + great sluggish fish. Through the partitions of glass they saw one of the + men closing the door, and in a moment the vessel glided away from the + shore. The men all sank into easy positions on the couches, and delightful + music as soft as an Aeolian lyre seemed to be breathed from the walls and + floor. Then the music seemed to die away and a bell down in the vessel's + hull rang. + </p> + <p> + “We are in the middle of the lake,” said Thorndyke, looking through the + glass toward the black cliffy shore; “the next thing will be our descent. + I wonder——” + </p> + <p> + But he was unable to proceed, and Johnston noticed in alarm that his eyes + were slightly protruding from their sockets. The air seemed suddenly to + become more compact as if compressed, and the water was set into such + violent commotion that it was dashed against the glass sides in billows as + white as snow. Then Johnston found that he could not breathe freely, and + he understood the trouble of the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + Captain Tradmos came suddenly to the door. He was smiling as he motioned + toward the wines on the table. + </p> + <p> + “You had better drink more of the wine,” he advised sententiously. + </p> + <p> + Both of the captives rushed to the table. The instant they had swallowed + the wine they felt relieved, but were still weak. The captain bowed and + went away. Thorndyke's hand trembled as he refilled his friend's glass. “I + thought I was gone up,” he said, “I never had such a choky sensation in my + life; you are still purple in the face.” + </p> + <p> + “Eat of what is before you,” said the captain, looking in at the door; + “you cannot stand the increasing pressure unless you do.” + </p> + <p> + They needed no second invitation, for they were half-famished. The fish + and meat were delicious, and the bread was delightfully sweet. + </p> + <p> + “Look outside!” cried Johnston. The water was now still, but it was + gradually rising up the sides of the boat, and in a moment it had closed + over the crystal roof. Both of the captives were conscious of a heavy + sensation in the head and a dull roaring in the ears. Down they went, at + first slowly and then more rapidly, till it seemed to them that they had + descended over a thousand feet. Great monsters like whales swam to the + vessel, as if attracted by the lights, and their massive bodies jarred + against the glass walls as they turned to swim away. They sank about five + hundred feet lower; and all at once the lights went out, and the boat + gradually stopped. + </p> + <p> + It was at once so dark that the two captives could not see each other, + though only the width of the table separated them. Everything was + profoundly still; not a sound came from the men in the other rooms. + Presently Thorndyke whispered, “Look, do you see that red light overhead?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Johnston, “it looks like a star.” + </p> + <p> + “It is our bonfire,” said Thorndyke, “that's what betrayed us.” + </p> + <p> + Again the vessel began to sink, and more rapidly than ever; indeed, as + Thorndyke expressed it, he had the cool feeling that nervous people + experience in going down quickly in an elevator. + </p> + <p> + “If we go any lower,” he added, as the great rubber hull seemed to + struggle like some living monster, “the sides of this thing will collapse + like an egg-shell and we will be as flat as pancakes.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not fear, we have much lower to go!” It was the captain's voice, + but they could not tell from whence it came. Then they heard again the + seductive music, and it was so soothing that they soon fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + They had no idea how long they had slept, but they were awakened by the + ringing of a bell and felt the vessel was coming to a stop. They were + still far beneath the surface; indeed, the boat was resting on the bottom, + for in the light of two or three powerful search-lights they saw a wide + succession of submerged hills, vales, and rugged cliffs. Before them was a + great mountain-side and in it they saw the mouth of a dark tunnel. They + had scarcely noticed it before the vessel rose a little and glided toward + the tunnel and entered it. Through the glass walls they could see that it + was narrow, and that the ragged sides and roof were barely far enough + apart to admit them. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly one of the men came in and drew a curtain down behind them, and, + with a vexed look on his face retired. + </p> + <p> + When he was gone Johnston put his lips close to Thorndyke's ear and + whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Did you see that?” + </p> + <p> + “See what?” + </p> + <p> + “Just as he drew the curtain down I saw what looked to me like a cliff of + solid gold. It had been dug out into a cavern in which I saw a vessel like + this, and men in diving suits digging and loading it.” + </p> + <p> + This took the Englishman's breath away for a moment, then he remarked: + “That accounts for the heel-tap we found; who knows, these people may be + possessors of the richest gold and silver mines on earth.” + </p> + <p> + The bell rang again. “We are rising,” said Johnston. “If this is the only + way of reaching the king's domain, we could never get back to civilization + unless they release us of their own accord, that's certain!” + </p> + <p> + “Heavens, isn't it still!” exclaimed the Englishman. “The machinery of + this thing moves as noiselessly as the backbone of an eel. I wish I could + understand its works.” + </p> + <p> + “I am more concerned about where we are going. I tell you we are being + taken to some wonderful place. People who can construct such marvels of + mechanical skill as this boat will not be behind in other things; then + look at the physiques of those giants.” + </p> + <p> + Just then the man who had drawn down the shade came in and raised it. Both + the captives pretended to be uninterested in his movements, but when he + had withdrawn they looked through the glass eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “See,” whispered Thorndyke, in the ear of his companion, “the walls are + close to us, and are as perpendicular as those of the lake in which they + found us.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston said nothing. His attention was riveted to the walls of rock; the + vessel was rising rapidly. An hour passed. The soft music had ceased, and + the air seemed less dense and fresher. Then the waters suddenly parted + over the roof and ran in crystal streams down the oval glass. + </p> + <p> + They were on the surface, and the vessel was slowly gliding toward the + shore which could not be seen owing to there now being no light except + that inside the boat. Captain Tradmos entered, followed by two of his men + holding black silken bandages. + </p> + <p> + “We must blindfold you,” he said; “captives are not allowed to see the + entrance to our kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word they submitted. + </p> + <p> + “This way,” said the captain kindly, and, holding to an arm of each, he + piloted them out of the vessel to the shore. Then he led them through what + they imagined to be a long stone corridor or arcade from the ringing + echoes of their feet on the stone pavement. Presently they came to what + seemed to be an elevator, for when they had entered it and sat down, they + heard a metallic door slide back into its place, and they descended + quickly. + </p> + <p> + They could form no idea as to the distance they went down; but Thorndyke + declared afterward that it was over ten thousand feet. When the elevator + stopped Captain Tradmos led them out, and both of the captives were + conscious of breathing the purest, most invigorating air they had ever + inhaled. Instantly their strength returned, and they felt remarkably + buoyant as they were led along over another pavement of polished stone. + </p> + <p> + Tradmos laughed. “You like the atmosphere?” + </p> + <p> + “I never heard of anything like it,” said Thorndyke. “It is so delightful + I can almost taste it.” + </p> + <p> + “It was that which made Alpha what it is—the most wonderful country + in the universe,” said the officer. “There is much in store for you.” + </p> + <p> + The ears of the two captives were greeted by a vague, indefinable hum, + like and yet unlike that of a busy city. It was like many far-off sounds + carefully muffled. Now and then they heard human voices, laughter, and + singing in the distance, and the twanging of musical instruments. + </p> + <p> + Then they knew that they were entering a building of some sort, for they + heard a key turn in a lock and the humming sound in the distance was cut + off. They felt a soft carpet under their feet, and the feet of their + guards no longer clinked on the stones. + </p> + <p> + When the bandages were removed they found themselves in a sumptuous + chamber, alone with the captain. The brilliant light from a + quaintly-shaped candelabrum, in the centre of the chamber, dazzled them, + but in a few minutes their eyes had become accustomed to it. + </p> + <p> + Tradmos seemed to be enjoying the looks of astonishment on their faces as + they glanced at the different objects in the room. + </p> + <p> + “It is night,” he said smilingly. “You need rest after your voyage. Lie + down on the beds and sleep. To-morrow you will be conducted to the palace + of the king.” + </p> + <p> + With a bow he withdrew, and they heard a massive bolt slide into the + socket of a door hidden behind a curtain. The two men gazed at each other + without speaking, for a moment, and then they began to inspect the room. + </p> + <p> + In alcoves half-veiled with silken curtains stood statues in gold and + bronze. The walls and ceilings were decorated with pictures unlike any + they had ever seen. Before one, the picture of an angel flying through a + dark, star-filled sky, they both stood enchanted. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Thorndyke, finding voice finally. “It is not done with + brush or pencil; the features seem alive and, by Jove, you can actually + see it breathe. Don't you see the clouds gliding by, and the wings + moving?” + </p> + <p> + “It is light—it is formed by light!” declared the other + enthusiastically, and he ran to the wall, about six feet from the picture, + and put his hand on a square metal box screwed to the wall. + </p> + <p> + “I have it,” he said quickly, “come here!” + </p> + <p> + The Englishman advanced curiously and examined the box. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you see that tiny speck of light in the side towards the picture? + Well, the view is thrown from this box on the wall, and it is the motion + of the powerful light that gives apparent life to the angel. It is + wonderful.” + </p> + <p> + In a commodious alcove, in a glow of pink light from above, was a + life-sized group of musicians—statues in colored metal of a Spanish + girl playing a mandora, an Italian with a slender calascione, a Russian + playing his jorbon, and an African playing a banjo. Luxurious couches hung + by spiral springs from the ceiling to a convenient height from the floor, + and here and there lay rugs of rare beauty and great ottomans of artistic + designs and colors. + </p> + <p> + “We ought to go to bed,” proposed Thorndyke; “we shall have plenty of time + to see this Aladdin's land before we get away from it.” + </p> + <p> + There were two large downy beds on quaintly wrought bedsteads of brass, + but the two captives decided to sleep together. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke was the first to awaken. The lights in the candelabrum were out, + but a gray light came in at the top and bottom of the window. He rose and + drew the heavy curtain of one of the windows aside. He shrank back in + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter III. + </h2> + <p> + “What is it, Thorndyke? What are you looking at?” And the American slowly + left the bed and approached his friend. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke only held the curtain further back and watched Johnston's face + as he looked through the wide plate-glass window. + </p> + <p> + “My gracious!” ejaculated the latter as he drew nearer. It was a wondrous + scene. The building in which they were imprisoned stood on a gentle hill + clad in luxuriant, smoothly-cut grass and ornamented with beautiful + flowers and plants; and below lay a splendid city—a city built on + undulating ground with innumerable grand structures of white marble, with + turrets, domes and pinnacles of gold. Wide streets paved in polished stone + and bordered with lush-green grass interspersed with statues and beds and + mounds of strange plants and flowers stretched away in front of them till + they were lost in the dim, misty distance. Parks filled with pavilions, + pleasure-lakes, fountains and tortuous drives and walks, dotted the + landscape in all directions. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke's breath had clouded the glass of the window, and he rubbed it + with his handkerchief. As he did so the sash slowly, and without a + particle of sound, slid to one side, disclosing a narrow balcony outside. + It had a graceful balustrade, made of carved red-and-white mottled marble, + and on the end of the balcony facing the city sat a great gold and silver + jug, ten feet high, of rare design. The spout was formed by the body of a + dragon with wings extended; the handle was a serpent with the extremity of + its tail coiled around the neck of the jug. + </p> + <p> + The air that came in at the window was fresh and dewy, and laden with the + most entrancing odors. Thorndyke led the way out, treading very gently at + first. Johnston followed him, too much surprised to make any comment. From + this position, their view to the left round the corner of the building was + widened, and new wonders appeared on every hand. + </p> + <p> + Over the polished stone pavements strange vehicles ran noiselessly, as if + the wheels had cushioned tires, and the streets were crowded with an + active, strangely-clad populace. + </p> + <p> + “Look at that!” exclaimed the American, and from a street corner they saw + a queer-looking machine, carrying half-a-dozen passengers, rise like a + bird with wings outspread and fly away toward the east. They watched it + till it disappeared in the distance. + </p> + <p> + “We are indeed in wonderland,” said the Englishman; “I can't make head nor + tail of it. We were on an isolated island, the Lord only knows where, and + have suddenly been transported to a new world!” + </p> + <p> + “I can't feel at all as if we were in the world we were born in,” returned + Johnston. “I feel strange.” + </p> + <p> + “The wine,” suggested the Englishman, “you know it did wonders for us in + that subwater thing.” + </p> + <p> + “No; the wine has nothing to do with it. My head never was clearer. The + very atmosphere is peculiar. The air is invigorating, and I can't get + enough of it.” + </p> + <p> + “That is exactly the way I feel,” was Thorndyke's answer. + </p> + <p> + “Look at the sunlight,” went on Johnston; “it is gray like our dawn, but + see how transparent it is. You can look through it for miles and miles. It + is becoming pink in the east, the sun will soon be up, and I am curious to + see it.” + </p> + <p> + “It must be up now, but we cannot see it for the hills and buildings. My + goodness, see that!” and the Englishman pointed to the east. A flood of + delicate pink light was now pouring into the vast body of gray and was + slowly driving the more sombre color toward the west. The line of + separation was marked—so marked, indeed, that it seemed a vast, + rose-colored billow rolling, widening and sweeping onward like a swell of + the ocean shoreward. On it came rapidly, till the whole landscape was + magically changed. The flowers, the trees, the grass, the waters of the + lakes, the white buildings, the costumes of the people in the streets, + even the sky, changed in aspect. The white clouds looked like fire-lit + smoke, and far toward the west rolled the long line of pink still + struggling with the gray and driving it back. + </p> + <p> + The sun now came into sight, a great bleeding ball of fire slowly rising + above the gilded roofs in the distance. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, look at our shadows!” exclaimed Johnston, and both men gazed at + the balcony floor in amazement; their shadows were as clearly defined and + black as silhouettes. “How do you account for that?” continued the + American, “I am firmly convinced that this sun is not the orb that shines + over my native land.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke laughed, but his laugh was forced. “How absurd! and yet—” + He extended his hand over the balustrade into the rosy glow, and without + concluding his remark held it back into the shadow of the window-casement. + “By Jove!” he exclaimed; “there is not a particle of warmth in it. It is + exactly the same temperature in the shade as in the light.” He moved back + against the wall. “No; there is no difference; the blamed thing doesn't + give out any warmth.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston's hands were extended in the light. “I believe you are right,” he + declared in awe, “something is wrong.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment appeared from the room behind them a handsome youth, + attired in a suit of scarlet silk that fitted his athletic figure + perfectly. He rapped softly on the window-casement and bowed when they + turned. + </p> + <p> + “Your breakfast is waiting for you,” he announced. They followed him into + a room adjoining the one they had occupied, and found a table holding a + sumptuous repast. The boy gave them seats and handed them golden plates to + eat upon. The fruits, wine and meats were very appetizing, and they ate + with relish. + </p> + <p> + “I believe we are to be conducted to the palace of your king to-morrow,” + ventured the Englishman to the boy. + </p> + <p> + The boy shook his head, but made no reply, and busied himself with + removing the dishes. As they were rising from the table, they heard + footsteps in the hall outside. The door opened. It was Captain Tradmos, + and he was accompanied by a tall, bearded man with a leather case under + his arm. + </p> + <p> + “You must undergo a medical examination,” the captain said smilingly. “It + is our invariable custom, but this is by a special order from the king.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston shuddered as he looked at the odd-looking instruments the medical + man was taking from the case, but Thorndyke watched his movements with + phlegmatic indifference. He stood erect; threw back his shoulders; + expanded his massive chest and struck it with his clenched fist in + pantomimic boastfulness. + </p> + <p> + Tradmos smiled genially; but there was something curt and official in his + tone when he next spoke that took the Englishman slightly aback. “You must + bare your breast over your heart and lungs,” he said; and while Thorndyke + was unbuttoning his shirt, he and the medical man went to the door and + brought into the room a great golden bell hanging in a metallic frame. + </p> + <p> + The bell was so thin and sensitive to the slightest jar or movement that, + although it had been handled with extreme care, the captives could see + that it was vibrating considerably, and the room was filled with a low + metallic sound that not only affected the ear of the hearer but set every + nerve to tingling. The medical man stopped the sound by laying his hand + upon the bell. To a tube in the top of the bell he fastened one end of a + rubber pipe; the other end was finished with a silver device shaped like + the mouth-piece of a speaking tube. This he firmly pressed over the + Englishman's heart. Thorndyke winced and bit his lip, for the strange + thing took hold of his flesh with the tenacity of a powerful suction-pump. + </p> + <p> + “Ouch!” he exclaimed playfully, but Johnston saw that he had turned pale, + and that his face was drawn as if from pain. + </p> + <p> + “Hold still!” ordered the medical man; “it will be over in a minute; now, + be perfectly quiet and listen to the bell!” + </p> + <p> + The Englishman stood motionless, the sinews of his neck drawn and knotted, + his eyes starting from their sockets. Thorndyke felt the rubber tube + quiver suddenly and writhe with the slow energy of a dying snake, and then + from the quivering bell came a low, gurgling sound like a stream of water + being forced backward and forward. + </p> + <p> + Tradmos and the medical man stepped to the bell and inspected a small dial + on its top. + </p> + <p> + “What was that?” gasped the Englishman, purple in the face. + </p> + <p> + “The sound of your blood,” answered Tradmos, as he removed the instrument + from Thorndyke's flesh; “it is as regular as mine; you are very lucky; you + are slightly fatigued, but you will be sound in a day or two.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” replied the Englishman, but he sank into a chair, overcome + with weakness. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I'll take you, please,” said the medical man, motioning Johnston to + rise. + </p> + <p> + “I am slightly nervous,” apologized the latter, as he stood up and + awkwardly fumbled the buttons of his coat. + </p> + <p> + “Nervousness is a mental disease,” said the man, with professional + brusqueness; “it has nothing to do with the body except to dominate it at + times. If you pass your examination you may live to overcome it.” + </p> + <p> + The American looked furtively at Thorndyke, but the head of the Englishman + had sunk on his breast and he seemed to be asleep. Johnston had never felt + so lonely and forsaken in his life. From his childhood he had entertained + a secret fear that he had inherited heart disease, and like Maupassant's + “Coward,” who committed suicide rather than meet a man in a duel, he had + tried in vain to get away from the horrible, ever-present thought by + plunging into perilous adventures. + </p> + <p> + At that moment he felt that he would rather die than know the worst from + the uncanny instrument that had just tortured his strong comrade till he + was overcome with exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + “I never felt better in my life,” he said falteringly, but it seemed to + him that every nerve and muscle in his frame was withering through fear. + His tongue felt clumsy and thick and his knees were quivering as with + ague. + </p> + <p> + “Stand still,” ordered the physician sternly, and Johnston was further + humiliated by having Tradmos sympathetically catch hold of his arm to + steady him. + </p> + <p> + “Your people are far advanced in the sciences,” went on the physician + coldly, “but there are only a few out of their number who know that the + mind governs the body and that fear is its prime enemy. Five minutes ago + you were eating heartily and had your share of physical strength, and yet + the mere thought that you are now to know the actual condition of your + most vital organ has made you as weak as an infant. If you kept up this + state of mind for a month it would kill you. + </p> + <p> + “Now listen,” he went on, as the instrument gripped Johnston's flesh and + the rubber tube began to twist and move as if charged with electricity. + The American held his breath. A sound as of water being forced through + channels that were choked, mingled with a wheezing sound like wind + escaping from a broken bellows came from the bell. + </p> + <p> + “Your frame is all right,” said the medical man, as he released the + trembling American, “but you have long believed in the weakness of your + heart and it has, on that account, become so. You must banish all fear + from your thoughts. You perhaps know that we have a place specially + prepared for those who are not physically sound. I am sorry that you do + not stand a better examination.” + </p> + <p> + Tradmos regarded the American with a look of sympathy as he gave him a + chair and then rang a bell on the table. Thorndyke looked up sleepily, as + an attendant entered with a couple of parcels, and glanced wonderingly at + his friend's white face and bloodshot eyes. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” he asked; but Johnston made no reply, for the captain + had opened the parcels and taken out two suits of silken clothing. + </p> + <p> + “Put them on,” he said, giving a suit of gray to Johnston and one of light + blue to Thorndyke. “We shall leave you to change your attire, and I shall + soon come for you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IV. + </h2> + <p> + In a few minutes the captain returned and found his prisoners ready to go + with him. Thorndyke looked exceedingly handsome in his glossy tights, + close-fitting sack-coat, tinsel belt and low shoes with buckles of gold. + The natural color had come back into his cheeks, and he was exhilarated + over the prospect of further adventure. + </p> + <p> + It was not so, however, with poor Johnston; his spirits had been so + dampened by the physician's words that he could not rally from his + despondency. His suit fitted his figure as well as that of the Englishman, + but he could not wear it with the same hopeful grace. + </p> + <p> + “Cheer up!” whispered Thorndyke, as they followed the captain through a + long corridor, “if we are on our way to the stake or block we are at least + going dressed like gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + Outside they found the streets lined with spectators eagerly waiting to + see them pass. The men all had suits like those which had been given the + captives, and the women wore flowing gowns like those of ancient Greece. + </p> + <p> + “These are the common people,” whispered Thorndyke to Johnston, “but did + you ever dream of such perfect features and physiques? Every face is full + of merriment and good cheer. I am curious to see the royalty.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston made no reply, for Captain Tradmos turned suddenly and faced + them. + </p> + <p> + “Stand here till I return,” he said, and he went back into the house. + </p> + <p> + “Where in the deuce do you think we are?” pursued Thorndyke with a grim + smile. + </p> + <p> + “Haven't the slightest idea,” sighed Johnston, and he shuddered as he + looked down the long white street with its borders of human faces. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke was observant. + </p> + <p> + “There is not a breath of air stirring,” he said; “and yet the atmosphere + is like impalpable delicacies to a hungry man's stomach. Look at that big + tree, not a leaf is moving, and yet every breath I draw is as fresh as if + it came from a mountain-top. Did you ever see such flowers as those? Look + at that ocean of orchids.” + </p> + <p> + “They think we are a regular monkey-show,” grumbled the American. “Look + how the crowd is gaping and shoving and fighting for places to see us.” + </p> + <p> + “It's your legs they want to behold, old fellow. Do you know I never knew + you had such knotty knee-joints; did you ever have rheumatism? I wish I + had 'em; they wouldn't put me to death—they would make me the chief + attraction in the royal museum.” Thorndyke concluded his jest with a + laugh, but the face of his friend did not brighten. + </p> + <p> + “You bet that medical examination meant something serious,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” and the Englishman slapped his friend playfully on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Since I have seen that vast crowd of well-developed people, and remember + what that medicine man said, I have made up my mind that we are going to + be separated.” Poor Johnston's lip was quivering. + </p> + <p> + “Rubbish! but there comes the captain; put on a bold front; talk up New + York; tell 'em about Chicago and the Fair, and ask to be allowed to ride + in their Ferris Wheel—if they ain't got no wheel, ask 'em when the + first train leaves town.” + </p> + <p> + “This is no time for jokes,” growled Johnston, as Tradmos returned. + Tradmos motioned to something that in the distance looked like a carriage, + but which turned out to be a flying machine. It rose gracefully and glided + over the ground and settled at their feet. It was large enough to seat a + dozen people, and there was a little glass-windowed compartment at the end + in which they could see “the driver,” as he was termed by Tradmos. The + mysterious machinery was hidden in the woodwork overhead and beneath. + </p> + <p> + “Get in,” said the captain, and the door flew open as if of its own + accord. Thorndyke went in first and was followed by the moody American. + “Let up on the ague,” jested Thorndyke, nudging his friend with his elbow; + “if you keep on quivering like that you may shake the thing loose from its + moorings and we'd never know what became of us.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston scowled, and the officer, who had overheard the remark, smiled as + he leaned toward the window and gave some directions to the man in the + other compartment. + </p> + <p> + “You both take it rather coolly,” he remarked to Thorndyke. “I took a man + and a woman over this route several years ago and both of them were in a + dead faint; but, in fact, you have nothing to fear. We never have + accidents.” + </p> + <p> + “It is as safe as a balloon, I suppose, and we are at home in them,” said + the Englishman, with just the hint of a swagger in his tone. + </p> + <p> + “But your balloons are poor, primitive things at best,” returned Tradmos + in his soft voice. “They can't be compared to this mode of travel, though, + of course, our machines would not operate in your atmosphere.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” impulsively asked the Englishman. “I thought——” + </p> + <p> + But he did not conclude his remark, for they were rising, and both he and + Johnston leaned apprehensively forward and looked out of one of the + windows. Down below the long lines of people were silently waving their + hats, scarfs and handkerchiefs as the machine swept along over their + heads. As they rose higher the scene below widened like a great circular + fan, and in the delicate roselight, the whole so appealed to Thorndyke's + artistic sense that he ejaculated: + </p> + <p> + “Glorious! Superb! Transcendent!” and he directed Johnston's attention to + the wonderful pinkish haze which lay over the view toward the west like a + vast diaphanous web of rosy sunbeams. + </p> + <p> + “You ask why our air-ships would not operate in your atmosphere,” said the + captain, showing pleasure at Thorndyke's enthusiasm. “It is simple enough + when you have studied the climatic differences between the two countries. + You have much to contend with—the winds, for instance, the heat and + cold, etc.; this is the only known country where the winds are subjugated. + I have never been in your world, but from what I have heard of it I am not + anxious to see it. Your atmosphere and climate are so changeable and so + diverse in different localities that I have heard your people spend much + of their time in seeking congenial climes. I think it was a man who came + from London that claimed he once had a cold—'a bad cold,' I think he + called it. It was a standing joke in the royal family for a long time, and + he heard so much about it that he tried to deny what he had said!” + </p> + <p> + Johnston glanced at the speaker non-plussed, but the captain was looking + at Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “Your climate is delightful here now,” said the Englishman; “is it so long + at a time?” + </p> + <p> + “Perpetually; it is regulated every moment, and every year we perfect it + in some way.” + </p> + <p> + “Perfect it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of course, why not? If it ever fails to be up to the usual high + standard, it is owing to neglect of those in charge, and neglect is + punished severely.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke's eyes sought those of the American incredulously. Seeing which + Tradmos looked amused. + </p> + <p> + “You doubt it,” he smiled. “Well, wait till you have been here longer. The + fact is, any one born in our climate could not live in yours. The king + experimented on a man who claimed to have only one lung, but who had two + sound ones when he was cut open. Well, the king sent him to China, or + America, or some such place, and he wheezed himself to death in a week by + your clocks. The weather was too fickle for him. Our system has been + perfected to such an extent that we live four lives to your one, and our + fruits and vegetables are a hundred per cent. better than those in other + countries.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the name of your country?” asked Thorndyke, feeling that he was + not losing anything by his boldness. + </p> + <p> + “Alpha.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is it located?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know.” Tradmos looked out at the window for a moment as if to + ascertain that they were going in the right direction, then he fixed his + dark eyes on Thorndyke and asked hesitatingly:— + </p> + <p> + “I never thought—I—but do you know where your country is + located?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't know where this one is. We are taught everything, I think, + except geography.” Nothing more was said for several minutes, then an + exclamation of admiration broke from the Englishman. The color of the + sunlight was changing. From east to west within the entire arc of their + observation rolled an endless billow of lavender light leaving a placid + sea of the same color behind it. On it swept, slowly driving back the pink + glow that had been over everything. + </p> + <p> + “I see you like our sunlight?” said Tradmos, half interrogatively. + </p> + <p> + “Never saw anything like it before.” + </p> + <p> + “Yours is, I think, the same color all day long.” + </p> + <p> + “Except on rainy days.” + </p> + <p> + “Must be a great bore, monotonous—too much sameness. It is white, is + it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, rather—between white and yellow, I call it.” + </p> + <p> + “Something like our sixth hour, I suppose; this is the fourth hour of + morning. Then come blue, yellow, green, and at noon red. The afternoon is + divided up in the same way. The first hour is green, then follow yellow, + blue, lavender, rose, gray and purple. Yes, I should think you would find + yours somewhat tiresome.” + </p> + <p> + “We can rely on it,” said Johnston speaking for the first time and in a + wavering voice, “it is always there.” + </p> + <p> + “Doing business at the old stand,” laughed Thorndyke, attempting an + Americanism. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is a comfort, anyway,” said the captain seriously. “In my time + they have had no solar trouble, but some of the old people tell horrible + tales of a period when our sun for several days did not shine at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Can it be possible?” said the Englishman dubiously. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; and the early settlers had a great deal of trouble in different + ways; but I am not at liberty to give you information on that head. It is + the king's special pleasure to have new-comers form their own impressions, + and he is particularly fond of noting their surprise, and, above all, + their approval. People usually come here of their own accord through the + influence of our secret force of agents all over the earth, but you were + brought because you happened to drop on our island and would have found + out too much for our good, and that red light you kept burning night and + day might have given us trouble. There is no telling how long you could + have kept alive on those clams.” + </p> + <p> + “We meant no offence,” apologized Thorndyke; “we——” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know it, I was only explaining the situation,” interrupted the + officer. + </p> + <p> + “What is that bright spot to the right?” asked Thorndyke, to change the + subject. + </p> + <p> + “The king's palace; that is the dome. We shall soon be there. Now, I must + not talk to you any longer. Somebody may be watching us with glasses. I + have taken a liking to you, and some time, when I get the opportunity, I + shall give you some useful advice, but I must treat you very formally, at + least till you have had audience with the king.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said the Englishman, and Tradmos stood up in the car to watch + their progress through the circular glass of a little cupola on top. + Thorndyke smiled at Johnston, but the American was in no pleasant mood. + The indifference with which Tradmos had treated him had nettled him. + </p> + <p> + The machine was now slowly descending. A vast pile of white marble, with + many golden domes and spires, rose between them and the earth below. + </p> + <p> + “To the balcony on the central dome,” ordered Tradmos through the window + of the driver's compartment; and the adventurers felt the car sweep round + in a curve that threw them against each other, and the next moment they + had landed on a wide iron balcony encircling a great golden cone that + towered hundreds of feet above them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter V. + </h2> + <p> + “Follow me,” said the captain stiffly, for there were several guards in + white and gold uniforms pacing to and fro on the battlement-like walls. He + led the two adventurers through a door in the base of the dome. At first + they were dazed by a brilliant light from above, and looking up they + beheld a marvel of kaleidoscopic colors formed by a myriad of + electric-lighted prisms sloping gradually from the floor to the apex of + the dome. Thorndyke could compare it to nothing but a stupendous diamond, + the very heart of which the eye penetrated. + </p> + <p> + “Don't look at it now,” advised Tradmos, in an undertone; “it was + constructed to be seen from below, and to light the great rotunda.” + </p> + <p> + Mutely the captives obeyed. At every turn they were greeted with a new + wonder. The captain now led them round a narrow balcony on the inside of + the vast dome, and, looking over the railing down below, they saw a vast + tessellated pavement made of polished stones of various and brilliant + colors and so artistically arranged that, from where they stood, lifelike + pictures of landscapes seemed to rise to meet the vision wherever the eye + rested. Statues of white marble, gold and bronze were placed here and + there, and, in squares of living green, fountains threw up streams of + crystal water. Tradmos paused for them to look down and smiled at their + evident admiration. + </p> + <p> + “How far is it down there?” Thorndyke ventured to ask. + </p> + <p> + “Over a thousand feet,” replied Tradmos. “Look across opposite and you + will see that there are fifty floors beneath us, and each floor has a + balcony like this overlooking the court.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the sound that comes up from below?” asked the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + “It is the voices of the people and their footsteps on the stone.” + </p> + <p> + “What people?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you see them? Your eyes are dazzled by the light; I ought to have + warned you against looking up into the dome. The people are down there; do + the views in the pavement not look a little blurred?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you will look more closely you will see that it is a multitude + of people.” + </p> + <p> + “Great heavens!” exclaimed the Englishman, and he became deeply absorbed + in the contemplation of the rarest sight he had ever seen. As he looked + closely he noticed a black spot growing larger and nearer, and he glanced + inquiringly at the captain. + </p> + <p> + “It is an elevator. There are a great many of them used in the palace, but + none have happened to rise as high as this since we came. The one you see + is coming for us.” The next moment the strange vehicle was floating toward + them. The captain opened the door and preceded the captives into the + interior. + </p> + <p> + “The royal audience chamber,” he said, carelessly, to the driver behind + the glass of the adjoining compartment, and down they floated as lightly + as a bubble—down past balcony after balcony, laden with moving + throngs, until they alighted in a great conservatory. + </p> + <p> + Near them was a tall fountain the water of which was playing weird music + on great bells of glass, some of which hung in the fountain's stream and + others rose and fell, giving forth strange, submerged tones in the foaming + basin. + </p> + <p> + “It is a new invention recently placed here by the king's son who is a + musical genius,” explained Tradmos. “You will be astonished at some of his + inventions.” + </p> + <p> + He led them, as if to avoid the great crowds that they could now hear on + all sides, down a long vista of palms, the branches of which met over + their heads, to the wide door of the audience chamber. A party of men + dressed in uniforms of white silk with gold and silver ornaments bowed + before the captain and made way for him. + </p> + <p> + The captives now found themselves in the most splendid and spacious room + they had ever seen, at the far end of which was a long dais and on it an + elaborate throne. + </p> + <p> + “I shall be obliged to leave you when the king comes,” said Tradmos to + Thorndyke, “but I shall hope to see you again. Don't forget my name and + rank, for I may send you a message some time that may aid you.” “Thank + you,” replied the Englishman, and then as a throng of beautiful young + women came from a room on the side and gathered about the throne he added + inquisitively: “Who are they?” + </p> + <p> + “The wives and daughters of the king and the wives of the princes,” was + the cautious answer, “but don't look at any one of them closely.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see how a fellow can help it; they are ravishingly beautiful, + don't you think so, Johnston?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be a fool,” snapped the American, “don't you know enough to hold + your tongue.” + </p> + <p> + Tradmos smiled as if amused, and when he had shown them to seats near the + great golden throne, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Stay where you are till the king sends for you, and then go and kneel + before the throne. Do not rise till he bids you.” + </p> + <p> + The captives thanked him and the captain turned away. The eyes of all the + royal party now rested on the strangers, and it was hard for them to + appear unconscious of it. A great crowd was slowly filling the room and an + orchestra in a balcony on the left of the dais began to make delightful + music on instruments the strangers had never before seen. After an + entrancing prelude a sound of singing was heard, and far up in a grand + dome, lighted like the one the captives had just admired over the central + court of the palace, they saw a bevy of maidens, robed in white, moving + about in mid-air, apparently unsupported by anything. + </p> + <p> + “How on earth is that done?” asked Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” returned Johnston, speaking more freely now that the + captain had gone. “I am not surprised at anything.” + </p> + <p> + “Their voices are exquisite, and that orchestra—a Boston symphony + concert couldn't be compared to it.” + </p> + <p> + “There goes the sunlight again,” cried Johnston, “by Jove, it is blue!” + </p> + <p> + The transition was sublime. They seemed transported to some other scene. + The great multitude, the elegantly-dressed attendants about the throne, + the courtiers, the beautiful women, all seemed to change in appearance; on + the view through the wide doors leading to the conservatory, and the great + swarming court beyond, the soft blue light fell like a filmy veil of + enchantment. + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful!” exclaimed the American. + </p> + <p> + “It is ahead of our clocks, anyway,” jested Thorndyke. “Any child that can + count on its fingers could tell that this is the fifth hour of the day.” + </p> + <p> + The music grew louder; there was a harmonious blare of mighty trumpets, + the clang of gongs and cymbals, and then the music softened till it could + scarcely be heard. There was commotion about the throne. + </p> + <p> + The king was coming. Every person on the dais stood motionless, expectant. + A page drew aside the rich curtain from a door on the right, and an old + man, wearing a robe of scarlet ornamented with jewels and a crown set with + sparkling gems, entered and seated himself on the throne. The music sank + lower; so soft did it become that the tinkling bells of the great fountain + outside could be heard throughout the room. + </p> + <p> + The king bowed to the throng on the dais and spoke a few words to a + courtier who advanced as he sat down. The courtier must have spoken of + them, for the king at once looked down at Johnston and Thorn-dyke and + nodded his head. The courtier spoke to a page, and the youth left the dais + and came toward the captives. + </p> + <p> + “We are in for it,” cautioned Thorndyke, “now don't be afraid of your + shadow; we'll come out all right.” + </p> + <p> + “The king has sent for you,” said the page, the next instant. “Go to the + throne.” + </p> + <p> + They were the cynosure of the entire room as they went up the carpeted + steps of the dais and knelt before the king. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VI. + </h2> + <p> + “Rise!” commanded the king, in a deep, well-modulated voice, and when they + had arisen he inspected them critically, his eyes lingering on Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “You look as if you take life easily; you have a jovial countenance,” he + said cordially. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke returned his smile and at once felt at ease. + </p> + <p> + “There is no use in taking it any other way,” he said; “it doesn't amount + to much at best.” + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong,” returned the king, playing with the jewels on his robe, + “that is because you have been reared as you have—in your + unsystematic world. Here we make life a serious study. It is our object to + assist nature in all things. The efforts of your people amount to nothing + because they are not carried far enough. Your scientists are dreaming + idiots. They are continually groping after the ideal and doing nothing + with the positive. It was for us to carry out everything to perfection. + Show me where we can make a single improvement and you shall become a + prince.” + </p> + <p> + “If my life depended on that, my head would be off this instant,” was the + quick-witted reply of the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + This so pleased the king that he laughed till he shook. “Well said,” he + smiled; “so you like our country?” + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely charmed; my friend (Thorndyke was determined to bring his + companion into favor, if possible) and I have been in raptures ever since + we rose this morning.” + </p> + <p> + A flush of pleasure crossed the face of the king. “You have not seen half + of our wonders yet. I confess that I am pleased with you, sir. The + majority of people who are brought here are so frightened that they grow + morbid and desirous to return to their own countries as soon as they learn + that such a thing is out of the question.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke's stout heart suffered a sudden pang at the words, but he did + not change countenance in the slightest, for the king was closely watching + the effect of his announcement. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” went on the ruler, gratified by the indifference of the + Englishman, “of course, it could not be done. No one, outside of a few of + the royal family and our trusted agents, has ever left us.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't see how any one could be so unappreciative as to want to go,” + answered Thorndyke, with a coolness that surprised even Johnston. “I have + travelled in all countries under the sun—the sun I was born under—and + got so bored with them that my friend and myself took to ballooning for + diversion; but here, there is a delightful surprise at every turn.” + </p> + <p> + “I was told you were aeronauts,” returned the ruler, deigning to cast a + glance at the silent Johnston, who stood with eyes downcast, “and I + confess that it interested me in you.” + </p> + <p> + At that juncture a most beautiful girl glided through the curtains at the + back of the throne and came impulsively toward the king. Her brown hair + fell in rich masses on her bare shoulders; her eyes were large, deep and + brown, and her skin was exquisitely fine in texture and color; her dress + was artistic and well suited to her lithe figure. She held an instrument + resembling a lute in her hands, and stopped suddenly when she noticed that + the king was engaged. + </p> + <p> + “It is my daughter, the Princess Bernardino,” explained the king, as he + heard her light step and turned toward her; “she shall sing for you, and, + yes (nodding to her) you shall dance also.” + </p> + <p> + As she took her position on a great rug in front of the throne, she kept + her eyes on the handsome Englishman as if fascinated by his appearance. + Thorndyke's heart beat quickly; the blood mantled his face and he stood + entranced as she touched the resonant strings with her white fingers and + began to play and sing. An innocent, artless smile parted her lips from + her matchless teeth, and her face glowed with inspiration. Far above in + the nooks and crannies of the vast dome, with its divergent corridors and + arcades, the faint echoes of her voice seemed to reply to her during the + pauses in her song. Then she ceased singing and to the far-away and yet + distinct accompaniment of some stringed instrument in the orchestra, she + began to dance. Holding her instrument in a graceful fashion against her + shoulder as one holds a violin, and with her flowing white gown caught in + the other hand, she bowed and smiled and instantly seemed transformed. + From the statuesque and dreamy singer she became a marvel of graceful + motion. To and fro she swept from end to end of the great rug, her tiny + feet and slim ankles tripping so lightly that she seemed to move without + support through the air. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke stood as if spell-bound, for, at every turn, as if seeking his + approval, she glanced at him inquiringly. When she finished she stood for + a moment in the centre of the rug panting, her beautiful bosom, beneath + its filmy covering of lace, gently rising and falling. Then, asking her + father's consent with a mute glance, she ran forward impulsively, and, + kneeling at Thorndyke's feet, she took his hand and pressed it to her + lips. And rising, suffused with blushes, she tripped from the dais and + disappeared behind the curtain. + </p> + <p> + The king frowned as he looked after her. “It is a mark of preference,” he + said coldly. “It is one of our customs for a dancer or singer to favor + some one of her spectators in that way. My daughter evidently mistook you + for an ambassador from one of my provinces, but it does not matter.” + </p> + <p> + “She is wonderfully beautiful,” replied the tactful Englishman, pretending + not to be flattered by the notice of the princess. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think our people fine looking as a rule?” asked the king, to + change the subject. + </p> + <p> + “Decidedly; I never imagined such a race existed.” + </p> + <p> + Again the king was pleased. “That is one of the objects of our system. + Generation after generation we improve mentally and physically. We are the + only people who have ever attempted to thoroughly study the science of + living. Your medical men may be numbered by the million; your remedies for + your ills change daily; what you say is good for the health to-day is + to-morrow believed to be poison; to-day you try to make blood to give + strength, and half a century ago you believed in taking it from the + weakest of your patients. With all this fuss over health, you will think + nothing of allowing the son of a man who died with a loathsome hereditary + disease to marry a woman whose family has never had a taint of blood. Here + no such thing is thought of. To begin with, no person who is not + thoroughly sound can remain with us. Every heart-beat is heard by our + medical men and every vein is transparent. You see evidences of the + benefit of our system in the men and women around you. All our + conveniences, the excellence of our products, our great inventions are the + result.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been wondering about the size of your country,” ventured Thorndyke + cautiously. + </p> + <p> + The king smiled. “That will be one of the things for you to discover + later,” he returned. “But this, the City of Moron, is the capital; our + provinces, farming lands, smaller cities, towns and hamlets lie around us. + Come with me and I will show you something.” + </p> + <p> + He waved his hand and dismissed a number of courtiers who were waiting to + be called, and rose from the throne and led the two captives into a large + apartment adjoining the throne-room. Here they found six men in blue + uniforms looking into a large circular mirror on a table. They all bowed + and moved aside as the king approached. + </p> + <p> + “These men are the municipal police,” explained the king, resting his hand + on the gold frame of the glass; “they are watching the city.” And when the + strangers drew nearer they were surprised to see reflected, in the deeply + concave glass, the entire city in miniature; its streets, parks, public + buildings, and moving populace. And what seemed to be the most remarkable + feature of the invention was, that the instant the eye rested on any + particular portion of the whole that part was at once magnified so that + every detail of it was clearly observable. + </p> + <p> + “This is an improvement on your police system,” continued the king. “No + sooner does anything go wrong than a red signal is given on the spot of + the trouble and the attention of these officers is immediately called to + it. A flying machine is sent out and the offender is brought to the police + station; but trouble of any nature rarely occurs, and the duties of our + police are merely nominal; my people live in thorough harmony. Now, come + with me and I will give you an idea of the surrounding country.” + </p> + <p> + As the king spoke he led them into a circular room, the roof of which was + of white glass, and the walls were lined with large mirrors. + </p> + <p> + “This is our general observatory from which every part of Alpha can be + seen,” said the king with a touch of pride in his tone. “Look at the + mirror in front of you.” + </p> + <p> + They did as he requested, and at first saw nothing; but, as he went to a + stone table in the centre of the room and touched an electric button, a + grand view of green fields, forests, streams, lakes and farm-houses + flashed upon the mirror. The king laughed at their surprise and touched + another button. As he did so the scene shifted gradually; the landscapes + ran by like a panorama. A pretty village came into sight, and passed; then + a larger town and still a larger; then fields, hills and valleys and + forests of giant trees. + </p> + <p> + “It is that way all over my kingdom,” said the king; “in an hour I can + inspect it all.” + </p> + <p> + “But how is it done?” asked Thorndyke, forgetting himself in wonder. + </p> + <p> + “Through a telescopic invention, aided by electricity and the clearness of + our atmosphere,” replied the king. “It would take too long to go into the + details. The views, however, are reflected to this point from various + observatories throughout the land. Such a system would be impossible in + any other country on account of the clouds and atmospheric changes; but + here we control everything.” + </p> + <p> + “I noticed,” returned the Englishman, “that green fields lie beside + ripening ones and those in which the grain is being harvested.” + </p> + <p> + “We have no change of seasons,” answered the king. “Change of seasons may + be according to nature, but it is in the province of man's intellect to + improve on nature. But I must leave you now; I shall summon you again when + I have the leisure to continue our conversation.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you think of it?” asked Johnston, as the king disappeared + behind a curtain in the direction of the audience chamber. + </p> + <p> + “I give it up; I only know that the old fellow's daughter, the Princess + Bernardino is the most beautiful, the most bewitching creature that ever + breathed. Did you notice her eyes and form? Great heavens! was there ever + such a vision of human loveliness? Her grace, her voice, her glances drove + me wild with delight.” + </p> + <p> + “You are dead gone,” grumbled the American despondently; “we'll never get + away from here in the world. I can see that.” + </p> + <p> + “I gave up all hope in that direction some time ago,” said Thorndyke; “and + why should we care? We were awfully bored with life before we came; for my + part I'd as soon end mine up here as anywhere else. Besides, didn't his + majesty say that they live longer under his system than we do?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't take stock in all he says,” growled the American; “he talks like + a Chicago real estate agent who wants to sell a lot. Why doesn't he chop + off our heads and be done with it?” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke burst into a jovial laugh. “You are coming round all right; that + is the first joke you have got off since we came here; his royal Nibs may + need a court-jester and give you a job.” + </p> + <p> + “There goes that blamed sunlight again,” exclaimed Johnston, grasping his + companion's arm, “don't you see it changing?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and this time it is white, like old Sol's natural smile; but isn't + it clear? It seems to me that I could see to the end of the earth in that + light. I want to know how he does it.” + </p> + <p> + “How who does it?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, the king, of course, it is his work—some sort of invention; + but we must keep civil tongues in our heads when we are dealing with a man + who can color the very light of the sun.” + </p> + <p> + They were walking back toward the great rotunda, and, as they entered the + conservatory, the crowds of men and women stared at them curiously. They + had paused to inspect the statue of a massive stone dragon when a young + officer in glittering uniform approached and addressed Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “Follow me,” he said simply; “it is the king's command.” + </p> + <p> + The American started and looked at Thorndyke apprehensively. + </p> + <p> + “Go,” said the latter; “don't hesitate an instant.” + </p> + <p> + Poor Johnston had turned white. He held out his hand to Thorndyke, + “Shake,” he said in a whisper, not intended for the ears of the officer, + “I don't believe that we shall meet again. I felt that we were to be + parted ever since that medical examination.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke's face had altered; an angry flush came in his face and his eyes + flashed, but with an effort he controlled himself. + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut, don't be silly. I shall wait for you round here; if there is + any foul play I shall make some one suffer for it. You can depend on me to + the end; we are hand in hand in this adventure, old man.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VII. + </h2> + <p> + Johnston followed his guide to a flying machine outside. He hesitated an + instant, as the officer was holding the door open, and looked back toward + the conservatory; but he could not see Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you taking me?” he asked desperately. But the officer did not + seem to hear the question. He was motioning to a tall man of athletic + build who wore a dark blue uniform and who came hastily forward and pushed + the American into the machine. Through the open door Johnston saw + Thorndyke's anxious face as the Englishman emerged from the conservatory + and strode toward them. The two officers entered and closed the glass + door. + </p> + <p> + Then the machine rose and Johnston's spirits sank as they shot upward and + floated easily over the humming crowd into the free white light above the + smokeless city. The poor captive leaned on the window-sill and looked out. + There was no breeze, and no current of air except that caused by their + rapid passage through the atmosphere. + </p> + <p> + Up, up, they went, till the city seemed a blur of mingled white and gray, + and then the color below changed to a vague blue as they flew over the + fields of the open country. + </p> + <p> + The first officer took a glass and a decanter from a receptacle under a + seat, and, pouring a little red fluid into the glass, offered it to the + American. + </p> + <p> + “Drink it,” he said, “it will put you to sleep for a time.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to be drugged.” + </p> + <p> + “The journey will try your nerves. It is harmless.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want it; if I take it, you will have to pour it down my throat.” + </p> + <p> + The officer smiled as he put the glass and decanter away. Faster and + faster flew the machine. They had to put the window down, for the current + of air had become too strong and cool to be pleasant. The color of the + sunlight changed to green, and then at noon, from the zenith, a glorious + red light shimmered down and veiled the earth with such a beautiful + translucent haze that the poor American for a moment almost forgot his + trouble. + </p> + <p> + The afternoon came on. The sunlight became successively green, white, + blue, lavender, rose and gray. The sun was no longer in sight and the gray + in the west was darkening into purple, the last hour of the day. Night was + at hand. Johnston's limbs were growing stiff from inaction, and he had a + strong desire to speak or to hear one of the officers say something, but + they were dozing in their respective corners. The moon had risen and hung + far out in space overhead, but they seemed to be leaving it behind. Later + he felt sure of this, for its light gradually became dimmer and dimmer + till at last they were in total darkness—darkness pierced only by + the powerful search-light which threw its dazzling, trumpet-shaped rays + far ahead. But, search as he would in the direction they were going, the + unfortunate American could see nothing but the ever-receding wall of + blackness. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly they began to descend. The officers awoke and stretched + themselves and yawned. One of them opened the window and Johnston heard a + far-off, roaring sound like that of a multitude of skaters on a vast sheet + of ice. + </p> + <p> + Down, down, they dropped. Johnston's heart was in his mouth. + </p> + <p> + The machine suddenly slackened in its speed and then hung poised in + mid-air. The rays of the search-light were directed downward and slowly + shifted from point to point. Looking down, the American caught glimpses of + rugged rocks, sharp cliffs and yawning chasms. + </p> + <p> + “How is it?” asked the first officer, through a speaking-tube, of the + driver. + </p> + <p> + “A good landing!” was the reply. + </p> + <p> + “Well, go down.” And a moment later the machine settled on the uneven + ground. + </p> + <p> + The same officer opened the door, and gently pushed Johnston out. Johnston + expected them to follow him, but the door of the machine closed behind + him. + </p> + <p> + “Stand out of the way,” cried out the officer through the window; “you may + get struck as we rise.” + </p> + <p> + Involuntarily Johnston obeyed. There was a sound of escaping air from + beneath the machine, a fierce commotion in the atmosphere which sucked him + toward the machine, and then the dazzling search-light blinded him, as the + air-ship bounded upward and sailed back over the course it had come. + </p> + <p> + Johnston stood paralyzed with fear. “My God, this is awful!” he exclaimed + in terror, and his knees gave way beneath him and he sank to the rock. + “They have left me here to starve in this hellish darkness!” He remained + there for a moment, his face covered with his hands, then he sprang up + desperately, and started to grope through the darkness, he knew not + whither. He stumbled at almost every step, and ran against boulders which + bruised his hands and face, and went on till his strength was gone. Then + he paused and looked back toward the direction from which he had come. It + seemed to him that he could see the straight line of mighty black wall + above which there was a faint appearance of light. A lump rose in the + throat of the poor fellow, and tears sprang into his eyes. + </p> + <p> + But what was that? Surely it was a sound. It could not have been the wind, + for the air was perfectly still. The sound was repeated. It was like the + moaning of a human voice far away in the dark. Could it be some one in + distress, some poor unfortunate, banished being, like himself? Again he + heard the sound, and this time, it was like the voice of some one talking. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” shouted the American, and a cold shudder went over him at the + sound of his own husky voice. There was a dead silence, then, like an echo + of his own cry, faintly came the word, “Hello!” + </p> + <p> + Filled with superstitious fear, the American cautiously groped toward the + sound. “Hello, there, who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Help, help!” said the voice, and it was now much nearer. + </p> + <p> + Johnston plunged forward precipitately. “Where are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Here,” and a human form loomed up before him. + </p> + <p> + For a moment neither spoke, then the strange figure said: “I thought at + first that you were some one sent to rescue me, but I see you are alone—damned + like myself.” + </p> + <p> + “It looks that way,” replied Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “When did they bring you?” + </p> + <p> + “Only a moment ago.” + </p> + <p> + “My God, it is awful! A week ago I did not dream of such a fate as this. I + had enemies. The medical men were bribed to vote against me. Am I not + strong? Am I not muscular? Feel my arms and thighs.” + </p> + <p> + He held out an arm and Johnston felt of it. The muscles were like stone. + </p> + <p> + “You are a giant.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you are right; but they reported that there was a taint in my blood. + I was to marry Lallio, the most beautiful creature in our village—Madryl, + you know, the nearest hamlet to the home of the Sun. I was rich, and the + best farmer there. But Lyngale wanted her. She hated him and spat at him + when he spoke against me. He proved by others that my lungs were weak, and + showed them the blood of a slain dog in my fields that they said had come + from my lungs. Ah, they were curs! My lungs weak! Strike my chest with all + your might. Does it not sound like the king's thunder? Strike, I say!” and + as the enfeebled American struck his bare breast he cried:—“Harder, + harder! Pooh, you are a child, see this, and this,” and he emphasized his + words with thunderous blows on his resounding chest. + </p> + <p> + “But it has been so for a century,” he panted; “hundreds have been + unjustly buried alive here. The king thinks it is not murder because they + die of starvation. I have stumbled over the bones of giants here in the + dark lands, and have met dying men that are stronger than the king's + athletes.” + </p> + <p> + “What, are there others here?” gasped the American. + </p> + <p> + The Alphian was silent in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Why, where did you come from?” he asked, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “From New York City.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know of it, and yet I thought I knew of all the places inside the + great endless wall.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston was mystified in his turn. “It is not in your country—your + world, or whatever you call it. It is far away.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, under the white sun! In the 'Ocean Country,' and the world of fierce + winds and disease. And you are from there. I had heard of it before they + banished me; but two days since I came across a dying man, away over + there. He was huddled against the wall, and had fallen and killed himself + in his efforts to climb back to food and light. + </p> + <p> + “I saw him die. He told me that he had come from your land when he was a + child. His trouble was the lungs and he had fallen off to a skeleton. He + talked to me of your wide ocean land. Is it, indeed so great? And has it + no walls about it?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it is surrounded by water.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot understand,” and, after a pause, in which Johnston could hear + the great fellow's heart beating, he continued; “That must be the Heaven + the man spoke about. And beyond the water is it always dark like this, and + do they banish people there as the king has us?” + </p> + <p> + “No; beyond are other countries. But is there no chance for us to escape + from here?” + </p> + <p> + The Alphian laughed bitterly. “None. What were you banished for?” + </p> + <p> + “I hardly know.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold out your arm. There,” as he grasped Johnston's arm in a clasp of + iron, “I see; you are undeveloped, unfit—none but the healthy and + strong are allowed to live in Alpha. It is right, of course; but it is + hard to bear. But I must lie down. I am wearied with constant rambling. I + am nervous too. I fell asleep awhile ago and dreamt I heard all my friends + in a great clamoring body calling my name, 'Branasko!' and then I awoke + and cried for help.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he sank with a sigh to the ground and rested his head on his + elbows and knees and seemed asleep. The American sat down beside him, and, + for a long time, neither spoke. Branasko broke the silence; he awoke with + a start and eyed his companion in sleepy wonder. + </p> + <p> + “Ugh, I dreamt again,” he grunted, “are you asleep?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” was Johnston's reply. “I am hungry and thirsty and cannot sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “So am I, but we must wait till it is lighter, then we can go in search of + food. When I was a boy I learned to catch fish in pools with my hands and + it has prolonged my life here. When the light comes again, I shall show + you how I do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the day does break? I thought it was eternally dark here.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not get very light, because we are behind the sun; but it is + lighter than now, for we get the sun's reflection, enough at least to keep + us from falling into the chasms.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko lowered his head to his knees and slept again, but the American, + though wearied, was wakeful. Several hours passed. The Alphian was + sleeping soundly, his breathing was very heavy and he had rolled down on + his side. + </p> + <p> + Far away in the east the darkness gradually faded into purple, and then + into gray, and slowly hints of pink appeared in the skies. It was dawn. + Johnston touched his companion. The man awoke and looked at him from his + great swollen eyes. + </p> + <p> + “It is day,” he yawned, rising and stretching himself. + </p> + <p> + “But the sun is not in sight.” + </p> + <p> + “No; it shows itself only in the middle of the day, and then but for a few + minutes. We must go now and search for food. I will show you how to catch + the eyeless fish in the black caverns over there.” And he led the American + into the blackness behind them. Every now and then, as they stumbled + along, Johnston would look longingly back toward the faint pink light that + shone above the high black wall. But Branasko hastened on. + </p> + <p> + Presently they came to the edge of a black chasm and the American was + filled with awe, for, from the seemingly fathomless depths, came a great + roaring sound like that of a mighty wind and the air that came from it was + hot, though pure and free from the odor of gas. + </p> + <p> + “What is this?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “They are everywhere,” answered Branasko, “if it were not for their hot + breathing the Land of the Changing Sun would be cold and damp.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the sun does not give out heat?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “It is cold?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe so, I have never thought much about it.” + </p> + <p> + The American was mystified, but he did not question farther, for Branasko + was carefully lowering himself into the hot gulf. + </p> + <p> + “Follow me,” he said; “we must cross it to reach the caves. I will guide + you. I have been over this way before.” + </p> + <p> + “But can we stand the heat?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; when we get used to it, it is invigorating. I perspire in + streams, but I feel better afterward. Come on.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko's head only was above the ground. “I am standing on a ledge,” he + said. “Get down beside me. Fear nothing. It is solid; besides, what does + it matter? You can die but once, and it would really be better to fall + down there into the internal fires than to starve slowly.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston shuddered convulsively as he let himself down beside Branasko. + His foot dislodged a stone. With a crash it fell upon a lower ledge and + bounded off and went whizzing down into the depths. Both men listened. + They heard the stone bounding from ledge to ledge till the sound was lost + in the internal roaring. + </p> + <p> + “It is mighty deep,” said Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but follow me; we cannot stop here; we must go along this ledge till + we get to the point where the chasm is narrow enough to jump across. I + have done it.” + </p> + <p> + “The American held to his companion with one hand and the rock with the + other, and they slowly made their way along the narrow ledge, pausing + every now and then to rest. At every step the path grew more perilous and + narrower, and the cliff on their left rose higher and higher, till the + reflected light of the sun had entirely disappeared. At certain points the + hot wind dashed upon them as furiously as the whirling mist in 'The Cave + of Winds' at Niagara Falls. Once Johnston's foot slipped and he fell, but + was drawn back to safety by the strong arm of the Alphian. + </p> + <p> + “Be careful; hold to the cliff's face,” warned Branasko indifferently, and + he moved onward as if nothing unusual had occurred. Presently they reached + a point where a narrow boulder jutted out over the chasm toward the + opposite side, and Branasko cautiously crawled out upon it. When he had + got to its end, Johnston could not see him in the gloom, but his voice + came to him out of the roaring of the chasm. + </p> + <p> + “I can see the other side, and am going to jump.” An instant later, the + American heard the clatter of the Alphian's shoes on the rock, and his + grunt of satisfaction. Then Branasko called out: “Come on; crawl out till + you feel the end of the rock, and then you can see me.” + </p> + <p> + In great trepidation the American slowly crawled out on the narrow rock. + Below him yawned the hot darkness, above hung that black ominous canopy of + nothingness. Slowly he advanced on hands and knees, every moment feeling + the sharp rock growing narrower, till finally he reached the end. He + looked ahead. He could but faintly see the ledge and Branasko's tall form + silhouetted upon it. + </p> + <p> + “See, this is where you have to alight,” cried the Alphian. “Jump, I will + catch you!” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid I shall topple over when I stand up,” replied the American. + “The rock is narrow and my head is already swimming. I fear I cannot reach + you. It is no use.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut!” exclaimed Branasko. “Stand up quickly, and jump at once. Don't + stop to think about it.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston obeyed. He felt his feet firmly braced on the rock and he sprang + toward the opposite ledge with all his might. Branasko caught him. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” he grunted. “There is another place, we must jump again. It is + further on.” Along this ledge they went for some distance, Branasko + leading the way and holding the arm of the American. + </p> + <p> + “Now here we are, the chasm is a little wider, but the ledge on the other + side is broader.” As he spoke he released Johnston's arm and prepared to + jump. He filled his lungs two or three times. But he seemed to hesitate. + “Pshaw, watching you back there has made me nervous. I never cared before. + If I should happen to fall, go back to where we met, it is safer there + without a guide than here.” + </p> + <p> + Without another word Branasko hurled himself forward. Johnston held his + breath in horror, for Branasko's foot had slipped as he jumped. The + Alphian had struck the opposite ledge, but not with his feet, as he + intended. He clutched it with his hands and hung there for a moment, + struggling to get a foothold in the emptiness beneath him. + </p> + <p> + “It's no use, I am falling; I can hold no longer!” And Johnston,—too + terrified to reply,—heard the poor fellow's hands slipping from the + rock, causing a quantity of loose stones to go rattling down below. With a + low cry Branasko fell. An instant later Johnston heard him strike the + ledge beneath, and heard him cry out in pain. Then all was still except + the echoes of Branasko's cry, which bounded and rebounded from side to + side of the chasm, and grew fainter and fainter, till it was submerged in + the roaring below. Then there was a rattle of stones, and Branasko's voice + sounded: “A narrow escape!” he said faintly. “I am on another ledge”—then + after a slight pause, “it is much wider, I don't know how wide. Are you + listening?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but are you hurt?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. Simply knocked the breath out of me for a moment. There is a + cave behind me, and (for a moment there was silence) I can see a light + ahead in the cave. I think it must be the reflection of the internal fire. + Come down to me and we will explore the cavern, and see where the light + comes from.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't get down there!” shouted Johnston, to make himself heard above a + sudden increase in the roaring in the chasm, “there is no way.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment!” came from the Alphian. “This ledge seems to incline + upward.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston stood perfectly motionless, afraid to move from the ledge either + to right or to left, and heard Branasko's footsteps along the rock + beneath. “All right so far,” he called up, and his voice showed that he + had gone to a considerable distance to the left, “the ledge seems to be + still leading gradually upward. I think I can reach you.” + </p> + <p> + Fifteen minutes passed. The lone American could no longer hear Branasko's + footsteps. Johnston was becoming uneasy and the hot air was causing his + head to swim. He was thinking of trying to retrace his footsteps to a + place of more security when he heard footsteps, and then the cheery voice + of Branasko nearly opposite him across the chasm: + </p> + <p> + “Are you there?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well; I have discovered a good pathway down to the cave, and a pool + of fish besides. I have saved some for you. I was so hungry I had to eat. + Now, you must jump over to me.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot,” declared the American. “I cannot jump so far; besides, you + failed.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko laughed. “I did not leap in the right direction. It is this point + on which I am now standing that I should have tried to reach. Come, I will + catch you.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston could not bear to be considered cowardly, so he stepped to the + verge of the chasm and prepared to jump. His head felt more dizzy as he + thought of the fathomless depths beneath, and the rush of hot air up the + side of the cliff took his breath away, but he braced himself and said + calmly: “All right, I am coming.” The next instant he sprang forward. + Branasko caught him into his arms and they both rolled back on the level + stone. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” cried the Alphian, trying to catch his breath, which Johnston had + knocked out of him by the fall. “You did better than I; you are lighter.” + </p> + <p> + “Where shall we go now?” asked Johnston, regaining his feet and feeling of + his legs and arms to see if he had broken any bones. + </p> + <p> + “Down this winding path to the place where I saw that light. I want to + understand it. But you must first eat this fish. It is delicious. They are + swarming in the pools below.” + </p> + <p> + “And water?” said Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “An abundance of it, and as cold as ice.” + </p> + <p> + As Branasko preceded him down the tortuous path, Johnston ate the raw fish + eagerly. Presently they came to a deep pool of water, and both men threw + themselves down on their stomachs and drank freely. After this they + proceeded slowly for several hundred yards, and finally reached the + entrance to the cave in which Branasko had seen the light. At that + distance it looked like the light of some great conflagration reflected + from the face of a cliff. + </p> + <p> + They entered the cave and made good progress toward the light, for it + showed them the dangerous fissures, sharp boulders and stalactites. They + had walked along in silence for several minutes when the Alphian stopped + abruptly and turned to his companion. “What is the matter?” asked + Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “It cannot come from the internal fires,” replied Branasko, “for the + atmosphere grows cooler as we get nearer the light and away from the + chasm.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston was too much puzzled to formulate a reply, and he simply waited + for the Alphian to continue. + </p> + <p> + “Let's go on,” said Branasko; and in his tone and hesitating manner + Johnston detected the first appearance of superstitious fear that he had + seen in the brawny Alphian. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VIII. + </h2> + <p> + As Thorndyke watched the flying machine that was bearing his friend away a + genuine feeling of pity went over him. Poor Johnston! He had been haunted + all day with the belief that he was to meet with some misfortune from + which Thorndyke was to be spared, and Thorndyke had ridiculed his fears. + When the air-ship had become a mere speck in the sky, the Englishman + turned back into the palace and strolled about in the vast crowd. + </p> + <p> + A handsome young man in uniform approached and touched his hat: + </p> + <p> + “Are you the comrade of the fellow they are just sending away?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Where are they taking him?” + </p> + <p> + “To the 'Barrens,' of course; where do you suppose they would take such a + man? He couldn't pass his examination. You are not a great physical + success yourself, but they say you pleased the king with your tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “To the Barrens,” repeated Thorndyke, too much concerned over the fate of + his comrade to notice the speaker's tone of contempt; “what are they, + where are they?” + </p> + <p> + The Alphian officer changed countenance, as he looked him over with + widening eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Your accent is strange; are you from the other world?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so,—this is a new one to me at any rate.” + </p> + <p> + “The world of endless oceans?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And the unchanging sun—forever white and——?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but where the devil is the Barrens?” + </p> + <p> + “Behind the sun, beyond the great endless wall.” + </p> + <p> + “Do they intend to put him to death?” + </p> + <p> + “No, that would be—what do you call it? murder; they will simply + leave him there to die of his own accord. And the king is right. I never + saw such a weakling. He would taint our whole race with his presence.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word Thorndyke abruptly turned from the officer and hastened + toward the apartment of the king. He would demand the return of poor + Johnston or kill the king if his demand was not granted. In his haste and + perturbation, however, he lost his way and wandered into a part of the + palace he had not seen. At every step he was more and more impressed with + the magnificent proportions of the structure and the grandeur of + everything about it. + </p> + <p> + Passing hurriedly through a large hall he saw an assemblage of beautiful + women and handsome men dancing to the music of a great orchestra. Further + on—in a great court—a regiment of soldiers were drilling, + their rapid evolutions making no more sound than if they were moving in + mid-air. In another room he saw a great body of men, women and children in + vari-colored suits bathing in a pool of rose-colored, perfumed water. + </p> + <p> + He was passing on when a woman, closely veiled and simply dressed, touched + his arm. + </p> + <p> + “Be watchful and follow me,” she said, in a low, guarded tone. + </p> + <p> + The heart of the Englishman bounded and his blood rushed to his face, for + the speaker was the Princess Bernardino. She did not pause, but glided on + into the shade of a great palm tree, and, behind a row of thick-growing + ferns of great height and thickness, she waited for him. + </p> + <p> + She lowered her veil as he approached and looked at him from her deep + brown eyes in great concern. He stood spell-bound under the witchery of + her beauty. + </p> + <p> + “I came to warn you, Prince,” she said, and her soft musical voice set + every nerve in Thorndyke's body to tingling with delight. “My father has + banished the faithful slave that you love, but you must not show the anger + that you feel, else he will kill you. You must be exceedingly cautious if + you would save him. My father would punish me severely if he knew that I + had sought you in this way. I was obliged to come in disguise; this dress + belongs to my most trusted maid.” + </p> + <p> + “And you came for my sake?” blurted out the Englishman, much embarrassed; + “I am not worthy of such a high honor.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled and tears rose in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Prince, don't speak to me so! You are far above me. I am weak. I know + nothing. I never cared for other men than the king and my brothers till I + saw you today, but now I would willingly be your slave.” + </p> + <p> + “I am yours forever, and an humble one,” bowed the courteous Englishman. + “The moment I saw you at the throne of your father my heart went out to + you. You wound it up in your music and trampled it under your dancing + feet. I have been over the whole world, and you are the loveliest creature + in it. It is because I saw you, because you are here, that I do not want + to leave your country. They may do as they will with me if they only will + let me see you now and then.” + </p> + <p> + The princess was deeply moved. The blood rushed to her face and beautified + it. Her eyes fell beneath his admiring glance. Thorndyke could not + restrain himself. He caught her slender hand and pressed it passionately + to his lips, and she made only a slight effort to prevent it. + </p> + <p> + “I am your obedient slave; what shall I do?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Do not try to rescue him now,” she said softly. “I shall come to you + again when we are not watched—you can know me by this dress. There + is no need for great haste, he could live in the Barrens several days; I + shall try to think of some way to save him, though such a thing has never + been done—never.” + </p> + <p> + Footsteps were heard on the other side of the row of ferns. A man was + passing and others soon followed him. The bathers were leaving the great + pool. + </p> + <p> + “I must leave you now,” she whispered. “If the king honors you again by + talking of his kingdom, continue to act as you did; your fearlessness and + good humor have pleased him greatly.” + </p> + <p> + “Could I not persuade him to bring Johnston back?” + </p> + <p> + “No; that would be impossible; those who are pronounced physically unfit + are obliged to die. It has been a law for a long time; you must not count + on that. I have, however, another plan, but I cannot tell you of it now, + for they may miss me and wonder where I am, and then, too, my father may + be looking for you. He will naturally desire to see you soon again.” + </p> + <p> + Bowing, she turned away and passed on toward the apartments of the king, + which the Englishman now recognized in the distance. Thorndyke went into + the bathing-room to watch those remaining in the great pool of + rose-colored water. The sight was beautiful. The waves which lapped + against the shelving shores of white marble were pink and white, and the + deeper water was as red as coral. + </p> + <p> + The Englishman was at once troubled over the fate of Johnston and elated + over having won Bernardino's regard. Thoughtfully he strolled away from + the bathers into a great picture-gallery. Here hung on the walls and stood + on pedestals some of the rarest works of art he had ever seen. He passed + through this room and was entering a shady retreat where plants, flowers + and umbrageous trees grew thickly, when he heard a step behind him and the + rustling of a silken skirt against the plants. + </p> + <p> + It was Bernardino. + </p> + <p> + “We can be unobserved here,” she said, taking off her thick veil and + arranging her luxuriant hair. “I hasten back. The king thinks, so my maid + tells me, that I am asleep in my chamber. He is busy with an audience of + police from a neighboring town and will not think of us.” + </p> + <p> + She sat down on a sofa upholstered in leather, and he took a seat beside + her. “I am glad that we can talk alone,” he said, “for I have much to ask + you. First, tell me where we are,—where this strange country is on + the map of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a long story,” she replied, “and it would greatly incense the king + if he should find out that I had told you, for one of his chief pleasures + is to note the surprise and admiration of new-comers over what they see + here. But if you will promise to gratify his vanity in this particular I + will try to explain it all.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise, and you can depend on my not getting you into trouble,” + replied Thorndyke. “I never was so puzzled in my life, with that sullen + sky overhead, the wonderful changing sunlight, and the remarkable + atmosphere. I am both bewildered and entranced. Every moment I see + something new and startling. Where are we?” + </p> + <p> + “Far beneath the ocean and the surface of the earth. I only know what the + king has let fall in my hearing in his conferences with his men of science + and inventors; but I shall try to make you understand how it all came + about.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a long time ago, two hundred years back, I suppose, that one of my + ancestors discovered a little isolated island in the Atlantic Ocean. He + was forced in a storm to land there with his ship and crew to make some + repairs in his vessel. In wandering about over the island he discovered a + narrow entrance to a cave, and, with two or three of his men, he began to + explore it. When they had gone for a mile or two down into the interior of + the cavern, which seemed to lead straight down toward the centre of the + earth, they began to find small pieces of gold. The further they went the + more they found, till at last the very cavern walls seemed lined with it. + </p> + <p> + “They were at first wildly excited over their sudden good fortune and were + about to load their ship with it and return to Europe at once, but the + better judgment of my ancestor prevailed. He explained that, if the world + were informed of the discovery of such an inexhaustible mine of gold, that + the value of the precious metal would decline till it would be worth + little more than some grosser metal, and that if they would only keep + their secret to themselves they could in time control the finances of the + world. So, acting on this suggestion, they only dug out a few thousand + pounds and took part of it to Europe and part of it to America and turned + it into money. + </p> + <p> + “Then, to curtail my story, they elected my ancestor as ruler, and, with + ships loaded with every available convenience that inexhaustible wealth + could procure and a colony of carefully chosen men, they returned to the + island. + </p> + <p> + “After the men and their families had settled in the great roomy mouth of + the cavern my ancestor supplied himself with several strong men and food + and lights, and sought to explore the entire cavern. + </p> + <p> + “To their astonishment they found that it was practically endless. When + they had gone down about sixty or seventy miles below the sea level they + found themselves on a vast, undulating plain, the soil of which was dark + and rich, with the black roof of the cavern arching overhead like the + bottom of a great inverted bowl. And when they had travelled about ten + days and reached the other side my ancestor calculated that the cave must + be over one hundred miles in diameter and almost circular in shape. But + what elated and surprised them most was the remarkable salubrity of the + atmosphere. In all parts of the cave it was exactly the same temperature, + and they found that they scarcely felt any fatigue from their journey, and + that they had little desire to eat the provisions with which they were + supplied. Indeed, the very air seemed permeated with a subtle quality that + gave them strength and energy of mind and body. + </p> + <p> + “Finally, when, after a month had passed, and they returned to their + anxious friends, these people overwhelmed them with exclamations of + surprise over their appearance. And in the light of day the explorers + looked at one another in astonishment, for, in the dim light of the + lanterns they had carried, they had not noticed the great change that had + come over them. They had all become the finest specimens of physical + health that could be imagined. Their bodies had filled out; they were + remarkably strong; their skins shone with healthful color and their eyes + sparkled with intellectual energy, and their minds, even to the humblest + burden-carrier, were astonishingly acute and active. + </p> + <p> + “My ancestor was a remarkable man, and he had hitherto shown much + inventive ability; but in that month in the cave he had developed into an + intellectual giant. After mature deliberation, he proposed a prodigious + scheme to his followers. He explained that, while they might, by using the + utmost discretion, hold the financial world in their power by means of + their inexhaustible wealth, that the laws and restrictions of different + countries prevented men of vast wealth from really enjoying more + privileges than men of moderate means. He grew eloquent in speaking of the + underground atmosphere, and proposed that they light the great cavern from + end to end and make it an ideal place where they could live as it suited + them. + </p> + <p> + “I see that you guess the end. My ancestor was a great student of the + sciences and had already thought of putting electricity to practical use. + You are surprised? Yes, it has been applied to our purposes for two + hundred years, while your people have understood its use such a short + time.” + </p> + <p> + “Great heavens!” exclaimed the Englishman. “I see it all; the sun is an + electric one!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And it runs mechanically over its great course as regularly as + clock-work.” + </p> + <p> + “More accurately, I assure you, but there probably never was a greater + mathematical problem than they solved in deciding on the size the sun + should be and amount of light necessary to fill up all the recesses of the + great vacancy. It was all very crude at the start; for years a great + electric light was simply suspended in the centre of the cavern's roof and + the light did not vary in color. A son of the first king suggested the + plan of giving the sun diurnal movement and the changing light. The moon + and stars were a later development. They found, too, that the light could + not be made to reach certain recesses in the cavern where the roof + approached the earth, so they finally built a great wall to keep the + inhabitants within proscribed boundaries, and to prevent them from + understanding the machinery of the heavens.” + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful!” exclaimed Thorndyke. “But the temperature of the atmosphere, + how does that happen to be so delightful and beneficial?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe they do not themselves thoroughly comprehend that. The heat + comes from the internal fires, and the fresh air from without in some + mysterious way. At first, in a few places, the heat was too severe, but + the scientific men among the first settlers obviated this difficulty by + closing up the hottest of the fissures and opening others in the cooler + parts of the cavern.” + </p> + <p> + “And the people, where did they come from?” + </p> + <p> + “From all parts of the earth. We had agents outside who selected such men + and women that were willing to come, and who filled all the requirements, + mentally and physically.” + </p> + <p> + “But why do they desire to live here instead of out in the world, when + they have all the wealth that they need to assure every advantage.” + </p> + <p> + “They dread death, and it is undoubtedly true that life is prolonged here; + our medical men declare that the longevity of every generation is + improved.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible? But tell me about the sun, when it sets, what becomes of + it?” + </p> + <p> + “It goes back to its place of rising through a great tunnel beneath us.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke sat in deep thought for a moment; then he looked so steadily and + so admiringly into Bernardino's eyes that she grew red with confusion. + “But you, yourself, are you thoroughly content here?” + </p> + <p> + “I know nothing else,” she continued. “I have heard little about your + world except that your people are discontented, weak and insane, and that + your changeable weather and your careless laws regarding marriage and + heredity produce perpetual and innumerable diseases; that your people are + not well developed and beautiful; that you war with one another, and that + one tears down what another builds. I have, too, always been happy, and + since you came I am happier still. I don't know what it means. I have + never been so much interested in any one before.” + </p> + <p> + “It is love on the part of both of us,” replied the Englishman + impulsively, taking her hand. “I never was content before. I went roving + over the earth trying to end my life at sea or in balloon voyages, but now + I only want to be with you. I have never dreamed that I could be so happy + or that I would meet any one so beautiful as you are.” + </p> + <p> + Bernardino's delight showed itself in blushes on her face, and Thorndyke, + unable to restrain himself, put his arm around her and drew her to his + breast and kissed her. + </p> + <p> + She sprang up quickly and he saw that she was trembling and that all the + color had fled from her face. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” he asked, in alarm. + </p> + <p> + At first she did not answer, but only looked at him half-frightened, and + then covered her face with her hands. He drew them from her face and + compelled her to look at him. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” he repeated, a strange fear at his heart. + </p> + <p> + “You have broken one of the most sacred laws of our country,” she + faltered, in great embarrassment; “my father would punish me very severely + if he knew of it, and he would banish you; for, to treat me in that + manner, as his daughter, is regarded as an insult to him.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon most humbly,” said the contrite Englishman. “It was all + on account of my ignorance of your customs and my impulsiveness. It shall + never happen again, I promise you.” + </p> + <p> + Her face brightened a little and the color came back slowly. She sat down + again, but not so near Thorndyke, and seemed desirous of changing the + subject. + </p> + <p> + “And do you love the man my father has transported?” she questioned. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he is a good, faithful fellow, and it is hard to die so far away + from friends.” + </p> + <p> + “We must try to save him, but I cannot now think of a safe plan. The + police are very vigilant.” + </p> + <p> + “Where was he taken?” + </p> + <p> + “Into the darkness behind the sun—beyond the wall of which I spoke.” + </p> + <p> + A flush of shame came into Thorndyke's face over the remembrance that he + had made no effort to aid poor Johnston, and was sitting listening with + delight to the conversation of Bernardino. He rose suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “I must be doing something to aid him,” he said. “I cannot sit here + inactive while he is in danger.” + </p> + <p> + “Be patient,” she advised, looking at him admiringly; “it is near night; + see, it is the gray light of dusk; the sun is out of sight. To-night, if + possible, I shall come to you. Perhaps I shall approach you without + disguise if you are in the throne-room and my father does not object to my + entertaining you, but for the present we must separate. Adieu.” + </p> + <p> + He bowed low as she turned away, and joined the throng that was passing + along outside. An officer approached him. It was Captain Tradmos, who + bowed and smiled pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + “I congratulate you,” he said, with suave pleasantness. + </p> + <p> + “Upon what?” Thorndyke was on his guard at once. + </p> + <p> + “Upon having pleased the king so thoroughly. No stranger, in my memory, + has ever been treated so courteously. Every other new-comer is put under + surveillance, but you are left unwatched.” + </p> + <p> + “He is easily pleased,” said the Englishman, “for I have done nothing to + gratify him.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought he would like you; and I felt that your friend would have to + suffer, but I could not help him.” + </p> + <p> + “He shall not suffer if I can prevent it.” + </p> + <p> + “Sh—be cautious. Those words, implying an inclination to treason, if + spoken to any other officer would place you under immediate arrest. I like + you, therefore I want to warn you against such folly. You are wholly in + the king's power. Another thing I would specially warn you against——” + </p> + <p> + “And that is?” + </p> + <p> + “Not to allow the king to suspect your admiration for the Princess + Bernardino. It would displease the king. She is much taken with you; I saw + it in her eyes when she danced for your entertainment.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed searchingly into the eyes of the + officer. Tradmos laughed. + </p> + <p> + “You are afraid of me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not, I trust you wholly; I know that you are honorable; I never + make a mistake along that line.” + </p> + <p> + Tradmos bowed, pleased by the compliment. + </p> + <p> + “I shall aid you all I can with my advice, for I know you will not betray + me; but at present I am powerless to give you material aid. Every subject + of this realm is bound to the autocratic will of the king. It is + impossible for any one to get from under his power.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “The only outlet to the upper world is carefully guarded by men who would + not be bribed.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there any chance for my friend?” + </p> + <p> + “None that I can see, but I must walk on; there comes one of the king's + attendants.” + </p> + <p> + “The king has asked to speak to you,” announced the attendant to + Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you,” was his reply, and he followed the man through the + crowded corridors into the throne-room of the king. Thorndyke forced a + smile as he saw the king smiling at him as he approached the throne. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of my palace?” asked the king, after Thorndyke had + knelt before him. + </p> + <p> + “It is superb,” answered the Englishman, recalling the advice of + Bernardino. “I am dazed by its splendor, its architecture, and its art. I + have seen nothing to equal it on earth.” + </p> + <p> + The king rose and stood beside him. His manner was both pleasing and + sympathetic. “I am persuaded,” said he, “that you will make a good + subject, and have the interest of Alpha always at heart, but I have often + been mistaken in the character of men and think it best to give you a + timely warning. An attendant will conduct you to a chamber beneath the + palace where it will be your privilege to converse with a man who once + planned to get up a rebellion among my people.” + </p> + <p> + There had come suddenly a stern harshness into the king's tone that roused + the fears of Thorndyke. He was about to reply, but the king held up his + hand. “Wait till you have visited the dungeon of Nordeskyne, then I am + sure that you will be convinced that strict obedience in thought as well + as deed is best for an inhabitant of Alpha.” Speaking thus, he signed to + an attendant who came forward and bowed. + </p> + <p> + “Conduct him to the dungeon of Nordeskyne, and return to me,” ordered the + king. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke's heart was heavy, and he was filled with strange forebodings, + but he simply smiled and bowed, as the attendant led him away. The + attendant opened a door at the back of the throne-room and they were + confronted by darkness. They went along a narrow corridor for some + distance, the darkness thickening at every step. There was no sound except + the sound of the guide's shoes on the smooth stone pavement. Presently the + man released Thorndyke's arm, saying: + </p> + <p> + “It is narrow here, follow close behind, and do not attempt to go back.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall certainly stick to you,” replied the Englishman drily. They + turned a sharp corner suddenly, and were going in another direction when + Thorndyke felt a soft warm hand steal into his from behind, and knew + intuitively that it was Bernardino. The guide was a few feet in advance of + them and she drew Thorndyke's head down and whispered into his ear. + </p> + <p> + “Be brave—by all that you love—for your life, keep your + presence of mind, and——” + </p> + <p> + “What was that?” asked the guide, turning suddenly and catching the + Englishman's arm, “I thought I heard whispering.” + </p> + <p> + “I was saying my prayers, that is all,” and the Englishman pressed the + hand of the princess, who, pressed close against the wall, was gliding + cautiously away. + </p> + <p> + “Prayers, humph—you'll need them later, come on!” and he caught the + Englishman's arm and hastily drew him onward. Thorndyke's spirits sank + lower. The air of the narrow under-ground corridor was cold and damp, and + he quivered from head to foot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IX. + </h2> + <h3> + Branasko paused again in his walk towards the mysterious light. + </h3> + <p> + “It cannot be from the internal fires,” said he, “for this light is white, + and the glow of the fires is red.” + </p> + <p> + “Let's turn back,” suggested Johnston, “it can do us no good to go down + there; it is only taking us further from the wall.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to understand it,” returned the Alphian thoughtfully; “and, + besides, there can be no more danger there than back among the hot + crevices. We have got to perish anyway, and we might as well spice the + remainder of our lives with whatever adventure we can. Who knows what we + may not discover? There are many things about the land of Alpha that the + inhabitants do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll follow you anywhere,” acquiesced Johnston; “you are right.” + </p> + <p> + They stumbled on over the rocky surface in silence. At times, the roof of + the cavern sank so low that they had to stoop to pass under it, and again + it rose sharply like the roof of a cathedral, and the rays of the + far-away, but ever-increasing light, shone upon glistening stalactites + that hung from the darkness above them like daggers of diamonds set in + ebony. + </p> + <p> + “It is not so near as I supposed,” said the Alphian wearily. “And the + light seemed to me to be shining on a cliff over which water is pouring in + places. Yes, you can see that it is water by the ripples in the light.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but where can the light itself be?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot yet tell; wait till we get nearer.” + </p> + <p> + In about an hour they came to a wide chasm on the other side of which + towered a vast cliff of white crystal. It was on this that the trembling + light was playing. + </p> + <p> + “Not a waterfall after all,” said Branasko; “see, there is the source of + the reflection,” and he pointed to the left through a series of dark + chambers of the cavern to a dazzling light. “Come, let's go nearer it.” He + moved a few steps forward and then happening to look over his shoulder he + stopped abruptly, and uttered an exclamation of surprise. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” And Johnston followed the eyes of the Alphian. + </p> + <p> + “Our shadows on the crystal cliff,” said Branasko in an awed tone; “only + the light from the changing sun could make them so.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston shuddered superstitiously at the tone of Branasko's quivering + voice, and their giant shadows which stood out on the smooth crystal like + silhouettes. So clear-cut were they, that, in his own shadow, the American + could see his breast heaving and in Branasko's the quivering of the + Alphian's huge body and limbs. + </p> + <p> + “If we have happened upon the home of the sun, only the spirit of the dead + kings could tell what will become of us,” said Branasko. + </p> + <p> + “Puh! you are blindly superstitious,” said Johnston; “what if we do come + upon the sun? Let's go down there and look into the mystery.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko fell into the rear and the American stoutly pushed ahead toward + the light which was every moment increasing. As they advanced the cave got + larger until it opened out into a larger plain over which hung fathomless + darkness, and out of the plain a great dazzling globe of light was slowly + rising. + </p> + <p> + “It is the sun itself,” exclaimed Branasko, and he sank to the earth and + covered his face with his hands. “I have not thought ever to see it out of + the sky.” + </p> + <p> + The American was deeply thrilled by the grand sight. He sat down by + Branasko and together they watched the vast ball of light emerge from the + black earth and gradually disappear in a great hole in the roof of the + cavern. It left a broad stream of light behind it, and, now that the sun + itself was out of view, the silent spectators could see the great square + hole from which it had risen. + </p> + <p> + As if by mutual consent, they rose and made their way over the rocks to + the verge of the hole, which seemed several thousand feet square. At + first, owing to the brightness of the sun overhead, they could see + nothing; but, as the great orb gradually disappeared, they began to see + lights and the figures of men moving about below. Later they observed the + polished parts of stupendous machinery—machinery that moved almost + noiselessly. + </p> + <p> + Johnston caught sight of a great net-work of moving cables reaching from + the machinery up through the hole above and exclaimed enthusiastically:—“A + mechanical sun! electric daylight! What genius! A world in a great cave! + Hundreds of square miles and thousands of well organized people living + under the light of an artificial sun!” + </p> + <p> + The Alphian looked at him astonished. “Is it not so in your country?” he + asked. + </p> + <p> + Johnston smiled. “The great sun that lights the outer world is as much + greater than that ball of light as Alpha is greater than a grain of sand. + But this surely is the greatest achievement of man. But while I now + understand how your sun goes over the whole of Alpha, I cannot see how it + returns.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have not heard of the great tunnel of the Sun,” replied the + Alphian. + </p> + <p> + “No,what is it?” + </p> + <p> + “It runs beneath Alpha and connects the rising and setting points of the + sun. There is a point beneath the king's palace where, by a staircase, the + king and his officers may go down and inspect the sun as it is on its way + back to the east during the day.” + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful!” + </p> + <p> + “And once a year a royal party goes in the sun over its entire course. It + is said that it is sumptuously furnished inside, and not too warm, the + lights being only innumerable small ones on the outside.” + </p> + <p> + The two men were silent for a moment then Johnston said: + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps we might be able to get into it unobserved and be thus carried + over to the other side, or reach the palace through the tunnel.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko started convulsively, and then, as he looked into the earnest + eyes of the American, he said despondently: + </p> + <p> + “We have got to die, anyway; it may be well for us to think of it; but on + the other side, in the Barrens, there is no more chance for escape than + here. But the adventure would at least give us something to think about; + let's try it.” + </p> + <p> + “All right; but how can we get down there where the sun starts to rise?” + asked the American, peering cautiously over the edge of the hole. + </p> + <p> + “There must be some way,” answered Branasko. “Ah, see! further to the left + there are some ledges; let's see what can be done that way.” + </p> + <p> + “I am with you.” + </p> + <p> + The rays of the departing sun were almost gone, and the electric lights + down among the machinery seemed afar off like stars reflected in deep + water. With great difficulty the two men lowered themselves from one sharp + ledge to another till they had gone half down to the bottom. + </p> + <p> + “It is no use,” said Branasko, peering over the lowest ledge. “There are + no more ledges and this one juts out so far that even if there were + smaller ones beneath we could not get to them.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” agreed the American, “but look, is not that a lake + beneath? I think it must be, for the lights are reflected on its surface.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” answered Branasko; “and I now see a chance for us to get + down safely.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “The workers are too far from the lake to see us; we can drop into the + water and swim ashore.” + </p> + <p> + “Would they not hear the splashing of our bodies?” + </p> + <p> + “I think not; but first let's experiment with a big stone.” + </p> + <p> + Suiting the action to the word, they secured a stone weighing about + seventy-five pounds and brought it to the ledge. Carefully poising it in + mid-air, they let it go. Down it went, cutting the air with a sharp + whizzing sound. They listened breathlessly, but heard no sound as the rock + struck the water, and the men among the machinery seemed undisturbed. Only + the widening circles of rings on the lake's surface indicated where the + stone had fallen. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” ejaculated the Alphian; “are you equal to such a plunge? The water + must be deep, and we won't be hurt at all if only we can keep our feet + downward and hold our breath long enough. Our clothing will soon dry down + there, for feel the warmth that comes from below.” + </p> + <p> + The Alphian slowly crawled out on the sharpest projection of the ledge. + “Are you willing to try it?” he asked, over his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, wait till you see me swim ashore, and then follow.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston shuddered as the strong fellow swung himself over the ledge and + hung downward. + </p> + <p> + “Adieu,” said Branasko, and he let go. Down he fell, as straight as an + arrow, into the shadows below. For an instant Johnston heard the + fluttering of the fellow's clothing as he fell through the darkness, and + then there was no sound except the low whirr of the cables and the + monotonous hum of the great wheels beneath. Then the smooth surface of the + lake was broken in a white foaming spot, and, later, he saw something + small and dark slowly swimming shoreward. It was Branasko, and the men to + the right had not heard or seen him. + </p> + <p> + Johnston saw him reach the shore, then he crawled out to the point of the + projecting rock and tremblingly lowered himself till he hung downward as + Branasko had done. He had just drawn a deep breath preparatory to letting + go his hold, when, chancing to look down, he saw a long narrow barge + slowly emerging from the cliff directly under him. For an instant he was + so much startled that he almost lost his grip on the rock. He tried to + climb back on the ledge, but his strength was gone. He felt that he could + not hold out till the boat had passed. Death was before him, and a + horrible one. The boat seemed to crawl. Everything was a blur before his + eyes. His fingers began to relax, and with a low cry he fell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter X. + </h2> + <p> + To Thorndyke the dark corridor seemed endless. The king's last words had + now a sinister meaning, and Bernardino's whispered warning filled him with + dread. “Keep your presence of mind,” she urged; was it then, some + frightful mental ordeal he was about to pass through? + </p> + <p> + Presently they came to a door. Thorndyke heard his guide feeling for the + bolt and key-hole. The rattling of the keys sounded like a ghostly threat + in the empty corridors. The air was as damp as a fog, and the stones were + cold and slimy. After a moment the guard succeeded in unlocking the door + and roughly pushed the Englishman forward. The door closed with a little + puff, and Thorndyke felt about him for the guide; but he was alone. For a + moment there was no sound. With the closing of the door it seemed to him + that he was cut off from every living creature. In the awful silence he + could hear his own heart beating like a drum. + </p> + <p> + “Stand where you are!” came in a hissing whisper from the darkness near + by, and then the invisible whisperer moved away, making a weird sound as + he slid his hand along a wall, till it died away in the distance. + </p> + <p> + A cold thrill ran over him. He was a brave man and feared no living man or + beast, but the superstitious fears of his childhood now came upon him with + redoubled force. For several minutes he did not stir; presently he put out + his hand to the door and his blood ran cold. There was no knob, latch, or + key-hole, and he could feel the soft padding into which the door closed to + keep out sound. Then he remembered the warning of the princess, and strove + with all his might to fight down his apprehensions. “For your life keep + your presence of mind,” he repeated over and over, but try as he would his + terror over-powered him. He laughed out loud, but in the dreadful silence + and darkness his laugh sounded unearthly. + </p> + <p> + A cold perspiration broke out on him. It seemed as if hours passed before + he again heard the sliding noise on the wall. Some one was coming to him. + The sound grew louder and nearer, till a firm hand was laid on his arm; it + felt as cold as ice through his clothing. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” a voice whispered, and the Englishman was led forward. Presently + another door opened—a door that closed after them without any sound. + Here the silence was more intensified, the darkness thicker as if + compressed like air. + </p> + <p> + Hands were placed on the shoulders of Thorndyke and he was gently forced + into a chair. As soon as he was seated two metal clamps grasped like a + vise his arms between the elbows and the shoulders, and two more fastened + round his ankles. + </p> + <p> + There was a faint puff of air from the door and the prisoner felt that he + was alone. Terror held him in bondage. He tried to think of Bernardino, + but in vain. Did they intend to drive him to madness? He began to suspect + that the king had discovered his natural superstition and had decided to + put it to a test. What he had undergone so far he felt was but the + introduction to greater terrors in store for him. + </p> + <p> + There was a sigh far away in the darkness—then a groan that seemed + to flit about in space, as if seeking to escape the dark, and then died + away in a low moan of despair. Before him the blackness seemed to hang + like a dark curtain about ten yards in front of him, and in it shone a + tiny speck of light no larger than the head of a pin, and which was so + bright that he could not look at it steadily. It increased to the size of + a pea, and then he discovered that, at times, it would seem miles away in + space and then again to draw quite near to hand. Glancing down, he noticed + that it cast a bright round spot about an inch in diameter on the floor, + and that the spot was slowly revolving in a circle so small that its + motion was hardly observable. Surely the mind of a superstitious man was + never so punished! When Thorndyke looked steadily at the spot, the black + floor seemed to recede, and the spot to sink far down into the empty + darkness below like a solitary star; So realistic was this that the + Englishman could not keep from fancying that this chair was poised in some + way over fathomless space. Presently he noticed that the spot had ceased + its circular movement and was slowly—almost as slowly as the + movement of the hand of a clock—advancing in a straight line toward + him. + </p> + <p> + No such terror had ever before possessed the stout heart of the + Englishman. As the uncanny spot, ever growing brighter, advanced toward + him, he thought his heart had stopped beating; his brain was in a whirl. + After a long while the spot reached his feet and began to climb up his + legs. With a shudder and a smothered cry, he tried to draw his feet away, + but they were too firmly manacled. + </p> + <p> + “It is searching for my heart,” thought Thorndyke. “My God, when it + reaches it, I shall die!” As the strange spot, gleaming like a burning + diamond in whose heart leaped a thousand different colored flames, and + which seemed possessed of some strange hellish purpose, crossed his thighs + and began to climb up his body, the brain of the prisoner seemed on fire. + He tried to close his eyes, but, horror of horrors! his eyelids were + paralyzed. It was almost over his heart, and Thorndyke was fainting + through sheer mental exhaustion when it stopped, began to descend slowly, + and, then, with a rapid, wavering motion, it fell to the floor, flashed + about in the darkness, and vanished. + </p> + <p> + An hour dragged slowly by. What would happen next? The Englishman felt + that his frightful ordeal was not over. To his surprise the darkness began + to lighten till he could see dimly the outlines of the chamber. It was + bare save for the chair he occupied against a wall, and a couch on the + opposite side of the room. The couch held something which looked like a + human body covered with a white cloth. He could see where the sheet + rounded over the head and rose sharply at the feet. + </p> + <p> + Something told him that it was a corpse and a new terror possessed him. + For several minutes he gazed at the couch in dreadful suspense, then his + heart stopped pulsing as the figure on the couch began to move. Slowly the + sheet fell from the head and the figure sat up stiffly. There was a faint + hum of hidden machinery at the couch, and a flashing blue and green line + running from the couch to the wall betrayed the presence of an electric + wire. + </p> + <p> + Slowly the figure rose, and with creaking, rattling joints stood erect. + Pale lights shone in the orbits of the eyes and the sound of harsh + automatic breathing came from the mouth and nostrils. Slowly and haltingly + the figure advanced toward Thorndyke. The poor fellow tried to wrench + himself free from the chair, but he could not stir an inch. On came the + figure, its long arms swinging mechanically, and its feet slurring over + the stone pavement. + </p> + <p> + When within ten feet of the Englishman it stopped, nodded its head three + or four times, and slowly opened its mouth. There was a sharp, whirring + noise, such as comes from a phonograph, and a voice spoke: + </p> + <p> + “My voice shall sound on earth for a million years after my spirit has + left my body; and I shall wander about my dark dungeon as a warning to men + not to do as I have done.” + </p> + <p> + The voice ceased, but the whirring sound in the creature's breast went on. + The figure shambled nearer to Thorndyke and the voice began again: + </p> + <p> + “I disobeyed the laws of great Alpha and her imperial king and am to die. + Beware of the temptation to search into the royal motives or attempt to + escape. The fate of all the inhabitants of Alpha, the wonderful Land of + the Changing Sun, is in the hands of its ruler. Beware! My death-torture + is to be lingering and horrible. I sink into deepest dejection. I was + eager to return to my native land and tried to escape. Behold my + punishment! Even my bones and flesh will not be allowed to rest or decay. + Beware, the king is just and good, but he will be obeyed!” + </p> + <p> + Slowly the figure retreated toward the couch and lay down on it. The + whirring sound ceased, the light along the wire went out, and the darkness + thickened till the couch and the outlines of the chamber were obscured. + Then Thorndyke's chair was lifted, as if by unseen hands, and he was borne + backward. In a moment he felt the cool, damp air of the corridor, and some + one raised him to his feet and led him back to the throne-room. + </p> + <p> + In the bright light which burst on him as the door opened, the beautiful + women and handsome men moving about the throne were to him like a glimpse + of Paradise. The attendant left him at the door and he walked in, so dazed + and weak that he hardly knew what to do. No one seemed to notice him and + the king was engaged in an animated conversation with several ladies who + were sitting at his feet. + </p> + <p> + In a bevy of women Thorndyke noticed Bernardino. She gave him a quick, + sympathetic glance of recognition and then looked down discreetly. + Presently she left the others and moved on till she had disappeared behind + a great carved wine-cistern which stood on the backs of four crouching + golden leopards in a retired part of the room. Something in her sudden + movement made the Englishman think she wanted to speak to him, and he went + to her. He was not mistaken, for she smiled as he approached. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad,” she whispered, touching his arm impulsively, and then quickly + removing her hand as if afraid of detection. + </p> + <p> + “Glad of what?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Glad that you stood that—that torture so well; several men have + died in that chair and some went mad.” + </p> + <p> + “I remembered your advice; that saved me.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a plan for us to try to rescue your friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I had forgotten him! what is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Captain Tradmos likes you and has consented to aid us. We shall need an + air-ship and he has one at his disposal which is used only for + governmental purposes.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want with the air-ship?” + </p> + <p> + “To go beyond and over the great wall.” + </p> + <p> + “But can we get away from here without being seen?” + </p> + <p> + “Under ordinary circumstances, neither by day nor night, but tomorrow the + king has planned to let his people witness a 'War of the Elements.'” + </p> + <p> + “A War of the Elements?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the grandest fete of Alpha. There will be a frightful storm in the + sky; no light for hours; the thunder will be musical and the lightning + will seem to set the world on fire. That will be our chance. When it is + darkest we shall try to get away unseen. We may fail. Such a daring thing + has never been attempted by any one. If we are detected we shall suffer + death as the penalty, the king could never pardon such a bold violation of + law.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XI. + </h2> + <p> + Johnston clung tenaciously to the rock. He tried to look down to see if + the barge had passed beneath him, but the intense strain on his arm now + drew his head back, so that he could not do so. Once more he made an + effort to regain his position on the rock, but he was not able to raise + himself an inch. + </p> + <p> + He felt certain that the fall would kill him, and he groaned in agony. His + fingers were benumbed and beginning to slip. Then he fell. The air whizzed + in his ears. He tried to keep his feet downward, but it was no use. He was + whirled heels over head many times, and his senses were leaving him when + he was restored by a plunge into the cold water. + </p> + <p> + Down he sank. It seemed to him that he never would lose his momentum and + that he would strangle before he could rise to the surface. Finally, + however, he came up more dead than alive. He had narrowly missed the + flat-boat, for he saw it receding from him only a few yards away. On the + shore stood Branasko motioning to him; and, slowly, for his strength was + almost gone, Johnston swam toward him. + </p> + <p> + The latter waded out into the shallow water and drew him ashore. + </p> + <p> + “You had a narrow escape,” he said, with a dry laugh. “I saw the boat come + from under the cliff just as you hung down from the ledge. At first I + hoped that you would get back on the rock, but when I saw you try and do + it and fail I thought that you were lost.” + </p> + <p> + The American could not speak for exhaustion; but, as he looked at the + departing craft with concern, Branasko laughed again: “Oh, you thought it + had a crew; so did I at first, but it has no one aboard. It is drawn by a + cable, and seems to be laden with coal.” + </p> + <p> + “Did they notice our fall up there?” panted Johnston, nodding toward the + lights in the distance. + </p> + <p> + “No, they are farther away than I thought.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what ought we to do?” “Hide here among the rocks till our clothing + dries and then look about us. We have nearly twenty-four hours to wait for + the sun to return through the tunnel.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is the tunnel?” + </p> + <p> + “Over on the other side of that black hill. There, you can see the mouth + of the tunnel through which the sun comes.” + </p> + <p> + “We need sleep,” said the Alphian, when their clothing was dry, “and it + may be a long time before we get a chance to get it. Let us lie down in + the shadow of that rock and rest.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston consented, and, lying down together, they soon dropped asleep. + They slept soundly. + </p> + <p> + Johnston was the first to awake. He felt so refreshed that he knew he must + have been unconscious several hours. He touched Branasko and the latter + sat up and rubbed his eyes and looked about him bewildered. + </p> + <p> + “I had a horrible dream,” he said shuddering. “I thought that we were in + the sun and over the capital city when it fell down. I thought the fall + was awful, and that all Alpha was aflame. Then the fires went out. + Everything was black, and the whole world rang with cries of terrified + people. Ugh! I don't want to dream so again; I'd rather not sleep at all. + But hush! what is that?” + </p> + <p> + Far away, as if in the centre of the earth, they heard a low monotonous + rumbling. They listened breathlessly. Every moment the sound increased. + They could feel the ground trembling as if shaken by an earthquake. + </p> + <p> + “It is the coming sun,” said Branasko. “We must get nearer the tunnel and + see what can be done. It would be useless to try to go back now.” + </p> + <p> + Stealing along in the shadow of the cliffs to keep from being seen by the + workmen on the plateau above, they climbed over a rocky incline and saw in + the side of a towering cliff, a great black hole. It was the mouth of the + tunnel. Into it ran eight wide tracks of railway and six mammoth cables + each twenty or thirty feet in diameter. + </p> + <p> + “The sun cannot be far away now,” remarked the Alphian. + </p> + <p> + “Is it not lighted?” + </p> + <p> + “I presume not; I think it comes through in darkness. The light is saved + for its passage over Alpha.” + </p> + <p> + “Would it not be as safe for us to attempt to walk through the tunnel to + the palace of the king?” + </p> + <p> + “Never; it would be over fifty miles in utter darkness. There may be a + thousand trestles and bridges over frightful chasms: for the most part, I + have heard the tunnel is a natural channel or a succession of caverns + united by tunnels. The other is the safer way, though it certainly is + risky enough.” + </p> + <p> + Louder and nearer grew the rumbling noise, and a faint light began to + shine from the tunnel and flash on the cliff opposite. + </p> + <p> + “It is the sun's headlight,” explained Branasko. + </p> + <p> + Johnston was thrilled to the centre of his being as he saw the light + playing over the polished tracks and cables and illuminating the walls of + the great tunnel. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was a deep, mellow-toned stroke of a bell in the sun, and, + as the two men shrank involuntarily into the deeper shade of the cliff, + the great globe, a stupendous ball of crystal, five hundred feet in + height, slowly emerged from the mouth of the tunnel and came to a stop + under the opening in the rock which led to the space above. + </p> + <p> + “What had we better do now?” said Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “Wait,” cautioned Branasko, and he drew the American to a great boulder + nearer the sun, from behind which they could, without being seen, watch + the action of the crowd of workmen that was hurriedly approaching. They + placed ladders of steel against the sides of the sun and swarmed over it + like bees. + </p> + <p> + “They are cleaning the glass and adjusting the lights,” said the Alphian; + “wait till they go round to the other side. Don't you see that square + opening near the ground?” + </p> + <p> + The American nodded. + </p> + <p> + “It is the door,” said Branasko, “and we must try to enter it while they + are on the other side. Let us slip nearer; there is another rock ahead + that we can hide behind.” Suiting the action to the word, Branasko led the + way, stooping near to the ground until both were safely ensconced behind + the boulder in question. They were now so near that they could hear the + electricians rubbing the glass. + </p> + <p> + One who seemed to be superintending the work opened the door and went into + the sun and lighted a bright light. From where they were crouched Johnston + and Branasko caught a view of a little hall, a flight of stairs, and some + pictures on the walls. + </p> + <p> + Presently the man extinguished the light and came out. + </p> + <p> + “They are removing their ladders from this side,” said Branasko in a + whisper. “Be ready; we must act quickly and without a particle of sound. + Run straight for that door and climb up the steps immediately.” + </p> + <p> + The men had all gone round to the other side, and no one was in sight. + </p> + <p> + “Quick! Follow me,” and bending low to the earth the Alphian darted across + the intervening space and into the doorway. Johnston was quite as + successful. As he entered the door he saw Branasko crawling up the + carpeted stairs ahead of him, and, on his all-fours, he followed. The + first landing was large, and there in the wall they found a closet. It + would have been dark but for a dim light that streamed down from above. + Branasko opened the closet door. “We must hide here for the present,” he + whispered. + </p> + <p> + They had barely got seated on the floor and closed the door when a bright + light broke round them and they heard somebody ascending the stairs. The + person passed by and went on further up. The two adventurers dared not + exchange a word. They could hear the footsteps above and the sound of the + electricians outside as they polished the lights and moved their ladders + from place to place. + </p> + <p> + “If he should stay, what could we do?” asked Johnston, after a long pause, + and when the footsteps sounded farther away. + </p> + <p> + “There are two of us and one of him,” grimly replied the brawny Alphian. + </p> + <p> + Johnston shuddered. “Let's not commit murder in any emergency,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “It would not be murder; every man has a right to save his own life.” + </p> + <p> + Nothing more was said just then, for the footsteps were growing nearer. + The man was descending. He crossed the landing they were on and went down + the last flight of stairs and out of the door. + </p> + <p> + Branasko rubbed his rough hands together. “We are going alone,” he said + with satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + There was a sound of sliding ladders on the walls outside. The workmen had + finished their task. A moment later a great bell overhead rang mellowly; + the colossal sphere trembled and rocked and then rose and swung easily + forward like the car of a balloon. + </p> + <p> + “We are rising,” said the Alphian, in a tone of superstitious awe. + Johnston said nothing. There was a cool, sinking sensation in his stomach + and his head was swimming. Branasko, however, was in possession of all his + faculties. + </p> + <p> + “We shall soon be through the shaft we first discovered and throw our + light over Alpha.” As he spoke the space about them broke into blinding + brightness and for a few moments they could only open their eyes for an + instant at a time. After a while Branasko opened the closet door and they + went up the stairs. + </p> + <p> + The first apartment they entered was most luxuriously furnished. Sofas, + couches and reclining-chairs were scattered here and there over the + elegant carpet, and statues of gold and marble stood in alcoves and niches + and strange stereopticon lanterns, hanging from the ceiling threw + ever-changing and life-like pictures on the walls. The light streamed in + from without through small circular windows. After they had walked about + the room for some minutes, the Alphian pointed to a half-open door and a + staircase at one side of the room. + </p> + <p> + “I think it leads to some sort of observatory on top,” he said. “I have + heard that when the royal family makes this voyage they are fond of + looking out from it. Suppose we see.” Johnston acquiesced, and Branasko + opened the door. From the increased brightness that came in they were + assured that the stairs led outward. + </p> + <p> + Ascending many flights of stairs and traversing a narrow winding gallery + which seemed to be gradually sloping upward, they finally reached the + outside, and found themselves on a platform about forty feet square + surrounded by iron balustrades. Above hung impenetrable blackness, below + curved a majestic sphere of white light. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XII. + </h2> + <p> + The sunlight was fading into gray when the princess turned to leave + Thorndyke. Night was drawing near. + </p> + <p> + “Have they assigned you a chamber yet?” she paused to ask. + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Then they have overlooked it; I shall remind the king.” + </p> + <p> + Her beautiful, lithe form was clearly outlined against the red glow of the + massive swinging lamp as she moved gracefully away, and Thorndyke's heart + bounded with admiration and hope as he thought of her growing regard for + him. He resumed his seat among the flowers, listening, as if in a + delightful dream, to the seductive music from bands in different parts of + the palace and the never-ceasing sound in the air which seemed to him to + be the concentrated echo of all the sounds in the strange country + rebounding from the vast cavern roof. + </p> + <p> + It grew darker. The gray outside had changed to purple. In the palace the + brilliant electric lights in prismatic globes refused to allow the day to + die. He was thinking of returning to the throne-room when a page in silken + attire approached from the direction of the king's quarters. + </p> + <p> + “To your chambers, master,” he announced, bowing respectfully. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke arose and followed him to an elevator near by. They ascended to + the highest balcony of the great rotunda. Here they alighted and turned to + the right, the page leading the way, a key in his hand. Presently the page + stopped at a door and unlocked it and preceded the Englishman into the + room. As they entered an electric light in a chandelier flashed up + automatically. + </p> + <p> + It was a sumptuous apartment, and adjoining it were several connecting + rooms all elegantly furnished. The page crossed the room and opened a door + to a little stairway. + </p> + <p> + “It leads to the roof,” he said. “The princess told me to call your + attention to it, that you might go out and view the starlight.” + </p> + <p> + When the page had retired, Thorndyke, feeling lonely, ascended the stairs + to the roof. It was perfectly flat save for the great dome which stood in + the centre and the numerous pinnacles and cupolas on every hand, and was + very spacious. The Englishman's loneliness increased, for no matter in + what direction he looked, there was not a living soul in sight. Far in + front of him he saw a stone parapet. He went to this and looked down on + the city. The electric lights were vari-colored, and arranged so that when + seen from a distance or from a great height they assumed artistic designs + that were beautiful to behold. + </p> + <p> + The regular streets and rows of buildings stretched away till the light in + the farthest distance seemed an ocean of blending colors. Overhead the + vault was black, and only here and there shone a star; but as he looked + upward they began to flash into being, and so rapidly that the sky seemed + a vast battlefield of electricity. + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful! Wonderful!” he ejaculated enthusiastically, when the black + dome was filled with twinkling stars. He leaned for a long time against + the parapet, listening to the music from the streets below, and watching + the flying-machines with their vari-colored lights rise from the little + parks at the intersection of the streets and dart away over the roofs like + big fireflies. Then he began to feel sleepy, and, going back to his + chambers, he retired. + </p> + <p> + When he awoke the next morning, the rosy glow of the sun was shining in at + his windows. On rising he was surprised to find a delectable breakfast + spread on a table in his sitting-room. + </p> + <p> + “Treating me like a lord, any way,” he said drily. “I can't say I dislike + the thing as a whole.” When he had satisfied his sharp hunger he went out + into a corridor and seeing an elevator he entered it and went down to the + throne-room. The king was just leaving his throne, but seeing Thorndyke he + turned to him with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “How did you sleep?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, indeed,” replied Thorndyke, with a low bow. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot talk to you now. I intended to, but I have promised my people a + 'War of the Elements' to-day and am busy. You will enjoy it, I trust.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of it, your Majesty.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, be about the palace, for it is a good point from which to view the + display.” + </p> + <p> + With these words he turned away and the Englishman, as if drawn there by + the memory of his last conversation with Bernardino, sought the retreat + where he had bidden her good-night. He sat down on the seat they had + occupied, and gave himself over to delightful reveries about her beauty + and loveliness of nature. Looking up suddenly he saw a pair of white hands + part the palm leaves in front of him and the subject of his thoughts + emerged into view. + </p> + <p> + She wore a regal gown and beautiful silken head-dress set with fine gems, + and gave him a warm glance of friendly greeting. + </p> + <p> + “I half hoped to find you here,” she said, blushing modestly under his + ardent gaze; “that is, I knew you would not know where to go——” + She paused, her face suffused with blushes. + </p> + <p> + “I did not hope to find you here,” he said, coming to her aid gallantly, + “but it was a delight to sit here where I last saw you.” + </p> + <p> + She blushed even deeper, and a pleased look flashed into her eyes. “It was + important that I should see you this morning,” she continued, with a + womanly desire to disguise her own feeling. “I wanted to tell you where to + meet me when the storm begins.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “On the roof of the palace, near the stairs leading down to your chambers. + At first it will be very dark, and it is then that we must get out of + sight of the palace. No other flying-machines will be in the air, and + Captain Tradmos thinks, if we are very careful, we can get away safely + before the display of lightning.” + </p> + <p> + “If we find my friend what can we do with him?” + </p> + <p> + She hesitated a moment, a look of perplexity on her face, then she said: + “We can bring him back and keep him hidden in your chambers till some + better arrangement can be made. We shall think of some expedient before + long, but at present he must be saved from starvation.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke attempted to draw her to a seat beside him, but she held back. + “No,” she said resolutely, “it would never do for us to be seen together. + If my father should suspect anything now, all hope would be lost.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke reluctantly released her hand. + </p> + <p> + “You are right, I beg your pardon,” he said humbly. “I shall meet you + promptly. Of course I want to save poor Johnston, but the delight of being + with you again, even for a moment, so intoxicates me that I forget even my + duty to him.” + </p> + <p> + After she left him he wandered out in the streets along the busy + thoroughfares, and into the beautiful parks, the flowers and foliage + changing color as each new hour dawned. The fragrance of the flowers + delighted his sense of smell, and the luscious fruits hung from vine and + tree in great abundance. + </p> + <p> + He was impatient for the time to arrive at which he was to meet the + princess. After awhile he noticed the people closing the shops and booths, + and in holiday dress going to the parks and public squares. He hastened to + the palace. The great rotunda and the throne-room were energetically + astir. Everybody wore rich apparel and was talking of the coming fete. The + king was on his throne surrounded by his men of science. In a cluster of + ladies in court dress, the Englishman recognized Bernardino. Catching his + eye, she looked startled for an instant, and, then, with a furtive glance + at the king, she swept her eyes back to Thorndyke and raised them + significantly toward his chambers. He understood, and his quick movement + was his reply. He turned immediately to an elevator that was going up, and + entered it. Again he was alone on the palace roof. The color of the + sunlight looked so natural that he studied it closely to see if he could + not detect something artificial in its appearance, but in vain. He found + that it did not pain his eyes to look at the sun steadily. He took from + his pocket a small sunglass, and focussed the rays on his hand, but the + heat was not intensified sufficiently to burn him. + </p> + <p> + Just then he heard a loud blast of a trumpet in a tall tower to the left + of the palace. It seemed a momentous signal. The jostling crowds in the + streets below suddenly stood motionless. Every eye was raised to the sky. + Not a sound broke the stillness. Following the glances of the crowd a few + minutes later, Thorndyke noticed a dark cloud rising in the west, and + spreading along the horizon. A feeling of awe came over him as it + gradually increased in volume, and, in vast black billows, began to roll + up toward the sun. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly out of the stillness came a faraway rumble like a fusillade of + cannon, now dying down low, again reaching such a height that it pained + the ears. Belated flying-machines darted across the sky here and there, + like storm-frightened birds, but they soon settled to earth. Every eye was + on the cloud which was now gashed with dazzling, vivid, electric flashes. + Thorndyke looked over the vast roof. He was alone. He walked to the + western parapet to get a broader view. + </p> + <p> + The clouds had increased till almost a third of the heavens were obscured + by the madly whirling blackness. There was a rumble in the cloud, or + beyond it, like thunder, and yet it was not, unless thunder can be + attuned, for the sound was like the music of a great orchestra magnified a + thousand-fold. The grand harmony died down. There was a blinding flash of + electricity in the clouds, and the Englishman involuntarily covered his + eyes with his hands. When he looked again the blackness was covering the + sun. For a moment its disk showed blood-red through the fringe of the + cloud and then disappeared. Total darkness fell on everything. + </p> + <p> + The silence was profound. The very air seemed stagnant. + </p> + <p> + Then the wind overhead, by some unseen force, was lashed into fury, and + all the sky was filled with whirlpools of deeper blackness. Suddenly there + was a flash of soft golden light; this was followed by streams of pink, of + blue and of purple till the whole heavens were hung with banners, flags, + and rain-bows of flame. Again darkness fell, and it seemed all the deeper + after the gorgeous scene which had preceded it. Thorndyke strained his + sight to detect something moving below, but nothing could be seen, and no + sound came up from the motionless crowds. + </p> + <p> + Behind him he heard a soft footstep on the stone tiling. It drew nearer. A + hand was being carefully slid along the parapet. The hand reached him and + touched his arm. + </p> + <p> + It was the princess. “Ah, I have at last found you,” she whispered, “I saw + you in the lightning, but lost you again.” + </p> + <p> + He put his arm round her and drew her into his embrace. He tried to speak, + but uttered only an inarticulate sound. + </p> + <p> + “I could not possibly come earlier,” she apologized, nestling against him + so closely that he could feel the quick and excited beating of her heart. + “My father kept me with him till only a moment ago. Captain Tradmos will + be here soon.” + </p> + <p> + “When do we start?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “That is the trouble,” she replied. “We had counted on getting away in the + darkness, before the display of lightning, but there is more danger now. + If our flying-machine were noticed the search-lights would be turned on us + and we would be discovered at once.” + </p> + <p> + “But even if we get safely away in the darkness when could we return?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that would be easy,” she replied. “As soon as the fete is over, + commerce will be resumed and the air will be filled with air-ships that + have been delayed in their regular business, and, in the disguises which I + have for us both, we could come back without rousing suspicion. We could + alight in Winter Park and return home later.” + </p> + <p> + “What is Winter Park?” + </p> + <p> + “You have not seen it? You must do so; it is one of the wonders of Alpha. + It is a vast park enclosed with high walls and covered with a roof of + glass. Inside the snow falls, and we have sleighing and coasting and lakes + of ice for skating. It was an invention of the king. The snowstorms there + are beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke's reply was drowned in a harmonious explosion like that of tuned + cannon; this was followed by the chimes of great bells which seemed to + swing back and forth miles overhead. + </p> + <p> + “Listen!” whispered Bernardino, “father calls it 'musical thunder,' and he + declares that it is produced in no other country but this.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not; he is right.” And the heart of the Englishman was stirred by + deep emotion. He had never dreamed that anything could so completely chain + his fancy and elevate his imagination as what he heard. The musical + clangor died down. The strange harmony grew more entrancing as it + softened. Then the whole eastern sky began to flush with rosy, shimmering + light. + </p> + <p> + “My father calls this the 'Ideal Dawn of Day,'” whispered Bernardino. “See + the faint golden halo near the horizon; that is where the sun is supposed + to be.” + </p> + <p> + “How is it done?” asked the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + “Few of our people know. It is a secret held only by the king and half a + dozen scientists. The whole thing, however, is operated by two men in a + room in the dome of the palace. The musician is a young German who was + becoming the wonder of the musical world when father induced him to come + to us. I have met him. He says he has been thoroughly happy here. He lives + on music. He showed me the instrument he used to play, a little thing he + called a violin, and its tones could not reach beyond the limits of a + small room. He laughs at it now and says the instrument that father gave + him to play on has strings drawn from the centre of the earth to the stars + of heaven.” + </p> + <p> + The rose-light had spread over the horizon and climbed almost to the + zenith, and with the dying booming and gentle clangor it began to fade + till all was dark again. + </p> + <p> + “Captain Tradmos ought to be here now,” continued the princess, glancing + uneasily toward the stairway. “We may not have so good an opportunity as + this.” + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes went by. + </p> + <p> + “Surely, something has gone wrong,” whispered Bernardino. “I have never + seen the darkness last so long as this; besides, can't you hear the + muttering of the people?” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke acknowledged that he did. He was about to add something else, + but was prevented by a loud blast from the trumpet in the tower. + </p> + <p> + Bernardino shrank from him and fell to trembling. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” he asked. “The trumpet!” she gasped, “something + awful has happened!” + </p> + <p> + A moment of profound silence, then the murmuring of the crowd rose + sullenly like the moaning of a rising storm; a search-light flashed up in + the gloom and swept its uncertain stream from point to point, but it died + out. Another and another shone for an instant in different parts of the + city, but they all failed. + </p> + <p> + “Something awful has happened,” repeated Bernardino, as if to herself; + “the lights will not burn!” + </p> + <p> + “Had we not better go down?” asked Thorndyke anxiously, excited by her + unusual perturbation. + </p> + <p> + For answer she mutely drew him to the eastern parapet. Far away in the + east there still lingered a faint hint of pink, but all over the whole + landscape darkness rested. + </p> + <p> + “See!” she exclaimed, pointing upward, “the clouds are thinning over the + sun, and yet there is no light. What can be the matter?” + </p> + <p> + At that juncture they heard soft steps on the roof and a voice calling: + </p> + <p> + “Bernardino! Princess Bernardino!” + </p> + <p> + “It is Tradmos,” she ejaculated gladly, then she called out softly: + </p> + <p> + “Tradmos! Tradmos!” + </p> + <p> + “Here!” the voice said, and a figure loomed up before them. It was the + captain. He was panting violently, as if he had been running. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” she asked, clasping his arm. + </p> + <p> + “The sun has gone out,” he announced. + </p> + <p> + A groan escaped her lips and she swayed into Thorndyke's arms. + </p> + <p> + “The clouds are thinning over the sun, yet there is no light. The king is + excited; he fears a panic!” + </p> + <p> + “Has such a thing never happened?” asked Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “An hundred years ago; then thousands lost their lives. As soon as the + people suspect the cause of the delay they will go mad with fear.” + </p> + <p> + “What can we do?” asked the princess, recovering her self-possession. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, wait!” replied Tradmos. “This is as safe a place as you could + find. Perhaps the trouble may be averted. Look!” + </p> + <p> + The disk of the veiled sun was aglow with a faintly trembling light; but + it went out. The silence was profound. The populace seemed unable to grasp + the situation, but when the light had flickered over the black face of the + sun once more and again expired, a sullen murmur rose and grew as it + passed from lip to lip. + </p> + <p> + It became a threatening roar, broken by an occasional cry of pain and a + dismal groan of terror. There was a crash as if a mountain had been burst + by explosives. + </p> + <p> + “The swinging bridge has been thrown down!” said Tradmos. + </p> + <p> + Light after light flashed up in different parts of the city, but they were + so small and so far apart that they seemed to add to the darkness rather + than to lessen it. + </p> + <p> + “The moon, it will rise!” cried the princess. + </p> + <p> + “It cannot,” said Tradmos in his beard, “at least not for several hours.” + </p> + <p> + “They will kill my father,” she said despondently, “they always hold him + responsible for any accident.” + </p> + <p> + “They cannot reach him,” consoled Tradmos. “He is safe for the present at + least.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible to make the repairs needed?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know. When the accident happened long ago the sun was just + rising.” + </p> + <p> + “Has it stopped?” + </p> + <p> + “I think not; it has simply gone out; the electric connection has, in some + way, been cut off.” + </p> + <p> + The tumult seemed to have extended to the very limits of the city, and was + constantly increasing. The smashing of timber and the falling of heavy + stones were heard near by. + </p> + <p> + Tradmos leaned far over the parapet. “They are coming toward us!” he said; + “they intend to destroy the palace; we must try to get down, but we shall + meet danger even there.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIII. + </h2> + <p> + Johnston and Branasko looked down at the great ball of light below them in + silent wonder. Johnston was the first to speak. He pointed to the four + massive cables which supported the sun at each corner of the platform and + extended upward till they were enveloped in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “They hold us up,” he said, “where do they go to?” + </p> + <p> + “To the big trucks which run on the tracks near the roof of the cavern; + the endless cables are up there, too, but we can not see them with this + glare about us.” + </p> + <p> + “We can see nothing of Alpha from here,” remarked Johnston disappointedly, + “we can see nothing beyond our circle of light.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to look down from this height at night,” said the Alphian. + “It would be a great view.” + </p> + <p> + “What is this?” Johnston went to one side of the platform and laid his + hand on the spokes of a polished metal wheel shaped like the pilot-wheel + of a steamboat. Branasko hastened to him. + </p> + <p> + “Don't touch it,” he warned. “It looks as if it were to turn the electric + connection off and on. If the sun should go out, the consequences would be + awful. The people of Alpha would go mad with fear.” + </p> + <p> + The American withdrew his hand, and he and Branasko walked back to the + centre of the platform. Johnston uttered an exclamation of surprise. “The + light is changing.” + </p> + <p> + And it was, for it was gradually fading into a purple that was + delightfully soothing to the eye after the painful brightness of a moment + before. + </p> + <p> + “I understand,” said the Alphian, “we are running very slow and are only + now about to approach the great wall, for purple is the color of the first + morning hour.” + </p> + <p> + “But how is the light changed?” asked Johnston curiously. + </p> + <p> + “By some shifting of glasses through which the rays shine, I presume,” + returned the Alphian; “but the mechanism seems to be concealed in the + walls of the globe.” + </p> + <p> + Not a word was spoken for an hour. They had lain down on the platform near + the iron railing which encompassed it, and Branasko was dozing + intermittently. Again the light began to change gradually. This time it + was gray. Johnston put out his hand to touch Branasko, but the Alphian was + awake. He sat up and nodded smiling. “Wait till the next hour,” he said; + “it will be rose-color; that is the most beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + Slowly the hours dragged by till the yellow light showed that it was the + sixth hour. Branasko had been exploring the vast interior below and came + back to Johnston who was asleep on the floor of the platform. + </p> + <p> + “I have just thought of something,” said Branasko. “This is the day + appointed by the king to entertain his subjects with a grand display of + the elements.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not understand,” said Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “The king,” explained the Alphian, “darkens the sun with clouds so that + all Alpha is blacker than night, and then he produces great storms in the + sky, and lightning and musical thunder. We may, perhaps, hear the music, + but we cannot witness the storm and electric display on account of the + light about us. It usually begins at this hour; so be silent and listen.” + </p> + <p> + After a few minutes there was a rumble from below like the roar of a + volcano and an answering echo from the black dome overhead. This died away + and was succeeded by a crash of musical thunder that thrilled Johnston's + being to its very core. Branasko's face was aglow with enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “Grand, glorious!” he ejaculated, “but if only you could see the lightning + and the dawn in the east you would remember it all your life. The sunlight + is cut off from Alpha by the clouds, and there is no light except the + wonderful effects in the sky.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston had gone back to the wheel and was examining it curiously. + </p> + <p> + “I have a mind to turn off the current for a moment anyway,” he said + doggedly; “if the sun is hidden they would not discover it.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko came to him, a weird look of interest in his eyes. “That is + true,” he said; “besides, what matters it? We may not live to see another + day.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston acted on a sudden impulse. He intended only to frighten Branasko + by moving the wheel slightly, and he had turned it barely an eighth of an + inch, when, as if controlled by some powerful spring, it whirled round at + a great rate, making a loud rattling noise. To their dismay the light went + out. + </p> + <p> + “My God! what have I done?” gasped the American in alarm. + </p> + <p> + “Settled our fate, I have no doubt,” muttered the Alphian from the + darkness. + </p> + <p> + Johnston had recoiled from the whirling wheel, and now cautiously groped + back to it, and attempted to turn it. It would not move. + </p> + <p> + “It has caught some way,” he groaned under his breath. + </p> + <p> + “And we have no light to find the cause of the trouble,” added the + Alphian, who had knelt down and was feeling about the wheel. Presently he + rose. + </p> + <p> + “I give it up,” he sighed, “I cannot understand it. The machinery is + somewhere inside.” + </p> + <p> + “It has grown colder,” shuddered Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “We were warmed by the light, of course,” remarked Branasko, “and now we + feel the dampness more. We are going at a frightful speed.” + </p> + <p> + Just then there was a jar, and the sun swung so violently from side to + side that the two men were prostrated on the floor. The speed seemed to + slacken. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if we are going to stop,” groaned the American, and he sat up + and held to Branasko. “Perhaps they will draw us back to rectify the + mistake, and then——” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be done,” interrupted the Alphian. “The machinery runs only one + way. We shall simply have to finish our journey in darkness.” + </p> + <p> + “They may catch us on the other side before the sun starts back through + the tunnel,” suggested the American. + </p> + <p> + “Not unlikely,” returned Branasko. “There, we are going ahead again. One + thing in our favor is that we can more easily escape capture in darkness + than if the sun were shining.” + </p> + <p> + “Does the sun stop before entering the tunnel?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” replied Branasko; “perhaps somebody will be there to see + what is wrong with the light. We must have our wits about us when we + land.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston was looking over the edge of the platform. “If the king's display + is taking place down there I can see no sign of it.” + </p> + <p> + “How stupid of us!” ejaculated Branasko. “Of course, clouds sufficiently + dense to hide the sun from Alpha would also prevent us from seeing the + display below. I ought to——” + </p> + <p> + He was interrupted by a grand outburst of harmony. The whole earth seemed + to vibrate with sublime melody. “Our blunder has not been discovered yet,” + finished Branasko, after a pause, “else the fete down below would have + been over. I am cold; shall we go inside?” + </p> + <p> + Johnston's answer was taken out of his mouth by a loud rattling beneath + the floor, near the wheel he had just turned; the sun shook spasmodically + for an instant, and its entire surface was faintly illuminated, but the + light failed signally. + </p> + <p> + “It must have been an extra current of electricity sent to relight the + lamps,” remarked Johnston; and, as he concluded, the sun trembled again, + and another flash and failure occurred. “Look,” cried the American, “the + clouds are thinning; see the lights below! They have discovered the + accident!” + </p> + <p> + They both leaned over the railing and looked below. As far as the eye + could reach, within the arc of their vision, they could see fitful lights + flashing up, here and there, and going out again. And then they heard + faint sounds of crashing masonry and the condensed roar of human voices, + which seemed to come from above rather than from below. The Alphian + turned. “I cannot stand the cold,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Johnston followed him. The rapid motion of the swinging sphere made him + dizzy, and he caught Branasko's arm to keep from falling. + </p> + <p> + “How can we tell when we go over the wall?” he asked anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have to guess at it,” was the answer. “At any rate we must be + near the lower door so as to get out quickly if it is necessary to do so + to escape detection.” + </p> + <p> + In the darkness they slowly made their way down the stairs to the great + room. + </p> + <p> + “There ought to be some way of making a light,” said the Alphian, and his + voice sounded loud and hollow in the empty chamber. After several failures + to find the stairs they descended to the door they had entered. Branasko + opened it a little, and a breeze came in. They sat down on the stone, and + after a while, in sheer fatigue, they fell asleep. Hours passed. Branasko + rose with a start, and shook Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “Our speed is lessening,” he exclaimed. “We must be going down. Be ready + to jump out the instant we stop. There, let me open the door wider.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIV. + </h2> + <p> + When Tradmos spoke the words of warning, Thorndyke put his arm round the + princess and drew her after Tradmos, who was hastening away in the gloom. + </p> + <p> + “Wait,” she said, drawing back. “Let us not get excited. We are really as + safe here as there; for in their madness they will kill one another and + trample them under foot.” She led him to a parapet overlooking the great + court below. “Hear them,” she said, in pity, “listen to their blows and + cries. That was a woman's voice, and some man must have struck her.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what is best to do,” said the Englishman. “I want to protect you, + but I am helpless; I don't know which way to turn.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait,” she said simply, and the Englishman thought she drew closer to + him, as if touched by his words. + </p> + <p> + There was a crash of timbers—a massive door had fallen—a + scrambling of feet on the stone pavement, and they could see the dark + human mass surging into the court through the corridors leading from the + streets. + </p> + <p> + “What are they doing?” asked Thorn dyke. + </p> + <p> + She shrank from the parapet as if she had been struck. + </p> + <p> + “Tearing the pillars down,” she replied aghast; “this part of the palace + will fall. Oh, what can be done!” + </p> + <p> + There was a grinding of stone upon stone, a mad yell from an hundred + throats, the crash of glass, and, with a thunderous sound, a colossal + pillar fell to the earth. The roof beneath the feet of the princess and + Thorndyke trembled and sagged, and the tiling split and showered about + them. + </p> + <p> + Raising Bernardino in his arms, as if she were an infant, Thorndyke sprang + toward the stairway leading to his chambers, but the roof had sunken till + it was steep and slippery. One instant he was toppling over backward, the + next, by a mighty effort, he had recovered his equilibrium, and finally + managed to reach a safer place. As he hurried on another pillar went down. + The roof sagged lower, and an avalanche of mortar and tiling slid into the + court below. Yells, groans, and cries of fury rent the air. + </p> + <p> + Bernardino had fainted. Thorndyke tried to restore her to consciousness, + but dared not put her from him for an instant. On he ran, and presently + reached a flight of stairs which he thought led to his chambers. He + descended them, and was hastening along a narrow corridor on the floor + beneath when Bernardino opened her eyes. She asked to be released from his + arms. He put her down, but supported her along the corridor. + </p> + <p> + “We have lost our way,” he said, as he discovered that the corridor, + instead of leading to his chambers, turned off obliquely in another + direction. + </p> + <p> + “Let's go on anyway,” she suggested; “it may lead us out. I have never + been here before. I—” A great crash drowned her words. The floor + quivered and swayed, but it did not fall. On they ran through the + darkness, till Thorndyke felt a heavy curtain before. He paused abruptly, + not knowing what to do. Bernardino felt of its texture, perplexed for an + instant. + </p> + <p> + “Draw it aside, it seems to hang across the corridor,” she said. He obeyed + her, and only a few yards further on they saw another curtain with bars of + light above and below it. They drew this aside, and found themselves on + the threshold of a most beautiful apartment. + </p> + <p> + In the mosaic floor were pictures cut in colored stones, and the ceiling + was a silken canopy as filmy and as delicately blue as the sky on a + summer's night. The floor was strewn with richly embroidered pillows, + couches, rugs and ottomans; and here and there were palm trees and beds of + flowers and grottoes. A solitary light, representing the moon, showed + through the silken canopy in whose folds little lights sparkled like + far-off stars. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke looked at the princess inquiringly. She was bewildered. + </p> + <p> + “I have no idea where we are,” she murmured. “I am sure I have never been + here before; but there is another apartment beyond. Listen! I hear cries.” + </p> + <p> + “Some one in distress,” he answered, and he drew her across the room and + through a door into another room more beautiful than the one they had just + left. Here, huddled together at a window overlooking the court, were six + or eight beautiful young women. They were staring out into the darkness, + and moaning and muttering low cries of despair. + </p> + <p> + “It is my father's ladies,” ejaculated the princess aghast. “He would be + angry if he knew we had come here. No one but himself enters these + apartments.” + </p> + <p> + Just then one of the women turned a lovely and despairing face toward + them, and came forward and knelt at the feet of Bernardino. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, save us, Princess,” she cried. + </p> + <p> + “Be calm,” said the princess, touching the white brow of the woman. “The + danger may soon pass; this portion of the palace is too strongly built for + them to injure it.” Then she turned to Thorndyke: “We must hasten on and + find our way down; it would never do for us to be seen here.” Then she + turned to the kneeling woman and said gently: “I hope you will say nothing + to the king of this; we lost our way in trying to get down from the roof.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” gladly promised the woman, and seeing that Bernardino knew + not which way to turn, she guided them to a door opening into a + dimly-lighted corridor. “It will take you out to the balconies and down to + the audience-chamber,” she said. The princess thanked her, and she and the + Englishman descended several flights of stairs. Reaching one of the + balconies they met the denser darkness of the outside and the deafening + clang and clamor of the multitude. There was no light of any kind, and + Thorndyke and his charge had to press close against the balustrade of the + balcony to keep from being crushed by the mad torrent of humanity. + </p> + <p> + Now and then a strident voice would rise above the din:— + </p> + <p> + “Down with the palace! Death to the king!” + </p> + <p> + The trumpet in the tower sounded again and again. + </p> + <p> + “It is my father trying to attract their attention,” explained the + princess. “Something very serious has happened for once. In speaking of + the time the sun went out before, he told me that he had made an invention + which, in such a crisis, would instantly restore confidence to the people. + I cannot understand why he does not use it. Oh, I am afraid they will kill + him!” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke tried to console her, for he saw that she was weeping, but just + then there was a strange lull in the general tumult. What could have + happened? + </p> + <p> + “The dawn! the ideal dawn!” cried Bernardino, pointing to the eastern sky. + Thorndyke looked in wonder. A purple light had spread along the horizon, + and as it gradually softened into gray and slowly turned to pink, the + noise of the populace died down. No sound could now be heard save the low + groans of wounded men and women. What a sight met the view as the + rose-light shimmered over the city! The dead and dying lay under the feet + of the crowd. Almost every creature bore some mark of violence. Eyes were + blood-shot, clothing torn, limbs were bleeding, and mingled fury and + sudden hope struggled in each ashen face. The young trees and shrubbery + had been trampled under foot, and walls, arcades and triumphal arches had + been thrown down. The fragments of statues lay here and there, and the + bodies of human beings filled the basins of broken fountains. + </p> + <p> + “It is not the sun,” explained Bernardino; “but the invention my father + spoke of. He is doing it to calm them.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke made no answer. He stood as if transfixed, gazing at the + horizon. The rose-light had spread over a third of the sky when gradually + there appeared in its centre a bright circle of yellow light. The yellow + light faded, leaving a perfect picture of the throne of the king; and as + the now silent masses looked at the picture, a curtain behind the throne + parted and the king himself appeared. He advanced and sat on the throne, + and turned a calm face towards his subjects. + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful!” ejaculated Bernardino, and her face was full of hope. “See + what he will do!” + </p> + <p> + “Where is the picture?” asked Thorndyke; “can it be seen by all of—of + the people?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, by all Alpha, for it is on the sky.” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke said nothing further, for the king had stood up, and with hands + out-stretched was bowing. Above the circle of light, as if cut out of the + solid blackness, in flaming letters stood the word, + </p> + <p> + “SILENCE!” + </p> + <p> + And there was silence. Even the lips of the wounded men closed as the king + began to speak. The sound of his voice seemed as far away as the stars, + and to permeate all space:— + </p> + <p> + “All danger is over. Tidings from the west state that the sun is setting. + No harm has come to it. It will rise in the morning, and the moon and + stars will be out in a few hours. Let the dead be removed, the wounded + cared for, and everything be repaired. This is my will.” + </p> + <p> + That was all. The king bowed sedately and retired from the throne, and the + circle and pink glow faded from the black sky. The stillness was unbroken + for a moment, then glad murmurings were heard in all directions. + </p> + <p> + “They are lighting the palace,” cried the princess. “See, down there is + the arcade leading to the rotunda.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad it is over,” said Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + She grasped his arm and impulsively looked into his face. “But your + friend, we have forgotten him, and done nothing to save him, and now it is + too late.” + </p> + <p> + “We could not help it; we had to think of our own safety.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall send for Captain Tradmos and try to devise some other plan,” she + said, as they descended the stairs. + </p> + <p> + “We should not be seen together,” she added, as they approached the + throne-room; “besides, you ought to go to your chambers. No one is allowed + to be out when the dead is being removed.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is the dead taken?” + </p> + <p> + “Over the wall, to be burned in the internal fires,” she concluded, as she + was leaving him. + </p> + <p> + He found everything in order in his rooms and he lay down and tried to + sleep, but he was too much excited over the happenings of the day. Hours + must have passed when his attention was drawn to a bright light shining on + the wall of his room. He went to a window and looked out on the court. The + light came from the rising moon. + </p> + <p> + Below lay the ruins of fallen columns, capitals, cornices and statues. + Figures in black cloaks and cowls were removing the dead from the debris. + With a fluttering sound something swooped down past his window to the + ground. It looked like a great bird, carrying the car of a flying-machine. + Thorndyke watched its circular descent to the earth, and shuddered with + horror as the black figures filled the car with bodies and the gruesome + machine spread its wings and rose slowly till it was clear of the domes + and pinnacles of the palace, and then flew away westward. + </p> + <p> + Other machines came, and, one after another, received their ghastly + burdens and departed. In a short time all the dead was removed, and + hundreds of workmen came from the palace and began repairing the fallen + masonry. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke went back to his couch and tried to sleep, but in vain. Slowly + the hours of night passed, and as the purple of dawn rose in the east he + dressed himself and went up on the roof. The moon had gone down and the + stars were fading from the sky. The dark earth below showed no signs of + life; but as the purple light softened into gray he saw that the streets + of the city were filled with silent expectant people, all watching the + eastern sky. And, as the gray light flushed into rose, and the rose began + to scintillate with gold, they began to stir, and a hum of joyful voices + was heard. The promised day had come. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XV. + </h2> + <h3> + The sun was, indeed, slowing up. The two men peered out at the door. + </h3> + <p> + “It would be unlucky for us if it should not come so near to the earth as + it did on the other side,” whispered Branasko. + </p> + <p> + “I can hardly feel any motion to the thing at all,” replied the American. + “Look! for some reason it is not so dark below. I can see the rocks. + Surely we have already passed over the wall.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” returned the Alphian. “Come; we must be quick and watch our + opportunity to land. I can't imagine where the light comes from unless it + be from the people waiting for the arrival of the sun.” Every instant the + speed was lessening. Overhead the cables were beginning to creak and + groan, and, now and then, the great globe swung perilously near some tall + stony peak, or passed under a mighty stalactite. Slower and slower it got + till, when within a few feet of the ground, it stopped its onward motion + and only swung back and forth like a pendulum. + </p> + <p> + “Quick,” whispered Branasko, “we must get down while it is swinging, no + time to lose—not an instant!” And as the sun moved backward, with + his hand on the doorsill, he leaped to the earth. Johnston followed him. + They were not a moment too soon, for about fifty yards away they saw a + body of sixty or seventy men with lights in their hands hastening toward + them. + </p> + <p> + “Just in time,” exulted Branasko, and he quickly drew Johnston into a + little cave in the face of a cliff. Crouching behind a great rock, they + saw and heard the men as they approached. + </p> + <p> + Some of them walked around the sun, and two, evidently in authority, + entered the door. The others were placing ladders against the side of the + sphere, when suddenly there was a loud clattering in the interior, a + whirling of wheels under the platform above, and the surface of the sun + burst into light. + </p> + <p> + The two refugees were momentarily blinded. Branasko had the presence of + mind to quickly draw his companion down close to the earth behind the + rock. “They could see us in the light,” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + There was a joyous clamoring of voices among the men, and they withdrew + several yards to look at the sun. This drew them nearer the hiding-place + of the two refugees. + </p> + <p> + “Only an accident,” said a voice; “it won't happen again.” + </p> + <p> + Then one of them went into the sun and the lights died out. In a moment + the sun began to move. Slowly and majestically it swept over the rocky + earth, followed by the crowd, till it reached a great hole and sank into + it. + </p> + <p> + “Gone into the tunnel,” said the Alphian, as the crowd disappeared behind + the cliff. + </p> + <p> + “What are we to do now?” asked Johnston. “We certainly can't go through + with the sun.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait till the next trip,” grimly replied Branasko. + </p> + <p> + The rumbling noise from the big hole gradually died away, and the two men + left their hiding-place. + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” asked Johnston. He pointed to the west, where a red light + shone against the towering cliffs. + </p> + <p> + “It must be the internal fires,” answered Branasko, with a noticeable + shudder. “Let's go nearer; I have heard that there is a point near here + where one can look down into the Lake of Flame.” + </p> + <p> + “The Lake of Flame!” echoed the American, “What is that?” “It is where all + of the dead of Alpha is cast by the black 'vultures of death.'” + </p> + <p> + Johnston said nothing, for it was difficult to keep up with the Alphian, + who was bounding over rocks and dangerous fissures toward the red glow in + the distance. + </p> + <p> + At every step the atmosphere got warmer, and they detected a slight + gaseous odor in the air. Finally, after an arduous tramp of an hour, they + climbed up a steep hill and looked sharply down into a vast bubbling lake + of molten matter more than a thousand yards below. Branasko noticed a + stone weighing several tons evenly balanced on the verge of the great + gulf, and pushed it with both his hands. It rocked, broke loose from its + slender hold on the cliff and bounded out into the red space. Down it + went, lessen-ing as it sank till it became a mere black speck and then + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “That's where the dead go,” said Branasko gloomily. + </p> + <p> + Just then the American, happening to glance up, saw something like a huge + black bird with outspread wings circling about in the red light over the + pit. Branasko saw it, too, and his face paled and a tremolo was in his + voice when he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “It is one of the 'vultures of death;' don't stir; we won't be seen if we + remain where we are!” The strange machine sank lower over the lake of + fire, till, as if buoyed up on the hot air, with faintly quivering wings, + it paused. A man opened a door of the black car and carelessly threw out + the bodies of a woman and a child. + </p> + <p> + The bodies whirled over and over and disappeared in the pit, and the man + closed the door. The machine then rose and gracefully winged its flight to + the east. In a moment others came with their grim burdens, and still + others, till the mouth of the pit was dark with them. + </p> + <p> + “Something has happened,” whispered Branasko, “some great calamity, for + surely so many people do not die in Alpha in a single day.” + </p> + <p> + For an hour they watched the coming and going of the vultures, till, + finally the last one hovered over the lake of fire. Suddenly the machine + swerved so near to Branasko and Johnston that they shrank close to the + earth to keep from being seen. Something was evidently wrong with the + machine, for there was a wild look of desperation on the driver's face as + he tugged excitedly at the pilot-wheel. But all his efforts only caused + the air-ship to dart irregularly from side to side, and, now and then, to + strike the rocks of the pit's mouth, to shoot up suddenly, or to sink + dangerously down toward the fire. + </p> + <p> + “He is losing control of it,” whispered Branasko, “he does not know what + to do. See, he is trying to lighten the load, by kicking out the body.” + </p> + <p> + That was true, and, as the machine made a sudden plunge toward the cliff a + few yards to the left of the refugees, the dead body, which the driver had + managed to move to the door with his feet, fell out and lodged upon the + edge of the cliff instead of falling into the fiery depths. The machine + bounded up a few yards and paused, now apparently under the control of its + driver. The man looked down hesitatingly at the corpse for a moment and + then lowered the machine to the sloping rock near where the body lay. He + alighted and cautiously crept down the steep incline to the body. He + raised it in his arms and was about to cast it from him when his foot + slipped, and with a cry of horror he fell with his burden over the cliff's + edge into the red abyss. + </p> + <p> + Johnston uttered an exclamation of horror, but Branasko was unmoved. After + a moment he rose, and carefully scanning the space overhead, he crawled on + hands and knees toward the machine. Johnston heard him chuckling to + himself and uttering spasmodic laughs, and he watched him closely as he + reached the machine. For several minutes he seemed to be inspecting it + critically, both inside and out; then he stood away from it, a bold, black + silhouette on a background of flame, and motioned the American to come to + him. + </p> + <p> + Johnston promptly, but not without many misgivings, obeyed his signal. + “What are you up to?” asked he, as the Alphian assisted him to rise from + his hands and knees. + </p> + <p> + Branasko touched the machine and smiled. His face was shining with + enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “The question of our returning to Alpha is settled,” he said + sententiously. + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “We can go in this.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you manage it?” + </p> + <p> + “Easily; that fellow must have been drunk; the machine is in good order, I + think.” + </p> + <p> + “When do you propose to start?” and the American eyed the funeral-car + dubiously. + </p> + <p> + “The night is before us; we could not get a better time.” As he spoke he + entered the car and laid his hand on the wheel. Johnston, obeying his nod, + followed, shuddering as he remarked the traces of blood on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “All right!” Branasko turned the wheel slowly, and the wings outside began + to flap, and the car mounted into the air like a startled bird and flew + out quickly over the pit. + </p> + <p> + Branasko bit his lip, and Johnston heard him stifle an exclamation of + impatience. As for the American, he was at once thrilled and fascinated by + the awful sight below; he could now see beneath the overhanging mouth of + the pit, and look far down into a boundless lake of molten matter that + seemed as restless as an ocean in a storm. + </p> + <p> + Then the air became so hot he could hardly breathe. He looked at the + Alphian in alarm. The latter was whirling the wheel first one way and then + another with a startled look of fear in his eyes, and then Johnston + noticed that the walls of the pit were rising about them, and the black + canopy overhead rapidly receding. + </p> + <p> + They were sinking down into the fire. + </p> + <p> + Almost wild with terror, the American sprang toward the wheel, but + Branasko pushed him away roughly. + </p> + <p> + “Stand back,” he ordered gruffly. “It is the heat; let me alone!” + </p> + <p> + The American sank into his seat. The heat became more and more intense. + Both men were purple in the face, and the perspiration was rolling from + their bodies in streams. Down sank the machine. + </p> + <p> + “I can't manage it,” said Branasko hoarsely, “we'd as well give up.” Just + then Johnston noticed the mouth of a cave behind Branasko. + </p> + <p> + “Look,” he cried, “can't we get into it?” + </p> + <p> + Branasko looked over his shoulder, and, as he saw the cave, he uttered a + glad cry. He quickly turned the wheel and drew out a lever at his right. + The machine obeyed instantly; it swerved round suddenly and dived into the + cave. The cool air soon revived them, and Branasko had little trouble in + bringing the car to a resting-place on the rocky floor of the cave. Before + them hung impenetrable darkness, behind a curtain of red light. + </p> + <p> + “We are in a pretty pickle now,” said Johnston despondently, as they + alighted from the car. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing to do but to make the best of it,” sighed Branasko. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps this cave may lead out into some place of safety.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston's eyes had become somewhat accustomed to the gloom, and he began + to peer into the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “I see a light,” he exclaimed; “it cannot be a reflection from the fire in + the pit, for it is whiter.” + </p> + <p> + The Alphian gazed at it steadily for a moment, then he said decidedly: “We + must go and see what it is.” Without another word he started toward the + white, star-like spot, sliding his hand over the rocky wall, and springing + over a fissure in the floor. + </p> + <p> + Gradually the light grew brighter, till, as they suddenly rounded a cliff, + a grand sight burst upon their view. They found themselves in a vast + dome-shaped cavern, thousands of yards in diameter and height. And almost + in the centre of the floor, from a red and purple mound of cooling lava, + leapt a white stream of molten matter from the floor to the dome. And in + the black dome, where the lava turned to molten spray, hung countless + stalactites of every color known to the artistic eye. And from the foot of + the fountain ran a tortuous rivulet that lighted the walls and roof of a + narrow chamber that extended for miles down toward the bowels of the + earth. + </p> + <p> + Branasko was delighted. + </p> + <p> + “The king does not know of this,” he declared, “else he would make it + accessible to his people, and call it one of the wonders of Alpha. By + accidentally sinking into the pit we have discovered it. But,” he + concluded, “we must at once try to find some way out other than that by + which we came.” + </p> + <p> + They turned from the beautiful fountain, and, holding to each other's + hands, and aided by the light behind them, they stumbled laboriously + through the semi-darkness. Branasko's ears were very acute. He paused to + listen. + </p> + <p> + “Hark ye!” he cautioned. + </p> + <p> + The combined roar of the pit and the fountain of lava had sunk to a low + murmur, but ahead of them they now heard a rushing sound like a distant + tornado. + </p> + <p> + “Come on,” said the Alphian, and he drew his companion after him with an + eagerness the American was slow to understand. The light in the cavern + gradually grew brighter. By a circuitous route they were again approaching + the pit of fire, though it was still hidden from sight. + </p> + <p> + Finally they reached a point where the wind was blowing stiffly, and + further on a volume of cold spray suddenly dashed upon them and wet them + to the skin. And when their eyes had become accustomed to the rolling + mist, they saw a great lake, and pouring into it from high above was a + mighty waterfall. + </p> + <p> + “Mercy!” ejaculated the Alphian, in great alarm. “If this is salt water we + are lost. All Alpha will come to an end!” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” And Johnston wondered if Branasko's trials and + struggle could have turned his brain. + </p> + <p> + “If it be salt water, then it has broken in from the ocean above Alpha,” + he explained. “The king has often said that not a drop of the ocean has + ever entered the great cavern.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko stooped and wet his hand in a little pool at his feet. “I am + almost afraid to taste it,” said he, holding his hand near his mouth. “It + would settle all our fates.” He waited a moment and then touched his + fingers to his tongue. + </p> + <p> + “Salt!” That was all he said for several moments. He folded his arms and + looked mutely toward the boiling lake. Presently he raised his eyes to the + great hole in the roof, and groaned: “The break is gradually widening. + These stones are freshly broken, and the great bowl is filling.” + </p> + <p> + “It will fill all Alpha with water and drown every soul in it,” added the + terrified American. + </p> + <p> + “That, however, is not the most immediate danger,” said Branasko wisely. + “They would first suffocate, and later their bodies would be swallowed up + in the stomach of the earth.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + Branasko shrugged his shoulders. “As soon as this bowl is filled with + water, which would not take many hours, it would run over into the lake of + fire and produce an explosion that would rend Alpha from end to end.” + </p> + <p> + “Who knows, it might turn the whole Atlantic into the centre of the earth, + and destroy the entire earth.” But Branasko was unable to grasp the full + magnitude of the remark, for to him the world was simply a vast cavern + lighted by human ingenuity. He fastened a narrow splinter of stone upright + in the shallow water at his feet, and, lying down on his stomach with his + eyes close to it, he studied it for several minutes. When he got up, a + desperate gleam was in his dark eyes. + </p> + <p> + “It is rising fast,” he said. “We must attempt to get to the capitol and + warn the king. It is possible that he may be able to stop the opening. The + only thing left to us is to try our machine again.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston found it hard to keep pace with him as he bounded out of the mist + and on toward the faint glow ahead. Reaching the flying machine Branasko + entered it and turned on a small electric light. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he grunted with satisfaction, “I have found a light. I can now see + what is the matter with it.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston stood outside and heard him hammering on the metal parts in the + car, and became so absorbed in thinking of the peril of their position + that he was startled when Branasko cried out to him:—“All right. I + think we can make it do; a pin has lost out, but perhaps I can hold the + piece in place with my foot. If only we can stand the heat of the pit long + enough to rise above it, we may escape.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston followed him into the car. Branasko seated himself firmly and + gave the wheel a little turn. Slowly the machine rose. “See!” cried + Branasko, “it is under control. We must not be too hasty. Now for the + pit!” + </p> + <p> + The heart of the American was in his mouth as the long black wings waved + up and down and the air-ship, like some live thing, shuddered and swept + gracefully out of the mouth of the cave into the glare and heat of the + pit. + </p> + <p> + “Hold your breath!” yelled Branasko, and he bent lower into the car to + escape the shower of hot ashes that was falling about them. Far out over + the lake in a straight line they glided, and there came to a sudden halt. + Johnston's eyes were glued on his companion's face. Branasko sat doubled + up, every muscle drawn, his eyes bulging from their sockets. Would he be + strong enough? To Johnston everything seemed in a whirl. The walls of the + pit were rising around them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVI. + </h2> + <p> + Thorndyke went down into his chambers to make his toilet and was ready to + leave when there was a soft rap on his door. He opened it, and to his + surprise saw Bernardino modestly draw herself back into the shadow of the + hall. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, but I must speak to you,” she stammered in confusion. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” he asked, going out to her. + </p> + <p> + “I want to advise you to avoid my father to-day. He is greatly + disappointed with the accident of yesterday, and he is never courteous to + strangers when he is displeased. He was particularly anxious to have you + entertained by the fete.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; I shall keep out of his way,” promised the Englishman. “Where + had I better stay—here in my rooms?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he might send for you. If you would care to see Winter Park, I can go + with you as your guide.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be delighted; nothing could please me more.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” (as a servant passed in the room with a tray) “that is your + breakfast. Meet me at the fountain at the north entrance of the palace in + half an hour.” And, drawing her veil over her face, she vanished in the + darkness of the corridor. + </p> + <p> + After he had breakfasted and sent the man away, he hastened below to the + place designated by the princess. She was waiting for him under the palm + trees, and was so disguised that he would not have known her but for her + low amused laugh as he was about to pass her. + </p> + <p> + “It would not do for any one to suspect me,” she explained; “my father + would never forgive me for doing this.” She pointed to a flying-machine + near by. “We must take the air; I have made all the arrangements. Winter + Park is beyond the limits of the city.” + </p> + <p> + He followed her across the grass to the machine and into the car. They + could see the driver behind the glass of the narrow compartment in which + he sat, and when he turned the polished metal wheel the machine rose like + a liberated balloon. + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke looked out of the window. The blue haze of the fifth hour of the + morning was breaking over everything, and as the domes, pinnacles, and + vari-colored roofs fell away in the beautiful light, the breast of the + Englishman heaved with delightful emotions. Bernardino was watching his + face with a gratified smile. + </p> + <p> + “You like Alpha,” she said, half anxiously, half inquiringly. + </p> + <p> + “Very much,” he replied; “but I want to show you the great world I came + from;—and some day perhaps I can.” + </p> + <p> + The blood ran into her cheeks suddenly, and then as quickly receded, + leaving a wistful expression in her eyes. She sighed. “It has been my + dream for a long time. I have always imagined that it is more wonderful + than Alpha; but you know there is no chance for you to return now.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall manage to escape some way and you shall go with me as my wife.” + </p> + <p> + Her blushes came again. “I did not know that you cared that much for me,” + she said. Then, as if to change the subject, she pointed through the + window. “See, we are approaching the Park, and shall descend in a moment.” + </p> + <p> + He looked out of the window and then drew his head in quickly. + </p> + <p> + “We are coming down into a big lake!” he cried out. “Oh, no, it is only + the glass roof of the park,” she laughed; “true, it does look like water + in the sunlight.” + </p> + <p> + The machine sank lower and finally rested on a plot of grass in a little + square ornamented with beds of flowers and white statues. Thorndyke saw a + seemingly endless wall, so high that he could not calculate its height. + Bernardino preceded him in at a great arching door in the wall, and they + found themselves in a stone-paved vestibule several hundred feet square. + </p> + <p> + A maid servant came forward at once and brought heavy fur clothing for + them and invited them into separate toilet rooms. When he came out + Bernardino was waiting for him. He could hardly breathe, so thick were the + furs he had put on. + </p> + <p> + “It is warm here, but it will be colder in a moment,” said the princess. + And she led him to a door across the room. When the door was opened, + Thorndyke uttered an exclamation of astonishment. Before their eyes lay a + wide expanse of snow-covered roads, woodlands and frozen lakes and + streams. The air was as crisp and invigorating as a Canadian winter. + </p> + <p> + Bernardino led him to a pavilion where a number of pleasure-seekers were + gathered and selected a sleigh and two mettlesome horses. She took the + reins from the man, and sprang lightly into the graceful cutter. Thorndyke + followed her and wrapped the thick robes about her feet. Away they sped + like the wind down the smooth road, through a leafless forest. Overhead + the glass roof could not be seen, but a lowering gray cloud hung over them + and a light snow was falling. + </p> + <p> + “Winter Park is a great resort,” the princess explained; “we get tired of + the unchanging climate, and it is pleasant to visit such a place as this. + There is a winter park in every town of any size in Alpha.” + </p> + <p> + They drove along the shore of a beautiful lake, on the frozen surface of + which hundreds of skaters were darting here and there, and passed + hillsides on which crowds of young people were coasting in sleds. When + they had driven about ten miles in a circuitous route she turned the + horses round. + </p> + <p> + “We had better return,” she said; “you have not seen all of the Park, but + we can visit it some other time.” + </p> + <p> + Outside they found their flying-machine awaiting them, and were soon on + the way back to the city. They parted at the fountain in the park, she + hastening to the palace, and he turning to stroll through the little wood + behind him. + </p> + <p> + He was passing a thick bunch of trees when he was startled by hearing his + name called. He turned round, but at first saw no one. + </p> + <p> + “Thorndyke!” There it was again, and then he saw a hand beckoning to him + from a hedge of ferns at his right. He stepped back a few paces; a man + came out of the wood. + </p> + <p> + It was Johnston, his face was white and haggard, his clothing rent and + soiled. + </p> + <p> + “My God, can it be you?” gasped the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + “Nobody else,” groaned Johnston, cautiously advancing and laying a + trembling hand on the arm of Thorndyke; “but don't talk loud, they will + find me.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did you come from?” + </p> + <p> + Johnston pointed first to the east, and then swept his hand over the sky + to the west. + </p> + <p> + “Over the wall,” he said despondently. “From the dead lands behind the + sun.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you get back here?” + </p> + <p> + For reply Johnston parted the fern leaves and pointed to the lank figure + of the tall Alphian, who lay curled up on the grass as if asleep. “He + brought me in that flying-machine there; but he has spent all his strength + in trying to manage the thing, which was out of order, and now he is + helpless. Twice we came within an inch of sinking down into the internal + fires. The last time we escaped only by the breadth of a hair; if he had + not had the endurance of a man of iron he would have succumbed to the heat + and we would have been lost. We sank so far down that I became insensible + and never knew a thing till the fresh air revived me. See, my beard and + hair are singed, and look how he is blistered. Poor fellow! He is a hero.” + Johnston stepped back and shook the Alphian, but the poor fellow's head + only rolled to one side, showing his bloodshot eyes. He was insensible. + </p> + <p> + “He is in a bad fix,” said Thorndyke; “where did he come from?” + </p> + <p> + “Banished like myself; we met over there in the dark and roamed about + together.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know; I was following his lead. We will both be put to death if + we are discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he not tell you his plan?” + </p> + <p> + Johnston started visibly. “Oh, I forgot,” he exclaimed. “He declares that + all this vast cavern is in danger. Over in the west we discovered a hole + in the roof through which the ocean is streaming in a torrent. He + calculated that before many hours the water would overflow into the + internal fires and produce a volcanic eruption that will swallow up all of + Alpha.” + </p> + <p> + “Merciful Heaven! and you are hiding here at such a moment? The king must + be informed at once.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston had grown suddenly paler. “It may not be as bad as Branasko + feared, and the king would have no mercy on me and him.” + </p> + <p> + “Leave that to me,” said Thorndyke; “I have made a good friend of the + Princess Bernardino. She will tell me what is best to do. Remain here.” + </p> + <p> + In breathless haste, Thorndyke went into the audience chamber. Fortunately + the king was not on his throne, and he caught sight of the confidential + maid of the princess. + </p> + <p> + She saw him approaching, and withdrew behind a cluster of tall white jars + of porcelain containing rare plants. + </p> + <p> + “I must see your mistress,” he said; “tell her to come to me at once; we + are in great peril!” + </p> + <p> + The girl swept her eyes over the balconies and the throne and said: “She + is in her apartments, sir; I shall bring her.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell her to meet me at the fountain where we last met,” and he hastened + back to the spot mentioned. + </p> + <p> + She soon came. “What is it?” she asked excitedly. + </p> + <p> + “Johnston is back,” he replied. “He is in the wood there with a fellow who + escaped with him in a disabled flying-machine. He says the sea has broken + through over in the west and is streaming into Alpha in a torrent.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely there is some mistake,” she said; “such a thing has never + happened.” + </p> + <p> + “It may have been caused by the explosives during the storm,” went on + Thorndyke. “Branasko, the Alphian who was with Johnston, says we are in + imminent peril.” + </p> + <p> + “There must be some mistake,” she repeated incredulously, as she looked to + westward. The green glow of the second hour of the afternoon lay over + everything. She stood mute and motionless for a long time, looking + steadily at the horizon; then she started suddenly, changed her position, + and shaded her eyes from the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + “It really does seem to me that there is a cloud rising, and it is unlike + any cloud I ever saw.” + </p> + <p> + “I see it too!” cried the Englishman; “it must be that the water has + already reached the internal fires.” + </p> + <p> + Bernardino was very pale when she turned to him. + </p> + <p> + “My father must know this at once; come with me.” + </p> + <p> + Into the palace, through the vast rotunda, past the throne, and into the + very apartment of the king himself she led him hastily. A royal attendant + met them and held up his hands warningly. “The king is asleep,” he said in + an undertone. + </p> + <p> + “Wake him—wake him at once!” commanded the excited girl. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot, it would offend him,” was the reply. + </p> + <p> + She did not pause an instant, but darting past the man and running to the + king's couch, she drew the curtain aside and touched the sleeper. He waked + in anger, but her first word disarmed him. + </p> + <p> + “Alpha is in danger.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” he growled, half awake. “The sea is breaking through in the west, + and running into the internal fires.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that?” + </p> + <p> + “A dense cloud is rising in the west, and:——” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” the word came from far down in his throat, and he was + ghastly pale. He ran to the table and touched a button and, to the + astonishment of Thorndyke, the walls on the western side of the room + silently parted, showing a little balcony overlooking the street below. + The king went hastily out and looked toward the west. The others followed + him. The princess stifled a cry of alarm when she glanced at the sky. + </p> + <p> + Great black, rolling clouds were rapidly spreading along the horizon. + </p> + <p> + The king looked at them as helplessly as a frightened child. “The air!” he + groaned. “It is hot!” and then he held out his hand to the princess, and + showed her a flake of soot on it, and he dumbly pointed to others that + were falling about them. + </p> + <p> + “How did you discover it?” he asked, and Thorndyke saw that he was trying + to appear calm. + </p> + <p> + “Mr.—this gentleman's friend has returned from banishment, and——” + </p> + <p> + “Returned! has the wall been destroyed?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he accidentally discovered the danger, and came in a flying-machine + to warn you.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is he? bring him to me, quick!” + </p> + <p> + “But you will not ——” + </p> + <p> + He waved his hand impatiently. “Go; if Alpha is saved he shall be at + liberty—if it is not, what does it matter?” + </p> + <p> + Thorndyke hastened away after Johnston, who, when he was told of the + king's words, readily accompanied his friend to the presence of the ruler. + They found him with his daughter still on the balcony. + </p> + <p> + “How did you discover this?” asked the king, turning to the American. + </p> + <p> + As quickly as possible, Johnston related his adventures, and particularly + the story of the shooting fountain and the fall of salt water. The king + did not wait for him to conclude. He ran back into his chamber, touched + another button, and the next instant alarm-bells were ringing all over the + city. + </p> + <p> + “A signal to the protectors,” explained the princess to Thorndyke; “by + this time they are ringing all over Alpha. Oh, what will become of us?” as + she spoke she leaned over the balustrade and looked down into the street. + Vast crowds had gathered and were motionless, except at points where the + purple-clad “protectors” rushed from public buildings to assemble in + squads on the street corner. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVII. + </h2> + <h3> + Bernardino turned to look after her father as he was leaving the room. + </h3> + <p> + “He is going to the observatory,” she said to Thorndyke and Johnston. “Let + us go also.” And they followed the king into the room with the glass roof + and walls covered with mirrors which he had shown the strangers several + days before. A white-headed old man stood at the stand, his fingers + trembling over the half circle of electric buttons. In a mirror before him + he was studying the reflection of a town of perhaps a hundred houses. The + streets were filled with excited citizens, and a squad of protectors stood + ready for action near a row of flying-machines. + </p> + <p> + “Ornethelo,” said the king, and at the sound of his voice the old man + turned and bowed humbly. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” went on the king, “I will take your place a moment.” + </p> + <p> + He went to the stand and touched a button. Instantly the scene changed; + fields, forests, streams and hills ran by in a murky blur, and then a + larger town flashed on the mirror. Here the same stir and alertness + characterized the scene. The gaze of every inhabitant was fixed on the + threatening horizon. Rapidly the scenes shifted at the king's will, till a + hundred cities, towns and villages had been reviewed. + </p> + <p> + “Enough! They are all ready—all faithful,” groaned the king, “and, + Ornethelo, they may all have to perish to-day, and all for our ambition. + Poor mortals!” + </p> + <p> + Ornethelo's face was half submerged in the beard on his breast, but he + looked up suddenly and spoke: + </p> + <p> + “For their sakes, then, we ought not to delay; there may yet be hope.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, Ornethelo.” There was a ring of hope in the voice of the + king. “Quick! show me my capitol, that I may see if all the protectors are + ready.” + </p> + <p> + Ornethelo touched another button, and, as if seen from a great height, the + fair and wondrous city dawned before the eyes of the spectators. In every + street policemen and protectors and flying-machines stood in orderly + readiness. The housetops were colored with the variegated costumes of men, + women and children. Over all lay the wondrous sunlight, through the green + splendor of which the flakes of soot were falling like black snow. + </p> + <p> + The king touched the old man's arm. “I must see beyond the walls; are the + connections made?” + </p> + <p> + “Ready, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Try them; they must not fail me now!” + </p> + <p> + The old man tremblingly unlocked a cabinet on the table, and another row + of electric buttons was displayed. Ornethelo touched one. Immediately + there was a sharp clicking sound under the stand, and the view was swept + from the mirror. Nothing could be seen but a dark suggestion of towering + cliffs and yawning caverns. + </p> + <p> + “Not the east, Ornethelo,” cried the king impatiently. “Go on! the west! + the west!” + </p> + <p> + The black landscape flashed by like a glimpse of night from a flying + train, and then a blur of redly illuminated smoke in rolling billows + seemed to swell out from the surface of the mirror into the room. + </p> + <p> + “There, slow!” cried the king, and then a frightful scene burst upon their + sight. They beheld a great belching pit of fire and flames. The sky from + the earth to the zenith was a vast expanse of illuminated smoke, and the + black landscape round about was cut by rivulets of molten lava rolling on + and on like restless streams of quicksilver. + </p> + <p> + The king leaned against the stand as if faint with despair. “Call Prince + Arthur!” he ordered, and almost at that instant the young man appeared. + </p> + <p> + “Father!” + </p> + <p> + The king pointed a quivering finger at the mirror, and said huskily: + </p> + <p> + “Let not the sun go down! Let its light be white as at noon.” + </p> + <p> + “But, father, it has never been done before; it——” + </p> + <p> + “Alpha has never faced such danger. All our dream is about to end. Go!” + </p> + <p> + Without a word the young man hastened away, and it seemed scarcely a + moment before the sunlight streaming in at the oval glass roof changed + from green to white. + </p> + <p> + The king pushed Ornethelo impatiently aside; his eyes held a dull gleam of + despair, and he seemed to have grown ten years older. He touched a button, + and the awful scene at the pit gave place to a bright view of the capitol, + which was plainly seen from its crowded centre to its scattering suburbs. + The squads of “protectors” stood like armies ready for battle, their rigid + faces still toward the awful west. + </p> + <p> + “They are ready—the signal!” yelled the king, waving his hand, “the + signal!” Ornethelo caught his breath suddenly and tottered as he went + across the room, and touched a button on the wall. The king's eyes were + glued on the mirrored view of the capitol, his trembling hands held out, + as if commanding silence. Then a deafening trumpet blast broke on the ear. + The masses of citizens pressed near the edges of the roofs and close + against the walls along the streets, as the protectors rushed into the + flying-machines. Another trumpet-blast, and away they flew, a long black + line, every instant growing smaller as it receded in the murky distance. + The princess, white and silent, led Thorndyke and Johnston back to the + balcony. The line of machines was now a mere thread in the sky, but the + ominous cloud in the west had increased, and fine sand and ashes were + added to the fall of soot. + </p> + <p> + “What was that?” gasped the princess. It was a low rumble like distant + thunder, and the balcony shook violently. + </p> + <p> + “An earthquake,” said Thorndyke. “I am really afraid there is not a ghost + of a chance for us; the water running into the fire is sure to cause an + eruption of some sort, and even a slight one would be likely to enlarge + the opening to the ocean.” + </p> + <p> + Johnston nodded knowingly as he looked into his friend's face, but, + considering the presence of the princess, he said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “My brother, Prince Marentel, is the greatest man in our kingdom,” she re + marked. “He has taken enough explosives to remove a mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “How will he use them?” asked Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, but I fancy he will try to close the opening in some way.” + </p> + <p> + The latter slowly shook his head. “I fear he will fail. The fall must be + as voluminous as Niagara by this time.” + </p> + <p> + “My father must have lost hope, or he would not have stopped the sun,” + sighed the princess, and she cast a sad glance towards the west. The + rolling clouds had become more dense, and the rumbling and booming in the + distance was growing more frequent. A thin gray cloud passed before the + sun, and a dim shadow fell over the city. + </p> + <p> + “That is a natural cloud,” said Thorndyke; “it comes from the steam that + rises from the pit.” + </p> + <p> + “It is exactly like our rain clouds,” returned the princess; “but it comes + from the steam, as you say. But let us go into the Electric Auditorium and + hear the news. As soon as anything is done we will hear of it there.” The + others had no time to question her, for she was hastening into the + corridor outside. She piloted them down a flight of stairs into a large + circular room beneath the surface of the ground. It was filled with seats + like a modern theatre, and in the place where the stage would have been, + stood a mighty mirror over an hundred feet square. She led them to a + private box in front of the mirror. The room was filled from the first row + of chairs to the rear with a silent, anxious crowd. In the massive frame + of the mirror were numerous bell-shaped trumpets like those on the + ordinary phonograph, though much larger. + </p> + <p> + “Watch the mirror,” whispered Bernardino as she sat down. + </p> + <p> + And at that instant the surface of the great glass began to glow like the + sky at dawn, and all the lights in the room went out. Then from the + trumpets in the frame came the loud ringing of musical bells. + </p> + <p> + “They are ready,” whispered Bernardino; “now watch and listen.” + </p> + <p> + The pink light on the mirror faded, and a life-like reflection appeared—the + reflection of a young man standing on a rock in bold relief against a dark + background of rugged, slabbering cliffs and the forbidding mouths of + caves. + </p> + <p> + “Waldmeer!” ejaculated the princess, and she relapsed into silence. + </p> + <p> + The young man held in his hand a cup-shaped instrument from which extended + a wire to the ground. He raised it to his lips, and instantly a calm, + deliberate voice came from the mirror, soft and low and yet loud, enough + to reach the most remote parts of the great room. + </p> + <p> + “The ocean,” began he, “is pouring into the 'Volcano of the Dead' in a + gradually increasing torrent. Prince Marentel hopes temporarily to delay + the crisis by partially turning the torrent away from the pit into the + lowlands of the country. For that purpose a portion of the endless wall is + being torn down, and Marentel's forces are placing their explosives. After + this is done an attempt will be made to stop the original break. There is, + however, little hope. The prince has warned the king to be prepared for + the worst.” + </p> + <p> + At this point, the speaker turned as if startled toward the red glare at + his right. He quickly picked up another instrument attached to a wire and + put it to his ear. A look of horror changed his face as he turned to the + audience and began to speak:—“The opening in the wall is not + progressing rapidly. Workmen are drowning and the tunnel of the sun is + filling with water. It will be impossible for the sun to go through to the + east.” + </p> + <p> + Just then there was a far-away crash, and instantly the mirror was void. + There was now no sound except the low groans of women in the audience and + the subdued curses of maddened men. The silence was profound. Then the + mirror began to glow, and the image of another man took Waldmeer's place. + </p> + <p> + “It is the Mayor of Telmantio,” whispered the princess, “a place near the + western limits of Alpha.” + </p> + <p> + He held a like instrument to the one used by Waldmeer, and through it + spoke:—“Venus, one of the great stars, has been shaken from the + firmament. It fell in the suburbs of Telmantio, and many lives were lost.” + </p> + <p> + That was all, and the figure vanished. Presently Waldmeer reappeared. He + seemed to be standing nearer the pit, for the entire background was + aflame; volumes of black smoke now and then hid him from view, and a thick + shower of ashes and small stones were falling round him. He spoke, but his + voice was drowned in a deafening explosion, and the whole landscape about + him seemed afire. In the semi-darkness hundreds of protectors could be + seen struggling in the rushing water, moving stones and building a dam. + Waldmeer again faced his far-off audience and spoke:—“Prince + Marentel has turned the course of the stream. All now depends on the + success or failure of his final test with explosives, which will take + place in about half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “We ought to go outside again,” suggested Bernardino, as Waldmeer's image + disappeared; “my father might want us.” + </p> + <p> + Seeing no one in the king's apartment, they passed through it to the + balcony. Half the sky was now covered with mingled fog and smoke, and the + sun could be seen only now and then. A drizzling rain was falling—a + rain that brought down clots of ashes and soot. But this made no + difference to the throngs in the now muddy and slippery streets. They + stood shivering in damp and soiled clothing, their blearing eyes fixed + hopelessly on the lowering signs in the west. Johnston noticed a bent + figure crouched against a wall beneath them. It was Branasko. + </p> + <p> + “Who is it?” inquired the princess. + </p> + <p> + “Branasko, the companion of my adventures,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “Call him to us,” she said eagerly, and the American went down to the + Alphian. + </p> + <p> + As they entered together, Branasko uncovered his dishevelled head and + bowed most humbly. + </p> + <p> + “You look tired and sick and hungry; have you eaten anything today?” she + asked. + </p> + <p> + “Not in two days,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + The princess called to a frightened maid who was wringing her hands in a + corridor. + </p> + <p> + “Give this man food and drink at once,” she ordered, and Branasko, with a + grateful bow and glance, withdrew. Johnston followed him to the door. + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing,” he said. “If the danger passes we are safe; the king has + promised to pardon me, and he will do the same for you.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no hope for any of us,” replied Branasko grimly; “but I do not + want to die with this gnawing in my stomach; adieu.” + </p> + <p> + “If the worst comes, is there any chance for us to escape from here to the + outer world?” the Englishman was asking the princess when Johnston turned + back to them. + </p> + <p> + “For a few hundred, yes,—by the sub-water ships, but for all, no; + and, then, my father would not consent to rescue a part and not the whole + of his subjects. He would not try to save himself or any of his family.” + </p> + <p> + The clouds still covered the sun; but on the eastern sky its rays were + shining gloriously. Ever and anon there sounded from afar a low rumbling + as if the earth were swelling with heat. + </p> + <p> + Johnston left the two lovers together and went to the door of the Electric + Auditorium, and over the heads of the breathless crowd he watched the + great mirror. After a few moments Waldmeer appeared and spoke: + </p> + <p> + “Prince Marentel is operating with great difficulty. A large quantity of + his explosives has been injured by water, but he hopes there is enough + left intact to serve his purpose. The final explosion will soon take + place. The greatest peril hangs over Alpha.” + </p> + <p> + Waldmeer's reflection was becoming in-distinct, and sick at heart the + American elbowed his way through the muttering crowd into the corridor. + Here he met Branasko, and together they walked back to Thorndyke and the + princess, who were mutely watching the signs in the east. Just then the + sun slowly emerged from the cloud. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” cried Bernardino in horror. “The cloud is not moving; the sun has + not stopped! It is going down and we shall soon be in utter darkness. Oh, + it is awful—to die in this way!” + </p> + <p> + The king had just returned, and he over-heard her words. He came hastily + to the edge of the balcony, and gazed at the sun. The others held their + breath and waited. His face became more rigid; he swayed a little as he + turned to her. + </p> + <p> + “You are right, my daughter,” he groaned; “it is going down; the cowardly + dogs in the east have deserted their posts. It is going down! It will sink + into a tunnel filled with water, and the light of Alpha will be + extinguished forever. We are undone! Say your prayers, my child, your + prayers, I tell you, for an Infinite God is angry at our pretensions!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't despair, father,” and Bernardino put her arms gently round the old + man's neck. “You understand the solar machinery; could you not stop the + sun?” + </p> + <p> + The eyes of the old man flashed. He seemed electrified as he drew himself + from her embrace and looked anxiously over the balustrade to a + flying-machine in the street below. + </p> + <p> + “I might reach the east in time,” he cried; “yes, you are right, I was + acting cowardly. The fastest air-ship in Alpha is ready, and Nanleon can + drive it to its utmost speed. If the worst comes, I shall see you no more, + good-bye!” He kissed her brow tenderly, and her eyes filled as he hastened + away. Down below they saw him spring lightly into the gold-mounted car, + and the next instant the graceful vessel rose above the palace roof and + sped like an arrow across the sky toward the east. + </p> + <p> + A faint cheer broke from the lips of the crowd which seemed suddenly to + take new hope from the king's departure. Some of them waved their hats and + scarfs, and many watched the air-ship till it had disappeared in the murky + distance. + </p> + <p> + “He may not get there in time!” cried the princess; “it seems to be going + down faster than it ever did before, and he has a great distance to go.” + </p> + <p> + The little party on the balcony were silent for a long time. Presently + Bernardino turned her tearful eyes to the face of Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “The smoke and steam do not seem so voluminous, do you think all will go + well?” + </p> + <p> + The Englishman slowly shook his head. “I don't want to depress you more + than you are; but I think at such a time we ought to realize the worst. It + is true, the clouds are not so heavy, and the earth-quakes are less + frequent, but, unfortunately, it is owing to the fact that the volume of + water has been turned away from the pit into the tunnel. Be prepared for + the worst. If your father cannot reach the machinery in the east soon + enough, our light will go out; and, worse than that, if Prince Marentel + should fail in his next venture with explosives, all hope will be gone.” + </p> + <p> + “I have never desired to live so much as now,” she answered, inclining + with an air of tenderness toward him. “I never knew what it was to fear + death till—till you came to us.” + </p> + <p> + He made no reply. There was a lump in his throat and he could not trust + his voice to speech. Branasko and Johnston left them together to go into + the Electric Auditorium. They returned in great haste. + </p> + <p> + “The prince is ready for the explosion,” panted Johnston. “Thorndyke, old + man, this is simply awful! It is not like standing up to be shot at, or + being jerked through the clouds in a balloon. It seems to me that out + there is the endless space of infinity, and that all the material world is + coming to an end. My God! look at that hellish fire, the awful smoke and + that black sky! Oh, the blasphemy of a such a paltry imitation of the + handiwork of the Creator! We are damned! I say damned, and by a just and + angry God!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be a fool,” said Thorndyke, and he threw a warning glance at + Bernardino, who, with staring, distended eyes was listening to Johnston. + </p> + <p> + “No, he is right,” she said in a low tone. “I have never seen your world, + but I know my people must be woefully wrong. In your land they say men + teach things about Infinity and an eternal life for the soul; and that one + may prepare for that life by living pure, and in striving to attain a high + spiritual state. Oh, why have you not told me about that? It is the one + important thing. I have long wanted to know if my soul will be safe at + death, but I can learn nothing of my people. They have always tried to + rival God, and, in their mad pursuit of perfection in science, they have + been reduced to—this. That black cloud is the frown of God, hose mad + flames may burst forth at any moment and engulf us.” + </p> + <p> + She uttered a low groan and hung her head as if in prayer. Johnston and + Thorndyke were awed to silence. Never had the Englishman loved her as at + that moment. She was no longer simply a beautiful human creature, but a + divinity, speaking truths from Heaven itself. He felt too unworthy to + stand in her presence, and yet his heart was aching to comfort her. + </p> + <p> + She raised her pallid face heavenward and extended her fair, fragile hands + toward the lowering sky and began to pray. “My Creator,” she said + reverently, childishly, “I have never come to Thee, but they say that + people far away from this dark land, under Thy own sun, moon and stars do + ask aid of Thee, and I, too, want Thy help. Forgive me and my people. They + have been sinful, and vain, and thoughtless, but let them not perish in + utter gloom. Forgive them, O thou Maker of all that exists—thou + Creator of pain that we may love joy, Creator of evil that we may know + good, turn not from us! We are but thoughtless children—and Thy + children—give us time to realize the awful error of our hollow + pretensions! Give them all now, at once, if they are to die, that spirit + which is awakened in me by the awful majesty of Thy anger! Hear me, O + God!” And with a sob she sank on her knees, clasped her hands and raised + them upward. Thorndyke tried to lift her up, but she shook her head and + continued her prayer in silence. A marked change had come over Branasko. + He looked at Johnston and Thorndyke in a strange, helpless way, and then, + in a corner of the balcony the begrimed and tattered man fell on his + knees. He knew not the meaning of prayer, but there was something in the + reverent attitude of the princess that drew his untutored being toward his + Maker. He covered his face with his hands and his shaggy head sank to his + knees. + </p> + <p> + Johnston hastened back into the Auditorium. Returning in a moment, he + found the Englishman tenderly lifting Bernardino from her knees and + Branasko still crouching in a corner. + </p> + <p> + “What is the news?” asked Thorndyke. + </p> + <p> + “Everything is ready for the explosion. The prince seems only waiting + because he dreads failure. The people in there are so frightened that they + cannot move from their seats.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Branasko raised a haggard face and looked appealingly at the + princess. She caught his eye. + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing, good man,” she said; “the God of the Christians will not + harm us; we are safe in His hands. I felt it here in my heart when I + prayed to Him. Oh, why has my father and the other kings of Alpha not + taught us that grand simple truth! But before I die I want to leave this + dark pit of sin, and look out once into endless, world-filled space.” + </p> + <p> + A joyous flush came into the face of the Alphian. His fear had vanished. + She had promised him safety. He bowed worshipfully, but he spoke not, for + Bernardino was eagerly pointing to the sun. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” she cried gleefully, with the merry tremolo of a happy, surprised + child. “The sun is not moving. Father has been successful! It is a good + omen! God will save us!” + </p> + <p> + It was true; the sun was standing still. A deep silence was on the city. + The crowds in the street neither moved nor spoke. Without a murmur or + complaint they stood facing the frowning west. Suddenly the silence was + interrupted by a low volcanic rumble. The earth heaved, and rolled, and + far away in the suburbs of the city the spire of a public building fell + with a loud crash. A groan swept from mouth to mouth and then died away. + </p> + <p> + “The cloud is increasing rapidly,” said Thorndyke. “I can really see + little hope. I shall return in a moment.” + </p> + <p> + While he was gone Bernardino knelt and prayed. Again overcome with fear + Branasko crouched down in his corner. Another shudder and rumble from the + earth, another long moan from the people. Thorndyke came back. He spoke to + the princess: + </p> + <p> + “The dam built by Prince Marentel has been swept away. The ocean is + pouring into the internal fires. There is scarcely any hope now.” + </p> + <p> + Branasko groaned, but Bernardino's face was aglow with celestial faith. + She shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “They will not be destroyed in this way,” she said; “they have had no + chance to know God.” + </p> + <p> + “It all depends on the explosion which may take place at any moment,” and + Thorndyke took her into his arms and whispered into her ear, “I do not + care for myself; but I cannot bear to think of your suffering pain.” + </p> + <p> + She answered only by pressing his hand. The clouds were now rolling upward + in greater volume than ever. It was growing darker. The little group on + the balcony could now scarcely see the people below them. The fall of damp + ashes was resumed. The air had grown hot and close. + </p> + <p> + Boom! Boom! Boom! the streets of the city rose and fell with the + undulating motion of a swelling sea. Blacker and blacker grew the sky; + closer and closer the atmosphere; damper and damper became the fog; + thicker and thicker fell the wet sand and ashes. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps we would be safer in the streets,” suggested Thorndyke, drawing + Bernardino closer into his arms, “the palace may fall on us.” + </p> + <p> + But the princess shook her head. “Father would not know where to find me, + I shall await him here.” Branasko had edged nearer to her. His eyes were + glued on her face and he hung on her words as if his fate were in her + hands. He had no regard for the opinions of the others. + </p> + <p> + “The explosion will soon take place now unless something has happened + contrary to the expectations of the prince,” said the Englishman. + </p> + <p> + Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! The noise seemed to shake the earth to its + centre. Now the far-away pit was belching forth fire and molten lava + rather than steam and smoke. The flames had spread out against the sloping + roof of the cavern, and seemed to extend for a mile along the horizon. + “They can do nothing in that heat,” exclaimed Johnston; “they could not + get near enough to the pit. Thorndyke, old fellow, I can't see a ghost of + a chance. We might as well say good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” It was the voice of the princess. “I feel that we shall not be + lost, I say.” And as she spoke Branasko crept toward her and raised the + hem of her gown to his white lips. Something dark came between them and + the far-off glare. It was a flying-machine. + </p> + <p> + “It is father,” cried Bernardino, and she called out to him: “Father! + father! Here we are, waiting for you!” In a moment he was with them. + </p> + <p> + “All right in the east,” he said gloomily. “Baryonay is there. They + deserted him, but they returned when the flames went down. This is awful, + daughter; it means death! It means annihilation!” + </p> + <p> + She put her arms round his neck and drew his face close to hers. “No, no,” + she said earnestly; “I see with a new light—a new spiritual light. + There is mercy in the divine heart of Him that made the walls of our + little world and constructed countless other worlds. I have prayed for + mercy, and into my heart has come a sweet peace I never knew before. We + shall not be lost. He will give us time to give up our sinful life here + and seek Him.” + </p> + <p> + The old man quivered as with ague; he searched her face eagerly, drew her + spasmodically into his arms, and then sank to the floor, overcome with + exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + The roar in the west was increasing. Hot ashes, gravel and small stones + were falling on the roofs and the people. Now and then a cry of pain was + heard, but they would not seek the shelter of the buildings. If they had + to die they wanted to fall facing the enemy. Suddenly the king rose. He + looked to the west and groaned. Something told them that the explosion was + coming. Expectation, horrible suspense was in the air. There was a mighty + flare of light. The entire heavens were lighted from horizon to horizon, + and then the light went out. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I thought it——” but the princess did not finish her + sentence. + </p> + <p> + “The explosion,” said Thorndyke, “the sound will follow in a moment.” + </p> + <p> + “My God, have mercy on us!” cried the king. But his prayer was drowned in + a deafening sound. Bernardino had leaned into the arms of her lover. + “Don't despair,” he said tenderly, “the prince may have been successful.” + </p> + <p> + “I feel that he has,” she replied. “But, oh, it is dreadful!” + </p> + <p> + The crowds below seemed to understand that their fate depended on the news + that would reach them in a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! There seemed to be no lessening of the + volcanic disturbance, and the earth groaned and rocked and quivered as + before. + </p> + <p> + “It is impossible to tell yet,” groaned the king. “Oh, God, save us; give + us a chance to escape this awful doom!” + </p> + <p> + Johnston bethought himself that he might learn something in the Electric + Auditorium and he went into it. It was empty and dark; not a soul was + there save himself. He was turning to leave when his eye was drawn to the + great mirror by a faint pink glow appearing upon it. He stood still, a + superstitious fear coming over him as he thought of being alone with a + possible messenger from the far-away scene of disaster. The light went out + tremblingly; then it flashed up again, and the American thought he saw the + face of Waldmeer. The light grew steadier, stronger. It was Waldmeer, but + he was submerged in smoke. Hark! he was speaking. + </p> + <p> + “Marentel is successful! Entrance closed temporarily, and will be + strengthened!” + </p> + <p> + Johnston rushed out to the balcony. “I have been to the Auditorium,” he + announced. “I have seen Waldmeer. He says the experiment was successful. + It is closed temporarily, and can be strengthened.” + </p> + <p> + The king grasped the hand of the American. “Thank God!” he ejaculated, “if + I can only save my people I shall desire nothing more.” The princess moved + toward him affectionately, but he put her aside and retired into the + palace. + </p> + <p> + “He will at once communicate with the people,” remarked Bernardino + hopefully, and she turned her face again toward the west. The red glare + was dying down, and the dense clouds in the sky were thinning. In an hour + the face of the sun broke through the smoke, and the flying-machines of + the protectors began to return. + </p> + <p> + That night the king caused the pink light of the “Ideal Dawn” to flood the + eastern sky, and, as before, he appeared in a circle of dazzling light and + addressed his subjects: + </p> + <p> + “All danger to life is over; but the ultimate fate of Alpha is sealed. + Prince Marentel has effectually closed the entrance of the ocean, but the + internal fires are gradually burning through the rocky bed of the ocean. + In a couple of years Alpha will be demolished. All our wealth shall be + equally distributed among you, and my ships shall transport you to + whatever destination you desire. Let there be no haste. Order shall be + preserved throughout.” + </p> + <p> + That was all. The king bowed and the picture faded from view. A deep + silence was over everything. The only light came from the stars and from + the moon. Then there was a sound like the wind passing over a vast forest + of dry-leaved trees—the people were returning to their homes. + </p> + <p> + “I should have thought they would greet the king's announcement with a + cheer of joy,” said Thorndyke to the princess, as they returned to the + palace. + </p> + <p> + “They don't know whether to weep or laugh,” she replied. “They love Alpha, + and the other world will be strange to most of them. As for myself, now + that I am to leave, I feel a few misgivings.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall see that you are perfectly happy,” he said tenderly. “You are to + be my wife. I shall always love you and care for you; you need have no + fears.” + </p> + <p> + And a moment later, with joyous tears and face aglow, she assured him she + had none. + </p> + <p> + THE END. <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Land of the Changing Sun, by William N. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Land of the Changing Sun + +Author: William N. Harben + +Posting Date: February 9, 2009 [EBook #3046] +Release Date: January, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAND OF THE CHANGING SUN *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss + + + + + +THE LAND OF THE CHANGING SUN + + +By Will. N. Harben + + + + +Chapter I. + +The balloon seemed scarcely to move, though it was slowly sinking toward +the ocean of white clouds which hung between it and the earth. + +The two inmates of the car were insensible; their faces were bloodless, +their cheeks sunken. They were both young and handsome. Harry Johnston, +an American, was as dark and sallow as a Spaniard. Charles Thorndyke, +an English gentleman, had yellow hair and mustache, blue eyes and a +fine intellectual face. Both were tall, athletic in build and +well-proportioned. + +Johnston was the first to come to consciousness as the balloon sank +into less rarefied atmosphere. He opened his eyes dreamily and looked +curiously at the white face of his friend in his lap. Then he shook him +and tried to call his name, but his lips made no sound. Drawing himself +up a little with a hand on the edge of the basket, he reached for a +water-jug and sprinkled Thorndyke's face. In a moment he was rewarded by +seeing the eyes of the latter slowly open. + +"Where are we?" asked Thorndyke in a whisper. + +"I don't know;" Johnston answered, "getting nearer to the earth, for we +can breathe more easily. I can't remember much after the professor fell +from the car. My God, old man! I shall never forget the horror in the +poor fellow's eyes as he clung to the rope down there and begged us +to save him. I tried to get you to look, but you were dozing off. I +attempted to draw him up, but the rope on the edge of the basket was +tipping it, and both you and I came near following him. I tried to keep +from seeing his horrible face as the rope began to slip through his +fingers. I knew the instant he let go by our shooting upward." + +"I came to myself and looked over when the basket tipped," replied the +Englishman, "I thought I was going too, but I could not stir a muscle to +prevent it. He said something desperately, but the wind blew it away and +covered his face with his beard, so that I could not see the movement of +his lips." + +"It may have been some instructions to us about the management of the +balloon." + +"I think not--perhaps a good-bye, or a message to his wife and child. +Poor fellow!" + +"How long have we been out of our heads?" and Johnston looked over the +side of the car. + +"I have not the slightest idea. Days and nights may have passed since he +fell." + +"That is true. I remember coming to myself for an instant, and it seemed +that we were being jerked along at the rate of a gunshot. My God, it +was awful! It was as black as condensed midnight. I felt your warm body +against me and was glad I was not alone. Then I went off again, but into +a sort of nightmare. I thought I was in Hell, and that you were with me, +and that Professor Helmholtz was Satan." + +"Where can we be?" asked Thorndyke. + +"I don't know; I can't tell what is beneath those clouds. It may be +earth, sea or ocean; we were evidently whisked along in a storm while we +were out of our heads. If we are above the ocean we are lost." + +Thorndyke looked over the edge of the car long and attentively, then he +exclaimed suddenly: + +"I believe it is the ocean." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"It reflects the sunlight. It is too bright for land. When we got above +the clouds at the start it looked darker below than it does now; we may +be over the middle of the Atlantic." + +"We are going down," said Johnston gloomily. + +"That we are, and it means something serious." + +Johnston made no answer. Half-an-hour went by. Thorndyke looked at the +sun. + +"If the professor had not dropped the compass, we could find our +bearings," he sighed. + +Johnston pointed upward. Thin clouds were floating above them. "We are +almost down," he said, and as they looked over the sides of the car they +saw the reflection of the sun on the bosom of the ocean, and, a moment +later, they caught sight of the blue billows rising and falling. + +"I see something that looks like an island," observed Thorndyke, looking +in the direction toward which the balloon seemed to be drifting. "It is +dark and is surrounded by light. It is far away, but we may reach it if +we do not descend too rapidly." + +"Throw out the last bag of sand," suggested the American, "we need it as +little now as we ever shall." + +Thorndyke cut the bag with his knife and watched the sand filter through +the bottom of the basket and trail along in a graceful stream behind the +balloon. The great flabby bag overhead steadied itself, rose slightly +and drifted on toward the dark spot on the vast expanse of sunlit water. +They could now clearly see that it was a small island, not more than a +mile in circumference. + +"How far is it?" asked Thorndyke. + +"About two miles," answered the American laconically, "it is a chance +for us, but a slim one." + +The balloon gradually sank. For twenty minutes the car glided along not +more than two hundred feet above the waves. The island was now quite +near. It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp +precipices by the action of the waves and rain. Hardly a tree or a shrub +was in sight. + +"It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden in the +ocean," said the Englishman; "half a mile to the shore, a hundred feet +to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would smash us against +those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs dropped from the clouds. We +must fall into the water and swim ashore. There is no use trying to save +the balloon." + +"We had better be about it, then," said Johnston, rising stiffly and +holding to the ropes. "If we should go down in the water with the +balloon we would get tangled in the ropes and get asphyxiated with the +gas. We had better hang down under the basket and let go at exactly the +same time." + +The water was not more than forty feet beneath, and the island was +getting nearer every instant. The two aeronauts swung over on opposite +sides of the car and, face to face, hung by their hands beneath. + +"I dread the plunge," muttered Thorndyke; "I feel as weak as a sick +kitten; I am not sure that I can swim that distance, but the water looks +still enough." + +"I am played out too," grunted the American, red in the face; "but it +looks like our only chance. Ugh! she made a big dip then. We'd better +let go. I'll count three, and three is the signal. Now ready. One, two, +three!" + +Down shot the balloonists and up bounded the great liberated bag of +gas; the basket and dangling ropes swung wildly from side to side. The +aeronauts touched the water feet foremost at the same instant, and in +half a minute they rose, not ten feet apart. + +"Now for it," sputtered Johnston, shaking his bushy head like a swimming +dog. "Look, the shore is not very far." Thorndyke was saving his wind, +and said nothing, but accommodated his stroke to that of his companion, +and thus they breasted the gently-rolling billows until finally, +completely exhausted, they climbed up the shelving rocks and lay down in +the warm sunshine. + +"Not a very encouraging outlook," said Johnston, rising when his +clothing was dry and climbing a slight elevation. "There is nothing +in sight except a waste of stone. Let's go up to that point and look +around." + +The ascent was exceedingly trying, for the incline was steep and it was +at times difficult to get a firm footing. But they were repaid for the +exertion, for they had reached the highest point of the island and could +see all over it. As far as their vision reached there was nothing beyond +the little island except the glistening waves that reached out till +they met the sky in all directions. High up in the clouds they saw the +balloon, now steadily drifting with the wind toward the south. + +"We might as well be dead and done with it," grumbled Thorndyke. "Ships +are not apt to approach this isolated spot, and even if they did, how +could we give a signal of distress?" + +Johnston stroked his dark beard thoughtfully, then he pointed toward the +shore. + +"There are some driftwood and seaweed," he said; "with my sun-glass I +can soon have a bonfire." He took a piece of punk from a waterproof box +that he carried in his pocket and focussed the sun's rays on it. "Run +down and bring me an armful of dry seaweed and wood," he added, intent +on his work. + +Thorndyke clambered down to the shore, and in a few minutes returned +with an armful of fuel. Johnston was blowing his punk into a flame, and +in a moment had a blazing fire. + +"Good," approved the Englishman, rubbing his hands together over the +flames. "We'll keep it burning and it may do some good." Then a smile of +satisfaction came over his face as he began to take some clams from his +pockets. "Plenty of these fellows down there, and they are as fat and +juicy as can be. Hurry up and let's bake them. I'm as hungry as a bear. +There is a fine spring of fresh water below, too, so we won't die of +thirst." + +They baked the clams and ate them heartily, and then went down to the +spring near the shore. The water was deliciously cool and invigorating. +The sun sank into the quiet ocean and night crept on. The stars came out +slowly, and the moon rose full and red from the waves, adding its beams +to the flickering light of the fire on the hill-top. + +"Suppose we take a walk all round on the beach," proposed the +Englishman; "there is no telling what we may find; we may run on +something that has drifted ashore from some wrecked ship." + +Johnston consented. They had encompassed the entire island, which was +oval in shape, and were about to ascend to the rock to put fresh fuel +on the fire before lying down to sleep for the night, when Thorndyke +noticed a road that had evidently been worn in the rock by human +footsteps. + +"Made by feet," he said, bending down and looking closely at the rock +and raking up a handful of white sand, "but whether the feet of savage +or civilized mortal I can't make out." + +Johnston was a few yards ahead of him and stooped to pick up something +glittering in the moonlight. It was a tap from the heel of a shoe and +was of solid silver. + +"Civilized," he said, holding it out to his companion; "and of the very +highest order of civilization. Whoever heard of people rich enough to +wear silver heel-taps." + +"Are you sure it is silver?" asked the Englishman, examining it closely. + +"Pure and unalloyed; see how the stone has cut into it, and feel its +weight." + +"You are right, I believe," returned Thorndyke, as Johnston put the +strange trophy into his pocket-book, and the two adventurers paused a +moment and looked mutely into each other's eyes. + +"We haven't the faintest idea of where we are," said Johnston, his tone +showing that he was becoming more despondent. "We don't know how long we +were unconscious in the balloon, nor where we were taken in the storm. +We may now be in the very centre of the North Polar sea--this knob may +be the very pivot on which this end of the earth revolves." + +The Englishman laughed. "No danger; the sun is too natural. From the +poles it would look different." + +"I don't mean the old sun that you read so much about, and that they +make so much racket over at home, but another of which we are the +original discoverer--a sun that isn't in old Sol's beat at all, but one +that revolves round the earth from north to south and dips in once a day +at the north and the south poles. See?" + +The Englishman laughed heartily and slapped his friend on the shoulder. + +"I think we are somewhere in the Atlantic; but your finding that +heel-tap does puzzle me." + +"We are going to have an adventure, beside which all others of our lives +will pale into insignificance. I feel it in my bones. See how evenly +this road has been worn and it is leading toward the centre of the +island." + +In a few minutes the two adventurers came to a point in the road where +tall cliffs on either side stood up perpendicularly. It was dark and +cold, and but a faint light from the moon shone down to them. + +"I don't like this," said Johnston, who was behind the Englishman; "we +may be walking into the ambush of an enemy." + +"Pshaw!" and Thorndyke plunged on into the gloomy passage. Presently the +walls began to widen like a letter "Y" and in a great open space they +saw a placid lake on the bosom of which the moon was shining. On all +sides the towering walls rose for hundreds of feet. Speechless with +wonder and with quickly-beating hearts they stumbled forward over the +uneven road till they reached the shore of the lake. The water was so +clear and still that the moon and stars were reflected in it as if in a +great mirror. + +"Look at that!" exclaimed Thorndyke, pointing down into the depths, +"what can that be?" + +Johnston followed Thorndyke's finger with his eyes. At first he thought +that it was a comet moving across the sky and reflected in the water; +but, on glancing above, he saw his mistake. It looked, at first, like a +great ball of fire rolling along the bottom of the lake with a stream of +flame in its wake. + + + +Chapter II. + +The two men watched it for several minutes; all the time it seemed to be +growing larger and brighter till, after a while, they saw that the light +came from something shaped like a ship, sharp at both ends, and covered +with oval glass. As it slowly rose to the surface they saw that it +contained five or six men, sitting in easy chairs and reclining on +luxurious divans. One of them sat at a sort of pilot-wheel and +was directing the course of the strange craft, which was moving as +gracefully as a great fish. + +Then the young men saw the man at the pilot-wheel raise his hand, +and from the water came the musical notes of a great bell. The vessel +stopped, and one of the men sprang up and raised an instrument that +looked like a telescope to his eyes. With this he seemed to be closely +searching the lake shores, for he did not move for several minutes. Then +he lowered the instrument, and when the bell had rung again, the vessel +rose slowly and perpendicularly to the surface and glided to the shore +within twenty yards of where the adventurers stood. + +"Could they have seen us?" whispered Thorndyke, drawing Johnston nearer +the side of the cliff. + +"I think so; at all events, they are between us and the outlet; we may +as well make the best of it." + +The men, all except the pilot, landed, and a dazzling electric +search-light was turned on the spot where Thorndyke and Johnston stood. +For a moment they were so blinded that they could not see, and then they +heard footsteps, and, their eyes becoming accustomed to the light, they +found themselves surrounded by several men, very strangely clad. They +all wore long cloaks that covered them from head to foot and every man +was more than six feet in height and finely proportioned. One of them, +who seemed to be an officer in command, bowed politely. + +"I am Captain Tradmos, gentlemen, in the king's service. It is my duty +to make you my prisoners. I must escort you to the palace of the king." + +"That's cool," said Johnston, to conceal the discomfiture that he felt, +"we had no idea that you had a kingdom. We have tramped all over this +island, and you are the first signs of humanity we have met." + +He would have recalled his words before he had finished speaking, if he +could have done so, for he saw by the manner of the captain that he had +been over bold. + +"Follow me," answered the officer curtly, and with a motion of his hand +to his men he turned toward the odd-looking vessel. + +The two adventurers obeyed, and the cloaked men fell in behind them. +Neither Johnston nor Thorndyke had ever seen anything like the peculiar +boat that was moored to the rocky shore. It was about forty feet in +length, had a hull shaped like a racing yacht, but which was made of +black rubber inflated with air. It was covered with glass, save for a +doorway about six feet high and three feet wide in the side, and looked +like a great oblong bubble floating on the still dark water. As they +approached the searchlight was extinguished, and they were enabled to +see the boat to a better advantage by the aid of the electric lights +that illuminated the interior. It was with feelings of awe that the two +adventurers followed the captain across the gang-plank into the vessel. + +The electric light was brilliantly white, and in various places pink, +red and light-blue screens mellowed it into an artistic effect that was +very soothing to the eye. The ceiling was hung with festoons of prisms +as brilliant as the purest diamonds, and in them, owing to the gently +undulatory movement of the vessel, colors more beautiful than those of +a rainbow played entrancingly. Rare pictures in frames of delicate +gold were interspersed among the clusters of prisms, and the floor was +covered with carpets that felt as soft beneath the foot as pillows of +eider-down. + +As he entered the door the officer threw off his gray cloak, and his men +did likewise, disclosing to view the finest uniforms the prisoners had +ever seen. Captain Tradmos's legs were clothed in tights of light-blue +silk, and he wore a blue sack-coat of silk plush and a belt of pliant +gold, the buckles of which were ornamented with brilliant gems. His eyes +were dark and penetrating, and his black hair lay in glossy masses on +his shoulders. He had the head of an Apollo and a brow indicative of the +highest intellect. + +Leaving his men in the first room that they entered, he gracefully +conducted his prisoners through another room to a small cabin in the +stern of the boat, and told them to make themselves comfortable on the +luxurious couches that lined the circular glass walls. + +"Our journey will be of considerable length," he said, "and as you are +no doubt fatigued, you had better take all the rest you can get. I see +that you need food and have ordered a repast which will refresh you." +As he concluded he touched a button in the wall and instantly a table, +laden with substantial food, rare delicacies and wines, rose through +a trap-door in the floor. He smiled at the expressions of surprise on +their faces and touched a green bottle of wine with his white tapering +hand. + +"The greater part of our journey will be under water, and our wines +are specially prepared to render us capable of subsisting on a rather +limited quantity of air during the voyage, so I advise you to partake of +them freely; you will find them very agreeable to the taste." + +"We are very grateful," bowed Thorndyke, from his seat on a couch. "I am +sure no prisoners were ever more graciously or royally entertained. To +be your prisoner is a pleasure to be remembered." + +"Till our heads are cut off, anyway," put in the irrepressible American. + +Tradmos smiled good-humoredly. + +"I shall leave you now," he said, and with a bow he withdrew. + +"This is an adventure in earnest," whispered Johnston; "my stars! what +can they intend to do with us?" + +"One of the first things will be to take us down to the bottom of this +lake where we saw them awhile ago, and I don't fancy it at all; what if +this blasted glass-case should burst? We may have dropped into a den of +outlaws on a gigantic scale, and it may be necessary to put us out of +the way to keep our mouths closed." + +"I am hungry, and am going to eat," said the American, drawing a +cushioned stool up to the table. "Here goes for some of the wine; +remember, it is a sort of breath-restorer. I am curious enough not to +want to collapse till I have seen this thing through. He said something +about a palace and a king. Where can we be going?" + +"Down into the centre of the earth, possibly," and the handsome +Englishman moved a stool to the table and took the glass of +green-colored wine that Johnston pushed toward him. "Some scientists +hold that the earth is filled with water instead of fire. Who knows +where this blamed thing may not take us? Here is to a safe return from +the amphibious land!" + +Both drank their wine simultaneously, lowered their glasses at the same +instant, and gazed into each other's eyes. + +"Did you ever taste such liquor?" asked Thorndyke, "it seems to run like +streams of fire through every vein I have." + +Johnston shook his head mutely, and held the sparkling effervescing +fluid between him and the light. + +"Ugh! take it down," cried the Englishman, "it throws a green color on +your face that makes you look like a corpse." Johnston clinked the glass +against that of his companion and they drained the glasses. "Hush, what +was that?" asked Thorndyke. + +There was a sound like boiling water outside and as if air were being +pumped out of some receptacle, and the vessel began to move up and down +in a lithe sort of fashion and to bend tortuously from side to side like +a great sluggish fish. Through the partitions of glass they saw one of +the men closing the door, and in a moment the vessel glided away from +the shore. The men all sank into easy positions on the couches, and +delightful music as soft as an Aeolian lyre seemed to be breathed from +the walls and floor. Then the music seemed to die away and a bell down +in the vessel's hull rang. + +"We are in the middle of the lake," said Thorndyke, looking through +the glass toward the black cliffy shore; "the next thing will be our +descent. I wonder----" + +But he was unable to proceed, and Johnston noticed in alarm that +his eyes were slightly protruding from their sockets. The air seemed +suddenly to become more compact as if compressed, and the water was set +into such violent commotion that it was dashed against the glass sides +in billows as white as snow. Then Johnston found that he could not +breathe freely, and he understood the trouble of the Englishman. + +Captain Tradmos came suddenly to the door. He was smiling as he motioned +toward the wines on the table. + +"You had better drink more of the wine," he advised sententiously. + +Both of the captives rushed to the table. The instant they had swallowed +the wine they felt relieved, but were still weak. The captain bowed and +went away. Thorndyke's hand trembled as he refilled his friend's glass. +"I thought I was gone up," he said, "I never had such a choky sensation +in my life; you are still purple in the face." + +"Eat of what is before you," said the captain, looking in at the door; +"you cannot stand the increasing pressure unless you do." + +They needed no second invitation, for they were half-famished. The fish +and meat were delicious, and the bread was delightfully sweet. + +"Look outside!" cried Johnston. The water was now still, but it was +gradually rising up the sides of the boat, and in a moment it had closed +over the crystal roof. Both of the captives were conscious of a heavy +sensation in the head and a dull roaring in the ears. Down they went, at +first slowly and then more rapidly, till it seemed to them that they had +descended over a thousand feet. Great monsters like whales swam to the +vessel, as if attracted by the lights, and their massive bodies jarred +against the glass walls as they turned to swim away. They sank about +five hundred feet lower; and all at once the lights went out, and the +boat gradually stopped. + +It was at once so dark that the two captives could not see each other, +though only the width of the table separated them. Everything was +profoundly still; not a sound came from the men in the other rooms. +Presently Thorndyke whispered, "Look, do you see that red light +overhead?" + +"Yes," said Johnston, "it looks like a star." + +"It is our bonfire," said Thorndyke, "that's what betrayed us." + +Again the vessel began to sink, and more rapidly than ever; indeed, +as Thorndyke expressed it, he had the cool feeling that nervous people +experience in going down quickly in an elevator. + +"If we go any lower," he added, as the great rubber hull seemed to +struggle like some living monster, "the sides of this thing will +collapse like an egg-shell and we will be as flat as pancakes." + +"You need not fear, we have much lower to go!" It was the captain's +voice, but they could not tell from whence it came. Then they heard +again the seductive music, and it was so soothing that they soon fell +asleep. + +They had no idea how long they had slept, but they were awakened by the +ringing of a bell and felt the vessel was coming to a stop. They were +still far beneath the surface; indeed, the boat was resting on the +bottom, for in the light of two or three powerful search-lights they saw +a wide succession of submerged hills, vales, and rugged cliffs. Before +them was a great mountain-side and in it they saw the mouth of a dark +tunnel. They had scarcely noticed it before the vessel rose a little and +glided toward the tunnel and entered it. Through the glass walls they +could see that it was narrow, and that the ragged sides and roof were +barely far enough apart to admit them. + +Suddenly one of the men came in and drew a curtain down behind them, +and, with a vexed look on his face retired. + +When he was gone Johnston put his lips close to Thorndyke's ear and +whispered: + +"Did you see that?" + +"See what?" + +"Just as he drew the curtain down I saw what looked to me like a cliff +of solid gold. It had been dug out into a cavern in which I saw a vessel +like this, and men in diving suits digging and loading it." + +This took the Englishman's breath away for a moment, then he remarked: +"That accounts for the heel-tap we found; who knows, these people may be +possessors of the richest gold and silver mines on earth." + +The bell rang again. "We are rising," said Johnston. "If this is the +only way of reaching the king's domain, we could never get back +to civilization unless they release us of their own accord, that's +certain!" + +"Heavens, isn't it still!" exclaimed the Englishman. "The machinery +of this thing moves as noiselessly as the backbone of an eel. I wish I +could understand its works." + +"I am more concerned about where we are going. I tell you we are being +taken to some wonderful place. People who can construct such marvels of +mechanical skill as this boat will not be behind in other things; then +look at the physiques of those giants." + +Just then the man who had drawn down the shade came in and raised it. +Both the captives pretended to be uninterested in his movements, but +when he had withdrawn they looked through the glass eagerly. + +"See," whispered Thorndyke, in the ear of his companion, "the walls are +close to us, and are as perpendicular as those of the lake in which they +found us." + +Johnston said nothing. His attention was riveted to the walls of rock; +the vessel was rising rapidly. An hour passed. The soft music had +ceased, and the air seemed less dense and fresher. Then the waters +suddenly parted over the roof and ran in crystal streams down the oval +glass. + +They were on the surface, and the vessel was slowly gliding toward the +shore which could not be seen owing to there now being no light except +that inside the boat. Captain Tradmos entered, followed by two of his +men holding black silken bandages. + +"We must blindfold you," he said; "captives are not allowed to see the +entrance to our kingdom." + +Without a word they submitted. + +"This way," said the captain kindly, and, holding to an arm of each, he +piloted them out of the vessel to the shore. Then he led them through +what they imagined to be a long stone corridor or arcade from the +ringing echoes of their feet on the stone pavement. Presently they came +to what seemed to be an elevator, for when they had entered it and sat +down, they heard a metallic door slide back into its place, and they +descended quickly. + +They could form no idea as to the distance they went down; but Thorndyke +declared afterward that it was over ten thousand feet. When the elevator +stopped Captain Tradmos led them out, and both of the captives were +conscious of breathing the purest, most invigorating air they had ever +inhaled. Instantly their strength returned, and they felt remarkably +buoyant as they were led along over another pavement of polished stone. + +Tradmos laughed. "You like the atmosphere?" + +"I never heard of anything like it," said Thorndyke. "It is so +delightful I can almost taste it." + +"It was that which made Alpha what it is--the most wonderful country in +the universe," said the officer. "There is much in store for you." + +The ears of the two captives were greeted by a vague, indefinable hum, +like and yet unlike that of a busy city. It was like many far-off sounds +carefully muffled. Now and then they heard human voices, laughter, and +singing in the distance, and the twanging of musical instruments. + +Then they knew that they were entering a building of some sort, for they +heard a key turn in a lock and the humming sound in the distance was +cut off. They felt a soft carpet under their feet, and the feet of their +guards no longer clinked on the stones. + +When the bandages were removed they found themselves in a sumptuous +chamber, alone with the captain. The brilliant light from a +quaintly-shaped candelabrum, in the centre of the chamber, dazzled them, +but in a few minutes their eyes had become accustomed to it. + +Tradmos seemed to be enjoying the looks of astonishment on their faces +as they glanced at the different objects in the room. + +"It is night," he said smilingly. "You need rest after your voyage. +Lie down on the beds and sleep. To-morrow you will be conducted to the +palace of the king." + +With a bow he withdrew, and they heard a massive bolt slide into the +socket of a door hidden behind a curtain. The two men gazed at each +other without speaking, for a moment, and then they began to inspect the +room. + +In alcoves half-veiled with silken curtains stood statues in gold and +bronze. The walls and ceilings were decorated with pictures unlike any +they had ever seen. Before one, the picture of an angel flying through a +dark, star-filled sky, they both stood enchanted. + +"What is it?" asked Thorndyke, finding voice finally. "It is not done +with brush or pencil; the features seem alive and, by Jove, you can +actually see it breathe. Don't you see the clouds gliding by, and the +wings moving?" + +"It is light--it is formed by light!" declared the other +enthusiastically, and he ran to the wall, about six feet from the +picture, and put his hand on a square metal box screwed to the wall. + +"I have it," he said quickly, "come here!" + +The Englishman advanced curiously and examined the box. + +"Don't you see that tiny speck of light in the side towards the picture? +Well, the view is thrown from this box on the wall, and it is the motion +of the powerful light that gives apparent life to the angel. It is +wonderful." + +In a commodious alcove, in a glow of pink light from above, was a +life-sized group of musicians--statues in colored metal of a Spanish +girl playing a mandora, an Italian with a slender calascione, a Russian +playing his jorbon, and an African playing a banjo. Luxurious couches +hung by spiral springs from the ceiling to a convenient height from the +floor, and here and there lay rugs of rare beauty and great ottomans of +artistic designs and colors. + +"We ought to go to bed," proposed Thorndyke; "we shall have plenty of +time to see this Aladdin's land before we get away from it." + +There were two large downy beds on quaintly wrought bedsteads of brass, +but the two captives decided to sleep together. + +Thorndyke was the first to awaken. The lights in the candelabrum were +out, but a gray light came in at the top and bottom of the window. He +rose and drew the heavy curtain of one of the windows aside. He shrank +back in astonishment. + + + +Chapter III. + +"What is it, Thorndyke? What are you looking at?" And the American +slowly left the bed and approached his friend. + +Thorndyke only held the curtain further back and watched Johnston's face +as he looked through the wide plate-glass window. + +"My gracious!" ejaculated the latter as he drew nearer. It was a +wondrous scene. The building in which they were imprisoned stood on a +gentle hill clad in luxuriant, smoothly-cut grass and ornamented with +beautiful flowers and plants; and below lay a splendid city--a city +built on undulating ground with innumerable grand structures of white +marble, with turrets, domes and pinnacles of gold. Wide streets paved +in polished stone and bordered with lush-green grass interspersed with +statues and beds and mounds of strange plants and flowers stretched away +in front of them till they were lost in the dim, misty distance. Parks +filled with pavilions, pleasure-lakes, fountains and tortuous drives and +walks, dotted the landscape in all directions. + +Thorndyke's breath had clouded the glass of the window, and he rubbed +it with his handkerchief. As he did so the sash slowly, and without +a particle of sound, slid to one side, disclosing a narrow balcony +outside. It had a graceful balustrade, made of carved red-and-white +mottled marble, and on the end of the balcony facing the city sat a +great gold and silver jug, ten feet high, of rare design. The spout was +formed by the body of a dragon with wings extended; the handle was a +serpent with the extremity of its tail coiled around the neck of the +jug. + +The air that came in at the window was fresh and dewy, and laden with +the most entrancing odors. Thorndyke led the way out, treading very +gently at first. Johnston followed him, too much surprised to make any +comment. From this position, their view to the left round the corner of +the building was widened, and new wonders appeared on every hand. + +Over the polished stone pavements strange vehicles ran noiselessly, as +if the wheels had cushioned tires, and the streets were crowded with an +active, strangely-clad populace. + +"Look at that!" exclaimed the American, and from a street corner they +saw a queer-looking machine, carrying half-a-dozen passengers, rise like +a bird with wings outspread and fly away toward the east. They watched +it till it disappeared in the distance. + +"We are indeed in wonderland," said the Englishman; "I can't make head +nor tail of it. We were on an isolated island, the Lord only knows +where, and have suddenly been transported to a new world!" + +"I can't feel at all as if we were in the world we were born in," +returned Johnston. "I feel strange." + +"The wine," suggested the Englishman, "you know it did wonders for us in +that subwater thing." + +"No; the wine has nothing to do with it. My head never was clearer. The +very atmosphere is peculiar. The air is invigorating, and I can't get +enough of it." + +"That is exactly the way I feel," was Thorndyke's answer. + +"Look at the sunlight," went on Johnston; "it is gray like our dawn, but +see how transparent it is. You can look through it for miles and miles. +It is becoming pink in the east, the sun will soon be up, and I am +curious to see it." + +"It must be up now, but we cannot see it for the hills and buildings. My +goodness, see that!" and the Englishman pointed to the east. A flood of +delicate pink light was now pouring into the vast body of gray and +was slowly driving the more sombre color toward the west. The line +of separation was marked--so marked, indeed, that it seemed a vast, +rose-colored billow rolling, widening and sweeping onward like a swell +of the ocean shoreward. On it came rapidly, till the whole landscape was +magically changed. The flowers, the trees, the grass, the waters of the +lakes, the white buildings, the costumes of the people in the streets, +even the sky, changed in aspect. The white clouds looked like fire-lit +smoke, and far toward the west rolled the long line of pink still +struggling with the gray and driving it back. + +The sun now came into sight, a great bleeding ball of fire slowly rising +above the gilded roofs in the distance. + +"By Jove, look at our shadows!" exclaimed Johnston, and both men gazed +at the balcony floor in amazement; their shadows were as clearly defined +and black as silhouettes. "How do you account for that?" continued +the American, "I am firmly convinced that this sun is not the orb that +shines over my native land." + +Thorndyke laughed, but his laugh was forced. "How absurd! and yet--" He +extended his hand over the balustrade into the rosy glow, and +without concluding his remark held it back into the shadow of the +window-casement. "By Jove!" he exclaimed; "there is not a particle of +warmth in it. It is exactly the same temperature in the shade as in the +light." He moved back against the wall. "No; there is no difference; the +blamed thing doesn't give out any warmth." + +Johnston's hands were extended in the light. "I believe you are right," +he declared in awe, "something is wrong." + +At that moment appeared from the room behind them a handsome youth, +attired in a suit of scarlet silk that fitted his athletic figure +perfectly. He rapped softly on the window-casement and bowed when they +turned. + +"Your breakfast is waiting for you," he announced. They followed him +into a room adjoining the one they had occupied, and found a table +holding a sumptuous repast. The boy gave them seats and handed them +golden plates to eat upon. The fruits, wine and meats were very +appetizing, and they ate with relish. + +"I believe we are to be conducted to the palace of your king to-morrow," +ventured the Englishman to the boy. + +The boy shook his head, but made no reply, and busied himself with +removing the dishes. As they were rising from the table, they heard +footsteps in the hall outside. The door opened. It was Captain Tradmos, +and he was accompanied by a tall, bearded man with a leather case under +his arm. + +"You must undergo a medical examination," the captain said smilingly. +"It is our invariable custom, but this is by a special order from the +king." + +Johnston shuddered as he looked at the odd-looking instruments the +medical man was taking from the case, but Thorndyke watched his +movements with phlegmatic indifference. He stood erect; threw back his +shoulders; expanded his massive chest and struck it with his clenched +fist in pantomimic boastfulness. + +Tradmos smiled genially; but there was something curt and official in +his tone when he next spoke that took the Englishman slightly aback. +"You must bare your breast over your heart and lungs," he said; and +while Thorndyke was unbuttoning his shirt, he and the medical man went +to the door and brought into the room a great golden bell hanging in a +metallic frame. + +The bell was so thin and sensitive to the slightest jar or movement +that, although it had been handled with extreme care, the captives could +see that it was vibrating considerably, and the room was filled with a +low metallic sound that not only affected the ear of the hearer but set +every nerve to tingling. The medical man stopped the sound by laying his +hand upon the bell. To a tube in the top of the bell he fastened one end +of a rubber pipe; the other end was finished with a silver device shaped +like the mouth-piece of a speaking tube. This he firmly pressed over the +Englishman's heart. Thorndyke winced and bit his lip, for the +strange thing took hold of his flesh with the tenacity of a powerful +suction-pump. + +"Ouch!" he exclaimed playfully, but Johnston saw that he had turned +pale, and that his face was drawn as if from pain. + +"Hold still!" ordered the medical man; "it will be over in a minute; +now, be perfectly quiet and listen to the bell!" + +The Englishman stood motionless, the sinews of his neck drawn and +knotted, his eyes starting from their sockets. Thorndyke felt the rubber +tube quiver suddenly and writhe with the slow energy of a dying snake, +and then from the quivering bell came a low, gurgling sound like a +stream of water being forced backward and forward. + +Tradmos and the medical man stepped to the bell and inspected a small +dial on its top. + +"What was that?" gasped the Englishman, purple in the face. + +"The sound of your blood," answered Tradmos, as he removed the +instrument from Thorndyke's flesh; "it is as regular as mine; you are +very lucky; you are slightly fatigued, but you will be sound in a day or +two." + +"Thank you," replied the Englishman, but he sank into a chair, overcome +with weakness. + +"Now, I'll take you, please," said the medical man, motioning Johnston +to rise. + +"I am slightly nervous," apologized the latter, as he stood up and +awkwardly fumbled the buttons of his coat. + +"Nervousness is a mental disease," said the man, with professional +brusqueness; "it has nothing to do with the body except to dominate it +at times. If you pass your examination you may live to overcome it." + +The American looked furtively at Thorndyke, but the head of the +Englishman had sunk on his breast and he seemed to be asleep. Johnston +had never felt so lonely and forsaken in his life. From his childhood he +had entertained a secret fear that he had inherited heart disease, and +like Maupassant's "Coward," who committed suicide rather than meet a +man in a duel, he had tried in vain to get away from the horrible, +ever-present thought by plunging into perilous adventures. + +At that moment he felt that he would rather die than know the worst from +the uncanny instrument that had just tortured his strong comrade till he +was overcome with exhaustion. + +"I never felt better in my life," he said falteringly, but it seemed to +him that every nerve and muscle in his frame was withering through fear. +His tongue felt clumsy and thick and his knees were quivering as with +ague. + +"Stand still," ordered the physician sternly, and Johnston was further +humiliated by having Tradmos sympathetically catch hold of his arm to +steady him. + +"Your people are far advanced in the sciences," went on the physician +coldly, "but there are only a few out of their number who know that the +mind governs the body and that fear is its prime enemy. Five minutes ago +you were eating heartily and had your share of physical strength, and +yet the mere thought that you are now to know the actual condition of +your most vital organ has made you as weak as an infant. If you kept up +this state of mind for a month it would kill you. + +"Now listen," he went on, as the instrument gripped Johnston's flesh and +the rubber tube began to twist and move as if charged with electricity. +The American held his breath. A sound as of water being forced through +channels that were choked, mingled with a wheezing sound like wind +escaping from a broken bellows came from the bell. + +"Your frame is all right," said the medical man, as he released the +trembling American, "but you have long believed in the weakness of your +heart and it has, on that account, become so. You must banish all fear +from your thoughts. You perhaps know that we have a place specially +prepared for those who are not physically sound. I am sorry that you do +not stand a better examination." + +Tradmos regarded the American with a look of sympathy as he gave him a +chair and then rang a bell on the table. Thorndyke looked up sleepily, +as an attendant entered with a couple of parcels, and glanced +wonderingly at his friend's white face and bloodshot eyes. + +"What's the matter?" he asked; but Johnston made no reply, for the +captain had opened the parcels and taken out two suits of silken +clothing. + +"Put them on," he said, giving a suit of gray to Johnston and one of +light blue to Thorndyke. "We shall leave you to change your attire, and +I shall soon come for you." + + + +Chapter IV. + +In a few minutes the captain returned and found his prisoners ready to +go with him. Thorndyke looked exceedingly handsome in his glossy tights, +close-fitting sack-coat, tinsel belt and low shoes with buckles of gold. +The natural color had come back into his cheeks, and he was exhilarated +over the prospect of further adventure. + +It was not so, however, with poor Johnston; his spirits had been so +dampened by the physician's words that he could not rally from +his despondency. His suit fitted his figure as well as that of the +Englishman, but he could not wear it with the same hopeful grace. + +"Cheer up!" whispered Thorndyke, as they followed the captain through +a long corridor, "if we are on our way to the stake or block we are at +least going dressed like gentlemen." + +Outside they found the streets lined with spectators eagerly waiting to +see them pass. The men all had suits like those which had been given the +captives, and the women wore flowing gowns like those of ancient Greece. + +"These are the common people," whispered Thorndyke to Johnston, "but +did you ever dream of such perfect features and physiques? Every face is +full of merriment and good cheer. I am curious to see the royalty." + +Johnston made no reply, for Captain Tradmos turned suddenly and faced +them. + +"Stand here till I return," he said, and he went back into the house. + +"Where in the deuce do you think we are?" pursued Thorndyke with a grim +smile. + +"Haven't the slightest idea," sighed Johnston, and he shuddered as he +looked down the long white street with its borders of human faces. + +Thorndyke was observant. + +"There is not a breath of air stirring," he said; "and yet the +atmosphere is like impalpable delicacies to a hungry man's stomach. +Look at that big tree, not a leaf is moving, and yet every breath I draw +is as fresh as if it came from a mountain-top. Did you ever see such +flowers as those? Look at that ocean of orchids." + +"They think we are a regular monkey-show," grumbled the American. "Look +how the crowd is gaping and shoving and fighting for places to see us." + +"It's your legs they want to behold, old fellow. Do you know I never +knew you had such knotty knee-joints; did you ever have rheumatism? I +wish I had 'em; they wouldn't put me to death--they would make me the +chief attraction in the royal museum." Thorndyke concluded his jest with +a laugh, but the face of his friend did not brighten. + +"You bet that medical examination meant something serious," he said. + +"Pooh!" and the Englishman slapped his friend playfully on the shoulder. + +"Since I have seen that vast crowd of well-developed people, and +remember what that medicine man said, I have made up my mind that we are +going to be separated." Poor Johnston's lip was quivering. + +"Rubbish! but there comes the captain; put on a bold front; talk up New +York; tell 'em about Chicago and the Fair, and ask to be allowed to +ride in their Ferris Wheel--if they ain't got no wheel, ask 'em when the +first train leaves town." + +"This is no time for jokes," growled Johnston, as Tradmos returned. +Tradmos motioned to something that in the distance looked like +a carriage, but which turned out to be a flying machine. It rose +gracefully and glided over the ground and settled at their feet. It +was large enough to seat a dozen people, and there was a little +glass-windowed compartment at the end in which they could see "the +driver," as he was termed by Tradmos. The mysterious machinery was +hidden in the woodwork overhead and beneath. + +"Get in," said the captain, and the door flew open as if of its own +accord. Thorndyke went in first and was followed by the moody American. +"Let up on the ague," jested Thorndyke, nudging his friend with his +elbow; "if you keep on quivering like that you may shake the thing loose +from its moorings and we'd never know what became of us." + +Johnston scowled, and the officer, who had overheard the remark, smiled +as he leaned toward the window and gave some directions to the man in +the other compartment. + +"You both take it rather coolly," he remarked to Thorndyke. "I took a +man and a woman over this route several years ago and both of them were +in a dead faint; but, in fact, you have nothing to fear. We never have +accidents." + +"It is as safe as a balloon, I suppose, and we are at home in them," +said the Englishman, with just the hint of a swagger in his tone. + +"But your balloons are poor, primitive things at best," returned Tradmos +in his soft voice. "They can't be compared to this mode of travel, +though, of course, our machines would not operate in your atmosphere." + +"Why not?" impulsively asked the Englishman. "I thought----" + +But he did not conclude his remark, for they were rising, and both he +and Johnston leaned apprehensively forward and looked out of one of the +windows. Down below the long lines of people were silently waving their +hats, scarfs and handkerchiefs as the machine swept along over their +heads. As they rose higher the scene below widened like a great circular +fan, and in the delicate roselight, the whole so appealed to Thorndyke's +artistic sense that he ejaculated: + +"Glorious! Superb! Transcendent!" and he directed Johnston's attention +to the wonderful pinkish haze which lay over the view toward the west +like a vast diaphanous web of rosy sunbeams. + +"You ask why our air-ships would not operate in your atmosphere," said +the captain, showing pleasure at Thorndyke's enthusiasm. "It is simple +enough when you have studied the climatic differences between the two +countries. You have much to contend with--the winds, for instance, the +heat and cold, etc.; this is the only known country where the winds are +subjugated. I have never been in your world, but from what I have heard +of it I am not anxious to see it. Your atmosphere and climate are so +changeable and so diverse in different localities that I have heard your +people spend much of their time in seeking congenial climes. I think it +was a man who came from London that claimed he once had a cold--'a bad +cold,' I think he called it. It was a standing joke in the royal family +for a long time, and he heard so much about it that he tried to deny +what he had said!" + +Johnston glanced at the speaker non-plussed, but the captain was looking +at Thorndyke. + +"Your climate is delightful here now," said the Englishman; "is it so +long at a time?" + +"Perpetually; it is regulated every moment, and every year we perfect it +in some way." + +"Perfect it?" + +"Yes, of course, why not? If it ever fails to be up to the usual high +standard, it is owing to neglect of those in charge, and neglect is +punished severely." + +Thorndyke's eyes sought those of the American incredulously. Seeing +which Tradmos looked amused. + +"You doubt it," he smiled. "Well, wait till you have been here longer. +The fact is, any one born in our climate could not live in yours. The +king experimented on a man who claimed to have only one lung, but who +had two sound ones when he was cut open. Well, the king sent him to +China, or America, or some such place, and he wheezed himself to death +in a week by your clocks. The weather was too fickle for him. Our system +has been perfected to such an extent that we live four lives to your +one, and our fruits and vegetables are a hundred per cent. better than +those in other countries." + +"What is the name of your country?" asked Thorndyke, feeling that he was +not losing anything by his boldness. + +"Alpha." + +"Where is it located?" + +"I don't know." Tradmos looked out at the window for a moment as if to +ascertain that they were going in the right direction, then he fixed his +dark eyes on Thorndyke and asked hesitatingly:-- + +"I never thought--I--but do you know where your country is located?" + +"Why, certainly." + +"Well, I don't know where this one is. We are taught everything, I +think, except geography." Nothing more was said for several minutes, +then an exclamation of admiration broke from the Englishman. The color +of the sunlight was changing. From east to west within the entire arc of +their observation rolled an endless billow of lavender light leaving a +placid sea of the same color behind it. On it swept, slowly driving back +the pink glow that had been over everything. + +"I see you like our sunlight?" said Tradmos, half interrogatively. + +"Never saw anything like it before." + +"Yours is, I think, the same color all day long." + +"Except on rainy days." + +"Must be a great bore, monotonous--too much sameness. It is white, is it +not?" + +"Yes, rather--between white and yellow, I call it." + +"Something like our sixth hour, I suppose; this is the fourth hour of +morning. Then come blue, yellow, green, and at noon red. The afternoon +is divided up in the same way. The first hour is green, then follow +yellow, blue, lavender, rose, gray and purple. Yes, I should think you +would find yours somewhat tiresome." + +"We can rely on it," said Johnston speaking for the first time and in a +wavering voice, "it is always there." + +"Doing business at the old stand," laughed Thorndyke, attempting an +Americanism. + +"Well, that is a comfort, anyway," said the captain seriously. "In my +time they have had no solar trouble, but some of the old people tell +horrible tales of a period when our sun for several days did not shine +at all." + +"Can it be possible?" said the Englishman dubiously. + +"Oh, yes; and the early settlers had a great deal of trouble in +different ways; but I am not at liberty to give you information on that +head. It is the king's special pleasure to have new-comers form their +own impressions, and he is particularly fond of noting their surprise, +and, above all, their approval. People usually come here of their own +accord through the influence of our secret force of agents all over the +earth, but you were brought because you happened to drop on our island +and would have found out too much for our good, and that red light you +kept burning night and day might have given us trouble. There is no +telling how long you could have kept alive on those clams." + +"We meant no offence," apologized Thorndyke; "we----" + +"Oh, I know it, I was only explaining the situation," interrupted the +officer. + +"What is that bright spot to the right?" asked Thorndyke, to change the +subject. + +"The king's palace; that is the dome. We shall soon be there. Now, +I must not talk to you any longer. Somebody may be watching us with +glasses. I have taken a liking to you, and some time, when I get the +opportunity, I shall give you some useful advice, but I must treat you +very formally, at least till you have had audience with the king." + +"Thank you," said the Englishman, and Tradmos stood up in the car to +watch their progress through the circular glass of a little cupola on +top. Thorndyke smiled at Johnston, but the American was in no pleasant +mood. The indifference with which Tradmos had treated him had nettled +him. + +The machine was now slowly descending. A vast pile of white marble, with +many golden domes and spires, rose between them and the earth below. + +"To the balcony on the central dome," ordered Tradmos through the window +of the driver's compartment; and the adventurers felt the car sweep +round in a curve that threw them against each other, and the next moment +they had landed on a wide iron balcony encircling a great golden cone +that towered hundreds of feet above them. + + + +Chapter V. + +"Follow me," said the captain stiffly, for there were several guards in +white and gold uniforms pacing to and fro on the battlement-like walls. +He led the two adventurers through a door in the base of the dome. At +first they were dazed by a brilliant light from above, and looking +up they beheld a marvel of kaleidoscopic colors formed by a myriad of +electric-lighted prisms sloping gradually from the floor to the apex +of the dome. Thorndyke could compare it to nothing but a stupendous +diamond, the very heart of which the eye penetrated. + +"Don't look at it now," advised Tradmos, in an undertone; "it was +constructed to be seen from below, and to light the great rotunda." + +Mutely the captives obeyed. At every turn they were greeted with a new +wonder. The captain now led them round a narrow balcony on the inside of +the vast dome, and, looking over the railing down below, they saw a vast +tessellated pavement made of polished stones of various and brilliant +colors and so artistically arranged that, from where they stood, +lifelike pictures of landscapes seemed to rise to meet the vision +wherever the eye rested. Statues of white marble, gold and bronze were +placed here and there, and, in squares of living green, fountains threw +up streams of crystal water. Tradmos paused for them to look down and +smiled at their evident admiration. + +"How far is it down there?" Thorndyke ventured to ask. + +"Over a thousand feet," replied Tradmos. "Look across opposite and you +will see that there are fifty floors beneath us, and each floor has a +balcony like this overlooking the court." + +"What is the sound that comes up from below?" asked the Englishman. + +"It is the voices of the people and their footsteps on the stone." + +"What people?" + +"Don't you see them? Your eyes are dazzled by the light; I ought to have +warned you against looking up into the dome. The people are down there; +do the views in the pavement not look a little blurred?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, if you will look more closely you will see that it is a multitude +of people." + +"Great heavens!" exclaimed the Englishman, and he became deeply absorbed +in the contemplation of the rarest sight he had ever seen. As he looked +closely he noticed a black spot growing larger and nearer, and he +glanced inquiringly at the captain. + +"It is an elevator. There are a great many of them used in the palace, +but none have happened to rise as high as this since we came. The one +you see is coming for us." The next moment the strange vehicle was +floating toward them. The captain opened the door and preceded the +captives into the interior. + +"The royal audience chamber," he said, carelessly, to the driver behind +the glass of the adjoining compartment, and down they floated as lightly +as a bubble--down past balcony after balcony, laden with moving throngs, +until they alighted in a great conservatory. + +Near them was a tall fountain the water of which was playing weird music +on great bells of glass, some of which hung in the fountain's stream +and others rose and fell, giving forth strange, submerged tones in the +foaming basin. + +"It is a new invention recently placed here by the king's son who is a +musical genius," explained Tradmos. "You will be astonished at some of +his inventions." + +He led them, as if to avoid the great crowds that they could now hear +on all sides, down a long vista of palms, the branches of which met over +their heads, to the wide door of the audience chamber. A party of men +dressed in uniforms of white silk with gold and silver ornaments bowed +before the captain and made way for him. + +The captives now found themselves in the most splendid and spacious room +they had ever seen, at the far end of which was a long dais and on it an +elaborate throne. + +"I shall be obliged to leave you when the king comes," said Tradmos to +Thorndyke, "but I shall hope to see you again. Don't forget my name and +rank, for I may send you a message some time that may aid you." "Thank +you," replied the Englishman, and then as a throng of beautiful young +women came from a room on the side and gathered about the throne he +added inquisitively: "Who are they?" + +"The wives and daughters of the king and the wives of the princes," was +the cautious answer, "but don't look at any one of them closely." + +"I don't see how a fellow can help it; they are ravishingly beautiful, +don't you think so, Johnston?" + +"Don't be a fool," snapped the American, "don't you know enough to hold +your tongue." + +Tradmos smiled as if amused, and when he had shown them to seats near +the great golden throne, he said: + +"Stay where you are till the king sends for you, and then go and kneel +before the throne. Do not rise till he bids you." + +The captives thanked him and the captain turned away. The eyes of all +the royal party now rested on the strangers, and it was hard for them to +appear unconscious of it. A great crowd was slowly filling the room +and an orchestra in a balcony on the left of the dais began to make +delightful music on instruments the strangers had never before seen. +After an entrancing prelude a sound of singing was heard, and far up in +a grand dome, lighted like the one the captives had just admired over +the central court of the palace, they saw a bevy of maidens, robed in +white, moving about in mid-air, apparently unsupported by anything. + +"How on earth is that done?" asked Thorndyke. + +"I don't know," returned Johnston, speaking more freely now that the +captain had gone. "I am not surprised at anything." + +"Their voices are exquisite, and that orchestra--a Boston symphony +concert couldn't be compared to it." + +"There goes the sunlight again," cried Johnston, "by Jove, it is blue!" + +The transition was sublime. They seemed transported to some other scene. +The great multitude, the elegantly-dressed attendants about the throne, +the courtiers, the beautiful women, all seemed to change in appearance; +on the view through the wide doors leading to the conservatory, and the +great swarming court beyond, the soft blue light fell like a filmy veil +of enchantment. + +"Wonderful!" exclaimed the American. + +"It is ahead of our clocks, anyway," jested Thorndyke. "Any child that +can count on its fingers could tell that this is the fifth hour of the +day." + +The music grew louder; there was a harmonious blare of mighty trumpets, +the clang of gongs and cymbals, and then the music softened till it +could scarcely be heard. There was commotion about the throne. + +The king was coming. Every person on the dais stood motionless, +expectant. A page drew aside the rich curtain from a door on the right, +and an old man, wearing a robe of scarlet ornamented with jewels and a +crown set with sparkling gems, entered and seated himself on the throne. +The music sank lower; so soft did it become that the tinkling bells of +the great fountain outside could be heard throughout the room. + +The king bowed to the throng on the dais and spoke a few words to a +courtier who advanced as he sat down. The courtier must have spoken of +them, for the king at once looked down at Johnston and Thorn-dyke and +nodded his head. The courtier spoke to a page, and the youth left the +dais and came toward the captives. + +"We are in for it," cautioned Thorndyke, "now don't be afraid of your +shadow; we'll come out all right." + +"The king has sent for you," said the page, the next instant. "Go to the +throne." + +They were the cynosure of the entire room as they went up the carpeted +steps of the dais and knelt before the king. + + + +Chapter VI. + +"Rise!" commanded the king, in a deep, well-modulated voice, and when +they had arisen he inspected them critically, his eyes lingering on +Thorndyke. + +"You look as if you take life easily; you have a jovial countenance," he +said cordially. + +Thorndyke returned his smile and at once felt at ease. + +"There is no use in taking it any other way," he said; "it doesn't +amount to much at best." + +"You are wrong," returned the king, playing with the jewels on his robe, +"that is because you have been reared as you have--in your unsystematic +world. Here we make life a serious study. It is our object to assist +nature in all things. The efforts of your people amount to nothing +because they are not carried far enough. Your scientists are dreaming +idiots. They are continually groping after the ideal and doing nothing +with the positive. It was for us to carry out everything to perfection. +Show me where we can make a single improvement and you shall become a +prince." + +"If my life depended on that, my head would be off this instant," was +the quick-witted reply of the Englishman. + +This so pleased the king that he laughed till he shook. "Well said," he +smiled; "so you like our country?" + +"Absolutely charmed; my friend (Thorndyke was determined to bring his +companion into favor, if possible) and I have been in raptures ever +since we rose this morning." + +A flush of pleasure crossed the face of the king. "You have not seen +half of our wonders yet. I confess that I am pleased with you, sir. The +majority of people who are brought here are so frightened that they grow +morbid and desirous to return to their own countries as soon as they +learn that such a thing is out of the question." + +Thorndyke's stout heart suffered a sudden pang at the words, but he +did not change countenance in the slightest, for the king was closely +watching the effect of his announcement. + +"Of course," went on the ruler, gratified by the indifference of the +Englishman, "of course, it could not be done. No one, outside of a few +of the royal family and our trusted agents, has ever left us." + +"I can't see how any one could be so unappreciative as to want to go," +answered Thorndyke, with a coolness that surprised even Johnston. +"I have travelled in all countries under the sun--the sun I was born +under--and got so bored with them that my friend and myself took to +ballooning for diversion; but here, there is a delightful surprise at +every turn." + +"I was told you were aeronauts," returned the ruler, deigning to cast +a glance at the silent Johnston, who stood with eyes downcast, "and I +confess that it interested me in you." + +At that juncture a most beautiful girl glided through the curtains at +the back of the throne and came impulsively toward the king. Her brown +hair fell in rich masses on her bare shoulders; her eyes were large, +deep and brown, and her skin was exquisitely fine in texture and color; +her dress was artistic and well suited to her lithe figure. She held an +instrument resembling a lute in her hands, and stopped suddenly when she +noticed that the king was engaged. + +"It is my daughter, the Princess Bernardino," explained the king, as +he heard her light step and turned toward her; "she shall sing for you, +and, yes (nodding to her) you shall dance also." + +As she took her position on a great rug in front of the throne, she kept +her eyes on the handsome Englishman as if fascinated by his appearance. +Thorndyke's heart beat quickly; the blood mantled his face and he stood +entranced as she touched the resonant strings with her white fingers and +began to play and sing. An innocent, artless smile parted her lips from +her matchless teeth, and her face glowed with inspiration. Far above in +the nooks and crannies of the vast dome, with its divergent corridors +and arcades, the faint echoes of her voice seemed to reply to her during +the pauses in her song. Then she ceased singing and to the far-away and +yet distinct accompaniment of some stringed instrument in the orchestra, +she began to dance. Holding her instrument in a graceful fashion against +her shoulder as one holds a violin, and with her flowing white gown +caught in the other hand, she bowed and smiled and instantly seemed +transformed. From the statuesque and dreamy singer she became a marvel +of graceful motion. To and fro she swept from end to end of the great +rug, her tiny feet and slim ankles tripping so lightly that she seemed +to move without support through the air. + +Thorndyke stood as if spell-bound, for, at every turn, as if seeking his +approval, she glanced at him inquiringly. When she finished she stood +for a moment in the centre of the rug panting, her beautiful bosom, +beneath its filmy covering of lace, gently rising and falling. Then, +asking her father's consent with a mute glance, she ran forward +impulsively, and, kneeling at Thorndyke's feet, she took his hand and +pressed it to her lips. And rising, suffused with blushes, she tripped +from the dais and disappeared behind the curtain. + +The king frowned as he looked after her. "It is a mark of preference," +he said coldly. "It is one of our customs for a dancer or singer to +favor some one of her spectators in that way. My daughter evidently +mistook you for an ambassador from one of my provinces, but it does not +matter." + +"She is wonderfully beautiful," replied the tactful Englishman, +pretending not to be flattered by the notice of the princess. + +"Do you think our people fine looking as a rule?" asked the king, to +change the subject. + +"Decidedly; I never imagined such a race existed." + +Again the king was pleased. "That is one of the objects of our system. +Generation after generation we improve mentally and physically. We are +the only people who have ever attempted to thoroughly study the science +of living. Your medical men may be numbered by the million; your +remedies for your ills change daily; what you say is good for the health +to-day is to-morrow believed to be poison; to-day you try to make blood +to give strength, and half a century ago you believed in taking it from +the weakest of your patients. With all this fuss over health, you will +think nothing of allowing the son of a man who died with a loathsome +hereditary disease to marry a woman whose family has never had a taint +of blood. Here no such thing is thought of. To begin with, no person who +is not thoroughly sound can remain with us. Every heart-beat is heard by +our medical men and every vein is transparent. You see evidences of +the benefit of our system in the men and women around you. All our +conveniences, the excellence of our products, our great inventions are +the result." + +"I have been wondering about the size of your country," ventured +Thorndyke cautiously. + +The king smiled. "That will be one of the things for you to discover +later," he returned. "But this, the City of Moron, is the capital; our +provinces, farming lands, smaller cities, towns and hamlets lie around +us. Come with me and I will show you something." + +He waved his hand and dismissed a number of courtiers who were waiting +to be called, and rose from the throne and led the two captives into a +large apartment adjoining the throne-room. Here they found six men in +blue uniforms looking into a large circular mirror on a table. They all +bowed and moved aside as the king approached. + +"These men are the municipal police," explained the king, resting his +hand on the gold frame of the glass; "they are watching the city." And +when the strangers drew nearer they were surprised to see reflected, +in the deeply concave glass, the entire city in miniature; its streets, +parks, public buildings, and moving populace. And what seemed to be the +most remarkable feature of the invention was, that the instant the eye +rested on any particular portion of the whole that part was at once +magnified so that every detail of it was clearly observable. + +"This is an improvement on your police system," continued the king. "No +sooner does anything go wrong than a red signal is given on the spot of +the trouble and the attention of these officers is immediately called +to it. A flying machine is sent out and the offender is brought to the +police station; but trouble of any nature rarely occurs, and the duties +of our police are merely nominal; my people live in thorough harmony. +Now, come with me and I will give you an idea of the surrounding +country." + +As the king spoke he led them into a circular room, the roof of which +was of white glass, and the walls were lined with large mirrors. + +"This is our general observatory from which every part of Alpha can be +seen," said the king with a touch of pride in his tone. "Look at the +mirror in front of you." + +They did as he requested, and at first saw nothing; but, as he went to a +stone table in the centre of the room and touched an electric button, +a grand view of green fields, forests, streams, lakes and farm-houses +flashed upon the mirror. The king laughed at their surprise and touched +another button. As he did so the scene shifted gradually; the landscapes +ran by like a panorama. A pretty village came into sight, and passed; +then a larger town and still a larger; then fields, hills and valleys +and forests of giant trees. + +"It is that way all over my kingdom," said the king; "in an hour I can +inspect it all." + +"But how is it done?" asked Thorndyke, forgetting himself in wonder. + +"Through a telescopic invention, aided by electricity and the clearness +of our atmosphere," replied the king. "It would take too long to go +into the details. The views, however, are reflected to this point +from various observatories throughout the land. Such a system would be +impossible in any other country on account of the clouds and atmospheric +changes; but here we control everything." + +"I noticed," returned the Englishman, "that green fields lie beside +ripening ones and those in which the grain is being harvested." + +"We have no change of seasons," answered the king. "Change of seasons +may be according to nature, but it is in the province of man's intellect +to improve on nature. But I must leave you now; I shall summon you again +when I have the leisure to continue our conversation." + +"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Johnston, as the king disappeared +behind a curtain in the direction of the audience chamber. + +"I give it up; I only know that the old fellow's daughter, the Princess +Bernardino is the most beautiful, the most bewitching creature that ever +breathed. Did you notice her eyes and form? Great heavens! was there +ever such a vision of human loveliness? Her grace, her voice, her +glances drove me wild with delight." + +"You are dead gone," grumbled the American despondently; "we'll never +get away from here in the world. I can see that." + +"I gave up all hope in that direction some time ago," said Thorndyke; +"and why should we care? We were awfully bored with life before we came; +for my part I'd as soon end mine up here as anywhere else. Besides, +didn't his majesty say that they live longer under his system than we +do?" + +"I don't take stock in all he says," growled the American; "he talks +like a Chicago real estate agent who wants to sell a lot. Why doesn't he +chop off our heads and be done with it?" + +Thorndyke burst into a jovial laugh. "You are coming round all right; +that is the first joke you have got off since we came here; his royal +Nibs may need a court-jester and give you a job." + +"There goes that blamed sunlight again," exclaimed Johnston, grasping +his companion's arm, "don't you see it changing?" + +"Yes, and this time it is white, like old Sol's natural smile; but isn't +it clear? It seems to me that I could see to the end of the earth in +that light. I want to know how he does it." + +"How who does it?" + +"Why, the king, of course, it is his work--some sort of invention; but +we must keep civil tongues in our heads when we are dealing with a man +who can color the very light of the sun." + +They were walking back toward the great rotunda, and, as they entered +the conservatory, the crowds of men and women stared at them curiously. +They had paused to inspect the statue of a massive stone dragon when a +young officer in glittering uniform approached and addressed Johnston. + +"Follow me," he said simply; "it is the king's command." + +The American started and looked at Thorndyke apprehensively. + +"Go," said the latter; "don't hesitate an instant." + +Poor Johnston had turned white. He held out his hand to Thorndyke, +"Shake," he said in a whisper, not intended for the ears of the officer, +"I don't believe that we shall meet again. I felt that we were to be +parted ever since that medical examination." + +Thorndyke's face had altered; an angry flush came in his face and his +eyes flashed, but with an effort he controlled himself. + +"Tut, tut, don't be silly. I shall wait for you round here; if there is +any foul play I shall make some one suffer for it. You can depend on me +to the end; we are hand in hand in this adventure, old man." + + + +Chapter VII. + +Johnston followed his guide to a flying machine outside. He hesitated +an instant, as the officer was holding the door open, and looked back +toward the conservatory; but he could not see Thorndyke. + +"Where are you taking me?" he asked desperately. But the officer did not +seem to hear the question. He was motioning to a tall man of athletic +build who wore a dark blue uniform and who came hastily forward and +pushed the American into the machine. Through the open door Johnston saw +Thorndyke's anxious face as the Englishman emerged from the conservatory +and strode toward them. The two officers entered and closed the glass +door. + +Then the machine rose and Johnston's spirits sank as they shot upward +and floated easily over the humming crowd into the free white light +above the smokeless city. The poor captive leaned on the window-sill +and looked out. There was no breeze, and no current of air except that +caused by their rapid passage through the atmosphere. + +Up, up, they went, till the city seemed a blur of mingled white and +gray, and then the color below changed to a vague blue as they flew over +the fields of the open country. + +The first officer took a glass and a decanter from a receptacle under a +seat, and, pouring a little red fluid into the glass, offered it to the +American. + +"Drink it," he said, "it will put you to sleep for a time." + +"I don't want to be drugged." + +"The journey will try your nerves. It is harmless." + +"I don't want it; if I take it, you will have to pour it down my +throat." + +The officer smiled as he put the glass and decanter away. Faster and +faster flew the machine. They had to put the window down, for the +current of air had become too strong and cool to be pleasant. The color +of the sunlight changed to green, and then at noon, from the zenith, +a glorious red light shimmered down and veiled the earth with such a +beautiful translucent haze that the poor American for a moment almost +forgot his trouble. + +The afternoon came on. The sunlight became successively green, white, +blue, lavender, rose and gray. The sun was no longer in sight and the +gray in the west was darkening into purple, the last hour of the day. +Night was at hand. Johnston's limbs were growing stiff from inaction, +and he had a strong desire to speak or to hear one of the officers say +something, but they were dozing in their respective corners. The moon +had risen and hung far out in space overhead, but they seemed to be +leaving it behind. Later he felt sure of this, for its light +gradually became dimmer and dimmer till at last they were in total +darkness--darkness pierced only by the powerful search-light which threw +its dazzling, trumpet-shaped rays far ahead. But, search as he would +in the direction they were going, the unfortunate American could see +nothing but the ever-receding wall of blackness. + +Suddenly they began to descend. The officers awoke and stretched +themselves and yawned. One of them opened the window and Johnston heard +a far-off, roaring sound like that of a multitude of skaters on a vast +sheet of ice. + +Down, down, they dropped. Johnston's heart was in his mouth. + +The machine suddenly slackened in its speed and then hung poised in +mid-air. The rays of the search-light were directed downward and slowly +shifted from point to point. Looking down, the American caught glimpses +of rugged rocks, sharp cliffs and yawning chasms. + +"How is it?" asked the first officer, through a speaking-tube, of the +driver. + +"A good landing!" was the reply. + +"Well, go down." And a moment later the machine settled on the uneven +ground. + +The same officer opened the door, and gently pushed Johnston out. +Johnston expected them to follow him, but the door of the machine closed +behind him. + +"Stand out of the way," cried out the officer through the window; "you +may get struck as we rise." + +Involuntarily Johnston obeyed. There was a sound of escaping air from +beneath the machine, a fierce commotion in the atmosphere which sucked +him toward the machine, and then the dazzling search-light blinded him, +as the air-ship bounded upward and sailed back over the course it had +come. + +Johnston stood paralyzed with fear. "My God, this is awful!" he +exclaimed in terror, and his knees gave way beneath him and he sank to +the rock. "They have left me here to starve in this hellish darkness!" +He remained there for a moment, his face covered with his hands, then +he sprang up desperately, and started to grope through the darkness, +he knew not whither. He stumbled at almost every step, and ran against +boulders which bruised his hands and face, and went on till his strength +was gone. Then he paused and looked back toward the direction from which +he had come. It seemed to him that he could see the straight line of +mighty black wall above which there was a faint appearance of light. A +lump rose in the throat of the poor fellow, and tears sprang into his +eyes. + +But what was that? Surely it was a sound. It could not have been the +wind, for the air was perfectly still. The sound was repeated. It was +like the moaning of a human voice far away in the dark. Could it be some +one in distress, some poor unfortunate, banished being, like himself? +Again he heard the sound, and this time, it was like the voice of some +one talking. + +"Hello!" shouted the American, and a cold shudder went over him at the +sound of his own husky voice. There was a dead silence, then, like an +echo of his own cry, faintly came the word, "Hello!" + +Filled with superstitious fear, the American cautiously groped toward +the sound. "Hello, there, who are you?" + +"Help, help!" said the voice, and it was now much nearer. + +Johnston plunged forward precipitately. "Where are you?" + +"Here," and a human form loomed up before him. + +For a moment neither spoke, then the strange figure said: "I thought +at first that you were some one sent to rescue me, but I see you are +alone--damned like myself." + +"It looks that way," replied Johnston. + +"When did they bring you?" + +"Only a moment ago." + +"My God, it is awful! A week ago I did not dream of such a fate as this. +I had enemies. The medical men were bribed to vote against me. Am I not +strong? Am I not muscular? Feel my arms and thighs." + +He held out an arm and Johnston felt of it. The muscles were like stone. + +"You are a giant." + +"Ah! you are right; but they reported that there was a taint in my +blood. I was to marry Lallio, the most beautiful creature in our +village--Madryl, you know, the nearest hamlet to the home of the Sun. I +was rich, and the best farmer there. But Lyngale wanted her. She hated +him and spat at him when he spoke against me. He proved by others that +my lungs were weak, and showed them the blood of a slain dog in my +fields that they said had come from my lungs. Ah, they were curs! My +lungs weak! Strike my chest with all your might. Does it not sound like +the king's thunder? Strike, I say!" and as the enfeebled American struck +his bare breast he cried:--"Harder, harder! Pooh, you are a child, see +this, and this," and he emphasized his words with thunderous blows on +his resounding chest. + +"But it has been so for a century," he panted; "hundreds have been +unjustly buried alive here. The king thinks it is not murder because +they die of starvation. I have stumbled over the bones of giants here in +the dark lands, and have met dying men that are stronger than the king's +athletes." + +"What, are there others here?" gasped the American. + +The Alphian was silent in astonishment. + +"Why, where did you come from?" he asked, after a pause. + +"From New York City." + +"I don't know of it, and yet I thought I knew of all the places inside +the great endless wall." + +Johnston was mystified in his turn. "It is not in your country--your +world, or whatever you call it. It is far away." + +"Ah, under the white sun! In the 'Ocean Country,' and the world of +fierce winds and disease. And you are from there. I had heard of it +before they banished me; but two days since I came across a dying man, +away over there. He was huddled against the wall, and had fallen and +killed himself in his efforts to climb back to food and light. + +"I saw him die. He told me that he had come from your land when he was a +child. His trouble was the lungs and he had fallen off to a skeleton. He +talked to me of your wide ocean land. Is it, indeed so great? And has it +no walls about it?" + +"No, it is surrounded by water." + +"I cannot understand," and, after a pause, in which Johnston could hear +the great fellow's heart beating, he continued; "That must be the Heaven +the man spoke about. And beyond the water is it always dark like this, +and do they banish people there as the king has us?" + +"No; beyond are other countries. But is there no chance for us to escape +from here?" + +The Alphian laughed bitterly. "None. What were you banished for?" + +"I hardly know." + +"Hold out your arm. There," as he grasped Johnston's arm in a clasp +of iron, "I see; you are undeveloped, unfit--none but the healthy and +strong are allowed to live in Alpha. It is right, of course; but it is +hard to bear. But I must lie down. I am wearied with constant rambling. +I am nervous too. I fell asleep awhile ago and dreamt I heard all my +friends in a great clamoring body calling my name, 'Branasko!' and then +I awoke and cried for help." + +As he spoke he sank with a sigh to the ground and rested his head on his +elbows and knees and seemed asleep. The American sat down beside him, +and, for a long time, neither spoke. Branasko broke the silence; he +awoke with a start and eyed his companion in sleepy wonder. + +"Ugh, I dreamt again," he grunted, "are you asleep?" + +"No," was Johnston's reply. "I am hungry and thirsty and cannot sleep." + +"So am I, but we must wait till it is lighter, then we can go in search +of food. When I was a boy I learned to catch fish in pools with my hands +and it has prolonged my life here. When the light comes again, I shall +show you how I do it." + +"Then the day does break? I thought it was eternally dark here." + +"It does not get very light, because we are behind the sun; but it is +lighter than now, for we get the sun's reflection, enough at least to +keep us from falling into the chasms." + +Branasko lowered his head to his knees and slept again, but the +American, though wearied, was wakeful. Several hours passed. The Alphian +was sleeping soundly, his breathing was very heavy and he had rolled +down on his side. + +Far away in the east the darkness gradually faded into purple, and then +into gray, and slowly hints of pink appeared in the skies. It was dawn. +Johnston touched his companion. The man awoke and looked at him from his +great swollen eyes. + +"It is day," he yawned, rising and stretching himself. + +"But the sun is not in sight." + +"No; it shows itself only in the middle of the day, and then but for a +few minutes. We must go now and search for food. I will show you how to +catch the eyeless fish in the black caverns over there." And he led the +American into the blackness behind them. Every now and then, as they +stumbled along, Johnston would look longingly back toward the faint pink +light that shone above the high black wall. But Branasko hastened on. + +Presently they came to the edge of a black chasm and the American was +filled with awe, for, from the seemingly fathomless depths, came a great +roaring sound like that of a mighty wind and the air that came from it +was hot, though pure and free from the odor of gas. + +"What is this?" he asked. + +"They are everywhere," answered Branasko, "if it were not for their hot +breathing the Land of the Changing Sun would be cold and damp." + +"Then the sun does not give out heat?" + +"No." + +"It is cold?" + +"I believe so, I have never thought much about it." + +The American was mystified, but he did not question farther, for +Branasko was carefully lowering himself into the hot gulf. + +"Follow me," he said; "we must cross it to reach the caves. I will guide +you. I have been over this way before." + +"But can we stand the heat?" + +"Oh, yes; when we get used to it, it is invigorating. I perspire in +streams, but I feel better afterward. Come on." + +Branasko's head only was above the ground. "I am standing on a ledge," +he said. "Get down beside me. Fear nothing. It is solid; besides, what +does it matter? You can die but once, and it would really be better to +fall down there into the internal fires than to starve slowly." + +Johnston shuddered convulsively as he let himself down beside Branasko. +His foot dislodged a stone. With a crash it fell upon a lower ledge and +bounded off and went whizzing down into the depths. Both men listened. +They heard the stone bounding from ledge to ledge till the sound was +lost in the internal roaring. + +"It is mighty deep," said Johnston. + +"Yes, but follow me; we cannot stop here; we must go along this ledge +till we get to the point where the chasm is narrow enough to jump +across. I have done it." + +"The American held to his companion with one hand and the rock with the +other, and they slowly made their way along the narrow ledge, pausing +every now and then to rest. At every step the path grew more perilous +and narrower, and the cliff on their left rose higher and higher, till +the reflected light of the sun had entirely disappeared. At certain +points the hot wind dashed upon them as furiously as the whirling mist +in 'The Cave of Winds' at Niagara Falls. Once Johnston's foot slipped +and he fell, but was drawn back to safety by the strong arm of the +Alphian. + +"Be careful; hold to the cliff's face," warned Branasko indifferently, +and he moved onward as if nothing unusual had occurred. Presently they +reached a point where a narrow boulder jutted out over the chasm toward +the opposite side, and Branasko cautiously crawled out upon it. When +he had got to its end, Johnston could not see him in the gloom, but his +voice came to him out of the roaring of the chasm. + +"I can see the other side, and am going to jump." An instant later, the +American heard the clatter of the Alphian's shoes on the rock, and his +grunt of satisfaction. Then Branasko called out: "Come on; crawl out +till you feel the end of the rock, and then you can see me." + +In great trepidation the American slowly crawled out on the narrow rock. +Below him yawned the hot darkness, above hung that black ominous canopy +of nothingness. Slowly he advanced on hands and knees, every moment +feeling the sharp rock growing narrower, till finally he reached the +end. He looked ahead. He could but faintly see the ledge and Branasko's +tall form silhouetted upon it. + +"See, this is where you have to alight," cried the Alphian. "Jump, I +will catch you!" + +"I am afraid I shall topple over when I stand up," replied the American. +"The rock is narrow and my head is already swimming. I fear I cannot +reach you. It is no use." + +"Tut, tut!" exclaimed Branasko. "Stand up quickly, and jump at once. +Don't stop to think about it." + +Johnston obeyed. He felt his feet firmly braced on the rock and he +sprang toward the opposite ledge with all his might. Branasko caught +him. + +"Good," he grunted. "There is another place, we must jump again. It +is further on." Along this ledge they went for some distance, Branasko +leading the way and holding the arm of the American. + +"Now here we are, the chasm is a little wider, but the ledge on the +other side is broader." As he spoke he released Johnston's arm and +prepared to jump. He filled his lungs two or three times. But he seemed +to hesitate. "Pshaw, watching you back there has made me nervous. I +never cared before. If I should happen to fall, go back to where we met, +it is safer there without a guide than here." + +Without another word Branasko hurled himself forward. Johnston held +his breath in horror, for Branasko's foot had slipped as he jumped. +The Alphian had struck the opposite ledge, but not with his feet, as +he intended. He clutched it with his hands and hung there for a moment, +struggling to get a foothold in the emptiness beneath him. + +"It's no use, I am falling; I can hold no longer!" And Johnston,--too +terrified to reply,--heard the poor fellow's hands slipping from the +rock, causing a quantity of loose stones to go rattling down below. With +a low cry Branasko fell. An instant later Johnston heard him strike the +ledge beneath, and heard him cry out in pain. Then all was still except +the echoes of Branasko's cry, which bounded and rebounded from side to +side of the chasm, and grew fainter and fainter, till it was submerged +in the roaring below. Then there was a rattle of stones, and Branasko's +voice sounded: "A narrow escape!" he said faintly. "I am on another +ledge"--then after a slight pause, "it is much wider, I don't know how +wide. Are you listening?" + +"Yes, but are you hurt?" + +"Not at all. Simply knocked the breath out of me for a moment. There is +a cave behind me, and (for a moment there was silence) I can see a light +ahead in the cave. I think it must be the reflection of the internal +fire. Come down to me and we will explore the cavern, and see where the +light comes from." + +"I can't get down there!" shouted Johnston, to make himself heard above +a sudden increase in the roaring in the chasm, "there is no way." + +"Wait a moment!" came from the Alphian. "This ledge seems to incline +upward." + +Johnston stood perfectly motionless, afraid to move from the ledge +either to right or to left, and heard Branasko's footsteps along the +rock beneath. "All right so far," he called up, and his voice showed +that he had gone to a considerable distance to the left, "the ledge +seems to be still leading gradually upward. I think I can reach you." + +Fifteen minutes passed. The lone American could no longer hear +Branasko's footsteps. Johnston was becoming uneasy and the hot air +was causing his head to swim. He was thinking of trying to retrace his +footsteps to a place of more security when he heard footsteps, and then +the cheery voice of Branasko nearly opposite him across the chasm: + +"Are you there?" + +"Yes." + +"It is well; I have discovered a good pathway down to the cave, and a +pool of fish besides. I have saved some for you. I was so hungry I had +to eat. Now, you must jump over to me." + +"I cannot," declared the American. "I cannot jump so far; besides, you +failed." + +Branasko laughed. "I did not leap in the right direction. It is this +point on which I am now standing that I should have tried to reach. +Come, I will catch you." + +Johnston could not bear to be considered cowardly, so he stepped to the +verge of the chasm and prepared to jump. His head felt more dizzy as he +thought of the fathomless depths beneath, and the rush of hot air up the +side of the cliff took his breath away, but he braced himself and said +calmly: "All right, I am coming." The next instant he sprang forward. +Branasko caught him into his arms and they both rolled back on the level +stone. + +"Good," cried the Alphian, trying to catch his breath, which Johnston +had knocked out of him by the fall. "You did better than I; you are +lighter." + +"Where shall we go now?" asked Johnston, regaining his feet and feeling +of his legs and arms to see if he had broken any bones. + +"Down this winding path to the place where I saw that light. I want to +understand it. But you must first eat this fish. It is delicious. They +are swarming in the pools below." + +"And water?" said Johnston. + +"An abundance of it, and as cold as ice." + +As Branasko preceded him down the tortuous path, Johnston ate the raw +fish eagerly. Presently they came to a deep pool of water, and both men +threw themselves down on their stomachs and drank freely. After this +they proceeded slowly for several hundred yards, and finally reached +the entrance to the cave in which Branasko had seen the light. At that +distance it looked like the light of some great conflagration reflected +from the face of a cliff. + +They entered the cave and made good progress toward the light, for it +showed them the dangerous fissures, sharp boulders and stalactites. They +had walked along in silence for several minutes when the Alphian +stopped abruptly and turned to his companion. "What is the matter?" asked +Johnston. + +"It cannot come from the internal fires," replied Branasko, "for the +atmosphere grows cooler as we get nearer the light and away from the +chasm." + +Johnston was too much puzzled to formulate a reply, and he simply waited +for the Alphian to continue. + +"Let's go on," said Branasko; and in his tone and hesitating manner +Johnston detected the first appearance of superstitious fear that he had +seen in the brawny Alphian. + + + +Chapter VIII. + +As Thorndyke watched the flying machine that was bearing his friend +away a genuine feeling of pity went over him. Poor Johnston! He had been +haunted all day with the belief that he was to meet with some misfortune +from which Thorndyke was to be spared, and Thorndyke had ridiculed +his fears. When the air-ship had become a mere speck in the sky, the +Englishman turned back into the palace and strolled about in the vast +crowd. + +A handsome young man in uniform approached and touched his hat: + +"Are you the comrade of the fellow they are just sending away?" he +asked. + +"Yes. Where are they taking him?" + +"To the 'Barrens,' of course; where do you suppose they would take such +a man? He couldn't pass his examination. You are not a great physical +success yourself, but they say you pleased the king with your tongue." + +"To the Barrens," repeated Thorndyke, too much concerned over the fate +of his comrade to notice the speaker's tone of contempt; "what are they, +where are they?" + +The Alphian officer changed countenance, as he looked him over with +widening eyes. + +"Your accent is strange; are you from the other world?" + +"I suppose so,--this is a new one to me at any rate." + +"The world of endless oceans?" + +"Yes." + +"And the unchanging sun--forever white and----?" + +"Yes; but where the devil is the Barrens?" + +"Behind the sun, beyond the great endless wall." + +"Do they intend to put him to death?" + +"No, that would be--what do you call it? murder; they will simply leave +him there to die of his own accord. And the king is right. I never saw +such a weakling. He would taint our whole race with his presence." + +Without a word Thorndyke abruptly turned from the officer and hastened +toward the apartment of the king. He would demand the return of poor +Johnston or kill the king if his demand was not granted. In his haste +and perturbation, however, he lost his way and wandered into a part of +the palace he had not seen. At every step he was more and more impressed +with the magnificent proportions of the structure and the grandeur of +everything about it. + +Passing hurriedly through a large hall he saw an assemblage of beautiful +women and handsome men dancing to the music of a great orchestra. +Further on--in a great court--a regiment of soldiers were drilling, +their rapid evolutions making no more sound than if they were moving in +mid-air. In another room he saw a great body of men, women and children +in vari-colored suits bathing in a pool of rose-colored, perfumed water. + +He was passing on when a woman, closely veiled and simply dressed, +touched his arm. + +"Be watchful and follow me," she said, in a low, guarded tone. + +The heart of the Englishman bounded and his blood rushed to his face, +for the speaker was the Princess Bernardino. She did not pause, but +glided on into the shade of a great palm tree, and, behind a row of +thick-growing ferns of great height and thickness, she waited for him. + +She lowered her veil as he approached and looked at him from her deep +brown eyes in great concern. He stood spell-bound under the witchery of +her beauty. + +"I came to warn you, Prince," she said, and her soft musical voice set +every nerve in Thorndyke's body to tingling with delight. "My father +has banished the faithful slave that you love, but you must not show +the anger that you feel, else he will kill you. You must be exceedingly +cautious if you would save him. My father would punish me severely if +he knew that I had sought you in this way. I was obliged to come in +disguise; this dress belongs to my most trusted maid." + +"And you came for my sake?" blurted out the Englishman, much +embarrassed; "I am not worthy of such a high honor." + +She smiled and tears rose in her eyes. + +"Oh, Prince, don't speak to me so! You are far above me. I am weak. I +know nothing. I never cared for other men than the king and my brothers +till I saw you today, but now I would willingly be your slave." + +"I am yours forever, and an humble one," bowed the courteous Englishman. +"The moment I saw you at the throne of your father my heart went out to +you. You wound it up in your music and trampled it under your dancing +feet. I have been over the whole world, and you are the loveliest +creature in it. It is because I saw you, because you are here, that I do +not want to leave your country. They may do as they will with me if they +only will let me see you now and then." + +The princess was deeply moved. The blood rushed to her face and +beautified it. Her eyes fell beneath his admiring glance. Thorndyke +could not restrain himself. He caught her slender hand and pressed it +passionately to his lips, and she made only a slight effort to prevent +it. + +"I am your obedient slave; what shall I do?" he asked. + +"Do not try to rescue him now," she said softly. "I shall come to you +again when we are not watched--you can know me by this dress. There is +no need for great haste, he could live in the Barrens several days; +I shall try to think of some way to save him, though such a thing has +never been done--never." + +Footsteps were heard on the other side of the row of ferns. A man was +passing and others soon followed him. The bathers were leaving the great +pool. + +"I must leave you now," she whispered. "If the king honors you again by +talking of his kingdom, continue to act as you did; your fearlessness +and good humor have pleased him greatly." + +"Could I not persuade him to bring Johnston back?" + +"No; that would be impossible; those who are pronounced physically unfit +are obliged to die. It has been a law for a long time; you must not +count on that. I have, however, another plan, but I cannot tell you of +it now, for they may miss me and wonder where I am, and then, too, my +father may be looking for you. He will naturally desire to see you soon +again." + +Bowing, she turned away and passed on toward the apartments of the king, +which the Englishman now recognized in the distance. Thorndyke went +into the bathing-room to watch those remaining in the great pool of +rose-colored water. The sight was beautiful. The waves which lapped +against the shelving shores of white marble were pink and white, and the +deeper water was as red as coral. + +The Englishman was at once troubled over the fate of Johnston and elated +over having won Bernardino's regard. Thoughtfully he strolled away from +the bathers into a great picture-gallery. Here hung on the walls and +stood on pedestals some of the rarest works of art he had ever seen. He +passed through this room and was entering a shady retreat where plants, +flowers and umbrageous trees grew thickly, when he heard a step behind +him and the rustling of a silken skirt against the plants. + +It was Bernardino. + +"We can be unobserved here," she said, taking off her thick veil and +arranging her luxuriant hair. "I hasten back. The king thinks, so +my maid tells me, that I am asleep in my chamber. He is busy with an +audience of police from a neighboring town and will not think of us." + +She sat down on a sofa upholstered in leather, and he took a seat beside +her. "I am glad that we can talk alone," he said, "for I have much to +ask you. First, tell me where we are,--where this strange country is on +the map of the world." + +"It is a long story," she replied, "and it would greatly incense the +king if he should find out that I had told you, for one of his chief +pleasures is to note the surprise and admiration of new-comers over what +they see here. But if you will promise to gratify his vanity in this +particular I will try to explain it all." + +"I promise, and you can depend on my not getting you into trouble," +replied Thorndyke. "I never was so puzzled in my life, with that sullen +sky overhead, the wonderful changing sunlight, and the remarkable +atmosphere. I am both bewildered and entranced. Every moment I see +something new and startling. Where are we?" + +"Far beneath the ocean and the surface of the earth. I only know what +the king has let fall in my hearing in his conferences with his men of +science and inventors; but I shall try to make you understand how it all +came about." + +"It was a long time ago, two hundred years back, I suppose, that one of +my ancestors discovered a little isolated island in the Atlantic Ocean. +He was forced in a storm to land there with his ship and crew to make +some repairs in his vessel. In wandering about over the island he +discovered a narrow entrance to a cave, and, with two or three of his +men, he began to explore it. When they had gone for a mile or two down +into the interior of the cavern, which seemed to lead straight down +toward the centre of the earth, they began to find small pieces of gold. +The further they went the more they found, till at last the very cavern +walls seemed lined with it. + +"They were at first wildly excited over their sudden good fortune and +were about to load their ship with it and return to Europe at once, but +the better judgment of my ancestor prevailed. He explained that, if the +world were informed of the discovery of such an inexhaustible mine of +gold, that the value of the precious metal would decline till it would +be worth little more than some grosser metal, and that if they would +only keep their secret to themselves they could in time control the +finances of the world. So, acting on this suggestion, they only dug out +a few thousand pounds and took part of it to Europe and part of it to +America and turned it into money. + +"Then, to curtail my story, they elected my ancestor as ruler, and, with +ships loaded with every available convenience that inexhaustible wealth +could procure and a colony of carefully chosen men, they returned to the +island. + +"After the men and their families had settled in the great roomy mouth +of the cavern my ancestor supplied himself with several strong men and +food and lights, and sought to explore the entire cavern. + +"To their astonishment they found that it was practically endless. When +they had gone down about sixty or seventy miles below the sea level they +found themselves on a vast, undulating plain, the soil of which was dark +and rich, with the black roof of the cavern arching overhead like the +bottom of a great inverted bowl. And when they had travelled about ten +days and reached the other side my ancestor calculated that the cave +must be over one hundred miles in diameter and almost circular in shape. +But what elated and surprised them most was the remarkable salubrity +of the atmosphere. In all parts of the cave it was exactly the same +temperature, and they found that they scarcely felt any fatigue from +their journey, and that they had little desire to eat the provisions +with which they were supplied. Indeed, the very air seemed permeated +with a subtle quality that gave them strength and energy of mind and +body. + +"Finally, when, after a month had passed, and they returned to their +anxious friends, these people overwhelmed them with exclamations of +surprise over their appearance. And in the light of day the explorers +looked at one another in astonishment, for, in the dim light of the +lanterns they had carried, they had not noticed the great change that +had come over them. They had all become the finest specimens of physical +health that could be imagined. Their bodies had filled out; they were +remarkably strong; their skins shone with healthful color and their eyes +sparkled with intellectual energy, and their minds, even to the humblest +burden-carrier, were astonishingly acute and active. + +"My ancestor was a remarkable man, and he had hitherto shown much +inventive ability; but in that month in the cave he had developed +into an intellectual giant. After mature deliberation, he proposed a +prodigious scheme to his followers. He explained that, while they might, +by using the utmost discretion, hold the financial world in their power +by means of their inexhaustible wealth, that the laws and restrictions +of different countries prevented men of vast wealth from really enjoying +more privileges than men of moderate means. He grew eloquent in speaking +of the underground atmosphere, and proposed that they light the great +cavern from end to end and make it an ideal place where they could live +as it suited them. + +"I see that you guess the end. My ancestor was a great student of the +sciences and had already thought of putting electricity to practical +use. You are surprised? Yes, it has been applied to our purposes for two +hundred years, while your people have understood its use such a short +time." + +"Great heavens!" exclaimed the Englishman. "I see it all; the sun is an +electric one!" + +"Yes." + +"And it runs mechanically over its great course as regularly as +clock-work." + +"More accurately, I assure you, but there probably never was a greater +mathematical problem than they solved in deciding on the size the sun +should be and amount of light necessary to fill up all the recesses of +the great vacancy. It was all very crude at the start; for years a great +electric light was simply suspended in the centre of the cavern's roof +and the light did not vary in color. A son of the first king suggested +the plan of giving the sun diurnal movement and the changing light. The +moon and stars were a later development. They found, too, that the light +could not be made to reach certain recesses in the cavern where the roof +approached the earth, so they finally built a great wall to keep the +inhabitants within proscribed boundaries, and to prevent them from +understanding the machinery of the heavens." + +"Wonderful!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "But the temperature of the +atmosphere, how does that happen to be so delightful and beneficial?" + +"I believe they do not themselves thoroughly comprehend that. The heat +comes from the internal fires, and the fresh air from without in some +mysterious way. At first, in a few places, the heat was too severe, but +the scientific men among the first settlers obviated this difficulty by +closing up the hottest of the fissures and opening others in the cooler +parts of the cavern." + +"And the people, where did they come from?" + +"From all parts of the earth. We had agents outside who selected +such men and women that were willing to come, and who filled all the +requirements, mentally and physically." + +"But why do they desire to live here instead of out in the world, when +they have all the wealth that they need to assure every advantage." + +"They dread death, and it is undoubtedly true that life is prolonged +here; our medical men declare that the longevity of every generation is +improved." + +"Is it possible? But tell me about the sun, when it sets, what becomes +of it?" + +"It goes back to its place of rising through a great tunnel beneath us." + +Thorndyke sat in deep thought for a moment; then he looked so steadily +and so admiringly into Bernardino's eyes that she grew red with +confusion. "But you, yourself, are you thoroughly content here?" + +"I know nothing else," she continued. "I have heard little about your +world except that your people are discontented, weak and insane, and +that your changeable weather and your careless laws regarding marriage +and heredity produce perpetual and innumerable diseases; that your +people are not well developed and beautiful; that you war with one +another, and that one tears down what another builds. I have, too, +always been happy, and since you came I am happier still. I don't know +what it means. I have never been so much interested in any one before." + +"It is love on the part of both of us," replied the Englishman +impulsively, taking her hand. "I never was content before. I went roving +over the earth trying to end my life at sea or in balloon voyages, but +now I only want to be with you. I have never dreamed that I could be so +happy or that I would meet any one so beautiful as you are." + +Bernardino's delight showed itself in blushes on her face, and +Thorndyke, unable to restrain himself, put his arm around her and drew +her to his breast and kissed her. + +She sprang up quickly and he saw that she was trembling and that all the +color had fled from her face. + +"What is the matter?" he asked, in alarm. + +At first she did not answer, but only looked at him half-frightened, +and then covered her face with her hands. He drew them from her face and +compelled her to look at him. + +"What is the matter?" he repeated, a strange fear at his heart. + +"You have broken one of the most sacred laws of our country," she +faltered, in great embarrassment; "my father would punish me very +severely if he knew of it, and he would banish you; for, to treat me in +that manner, as his daughter, is regarded as an insult to him." + +"I beg your pardon most humbly," said the contrite Englishman. "It was +all on account of my ignorance of your customs and my impulsiveness. It +shall never happen again, I promise you." + +Her face brightened a little and the color came back slowly. She sat +down again, but not so near Thorndyke, and seemed desirous of changing +the subject. + +"And do you love the man my father has transported?" she questioned. + +"Yes, he is a good, faithful fellow, and it is hard to die so far away +from friends." + +"We must try to save him, but I cannot now think of a safe plan. The +police are very vigilant." + +"Where was he taken?" + +"Into the darkness behind the sun--beyond the wall of which I spoke." + +A flush of shame came into Thorndyke's face over the remembrance that he +had made no effort to aid poor Johnston, and was sitting listening with +delight to the conversation of Bernardino. He rose suddenly. + +"I must be doing something to aid him," he said. "I cannot sit here +inactive while he is in danger." + +"Be patient," she advised, looking at him admiringly; "it is near night; +see, it is the gray light of dusk; the sun is out of sight. To-night, +if possible, I shall come to you. Perhaps I shall approach you without +disguise if you are in the throne-room and my father does not object to +my entertaining you, but for the present we must separate. Adieu." + +He bowed low as she turned away, and joined the throng that was passing +along outside. An officer approached him. It was Captain Tradmos, who +bowed and smiled pleasantly. + +"I congratulate you," he said, with suave pleasantness. + +"Upon what?" Thorndyke was on his guard at once. + +"Upon having pleased the king so thoroughly. No stranger, in my memory, +has ever been treated so courteously. Every other new-comer is put under +surveillance, but you are left unwatched." + +"He is easily pleased," said the Englishman, "for I have done nothing to +gratify him." + +"I thought he would like you; and I felt that your friend would have to +suffer, but I could not help him." + +"He shall not suffer if I can prevent it." + +"Sh--be cautious. Those words, implying an inclination to treason, if +spoken to any other officer would place you under immediate arrest. +I like you, therefore I want to warn you against such folly. You are +wholly in the king's power. Another thing I would specially warn you +against----" + +"And that is?" + +"Not to allow the king to suspect your admiration for the Princess +Bernardino. It would displease the king. She is much taken with you; I +saw it in her eyes when she danced for your entertainment." + +Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed searchingly into the eyes of the +officer. Tradmos laughed. + +"You are afraid of me." + +"No, I am not, I trust you wholly; I know that you are honorable; I +never make a mistake along that line." + +Tradmos bowed, pleased by the compliment. + +"I shall aid you all I can with my advice, for I know you will not +betray me; but at present I am powerless to give you material aid. Every +subject of this realm is bound to the autocratic will of the king. It is +impossible for any one to get from under his power." + +"Why?" + +"The only outlet to the upper world is carefully guarded by men who +would not be bribed." + +"Is there any chance for my friend?" + +"None that I can see, but I must walk on; there comes one of the king's +attendants." + +"The king has asked to speak to you," announced the attendant to +Thorndyke. + +"I will go with you," was his reply, and he followed the man through the +crowded corridors into the throne-room of the king. Thorndyke forced a +smile as he saw the king smiling at him as he approached the throne. + +"What do you think of my palace?" asked the king, after Thorndyke had +knelt before him. + +"It is superb," answered the Englishman, recalling the advice of +Bernardino. "I am dazed by its splendor, its architecture, and its art. +I have seen nothing to equal it on earth." + +The king rose and stood beside him. His manner was both pleasing and +sympathetic. "I am persuaded," said he, "that you will make a good +subject, and have the interest of Alpha always at heart, but I have +often been mistaken in the character of men and think it best to give +you a timely warning. An attendant will conduct you to a chamber beneath +the palace where it will be your privilege to converse with a man who +once planned to get up a rebellion among my people." + +There had come suddenly a stern harshness into the king's tone that +roused the fears of Thorndyke. He was about to reply, but the king held +up his hand. "Wait till you have visited the dungeon of Nordeskyne, then +I am sure that you will be convinced that strict obedience in thought +as well as deed is best for an inhabitant of Alpha." Speaking thus, he +signed to an attendant who came forward and bowed. + +"Conduct him to the dungeon of Nordeskyne, and return to me," ordered +the king. + +Thorndyke's heart was heavy, and he was filled with strange forebodings, +but he simply smiled and bowed, as the attendant led him away. The +attendant opened a door at the back of the throne-room and they were +confronted by darkness. They went along a narrow corridor for some +distance, the darkness thickening at every step. There was no sound +except the sound of the guide's shoes on the smooth stone pavement. +Presently the man released Thorndyke's arm, saying: + +"It is narrow here, follow close behind, and do not attempt to go back." + +"I shall certainly stick to you," replied the Englishman drily. They +turned a sharp corner suddenly, and were going in another direction when +Thorndyke felt a soft warm hand steal into his from behind, and knew +intuitively that it was Bernardino. The guide was a few feet in advance +of them and she drew Thorndyke's head down and whispered into his ear. + +"Be brave--by all that you love--for your life, keep your presence of +mind, and----" + +"What was that?" asked the guide, turning suddenly and catching the +Englishman's arm, "I thought I heard whispering." + +"I was saying my prayers, that is all," and the Englishman pressed the +hand of the princess, who, pressed close against the wall, was gliding +cautiously away. + +"Prayers, humph--you'll need them later, come on!" and he caught the +Englishman's arm and hastily drew him onward. Thorndyke's spirits sank +lower. The air of the narrow under-ground corridor was cold and damp, +and he quivered from head to foot. + + + +Chapter IX. + +Branasko paused again in his walk towards the mysterious light. + +"It cannot be from the internal fires," said he, "for this light is +white, and the glow of the fires is red." + +"Let's turn back," suggested Johnston, "it can do us no good to go down +there; it is only taking us further from the wall." + +"I should like to understand it," returned the Alphian thoughtfully; +"and, besides, there can be no more danger there than back among the hot +crevices. We have got to perish anyway, and we might as well spice the +remainder of our lives with whatever adventure we can. Who knows what we +may not discover? There are many things about the land of Alpha that the +inhabitants do not understand." + +"I'll follow you anywhere," acquiesced Johnston; "you are right." + +They stumbled on over the rocky surface in silence. At times, the roof +of the cavern sank so low that they had to stoop to pass under it, and +again it rose sharply like the roof of a cathedral, and the rays of the +far-away, but ever-increasing light, shone upon glistening stalactites +that hung from the darkness above them like daggers of diamonds set in +ebony. + +"It is not so near as I supposed," said the Alphian wearily. "And the +light seemed to me to be shining on a cliff over which water is pouring +in places. Yes, you can see that it is water by the ripples in the +light." + +"Yes, but where can the light itself be?" + +"I cannot yet tell; wait till we get nearer." + +In about an hour they came to a wide chasm on the other side of which +towered a vast cliff of white crystal. It was on this that the trembling +light was playing. + +"Not a waterfall after all," said Branasko; "see, there is the source +of the reflection," and he pointed to the left through a series of dark +chambers of the cavern to a dazzling light. "Come, let's go nearer +it." He moved a few steps forward and then happening to look over his +shoulder he stopped abruptly, and uttered an exclamation of surprise. + +"What is it?" And Johnston followed the eyes of the Alphian. + +"Our shadows on the crystal cliff," said Branasko in an awed tone; "only +the light from the changing sun could make them so." + +Johnston shuddered superstitiously at the tone of Branasko's quivering +voice, and their giant shadows which stood out on the smooth crystal +like silhouettes. So clear-cut were they, that, in his own shadow, the +American could see his breast heaving and in Branasko's the quivering of +the Alphian's huge body and limbs. + +"If we have happened upon the home of the sun, only the spirit of the +dead kings could tell what will become of us," said Branasko. + +"Puh! you are blindly superstitious," said Johnston; "what if we do come +upon the sun? Let's go down there and look into the mystery." + +Branasko fell into the rear and the American stoutly pushed ahead toward +the light which was every moment increasing. As they advanced the cave +got larger until it opened out into a larger plain over which hung +fathomless darkness, and out of the plain a great dazzling globe of +light was slowly rising. + +"It is the sun itself," exclaimed Branasko, and he sank to the earth and +covered his face with his hands. "I have not thought ever to see it out +of the sky." + +The American was deeply thrilled by the grand sight. He sat down by +Branasko and together they watched the vast ball of light emerge from +the black earth and gradually disappear in a great hole in the roof of +the cavern. It left a broad stream of light behind it, and, now that the +sun itself was out of view, the silent spectators could see the great +square hole from which it had risen. + +As if by mutual consent, they rose and made their way over the rocks +to the verge of the hole, which seemed several thousand feet square. +At first, owing to the brightness of the sun overhead, they could see +nothing; but, as the great orb gradually disappeared, they began to see +lights and the figures of men moving about below. Later they observed +the polished parts of stupendous machinery--machinery that moved almost +noiselessly. + +Johnston caught sight of a great net-work of moving cables reaching +from the machinery up through the hole above and exclaimed +enthusiastically:--"A mechanical sun! electric daylight! What genius! +A world in a great cave! Hundreds of square miles and thousands of well +organized people living under the light of an artificial sun!" + +The Alphian looked at him astonished. "Is it not so in your country?" he +asked. + +Johnston smiled. "The great sun that lights the outer world is as much +greater than that ball of light as Alpha is greater than a grain of +sand. But this surely is the greatest achievement of man. But while I +now understand how your sun goes over the whole of Alpha, I cannot see +how it returns." + +"Then you have not heard of the great tunnel of the Sun," replied the +Alphian. + +"No,what is it?" + +"It runs beneath Alpha and connects the rising and setting points of the +sun. There is a point beneath the king's palace where, by a staircase, +the king and his officers may go down and inspect the sun as it is on +its way back to the east during the day." + +"Wonderful!" + +"And once a year a royal party goes in the sun over its entire course. +It is said that it is sumptuously furnished inside, and not too warm, +the lights being only innumerable small ones on the outside." + +The two men were silent for a moment then Johnston said: + +"Perhaps we might be able to get into it unobserved and be thus carried +over to the other side, or reach the palace through the tunnel." + +Branasko started convulsively, and then, as he looked into the earnest +eyes of the American, he said despondently: + +"We have got to die, anyway; it may be well for us to think of it; but +on the other side, in the Barrens, there is no more chance for escape +than here. But the adventure would at least give us something to think +about; let's try it." + +"All right; but how can we get down there where the sun starts to rise?" +asked the American, peering cautiously over the edge of the hole. + +"There must be some way," answered Branasko. "Ah, see! further to the +left there are some ledges; let's see what can be done that way." + +"I am with you." + +The rays of the departing sun were almost gone, and the electric lights +down among the machinery seemed afar off like stars reflected in deep +water. With great difficulty the two men lowered themselves from one +sharp ledge to another till they had gone half down to the bottom. + +"It is no use," said Branasko, peering over the lowest ledge. "There +are no more ledges and this one juts out so far that even if there were +smaller ones beneath we could not get to them." + +"That is true," agreed the American, "but look, is not that a lake +beneath? I think it must be, for the lights are reflected on its +surface." + +"You are right," answered Branasko; "and I now see a chance for us to +get down safely." + +"How?" + +"The workers are too far from the lake to see us; we can drop into the +water and swim ashore." + +"Would they not hear the splashing of our bodies?" + +"I think not; but first let's experiment with a big stone." + +Suiting the action to the word, they secured a stone weighing about +seventy-five pounds and brought it to the ledge. Carefully poising it +in mid-air, they let it go. Down it went, cutting the air with a sharp +whizzing sound. They listened breathlessly, but heard no sound as +the rock struck the water, and the men among the machinery seemed +undisturbed. Only the widening circles of rings on the lake's surface +indicated where the stone had fallen. + +"Good," ejaculated the Alphian; "are you equal to such a plunge? The +water must be deep, and we won't be hurt at all if only we can keep our +feet downward and hold our breath long enough. Our clothing will soon +dry down there, for feel the warmth that comes from below." + +The Alphian slowly crawled out on the sharpest projection of the ledge. +"Are you willing to try it?" he asked, over his shoulder. + +"Yes." + +"Well, wait till you see me swim ashore, and then follow." + +Johnston shuddered as the strong fellow swung himself over the ledge and +hung downward. + +"Adieu," said Branasko, and he let go. Down he fell, as straight as +an arrow, into the shadows below. For an instant Johnston heard the +fluttering of the fellow's clothing as he fell through the darkness, +and then there was no sound except the low whirr of the cables and the +monotonous hum of the great wheels beneath. Then the smooth surface +of the lake was broken in a white foaming spot, and, later, he saw +something small and dark slowly swimming shoreward. It was Branasko, and +the men to the right had not heard or seen him. + +Johnston saw him reach the shore, then he crawled out to the point +of the projecting rock and tremblingly lowered himself till he +hung downward as Branasko had done. He had just drawn a deep breath +preparatory to letting go his hold, when, chancing to look down, he saw +a long narrow barge slowly emerging from the cliff directly under him. +For an instant he was so much startled that he almost lost his grip +on the rock. He tried to climb back on the ledge, but his strength was +gone. He felt that he could not hold out till the boat had passed. Death +was before him, and a horrible one. The boat seemed to crawl. Everything +was a blur before his eyes. His fingers began to relax, and with a low +cry he fell. + + + +Chapter X. + +To Thorndyke the dark corridor seemed endless. The king's last words had +now a sinister meaning, and Bernardino's whispered warning filled him +with dread. "Keep your presence of mind," she urged; was it then, some +frightful mental ordeal he was about to pass through? + +Presently they came to a door. Thorndyke heard his guide feeling for +the bolt and key-hole. The rattling of the keys sounded like a ghostly +threat in the empty corridors. The air was as damp as a fog, and the +stones were cold and slimy. After a moment the guard succeeded in +unlocking the door and roughly pushed the Englishman forward. The door +closed with a little puff, and Thorndyke felt about him for the guide; +but he was alone. For a moment there was no sound. With the closing +of the door it seemed to him that he was cut off from every living +creature. In the awful silence he could hear his own heart beating like +a drum. + +"Stand where you are!" came in a hissing whisper from the darkness near +by, and then the invisible whisperer moved away, making a weird sound as +he slid his hand along a wall, till it died away in the distance. + +A cold thrill ran over him. He was a brave man and feared no living man +or beast, but the superstitious fears of his childhood now came upon him +with redoubled force. For several minutes he did not stir; presently he +put out his hand to the door and his blood ran cold. There was no knob, +latch, or key-hole, and he could feel the soft padding into which the +door closed to keep out sound. Then he remembered the warning of the +princess, and strove with all his might to fight down his apprehensions. +"For your life keep your presence of mind," he repeated over and over, +but try as he would his terror over-powered him. He laughed out loud, +but in the dreadful silence and darkness his laugh sounded unearthly. + +A cold perspiration broke out on him. It seemed as if hours passed +before he again heard the sliding noise on the wall. Some one was coming +to him. The sound grew louder and nearer, till a firm hand was laid on +his arm; it felt as cold as ice through his clothing. + +"Come," a voice whispered, and the Englishman was led forward. Presently +another door opened--a door that closed after them without any sound. +Here the silence was more intensified, the darkness thicker as if +compressed like air. + +Hands were placed on the shoulders of Thorndyke and he was gently forced +into a chair. As soon as he was seated two metal clamps grasped like +a vise his arms between the elbows and the shoulders, and two more +fastened round his ankles. + +There was a faint puff of air from the door and the prisoner felt +that he was alone. Terror held him in bondage. He tried to think of +Bernardino, but in vain. Did they intend to drive him to madness? He +began to suspect that the king had discovered his natural superstition +and had decided to put it to a test. What he had undergone so far he +felt was but the introduction to greater terrors in store for him. + +There was a sigh far away in the darkness--then a groan that seemed to +flit about in space, as if seeking to escape the dark, and then died +away in a low moan of despair. Before him the blackness seemed to hang +like a dark curtain about ten yards in front of him, and in it shone a +tiny speck of light no larger than the head of a pin, and which was so +bright that he could not look at it steadily. It increased to the size +of a pea, and then he discovered that, at times, it would seem miles +away in space and then again to draw quite near to hand. Glancing down, +he noticed that it cast a bright round spot about an inch in diameter on +the floor, and that the spot was slowly revolving in a circle so +small that its motion was hardly observable. Surely the mind of a +superstitious man was never so punished! When Thorndyke looked steadily +at the spot, the black floor seemed to recede, and the spot to sink far +down into the empty darkness below like a solitary star; So realistic +was this that the Englishman could not keep from fancying that this +chair was poised in some way over fathomless space. Presently he noticed +that the spot had ceased its circular movement and was slowly--almost as +slowly as the movement of the hand of a clock--advancing in a straight +line toward him. + +No such terror had ever before possessed the stout heart of the +Englishman. As the uncanny spot, ever growing brighter, advanced toward +him, he thought his heart had stopped beating; his brain was in a whirl. +After a long while the spot reached his feet and began to climb up his +legs. With a shudder and a smothered cry, he tried to draw his feet +away, but they were too firmly manacled. + +"It is searching for my heart," thought Thorndyke. "My God, when it +reaches it, I shall die!" As the strange spot, gleaming like a burning +diamond in whose heart leaped a thousand different colored flames, and +which seemed possessed of some strange hellish purpose, crossed his +thighs and began to climb up his body, the brain of the prisoner seemed +on fire. He tried to close his eyes, but, horror of horrors! his eyelids +were paralyzed. It was almost over his heart, and Thorndyke was fainting +through sheer mental exhaustion when it stopped, began to descend +slowly, and, then, with a rapid, wavering motion, it fell to the floor, +flashed about in the darkness, and vanished. + +An hour dragged slowly by. What would happen next? The Englishman felt +that his frightful ordeal was not over. To his surprise the darkness +began to lighten till he could see dimly the outlines of the chamber. It +was bare save for the chair he occupied against a wall, and a couch on +the opposite side of the room. The couch held something which looked +like a human body covered with a white cloth. He could see where the +sheet rounded over the head and rose sharply at the feet. + +Something told him that it was a corpse and a new terror possessed him. +For several minutes he gazed at the couch in dreadful suspense, then his +heart stopped pulsing as the figure on the couch began to move. Slowly +the sheet fell from the head and the figure sat up stiffly. There was +a faint hum of hidden machinery at the couch, and a flashing blue and +green line running from the couch to the wall betrayed the presence of +an electric wire. + +Slowly the figure rose, and with creaking, rattling joints stood erect. +Pale lights shone in the orbits of the eyes and the sound of harsh +automatic breathing came from the mouth and nostrils. Slowly and +haltingly the figure advanced toward Thorndyke. The poor fellow tried +to wrench himself free from the chair, but he could not stir an inch. +On came the figure, its long arms swinging mechanically, and its feet +slurring over the stone pavement. + +When within ten feet of the Englishman it stopped, nodded its head three +or four times, and slowly opened its mouth. There was a sharp, whirring +noise, such as comes from a phonograph, and a voice spoke: + +"My voice shall sound on earth for a million years after my spirit has +left my body; and I shall wander about my dark dungeon as a warning to +men not to do as I have done." + +The voice ceased, but the whirring sound in the creature's breast went +on. The figure shambled nearer to Thorndyke and the voice began again: + +"I disobeyed the laws of great Alpha and her imperial king and am +to die. Beware of the temptation to search into the royal motives +or attempt to escape. The fate of all the inhabitants of Alpha, the +wonderful Land of the Changing Sun, is in the hands of its ruler. +Beware! My death-torture is to be lingering and horrible. I sink into +deepest dejection. I was eager to return to my native land and tried +to escape. Behold my punishment! Even my bones and flesh will not be +allowed to rest or decay. Beware, the king is just and good, but he will +be obeyed!" + +Slowly the figure retreated toward the couch and lay down on it. The +whirring sound ceased, the light along the wire went out, and the +darkness thickened till the couch and the outlines of the chamber were +obscured. Then Thorndyke's chair was lifted, as if by unseen hands, and +he was borne backward. In a moment he felt the cool, damp air of the +corridor, and some one raised him to his feet and led him back to the +throne-room. + +In the bright light which burst on him as the door opened, the beautiful +women and handsome men moving about the throne were to him like a +glimpse of Paradise. The attendant left him at the door and he walked +in, so dazed and weak that he hardly knew what to do. No one seemed to +notice him and the king was engaged in an animated conversation with +several ladies who were sitting at his feet. + +In a bevy of women Thorndyke noticed Bernardino. She gave him a quick, +sympathetic glance of recognition and then looked down discreetly. +Presently she left the others and moved on till she had disappeared +behind a great carved wine-cistern which stood on the backs of four +crouching golden leopards in a retired part of the room. Something in +her sudden movement made the Englishman think she wanted to speak to +him, and he went to her. He was not mistaken, for she smiled as he +approached. + +"I am glad," she whispered, touching his arm impulsively, and then +quickly removing her hand as if afraid of detection. + +"Glad of what?" he asked. + +"Glad that you stood that--that torture so well; several men have died +in that chair and some went mad." + +"I remembered your advice; that saved me." + +"I have a plan for us to try to rescue your friend." + +"Ah, I had forgotten him! what is it?" + +"Captain Tradmos likes you and has consented to aid us. We shall need +an air-ship and he has one at his disposal which is used only for +governmental purposes." + +"What do you want with the air-ship?" + +"To go beyond and over the great wall." + +"But can we get away from here without being seen?" + +"Under ordinary circumstances, neither by day nor night, but tomorrow +the king has planned to let his people witness a 'War of the Elements.'" + +"A War of the Elements?" + +"Yes, the grandest fete of Alpha. There will be a frightful storm in the +sky; no light for hours; the thunder will be musical and the lightning +will seem to set the world on fire. That will be our chance. When it +is darkest we shall try to get away unseen. We may fail. Such a daring +thing has never been attempted by any one. If we are detected we shall +suffer death as the penalty, the king could never pardon such a bold +violation of law." + + + +Chapter XI. + +Johnston clung tenaciously to the rock. He tried to look down to see if +the barge had passed beneath him, but the intense strain on his arm now +drew his head back, so that he could not do so. Once more he made an +effort to regain his position on the rock, but he was not able to raise +himself an inch. + +He felt certain that the fall would kill him, and he groaned in agony. +His fingers were benumbed and beginning to slip. Then he fell. The air +whizzed in his ears. He tried to keep his feet downward, but it was +no use. He was whirled heels over head many times, and his senses were +leaving him when he was restored by a plunge into the cold water. + +Down he sank. It seemed to him that he never would lose his momentum +and that he would strangle before he could rise to the surface. Finally, +however, he came up more dead than alive. He had narrowly missed the +flat-boat, for he saw it receding from him only a few yards away. On the +shore stood Branasko motioning to him; and, slowly, for his strength was +almost gone, Johnston swam toward him. + +The latter waded out into the shallow water and drew him ashore. + +"You had a narrow escape," he said, with a dry laugh. "I saw the boat +come from under the cliff just as you hung down from the ledge. At first +I hoped that you would get back on the rock, but when I saw you try and +do it and fail I thought that you were lost." + +The American could not speak for exhaustion; but, as he looked at the +departing craft with concern, Branasko laughed again: "Oh, you thought +it had a crew; so did I at first, but it has no one aboard. It is drawn +by a cable, and seems to be laden with coal." + +"Did they notice our fall up there?" panted Johnston, nodding toward the +lights in the distance. + +"No, they are farther away than I thought." + +"Well, what ought we to do?" "Hide here among the rocks till our +clothing dries and then look about us. We have nearly twenty-four hours +to wait for the sun to return through the tunnel." + +"Where is the tunnel?" + +"Over on the other side of that black hill. There, you can see the mouth +of the tunnel through which the sun comes." + +"We need sleep," said the Alphian, when their clothing was dry, "and it +may be a long time before we get a chance to get it. Let us lie down in +the shadow of that rock and rest." + +Johnston consented, and, lying down together, they soon dropped asleep. +They slept soundly. + +Johnston was the first to awake. He felt so refreshed that he knew he +must have been unconscious several hours. He touched Branasko and the +latter sat up and rubbed his eyes and looked about him bewildered. + +"I had a horrible dream," he said shuddering. "I thought that we were in +the sun and over the capital city when it fell down. I thought the +fall was awful, and that all Alpha was aflame. Then the fires went out. +Everything was black, and the whole world rang with cries of terrified +people. Ugh! I don't want to dream so again; I'd rather not sleep at +all. But hush! what is that?" + +Far away, as if in the centre of the earth, they heard a low monotonous +rumbling. They listened breathlessly. Every moment the sound increased. +They could feel the ground trembling as if shaken by an earthquake. + +"It is the coming sun," said Branasko. "We must get nearer the tunnel +and see what can be done. It would be useless to try to go back now." + +Stealing along in the shadow of the cliffs to keep from being seen by +the workmen on the plateau above, they climbed over a rocky incline +and saw in the side of a towering cliff, a great black hole. It was the +mouth of the tunnel. Into it ran eight wide tracks of railway and six +mammoth cables each twenty or thirty feet in diameter. + +"The sun cannot be far away now," remarked the Alphian. + +"Is it not lighted?" + +"I presume not; I think it comes through in darkness. The light is saved +for its passage over Alpha." + +"Would it not be as safe for us to attempt to walk through the tunnel to +the palace of the king?" + +"Never; it would be over fifty miles in utter darkness. There may be a +thousand trestles and bridges over frightful chasms: for the most part, +I have heard the tunnel is a natural channel or a succession of caverns +united by tunnels. The other is the safer way, though it certainly is +risky enough." + +Louder and nearer grew the rumbling noise, and a faint light began to +shine from the tunnel and flash on the cliff opposite. + +"It is the sun's headlight," explained Branasko. + +Johnston was thrilled to the centre of his being as he saw the light +playing over the polished tracks and cables and illuminating the walls +of the great tunnel. + +Suddenly there was a deep, mellow-toned stroke of a bell in the sun, +and, as the two men shrank involuntarily into the deeper shade of the +cliff, the great globe, a stupendous ball of crystal, five hundred feet +in height, slowly emerged from the mouth of the tunnel and came to a +stop under the opening in the rock which led to the space above. + +"What had we better do now?" said Johnston. + +"Wait," cautioned Branasko, and he drew the American to a great boulder +nearer the sun, from behind which they could, without being seen, watch +the action of the crowd of workmen that was hurriedly approaching. They +placed ladders of steel against the sides of the sun and swarmed over it +like bees. + +"They are cleaning the glass and adjusting the lights," said the +Alphian; "wait till they go round to the other side. Don't you see that +square opening near the ground?" + +The American nodded. + +"It is the door," said Branasko, "and we must try to enter it while they +are on the other side. Let us slip nearer; there is another rock ahead +that we can hide behind." Suiting the action to the word, Branasko led +the way, stooping near to the ground until both were safely ensconced +behind the boulder in question. They were now so near that they could +hear the electricians rubbing the glass. + +One who seemed to be superintending the work opened the door and went +into the sun and lighted a bright light. From where they were crouched +Johnston and Branasko caught a view of a little hall, a flight of +stairs, and some pictures on the walls. + +Presently the man extinguished the light and came out. + +"They are removing their ladders from this side," said Branasko in a +whisper. "Be ready; we must act quickly and without a particle of sound. +Run straight for that door and climb up the steps immediately." + +The men had all gone round to the other side, and no one was in sight. + +"Quick! Follow me," and bending low to the earth the Alphian darted +across the intervening space and into the doorway. Johnston was quite +as successful. As he entered the door he saw Branasko crawling up the +carpeted stairs ahead of him, and, on his all-fours, he followed. The +first landing was large, and there in the wall they found a closet. It +would have been dark but for a dim light that streamed down from above. +Branasko opened the closet door. "We must hide here for the present," he +whispered. + +They had barely got seated on the floor and closed the door when a +bright light broke round them and they heard somebody ascending the +stairs. The person passed by and went on further up. The two adventurers +dared not exchange a word. They could hear the footsteps above and the +sound of the electricians outside as they polished the lights and moved +their ladders from place to place. + +"If he should stay, what could we do?" asked Johnston, after a long +pause, and when the footsteps sounded farther away. + +"There are two of us and one of him," grimly replied the brawny Alphian. + +Johnston shuddered. "Let's not commit murder in any emergency," he said. + +"It would not be murder; every man has a right to save his own life." + +Nothing more was said just then, for the footsteps were growing nearer. +The man was descending. He crossed the landing they were on and went +down the last flight of stairs and out of the door. + +Branasko rubbed his rough hands together. "We are going alone," he said +with satisfaction. + +There was a sound of sliding ladders on the walls outside. The workmen +had finished their task. A moment later a great bell overhead rang +mellowly; the colossal sphere trembled and rocked and then rose and +swung easily forward like the car of a balloon. + +"We are rising," said the Alphian, in a tone of superstitious awe. +Johnston said nothing. There was a cool, sinking sensation in his +stomach and his head was swimming. Branasko, however, was in possession +of all his faculties. + +"We shall soon be through the shaft we first discovered and throw our +light over Alpha." As he spoke the space about them broke into blinding +brightness and for a few moments they could only open their eyes for +an instant at a time. After a while Branasko opened the closet door and +they went up the stairs. + +The first apartment they entered was most luxuriously furnished. Sofas, +couches and reclining-chairs were scattered here and there over the +elegant carpet, and statues of gold and marble stood in alcoves and +niches and strange stereopticon lanterns, hanging from the ceiling threw +ever-changing and life-like pictures on the walls. The light streamed in +from without through small circular windows. After they had walked about +the room for some minutes, the Alphian pointed to a half-open door and a +staircase at one side of the room. + +"I think it leads to some sort of observatory on top," he said. "I have +heard that when the royal family makes this voyage they are fond of +looking out from it. Suppose we see." Johnston acquiesced, and Branasko +opened the door. From the increased brightness that came in they were +assured that the stairs led outward. + +Ascending many flights of stairs and traversing a narrow winding gallery +which seemed to be gradually sloping upward, they finally reached the +outside, and found themselves on a platform about forty feet square +surrounded by iron balustrades. Above hung impenetrable blackness, below +curved a majestic sphere of white light. + + + +Chapter XII. + +The sunlight was fading into gray when the princess turned to leave +Thorndyke. Night was drawing near. + +"Have they assigned you a chamber yet?" she paused to ask. + +"No." + +"Then they have overlooked it; I shall remind the king." + +Her beautiful, lithe form was clearly outlined against the red glow of +the massive swinging lamp as she moved gracefully away, and Thorndyke's +heart bounded with admiration and hope as he thought of her growing +regard for him. He resumed his seat among the flowers, listening, as if +in a delightful dream, to the seductive music from bands in different +parts of the palace and the never-ceasing sound in the air which seemed +to him to be the concentrated echo of all the sounds in the strange +country rebounding from the vast cavern roof. + +It grew darker. The gray outside had changed to purple. In the palace +the brilliant electric lights in prismatic globes refused to allow the +day to die. He was thinking of returning to the throne-room when a page +in silken attire approached from the direction of the king's quarters. + +"To your chambers, master," he announced, bowing respectfully. + +Thorndyke arose and followed him to an elevator near by. They ascended +to the highest balcony of the great rotunda. Here they alighted and +turned to the right, the page leading the way, a key in his hand. +Presently the page stopped at a door and unlocked it and preceded +the Englishman into the room. As they entered an electric light in a +chandelier flashed up automatically. + +It was a sumptuous apartment, and adjoining it were several connecting +rooms all elegantly furnished. The page crossed the room and opened a +door to a little stairway. + +"It leads to the roof," he said. "The princess told me to call your +attention to it, that you might go out and view the starlight." + +When the page had retired, Thorndyke, feeling lonely, ascended the +stairs to the roof. It was perfectly flat save for the great dome which +stood in the centre and the numerous pinnacles and cupolas on every +hand, and was very spacious. The Englishman's loneliness increased, for +no matter in what direction he looked, there was not a living soul in +sight. Far in front of him he saw a stone parapet. He went to this and +looked down on the city. The electric lights were vari-colored, and +arranged so that when seen from a distance or from a great height they +assumed artistic designs that were beautiful to behold. + +The regular streets and rows of buildings stretched away till the light +in the farthest distance seemed an ocean of blending colors. Overhead +the vault was black, and only here and there shone a star; but as he +looked upward they began to flash into being, and so rapidly that the +sky seemed a vast battlefield of electricity. + +"Wonderful! Wonderful!" he ejaculated enthusiastically, when the black +dome was filled with twinkling stars. He leaned for a long time against +the parapet, listening to the music from the streets below, and watching +the flying-machines with their vari-colored lights rise from the little +parks at the intersection of the streets and dart away over the roofs +like big fireflies. Then he began to feel sleepy, and, going back to his +chambers, he retired. + +When he awoke the next morning, the rosy glow of the sun was shining +in at his windows. On rising he was surprised to find a delectable +breakfast spread on a table in his sitting-room. + +"Treating me like a lord, any way," he said drily. "I can't say I +dislike the thing as a whole." When he had satisfied his sharp hunger he +went out into a corridor and seeing an elevator he entered it and went +down to the throne-room. The king was just leaving his throne, but +seeing Thorndyke he turned to him with a smile. + +"How did you sleep?" he asked. + +"Well, indeed," replied Thorndyke, with a low bow. + +"I cannot talk to you now. I intended to, but I have promised my people +a 'War of the Elements' to-day and am busy. You will enjoy it, I trust." + +"I am sure of it, your Majesty." + +"Well, be about the palace, for it is a good point from which to view +the display." + +With these words he turned away and the Englishman, as if drawn there by +the memory of his last conversation with Bernardino, sought the retreat +where he had bidden her good-night. He sat down on the seat they had +occupied, and gave himself over to delightful reveries about her beauty +and loveliness of nature. Looking up suddenly he saw a pair of white +hands part the palm leaves in front of him and the subject of his +thoughts emerged into view. + +She wore a regal gown and beautiful silken head-dress set with fine +gems, and gave him a warm glance of friendly greeting. + +"I half hoped to find you here," she said, blushing modestly under his +ardent gaze; "that is, I knew you would not know where to go----" She +paused, her face suffused with blushes. + +"I did not hope to find you here," he said, coming to her aid gallantly, +"but it was a delight to sit here where I last saw you." + +She blushed even deeper, and a pleased look flashed into her eyes. "It +was important that I should see you this morning," she continued, with a +womanly desire to disguise her own feeling. "I wanted to tell you where +to meet me when the storm begins." + +"Where?" he asked. + +"On the roof of the palace, near the stairs leading down to your +chambers. At first it will be very dark, and it is then that we must get +out of sight of the palace. No other flying-machines will be in the +air, and Captain Tradmos thinks, if we are very careful, we can get away +safely before the display of lightning." + +"If we find my friend what can we do with him?" + +She hesitated a moment, a look of perplexity on her face, then she said: +"We can bring him back and keep him hidden in your chambers till some +better arrangement can be made. We shall think of some expedient before +long, but at present he must be saved from starvation." + +Thorndyke attempted to draw her to a seat beside him, but she held +back. "No," she said resolutely, "it would never do for us to be seen +together. If my father should suspect anything now, all hope would be +lost." + +Thorndyke reluctantly released her hand. + +"You are right, I beg your pardon," he said humbly. "I shall meet you +promptly. Of course I want to save poor Johnston, but the delight of +being with you again, even for a moment, so intoxicates me that I forget +even my duty to him." + +After she left him he wandered out in the streets along the busy +thoroughfares, and into the beautiful parks, the flowers and foliage +changing color as each new hour dawned. The fragrance of the flowers +delighted his sense of smell, and the luscious fruits hung from vine and +tree in great abundance. + +He was impatient for the time to arrive at which he was to meet the +princess. After awhile he noticed the people closing the shops and +booths, and in holiday dress going to the parks and public squares. +He hastened to the palace. The great rotunda and the throne-room were +energetically astir. Everybody wore rich apparel and was talking of +the coming fete. The king was on his throne surrounded by his men +of science. In a cluster of ladies in court dress, the Englishman +recognized Bernardino. Catching his eye, she looked startled for an +instant, and, then, with a furtive glance at the king, she swept +her eyes back to Thorndyke and raised them significantly toward his +chambers. He understood, and his quick movement was his reply. He turned +immediately to an elevator that was going up, and entered it. Again +he was alone on the palace roof. The color of the sunlight looked +so natural that he studied it closely to see if he could not detect +something artificial in its appearance, but in vain. He found that it +did not pain his eyes to look at the sun steadily. He took from his +pocket a small sunglass, and focussed the rays on his hand, but the heat +was not intensified sufficiently to burn him. + +Just then he heard a loud blast of a trumpet in a tall tower to the left +of the palace. It seemed a momentous signal. The jostling crowds in the +streets below suddenly stood motionless. Every eye was raised to the +sky. Not a sound broke the stillness. Following the glances of the crowd +a few minutes later, Thorndyke noticed a dark cloud rising in the west, +and spreading along the horizon. A feeling of awe came over him as it +gradually increased in volume, and, in vast black billows, began to roll +up toward the sun. + +Suddenly out of the stillness came a faraway rumble like a fusillade of +cannon, now dying down low, again reaching such a height that it pained +the ears. Belated flying-machines darted across the sky here and there, +like storm-frightened birds, but they soon settled to earth. Every eye +was on the cloud which was now gashed with dazzling, vivid, electric +flashes. Thorndyke looked over the vast roof. He was alone. He walked to +the western parapet to get a broader view. + +The clouds had increased till almost a third of the heavens were +obscured by the madly whirling blackness. There was a rumble in the +cloud, or beyond it, like thunder, and yet it was not, unless thunder +can be attuned, for the sound was like the music of a great orchestra +magnified a thousand-fold. The grand harmony died down. There was +a blinding flash of electricity in the clouds, and the Englishman +involuntarily covered his eyes with his hands. When he looked again the +blackness was covering the sun. For a moment its disk showed blood-red +through the fringe of the cloud and then disappeared. Total darkness +fell on everything. + +The silence was profound. The very air seemed stagnant. + +Then the wind overhead, by some unseen force, was lashed into fury, and +all the sky was filled with whirlpools of deeper blackness. Suddenly +there was a flash of soft golden light; this was followed by streams +of pink, of blue and of purple till the whole heavens were hung with +banners, flags, and rain-bows of flame. Again darkness fell, and it +seemed all the deeper after the gorgeous scene which had preceded it. +Thorndyke strained his sight to detect something moving below, but +nothing could be seen, and no sound came up from the motionless crowds. + +Behind him he heard a soft footstep on the stone tiling. It drew nearer. +A hand was being carefully slid along the parapet. The hand reached him +and touched his arm. + +It was the princess. "Ah, I have at last found you," she whispered, "I +saw you in the lightning, but lost you again." + +He put his arm round her and drew her into his embrace. He tried to +speak, but uttered only an inarticulate sound. + +"I could not possibly come earlier," she apologized, nestling against +him so closely that he could feel the quick and excited beating of +her heart. "My father kept me with him till only a moment ago. Captain +Tradmos will be here soon." + +"When do we start?" he asked. + +"That is the trouble," she replied. "We had counted on getting away in +the darkness, before the display of lightning, but there is more danger +now. If our flying-machine were noticed the search-lights would be +turned on us and we would be discovered at once." + +"But even if we get safely away in the darkness when could we return?" + +"Oh, that would be easy," she replied. "As soon as the fete is over, +commerce will be resumed and the air will be filled with air-ships that +have been delayed in their regular business, and, in the disguises which +I have for us both, we could come back without rousing suspicion. We +could alight in Winter Park and return home later." + +"What is Winter Park?" + +"You have not seen it? You must do so; it is one of the wonders of +Alpha. It is a vast park enclosed with high walls and covered with a +roof of glass. Inside the snow falls, and we have sleighing and coasting +and lakes of ice for skating. It was an invention of the king. The +snowstorms there are beautiful." + +Thorndyke's reply was drowned in a harmonious explosion like that of +tuned cannon; this was followed by the chimes of great bells which +seemed to swing back and forth miles overhead. + +"Listen!" whispered Bernardino, "father calls it 'musical thunder,' and +he declares that it is produced in no other country but this." + +"It is not; he is right." And the heart of the Englishman was stirred +by deep emotion. He had never dreamed that anything could so completely +chain his fancy and elevate his imagination as what he heard. The +musical clangor died down. The strange harmony grew more entrancing +as it softened. Then the whole eastern sky began to flush with rosy, +shimmering light. + +"My father calls this the 'Ideal Dawn of Day,'" whispered Bernardino. +"See the faint golden halo near the horizon; that is where the sun is +supposed to be." + +"How is it done?" asked the Englishman. + +"Few of our people know. It is a secret held only by the king and half a +dozen scientists. The whole thing, however, is operated by two men in a +room in the dome of the palace. The musician is a young German who was +becoming the wonder of the musical world when father induced him to come +to us. I have met him. He says he has been thoroughly happy here. He +lives on music. He showed me the instrument he used to play, a little +thing he called a violin, and its tones could not reach beyond the +limits of a small room. He laughs at it now and says the instrument +that father gave him to play on has strings drawn from the centre of the +earth to the stars of heaven." + +The rose-light had spread over the horizon and climbed almost to the +zenith, and with the dying booming and gentle clangor it began to fade +till all was dark again. + +"Captain Tradmos ought to be here now," continued the princess, glancing +uneasily toward the stairway. "We may not have so good an opportunity as +this." + +Ten minutes went by. + +"Surely, something has gone wrong," whispered Bernardino. "I have never +seen the darkness last so long as this; besides, can't you hear the +muttering of the people?" + +Thorndyke acknowledged that he did. He was about to add something else, +but was prevented by a loud blast from the trumpet in the tower. + +Bernardino shrank from him and fell to trembling. + +"What is the matter?" he asked. "The trumpet!" she gasped, "something +awful has happened!" + +A moment of profound silence, then the murmuring of the crowd rose +sullenly like the moaning of a rising storm; a search-light flashed up +in the gloom and swept its uncertain stream from point to point, but it +died out. Another and another shone for an instant in different parts of +the city, but they all failed. + +"Something awful has happened," repeated Bernardino, as if to herself; +"the lights will not burn!" + +"Had we not better go down?" asked Thorndyke anxiously, excited by her +unusual perturbation. + +For answer she mutely drew him to the eastern parapet. Far away in the +east there still lingered a faint hint of pink, but all over the whole +landscape darkness rested. + +"See!" she exclaimed, pointing upward, "the clouds are thinning over the +sun, and yet there is no light. What can be the matter?" + +At that juncture they heard soft steps on the roof and a voice calling: + +"Bernardino! Princess Bernardino!" + +"It is Tradmos," she ejaculated gladly, then she called out softly: + +"Tradmos! Tradmos!" + +"Here!" the voice said, and a figure loomed up before them. It was the +captain. He was panting violently, as if he had been running. + +"What is it?" she asked, clasping his arm. + +"The sun has gone out," he announced. + +A groan escaped her lips and she swayed into Thorndyke's arms. + +"The clouds are thinning over the sun, yet there is no light. The king +is excited; he fears a panic!" + +"Has such a thing never happened?" asked Thorndyke. + +"An hundred years ago; then thousands lost their lives. As soon as the +people suspect the cause of the delay they will go mad with fear." + +"What can we do?" asked the princess, recovering her self-possession. + +"Nothing, wait!" replied Tradmos. "This is as safe a place as you could +find. Perhaps the trouble may be averted. Look!" + +The disk of the veiled sun was aglow with a faintly trembling light; +but it went out. The silence was profound. The populace seemed unable +to grasp the situation, but when the light had flickered over the black +face of the sun once more and again expired, a sullen murmur rose and +grew as it passed from lip to lip. + +It became a threatening roar, broken by an occasional cry of pain and +a dismal groan of terror. There was a crash as if a mountain had been +burst by explosives. + +"The swinging bridge has been thrown down!" said Tradmos. + +Light after light flashed up in different parts of the city, but they +were so small and so far apart that they seemed to add to the darkness +rather than to lessen it. + +"The moon, it will rise!" cried the princess. + +"It cannot," said Tradmos in his beard, "at least not for several +hours." + +"They will kill my father," she said despondently, "they always hold him +responsible for any accident." + +"They cannot reach him," consoled Tradmos. "He is safe for the present +at least." + +"Is it possible to make the repairs needed?" + +"I don't know. When the accident happened long ago the sun was just +rising." + +"Has it stopped?" + +"I think not; it has simply gone out; the electric connection has, in +some way, been cut off." + +The tumult seemed to have extended to the very limits of the city, and +was constantly increasing. The smashing of timber and the falling of +heavy stones were heard near by. + +Tradmos leaned far over the parapet. "They are coming toward us!" he +said; "they intend to destroy the palace; we must try to get down, but +we shall meet danger even there." + + + +Chapter XIII. + +Johnston and Branasko looked down at the great ball of light below them +in silent wonder. Johnston was the first to speak. He pointed to the +four massive cables which supported the sun at each corner of the +platform and extended upward till they were enveloped in the darkness. + +"They hold us up," he said, "where do they go to?" + +"To the big trucks which run on the tracks near the roof of the cavern; +the endless cables are up there, too, but we can not see them with this +glare about us." + +"We can see nothing of Alpha from here," remarked Johnston +disappointedly, "we can see nothing beyond our circle of light." + +"I should like to look down from this height at night," said the +Alphian. "It would be a great view." + +"What is this?" Johnston went to one side of the platform and laid his +hand on the spokes of a polished metal wheel shaped like the pilot-wheel +of a steamboat. Branasko hastened to him. + +"Don't touch it," he warned. "It looks as if it were to turn the +electric connection off and on. If the sun should go out, the +consequences would be awful. The people of Alpha would go mad with +fear." + +The American withdrew his hand, and he and Branasko walked back to the +centre of the platform. Johnston uttered an exclamation of surprise. +"The light is changing." + +And it was, for it was gradually fading into a purple that was +delightfully soothing to the eye after the painful brightness of a +moment before. + +"I understand," said the Alphian, "we are running very slow and are only +now about to approach the great wall, for purple is the color of the +first morning hour." + +"But how is the light changed?" asked Johnston curiously. + +"By some shifting of glasses through which the rays shine, I presume," +returned the Alphian; "but the mechanism seems to be concealed in the +walls of the globe." + +Not a word was spoken for an hour. They had lain down on the platform +near the iron railing which encompassed it, and Branasko was dozing +intermittently. Again the light began to change gradually. This time it +was gray. Johnston put out his hand to touch Branasko, but the Alphian +was awake. He sat up and nodded smiling. "Wait till the next hour," he +said; "it will be rose-color; that is the most beautiful." + +Slowly the hours dragged by till the yellow light showed that it was the +sixth hour. Branasko had been exploring the vast interior below and came +back to Johnston who was asleep on the floor of the platform. + +"I have just thought of something," said Branasko. "This is the day +appointed by the king to entertain his subjects with a grand display of +the elements." + +"I do not understand," said Johnston. + +"The king," explained the Alphian, "darkens the sun with clouds so that +all Alpha is blacker than night, and then he produces great storms in +the sky, and lightning and musical thunder. We may, perhaps, hear the +music, but we cannot witness the storm and electric display on account +of the light about us. It usually begins at this hour; so be silent and +listen." + +After a few minutes there was a rumble from below like the roar of a +volcano and an answering echo from the black dome overhead. This died +away and was succeeded by a crash of musical thunder that thrilled +Johnston's being to its very core. Branasko's face was aglow with +enthusiasm. + +"Grand, glorious!" he ejaculated, "but if only you could see the +lightning and the dawn in the east you would remember it all your life. +The sunlight is cut off from Alpha by the clouds, and there is no light +except the wonderful effects in the sky." + +Johnston had gone back to the wheel and was examining it curiously. + +"I have a mind to turn off the current for a moment anyway," he said +doggedly; "if the sun is hidden they would not discover it." + +Branasko came to him, a weird look of interest in his eyes. "That +is true," he said; "besides, what matters it? We may not live to see +another day." + +Johnston acted on a sudden impulse. He intended only to frighten +Branasko by moving the wheel slightly, and he had turned it barely an +eighth of an inch, when, as if controlled by some powerful spring, it +whirled round at a great rate, making a loud rattling noise. To their +dismay the light went out. + +"My God! what have I done?" gasped the American in alarm. + +"Settled our fate, I have no doubt," muttered the Alphian from the +darkness. + +Johnston had recoiled from the whirling wheel, and now cautiously groped +back to it, and attempted to turn it. It would not move. + +"It has caught some way," he groaned under his breath. + +"And we have no light to find the cause of the trouble," added the +Alphian, who had knelt down and was feeling about the wheel. Presently +he rose. + +"I give it up," he sighed, "I cannot understand it. The machinery is +somewhere inside." + +"It has grown colder," shuddered Johnston. + +"We were warmed by the light, of course," remarked Branasko, "and now we +feel the dampness more. We are going at a frightful speed." + +Just then there was a jar, and the sun swung so violently from side to +side that the two men were prostrated on the floor. The speed seemed to +slacken. + +"I wonder if we are going to stop," groaned the American, and he sat +up and held to Branasko. "Perhaps they will draw us back to rectify the +mistake, and then----" + +"It cannot be done," interrupted the Alphian. "The machinery runs only +one way. We shall simply have to finish our journey in darkness." + +"They may catch us on the other side before the sun starts back through +the tunnel," suggested the American. + +"Not unlikely," returned Branasko. "There, we are going ahead again. One +thing in our favor is that we can more easily escape capture in darkness +than if the sun were shining." + +"Does the sun stop before entering the tunnel?" + +"I do not know," replied Branasko; "perhaps somebody will be there to +see what is wrong with the light. We must have our wits about us when we +land." + +Johnston was looking over the edge of the platform. "If the king's +display is taking place down there I can see no sign of it." + +"How stupid of us!" ejaculated Branasko. "Of course, clouds sufficiently +dense to hide the sun from Alpha would also prevent us from seeing the +display below. I ought to----" + +He was interrupted by a grand outburst of harmony. The whole earth +seemed to vibrate with sublime melody. "Our blunder has not been +discovered yet," finished Branasko, after a pause, "else the fete down +below would have been over. I am cold; shall we go inside?" + +Johnston's answer was taken out of his mouth by a loud rattling +beneath the floor, near the wheel he had just turned; the sun shook +spasmodically for an instant, and its entire surface was faintly +illuminated, but the light failed signally. + +"It must have been an extra current of electricity sent to relight the +lamps," remarked Johnston; and, as he concluded, the sun trembled again, +and another flash and failure occurred. "Look," cried the American, +"the clouds are thinning; see the lights below! They have discovered the +accident!" + +They both leaned over the railing and looked below. As far as the eye +could reach, within the arc of their vision, they could see fitful +lights flashing up, here and there, and going out again. And then they +heard faint sounds of crashing masonry and the condensed roar of human +voices, which seemed to come from above rather than from below. The +Alphian turned. "I cannot stand the cold," he said. + +Johnston followed him. The rapid motion of the swinging sphere made him +dizzy, and he caught Branasko's arm to keep from falling. + +"How can we tell when we go over the wall?" he asked anxiously. + +"We shall have to guess at it," was the answer. "At any rate we must be +near the lower door so as to get out quickly if it is necessary to do so +to escape detection." + +In the darkness they slowly made their way down the stairs to the great +room. + +"There ought to be some way of making a light," said the Alphian, and +his voice sounded loud and hollow in the empty chamber. After several +failures to find the stairs they descended to the door they had entered. +Branasko opened it a little, and a breeze came in. They sat down on +the stone, and after a while, in sheer fatigue, they fell asleep. Hours +passed. Branasko rose with a start, and shook Johnston. + +"Our speed is lessening," he exclaimed. "We must be going down. Be ready +to jump out the instant we stop. There, let me open the door wider." + + + +Chapter XIV. + +When Tradmos spoke the words of warning, Thorndyke put his arm round +the princess and drew her after Tradmos, who was hastening away in the +gloom. + +"Wait," she said, drawing back. "Let us not get excited. We are really +as safe here as there; for in their madness they will kill one another +and trample them under foot." She led him to a parapet overlooking the +great court below. "Hear them," she said, in pity, "listen to their +blows and cries. That was a woman's voice, and some man must have struck +her." + +"Tell me what is best to do," said the Englishman. "I want to protect +you, but I am helpless; I don't know which way to turn." + +"Wait," she said simply, and the Englishman thought she drew closer to +him, as if touched by his words. + +There was a crash of timbers--a massive door had fallen--a scrambling +of feet on the stone pavement, and they could see the dark human mass +surging into the court through the corridors leading from the streets. + +"What are they doing?" asked Thorn dyke. + +She shrank from the parapet as if she had been struck. + +"Tearing the pillars down," she replied aghast; "this part of the palace +will fall. Oh, what can be done!" + +There was a grinding of stone upon stone, a mad yell from an hundred +throats, the crash of glass, and, with a thunderous sound, a colossal +pillar fell to the earth. The roof beneath the feet of the princess and +Thorndyke trembled and sagged, and the tiling split and showered about +them. + +Raising Bernardino in his arms, as if she were an infant, Thorndyke +sprang toward the stairway leading to his chambers, but the roof had +sunken till it was steep and slippery. One instant he was toppling +over backward, the next, by a mighty effort, he had recovered his +equilibrium, and finally managed to reach a safer place. As he hurried +on another pillar went down. The roof sagged lower, and an avalanche of +mortar and tiling slid into the court below. Yells, groans, and cries of +fury rent the air. + +Bernardino had fainted. Thorndyke tried to restore her to consciousness, +but dared not put her from him for an instant. On he ran, and presently +reached a flight of stairs which he thought led to his chambers. He +descended them, and was hastening along a narrow corridor on the floor +beneath when Bernardino opened her eyes. She asked to be released from +his arms. He put her down, but supported her along the corridor. + +"We have lost our way," he said, as he discovered that the corridor, +instead of leading to his chambers, turned off obliquely in another +direction. + +"Let's go on anyway," she suggested; "it may lead us out. I have never +been here before. I--" A great crash drowned her words. The floor +quivered and swayed, but it did not fall. On they ran through the +darkness, till Thorndyke felt a heavy curtain before. He paused +abruptly, not knowing what to do. Bernardino felt of its texture, +perplexed for an instant. + +"Draw it aside, it seems to hang across the corridor," she said. He +obeyed her, and only a few yards further on they saw another curtain +with bars of light above and below it. They drew this aside, and found +themselves on the threshold of a most beautiful apartment. + +In the mosaic floor were pictures cut in colored stones, and the ceiling +was a silken canopy as filmy and as delicately blue as the sky on a +summer's night. The floor was strewn with richly embroidered pillows, +couches, rugs and ottomans; and here and there were palm trees and beds +of flowers and grottoes. A solitary light, representing the moon, showed +through the silken canopy in whose folds little lights sparkled like +far-off stars. + +Thorndyke looked at the princess inquiringly. She was bewildered. + +"I have no idea where we are," she murmured. "I am sure I have never +been here before; but there is another apartment beyond. Listen! I hear +cries." + +"Some one in distress," he answered, and he drew her across the room and +through a door into another room more beautiful than the one they had +just left. Here, huddled together at a window overlooking the court, +were six or eight beautiful young women. They were staring out into the +darkness, and moaning and muttering low cries of despair. + +"It is my father's ladies," ejaculated the princess aghast. "He would +be angry if he knew we had come here. No one but himself enters these +apartments." + +Just then one of the women turned a lovely and despairing face toward +them, and came forward and knelt at the feet of Bernardino. + +"Oh, save us, Princess," she cried. + +"Be calm," said the princess, touching the white brow of the woman. "The +danger may soon pass; this portion of the palace is too strongly built +for them to injure it." Then she turned to Thorndyke: "We must hasten on +and find our way down; it would never do for us to be seen here." Then +she turned to the kneeling woman and said gently: "I hope you will say +nothing to the king of this; we lost our way in trying to get down from +the roof." + +"I will not," gladly promised the woman, and seeing that Bernardino +knew not which way to turn, she guided them to a door opening into a +dimly-lighted corridor. "It will take you out to the balconies and down +to the audience-chamber," she said. The princess thanked her, and she +and the Englishman descended several flights of stairs. Reaching one +of the balconies they met the denser darkness of the outside and the +deafening clang and clamor of the multitude. There was no light of +any kind, and Thorndyke and his charge had to press close against the +balustrade of the balcony to keep from being crushed by the mad torrent +of humanity. + +Now and then a strident voice would rise above the din:-- + +"Down with the palace! Death to the king!" + +The trumpet in the tower sounded again and again. + +"It is my father trying to attract their attention," explained the +princess. "Something very serious has happened for once. In speaking +of the time the sun went out before, he told me that he had made an +invention which, in such a crisis, would instantly restore confidence to +the people. I cannot understand why he does not use it. Oh, I am afraid +they will kill him!" + +Thorndyke tried to console her, for he saw that she was weeping, but +just then there was a strange lull in the general tumult. What could +have happened? + +"The dawn! the ideal dawn!" cried Bernardino, pointing to the eastern +sky. Thorndyke looked in wonder. A purple light had spread along the +horizon, and as it gradually softened into gray and slowly turned to +pink, the noise of the populace died down. No sound could now be heard +save the low groans of wounded men and women. What a sight met the view +as the rose-light shimmered over the city! The dead and dying lay under +the feet of the crowd. Almost every creature bore some mark of violence. +Eyes were blood-shot, clothing torn, limbs were bleeding, and mingled +fury and sudden hope struggled in each ashen face. The young trees and +shrubbery had been trampled under foot, and walls, arcades and triumphal +arches had been thrown down. The fragments of statues lay here and +there, and the bodies of human beings filled the basins of broken +fountains. + +"It is not the sun," explained Bernardino; "but the invention my father +spoke of. He is doing it to calm them." + +Thorndyke made no answer. He stood as if transfixed, gazing at the +horizon. The rose-light had spread over a third of the sky when +gradually there appeared in its centre a bright circle of yellow light. +The yellow light faded, leaving a perfect picture of the throne of the +king; and as the now silent masses looked at the picture, a curtain +behind the throne parted and the king himself appeared. He advanced and +sat on the throne, and turned a calm face towards his subjects. + +"Wonderful!" ejaculated Bernardino, and her face was full of hope. "See +what he will do!" + +"Where is the picture?" asked Thorndyke; "can it be seen by all of--of +the people?" + +"Yes, by all Alpha, for it is on the sky." + +Thorndyke said nothing further, for the king had stood up, and with +hands out-stretched was bowing. Above the circle of light, as if cut out +of the solid blackness, in flaming letters stood the word, + +"SILENCE!" + +And there was silence. Even the lips of the wounded men closed as the +king began to speak. The sound of his voice seemed as far away as the +stars, and to permeate all space:-- + +"All danger is over. Tidings from the west state that the sun is +setting. No harm has come to it. It will rise in the morning, and the +moon and stars will be out in a few hours. Let the dead be removed, the +wounded cared for, and everything be repaired. This is my will." + +That was all. The king bowed sedately and retired from the throne, and +the circle and pink glow faded from the black sky. The stillness +was unbroken for a moment, then glad murmurings were heard in all +directions. + +"They are lighting the palace," cried the princess. "See, down there is +the arcade leading to the rotunda." + +"I am glad it is over," said Thorndyke. + +She grasped his arm and impulsively looked into his face. "But your +friend, we have forgotten him, and done nothing to save him, and now it +is too late." + +"We could not help it; we had to think of our own safety." + +"I shall send for Captain Tradmos and try to devise some other plan," +she said, as they descended the stairs. + +"We should not be seen together," she added, as they approached the +throne-room; "besides, you ought to go to your chambers. No one is +allowed to be out when the dead is being removed." + +"Where is the dead taken?" + +"Over the wall, to be burned in the internal fires," she concluded, as +she was leaving him. + +He found everything in order in his rooms and he lay down and tried to +sleep, but he was too much excited over the happenings of the day. Hours +must have passed when his attention was drawn to a bright light shining +on the wall of his room. He went to a window and looked out on the +court. The light came from the rising moon. + +Below lay the ruins of fallen columns, capitals, cornices and statues. +Figures in black cloaks and cowls were removing the dead from the +debris. With a fluttering sound something swooped down past his window +to the ground. It looked like a great bird, carrying the car of a +flying-machine. Thorndyke watched its circular descent to the earth, and +shuddered with horror as the black figures filled the car with bodies +and the gruesome machine spread its wings and rose slowly till it was +clear of the domes and pinnacles of the palace, and then flew away +westward. + +Other machines came, and, one after another, received their ghastly +burdens and departed. In a short time all the dead was removed, and +hundreds of workmen came from the palace and began repairing the fallen +masonry. + +Thorndyke went back to his couch and tried to sleep, but in vain. Slowly +the hours of night passed, and as the purple of dawn rose in the east he +dressed himself and went up on the roof. The moon had gone down and the +stars were fading from the sky. The dark earth below showed no signs of +life; but as the purple light softened into gray he saw that the streets +of the city were filled with silent expectant people, all watching the +eastern sky. And, as the gray light flushed into rose, and the rose +began to scintillate with gold, they began to stir, and a hum of joyful +voices was heard. The promised day had come. + + + +Chapter XV. + +The sun was, indeed, slowing up. The two men peered out at the door. + +"It would be unlucky for us if it should not come so near to the earth +as it did on the other side," whispered Branasko. + +"I can hardly feel any motion to the thing at all," replied the +American. "Look! for some reason it is not so dark below. I can see the +rocks. Surely we have already passed over the wall." + +"That's so," returned the Alphian. "Come; we must be quick and watch our +opportunity to land. I can't imagine where the light comes from unless +it be from the people waiting for the arrival of the sun." Every instant +the speed was lessening. Overhead the cables were beginning to creak +and groan, and, now and then, the great globe swung perilously near some +tall stony peak, or passed under a mighty stalactite. Slower and slower +it got till, when within a few feet of the ground, it stopped its onward +motion and only swung back and forth like a pendulum. + +"Quick," whispered Branasko, "we must get down while it is swinging, no +time to lose--not an instant!" And as the sun moved backward, with his +hand on the doorsill, he leaped to the earth. Johnston followed him. +They were not a moment too soon, for about fifty yards away they saw a +body of sixty or seventy men with lights in their hands hastening toward +them. + +"Just in time," exulted Branasko, and he quickly drew Johnston into a +little cave in the face of a cliff. Crouching behind a great rock, they +saw and heard the men as they approached. + +Some of them walked around the sun, and two, evidently in authority, +entered the door. The others were placing ladders against the side of +the sphere, when suddenly there was a loud clattering in the interior, a +whirling of wheels under the platform above, and the surface of the sun +burst into light. + +The two refugees were momentarily blinded. Branasko had the presence of +mind to quickly draw his companion down close to the earth behind the +rock. "They could see us in the light," he whispered. + +There was a joyous clamoring of voices among the men, and they withdrew +several yards to look at the sun. This drew them nearer the hiding-place +of the two refugees. + +"Only an accident," said a voice; "it won't happen again." + +Then one of them went into the sun and the lights died out. In a moment +the sun began to move. Slowly and majestically it swept over the rocky +earth, followed by the crowd, till it reached a great hole and sank into +it. + +"Gone into the tunnel," said the Alphian, as the crowd disappeared +behind the cliff. + +"What are we to do now?" asked Johnston. "We certainly can't go through +with the sun." + +"Wait till the next trip," grimly replied Branasko. + +The rumbling noise from the big hole gradually died away, and the two +men left their hiding-place. + +"What is that?" asked Johnston. He pointed to the west, where a red +light shone against the towering cliffs. + +"It must be the internal fires," answered Branasko, with a noticeable +shudder. "Let's go nearer; I have heard that there is a point near here +where one can look down into the Lake of Flame." + +"The Lake of Flame!" echoed the American, "What is that?" "It is where +all of the dead of Alpha is cast by the black 'vultures of death.'" + +Johnston said nothing, for it was difficult to keep up with the Alphian, +who was bounding over rocks and dangerous fissures toward the red glow +in the distance. + +At every step the atmosphere got warmer, and they detected a slight +gaseous odor in the air. Finally, after an arduous tramp of an hour, +they climbed up a steep hill and looked sharply down into a vast +bubbling lake of molten matter more than a thousand yards below. +Branasko noticed a stone weighing several tons evenly balanced on the +verge of the great gulf, and pushed it with both his hands. It rocked, +broke loose from its slender hold on the cliff and bounded out into the +red space. Down it went, lessen-ing as it sank till it became a mere +black speck and then disappeared. + +"That's where the dead go," said Branasko gloomily. + +Just then the American, happening to glance up, saw something like a +huge black bird with outspread wings circling about in the red light +over the pit. Branasko saw it, too, and his face paled and a tremolo was +in his voice when he spoke. + +"It is one of the 'vultures of death;' don't stir; we won't be seen if +we remain where we are!" The strange machine sank lower over the lake +of fire, till, as if buoyed up on the hot air, with faintly quivering +wings, it paused. A man opened a door of the black car and carelessly +threw out the bodies of a woman and a child. + +The bodies whirled over and over and disappeared in the pit, and the man +closed the door. The machine then rose and gracefully winged its flight +to the east. In a moment others came with their grim burdens, and still +others, till the mouth of the pit was dark with them. + +"Something has happened," whispered Branasko, "some great calamity, for +surely so many people do not die in Alpha in a single day." + +For an hour they watched the coming and going of the vultures, till, +finally the last one hovered over the lake of fire. Suddenly the machine +swerved so near to Branasko and Johnston that they shrank close to the +earth to keep from being seen. Something was evidently wrong with the +machine, for there was a wild look of desperation on the driver's face +as he tugged excitedly at the pilot-wheel. But all his efforts only +caused the air-ship to dart irregularly from side to side, and, now and +then, to strike the rocks of the pit's mouth, to shoot up suddenly, or +to sink dangerously down toward the fire. + +"He is losing control of it," whispered Branasko, "he does not know what +to do. See, he is trying to lighten the load, by kicking out the body." + +That was true, and, as the machine made a sudden plunge toward the cliff +a few yards to the left of the refugees, the dead body, which the driver +had managed to move to the door with his feet, fell out and lodged upon +the edge of the cliff instead of falling into the fiery depths. The +machine bounded up a few yards and paused, now apparently under the +control of its driver. The man looked down hesitatingly at the corpse +for a moment and then lowered the machine to the sloping rock near where +the body lay. He alighted and cautiously crept down the steep incline +to the body. He raised it in his arms and was about to cast it from him +when his foot slipped, and with a cry of horror he fell with his burden +over the cliff's edge into the red abyss. + +Johnston uttered an exclamation of horror, but Branasko was unmoved. +After a moment he rose, and carefully scanning the space overhead, +he crawled on hands and knees toward the machine. Johnston heard him +chuckling to himself and uttering spasmodic laughs, and he watched him +closely as he reached the machine. For several minutes he seemed to be +inspecting it critically, both inside and out; then he stood away from +it, a bold, black silhouette on a background of flame, and motioned the +American to come to him. + +Johnston promptly, but not without many misgivings, obeyed his signal. +"What are you up to?" asked he, as the Alphian assisted him to rise from +his hands and knees. + +Branasko touched the machine and smiled. His face was shining with +enthusiasm. + +"The question of our returning to Alpha is settled," he said +sententiously. + +"How?" + +"We can go in this." + +"Can you manage it?" + +"Easily; that fellow must have been drunk; the machine is in good order, +I think." + +"When do you propose to start?" and the American eyed the funeral-car +dubiously. + +"The night is before us; we could not get a better time." As he spoke +he entered the car and laid his hand on the wheel. Johnston, obeying +his nod, followed, shuddering as he remarked the traces of blood on the +floor. + +"All right!" Branasko turned the wheel slowly, and the wings outside +began to flap, and the car mounted into the air like a startled bird and +flew out quickly over the pit. + +Branasko bit his lip, and Johnston heard him stifle an exclamation of +impatience. As for the American, he was at once thrilled and fascinated +by the awful sight below; he could now see beneath the overhanging mouth +of the pit, and look far down into a boundless lake of molten matter +that seemed as restless as an ocean in a storm. + +Then the air became so hot he could hardly breathe. He looked at the +Alphian in alarm. The latter was whirling the wheel first one way and +then another with a startled look of fear in his eyes, and then Johnston +noticed that the walls of the pit were rising about them, and the black +canopy overhead rapidly receding. + +They were sinking down into the fire. + +Almost wild with terror, the American sprang toward the wheel, but +Branasko pushed him away roughly. + +"Stand back," he ordered gruffly. "It is the heat; let me alone!" + +The American sank into his seat. The heat became more and more intense. +Both men were purple in the face, and the perspiration was rolling from +their bodies in streams. Down sank the machine. + +"I can't manage it," said Branasko hoarsely, "we'd as well give up." +Just then Johnston noticed the mouth of a cave behind Branasko. + +"Look," he cried, "can't we get into it?" + +Branasko looked over his shoulder, and, as he saw the cave, he uttered a +glad cry. He quickly turned the wheel and drew out a lever at his right. +The machine obeyed instantly; it swerved round suddenly and dived +into the cave. The cool air soon revived them, and Branasko had little +trouble in bringing the car to a resting-place on the rocky floor of the +cave. Before them hung impenetrable darkness, behind a curtain of red +light. + +"We are in a pretty pickle now," said Johnston despondently, as they +alighted from the car. + +"Nothing to do but to make the best of it," sighed Branasko. + +"Perhaps this cave may lead out into some place of safety." + +Johnston's eyes had become somewhat accustomed to the gloom, and he +began to peer into the darkness. + +"I see a light," he exclaimed; "it cannot be a reflection from the fire +in the pit, for it is whiter." + +The Alphian gazed at it steadily for a moment, then he said decidedly: +"We must go and see what it is." Without another word he started toward +the white, star-like spot, sliding his hand over the rocky wall, and +springing over a fissure in the floor. + +Gradually the light grew brighter, till, as they suddenly rounded a +cliff, a grand sight burst upon their view. They found themselves in a +vast dome-shaped cavern, thousands of yards in diameter and height. +And almost in the centre of the floor, from a red and purple mound of +cooling lava, leapt a white stream of molten matter from the floor to +the dome. And in the black dome, where the lava turned to molten spray, +hung countless stalactites of every color known to the artistic eye. And +from the foot of the fountain ran a tortuous rivulet that lighted the +walls and roof of a narrow chamber that extended for miles down toward +the bowels of the earth. + +Branasko was delighted. + +"The king does not know of this," he declared, "else he would make it +accessible to his people, and call it one of the wonders of Alpha. +By accidentally sinking into the pit we have discovered it. But," he +concluded, "we must at once try to find some way out other than that by +which we came." + +They turned from the beautiful fountain, and, holding to each other's +hands, and aided by the light behind them, they stumbled laboriously +through the semi-darkness. Branasko's ears were very acute. He paused to +listen. + +"Hark ye!" he cautioned. + +The combined roar of the pit and the fountain of lava had sunk to a low +murmur, but ahead of them they now heard a rushing sound like a distant +tornado. + +"Come on," said the Alphian, and he drew his companion after him with an +eagerness the American was slow to understand. The light in the +cavern gradually grew brighter. By a circuitous route they were again +approaching the pit of fire, though it was still hidden from sight. + +Finally they reached a point where the wind was blowing stiffly, and +further on a volume of cold spray suddenly dashed upon them and wet them +to the skin. And when their eyes had become accustomed to the rolling +mist, they saw a great lake, and pouring into it from high above was a +mighty waterfall. + +"Mercy!" ejaculated the Alphian, in great alarm. "If this is salt water +we are lost. All Alpha will come to an end!" + +"What do you mean?" And Johnston wondered if Branasko's trials and +struggle could have turned his brain. + +"If it be salt water, then it has broken in from the ocean above Alpha," +he explained. "The king has often said that not a drop of the ocean has +ever entered the great cavern." + +Branasko stooped and wet his hand in a little pool at his feet. "I am +almost afraid to taste it," said he, holding his hand near his mouth. +"It would settle all our fates." He waited a moment and then touched his +fingers to his tongue. + +"Salt!" That was all he said for several moments. He folded his arms and +looked mutely toward the boiling lake. Presently he raised his eyes +to the great hole in the roof, and groaned: "The break is gradually +widening. These stones are freshly broken, and the great bowl is +filling." + +"It will fill all Alpha with water and drown every soul in it," added +the terrified American. + +"That, however, is not the most immediate danger," said Branasko wisely. +"They would first suffocate, and later their bodies would be swallowed +up in the stomach of the earth." + +"What do you mean?" + +Branasko shrugged his shoulders. "As soon as this bowl is filled with +water, which would not take many hours, it would run over into the lake +of fire and produce an explosion that would rend Alpha from end to end." + +"Who knows, it might turn the whole Atlantic into the centre of the +earth, and destroy the entire earth." But Branasko was unable to grasp +the full magnitude of the remark, for to him the world was simply a +vast cavern lighted by human ingenuity. He fastened a narrow splinter +of stone upright in the shallow water at his feet, and, lying down on his +stomach with his eyes close to it, he studied it for several minutes. +When he got up, a desperate gleam was in his dark eyes. + +"It is rising fast," he said. "We must attempt to get to the capitol and +warn the king. It is possible that he may be able to stop the opening. +The only thing left to us is to try our machine again." + +Johnston found it hard to keep pace with him as he bounded out of the +mist and on toward the faint glow ahead. Reaching the flying machine +Branasko entered it and turned on a small electric light. + +"Ah," he grunted with satisfaction, "I have found a light. I can now see +what is the matter with it." + +Johnston stood outside and heard him hammering on the metal parts in the +car, and became so absorbed in thinking of the peril of their position +that he was startled when Branasko cried out to him:--"All right. I +think we can make it do; a pin has lost out, but perhaps I can hold the +piece in place with my foot. If only we can stand the heat of the pit +long enough to rise above it, we may escape." + +Johnston followed him into the car. Branasko seated himself firmly and +gave the wheel a little turn. Slowly the machine rose. "See!" cried +Branasko, "it is under control. We must not be too hasty. Now for the +pit!" + +The heart of the American was in his mouth as the long black wings waved +up and down and the air-ship, like some live thing, shuddered and swept +gracefully out of the mouth of the cave into the glare and heat of the +pit. + +"Hold your breath!" yelled Branasko, and he bent lower into the car to +escape the shower of hot ashes that was falling about them. Far out +over the lake in a straight line they glided, and there came to a sudden +halt. Johnston's eyes were glued on his companion's face. Branasko sat +doubled up, every muscle drawn, his eyes bulging from their sockets. +Would he be strong enough? To Johnston everything seemed in a whirl. The +walls of the pit were rising around them. + + + +Chapter XVI. + +Thorndyke went down into his chambers to make his toilet and was ready +to leave when there was a soft rap on his door. He opened it, and to his +surprise saw Bernardino modestly draw herself back into the shadow of +the hall. + +"Pardon me, but I must speak to you," she stammered in confusion. + +"What is it?" he asked, going out to her. + +"I want to advise you to avoid my father to-day. He is greatly +disappointed with the accident of yesterday, and he is never courteous +to strangers when he is displeased. He was particularly anxious to have +you entertained by the fete." + +"Thank you; I shall keep out of his way," promised the Englishman. +"Where had I better stay--here in my rooms?" + +"No, he might send for you. If you would care to see Winter Park, I can +go with you as your guide." + +"I should be delighted; nothing could please me more." + +"But," (as a servant passed in the room with a tray) "that is your +breakfast. Meet me at the fountain at the north entrance of the palace +in half an hour." And, drawing her veil over her face, she vanished in +the darkness of the corridor. + +After he had breakfasted and sent the man away, he hastened below to the +place designated by the princess. She was waiting for him under the palm +trees, and was so disguised that he would not have known her but for her +low amused laugh as he was about to pass her. + +"It would not do for any one to suspect me," she explained; "my father +would never forgive me for doing this." She pointed to a flying-machine +near by. "We must take the air; I have made all the arrangements. Winter +Park is beyond the limits of the city." + +He followed her across the grass to the machine and into the car. They +could see the driver behind the glass of the narrow compartment in which +he sat, and when he turned the polished metal wheel the machine rose +like a liberated balloon. + +Thorndyke looked out of the window. The blue haze of the fifth hour of +the morning was breaking over everything, and as the domes, pinnacles, +and vari-colored roofs fell away in the beautiful light, the breast of +the Englishman heaved with delightful emotions. Bernardino was watching +his face with a gratified smile. + +"You like Alpha," she said, half anxiously, half inquiringly. + +"Very much," he replied; "but I want to show you the great world I came +from;--and some day perhaps I can." + +The blood ran into her cheeks suddenly, and then as quickly receded, +leaving a wistful expression in her eyes. She sighed. "It has been my +dream for a long time. I have always imagined that it is more wonderful +than Alpha; but you know there is no chance for you to return now." + +"I shall manage to escape some way and you shall go with me as my wife." + +Her blushes came again. "I did not know that you cared that much for +me," she said. Then, as if to change the subject, she pointed through +the window. "See, we are approaching the Park, and shall descend in a +moment." + +He looked out of the window and then drew his head in quickly. + +"We are coming down into a big lake!" he cried out. "Oh, no, it is only +the glass roof of the park," she laughed; "true, it does look like water +in the sunlight." + +The machine sank lower and finally rested on a plot of grass in a little +square ornamented with beds of flowers and white statues. Thorndyke +saw a seemingly endless wall, so high that he could not calculate its +height. Bernardino preceded him in at a great arching door in the wall, +and they found themselves in a stone-paved vestibule several hundred +feet square. + +A maid servant came forward at once and brought heavy fur clothing +for them and invited them into separate toilet rooms. When he came out +Bernardino was waiting for him. He could hardly breathe, so thick were +the furs he had put on. + +"It is warm here, but it will be colder in a moment," said the princess. +And she led him to a door across the room. When the door was opened, +Thorndyke uttered an exclamation of astonishment. Before their eyes lay +a wide expanse of snow-covered roads, woodlands and frozen lakes and +streams. The air was as crisp and invigorating as a Canadian winter. + +Bernardino led him to a pavilion where a number of pleasure-seekers were +gathered and selected a sleigh and two mettlesome horses. She took +the reins from the man, and sprang lightly into the graceful cutter. +Thorndyke followed her and wrapped the thick robes about her feet. Away +they sped like the wind down the smooth road, through a leafless forest. +Overhead the glass roof could not be seen, but a lowering gray cloud +hung over them and a light snow was falling. + +"Winter Park is a great resort," the princess explained; "we get tired +of the unchanging climate, and it is pleasant to visit such a place as +this. There is a winter park in every town of any size in Alpha." + +They drove along the shore of a beautiful lake, on the frozen surface +of which hundreds of skaters were darting here and there, and passed +hillsides on which crowds of young people were coasting in sleds. When +they had driven about ten miles in a circuitous route she turned the +horses round. + +"We had better return," she said; "you have not seen all of the Park, +but we can visit it some other time." + +Outside they found their flying-machine awaiting them, and were soon on +the way back to the city. They parted at the fountain in the park, she +hastening to the palace, and he turning to stroll through the little +wood behind him. + +He was passing a thick bunch of trees when he was startled by hearing +his name called. He turned round, but at first saw no one. + +"Thorndyke!" There it was again, and then he saw a hand beckoning to him +from a hedge of ferns at his right. He stepped back a few paces; a man +came out of the wood. + +It was Johnston, his face was white and haggard, his clothing rent and +soiled. + +"My God, can it be you?" gasped the Englishman. + +"Nobody else," groaned Johnston, cautiously advancing and laying a +trembling hand on the arm of Thorndyke; "but don't talk loud, they will +find me." + +"Where did you come from?" + +Johnston pointed first to the east, and then swept his hand over the sky +to the west. + +"Over the wall," he said despondently. "From the dead lands behind the +sun." + +"How did you get back here?" + +For reply Johnston parted the fern leaves and pointed to the lank figure +of the tall Alphian, who lay curled up on the grass as if asleep. +"He brought me in that flying-machine there; but he has spent all his +strength in trying to manage the thing, which was out of order, and now +he is helpless. Twice we came within an inch of sinking down into the +internal fires. The last time we escaped only by the breadth of a hair; +if he had not had the endurance of a man of iron he would have succumbed +to the heat and we would have been lost. We sank so far down that I +became insensible and never knew a thing till the fresh air revived me. +See, my beard and hair are singed, and look how he is blistered. Poor +fellow! He is a hero." Johnston stepped back and shook the Alphian, but +the poor fellow's head only rolled to one side, showing his bloodshot +eyes. He was insensible. + +"He is in a bad fix," said Thorndyke; "where did he come from?" + +"Banished like myself; we met over there in the dark and roamed about +together." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"I don't know; I was following his lead. We will both be put to death if +we are discovered." + +"Did he not tell you his plan?" + +Johnston started visibly. "Oh, I forgot," he exclaimed. "He declares +that all this vast cavern is in danger. Over in the west we discovered +a hole in the roof through which the ocean is streaming in a torrent. +He calculated that before many hours the water would overflow into the +internal fires and produce a volcanic eruption that will swallow up all +of Alpha." + +"Merciful Heaven! and you are hiding here at such a moment? The king +must be informed at once." + +Johnston had grown suddenly paler. "It may not be as bad as Branasko +feared, and the king would have no mercy on me and him." + +"Leave that to me," said Thorndyke; "I have made a good friend of the +Princess Bernardino. She will tell me what is best to do. Remain here." + +In breathless haste, Thorndyke went into the audience chamber. +Fortunately the king was not on his throne, and he caught sight of the +confidential maid of the princess. + +She saw him approaching, and withdrew behind a cluster of tall white +jars of porcelain containing rare plants. + +"I must see your mistress," he said; "tell her to come to me at once; we +are in great peril!" + +The girl swept her eyes over the balconies and the throne and said: "She +is in her apartments, sir; I shall bring her." + +"Tell her to meet me at the fountain where we last met," and he hastened +back to the spot mentioned. + +She soon came. "What is it?" she asked excitedly. + +"Johnston is back," he replied. "He is in the wood there with a fellow +who escaped with him in a disabled flying-machine. He says the sea +has broken through over in the west and is streaming into Alpha in a +torrent." + +"Surely there is some mistake," she said; "such a thing has never +happened." + +"It may have been caused by the explosives during the storm," went on +Thorndyke. "Branasko, the Alphian who was with Johnston, says we are in +imminent peril." + +"There must be some mistake," she repeated incredulously, as she looked +to westward. The green glow of the second hour of the afternoon lay +over everything. She stood mute and motionless for a long time, +looking steadily at the horizon; then she started suddenly, changed her +position, and shaded her eyes from the sunlight. + +"It really does seem to me that there is a cloud rising, and it is +unlike any cloud I ever saw." + +"I see it too!" cried the Englishman; "it must be that the water has +already reached the internal fires." + +Bernardino was very pale when she turned to him. + +"My father must know this at once; come with me." + +Into the palace, through the vast rotunda, past the throne, and into +the very apartment of the king himself she led him hastily. A royal +attendant met them and held up his hands warningly. "The king is +asleep," he said in an undertone. + +"Wake him--wake him at once!" commanded the excited girl. + +"I cannot, it would offend him," was the reply. + +She did not pause an instant, but darting past the man and running to +the king's couch, she drew the curtain aside and touched the sleeper. He +waked in anger, but her first word disarmed him. + +"Alpha is in danger." + +"What!" he growled, half awake. "The sea is breaking through in the +west, and running into the internal fires." + +"How do you know that?" + +"A dense cloud is rising in the west, and:----" + +"Impossible!" the word came from far down in his throat, and he was +ghastly pale. He ran to the table and touched a button and, to the +astonishment of Thorndyke, the walls on the western side of the room +silently parted, showing a little balcony overlooking the street +below. The king went hastily out and looked toward the west. The others +followed him. The princess stifled a cry of alarm when she glanced at +the sky. + +Great black, rolling clouds were rapidly spreading along the horizon. + +The king looked at them as helplessly as a frightened child. "The air!" +he groaned. "It is hot!" and then he held out his hand to the princess, +and showed her a flake of soot on it, and he dumbly pointed to others +that were falling about them. + +"How did you discover it?" he asked, and Thorndyke saw that he was +trying to appear calm. + +"Mr.--this gentleman's friend has returned from banishment, and----" + +"Returned! has the wall been destroyed?" + +"No; he accidentally discovered the danger, and came in a flying-machine +to warn you." + +"Where is he? bring him to me, quick!" + +"But you will not ----" + +He waved his hand impatiently. "Go; if Alpha is saved he shall be at +liberty--if it is not, what does it matter?" + +Thorndyke hastened away after Johnston, who, when he was told of the +king's words, readily accompanied his friend to the presence of the +ruler. They found him with his daughter still on the balcony. + +"How did you discover this?" asked the king, turning to the American. + +As quickly as possible, Johnston related his adventures, and +particularly the story of the shooting fountain and the fall of salt +water. The king did not wait for him to conclude. He ran back into his +chamber, touched another button, and the next instant alarm-bells were +ringing all over the city. + +"A signal to the protectors," explained the princess to Thorndyke; "by +this time they are ringing all over Alpha. Oh, what will become of us?" +as she spoke she leaned over the balustrade and looked down into the +street. Vast crowds had gathered and were motionless, except at points +where the purple-clad "protectors" rushed from public buildings to +assemble in squads on the street corner. + + + +Chapter XVII. + +Bernardino turned to look after her father as he was leaving the room. + +"He is going to the observatory," she said to Thorndyke and Johnston. +"Let us go also." And they followed the king into the room with the +glass roof and walls covered with mirrors which he had shown the +strangers several days before. A white-headed old man stood at the +stand, his fingers trembling over the half circle of electric buttons. +In a mirror before him he was studying the reflection of a town of +perhaps a hundred houses. The streets were filled with excited +citizens, and a squad of protectors stood ready for action near a row of +flying-machines. + +"Ornethelo," said the king, and at the sound of his voice the old man +turned and bowed humbly. + +"All right," went on the king, "I will take your place a moment." + +He went to the stand and touched a button. Instantly the scene changed; +fields, forests, streams and hills ran by in a murky blur, and then +a larger town flashed on the mirror. Here the same stir and alertness +characterized the scene. The gaze of every inhabitant was fixed on the +threatening horizon. Rapidly the scenes shifted at the king's will, till +a hundred cities, towns and villages had been reviewed. + +"Enough! They are all ready--all faithful," groaned the king, "and, +Ornethelo, they may all have to perish to-day, and all for our ambition. +Poor mortals!" + +Ornethelo's face was half submerged in the beard on his breast, but he +looked up suddenly and spoke: + +"For their sakes, then, we ought not to delay; there may yet be hope." + +"You are right, Ornethelo." There was a ring of hope in the voice of the +king. "Quick! show me my capitol, that I may see if all the protectors +are ready." + +Ornethelo touched another button, and, as if seen from a great height, +the fair and wondrous city dawned before the eyes of the spectators. +In every street policemen and protectors and flying-machines stood +in orderly readiness. The housetops were colored with the variegated +costumes of men, women and children. Over all lay the wondrous sunlight, +through the green splendor of which the flakes of soot were falling like +black snow. + +The king touched the old man's arm. "I must see beyond the walls; are +the connections made?" + +"Ready, sir." + +"Try them; they must not fail me now!" + +The old man tremblingly unlocked a cabinet on the table, and another row +of electric buttons was displayed. Ornethelo touched one. Immediately +there was a sharp clicking sound under the stand, and the view was swept +from the mirror. Nothing could be seen but a dark suggestion of towering +cliffs and yawning caverns. + +"Not the east, Ornethelo," cried the king impatiently. "Go on! the west! +the west!" + +The black landscape flashed by like a glimpse of night from a flying +train, and then a blur of redly illuminated smoke in rolling billows +seemed to swell out from the surface of the mirror into the room. + +"There, slow!" cried the king, and then a frightful scene burst upon +their sight. They beheld a great belching pit of fire and flames. The +sky from the earth to the zenith was a vast expanse of illuminated +smoke, and the black landscape round about was cut by rivulets of molten +lava rolling on and on like restless streams of quicksilver. + +The king leaned against the stand as if faint with despair. "Call Prince +Arthur!" he ordered, and almost at that instant the young man appeared. + +"Father!" + +The king pointed a quivering finger at the mirror, and said huskily: + +"Let not the sun go down! Let its light be white as at noon." + +"But, father, it has never been done before; it----" + +"Alpha has never faced such danger. All our dream is about to end. Go!" + +Without a word the young man hastened away, and it seemed scarcely a +moment before the sunlight streaming in at the oval glass roof changed +from green to white. + +The king pushed Ornethelo impatiently aside; his eyes held a dull gleam +of despair, and he seemed to have grown ten years older. He touched a +button, and the awful scene at the pit gave place to a bright view +of the capitol, which was plainly seen from its crowded centre to its +scattering suburbs. The squads of "protectors" stood like armies ready +for battle, their rigid faces still toward the awful west. + +"They are ready--the signal!" yelled the king, waving his hand, "the +signal!" Ornethelo caught his breath suddenly and tottered as he went +across the room, and touched a button on the wall. The king's eyes were +glued on the mirrored view of the capitol, his trembling hands held out, +as if commanding silence. Then a deafening trumpet blast broke on the +ear. The masses of citizens pressed near the edges of the roofs and +close against the walls along the streets, as the protectors rushed into +the flying-machines. Another trumpet-blast, and away they flew, a long +black line, every instant growing smaller as it receded in the murky +distance. The princess, white and silent, led Thorndyke and Johnston +back to the balcony. The line of machines was now a mere thread in the +sky, but the ominous cloud in the west had increased, and fine sand and +ashes were added to the fall of soot. + +"What was that?" gasped the princess. It was a low rumble like distant +thunder, and the balcony shook violently. + +"An earthquake," said Thorndyke. "I am really afraid there is not a +ghost of a chance for us; the water running into the fire is sure to +cause an eruption of some sort, and even a slight one would be likely to +enlarge the opening to the ocean." + +Johnston nodded knowingly as he looked into his friend's face, but, +considering the presence of the princess, he said nothing. + +"My brother, Prince Marentel, is the greatest man in our kingdom," she +re marked. "He has taken enough explosives to remove a mountain." + +"How will he use them?" asked Thorndyke. + +"I don't know, but I fancy he will try to close the opening in some +way." + +The latter slowly shook his head. "I fear he will fail. The fall must be +as voluminous as Niagara by this time." + +"My father must have lost hope, or he would not have stopped the sun," +sighed the princess, and she cast a sad glance towards the west. The +rolling clouds had become more dense, and the rumbling and booming in +the distance was growing more frequent. A thin gray cloud passed before +the sun, and a dim shadow fell over the city. + +"That is a natural cloud," said Thorndyke; "it comes from the steam that +rises from the pit." + +"It is exactly like our rain clouds," returned the princess; "but +it comes from the steam, as you say. But let us go into the Electric +Auditorium and hear the news. As soon as anything is done we will +hear of it there." The others had no time to question her, for she was +hastening into the corridor outside. She piloted them down a flight of +stairs into a large circular room beneath the surface of the ground. It +was filled with seats like a modern theatre, and in the place where +the stage would have been, stood a mighty mirror over an hundred feet +square. She led them to a private box in front of the mirror. The room +was filled from the first row of chairs to the rear with a silent, +anxious crowd. In the massive frame of the mirror were numerous +bell-shaped trumpets like those on the ordinary phonograph, though much +larger. + +"Watch the mirror," whispered Bernardino as she sat down. + +And at that instant the surface of the great glass began to glow like +the sky at dawn, and all the lights in the room went out. Then from the +trumpets in the frame came the loud ringing of musical bells. + +"They are ready," whispered Bernardino; "now watch and listen." + +The pink light on the mirror faded, and a life-like reflection +appeared--the reflection of a young man standing on a rock in bold +relief against a dark background of rugged, slabbering cliffs and the +forbidding mouths of caves. + +"Waldmeer!" ejaculated the princess, and she relapsed into silence. + +The young man held in his hand a cup-shaped instrument from which +extended a wire to the ground. He raised it to his lips, and instantly a +calm, deliberate voice came from the mirror, soft and low and yet loud, +enough to reach the most remote parts of the great room. + +"The ocean," began he, "is pouring into the 'Volcano of the Dead' in a +gradually increasing torrent. Prince Marentel hopes temporarily to delay +the crisis by partially turning the torrent away from the pit into the +lowlands of the country. For that purpose a portion of the endless wall +is being torn down, and Marentel's forces are placing their explosives. +After this is done an attempt will be made to stop the original break. +There is, however, little hope. The prince has warned the king to be +prepared for the worst." + +At this point, the speaker turned as if startled toward the red glare +at his right. He quickly picked up another instrument attached to a wire +and put it to his ear. A look of horror changed his face as he turned +to the audience and began to speak:--"The opening in the wall is not +progressing rapidly. Workmen are drowning and the tunnel of the sun is +filling with water. It will be impossible for the sun to go through to +the east." + +Just then there was a far-away crash, and instantly the mirror was void. +There was now no sound except the low groans of women in the audience +and the subdued curses of maddened men. The silence was profound. Then +the mirror began to glow, and the image of another man took Waldmeer's +place. + +"It is the Mayor of Telmantio," whispered the princess, "a place near +the western limits of Alpha." + +He held a like instrument to the one used by Waldmeer, and through +it spoke:--"Venus, one of the great stars, has been shaken from the +firmament. It fell in the suburbs of Telmantio, and many lives were +lost." + +That was all, and the figure vanished. Presently Waldmeer reappeared. +He seemed to be standing nearer the pit, for the entire background was +aflame; volumes of black smoke now and then hid him from view, and a +thick shower of ashes and small stones were falling round him. He +spoke, but his voice was drowned in a deafening explosion, and the +whole landscape about him seemed afire. In the semi-darkness hundreds of +protectors could be seen struggling in the rushing water, moving stones +and building a dam. Waldmeer again faced his far-off audience and +spoke:--"Prince Marentel has turned the course of the stream. All now +depends on the success or failure of his final test with explosives, +which will take place in about half an hour." + +"We ought to go outside again," suggested Bernardino, as Waldmeer's +image disappeared; "my father might want us." + +Seeing no one in the king's apartment, they passed through it to the +balcony. Half the sky was now covered with mingled fog and smoke, and +the sun could be seen only now and then. A drizzling rain was falling--a +rain that brought down clots of ashes and soot. But this made no +difference to the throngs in the now muddy and slippery streets. They +stood shivering in damp and soiled clothing, their blearing eyes fixed +hopelessly on the lowering signs in the west. Johnston noticed a bent +figure crouched against a wall beneath them. It was Branasko. + +"Who is it?" inquired the princess. + +"Branasko, the companion of my adventures," he replied. + +"Call him to us," she said eagerly, and the American went down to the +Alphian. + +As they entered together, Branasko uncovered his dishevelled head and +bowed most humbly. + +"You look tired and sick and hungry; have you eaten anything today?" she +asked. + +"Not in two days," he replied. + +The princess called to a frightened maid who was wringing her hands in a +corridor. + +"Give this man food and drink at once," she ordered, and Branasko, with +a grateful bow and glance, withdrew. Johnston followed him to the door. + +"Fear nothing," he said. "If the danger passes we are safe; the king has +promised to pardon me, and he will do the same for you." + +"There is no hope for any of us," replied Branasko grimly; "but I do not +want to die with this gnawing in my stomach; adieu." + +"If the worst comes, is there any chance for us to escape from here to +the outer world?" the Englishman was asking the princess when Johnston +turned back to them. + +"For a few hundred, yes,--by the sub-water ships, but for all, no; and, +then, my father would not consent to rescue a part and not the whole of +his subjects. He would not try to save himself or any of his family." + +The clouds still covered the sun; but on the eastern sky its rays were +shining gloriously. Ever and anon there sounded from afar a low rumbling +as if the earth were swelling with heat. + +Johnston left the two lovers together and went to the door of the +Electric Auditorium, and over the heads of the breathless crowd he +watched the great mirror. After a few moments Waldmeer appeared and +spoke: + +"Prince Marentel is operating with great difficulty. A large quantity of +his explosives has been injured by water, but he hopes there is enough +left intact to serve his purpose. The final explosion will soon take +place. The greatest peril hangs over Alpha." + +Waldmeer's reflection was becoming in-distinct, and sick at heart the +American elbowed his way through the muttering crowd into the corridor. +Here he met Branasko, and together they walked back to Thorndyke and the +princess, who were mutely watching the signs in the east. Just then the +sun slowly emerged from the cloud. + +"Look!" cried Bernardino in horror. "The cloud is not moving; the +sun has not stopped! It is going down and we shall soon be in utter +darkness. Oh, it is awful--to die in this way!" + +The king had just returned, and he over-heard her words. He came hastily +to the edge of the balcony, and gazed at the sun. The others held their +breath and waited. His face became more rigid; he swayed a little as he +turned to her. + +"You are right, my daughter," he groaned; "it is going down; the +cowardly dogs in the east have deserted their posts. It is going down! +It will sink into a tunnel filled with water, and the light of Alpha +will be extinguished forever. We are undone! Say your prayers, my +child, your prayers, I tell you, for an Infinite God is angry at our +pretensions!" + +"Don't despair, father," and Bernardino put her arms gently round the +old man's neck. "You understand the solar machinery; could you not stop +the sun?" + +The eyes of the old man flashed. He seemed electrified as he drew +himself from her embrace and looked anxiously over the balustrade to a +flying-machine in the street below. + +"I might reach the east in time," he cried; "yes, you are right, I was +acting cowardly. The fastest air-ship in Alpha is ready, and Nanleon +can drive it to its utmost speed. If the worst comes, I shall see you no +more, good-bye!" He kissed her brow tenderly, and her eyes filled as +he hastened away. Down below they saw him spring lightly into the +gold-mounted car, and the next instant the graceful vessel rose above +the palace roof and sped like an arrow across the sky toward the east. + +A faint cheer broke from the lips of the crowd which seemed suddenly to +take new hope from the king's departure. Some of them waved their hats +and scarfs, and many watched the air-ship till it had disappeared in the +murky distance. + +"He may not get there in time!" cried the princess; "it seems to be +going down faster than it ever did before, and he has a great distance +to go." + +The little party on the balcony were silent for a long time. Presently +Bernardino turned her tearful eyes to the face of Thorndyke. + +"The smoke and steam do not seem so voluminous, do you think all will go +well?" + +The Englishman slowly shook his head. "I don't want to depress you more +than you are; but I think at such a time we ought to realize the worst. +It is true, the clouds are not so heavy, and the earth-quakes are less +frequent, but, unfortunately, it is owing to the fact that the volume of +water has been turned away from the pit into the tunnel. Be prepared for +the worst. If your father cannot reach the machinery in the east soon +enough, our light will go out; and, worse than that, if Prince Marentel +should fail in his next venture with explosives, all hope will be gone." + +"I have never desired to live so much as now," she answered, inclining +with an air of tenderness toward him. "I never knew what it was to fear +death till--till you came to us." + +He made no reply. There was a lump in his throat and he could not trust +his voice to speech. Branasko and Johnston left them together to go into +the Electric Auditorium. They returned in great haste. + +"The prince is ready for the explosion," panted Johnston. "Thorndyke, old +man, this is simply awful! It is not like standing up to be shot at, or +being jerked through the clouds in a balloon. It seems to me that out +there is the endless space of infinity, and that all the material world +is coming to an end. My God! look at that hellish fire, the awful smoke +and that black sky! Oh, the blasphemy of a such a paltry imitation of +the handiwork of the Creator! We are damned! I say damned, and by a just +and angry God!" + +"Don't be a fool," said Thorndyke, and he threw a warning glance at +Bernardino, who, with staring, distended eyes was listening to Johnston. + +"No, he is right," she said in a low tone. "I have never seen your +world, but I know my people must be woefully wrong. In your land they +say men teach things about Infinity and an eternal life for the soul; +and that one may prepare for that life by living pure, and in striving +to attain a high spiritual state. Oh, why have you not told me about +that? It is the one important thing. I have long wanted to know if my +soul will be safe at death, but I can learn nothing of my people. They +have always tried to rival God, and, in their mad pursuit of perfection +in science, they have been reduced to--this. That black cloud is the +frown of God, hose mad flames may burst forth at any moment and engulf +us." + +She uttered a low groan and hung her head as if in prayer. Johnston and +Thorndyke were awed to silence. Never had the Englishman loved her as at +that moment. She was no longer simply a beautiful human creature, but +a divinity, speaking truths from Heaven itself. He felt too unworthy to +stand in her presence, and yet his heart was aching to comfort her. + +She raised her pallid face heavenward and extended her fair, fragile +hands toward the lowering sky and began to pray. "My Creator," she said +reverently, childishly, "I have never come to Thee, but they say that +people far away from this dark land, under Thy own sun, moon and stars +do ask aid of Thee, and I, too, want Thy help. Forgive me and my people. +They have been sinful, and vain, and thoughtless, but let them +not perish in utter gloom. Forgive them, O thou Maker of all that +exists--thou Creator of pain that we may love joy, Creator of evil that +we may know good, turn not from us! We are but thoughtless children--and +Thy children--give us time to realize the awful error of our hollow +pretensions! Give them all now, at once, if they are to die, that spirit +which is awakened in me by the awful majesty of Thy anger! Hear me, O +God!" And with a sob she sank on her knees, clasped her hands and raised +them upward. Thorndyke tried to lift her up, but she shook her head and +continued her prayer in silence. A marked change had come over Branasko. +He looked at Johnston and Thorndyke in a strange, helpless way, and +then, in a corner of the balcony the begrimed and tattered man fell on +his knees. He knew not the meaning of prayer, but there was something +in the reverent attitude of the princess that drew his untutored being +toward his Maker. He covered his face with his hands and his shaggy head +sank to his knees. + +Johnston hastened back into the Auditorium. Returning in a moment, he +found the Englishman tenderly lifting Bernardino from her knees and +Branasko still crouching in a corner. + +"What is the news?" asked Thorndyke. + +"Everything is ready for the explosion. The prince seems only waiting +because he dreads failure. The people in there are so frightened that +they cannot move from their seats." + +Just then Branasko raised a haggard face and looked appealingly at the +princess. She caught his eye. + +"Fear nothing, good man," she said; "the God of the Christians will not +harm us; we are safe in His hands. I felt it here in my heart when I +prayed to Him. Oh, why has my father and the other kings of Alpha not +taught us that grand simple truth! But before I die I want to leave this +dark pit of sin, and look out once into endless, world-filled space." + +A joyous flush came into the face of the Alphian. His fear had vanished. +She had promised him safety. He bowed worshipfully, but he spoke not, +for Bernardino was eagerly pointing to the sun. + +"Look!" she cried gleefully, with the merry tremolo of a happy, +surprised child. "The sun is not moving. Father has been successful! It +is a good omen! God will save us!" + +It was true; the sun was standing still. A deep silence was on the city. +The crowds in the street neither moved nor spoke. Without a murmur or +complaint they stood facing the frowning west. Suddenly the silence was +interrupted by a low volcanic rumble. The earth heaved, and rolled, and +far away in the suburbs of the city the spire of a public building fell +with a loud crash. A groan swept from mouth to mouth and then died away. + +"The cloud is increasing rapidly," said Thorndyke. "I can really see +little hope. I shall return in a moment." + +While he was gone Bernardino knelt and prayed. Again overcome with fear +Branasko crouched down in his corner. Another shudder and rumble from +the earth, another long moan from the people. Thorndyke came back. He +spoke to the princess: + +"The dam built by Prince Marentel has been swept away. The ocean is +pouring into the internal fires. There is scarcely any hope now." + +Branasko groaned, but Bernardino's face was aglow with celestial faith. +She shook her head. + +"They will not be destroyed in this way," she said; "they have had no +chance to know God." + +"It all depends on the explosion which may take place at any moment," +and Thorndyke took her into his arms and whispered into her ear, "I do +not care for myself; but I cannot bear to think of your suffering pain." + +She answered only by pressing his hand. The clouds were now rolling +upward in greater volume than ever. It was growing darker. The little +group on the balcony could now scarcely see the people below them. The +fall of damp ashes was resumed. The air had grown hot and close. + +Boom! Boom! Boom! the streets of the city rose and fell with the +undulating motion of a swelling sea. Blacker and blacker grew the sky; +closer and closer the atmosphere; damper and damper became the fog; +thicker and thicker fell the wet sand and ashes. + +"Perhaps we would be safer in the streets," suggested Thorndyke, drawing +Bernardino closer into his arms, "the palace may fall on us." + +But the princess shook her head. "Father would not know where to find +me, I shall await him here." Branasko had edged nearer to her. His eyes +were glued on her face and he hung on her words as if his fate were in +her hands. He had no regard for the opinions of the others. + +"The explosion will soon take place now unless something has happened +contrary to the expectations of the prince," said the Englishman. + +Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! The noise seemed to shake the earth to +its centre. Now the far-away pit was belching forth fire and molten +lava rather than steam and smoke. The flames had spread out against the +sloping roof of the cavern, and seemed to extend for a mile along the +horizon. "They can do nothing in that heat," exclaimed Johnston; "they +could not get near enough to the pit. Thorndyke, old fellow, I can't see +a ghost of a chance. We might as well say good-bye." + +"Hush!" It was the voice of the princess. "I feel that we shall not be +lost, I say." And as she spoke Branasko crept toward her and raised the +hem of her gown to his white lips. Something dark came between them and +the far-off glare. It was a flying-machine. + +"It is father," cried Bernardino, and she called out to him: "Father! +father! Here we are, waiting for you!" In a moment he was with them. + +"All right in the east," he said gloomily. "Baryonay is there. They +deserted him, but they returned when the flames went down. This is +awful, daughter; it means death! It means annihilation!" + +She put her arms round his neck and drew his face close to hers. "No, +no," she said earnestly; "I see with a new light--a new spiritual light. +There is mercy in the divine heart of Him that made the walls of our +little world and constructed countless other worlds. I have prayed for +mercy, and into my heart has come a sweet peace I never knew before. We +shall not be lost. He will give us time to give up our sinful life here +and seek Him." + +The old man quivered as with ague; he searched her face eagerly, drew +her spasmodically into his arms, and then sank to the floor, overcome +with exhaustion. + +The roar in the west was increasing. Hot ashes, gravel and small stones +were falling on the roofs and the people. Now and then a cry of pain was +heard, but they would not seek the shelter of the buildings. If they had +to die they wanted to fall facing the enemy. Suddenly the king rose. He +looked to the west and groaned. Something told them that the explosion +was coming. Expectation, horrible suspense was in the air. There was a +mighty flare of light. The entire heavens were lighted from horizon to +horizon, and then the light went out. + +"Oh, I thought it----" but the princess did not finish her sentence. + +"The explosion," said Thorndyke, "the sound will follow in a moment." + +"My God, have mercy on us!" cried the king. But his prayer was drowned +in a deafening sound. Bernardino had leaned into the arms of her +lover. "Don't despair," he said tenderly, "the prince may have been +successful." + +"I feel that he has," she replied. "But, oh, it is dreadful!" + +The crowds below seemed to understand that their fate depended on the +news that would reach them in a few minutes. + +Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! There seemed to be no lessening of the +volcanic disturbance, and the earth groaned and rocked and quivered as +before. + +"It is impossible to tell yet," groaned the king. "Oh, God, save us; +give us a chance to escape this awful doom!" + +Johnston bethought himself that he might learn something in the Electric +Auditorium and he went into it. It was empty and dark; not a soul was +there save himself. He was turning to leave when his eye was drawn to +the great mirror by a faint pink glow appearing upon it. He stood still, +a superstitious fear coming over him as he thought of being alone with +a possible messenger from the far-away scene of disaster. The light went +out tremblingly; then it flashed up again, and the American thought +he saw the face of Waldmeer. The light grew steadier, stronger. It was +Waldmeer, but he was submerged in smoke. Hark! he was speaking. + +"Marentel is successful! Entrance closed temporarily, and will be +strengthened!" + +Johnston rushed out to the balcony. "I have been to the Auditorium," he +announced. "I have seen Waldmeer. He says the experiment was successful. +It is closed temporarily, and can be strengthened." + +The king grasped the hand of the American. "Thank God!" he ejaculated, +"if I can only save my people I shall desire nothing more." The princess +moved toward him affectionately, but he put her aside and retired into +the palace. + +"He will at once communicate with the people," remarked Bernardino +hopefully, and she turned her face again toward the west. The red glare +was dying down, and the dense clouds in the sky were thinning. In +an hour the face of the sun broke through the smoke, and the +flying-machines of the protectors began to return. + +That night the king caused the pink light of the "Ideal Dawn" to flood +the eastern sky, and, as before, he appeared in a circle of dazzling +light and addressed his subjects: + +"All danger to life is over; but the ultimate fate of Alpha is sealed. +Prince Marentel has effectually closed the entrance of the ocean, but +the internal fires are gradually burning through the rocky bed of the +ocean. In a couple of years Alpha will be demolished. All our wealth +shall be equally distributed among you, and my ships shall transport you +to whatever destination you desire. Let there be no haste. Order shall +be preserved throughout." + +That was all. The king bowed and the picture faded from view. A deep +silence was over everything. The only light came from the stars and +from the moon. Then there was a sound like the wind passing over a vast +forest of dry-leaved trees--the people were returning to their homes. + +"I should have thought they would greet the king's announcement with a +cheer of joy," said Thorndyke to the princess, as they returned to the +palace. + +"They don't know whether to weep or laugh," she replied. "They love +Alpha, and the other world will be strange to most of them. As for +myself, now that I am to leave, I feel a few misgivings." + +"I shall see that you are perfectly happy," he said tenderly. "You are +to be my wife. I shall always love you and care for you; you need have +no fears." + +And a moment later, with joyous tears and face aglow, she assured him +she had none. + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Land of the Changing Sun, by William N. 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HARBEN + + + + +Chapter I. + +The balloon seemed scarcely to move, though it was slowly sinking +toward the ocean of white clouds which hung between it and the +earth. + +The two inmates of the car were insensible; their faces were +bloodless, their cheeks sunken. They were both young and +handsome. Harry Johnston, an American, was as dark and sallow as +a Spaniard. Charles Thorndyke, an English gentleman, had yellow +hair and mustache, blue eyes and a fine intellectual face. Both +were tall, athletic in build and well-proportioned. + +Johnston was the first to come to consciousness as the +balloon sank into less rarefied atmosphere. He opened his eyes +dreamily and looked curiously at the white face of his friend in +his lap. Then he shook him and tried to call his name, but his +lips made no sound. Drawing himself up a little with a hand on +the edge of the basket, he reached for a water-jug and sprinkled +Thorndyke's face. In a moment he was rewarded by seeing the eyes +of the latter slowly open. + +"Where are we?" asked Thorndyke in a whisper. + +"I don't know;" Johnston answered, "getting nearer to the earth, +for we can breathe more easily. I can't remember much after the +professor fell from the car. My God, old man! I shall never +forget the horror in the poor fellow's eyes as he clung to the +rope down there and begged us to save him. I tried to get you to +look, but you were dozing off. I attempted to draw him up, but +the rope on the edge of the basket was tipping it, and both you +and I came near following him. I tried to keep from seeing his +horrible face as the rope began to slip through his fingers. I +knew the instant he let go by our shooting upward." + +"I came to myself and looked over when the basket tipped," +replied the Englishman, "I thought I was going too, but I could +not stir a muscle to prevent it. He said something desperately, +but the wind blew it away and covered his face with his beard, +so that I could not see the movement of his lips." + +"It may have been some instructions to us about the management +of the balloon." + +"I think not--perhaps a good-bye, or a message to his wife and +child. Poor fellow!" + +"How long have we been out of our heads?" and Johnston looked +over the side of the car. + +"I have not the slightest idea. Days and nights may have passed +since he fell." + +"That is true. I remember coming to myself for an instant, and it +seemed that we were being jerked along at the rate of a gunshot. +My God, it was awful! It was as black as condensed midnight. I +felt your warm body against me and was glad I was not alone. +Then I went off again, but into a sort of nightmare. I thought I +was in Hell, and that you were with me, and that Professor +Helmholtz was Satan." + +"Where can we be?" asked Thorndyke. + +"I don't know; I can't tell what is beneath those clouds. It may +be earth, sea or ocean; we were evidently whisked along in a +storm while we were out of our heads. If we are above the ocean +we are lost." + +Thorndyke looked over the edge of the car long and attentively, +then he exclaimed suddenly: + +"I believe it is the ocean." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"It reflects the sunlight. It is too bright for land. When we got +above the clouds at the start it looked darker below than it +does now; we may be over the middle of the Atlantic." + +"We are going down," said Johnston gloomily. + +"That we are, and it means something serious." + +Johnston made no answer. Half-an-hour went by. Thorndyke looked +at the sun. + +"If the professor had not dropped the compass, we could find our +bearings," he sighed. + +Johnston pointed upward. Thin clouds were floating above them. +"We are almost down," he said, and as they looked over the sides +of the car they saw the reflection of the sun on the bosom of the +ocean, and, a moment later, they caught sight of the blue +billows rising and falling. + +"I see something that looks like an island," observed Thorndyke, +looking in the direction toward which the balloon seemed to be +drifting. "It is dark and is surrounded by light. It is far +away, but we may reach it if we do not descend too rapidly." + +"Throw out the last bag of sand," suggested the American, "we +need it as little now as we ever shall." + +Thorndyke cut the bag with his knife and watched the sand filter +through the bottom of the basket and trail along in a graceful +stream behind the balloon. The great flabby bag overhead +steadied itself, rose slightly and drifted on toward the dark +spot on the vast expanse of sunlit water. They could now clearly +see that it was a small island, not more than a mile in +circumference. + +"How far is it?" asked Thorndyke. + +"About two miles," answered the American laconically, "it is a +chance for us, but a slim one." + +The balloon gradually sank. For twenty minutes the car glided +along not more than two hundred feet above the waves. The island +was now quite near. It was a barren mound of stone, worn into +gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and +rain. Hardly a tree or a shrub was in sight. + +"It looks like the rocky crown of a great stone mountain hidden +in the ocean," said the Englishman; "half a mile to the shore, a +hundred feet to the water; at this rate of speed the wind would +smash us against those rocks like a couple of bird's eggs +dropped from the clouds. We must fall into the water and swim +ashore. There is no use trying to save the balloon." + +"We had better be about it, then," said Johnston, rising +stiffly and holding to the ropes. "If we should go down in the +water with the balloon we would get tangled in the ropes and get +asphyxiated with the gas. We had better hang down under the +basket and let go at exactly the same time." + +The water was not more than forty feet beneath, and the island +was getting nearer every instant. The two aeronauts swung over +on opposite sides of the car and, face to face, hung by their +hands beneath. + +"I dread the plunge," muttered Thorndyke; "I feel as weak as a +sick kitten; I am not sure that I can swim that distance, but +the water looks still enough." + +"I am played out too," grunted the American, red in the face; +"but it looks like our only chance. Ugh! she made a big dip then. +We'd better let go. I'll count three, and three is the signal. +Now ready. One, two, three!" + +Down shot the balloonists and up bounded the great liberated bag +of gas; the basket and dangling ropes swung wildly from side to +side. The aeronauts touched the water feet foremost at the same +instant, and in half a minute they rose, not ten feet apart. + +"Now for it," sputtered Johnston, shaking his bushy head like a +swimming dog. "Look, the shore is not very far." Thorndyke was +saving his wind, and said nothing, but accommodated his stroke +to that of his companion, and thus they breasted the gently- +rolling billows until finally, completely exhausted, they +climbed up the shelving rocks and lay down in the warm sunshine. + +"Not a very encouraging outlook," said Johnston, rising when his +clothing was dry and climbing a slight elevation. "There is +nothing in sight except a waste of stone. Let's go up to that +point and look around." + +The ascent was exceedingly trying, for the incline was steep and +it was at times difficult to get a firm footing. But they were +repaid for the exertion, for they had reached the highest point +of the island and could see all over it. As far as their vision +reached there was nothing beyond the little island except the +glistening waves that reached out till they met the sky in +all directions. High up in the clouds they saw the balloon, now +steadily drifting with the wind toward the south. + +"We might as well be dead and done with it," grumbled +Thorndyke. "Ships are not apt to approach this isolated spot, and +even if they did, how could we give a signal of distress?" + +Johnston stroked his dark beard thoughtfully, then he pointed +toward the shore. + +"There are some driftwood and seaweed," he said; "with my sun- +glass I can soon have a bonfire." He took a piece of punk from a +waterproof box that he carried in his pocket and focussed the +sun's rays on it. "Run down and bring me an armful of dry seaweed +and wood," he added, intent on his work. + +Thorndyke clambered down to the shore, and in a few minutes +returned with an armful of fuel. Johnston was blowing his punk +into a flame, and in a moment had a blazing fire. + +"Good," approved the Englishman, rubbing his hands together over +the flames. "We'll keep it burning and it may do some good." +Then a smile of satisfaction came over his face as he began to +take some clams from his pockets. "Plenty of these fellows down +there, and they are as fat and juicy as can be. Hurry up and +let's bake them. I'm as hungry as a bear. There is a fine spring +of fresh water below, too, so we won't die of thirst." + +They baked the clams and ate them heartily, and then went down +to the spring near the shore. The water was deliciously cool and +invigorating. The sun sank into the quiet ocean and night crept +on. The stars came out slowly, and the moon rose full and red +from the waves, adding its beams to the flickering light of the +fire on the hill-top. + +"Suppose we take a walk all round on the beach," proposed the +Englishman; "there is no telling what we may find; we may run on +something that has drifted ashore from some wrecked ship." + +Johnston consented. They had encompassed the entire island, which +was oval in shape, and were about to ascend to the rock to put +fresh fuel on the fire before lying down to sleep for the +night, when Thorndyke noticed a road that had evidently been +worn in the rock by human footsteps. + +"Made by feet," he said, bending down and looking closely at the +rock and raking up a handful of white sand, "but whether the +feet of savage or civilized mortal I can't make out." + +Johnston was a few yards ahead of him and stooped to pick up +something glittering in the moonlight. It was a tap from +the heel of a shoe and was of solid silver. + +"Civilized," he said, holding it out to his companion; "and of +the very highest order of civilization. Whoever heard of people +rich enough to wear silver heel-taps." + +"Are you sure it is silver?" asked the Englishman, examining it +closely. + +"Pure and unalloyed; see how the stone has cut into it, and +feel its weight." + +"You are right, I believe," returned Thorndyke, as Johnston put +the strange trophy into his pocket-book, and the two adventurers +paused a moment and looked mutely into each other's eyes. + +"We haven't the faintest idea of where we are," said Johnston, +his tone showing that he was becoming more despondent. "We don't +know how long we were unconscious in the balloon, nor where we +were taken in the storm. We may now be in the very centre of the +North Polar sea--this knob may be the very pivot on which this +end of the earth revolves." + +The Englishman laughed. "No danger; the sun is too natural. +>From the poles it would look different." + +"I don't mean the old sun that you read so much about, and that +they make so much racket over at home, but another of which we +are the original discoverer--a sun that isn't in old Sol's beat +at all, but one that revolves round the earth from north to south +and dips in once a day at the north and the south poles. See?" + +The Englishman laughed heartily and slapped his friend on the +shoulder. + +"I think we are somewhere in the Atlantic; but your finding that +heel-tap does puzzle me." + +"We are going to have an adventure, beside which all others of +our lives will pale into insignificance. I feel it in my bones. +See how evenly this road has been worn and it is leading toward +the centre of the island." + +In a few minutes the two adventurers came to a point in the road +where tall cliffs on either side stood up perpendicularly. It +was dark and cold, and but a faint light from the moon shone +down to them. + +"I don't like this," said Johnston, who was behind the +Englishman; "we may be walking into the ambush of an enemy." + +"Pshaw!" and Thorndyke plunged on into the gloomy passage. +Presently the walls began to widen like a letter "Y" and in a +great open space they saw a placid lake on the bosom of which +the moon was shining. On all sides the towering walls rose for +hundreds of feet. Speechless with wonder and with quickly- +beating hearts they stumbled forward over the uneven road till +they reached the shore of the lake. The water was so clear and +still that the moon and stars were reflected in it as if in a +great mirror. + +"Look at that!" exclaimed Thorndyke, pointing down into the +depths, "what can that be?" + +Johnston followed Thorndyke's finger with his eyes. At first he +thought that it was a comet moving across the sky and reflected +in the water; but, on glancing above, he saw his mistake. It +looked, at first, like a great ball of fire rolling along the +bottom of the lake with a stream of flame in its wake. + + + +Chapter II. + +The two men watched it for several minutes; all the time it +seemed to be growing larger and brighter till, after a while, +they saw that the light came from something shaped like a ship, +sharp at both ends, and covered with oval glass. As it slowly +rose to the surface they saw that it contained five or six men, +sitting in easy chairs and reclining on luxurious divans. One of +them sat at a sort of pilot-wheel and was directing the course +of the strange craft, which was moving as gracefully as a great +fish. + +Then the young men saw the man at the pilot-wheel raise his hand, +and from the water came the musical notes of a great bell. The +vessel stopped, and one of the men sprang up and raised an +instrument that looked like a telescope to his eyes. With this he +seemed to be closely searching the lake shores, for he did not +move for several minutes. Then he lowered the instrument, and +when the bell had rung again, the vessel rose slowly and +perpendicularly to the surface and glided to the shore within +twenty yards of where the adventurers stood. + +"Could they have seen us?" whispered Thorndyke, drawing Johnston +nearer the side of the cliff. + +"I think so; at all events, they are between us and the outlet; +we may as well make the best of it." + +The men, all except the pilot, landed, and a dazzling electric +search-light was turned on the spot where Thorndyke and Johnston +stood. For a moment they were so blinded that they could not +see, and then they heard footsteps, and, their eyes becoming +accustomed to the light, they found themselves surrounded by +several men, very strangely clad. They all wore long cloaks that +covered them from head to foot and every man was more than six +feet in height and finely proportioned. One of them, who seemed +to be an officer in command, bowed politely. + +"I am Captain Tradmos, gentlemen, in the king's service. It is my +duty to make you my prisoners. I must escort you to the palace +of the king." + +"That's cool," said Johnston, to conceal the discomfiture that he +felt, "we had no idea that you had a kingdom. We have tramped all +over this island, and you are the first signs of humanity we have +met." + +He would have recalled his words before he had finished speaking, +if he could have done so, for he saw by the manner of the captain +that he had been over bold. + +"Follow me," answered the officer curtly, and with a motion of +his hand to his men he turned toward the odd-looking vessel. + +The two adventurers obeyed, and the cloaked men fell in behind +them. Neither Johnston nor Thorndyke had ever seen anything like +the peculiar boat that was moored to the rocky shore. It was +about forty feet in length, had a hull shaped like a racing +yacht, but which was made of black rubber inflated with air. It +was covered with glass, save for a doorway about six feet high +and three feet wide in the side, and looked like a great oblong +bubble floating on the still dark water. As they approached the +searchlight was extinguished, and they were enabled to see the +boat to a better advantage by the aid of the electric lights that +illuminated the interior. It was with feelings of awe that the +two adventurers followed the captain across the gang-plank into +the vessel. + +The electric light was brilliantly white, and in various places +pink, red and light-blue screens mellowed it into an artistic +effect that was very soothing to the eye. The ceiling was hung +with festoons of prisms as brilliant as the purest diamonds, and +in them, owing to the gently undulatory movement of the vessel, +colors more beautiful than those of a rainbow played +entrancingly. Rare pictures in frames of delicate gold were +interspersed among the clusters of prisms, and the floor was +covered with carpets that felt as soft beneath the foot as +pillows of eider-down. + +As he entered the door the officer threw off his gray cloak, and +his men did likewise, disclosing to view the finest uniforms +the prisoners had ever seen. Captain Tradmos's legs were clothed +in tights of light-blue silk, and he wore a blue sack-coat of +silk plush and a belt of pliant gold, the buckles of which were +ornamented with brilliant gems. His eyes were dark and +penetrating, and his black hair lay in glossy masses on his +shoulders. He had the head of an Apollo and a brow indicative of +the highest intellect. + +Leaving his men in the first room that they entered, he +gracefully conducted his prisoners through another room to a +small cabin in the stern of the boat, and told them to make +themselves comfortable on the luxurious couches that lined the +circular glass walls. + +"Our journey will be of considerable length," he said, "and as +you are no doubt fatigued, you had better take all the rest +you can get. I see that you need food and have ordered a repast +which will refresh you." As he concluded he touched a button +in the wall and instantly a table, laden with substantial food, +rare delicacies and wines, rose through a trap-door in the floor. +He smiled at the expressions of surprise on their faces and +touched a green bottle of wine with his white tapering hand. + +"The greater part of our journey will be under water, and our +wines are specially prepared to render us capable of +subsisting on a rather limited quantity of air during the voyage, +so I advise you to partake of them freely; you will find them +very agreeable to the taste." + +"We are very grateful," bowed Thorndyke, from his seat on a +couch. "I am sure no prisoners were ever more graciously +or royally entertained. To be your prisoner is a pleasure to be +remembered." + +"Till our heads are cut off, anyway," put in the irrepressible +American. + +Tradmos smiled good-humoredly. + +"I shall leave you now," he said, and with a bow he withdrew. + +"This is an adventure in earnest," whispered Johnston; "my stars! +what can they intend to do with us?" + +"One of the first things will be to take us down to the bottom of +this lake where we saw them awhile ago, and I don't fancy it at +all; what if this blasted glass-case should burst? We may have +dropped into a den of outlaws on a gigantic scale, and it may be +necessary to put us out of the way to keep our mouths closed." + +"I am hungry, and am going to eat," said the American, drawing a +cushioned stool up to the table. "Here goes for some of the wine; +remember, it is a sort of breath-restorer. I am curious enough +not to want to collapse till I have seen this thing through. He +said something about a palace and a king. Where can we be going?" + +"Down into the centre of the earth, possibly," and the handsome +Englishman moved a stool to the table and took the glass of +green-colored wine that Johnston pushed toward him. "Some +scientists hold that the earth is filled with water instead of +fire. Who knows where this blamed thing may not take us? Here is +to a safe return from the amphibious land!" + +Both drank their wine simultaneously, lowered their glasses at +the same instant, and gazed into each other's eyes. + +"Did you ever taste such liquor?" asked Thorndyke, "it seems to +run like streams of fire through every vein I have." + +Johnston shook his head mutely, and held the sparkling +effervescing fluid between him and the light. + +"Ugh! take it down," cried the Englishman, "it throws a green +color on your face that makes you look like a corpse." +Johnston clinked the glass against that of his companion and they +drained the glasses. "Hush, what was that?" asked Thorndyke. + +There was a sound like boiling water outside and as if air were +being pumped out of some receptacle, and the vessel began to move +up and down in a lithe sort of fashion and to bend tortuously +from side to side like a great sluggish fish. Through the +partitions of glass they saw one of the men closing the door, and +in a moment the vessel glided away from the shore. The men all +sank into easy positions on the couches, and delightful music as +soft as an Aeolian lyre seemed to be breathed from the walls +and floor. Then the music seemed to die away and a bell down in +the vessel's hull rang. + +"We are in the middle of the lake," said Thorndyke, looking +through the glass toward the black cliffy shore; "the next thing +will be our descent. I wonder----" + +But he was unable to proceed, and Johnston noticed in alarm that +his eyes were slightly protruding from their sockets. The air +seemed suddenly to become more com- pact as if compressed, and +the water was set into such violent commotion that it was dashed +against the glass sides in billows as white as snow. Then +Johnston found that he could not breathe freely, and he +understood the trouble of the Englishman. + +Captain Tradmos came suddenly to the door. He was smiling as he +motioned toward the wines on the table. + +"You had better drink more of the wine," he advised sententiously. + +Both of the captives rushed to the table. The instant they had +swallowed the wine they felt relieved, but were still weak. +The captain bowed and went away. Thorndyke's hand trembled as he +refilled his friend's glass. I thought I was gone up," he said, +"I never had such a choky sensation in my life; you are still +purple in the face." + +"Eat of what is before you," said the captain, looking in at the +door; "you cannot stand the increasing pressure unless you do." + +They needed no second invitation, for they were half-famished. +The fish and meat were delicious, and the bread was delightfully +sweet. + +"Look outside!" cried Johnston. The water was now still, but it +was gradually rising up the sides of the boat, and in a moment +it had closed over the crystal roof. Both of the captives were +conscious of a heavy sensation in the head and a dull roaring in +the ears. Down they went, at first slowly and then more rapidly, +till it seemed to them that they had descended over a thousand +feet. Great monsters like whales swam to the vessel, as if +attracted by the lights, and their massive bodies jarred against +the glass walls as they turned to swim away. They sank about five +hundred feet lower; and all at once the lights went out, and the +boat gradually stopped. + +It was at once so dark that the two captives could not see each +other, though only the width of the table separated them. +Everything was profoundly still; not a sound came from the +men in the other rooms. Presently Thorndyke whispered, "Look, do +you see that red light overhead?" + +"Yes," said Johnston, "it looks like a star." + +"It is our bonfire," said Thorndyke, "that's what betrayed us." + +Again the vessel began to sink, and more rapidly than ever; +indeed, as Thorndyke expressed it, he had the cool feeling +that nervous people experience in going down quickly in an +elevator. + +"If we go any lower," he added, as the great rubber hull seemed +to struggle like some living monster, "the sides of this thing +will collapse like an egg-shell and we will be as flat as +pancakes." + +"You need not fear, we have much lower to go!" It was the +captain's voice, but they could not tell from whence it +came. Then they heard again the seductive music, and it was so +soothing that they soon fell asleep. + +They had no idea how long they had slept, but they were awakened +by the ringing of a bell and felt the vessel was coming to a +stop. They were still far beneath the surface; indeed, the boat +was resting on the bottom, for in the light of two or three +powerful search-lights they saw a wide succession of submerged +hills, vales, and rugged cliffs. Before them was a great +mountain-side and in it they saw the mouth of a dark tunnel. They +had scarcely noticed it before the vessel rose a little and +glided toward the tunnel and entered it. Through the glass walls +they could see that it was narrow, and that the ragged sides and +roof were barely far enough apart to admit them. + +Suddenly one of the men came in and drew a curtain down behind +them, and, with a vexed look on his face retired. + +When he was gone Johnston put his lips close to Thorndyke's ear +and whispered: + +"Did you see that?" + +"See what?" + +"Just as he drew the curtain down I saw what looked to me like a +cliff of solid gold. It had been dug out into a cavern in which I +saw a vessel like this, and men in diving suits digging and +loading it." + +This took the Englishman's breath away for a moment, then he +remarked: "That accounts for the heel-tap we found; who knows, +these people may be possessors of the richest gold and silver +mines on earth." + +The bell rang again. "We are rising," said Johnston. "If this is +the only way of reaching the king's domain, we could never get +back to civilization unless they release us of their own accord, +that's certain!" + +"Heavens, isn't it still!" exclaimed the Englishman. "The +machinery of this thing moves as noiselessly as the backbone of +an eel. I wish I could understand its works." + +"I am more concerned about where we are going. I tell you we are +being taken to some wonderful place. People who can construct +such marvels of mechanical skill as this boat will not be behind +in other things; then look at the physiques of those giants." + +Just then the man who had drawn down the shade came in and raised +it. Both the captives pretended to be uninterested in +his movements, but when he had withdrawn they looked through the +glass eagerly. + +"See," whispered Thorndyke, in the ear of his companion, "the +walls are close to us, and are as perpendicular as those of +the lake in which they found us." + +Johnston said nothing. His attention was riveted to the walls of +rock; the vessel was rising rapidly. An hour passed. The soft +music had ceased, and the air seemed less dense and fresher. +Then the waters suddenly parted over the roof and ran in crystal +streams down the oval glass. + +They were on the surface, and the vessel was slowly gliding +toward the shore which could not be seen owing to there now +being no light except that inside the boat. Captain Tradmos +entered, followed by two of his men holding black silken +bandages. + +"We must blindfold you," he said; "cap- tives are not allowed to +see the entrance to our kingdom." + +Without a word they submitted. + +"This way," said the captain kindly, and, holding to an arm of +each, he piloted them out of the vessel to the shore. Then he +led them through what they imagined to be a long stone corridor +or arcade from the ringing echoes of their feet on the stone +pavement. Presently they came to what seemed to be an elevator, +for when they had entered it and sat down, they heard a +metallic door slide back into its place, and they descended +quickly. + +They could form no idea as to the distance they went down; but +Thorndyke declared afterward that it was over ten thousand feet. +When the elevator stopped Captain Tradmos led them out, and both +of the captives were conscious of breathing the purest, most +invigorating air they had ever inhaled. Instantly their strength +returned, and they felt remarkably buoyant as they were led along +over another pavement of polished stone. + +Tradmos laughed. "You like the atmosphere?" + +"I never heard of anything like it," said Thorndyke. "It is so +delightful I can almost taste it." + +"It was that which made Alpha what it is--the most wonderful +country in the universe," said the officer. "There is much in +store for you." + +The ears of the two captives were greeted by a vague, indefinable +hum, like and yet unlike that of a busy city. It was like many +far-off sounds carefully muffled. Now and then they heard human +voices, laughter, and singing in the distance, and the twanging +of musical instruments. + +Then they knew that they were entering a building of some sort, +for they heard a key turn in a lock and the humming sound in the +distance was cut off. They felt a soft carpet under their feet, +and the feet of their guards no longer clinked on the stones. + +When the bandages were removed they found themselves in a +sumptuous chamber, alone with the captain. The brilliant +light from a quaintly-shaped candelabrum, in the centre of the +chamber, dazzled them, but in a few minutes their eyes had become +accustomed to it. + +Tradmos seemed to be enjoying the looks of astonishment on their +faces as they glanced at the different objects in the room. + +"It is night," he said smilingly. "You need rest after your +voyage. Lie down on the beds and sleep. To-morrow you will be +conducted to the palace of the king." + +With a bow he withdrew, and they heard a massive bolt slide into +the socket of a door hidden behind a curtain. The two men gazed +at each other without speaking, for a moment, and then they began +to inspect the room. + +In alcoves half-veiled with silken curtains stood statues in gold +and bronze. The walls and ceilings were decorated with pictures +unlike any they had ever seen. Before one, the picture of an +angel flying through a dark, star-filled sky, they both stood +enchanted. + +"What is it?" asked Thorndyke, finding voice finally. "It is not +done with brush or pencil; the features seem alive and, by Jove, +you can actually see it breathe. Don't you see the clouds gliding +by, and the wings moving?" + +"It is light--it is formed by light!" declared the other +enthusiastically, and he ran to the wall, about six feet from the +picture, and put his hand on a square metal box screwed to the +wall. + +"I have it," he said quickly, "come here!" + +The Englishman advanced curiously and examined the box. + +"Don't you see that tiny speck of light in the side towards the +picture? Well, the view is thrown from this box on the wall, and +it is the motion of the powerful light that gives apparent life +to the angel. It is wonderful." + +In a commodious alcove, in a glow of pink light from above, was a +life-sized group of musicians--statues in colored metal of +a Spanish girl playing a mandora, an Italian with a slender +calascione, a Russian playing his jorbon, and an African playing +a banjo. Luxurious couches hung by spiral springs from the +ceiling to a convenient height from the floor, and here and there +lay rugs of rare beauty and great ottomans of artistic designs +and colors. + +"We ought to go to bed," proposed Thorndyke; "we shall have +plenty of time to see this Aladdin's land before we get away from +it." + +There were two large downy beds on quaintly wrought bedsteads of +brass, but the two captives decided to sleep together. + +Thorndyke was the first to awaken. The lights in the candelabrum +were out, but a gray light came in at the top and bottom of the +window. He rose and drew the heavy curtain of one of the windows +aside. He shrank back in astonishment. + + + +Chapter III. + +"What is it, Thorndyke? What are you looking at?" And the +American slowly left the bed and approached his friend. + +Thorndyke only held the curtain further back and watched +Johnston's face as he looked through the wide plate-glass window. + +"My gracious!" ejaculated the latter as he drew nearer. It was a +wondrous scene. The building in which they were imprisoned stood +on a gentle hill clad in luxuriant, smoothly-cut grass and +ornamented with beautiful flowers and plants; and below lay a +splendid city--a city built on undulating ground with innumerable +grand structures of white marble, with turrets, domes and +pinnacles of gold. Wide streets paved in polished stone and +bordered with lush-green grass interspersed with statues and beds +and mounds of strange plants and flowers stretched away in front +of them till they were lost in the dim, misty distance. Parks +filled with pavilions, pleasure-lakes, fountains and tortuous +drives and walks, dotted the landscape in all directions. + +Thorndyke's breath had clouded the glass of the window, and he +rubbed it with his handkerchief. As he did so the sash slowly, +and without a particle of sound, slid to one side, disclosing a +narrow balcony outside. It had a graceful balustrade, made of +carved red-and-white mottled marble, and on the end of the +balcony facing the city sat a great gold and silver jug, ten +feet high, of rare design. The spout was formed by the body of a +dragon with wings extended; the handle was a serpent with +the extremity of its tail coiled around the neck of the jug. + +The air that came in at the window was fresh and dewy, and laden +with the most entrancing odors. Thorndyke led the way out, +treading very gently at first. Johnston followed him, too much +surprised to make any comment. From this position, their view to +the left round the corner of the building was widened, and new +wonders appeared on every hand. + +Over the polished stone pavements strange vehicles ran +noiselessly, as if the wheels had cushioned tires, and the +streets were crowded with an active, strangely- clad populace. + +"Look at that!" exclaimed the American, and from a street corner +they saw a queer-looking machine, carrying half-a-dozen +passengers,rise like a bird with wings outspread and fly away +toward the east. They watched it till it disappeared in the +distance. + +"We are indeed in wonderland," said the Englishman; "I can't make +head nor tail of it. We were on an isolated island, the Lord only +knows where, and have suddenly been transported to a new world!" + +"I can't feel at all as if we were in the world we were born in," +returned Johnston. "I feel strange." + +"The wine," suggested the Englishman, "you know it did wonders +for us in that subwater thing." + +"No; the wine has nothing to do with it. My head never was +clearer. The very atmosphere is peculiar. The air is +invigorating, and I can't get enough of it." + +"That is exactly the way I feel," was Thorndyke's answer. + +"Look at the sunlight," went on Johnston; "it is gray like our +dawn, but see how transparent it is. You can look through it for +miles and miles. It is becoming pink in the east, the sun will +soon be up, and I am curious to see it." + +"It must be up now, but we cannot see it for the hills and +buildings. My goodness, see that!" and the Englishman pointed +to the east. A flood of delicate pink light was now pouring into +the vast body of gray and was slowly driving the more sombre +color toward the west. The line of separation was marked--so +marked, indeed, that it seemed a vast, rose-colored billow +rolling, widening and sweeping onward like a swell of the ocean +shoreward. On it came rapidly, till the whole landscape was +magically changed. The flowers, the trees, the grass, the waters +of the lakes, the white buildings, the costumes of the people in +the streets, even the sky, changed in aspect. The white clouds +looked like fire-lit smoke, and far toward the west rolled the +long line of pink still struggling with the gray and driving +it back. + +The sun now came into sight, a great bleeding ball of fire slowly +rising above the gilded roofs in the distance. + +"By Jove, look at our shadows!" exclaimed Johnston, and both men +gazed at the balcony floor in amazement; their shadows were as +clearly defined and black as silhouettes. "How do you account +for that?" continued the American, "I am firmly convinced that +this sun is not the orb that shines over my native land." + +Thorndyke laughed, but his laugh was forced. "How absurd! and +yet--" He extended his hand over the balustrade into the rosy +glow, and without concluding his remark held it back into the +shadow of the window-casement. "By Jove!" he exclaimed; "there is +not a particle of warmth in it. It is exactly the same +temperature in the shade as in the light." He moved back against +the wall. "No; there is no difference; the blamed thing doesn't +give out any warmth." + +Johnston's hands were extended in the light. "I believe you are +right," he declared in awe, "something is wrong." + +At that moment appeared from the room behind them a handsome +youth, attired in a suit of scarlet silk that fitted his +athletic figure perfectly. He rapped softly on the window- +casement and bowed when they turned. + +"Your breakfast is waiting for you," he announced. They followed +him into a room adjoining the one they had occupied, and found a +table holding a sumptuous repast. The boy gave them seats and +handed them golden plates to eat upon. The fruits, wine and meats +were very appetizing, and they ate with relish. + +"I believe we are to be conducted to the palace of your king to- +morrow," ventured the Englishman to the boy. + +The boy shook his head, but made no reply, and busied himself +with removing the dishes. As they were rising from the table, +they heard footsteps in the hall outside. The door opened. It +was Captain Tradmos, and he was accompanied by a tall, bearded +man with a leather case under his arm. + +"You must undergo a medical examination," the captain said +smilingly. "It is our invariable custom, but this is by a +special order from the king." + +Johnston shuddered as he looked at the odd-looking instruments +the medical man was taking from the case, but Thorndyke watched +his movements with phlegmatic indifference. He stood erect; threw +back his shoulders; expanded his massive chest and struck it with +his clenched fist in pantomimic boastfulness. + +Tradmos smiled genially; but there was something curt and +official in his tone when he next spoke that took the +Englishman slightly aback. "You must bare your breast over your +heart and lungs," he said; and while Thorndyke was unbuttoning +his shirt, he and the medical man went to the door and brought +into the room a great golden bell hanging in a metallic frame. + +The bell was so thin and sensitive to the slightest jar or +movement that, although it had been handled with extreme care, +the captives could see that it was vibrating considerably, and +the room was filled with a low metallic sound that not only +affected the ear of the hearer but set every nerve to tingling. +The medical man stopped the sound by laying his hand upon the +bell. To a tube in the top of the bell he fastened one end of a +rubber pipe; the other end was finished with a silver device +shaped like the mouth-piece of a speaking tube. This he firmly +pressed over the Englishman's heart. Thorndyke winced and bit his +lip, for the strange thing took hold of his flesh with the +tenacity of a powerful suction-pump. + +"Ouch!" he exclaimed playfully, but Johnston saw that he had +turned pale, and that his face was drawn as if from pain. + +"Hold still!" ordered the medical man; "it will be over in a +minute; now, be perfectly quiet and listen to the bell!" + +The Englishman stood motionless, the sinews of his neck drawn and +knotted, his eyes starting from their sockets. Thorndyke felt the +rubber tube quiver suddenly and writhe with the slow energy of a +dying snake, and then from the quivering bell came a low, +gurgling sound like a stream of water being forced backward and +forward. + +Tradmos and the medical man stepped to the bell and inspected a +small dial on its top. + +"What was that?" gasped the Englishman, purple in the face. + +"The sound of your blood," answered Tradmos, as he removed the +instrument from Thorndyke's flesh; "it is as regular as mine; you +are very lucky; you are slightly fatigued, but you will be sound +in a day or two." + +"Thank you," replied the Englishman, but he sank into a chair, +overcome with weakness. + +"Now, I'll take you, please," said the medical man, motioning +Johnston to rise. + +"I am slightly nervous," apologized the latter, as he stood up +and awkwardly fumbled the buttons of his coat. + +"Nervousness is a mental disease," said the man, with +professional brusqueness; "it has nothing to do with the body +except to dominate it at times. If you pass your examination you +may live to overcome it." + +The American looked furtively at Thorndyke, but the head of the +Englishman had sunk on his breast and he seemed to be asleep. +Johnston had never felt so lonely and forsaken in his life. From +his childhood he had entertained a secret fear that he had +inherited heart disease, and like Maupassant's "Coward," who +committed suicide rather than meet a man in a duel, he had tried +in vain to get away from the horrible, ever-present thought by +plunging into perilous adventures. + +At that moment he felt that he would rather die than know the +worst from the uncanny instrument that had just tortured his +strong comrade till he was overcome with exhaustion. + +"I never felt better in my life," he said falteringly, but it +seemed to him that every nerve and muscle in his frame was +withering through fear. His tongue felt clumsy and thick and his +knees were quivering as with ague. + +"Stand still," ordered the physician sternly, and Johnston was +further humiliated by having Tradmos sympathetically catch hold +of his arm to steady him. + +"Your people are far advanced in the sciences," went on the +physician coldly, "but there are only a few out of their number +who know that the mind governs the body and that fear is its +prime enemy. Five minutes ago you were eating heartily and had +your share of physical strength, and yet the mere thought that +you are now to know the actual condition of your most vital organ +has made you as weak as an infant. If you kept up this state of +mind for a month it would kill you. + +"Now listen," he went on, as the instrument gripped Johnston's +flesh and the rubber tube began to twist and move as if +charged with electricity. The American held his breath. A sound +as of water being forced through channels that were choked, +mingled with a wheezing sound like wind escaping from a broken +bellows came from the bell. + +"Your frame is all right," said the medical man, as he released +the trembling American, "but you have long believed in the +weakness of your heart and it has, on that account, become so. +You must banish all fear from your thoughts. You perhaps +know that we have a place specially prepared for those who are +not physically sound. I am sorry that you do not stand a +better examination." + +Tradmos regarded the American with a look of sympathy as he gave +him a chair and then rang a bell on the table. Thorndyke looked +up sleepily, as an attendant entered with a couple of parcels, +and glanced wonderingly at his friend's white face and bloodshot +eyes. + +"What's the matter?" he asked; but Johnston made no reply, for +the captain had opened the parcels and taken out two suits of +silken clothing. + +"Put them on," he said, giving a suit of gray to Johnston and one +of light blue to Thorndyke. "We shall leave you to change your +attire, and I shall soon come for you." + + + +Chapter IV. + +In a few minutes the captain returned and found his prisoners +ready to go with him. Thorndyke looked exceedingly handsome in +his glossy tights, close-fitting sack-coat, tinsel belt and low +shoes with buckles of gold. The natural color had come back into +his cheeks, and he was exhilarated over the prospect of further +adventure. + +It was not so, however, with poor Johnston; his spirits had been +so dampened by the physician's words that he could not rally from +his despondency. His suit fitted his figure as well as that of +the Englishman, but he could not wear it with the same hopeful +grace. + +"Cheer up!" whispered Thorndyke, as they followed the captain +through a long corridor, "if we are on our way to the stake or +block we are at least going dressed like gentlemen." + +Outside they found the streets lined with spectators eagerly +waiting to see them pass. The men all had suits like those which +had been given the captives, and the women wore flowing gowns +like those of ancient Greece. + +"These are the common people," whispered Thorndyke to Johnston, +"but did you ever dream of such perfect features and physiques? +Every face is full of merriment and good cheer. I am curious to +see the royalty." + +Johnston made no reply, for Captain Tradmos turned suddenly and +faced them. + +"Stand here till I return," he said, and he went back into the +house. + +"Where in the deuce do you think we are?" pursued Thorndyke with +a grim smile. + +"Haven't the slightest idea," sighed Johnston, and he shuddered +as he looked down the long white street with its borders of human +faces. + +Thorndyke was observant. + +"There is not a breath of air stirring," he said; "and yet the +atmosphere is like impalpable delicacies to a hungry man's +stomach.Look at that big tree, not a leaf is moving, and yet +every breath I draw is as fresh as if it came from a mountain- +top. Did you ever see such flowers as those? Look at that ocean +of orchids." + +"They think we are a regular monkey-show," grumbled the American. +"Look how the crowd is gaping and shoving and fighting for places +to see us." + +"It's your legs they want to behold, old fellow. Do you know I +never knew you had such knotty knee-joints; did you ever have +rheumatism? I wish I had 'em; they wouldn't put me to death--they +would make me the chief attraction in the royal museum." Thorndyke +concluded his jest with a laugh, but the face of his +friend did not brighten. + +"You bet that medical examination meant something serious," he +said. + +"Pooh!" and the Englishman slapped his friend playfully on the +shoulder. + +"Since I have seen that vast crowd of well-developed people, and +remember what that medicine man said, I have made up my mind that +we are going to be separated." Poor Johnston's lip was quivering. + +"Rubbish! but there comes the captain; put on a bold front; talk +up New York; tell 'em about Chicago and the Fair, and ask to be +allowed to ride in their Ferris Wheel--if they ain't got no +wheel, ask 'em when the first train leaves town." + +"This is no time for jokes," growled Johnston, as Tradmos +returned. Tradmos motioned to something that in the +distance looked like a carriage, but which turned out to be a +flying machine. It rose gracefully and glided over the ground and +settled at their feet. It was large enough to seat a dozen +people, and there was a little glass-windowed compartment at the +end in which they could see "the driver," as he was termed by +Tradmos. The mysterious machinery was hidden in the woodwork +overhead and beneath. + +"Get in," said the captain, and the door flew open as if of its +own accord. Thorndyke went in first and was followed by the moody +American. "Let up on the ague," jested Thorndyke, nudging his +friend with his elbow; "if you keep on quivering like that you +may shake the thing loose from its moorings and we'd never know +what became of us." + +Johnston scowled, and the officer, who had overheard the remark, +smiled as he leaned toward the window and gave some directions to +the man in the other compartment. + +"You both take it rather coolly," he remarked to Thorndyke. "I +took a man and a woman over this route several years ago and both +of them were in a dead faint; but, in fact, you have nothing to +fear. We never have accidents." + +"It is as safe as a balloon, I suppose, and we are at home in +them," said the Englishman, with just the hint of a swagger in +his tone. + +"But your balloons are poor, primitive things at best," returned +Tradmos in his soft voice. "They can't be compared to this mode +of travel, though, of course, our machines would not operate in +your atmosphere." + +"Why not?" impulsively asked the Englishman. "I thought----" + +But he did not conclude his remark, for they were rising, and +both he and Johnston leaned apprehensively forward and looked out +of one of the windows. Down below the long lines of people were +silently waving their hats, scarfs and handkerchiefs as the +machine swept along over their heads. As they rose higher the +scene below widened like a great circular fan, and in the delicate +roselight, the whole so appealed to Thorndyke's artistic sense +that he ejaculated: + +"Glorious! Superb! Transcendent!" and he directed Johnston's +attention to the wonderful pinkish haze which lay over the +view toward the west like a vast diaphanous web of rosy sunbeams. + +"You ask why our air-ships would not operate in your atmosphere," +said the captain, showing pleasure at Thorndyke's enthusiasm. +"It is simple enough when you have studied the climatic +differences between the two countries. You have much to contend +with--the winds, for instance, the heat and cold, etc.; this is +the only known country where the winds are subjugated. I have +never been in your world, but from what I have heard of it I am +not anxious to see it. Your atmosphere and climate are so +changeable and so diverse in different localities that I have +heard your people spend much of their time in seeking congenial +climes. I think it was a man who came from London that claimed he +once had a cold--'a bad cold,' I think he called it. It was a +standing joke in the royal family for a long time, and he heard +so much about it that he tried to deny what he had said!" + +Johnston glanced at the speaker non-plussed, but the captain was +looking at Thorndyke. + +"Your climate is delightful here now," said the Englishman; "is +it so long at a time?" + +"Perpetually; it is regulated every moment, and every year we +perfect it in some way." + +"Perfect it?" + +"Yes, of course, why not? If it ever fails to be up to the usual +high standard, it is owing to neglect of those in charge, and +neglect is punished severely." + +Thorndyke's eyes sought those of the American incredulously. +Seeing which Tradmos looked amused. + +"You doubt it," he smiled. "Well, wait till you have been here +longer. The fact is, any one born in our climate could not live +in yours. The king experimented on a man who claimed to have only +one lung, but who had two sound ones when he was cut open. Well, +the king sent him to China, or America, or some such place, and +he wheezed himself to death in a week by your clocks. The weather +was too fickle for him. Our system has been perfected to such an +extent that we live four lives to your one, and our fruits and +vegetables are a hundred per cent. better than those in other +countries." + +"What is the name of your country?" asked Thorndyke, feeling that +he was not losing anything by his boldness. + +"Alpha." + +"Where is it located?" + +"I don't know." Tradmos looked out at the window for a moment as +if to ascertain that they were going in the right direction, then +he fixed his dark eyes on Thorndyke and asked hesitatingly:-- + +"I never thought--I--but do you know where your country is +located?" + +"Why, certainly." + +"Well, I don't know where this one is. We are taught everything, +I think, except geography." Nothing more was said for several +minutes, then an exclamation of admiration broke from the +Englishman. The color of the sunlight was changing. From east to +west within the entire arc of their observation rolled an endless +billow of lavender light leaving a placid sea of the same color +behind it. On it swept, slowly driving back the pink glow that +had been over everything. + +"I see you like our sunlight?" said Tradmos, half interrogatively. + +"Never saw anything like it before." + +"Yours is, I think, the same color all day long." + +"Except on rainy days." + +"Must be a great bore, monotonous--too much sameness. It is +white, is it not?" + +"Yes, rather--between white and yellow, I call it." + +"Something like our sixth hour, I suppose; this is the fourth +hour of morning. Then come blue, yellow, green, and at noon red. +The afternoon is divided up in the same way. The first hour is +green, then follow yellow, blue, lavender, rose, gray and purple. +Yes, I should think you would find yours somewhat tiresome." + +"We can rely on it," said Johnston speaking for the first time +and in a wavering voice, "it is always there." + +"Doing business at the old stand," laughed Thorndyke, attempting +an Americanism. + +"Well, that is a comfort, anyway," said the captain seriously. +"In my time they have had no solar trouble, but some of the old +people tell horrible tales of a period when our sun for several +days did not shine at all." + +"Can it be possible?" said the Englishman dubiously. + +"Oh, yes; and the early settlers had a great deal of trouble in +different ways; but I am not at liberty to give you information on +that head. It is the king's special pleasure to have new-comers +form their own impressions, and he is particularly fond of noting +their surprise, and, above all, their approval. People usually +come here of their own accord through the influence of our secret +force of agents all over the earth, but you were brought because +you happened to drop on our island and would have found out too +much for our good, and that red light you kept burning night and +day might have given us trouble. There is no telling how long you +could have kept alive on those clams." + +"We meant no offence," apologized Thorndyke; "we----" + +"Oh, I know it, I was only explaining the situation," interrupted +the officer. + +"What is that bright spot to the right?" asked Thorndyke, to +change the subject. + +"The king's palace; that is the dome. We shall soon be there. +Now, I must not talk to you any longer. Somebody may be watching +us with glasses. I have taken a liking to you, and some time, +when I get the opportunity, I shall give you some useful advice, +but I must treat you very formally, at least till you have had +audience with the king." + +"Thank you," said the Englishman, and Tradmos stood up in the car +to watch their progress through the circular glass of a little +cupola on top. Thorndyke smiled at Johnston, but the American was +in no pleasant mood. The indifference with which Tradmos had +treated him had nettled him. + +The machine was now slowly descending. A vast pile of white +marble, with many golden domes and spires, rose between them and +the earth below. + +"To the balcony on the central dome," ordered Tradmos through the +window of the driver's compartment; and the adventurers felt the +car sweep round in a curve that threw them against each other, +and the next moment they had landed on a wide iron balcony +encircling a great golden cone that towered hundreds of feet +above them. + + + +Chapter V. + +"Follow me," said the captain stiffly, for there were several +guards in white and gold uniforms pacing to and fro on the +battlement-like walls. He led the two adventurers through a +door in the base of the dome. At first they were dazed by a +brilliant light from above, and looking up they beheld a marvel +of kaleidoscopic colors formed by a myriad of electric-lighted +prisms sloping gradually from the floor to the apex of the dome. +Thorndyke could compare it to nothing but a stupendous diamond, +the very heart of which the eye penetrated. + +"Don't look at it now," advised Tradmos, in an undertone; "it was +constructed to be seen from below, and to light the great +rotunda." + +Mutely the captives obeyed. At every turn they were greeted with +a new wonder. The captain now led them round a narrow balcony on +the inside of the vast dome, and, looking over the railing down +below, they saw a vast tessellated pavement made of polished +stones of various and brilliant colors and so artistically +arranged that, from where they stood, lifelike pictures of +landscapes seemed to rise to meet the vision wherever the eye +rested. Statues of white marble, gold and bronze were placed here +and there, and, in squares of living green, fountains threw up +streams of crystal water. Tradmos paused for them to look down +and smiled at their evident admiration. + +"How far is it down there?" Thorndyke ventured to ask. + +"Over a thousand feet," replied Tradmos. "Look across opposite +and you will see that there are fifty floors beneath us, and each +floor has a balcony like this overlooking the court." + +"What is the sound that comes up from below?" asked the +Englishman. + +"It is the voices of the people and their footsteps on the +stone." + +"What people?" + +"Don't you see them? Your eyes are dazzled by the light; I ought +to have warned you against looking up into the dome. The people +are down there; do the views in the pavement not look a little +blurred?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, if you will look more closely you will see that it is a +multitude of people." + +"Great heavens!" exclaimed the Englishman, and he became deeply +absorbed in the contemplation of the rarest sight he had ever +seen. As he looked closely he noticed a black spot growing larger +and nearer, and he glanced inquiringly at the captain. + +"It is an elevator. There are a great many of them used in the +palace, but none have happened to rise as high as this since we +came. The one you see is coming for us." The next moment the +strange vehicle was floating toward them. The captain opened the +door and preceded the captives into the interior. + +"The royal audience chamber," he said, carelessly, to the driver +behind the glass of the adjoining compartment, and down +they floated as lightly as a bubble--down past balcony after +balcony, laden with moving throngs, until they alighted in a +great conservatory. + +Near them was a tall fountain the water of which was playing +weird music on great bells of glass, some of which hung in +the fountain's stream and others rose and fell, giving forth +strange, submerged tones in the foaming basin. + +"It is a new invention recently placed here by the king's son who +is a musical genius," explained Tradmos. "You will be astonished +at some of his inventions." + +He led them, as if to avoid the great crowds that they could now +hear on all sides, down a long vista of palms, the branches of +which met over their heads, to the wide door of the audience +chamber. A party of men dressed in uniforms of white silk with +gold and silver ornaments bowed before the captain and made way +for him. + +The captives now found themselves in the most splendid and +spacious room they had ever seen, at the far end of which was +a long dais and on it an elaborate throne. + +"I shall be obliged to leave you when the king comes," said +Tradmos to Thorndyke, "but I shall hope to see you again. Don't +forget my name and rank, for I may send you a message some time +that may aid you." "Thank you," replied the Englishman, and +then as a throng of beautiful young women came from a room on the +side and gathered about the throne he added inquisitively: "Who +are they?" + +"The wives and daughters of the king and the wives of the +princes," was the cautious answer, "but don't look at any one of +them closely." + +"I don't see how a fellow can help it; they are ravishingly +beautiful, don't you think so, Johnston?" + +"Don't be a fool," snapped the American, "don't you know enough +to hold your tongue." + +Tradmos smiled as if amused, and when he had shown them to seats +near the great golden throne, he said: + +"Stay where you are till the king sends for you, and then go and +kneel before the throne. Do not rise till he bids you." + +The captives thanked him and the captain turned away. The eyes of +all the royal party now rested on the strangers, and it was +hard for them to appear unconscious of it. A great crowd was +slowly filling the room and an orchestra in a balcony on the left +of the dais began to make delightful music on instruments the +strangers had never before seen. After an entrancing prelude a +sound of singing was heard, and far up in a grand dome, lighted +like the one the captives had just admired over the central court +of the palace, they saw a bevy of maidens, robed in white, moving +about in mid-air, apparently unsupported by anything. + +"How on earth is that done?" asked Thorndyke. + +"I don't know," returned Johnston, speaking more freely now that +the captain had gone. "I am not surprised at anything." + +"Their voices are exquisite, and that orchestra--a Boston +symphony concert couldn't be compared to it." + +"There goes the sunlight again," cried Johnston, "by Jove, it is +blue!" + +The transition was sublime. They seemed transported to some other +scene. The great multitude, the elegantly-dressed attendants about +the throne, the courtiers, the beautiful women, all seemed to +change in appearance; on the view through the wide doors leading +to the conservatory, and the great swarming court beyond, the soft +blue light fell like a filmy veil of enchantment. + +"Wonderful!" exclaimed the American. + +"It is ahead of our clocks, anyway," jested Thorndyke. "Any +child that can count on its fingers could tell that this is the +fifth hour of the day." + +The music grew louder; there was a harmonious blare of mighty +trumpets, the clang of gongs and cymbals, and then the +music softened till it could scarcely be heard. There was +commotion about the throne. + +The king was coming. Every person on the dais stood motionless, +expectant. A page drew aside the rich curtain from a door on the +right, and an old man, wearing a robe of scarlet ornamented with +jewels and a crown set with sparkling gems, entered and seated +himself on the throne. The music sank lower; so soft did it +become that the tinkling bells of the great fountain outside +could be heard throughout the room. + +The king bowed to the throng on the dais and spoke a few words to +a courtier who advanced as he sat down. The courtier must have +spoken of them, for the king at once looked down at Johnston and +Thorn-dyke and nodded his head. The courtier spoke to a page, +and the youth left the dais and came toward the captives. + +"We are in for it," cautioned Thorndyke, "now don't be afraid of +your shadow; we'll come out all right." + +"The king has sent for you," said the page, the next instant. "Go +to the throne." + +They were the cynosure of the entire room as they went up the +carpeted steps of the dais and knelt before the king. + + + +Chapter VI. + +"Rise!" commanded the king, in a deep, well-modulated voice, and +when they had arisen he inspected them critically, his eyes +lingering on Thorndyke. + +"You look as if you take life easily; you have a jovial +countenance," he said cordially. + +Thorndyke returned his smile and at once felt at ease. + +"There is no use in taking it any other way," he said; "it +doesn't amount to much at best." + +"You are wrong," returned the king, playing with the jewels on +his robe, "that is because you have been reared as you have--in +your unsystematic world. Here we make life a serious study. It +is our object to assist nature in all things. The efforts of your +people amount to nothing because they are not carried far enough. +Your scientists are dreaming idiots. They are continually groping +after the ideal and doing nothing with the positive. It was for +us to carry out everything to perfection. Show me where we can +make a single improvement and you shall become a prince." + +"If my life depended on that, my head would be off this instant," +was the quick-witted reply of the Englishman. + +This so pleased the king that he laughed till he shook. "Well +said," he smiled; "so you like our country?" + +"Absolutely charmed; my friend (Thorndyke was determined to +bring his companion into favor, if possible) and I have been in +raptures ever since we rose this morning." + +A flush of pleasure crossed the face of the king. "You have not +seen half of our wonders yet. I confess that I am pleased with +you, sir. The majority of people who are brought here are so +frightened that they grow morbid and desirous to return to +their own countries as soon as they learn that such a thing is +out of the question." + +Thorndyke's stout heart suffered a sudden pang at the words, but +he did not change countenance in the slightest, for the king was +closely watching the effect of his announcement. + +"Of course," went on the ruler, gratified by the indifference of +the Englishman, "of course, it could not be done. No one, +outside of a few of the royal family and our trusted agents, has +ever left us." + +"I can't see how any one could be so unappreciative as to want +to go," answered Thorndyke, with a coolness that surprised even +Johnston. "I have travelled in all countries under the sun--the +sun I was born under--and got so bored with them that my friend +and myself took to ballooning for diversion; but here, there is a +delightful surprise at every turn." + +"I was told you were aeronauts," returned the ruler, deigning to +cast a glance at the silent Johnston, who stood with +eyes downcast, "and I confess that it interested me in you." + +At that juncture a most beautiful girl glided through the +curtains at the back of the throne and came impulsively toward +the king. Her brown hair fell in rich masses on her bare +shoulders; her eyes were large, deep and brown, and her skin was +exquisitely fine in texture and color; her dress was artistic +and well suited to her lithe figure. She held an instrument +resembling a lute in her hands, and stopped suddenly when she +noticed that the king was engaged, + +"It is my daughter, the Princess Bernardino," explained the +king, as he heard her light step and turned toward her; +"she shall sing for you, and, yes (nodding to her) you shall +dance also." + +As she took her position on a great rug in front of the throne, +she kept her eyes on the handsome Englishman as if fascinated +by his appearance. Thorndyke's heart beat quickly; the blood +mantled his face and he stood entranced as she touched the +resonant strings with her white fingers and began to play and +sing. An innocent, artless smile parted her lips from her +matchless teeth, and her face glowed with inspiration. Far above +in the nooks and crannies of the vast dome, with its divergent +corridors and arcades, the faint echoes of her voice seemed to +reply to her during the pauses in her song. Then she ceased +singing and to the far-away and yet distinct accompaniment of +some stringed instrument in the orchestra, she began to dance. +Holding her instrument in a graceful fashion against her shoulder +as one holds a violin, and with her flowing white gown caught in +the other hand, she bowed and smiled and instantly seemed +transformed. From the statuesque and dreamy singer she became a +marvel of graceful motion. To and fro she swept from end to end of +the great rug, her tiny feet and slim ankles tripping so lightly +that she seemed to move without support through the air. + +Thorndyke stood as if spell-bound, for, at every turn, as if +seeking his approval, she glanced at him inquiringly. When +she finished she stood for a moment in the centre of the rug +panting, her beautiful bosom, beneath its filmy covering of +lace, gently rising and falling. Then, asking her father's +consent with a mute glance, she ran forward impulsively, and, +kneeling at Thorndyke's feet, she took his hand and pressed it +to her lips. And rising, suffused with blushes, she tripped from +the dais and disappeared behind the curtain. + +The king frowned as he looked after her. "It is a mark of +preference," he said coldly. "It is one of our customs for a +dancer or singer to favor some one of her spectators in that way. +My daughter evidently mistook you for an ambassador from one of +my provinces, but it does not matter." + +"She is wonderfully beautiful," replied the tactful Englishman, +pretending not to be flattered by the notice of the princess. + +"Do you think our people fine looking as a rule?" asked the king, +to change the subject. + +"Decidedly; I never imagined such a race existed." + +Again the king was pleased. "That is one of the objects of our +system. Generation after generation we improve mentally +and physically. We are the only people who have ever attempted to +thoroughly study the science of living. Your medical men may be +numbered by the million; your remedies for your ills change +daily; what you say is good for the health to-day is to- +morrow believed to be poison; to-day you try to make blood to +give strength, and half a century ago you believed in taking it +from the weakest of your patients. With all this fuss over +health, you will think nothing of allowing the son of a man who +died with a loathsome hereditary disease to marry a woman whose +family has never had a taint of blood. Here no such thing is +thought of. To begin with, no person who is not thoroughly sound +can remain with us. Every heart-beat is heard by our medical men +and every vein is transparent. You see evidences of the benefit +of our system in the men and women around you. All our +conveniences, the excellence of our products, our great +inventions are the result." + +"I have been wondering about the size of your country," ventured +Thorndyke cautiously. + +The king smiled. "That will be one of the things for you to +discover later," he returned. "But this, the City of Moron, +is the capital; our provinces, farming lands, smaller cities, +towns and hamlets lie around us. Come with me and I will show +you something." + +He waved his hand and dismissed a number of courtiers who were +waiting to be called, and rose from the throne and led the two +captives into a large apartment adjoining the throne-room. Here +they found six men in blue uniforms looking into a large circular +mirror on a table. They all bowed and moved aside as the king +approached. + +"These men are the municipal police," explained the king, resting +his hand on the gold frame of the glass; "they are watching the +city." And when the strangers drew nearer they were surprised to +see reflected, in the deeply concave glass, the entire city in +miniature; its streets, parks, public buildings, and moving +populace. And what seemed to be the most remarkable feature of +the invention was, that the instant the eye rested on any +particular portion of the whole that part was at once magnified +so that every detail of it was clearly observable. + +"This is an improvement on your police system," continued the +king. "No sooner does anything go wrong than a red signal is +given on the spot of the trouble and the attention of these +officers is immediately called to it. A flying machine is sent +out and the offender is brought to the police station; but +trouble of any nature rarely occurs, and the duties of our police +are merely nominal; my people live in thorough harmony. Now, +come with me and I will give you an idea of the surrounding +country." + +As the king spoke he led them into a circular room, the roof of +which was of white glass, and the walls were lined with +large mirrors. + +"This is our general observatory from which every part of Alpha +can be seen," said the king with a touch of pride in his tone. +"Look at the mirror in front of you." + +They did as he requested, and at first saw nothing; but, as he +went to a stone table in the centre of the room and touched +an electric button, a grand view of green fields, forests, +streams, lakes and farm-houses flashed upon the mirror. The king +laughed at their surprise and touched another button. As he did +so the scene shifted gradually; the landscapes ran by like a +panorama. A pretty village came into sight, and passed; then a +larger town and still a larger; then fields, hills and valleys +and forests of giant trees. + +"It is that way all over my kingdom," said the king; "in an hour +I can inspect it all." + +"But how is it done?" asked Thorndyke, forgetting himself in +wonder. + +"Through a telescopic invention, aided by electricity and the +clearness of our atmosphere," replied the king. "It would +take too long to go into the details. The views, however, are +reflected to this point from various observatories throughout the +land. Such a system would be impossible in any other country on +account of the clouds and atmospheric changes; but here we +control everything." + +"I noticed," returned the Englishman, "that green fields lie +beside ripening ones and those in which the grain is being +harvested." + +"We have no change of seasons," answered the king. "Change of +seasons may be according to nature, but it is in the province of +man's intellect to improve on nature. But I must leave you now; I +shall summon you again when I have the leisure to continue our +conversation." + +"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Johnston, as the king +disappeared behind a curtain in the direction of the audience +chamber. + +"I give it up; I only know that the old fellow's daughter, the +Princess Bernardino is the most beautiful, the most bewitching +creature that ever breathed. Did you notice her eyes and form? +Great heavens! was there ever such a vision of human loveliness? +Her grace, her voice, her glances drove me wild with delight." + +"You are dead gone," grumbled the American despondently; "we'll +never get away from here in the world. I can see that." + +"I gave up all hope in that direction some time ago," said +Thorndyke; "and why should we care? We were awfully bored with +life before we came; for my part I'd as soon end mine up here as +anywhere else. Besides, didn't his majesty say that they live +longer under his system than we do?" + +"I don't take stock in all he says," growled the American; "he +talks like a Chicago real estate agent who wants to sell a lot. +Why doesn't he chop off our heads and be done with it?" + +Thorndyke burst into a jovial laugh. "You are coming round all +right; that is the first joke you have got off since we came +here; his royal Nibs may need a court-jester and give you a job." + +"There goes that blamed sunlight again," exclaimed Johnston, +grasping his companion's arm, "don't you see it changing?" + +"Yes, and this time it is white, like old Sol's natural smile; +but isn't it clear? It seems to me that I could see to the end +of the earth in that light. I want to know how he does it." + +"How who does it?" + +"Why, the king, of course, it is his work--some sort of +invention; but we must keep civil tongues in our heads when we +are dealing with a man who can color the very light of the sun." + +They were walking back toward the great rotunda, and, as they +entered the conservatory, the crowds of men and women stared at +them curiously. They had paused to inspect the statue of a +massive stone dragon when a young officer in glittering +uniform approached and addressed Johnston. + +"Follow me," he said simply; "it is the king's command." + +The American started and looked at Thorndyke apprehensively. + +"Go," said the latter; "don't hesitate an instant." + +Poor Johnston had turned white. He held out his hand to +Thorndyke, "Shake," he said in a whisper, not intended for +the ears of the officer, "I don't believe that we shall meet +again. I felt that we were to be parted ever since that medical +examination." + +Thorndyke's face had altered; an angry flush came in his face and +his eyes flashed, but with an effort he controlled himself. + +"Tut, tut, don't be silly. I shall wait for you round here; if +there is any foul play I shall make some one suffer for it. You +can depend on me to the end; we are hand in hand in this +adventure, old man." + + + +Chapter VII. + +Johnston followed his guide to a flying machine outside. He +hesitated an instant, as the officer was holding the door +open, and looked back toward the conservatory; but he could not +see Thorndyke. + +"Where are you taking me?" he asked desperately. But the officer +did not seem to hear the question. He was motioning to a tall man +of athletic build who wore a dark blue uniform and who came +hastily forward and pushed the American into the machine. Through +the open door Johnston saw Thorndyke's anxious face as the +Englishman emerged from the conservatory and strode toward them. +The two officers entered and closed the glass door. + +Then the machine rose and Johnston's spirits sank as they shot +upward and floated easily over the humming crowd into the +free white light above the smokeless city. The poor captive +leaned on the window-sill and looked out. There was no breeze, +and no current of air except that caused by their rapid passage +through the atmosphere. + +Up, up, they went, till the city seemed a blur of mingled white +and gray, and then the color below changed to a vague blue +as they flew over the fields of the open country. + +The first officer took a glass and a decanter from a receptacle +under a seat, and, pouring a little red fluid into the +glass, offered it to the American. + +"Drink it," he said, "it will put you to sleep for a time." + +"I don't want to be drugged." + +"The journey will try your nerves. It is harmless." + +"I don't want it; if I take it, you will have to pour it down my +throat." + +The officer smiled as he put the glass and decanter away. Faster +and faster flew the machine. They had to put the window down, for +the current of air had become too strong and cool to be pleasant. +The color of the sunlight changed to green, and then at noon, +from the zenith, a glorious red light shimmered down and veiled +the earth with such a beautiful translucent haze that the poor +American for a moment almost forgot his trouble. + +The afternoon came on. The sunlight became successively green, +white, blue, lavender, rose and gray. The sun was no longer in +sight and the gray in the west was darkening into purple, the +last hour of the day. Night was at hand. Johnston's limbs were +growing stiff from inaction, and he had a strong desire to speak +or to hear one of the officers say something, but they were +dozing in their respective corners. The moon had risen and hung +far out in space overhead, but they seemed to be leaving it +behind. Later he felt sure of this, for its light gradually +became dimmer and dimmer till at last they were in total +darkness--darkness pierced only by the powerful search-light +which threw its dazzling, trumpet-shaped rays far ahead. But, +search as he would in the direction they were going, the +unfortunate American could see nothing but the ever-receding wall +of blackness. + +Suddenly they began to descend. The officers awoke and stretched +themselves and yawned. One of them opened the window and Johnston +heard a far-off, roaring sound like that of a multitude of +skaters on a vast sheet of ice. + +Down, down, they dropped. Johnston's heart was in his mouth. + +The machine suddenly slackened in its speed and then hung poised +in mid-air. The rays of the search-light were directed downward +and slowly shifted from point to point. Looking down, the American +caught glimpses of rugged rocks, sharp cliffs and yawning chasms. + +"How is it?" asked the first officer, through a speaking-tube, of +the driver. + +"A good landing!" was the reply. + +"Well, go down." And a moment later the machine settled on the +uneven ground. + +The same officer opened the door, and gently pushed Johnston out. +Johnston expected them to follow him, but the door of the machine +closed behind him. + +"Stand out of the way," cried out the officer through the window; +"you may get struck as we rise." + +Involuntarily Johnston obeyed. There was a sound of escaping air +from beneath the machine, a fierce commotion in the atmosphere +which sucked him toward the machine, and then the dazzling +search-light blinded him, as the air-ship bounded upward and +sailed back over the course it had come. + +Johnston stood paralyzed with fear. "My God, this is awful!" he +exclaimed in terror, and his knees gave way beneath him and +he sank to the rock. "They have left me here to starve in this +hellish darkness!" He remained there for a moment, his face +covered with his hands, then he sprang up desperately, and +started to grope through the darkness, he knew not whither. He +stumbled at almost every step, and ran against boulders which +bruised his hands and face, and went on till his strength was +gone. Then he paused and looked back toward the direction from +which he had come. It seemed to him that he could see the +straight line of mighty black wall above which there was a faint +appearance of light. A lump rose in the throat of the poor +fellow, and tears sprang into his eyes. + +But what was that? Surely it was a sound. It could not have been +the wind, for the air was perfectly still. The sound was +repeated. It was like the moaning of a human voice far away in +the dark. Could it be some one in distress, some poor +unfortunate, banished being, like himself? Again he heard the +sound, and this time, it was like the voice of some one talking. + +"Hello!" shouted the American, and a cold shudder went over him +at the sound of his own husky voice. There was a dead silence, +then, like an echo of his own cry, faintly came the word, "Hello!" + +Filled with superstitious fear, the American cautiously groped +toward the sound. "Hello, there, who are you?" + +"Help, help!" said the voice, and it was now much nearer. + +Johnston plunged forward precipitately. "Where are you?" + +"Here," and a human form loomed up before him. + +For a moment neither spoke, then the strange figure said: "I +thought at first that you were some one sent to rescue me, but I +see you are alone--damned like myself." + +"It looks that way," replied Johnston. + +"When did they bring you?" + +"Only a moment ago." + +"My God, it is awful! A week ago I did not dream of such a fate +as this. I had enemies. The medical men were bribed to vote +against me. Am I not strong? Am I not muscular? Feel my arms and +thighs." + +He held out an arm and Johnston felt of it. The muscles were like +stone. + +"You are a giant." + +"Ah! you are right; but they reported that there was a taint in +my blood. I was to marry Lallio, the most beautiful creature in +our village--Madryl, you know, the nearest hamlet to the home of +the Sun. I was rich, and the best farmer there. But Lyngale +wanted her. She hated him and spat at him when he spoke against +me. He proved by others that my lungs were weak, and showed them +the blood of a slain dog in my fields that they said had come +from my lungs. Ah, they were curs! My lungs weak! Strike my chest +with all your might. Does it not sound like the king's thunder? +Strike, I say!" and as the enfeebled American struck his bare +breast he cried:--Harder, harder! Pooh, you are a child, see +this, and this," and he emphasized his words with thunderous +blows on his resounding chest. + +"But it has been so for a century," he panted; "hundreds have +been unjustly buried alive here. The king thinks it is not murder +because they die of starvation. I have stumbled over the bones of +giants here in the dark lands, and have met dying men that are +stronger than the king's athletes." + +"What, are there others here?" gasped the American. + +The Alphian was silent in astonishment. + +"Why, where did you come from?" he asked, after a pause. + +"From New York City." + +"I don't know of it, and yet I thought I knew of all the places +inside the great endless wall." + +Johnston was mystified in his turn. "It is not in your country-- +your world, or whatever you call it. It is far away." + +"Ah, under the white sun! In the 'Ocean Country,' and the world +of fierce winds and disease. And you are from there. I had heard +of it before they banished me; but two days since I came across a +dying man, away over there. He was huddled against the wall, and +had fallen and killed himself in his efforts to climb back to +food and light. + +"I saw him die. He told me that he had come from your land when +he was a child. His trouble was the lungs and he had fallen off +to a skeleton. He talked to me of your wide ocean land. Is it, +indeed so great? And has it no walls about it?" + +"No, it is surrounded by water." + +"I cannot understand," and, after a pause, in which Johnston +could hear the great fellow's heart beating, he continued; "That +must be the Heaven the man spoke about. And beyond the water is +it always dark like this, and do they banish people there as the +king has us?" + +"No; beyond are other countries. But is there no chance for us to +escape from here?" + +The Alphian laughed bitterly. "None. What were you banished for?" + +"I hardly know." + +"Hold out your arm. There," as he grasped Johnston's arm in a +clasp of iron, "I see; you are undeveloped, unfit--none but +the healthy and strong are allowed to live in Alpha. It is right, +of course; but it is hard to bear. But I must lie down. I +am wearied with constant rambling. I am nervous too. I fell +asleep awhile ago and dreamt I heard all my friends in a +great clamoring body calling my name, 'Branasko!' and then I +awoke and cried for help." + +As he spoke he sank with a sigh to the ground and rested his head +on his elbows and knees and seemed asleep. The American sat down +beside him, and, for a long time, neither spoke. Branasko broke +the silence; he awoke with a start and eyed his companion in +sleepy wonder. + +"Ugh, I dreamt again," he grunted, "are you asleep?" + +"No," was Johnston's reply. "I am hungry and thirsty and cannot +sleep." + +"So am I, but we must wait till it is lighter, then we can go in +search of food. When I was a boy I learned to catch fish in pools +with my hands and it has prolonged my life here. When the light +comes again, I shall show you how I do it." + +"Then the day does break? I thought it was eternally dark here." + +"It does not get very light, because we are behind the sun; but +it is lighter than now, for we get the sun's reflection, enough +at least to keep us from falling into the chasms." + +Branasko lowered his head to his knees and slept again, but the +American, though wearied, was wakeful. Several hours passed. The +Alphian was sleeping soundly, his breathing was very heavy and he +had rolled down on his side. + +Far away in the east the darkness gradually faded into purple, +and then into gray, and slowly hints of pink appeared in +the skies. It was dawn. Johnston touched his companion. The man +awoke and looked at him from his great swollen eyes. + +"It is day," he yawned, rising and stretching himself. + +"But the sun is not in sight." + +"No; it shows itself only in the middle of the day, and then but +for a few minutes. We must go now and search for food. I will +show you how to catch the eyeless fish in the black caverns over +there." And he led the American into the blackness behind them. +Every now and then, as they stumbled along, Johnston would look +longingly back toward the faint pink light that shone above the +high black wall. But Branasko hastened on. + +Presently they came to the edge of a black chasm and the American +was filled with awe, for, from the seemingly fathomless depths, +came a great roaring sound like that of a mighty wind and the air +that came from it was hot, though pure and free from the odor of +gas. + +"What is this?" he asked. + +"They are everywhere," answered Branasko, "if it were not for +their hot breathing the Land of the Changing Sun would be cold +and damp." + +"Then the sun does not give out heat?" + +"No." + +"It is cold?" + +"I believe so, I have never thought much about it." + +The American was mystified, but he did not question farther, for +Branasko was carefully lowering himself into the hot gulf. + +"Follow me," he said; "we must cross it to reach the caves. I +will guide you. I have been over this way before." + +"But can we stand the heat?" + +"Oh, yes; when we get used to it, it is invigorating. I perspire +in streams, but I feel better afterward. Come on." + +Branasko's head only was above the ground. "I am standing on a +ledge," he said. "Get down beside me. Fear nothing. It is solid; +besides, what does it matter? You can die but once, and it would +really be better to fall down there into the internal fires than +to starve slowly." + +Johnston shuddered convulsively as he let himself down beside +Branasko. His foot dislodged a stone. With a crash it fell upon a +lower ledge and bounded off and went whizzing down into the +depths. Both men listened. They heard the stone bounding from +ledge to ledge till the sound was lost in the internal roaring. + +"It is mighty deep," said Johnston. + +"Yes, but follow me; we cannot stop here; we must go along this +ledge till we get to the point where the chasm is narrow enough +to jump across. I have done it." + +"The American held to his companion with one hand and the rock +with the other, and they slowly made their way along the narrow +ledge, pausing every now and then to rest. At every step the path +grew more perilous and narrower, and the cliff on their left rose +higher and higher, till the reflected light of the sun had +entirely disappeared. At certain points the hot wind dashed +upon them as furiously as the whirling mist in "The Cave of +Winds" at Niagara Falls. Once Johnston's foot slipped and he +fell, but was drawn back to safety by the strong arm of the +Alphian. + +"Be careful; hold to the cliff's face," warned Branasko +indifferently, and he moved onward as if nothing unusual had +occurred. Presently they reached a point where a narrow boulder +jutted out over the chasm toward the opposite side, and +Branasko cautiously crawled out upon it. When he had got to its +end, Johnston could not see him in the gloom, but his voice came +to him out of the roaring of the chasm. + +"I can see the other side, and am going to jump." An instant +later, the American heard the clatter of the Alphian's shoes +on the rock, and his grunt of satisfaction. Then Branasko called +out: "Come on; crawl out till you feel the end of the rock, and +then you can see me." + +In great trepidation the American slowly crawled out on the +narrow rock. Below him yawned the hot darkness, above hung +that black ominous canopy of nothingness. Slowly he advanced on +hands and knees, every moment feeling the sharp rock growing +narrower, till finally he reached the end. He looked ahead. He +could but faintly see the ledge and Branasko's tall form +silhouetted upon it. + +"See, this is where you have to alight," cried the Alphian. +"Jump, I will catch you!" + +"I am afraid I shall topple over when I stand up," replied the +American. "The rock is narrow and my head is already swimming. I +fear I cannot reach you. It is no use." + +"Tut, tut!" exclaimed Branasko. "Stand up quickly, and jump at +once. Don't stop to think about it." + +Johnston obeyed. He felt his feet firmly braced on the rock and +he sprang toward the opposite ledge with all his might. Branasko +caught him. + +"Good," he grunted. "There is another place, we must jump again. +It is further on." Along this ledge they went for some distance, +Branasko leading the way and holding the arm of the American. + +"Now here we are, the chasm is a little wider, but the ledge on +the other side is broader." As he spoke he released Johnston's +arm and prepared to jump. He filled his lungs two or three +times. But he seemed to hesitate. "Pshaw, watching you back there +has made me nervous. I never cared before. If I should happen to +fall, go back to where we met, it is safer there without a guide +than here." + +Without another word Branasko hurled himself forward. Johnston +held his breath in horror, for Branasko's foot had slipped as he +jumped. The Alphian had struck the opposite ledge, but not with +his feet, as he intended. He clutched it with his hands and hung +there for a moment, struggling to get a foothold in the emptiness +beneath him. + +"It's no use, I am falling; I can hold no longer!" And Johnston,- +-too terrified to reply,--heard the poor fellow's hands +slipping from the rock, causing a quantity of loose stones to go +rattling down below. With a low cry Branasko fell. An instant +later Johnston heard him strike the ledge beneath, and heard him +cry out in pain. Then all was still except the echoes of +Branasko's cry, which bounded and rebounded from side to side of +the chasm, and grew fainter and fainter, till it was submerged in +the roaring below. Then there was a rattle of stones, and +Branasko's voice sounded: "A narrow escape!" he said faintly. "I +am on another ledge"--then after a slight pause, "it is much +wider, I don't know how wide. Are you listening?" + +"Yes, but are you hurt?" + +"Not at all. Simply knocked the breath out of me for a moment. +There is a cave behind me, and (for a moment there was silence) I +can see a light ahead in the cave. I think it must be the +reflection of the internal fire. Come down to me and we will +explore the cavern, and see where the light comes from." + +"I can't get down there!" shouted Johnston, to make himself +heard above a sudden increase in the roaring in the chasm, +"there is no way." + +"Wait a moment!" came from the Alphian. "This ledge seems to +incline upward." + +Johnston stood perfectly motionless, afraid to move from the +ledge either to right or to left, and heard Branasko's footsteps +along the rock beneath. "All right so far," he called up, and his +voice showed that he had gone to a considerable distance to the +left, "the ledge seems to be still leading gradually upward. I +think I can reach you." + +Fifteen minutes passed. The lone American could no longer hear +Branasko's footsteps. Johnston was becoming uneasy and the hot +air was causing his head to swim. He was thinking of trying to +retrace his footsteps to a place of more security when he heard +footsteps, and then the cheery voice of Branasko nearly opposite +him across the chasm: + +"Are you there?" + +"Yes." + +"It is well; I have discovered a good pathway down to the cave, +and a pool of fish besides. I have saved some for you. I was so +hungry I had to eat. Now, you must jump over to me." + +"I cannot," declared the American. "I cannot jump so far; +besides, you failed." + +Branasko laughed. "I did not leap in the right direction. It is +this point on which I am now standing that I should have tried to +reach. Come, I will catch you." + +Johnston could not bear to be considered cowardly, so he stepped +to the verge of the chasm and prepared to jump. His head felt +more dizzy as he thought of the fathomless depths beneath, and +the rush of hot air up the side of the cliff took his breath away, +but he braced himself and said calmly: "All right, I am coming." +The next instant he sprang forward. Branasko caught him into his +arms and they both rolled back on the level stone. + +"Good," cried the Alphian, trying to catch his breath, which +Johnston had knocked out of him by the fall. "You did better +than I; you are lighter." + +"Where shall we go now?" asked Johnston, regaining his feet and +feeling of his legs and arms to see if he had broken any bones. + +"Down this winding path to the place where I saw that light. I +want to understand it. But you must first eat this fish. It is +delicious. They are swarming in the pools below." + +"And water?" said Johnston. + +"An abundance of it, and as cold as ice." + +As Branasko preceded him down the tortuous path, Johnston ate the +raw fish eagerly. Presently they came to a deep pool of water, +and both men threw themselves down on their stomachs and drank +freely. After this they proceeded slowly for several hundred +yards, and finally reached the entrance to the cave in which +Branasko had seen the light. At that distance it looked like the +light of some great conflagration reflected from the face of a +cliff. + +They entered the cave and made good progress toward the light, +for it showed them the dangerous fissures, sharp boulders and +stalactites. They had walked along in silence for several minutes +when the Alphian stopped abruptly and turned to his companion. +What is the matter?" asked Johnston. + +"It cannot come from the internal fires," replied Branasko,"for +the atmosphere grows cooler as we get nearer the light and +away from the chasm." + +Johnston was too much puzzled to formulate a reply, and he +simply waited for the Alphian to continue. + +"Let's go on," said Branasko; and in his tone and hesitating +manner Johnston detected the first appearance of +superstitious fear that he had seen in the brawny Alphian. + + + + Chapter VIII. + +As Thorndyke watched the flying machine that was bearing his +friend away a genuine feeling of pity went over him. Poor +Johnston! He had been haunted all day with the belief that he was +to meet with some misfortune from which Thorndyke was to be +spared, and Thorndyke had ridiculed his fears. When the air-ship +had become a mere speck in the sky, the Englishman turned back +into the palace and strolled about in the vast crowd. + +A handsome young man in uniform approached and touched his hat: + +"Are you the comrade of the fellow they are just sending away?" he +asked. + +"Yes. Where are they taking him?" + +"To the 'Barrens,' of course; where do you suppose they would take +such a man? He couldn't pass his examination. You are not a great +physical success yourself, but they say you pleased the king with +your tongue." + +"To the Barrens," repeated Thorndyke, too much concerned over the +fate of his comrade to notice the speaker's tone of contempt; +"what are they, where are they?" + +The Alphian officer changed countenance, as he looked him over +with widening eyes. + +"Your accent is strange; are you from the other world?" + +"I suppose so,--this is a new one to me at any rate." + +"The world of endless oceans?" + +"Yes." + +"And the unchanging sun--forever white and ----?" + +"Yes; but where the devil is the Barrens?" + +"Behind the sun, beyond the great endless wall." + +"Do they intend to put him to death?" + +"No, that would be--what do you call it? murder; they will simply +leave him there to die of his own accord. And the king is right. I +never saw such a weakling. He would taint our whole race with his +presence." + +Without a word Thorndyke abruptly turned from the officer and +hastened toward the apartment of the king. He would demand the +return of poor Johnston or kill the king if his demand was not +granted. In his haste and perturbation, however, he lost his way +and wandered into a part of the palace he had not seen. At every +step he was more and more impressed with the magnificent +proportions of the structure and the grandeur of everything about +it. + +Passing hurriedly through a large hall he saw an assemblage of +beautiful women and handsome men dancing to the music of a great +orchestra. Further on--in a great court--a regiment of soldiers +were drilling, their rapid evolutions making no more sound than if +they were moving in mid-air. In another room he saw a great body +of men, women and children in vari-colored suits bathing in a +pool of rose-colored, perfumed water. + +He was passing on when a woman, closely veiled and simply dressed, +touched his arm. + +"Be watchful and follow me," she said, in a low, guarded tone. + +The heart of the Englishman bounded and his blood rushed to his +face, for the speaker was the Princess Bernardino. She did not +pause, but glided on into the shade of a great palm tree, and, +behind a row of thick-growing ferns of great height and thickness, +she waited for him. + +She lowered her veil as he approached and looked at him from +her deep brown eyes in great concern. He stood spell-bound +under the witchery of her beauty. + +"I came to warn you, Prince," she said, and her soft musical voice +set every nerve in Thorndyke's body to tingling with delight. +"My father has banished the faithful slave that you love, but you +must not show the anger that you feel, else he will kill you. You +must be exceedingly cautious if you would save him. My father +would punish me severely if he knew that I had sought you in this +way. I was obliged to come in disguise; this dress belongs to my +most trusted maid." + +"And you came for my sake?" blurted out the Englishman, much +embarrassed; "I am not worthy of such a high honor." + +She smiled and tears rose in her eyes. + +"Oh, Prince, don't speak to me so! You are far above me. I am +weak. I know nothing. I never cared for other men than the king +and my brothers till I saw you today, but now I would willingly be +your slave." + +"I am yours forever, and an humble one," bowed the courteous +Englishman. "The moment I saw you at the throne of your father my +heart went out to you. You wound it up in your music and trampled +it under your dancing feet. I have been over the whole world, and +you are the loveliest creature in it. It is because I saw you, +because you are here, that I do not want to leave your country. +They may do as they will with me if they only will let me see you +now and then." + +The princess was deeply moved. The blood rushed to her face and +beautified it. Her eyes fell beneath his admiring glance. +Thorndyke could not restrain himself. He caught her slender hand +and pressed it passionately to his lips, and she made only a +slight effort to prevent it. + +"I am your obedient slave; what shall I do?" he asked. + +"Do not try to rescue him now," she said softly. "I shall come to +you again when we are not watched--you can know me by this dress. +There is no need for great haste, he could live in the Barrens +several days; I shall try to think of some way to save him, though +such a thing has never been done--never." + +Footsteps were heard on the other side of the row of ferns. A man +was passing and others soon followed him. The bathers were leaving +the great pool. + +"I must leave you now," she whispered. "If the king honors you +again by talking of his kingdom, continue to act as you did; your +fearlessness and good humor have pleased him greatly." + +"Could I not persuade him to bring Johnston back?" + +"No; that would be impossible; those who are pronounced physically +unfit are obliged to die. It has been a law for a long time; you +must not count on that. I have, however, another plan, but I +cannot tell you of it now, for they may miss me and wonder where I +am, and then, too, my father may be looking for you. He will +naturally desire to see you soon again." + +Bowing, she turned away and passed on toward the apartments of the +king, which the Englishman now recognized in the distance. +Thorndyke went into the bathing-room to watch those remaining in +the great pool of rose-colored water. The sight was beautiful. The +waves which lapped against the shelving shores of white marble +were pink and white, and the deeper water was as red as coral. + +The Englishman was at once troubled over the fate of Johnston and +elated over having won Bernardino's regard. Thoughtfully he +strolled away from the bathers into a great picture-gallery. Here +hung on the walls and stood on pedestals some of the rarest works +of art he had ever seen. He passed through this room and was +entering a shady retreat where plants, flowers and umbrageous +trees grew thickly, when he heard a step behind him and the +rustling of a silken skirt against the plants. + +It was Bernardino. + +"We can be unobserved here," she said, taking off her thick veil +and arranging her luxuriant hair. "I hasten back. The king thinks, +so my maid tells me, that I am asleep in my chamber. He is busy +with an audience of police from a neighboring town and will not +think of us." + +She sat down on a sofa upholstered in leather, and he took a seat +beside her. "I am glad that we can talk alone," he said, "for I +have much to ask you. First, tell me where we are,--where this +strange country is on the map of the world." + +"It is a long story," she replied, "and it would greatly incense +the king if he should find out that I had told you, for one of his +chief pleasures is to note the surprise and admiration of new- +comers over what they see here. But if you will promise to gratify +his vanity in this particular I will try to explain it all." + +"I promise, and you can depend on my not getting you into +trouble," replied Thorndyke. "I never was so puzzled in my life, +with that sullen sky overhead, the wonderful changing sunlight, +and the remarkable atmosphere. I am both bewildered and entranced. +Every moment I see something new and startling. Where are we?" + +"Far beneath the ocean and the surface of the earth. I only know +what the king has let fall in my hearing in his conferences with +his men of science and inventors; but I shall try to make you +understand how it all came about." + +"It was a long time ago, two hundred years back, I suppose, that +one of my ancestors discovered a little isolated island in the +Atlantic Ocean. He was forced in a storm to land there with his +ship and crew to make some repairs in his vessel. In wandering +about over the island he discovered a narrow entrance to a cave, +and, with two or three of his men, he began to explore it. When +they had gone for a mile or two down into the interior of the +cavern, which seemed to lead straight down toward the centre of +the earth, they began to find small pieces of gold. The further +they went the more they found, till at last the very cavern walls +seemed lined with it. + +"They were at first wildly excited over their sudden good fortune +and were about to load their ship with it and return to Europe at +once, but the better judgment of my ancestor prevailed. He +explained that, if the world were informed of the discovery of +such an inexhaustible mine of gold, that the value of the precious +metal would decline till it would be worth little more than some +grosser metal, and that if they would only keep their secret to +themselves they could in time control the finances of the world. +So, acting on this suggestion, they only dug out a few thousand +pounds and took part of it to Europe and part of it to America +and turned it into money. + +"Then, to curtail my story, they elected my ancestor as ruler, +and, with ships loaded with every available convenience that +inexhaustible wealth could procure and a colony of carefully +chosen men, they returned to the island. + +"After the men and their families had settled in the great roomy +mouth of the cavern my ancestor supplied himself with several +strong men and food and lights, and sought to explore the entire +cavern. + +"To their astonishment they found that it was practically endless. +When they had gone down about sixty or seventy miles below the sea +level they found themselves on a vast, undulating plain, the soil +of which was dark and rich, with the black roof of the cavern +arching overhead like the bottom of a great inverted bowl. And +when they had travelled about ten days and reached the other side +my ancestor calculated that the cave must be over one hundred +miles in diameter and almost circular in shape. But what elated +and surprised them most was the remarkable salubrity of the +atmosphere. In all parts of the cave it was exactly the same +temperature, and they found that they scarcely felt any fatigue +from their journey, and that they had little desire to eat the +provisions with which they were supplied. Indeed, the very air +seemed permeated with a subtle quality that gave them strength and +energy of mind and body. + +"Finally, when, after a month had passed, and they returned to +their anxious friends, these people overwhelmed them with +exclamations of surprise over their appearance. And in the light +of day the explorers looked at one another in astonishment, for, +in the dim light of the lanterns they had carried, they had not +noticed the great change that had come over them. They had all +become the finest specimens of physical health that could be +imagined. Their bodies had filled out; they were remarkably +strong; their skins shone with healthful color and their eyes +sparkled with intellectual energy, and their minds, even to the +humblest burden-carrier, were astonishingly acute and active. + +"My ancestor was a remarkable man, and he had hitherto shown much +inventive ability; but in that month in the cave he had developed +into an intellectual giant. After mature deliberation, he proposed +a prodigious scheme to his followers. He explained that, while +they might, by using the utmost discretion, hold the financial +world in their power by means of their inexhaustible wealth, that +the laws and restrictions of different countries prevented men of +vast wealth from really enjoying more privileges than men of +moderate means. He grew eloquent in speaking of the underground +atmosphere, and proposed that they light the great cavern from end +to end and make it an ideal place where they could live as it +suited them. + +"I see that you guess the end. My ancestor was a great student of +the sciences and had already thought of putting electricity to +practical use. You are surprised? Yes, it has been applied to our +purposes for two hundred years, while your people have understood +its use such a short time." + +"Great heavens!" exclaimed the Englishman. "I see it all; the sun +is an electric one!" + +"Yes." + +"And it runs mechanically over its great course as regularly as +clock-work." + +"More accurately, I assure you, but there probably never was a +greater mathematical problem than they solved in deciding on the +size the sun should be and amount of light necessary to fill up +all the recesses of the great vacancy. It was all very crude at +the start; for years a great electric light was simply suspended +in the centre of the cavern's roof and the light did not vary in +color. A son of the first king suggested the plan of giving the +sun diurnal movement and the changing light. The moon and stars +were a later development. They found, too, that the light could +not be made to reach certain recesses in the cavern where the roof +approached the earth, so they finally built a great wall to keep +the inhabitants within proscribed boundaries, and to prevent them +from understanding the machinery of the heavens." + +"Wonderful!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "But the temperature of the +atmosphere, how does that happen to be so delightful and +beneficial?" + +"I believe they do not themselves thoroughly comprehend that. The +heat comes from the internal fires, and the fresh air from without +in some mysterious way. At first, in a few places, the heat was +too severe, but the scientific men among the first settlers +obviated this difficulty by closing up the hottest of the fissures +and opening others in the cooler parts of the cavern." + +"And the people, where did they come from?" + +"From all parts of the earth. We had agents outside who selected +such men and women that were willing to come, and who filled all +the requirements, mentally and physically." + +"But why do they desire to live here instead of out in the world, +when they have all the wealth that they need to assure every +advantage." + +"They dread death, and it is undoubtedly true that life is +prolonged here; our medical men declare that the longevity of +every generation is improved." + +"Is it possible? But tell me about the sun, when it sets, what +becomes of it?" + +"It goes back to its place of rising through a great tunnel +beneath us." + +Thorndyke sat in deep thought for a moment; then he looked so +steadily and so admiringly into Bernardino's eyes that she grew +red with confusion. "But you, yourself, are you thoroughly +content here?" + +"I know nothing else," she continued. "I have heard little about +your world except that your people are discontented, weak and +insane, and that your changeable weather and your careless laws +regarding marriage and heredity produce perpetual and innumerable +diseases; that your people are not well developed and beautiful; +that you war with one another, and that one tears down what +another builds. I have, too, always been happy, and since you came +I am happier still. I don't know what it means. I have never been +so much interested in any one before." + +"It is love on the part of both of us," replied the Englishman +impulsively, taking her hand. "I never was content before. I went +roving over the earth trying to end my life at sea or in balloon +voyages, but now I only want to be with you. I have never dreamed +that I could be so happy or that I would meet any one so beautiful +as you are." + +Bernardino's delight showed itself in blushes on her face, and +Thorndyke, unable to restrain himself, put his arm around her and +drew her to his breast and kissed her. + +She sprang up quickly and he saw that she was trembling and that +all the color had fled from her face. + +"What is the matter?" he asked, in alarm. + +At first she did not answer, but only looked at him half- +frightened, and then covered her face with her hands. He drew them +from her face and compelled her to look at him. + +"What is the matter?" he repeated, a strange fear at his heart. + +"You have broken one of the most sacred laws of our country," she +faltered, in great embarrassment; "my father would punish me very +severely if he knew of it, and he would banish you; for, to treat +me in that manner, as his daughter, is regarded as an insult to +him." + +"I beg your pardon most humbly," said the contrite Englishman. "It +was all on account of my ignorance of your customs and my +impulsiveness. It shall never happen again, I promise you." + +Her face brightened a little and the color came back slowly. She +sat down again, but not so near Thorndyke, and seemed desirous of +changing the subject. + +"And do you love the man my father has transported?" she +questioned. + +"Yes, he is a good, faithful fellow, and it is hard to die so far +away from friends." + +"We must try to save him, but I cannot now think of a safe plan. +The police are very vigilant." + +"Where was he taken?" + +"Into the darkness behind the sun--beyond the wall of which I +spoke." + +A flush of shame came into Thorndyke's face over the remembrance +that he had made no effort to aid poor Johnston, and was sitting +listening with delight to the conversation of Bernardino. He rose +suddenly. + +"I must be doing something to aid him," he said. "I cannot sit +here inactive while he is in danger." + +"Be patient," she advised, looking at him admiringly; "it is near +night; see, it is the gray light of dusk; the sun is out of sight. +To-night, if possible, I shall come to you. Perhaps I shall +approach you without disguise if you are in the throne-room and +my father does not object to my entertaining you, but for the +present we must separate. Adieu." + +He bowed low as she turned away, and joined the throng that was +passing along outside. An officer approached him. It was Captain +Tradmos, who bowed and smiled pleasantly. + +"I congratulate you," he said, with suave pleasantness. + +"Upon what?" Thorndyke was on his guard at once. + +"Upon having pleased the king so thoroughly. No stranger, in my +memory, has ever been treated so courteously. Every other new- +comer is put under surveillance, but you are left unwatched." + +"He is easily pleased," said the Englishman, "for I have done +nothing to gratify him." + +"I thought he would like you; and I felt that your friend would +have to suffer, but I could not help him." + +"He shall not suffer if I can prevent it." + +"Sh--be cautious. Those words, implying an inclination to treason, +if spoken to any other officer would place you under immediate +arrest. I like you, therefore I want to warn you against such +folly. You are wholly in the king's power. Another thing I would +specially warn you against----" + +"And that is?" + +"Not to allow the king to suspect your admiration for the Princess +Bernardino. It would displease the king. She is much taken with +you; I saw it in her eyes when she danced for your entertainment." + +Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed searchingly into the eyes of +the officer. Tradmos laughed. + +"You are afraid of me." + +"No, I am not, I trust you wholly; I know that you are honorable; +I never make a mistake along that line." + +Tradmos bowed, pleased by the compliment. + +"I shall aid you all I can with my advice, for I know you will not +betray me; but at present I am powerless to give you material aid. +Every subject of this realm is bound to the autocratic will of the +king. It is impossible for any one to get from under his power." + +"Why?" + +"The only outlet to the upper world is carefully guarded by men +who would not be bribed." + +"Is there any chance for my friend?" + +"None that I can see, but I must walk on; there comes one of the +king's attendants." + +"The king has asked to speak to you," announced the attendant to +Thorndyke. + +"I will go with you," was his reply, and he followed the man +through the crowded corridors into the throne-room of the king. +Thorndyke forced a smile as he saw the king smiling at him as he +approached the throne. + +"What do you think of my palace?" asked the king, after Thorndyke +had knelt before him. + +"It is superb," answered the Englishman, recalling the advice of +Bernardino. "I am dazed by its splendor, its architecture, and its +art. I have seen nothing to equal it on earth." + +The king rose and stood beside him. His manner was both pleasing +and sympathetic. "I am persuaded," said he, "that you will make a +good subject, and have the interest of Alpha always at heart, but +I have often been mistaken in the character of men and think it +best to give you a timely warning. An attendant will conduct you +to a chamber beneath the palace where it will be your privilege to +converse with a man who once planned to get up a rebellion among +my people." + +There had come suddenly a stern harshness into the king's tone +that roused the fears of Thorndyke. He was about to reply, but the +king held up his hand. "Wait till you have visited the dungeon of +Nordeskyne, then I am sure that you will be convinced that strict +obedience in thought as well as deed is best for an inhabitant of +Alpha." Speaking thus, he signed to an attendant who came forward +and bowed. + +"Conduct him to the dungeon of Nordeskyne, and return to me," +ordered the king. + +Thorndyke's heart was heavy, and he was filled with strange +forebodings, but he simply smiled and bowed, as the attendant led +him away. The attendant opened a door at the back of the throne- +room and they were confronted by darkness. They went along a +narrow corridor for some distance, the dark- ness thickening at +every step. There was no sound except the sound of the guide's +shoes on the smooth stone pavement. Presently the man released +Thorndyke's arm, saying: + +"It is narrow here, follow close behind, and do not attempt to go +back." + +"I shall certainly stick to you," replied the Englishman drily. +They turned a sharp corner suddenly, and were going in another +direction when Thorndyke felt a soft warm hand steal into his from +behind, and knew intuitively that it was Bernardino. The guide was +a few feet in advance of them and she drew Thorndyke's head down +and whispered into his ear. + +"Be brave--by all that you love--for your life, keep your presence +of mind, and----" + +"What was that?" asked the guide, turning suddenly and catching +the Englishman's arm, "I thought I heard whispering." + +"I was saying my prayers, that is all," and the Englishman pressed +the hand of the princess, who, pressed close against the wall, was +gliding cautiously away. + +"Prayers, humph--you'll need them later,come on!" and he caught +the Englishman's arm and hastily drew him onward. Thorndyke's +spirits sank lower. The air of the narrow under-ground corridor +was cold and damp, and he quivered from head to foot. + + + +Chapter IX. + +Branasko paused again in his walk towards the mysterious light. + +"It cannot be from the internal fires," said he, "for this light +is white, and the glow of the fires is red." + +"Let's turn back," suggested Johnston, "it can do us no good to go +down there; it is only taking us further from the wall." + +"I should like to understand it," returned the Alphian +thoughtfully; "and, besides, there can be no more danger there +than back among the hot crevices. We have got to perish anyway, +and we might as well spice the remainder of our lives with +whatever adventure we can. Who knows what we may not discover? +There are many things about the land of Alpha that the inhabitants +do not understand." + +"I'll follow you anywhere," acquiesced Johnston; "you are right." + +They stumbled on over the rocky surface in silence. At times, the +roof of the cavern sank so low that they had to stoop to pass +under it, and again it rose sharply like the roof of a cathedral, +and the rays of the far-away, but ever-increasing light, shone +upon glistening stalactites that hung from the darkness above them +like daggers of diamonds set in ebony. + +"It is not so near as I supposed," said the Alphian wearily. "And +the light seemed to me to be shining on a cliff over which water +is pouring in places. Yes, you can see that it is water by the +ripples in the light." + +"Yes, but where can the light itself be?" + +"I cannot yet tell; wait till we get nearer." + +In about an hour they came to a wide chasm on the other side of +which towered a vast cliff of white crystal. It was on this that +the trembling light was playing. + +"Not a waterfall after all," said Branasko; "see, there is the +source of the reflection," and he pointed to the left through a +series of dark chambers of the cavern to a dazzling light. "Come, +let's go nearer it." He moved a few steps forward and then +happening to look over his shoulder he stopped abruptly, and +uttered an exclamation of surprise. + +"What is it?" And Johnston followed the eyes of the Alphian. + +"Our shadows on the crystal cliff," said Branasko in an awed +tone; "only the light from the changing sun could make them so." + +Johnston shuddered superstitiously at the tone of Branasko's +quivering voice, and their giant shadows which stood out on +the smooth crystal like silhouettes. So clear-cut were they, +that, in his own shadow, the American could see his breast +heaving and in Branasko's the quivering of the Alphian's huge +body and limbs. + +"If we have happened upon the home of the sun, only the spirit of +the dead kings could tell what will become of us," said Branasko. + +"Puh! you are blindly superstitious," said Johnston; "what if we +do come upon the sun? Let's go down there and look into the +mystery." + +Branasko fell into the rear and the American stoutly pushed ahead +toward the light which was every moment increasing. As they +advanced the cave got larger until it opened out into a larger +plain over which hung fathomless darkness, and out of the plain a +great dazzling globe of light was slowly rising. + +"It is the sun itself," exclaimed Branasko, and he sank to the +earth and covered his face with his hands. "I have not thought +ever to see it out of the sky." + +The American was deeply thrilled by the grand sight. He sat down +by Branasko and together they watched the vast ball of light +emerge from the black earth and gradually disappear in a great +hole in the roof of the cavern. It left a broad stream of light +behind it, and, now that the sun it- self was out of view, the +silent spectators could see the great square hole from which it +had risen. + +As if by mutual consent, they rose and made their way over the +rocks to the verge of the hole, which seemed several thousand feet +square. At first, owing to the brightness of the sun overhead, +they could see nothing; but, as the great orb gradually +disappeared, they began to see lights and the figures of men +moving about below. Later they observed the polished parts of +stupendous machinery--machinery that moved almost noiselessly. + +Johnston caught sight of a great net-work of moving cables +reaching from the machinery up through the hole above and +exclaimed enthusiastically:--"A mechanical sun! electric daylight! +What genius! A world in a great cave! Hundreds of square miles +and thousands of well organized people living under the light of +an artificial sun!" + +The Alphian looked at him astonished. "Is it not so in your +country?" he asked. + +Johnston smiled. "The great sun that lights the outer world is as +much greater than that ball of light as Alpha is greater than a +grain of sand. But this surely is the greatest achievement of man. +But while I now understand how your sun goes over the whole of +Alpha, I cannot see how it returns." + +"Then you have not heard of the great tunnel of the Sun," replied +the Alphian. + +"No,what is it?" + +"It runs beneath Alpha and connects the rising and setting +points of the sun. There is a point beneath the king's palace +where, by a staircase, the king and his officers may go down and +inspect the sun as it is on its way back to the east during the +day." + +"Wonderful!" + +"And once a year a royal party goes in the sun over its entire +course. It is said that it is sumptuously furnished inside, and +not too warm, the lights being only innumerable small ones on the +outside." + +The two men were silent for a moment then Johnston said: + +"Perhaps we might be able to get into it unobserved and be thus +carried over to the other side, or reach the palace through the +tunnel." + +Branasko started convulsively, and then, as he looked into the +earnest eyes of the American, he said despondently: + +"We have got to die, anyway; it may be well for us to think of it; +but on the other side, in the Barrens, there is no more chance for +escape than here. But the adventure would at least give us +something to think about; let's try it." + +"All right; but how can we get down there where the sun starts to +rise?" asked the American, peering cautiously over the edge of +the hole. + +"There must be some way," answered Branasko. "Ah, see! further to +the left there are some ledges; let's see what can be done that +way." + +"I am with you." + +The rays of the departing sun were almost gone, and the electric +lights down among the machinery seemed afar off like stars +reflected in deep water. With great difficulty the two men lowered +themselves from one sharp ledge to another till they had gone half +down to the bottom. + +"It is no use," said Branasko, peering over the lowest ledge. +"There are no more ledges and this one juts out so far that even +if there were smaller ones beneath we could not get to them." + +"That is true," agreed the American, "but look, is not that a lake +beneath? I think it must be, for the lights are reflected on its +surface." + +"You are right," answered Branasko; "and I now see a chance for us +to get down safely." + +"How?" + +"The workers are too far from the lake to see us; we can drop into +the water and swim ashore." + +"Would they not hear the splashing of our bodies?" + +"I think not; but first let's experiment with a big stone." + +Suiting the action to the word, they secured a stone weighing +about seventy-five pounds and brought it to the ledge. Carefully +poising it in mid-air, they let it go. Down it went, cutting the +air with a sharp whizzing sound. They listened breathlessly, but +heard no sound as the rock struck the water, and the men among the +machinery seemed undisturbed. Only the widening circles of rings +on the lake's surface indicated where the stone had fallen. + +"Good," ejaculated the Alphian; "are you equal to such a plunge? +The water must be deep, and we won't be hurt at all if only we can +keep our feet downward and hold our breath long enough. Our +clothing will soon dry down there, for feel the warmth that comes +from below." + +The Alphian slowly crawled out on the sharpest projection of the +ledge. "Are you willing to try it?" he asked, over his shoulder. + +"Yes." + +"Well, wait till you see me swim ashore, and then follow." + +Johnston shuddered as the strong fellow swung himself over the +ledge and hung downward. + +"Adieu," said Branasko, and he let go. Down he fell, as straight +as an arrow, into the shadows below. For an instant Johnston heard +the fluttering of the fellow's clothing as he fell through the +darkness, and then there was no sound except the low whirr of the +cables and the monotonous hum of the great wheels beneath. Then +the smooth surface of the lake was broken in a white foaming spot, +and, later, he saw something small and dark slowly swimming +shoreward. It was Branasko, and the men to the right had not heard +or seen him. + +Johnston saw him reach the shore, then he crawled out to the point +of the projecting rock and tremblingly lowered himself till he +hung downward as Branasko had done. He had just drawn a deep +breath preparatory to letting go his hold, when, chancing to look +down, he saw a long narrow barge slowly emerging from the cliff +directly under him. For an instant he was so much startled that he +almost lost his grip on the rock. He tried to climb back on the +ledge, but his strength was gone. He felt that he could not hold +out till the boat had passed. Death was before him, and a horrible +one. The boat seemed to crawl. Everything was a blur before his +eyes. His fingers began to relax, and with a low cry he fell. + + + +Chapter X. + +To Thorndyke the dark corridor seemed endless. The king's last +words had now a sinister meaning, and Bernardino's whispered +warning filled him with dread. "Keep your presence of mind," she +urged; was it then, some frightful mental ordeal he was about to +pass through? + +Presently they came to a door. Thorn- dyke heard his guide feeling +for the bolt and key-hole. The rattling of the keys sounded like a +ghostly threat in the empty corridors. The air was as damp as a +fog, and the stones were cold and slimy. After a moment the guard +succeeded in unlocking the door and roughly pushed the Englishman +forward. The door closed with a little puff, and Thorndyke felt +about him for the guide; but he was alone. For a moment there was +no sound. With the closing of the door it seemed to him that he +was cut off from every living creature. In the awful silence he +could hear his own heart beating like a drum. + +"Stand where you are!" came in a hissing whisper from the +darkness near by, and then the invisible whisperer moved away, +making a weird sound as he slid his hand along a wall, till +it died away in the distance. + +A cold thrill ran over him. He was a brave man and feared no +living man or beast, but the superstitious fears of his childhood +now came upon him with redoubled force. For several minutes he did +not stir; presently he put out his hand to the door and his blood +ran cold. There was no knob, latch, or key-hole, and he could feel +the soft padding into which the door closed to keep out sound. +Then he remembered the warning of the princess, and strove with +all his might to fight down his apprehensions. "For your life keep +your presence of mind," he repeated over and over, but try as he +would his terror over-powered him. He laughed out loud, but in the +dreadful silence and darkness his laugh sounded unearthly. + +A cold perspiration broke out on him. It seemed as if hours passed +before he again heard the sliding noise on the wall. Some one was +coming to him. The sound grew louder and nearer, till a firm hand +was laid on his arm; it felt as cold as ice through his clothing. + +"Come," a voice whispered, and the Englishman was led forward. +Presently another door opened--a door that closed after them +without any sound. Here the silence was more intensified, the +darkness thicker as if compressed like air. + +Hands were placed on the shoulders of Thorndyke and he was gently +forced into a chair. As soon as he was seated two metal clamps +grasped like a vise his arms between the elbows and the shoulders, +and two more fastened round his ankles. + +There was a faint puff of air from the door and the prisoner felt +that he was alone. Terror held him in bondage. He tried to think +of Bernardino, but in vain. Did they intend to drive him to +madness? He began to suspect that the king had discovered his +natural superstition and had decided to put it to a test. What he +had undergone so far he felt was but the introduction to greater +terrors in store for him. + +There was a sigh far away in the darkness--then a groan that +seemed to flit about in space, as if seeking to escape the dark, +and then died away in a low moan of despair. Before him the +blackness seemed to hang like a dark curtain about ten yards in +front of him, and in it shone a tiny speck of light no larger than +the head of a pin, and which was so bright that he could not look +at it steadily. It increased to the size of a pea, and then he +discovered that, at times, it would seem miles away in space and +then again to draw quite near to hand. Glancing down, he noticed +that it cast a bright round spot about an inch in diameter on the +floor, and that the spot was slowly revolving in a circle so +small that its motion was hardly observable. Surely the mind of a +superstitious man was never so punished! When Thorndyke looked +steadily at the spot, the black floor seemed to recede, and the +spot to sink far down into the empty darkness below like a +solitary star; So realistic was this that the Englishman could not +keep from fancying that this chair was poised in some way over +fathomless space. Presently he noticed that the spot had ceased +its circular movement and was slowly--almost as slowly as the +movement of the hand of a clock--advancing in a straight line +toward him. + +No such terror had ever before possessed the stout heart of the +Englishman. As the uncanny spot, ever growing brighter, advanced +toward him, he thought his heart had stopped beating; his brain +was in a whirl. After a long while the spot reached his feet and +began to climb up his legs. With a shudder and a smothered cry, he +tried to draw his feet away, but they were too firmly manacled. + +"It is searching for my heart," thought Thorndyke. "My God, when +it reaches it, I shall die!" As the strange spot, gleaming like a +burning diamond in whose heart leaped a thousand different colored +flames, and which seemed possessed of some strange hellish +purpose, crossed his thighs and began to climb up his body, the +brain of the prisoner seemed on fire. He tried to close his eyes, +but, horror of horrors! his eyelids were paralyzed. It was almost +over his heart, and Thorndyke was fainting through sheer mental +exhaustion when it stopped, began to descend slowly, and, then, +with a rapid, wavering motion, it fell to the floor, flashed about +in the darkness, and vanished. + +An hour dragged slowly by. What would happen next? The Englishman +felt that his frightful ordeal was not over. To his surprise the +darkness began to lighten till he could see dimly the outlines of +the chamber. It was bare save for the chair he occupied against a +wall, and a couch on the opposite side of the room. The couch held +something which looked like a human body covered with a white +cloth. He could see where the sheet rounded over the head and rose +sharply at the feet. + +Something told him that it was a corpse and a new terror possessed +him. For several minutes he gazed at the couch in dreadful +suspense, then his heart stopped pulsing as the figure on the +couch began to move. Slowly the sheet fell from the head and the +figure sat up stiffly. There was a faint hum of hidden machinery +at the couch, and a flashing blue and green line running from the +couch to the wall betrayed the presence of an electric wire. + +Slowly the figure rose, and with creaking, rattling joints stood +erect. Pale lights shone in the orbits of the eyes and the sound +of harsh automatic breathing came from the mouth and nostrils. +Slowly and haltingly the figure advanced toward Thorndyke. The +poor fellow tried to wrench himself free from the chair, but he +could not stir an inch. On came the figure, its long arms +swinging mechanically, and its feet slurring over the stone +pavement. + +When within ten feet of the Englishman it stopped, nodded its head +three or four times, and slowly opened its mouth. There was a +sharp, whirring noise, such as comes from a phonograph, and a +voice spoke: + +"My voice shall sound on earth for a million years after my spirit +has left my body; and I shall wander about my dark dungeon as a +warning to men not to do as I have done." + +The voice ceased, but the whirring sound in the creature's breast +went on. The figure shambled nearer to Thorndyke and the voice +began again: + +"I disobeyed the laws of great Alpha and her imperial king and am +to die. Beware of the temptation to search into the royal motives +or attempt to escape. The fate of all the inhabitants of Alpha, +the wonderful Land of the Changing Sun, is in the hands of its +ruler. Beware! My death-torture is to be lingering and horrible. +I sink into deepest dejection. I was eager to return to my native +land and tried to escape. Behold my punishment! Even my bones and +flesh will not be allowed to rest or decay. Beware, the king is +just and good, but he will be obeyed!" + +Slowly the figure retreated toward the couch and lay down on it. +The whirring sound ceased, the light along the wire went out, and +the darkness thickened till the couch and the outlines of the +chamber were obscured. Then Thorndyke's chair was lift- ed, as if +by unseen hands, and he was borne backward. In a moment he felt +the cool, damp air of the corridor, and some one raised him to his +feet and led him back to the throne-room. + +In the bright light which burst on him as the door opened, the +beautiful women and handsome men moving about the throne were to +him like a glimpse of Paradise. The attendant left him at the door +and he walked in, so dazed and weak that he hardly knew what to +do. No one seemed to notice him and the king was engaged in an +animated conversation with several ladies who were sitting at his +feet. + +In a bevy of women Thorndyke noticed Bernardino. She gave him a +quick, sympathetic glance of recognition and then looked down +discreetly. Presently she left the others and moved on till she +had disappeared behind a great carved wine-cistern which stood on +the backs of four crouching golden leopards in a retired part of +the room. Something in her sudden movement made the Englishman +think she wanted to speak to him, and he went to her. He was not +mistaken, for she smiled as he approached. + +"I am glad," she whispered, touching his arm impulsively, and then +quickly removing her hand as if afraid of detection. + +"Glad of what?" he asked. + +"Glad that you stood that--that torture so well; several men have +died in that chair and some went mad." + +"I remembered your advice; that saved me." + +"I have a plan for us to try to rescue your friend." + +"Ah, I had forgotten him! what is it?" + +"Captain Tradmos likes you and has consented to aid us. We shall +need an air-ship and he has one at his disposal which is used only +for governmental purposes." + +"What do you want with the air-ship?" + +"To go beyond and over the great wall." + +"But can we get away from here without being seen?" + +"Under ordinary circumstances, neither by day nor night, but +tomorrow the king has planned to let his people witness a 'War of +the Elements.'" + +"A War of the Elements?" + +"Yes, the grandest fete of Alpha. There will be a frightful storm +in the sky; no light for hours; the thunder will be musical and +the lightning will seem to set the world on fire. That will be our +chance. When it is darkest we shall try to get away unseen. We may +fail. Such a daring thing has never been attempted by any one. If +we are detected we shall suffer death as the penalty, the king +could never pardon such a bold violation of law." + + + +Chapter XI. + +Johnston clung tenaciously to the rock. He tried to look down to +see if the barge had passed beneath him, but the intense strain on +his arm now drew his head back, so that he could not do so. Once +more he made an effort to regain his position on the rock, but he +was not able to raise himself an inch. + +He felt certain that the fall would kill him, and he groaned in +agony. His fingers were benumbed and beginning to slip. Then he +fell. The air whizzed in his ears. He tried to keep his feet +downward, but it was no use. He was whirled heels over head many +times, and his senses were leaving him when he was restored by a +plunge into the cold water. + +Down he sank. It seemed to him that he never would lose his +momentum and that he would strangle before he could rise to the +surface. Finally, however, he came up more dead than alive. He had +narrowly missed the flat-boat, for he saw it receding from him +only a few yards away. On the shore stood Branasko motioning to +him; and, slowly, for his strength was almost gone, Johnston swam +toward him. + +The latter waded out into the shallow water and drew him ashore. + +"You had a narrow escape," he said, with a dry laugh. "I saw the +boat come from under the cliff just as you hung down from the +ledge. At first I hoped that you would get back on the rock, but +when I saw you try and do it and fail I thought that you were +lost." + +The American could not speak for exhaustion; but, as he looked at +the departing craft with concern, Branasko laughed again: "Oh, you +thought it had a crew; so did I at first, but it has no one +aboard. It is drawn by a cable, and seems to be laden with coal." + +"Did they notice our fall up there?" panted Johnston, nodding +toward the lights in the distance. + +"No, they are farther away than I thought." + +"Well, what ought we to do?" +"Hide here among the rocks till our clothing dries and then look +about us. We have nearly twenty-four hours to wait for the sun to +return through the tunnel." + +"Where is the tunnel?" + +"Over on the other side of that black hill. There, you can see the +mouth of the tunnel through which the sun comes." + +"We need sleep," said the Alphian, when their clothing was dry, +"and it may be a long time before we get a chance to get it. Let +us lie down in the shadow of that rock and rest." + +Johnston consented, and, lying down together, they soon dropped +asleep. They slept soundly. + +Johnston was the first to awake. He felt so refreshed that he knew +he must have been unconscious several hours. He touched Branasko +and the latter sat up and rubbed his eyes and looked about him +bewildered. + +"I had a horrible dream," he said shuddering. "I thought that we +were in the sun and over the capital city when it fell down. I +thought the fall was awful, and that all Alpha was aflame. Then +the fires went out. Everything was black, and the whole world rang +with cries of terrified people. Ugh! I don't want to dream so +again; I'd rather not sleep at all. But hush! what is that?" + +Far away, as if in the centre of the earth, they heard a low +monotonous rumbling. They listened breathlessly. Every moment the +sound increased. They could feel the ground trembling as if shaken +by an earthquake. + +"It is the coming sun," said Branasko. "We must get nearer the +tunnel and see what can be done. It would be useless to try to go +back now." + +Stealing along in the shadow of the cliffs to keep from being +seen by the workmen on the plateau above, they climbed over a +rocky incline and saw in the side of a towering cliff, a great +black hole. It was the mouth of the tunnel. Into it ran eight +wide tracks of railway and six mammoth cables each twenty or +thirty feet in diameter. + +"The sun cannot be far away now," remarked the Alphian. + +"Is it not lighted?" + +"I presume not; I think it comes through in darkness. The light is +saved for its passage over Alpha." + +"Would it not be as safe for us to attempt to walk through the +tunnel to the palace of the king?" + +"Never; it would be over fifty miles in utter darkness. There may +be a thousand trestles and bridges over frightful chasms: for the +most part, I have heard the tunnel is a natural channel or a +succession of caverns united by tunnels. The other is the safer +way, though it certainly is risky enough." + +Louder and nearer grew the rumbling noise, and a faint light began +to shine from the tunnel and flash on the cliff opposite. + +"It is the sun's headlight," explained Branasko. + +Johnston was thrilled to the centre of his being as he saw the +light playing over the polished tracks and cables and illuminating +the walls of the great tunnel. + +Suddenly there was a deep, mellow-toned stroke of a bell in the +sun, and, as the two men shrank involuntarily into the deeper +shade of the cliff, the great globe, a stupendous ball of crystal, +five hundred feet in height, slowly emerged from the mouth of the +tunnel and came to a stop under the opening in the rock which led +to the space above. + +"What had we better do now?" said Johnston. + +"Wait," cautioned Branasko, and he drew the American to a great +boulder nearer the sun, from behind which they could, without +being seen, watch the action of the crowd of workmen that was +hurriedly approaching. They placed ladders of steel against the +sides of the sun and swarmed over it like bees. + +"They are cleaning the glass and adjusting the lights," said the +Alphian; "wait till they go round to the other side. Don't you see +that square opening near the ground?" + +The American nodded. + +"It is the door," said Branasko, "and we must try to enter it +while they are on the other side. Let us slip nearer; there is +another rock ahead that we can hide behind." Suiting the action to +the word, Branasko led the way, stooping near to the ground until +both were safely ensconced behind the boulder in question. They +were now so near that they could hear the electricians rubbing the +glass. + +One who seemed to be superintending the work opened the door and +went into the sun and lighted a bright light. From where they +were crouched Johnston and Branasko caught a view of a little +hall, a flight of stairs, and some pictures on the walls. + +Presently the man extinguished the light and came out. + +"They are removing their ladders from this side," said Branasko in +a whisper. "Be ready; we must act quickly and without a particle +of sound. Run straight for that door and climb up the steps +immediately." + +The men had all gone round to the other side, and no one was in +sight. + +"Quick! Follow me," and bending low to the earth the Alphian +darted across the intervening space and into the doorway. Johnston +was quite as successful. As he entered the door he saw Branasko +crawling up the carpeted stairs ahead of him, and, on his all- +fours, he followed. The first landing was large, and there in the +wall they found a closet. It would have been dark but for a dim +light that streamed down from above. Branasko opened the closet +door. "We must hide here for the present," he whispered. + +They had barely got seated on the floor and closed the door when a +bright light broke round them and they heard somebody ascending +the stairs. The person passed by and went on further up. The two +adventurers dared not exchange a word. They could hear the +footsteps above and the sound of the electricians outside as +they polished the lights and moved their ladders from place to +place. + +"If he should stay, what could we do?" asked Johnston, after a +long pause, and when the footsteps sounded farther away. + +"There are two of us and one of him," grimly replied the brawny +Alphian. + +Johnston shuddered. "Let's not commit murder in any emergency," he +said. + +"It would not be murder; every man has a right to save his own +life." + +Nothing more was said just then, for the footsteps were growing +nearer. The man was descending. He crossed the landing they were +on and went down the last flight of stairs and out of the door. + +Branasko rubbed his rough hands together. "We are going alone," he +said with satisfaction. + +There was a sound of sliding ladders on the walls outside. The +workmen had finished their task. A moment later a great bell +overhead rang mellowly; the colossal sphere trembled and rocked +and then rose and swung easily forward like the car of a balloon. + +"We are rising," said the Alphian, in a tone of superstitious awe. +Johnston said nothing. There was a cool, sinking sensation in +his stomach and his head was swimming. Branasko, however, was in +possession of all his faculties. + +"We shall soon be through the shaft we first discovered and throw +our light over Alpha." As he spoke the space about them broke into +blinding brightness and for a few moments they could only open +their eyes for an instant at a time. After a while Branasko opened +the closet door and they went up the stairs. + +The first apartment they entered was most luxuriously +furnished. Sofas, couches and reclining-chairs were scattered +here and there over the elegant carpet, and statues of gold and +marble stood in alcoves and niches and strange stereopticon +lanterns, hanging from the ceiling threw ever-changing and +life-like pictures on the walls. The light streamed in from +without through small circular windows. After they had walked +about the room for some minutes, the Alphian pointed to a half- +open door and a staircase at one side of the room. + +"I think it leads to some sort of observatory on top," he said. "I +have heard that when the royal family makes this voyage they are +fond of looking out from it. Suppose we see." +Johnston acquiesced, and Branasko opened the door. From the +increased brightness that came in they were assured that the +stairs led outward. + +Ascending many flights of stairs and traversing a narrow winding +gallery which seemed to be gradually sloping upward, they finally +reached the outside, and found themselves on a platform about +forty feet square surrounded by iron balustrades. Above hung +impenetrable blackness, below curved a majestic sphere of white +light. + + + +Chapter XII. + +The sunlight was fading into gray when the princess turned to +leave Thorndyke. Night was drawing near. + +"Have they assigned you a chamber yet?" she paused to ask. + +"No." + +"Then they have overlooked it; I shall remind the king." + +Her beautiful, lithe form was clearly outlined against the red +glow of the massive swinging lamp as she moved gracefully away, +and Thorndyke's heart bounded with admiration and hope as he +thought of her growing regard for him. He resumed his seat among +the flowers, listening, as if in a delightful dream, to the +seductive music from bands in different parts of the palace and +the never-ceasing sound in the air which seemed to him to be the +concentrated echo of all the sounds in the strange country +rebounding from the vast cavern roof. + +It grew darker. The gray outside had changed to purple. In the +palace the brilliant electric lights in prismatic globes refused +to allow the day to die. He was thinking of returning to the +throne-room when a page in silken attire approached from the +direction of the king's quarters. + +"To your chambers, master," he announced, bowing respectfully. + +Thorndyke arose and followed him to an elevator near by. They +ascended to the highest balcony of the great rotunda. Here they +alighted and turned to the right, the page leading the way, a key +in his hand. Presently the page stopped at a door and unlocked it +and preceded the Englishman into the room. As they entered an +electric light in a chandelier flashed up automatically. + +It was a sumptuous apartment, and adjoining it were several +connecting rooms all elegantly furnished. The page crossed +the room and opened a door to a little stairway. + +"It leads to the roof," he said. "The princess told me to call +your attention to it, that you might go out and view the +starlight." + +When the page had retired, Thorndyke, feeling lonely, ascended the +stairs to the roof. It was perfectly flat save for the great dome +which stood in the centre and the numerous pinnacles and cupolas +on every hand, and was very spacious. The Englishman's loneliness +increased, for no matter in what direction he looked, there was +not a living soul in sight. Far in front of him he saw a stone +parapet. He went to this and looked down on the city. The electric +lights were vari-colored, and arranged so that when seen from a +distance or from a great height they assumed artistic designs that +were beautiful to behold. + +The regular streets and rows of buildings stretched away till the +light in the farthest distance seemed an ocean of blending +colors. Overhead the vault was black, and only here and there +shone a star; but as he looked upward they began to flash into +being, and so rapidly that the sky seemed a vast battlefield of +electricity. + +"Wonderful! Wonderful!" he ejaculated enthusiastically, when the +black dome was filled with twinkling stars. He leaned for a long +time against the parapet, listening to the music from the streets +below, and watching the flying-machines with their vari-colored +lights rise from the little parks at the intersection of the +streets and dart away over the roofs like big fireflies. Then +he began to feel sleepy, and, going back to his chambers, he +retired. + +When he awoke the next morning, the rosy glow of the sun was +shining in at his windows. On rising he was surprised to find a +delectable breakfast spread on a table in his sitting-room. + +"Treating me like a lord, any way," he said drily. "I can't say I +dislike the thing as a whole." When he had satisfied his sharp +hunger he went out into a corridor and seeing an elevator he +entered it and went down to the throne-room. The king was just +leaving his throne, but seeing Thorndyke he turned to him with a +smile. + +"How did you sleep?" he asked. + +"Well, indeed," replied Thorndyke, with a low bow. + +"I cannot talk to you now. I intended to, but I have promised my +people a 'War of the Elements' to-day and am busy. You will enjoy +it, I trust." + +"I am sure of it, your Majesty." + +"Well, be about the palace, for it is a good point from which to +view the display." + +With these words he turned away and the Englishman, as if drawn +there by the memory of his last conversation with Bernardino, +sought the retreat where he had bidden her good-night. He sat down +on the seat they had occupied, and gave himself over to delightful +reveries about her beauty and loveliness of nature. Looking up +suddenly he saw a pair of white hands part the palm leaves in +front of him and the subject of his thoughts emerged into view. + +She wore a regal gown and beautiful silken head-dress set with +fine gems, and gave him a warm glance of friendly greeting. + +"I half hoped to find you here," she said, blushing modestly under +his ardent gaze; "that is, I knew you would not know where to go - +---" She paused, her face suffused with blushes. + +"I did not hope to find you here," he said, coming to her aid +gallantly, "but it was a delight to sit here where I last saw +you." + +She blushed even deeper, and a pleased look flashed into her eyes. +"It was important that I should see you this morning," she +continued, with a womanly desire to disguise her own feeling. "I +wanted to tell you where to meet me when the storm begins." + +"Where?" he asked. + +"On the roof of the palace, near the stairs leading down to your +chambers. At first it will be very dark, and it is then that we +must get out of sight of the palace. No other flying-machines will +be in the air, and Captain Tradmos thinks, if we are very careful, +we can get away safely before the display of lightning." + +"If we find my friend what can we do with him?" + +She hesitated a moment, a look of perplexity on her face, then she +said: "We can bring him back and keep him hidden in your chambers +till some better arrangement can be made. We shall think of some +expedient before long, but at present he must be saved from +starvation." + +Thorndyke attempted to draw her to a seat beside him, but she +held back. "No," she said resolutely, "it would never do for us +to be seen together. If my father should suspect anything now, +all hope would be lost." + +Thorndyke reluctantly released her hand. + +"You are right, I beg your pardon," he said humbly. "I shall meet +you promptly. Of course I want to save poor Johnston, but the +delight of being with you again, even for a moment, so +intoxicates me that I forget even my duty to him." + +After she left him he wandered out in the streets along the busy +thoroughfares, and into the beautiful parks, the flowers and +foliage changing color as each new hour dawned. The fragrance of +the flowers delighted his sense of smell, and the luscious fruits +hung from vine and tree in great abundance. + +He was impatient for the time to arrive at which he was to meet +the princess. After awhile he noticed the people closing the shops +and booths, and in holiday dress going to the parks and public +squares. He hastened to the palace. The great rotunda and the +throne-room were energetically astir. Everybody wore rich apparel +and was talking of the coming fete. The king was on his throne +surrounded by his men of science. In a cluster of ladies in court +dress, the Englishman recognized Bernardino. Catching his eye, she +looked startled for an instant, and, then, with a furtive glance +at the king, she swept her eyes back to Thorndyke and raised them +significantly toward his chambers. He understood, and his quick +movement was his reply. He turned immediately to an elevator that +was going up, and entered it. Again he was alone on the palace +roof. The color of the sunlight looked so natural that he studied +it closely to see if he could not detect something artificial in +its appearance, but in vain. He found that it did not pain his +eyes to look at the sun steadily. He took from his pocket a small +sunglass, and focussed the rays on his hand, but the heat was not +intensified sufficiently to burn him. + +Just then he heard a loud blast of a trumpet in a tall tower to +the left of the palace. It seemed a momentous signal. The jostling +crowds in the streets below suddenly stood motionless. Every eye +was raised to the sky. Not a sound broke the stillness. Following +the glances of the crowd a few minutes later, Thorndyke noticed a +dark cloud rising in the west, and spreading along the horizon. A +feeling of awe came over him as it gradually increased in volume, +and, in vast black billows, began to roll up toward the sun. + +Suddenly out of the stillness came a faraway rumble like a +fusillade of cannon, now dying down low, again reaching such a +height that it pained the ears. Belated flying- machines darted +across the sky here and there, like storm-frightened birds, but +they soon settled to earth. Every eye was on the cloud which was +now gashed with dazzling, vivid, electric flashes. Thorndyke +looked over the vast roof. He was alone. He walked to the western +parapet to get a broader view. + +The clouds had increased till almost a third of the heavens were +obscured by the madly whirling blackness. There was a rumble in +the cloud, or beyond it, like thunder, and yet it was not, unless +thunder can be attuned, for the sound was like the music of a +great orchestra magnified a thousand-fold. The grand harmony died +down. There was a blinding flash of electricity in the clouds, and +the Englishman involuntarily covered his eyes with his hands. When +he looked again the blackness was covering the sun. For a moment +its disk showed blood-red through the fringe of the cloud and +then disappeared. Total darkness fell on everything. + +The silence was profound. The very air seemed stagnant. + +Then the wind overhead, by some unseen force, was lashed into +fury, and all the sky was filled with whirlpools of deeper +blackness. Suddenly there was a flash of soft golden light; this +was followed by streams of pink, of blue and of purple till the +whole heavens were hung with banners, flags, and rain-bows of +flame. Again darkness fell, and it seemed all the deeper after the +gorgeous scene which had preceded it. Thorndyke strained his sight +to detect something moving below, but nothing could be seen, and +no sound came up from the motionless crowds. + +Behind him he heard a soft footstep on the stone tiling. It drew +nearer. A hand was being carefully slid along the parapet. The +hand reached him and touched his arm. + +It was the princess. "Ah, I have at last found you," she +whispered, "I saw you in the lightning, but lost you again." + +He put his arm round her and drew her into his embrace. He tried +to speak, but uttered only an inarticulate sound. + +"I could not possibly come earlier," she apologized, nestling +against him so closely that he could feel the quick and excited +beating of her heart. "My father kept me with him till only a +moment ago. Captain Tradmos will be here soon." + +"When do we start?" he asked. + +"That is the trouble," she replied. "We had counted on getting +away in the darkness, before the display of lightning, but there +is more danger now. If our flying-machine were noticed the search- +lights would be turned on us and we would be discovered at once." + +"But even if we get safely away in the darkness when could we +return?" + +"Oh, that would be easy," she replied. "As soon as the fete is +over, commerce will be resumed and the air will be filled with +air-ships that have been delayed in their regular business, and, +in the disguises which I have for us both, we could come back +without rousing suspicion. We could alight in Winter Park and +return home later." + +"What is Winter Park?" + +"You have not seen it? You must do so; it is one of the wonders of +Alpha. It is a vast park enclosed with high walls and covered with +a roof of glass. Inside the snow falls, and we have sleighing and +coasting and lakes of ice for skating. It was an invention of the +king. The snowstorms there are beautiful." + +Thorndyke's reply was drowned in a harmonious explosion like that +of tuned cannon; this was followed by the chimes of great bells +which seemed to swing back and forth miles overhead. + +"Listen!" whispered Bernardino, "father calls it 'musical +thunder,' and he declares that it is produced in no other country +but this." + +"It is not; he is right." And the heart of the Englishman was +stirred by deep emotion. He had never dreamed that anything could +so completely chain his fancy and elevate his imagination as what +he heard. The musical clangor died down. The strange harmony grew +more entrancing as it softened. Then the whole eastern sky began +to flush with rosy, shimmering light. + +"My father calls this the 'Ideal Dawn of Day,'" whispered +Bernardino. "See the faint golden halo near the horizon; that is +where the sun is supposed to be." + +"How is it done?" asked the Englishman. + +"Few of our people know. It is a secret held only by the king and +half a dozen scientists. The whole thing, however, is operated by +two men in a room in the dome of the palace. The musician is a +young German who was becoming the wonder of the musical world +when father induced him to come to us. I have met him. He says he +has been thoroughly happy here. He lives on music. He showed me +the instrument he used to play, a little thing he called a violin, +and its tones could not reach beyond the limits of a small room. +He laughs at it now and says the instrument that father gave him +to play on has strings drawn from the centre of the earth to the +stars of heaven." + +The rose-light had spread over the horizon and climbed almost to +the zenith, and with the dying booming and gentle clangor it began +to fade till all was dark again. + +"Captain Tradmos ought to be here now," continued the princess, +glancing uneasily toward the stairway. "We may not have so good an +opportunity as this." + +Ten minutes went by. + +"Surely, something has gone wrong," whispered Bernardino. "I have +never seen the darkness last so long as this; besides, can't you +hear the muttering of the people?" + +Thorndyke acknowledged that he did. He was about to add something +else, but was prevented by a loud blast from the trumpet in the +tower. + +Bernardino shrank from him and fell to trembling. + +"What is the matter?" he asked. +"The trumpet!" she gasped, "something awful has happened!" + +A moment of profound silence, then the murmuring of the crowd rose +sullenly like the moaning of a rising storm; a search-light +flashed up in the gloom and swept its uncertain stream from point +to point, but it died out. Another and another shone for an +instant in different parts of the city, but they all failed. + +"Something awful has happened," repeated Bernardino, as if to +herself; "the lights will not burn!" + +"Had we not better go down?" asked Thorndyke anxiously, excited by +her unusual perturbation. + +For answer she mutely drew him to the eastern parapet. Far away in +the east there still lingered a faint hint of pink, but all over +the whole landscape darkness rested. + +"See!" she exclaimed, pointing upward, "the clouds are thinning +over the sun, and yet there is no light. What can be the matter?" + +At that juncture they heard soft steps on the roof and a voice +calling: + +"Bernardino! Princess Bernardino!" + +"It is Tradmos," she ejaculated gladly, then she called out +softly: + +"Tradmos! Tradmos!" + +"Here!" the voice said, and a figure loomed up before them. It was +the captain. He was panting violently, as if he had been running. + +"What is it?" she asked, clasping his arm. + +"The sun has gone out," he announced. + +A groan escaped her lips and she swayed into Thorndyke's arms. + +"The clouds are thinning over the sun, yet there is no light. The +king is excited; he fears a panic!" + +"Has such a thing never happened?" asked Thorndyke. + +"An hundred years ago; then thousands lost their lives. As soon as +the people suspect the cause of the delay they will go mad with +fear." + +"What can we do?" asked the princess, recovering her self- +possession. + +"Nothing, wait!" replied Tradmos. "This is as safe a place as you +could find. Perhaps the trouble may be averted. Look!" + +The disk of the veiled sun was aglow with a faintly trembling +light; but it went out. The silence was profound. The populace +seemed unable to grasp the situation, but when the light had +flickered over the black face of the sun once more and again +expired, a sullen murmur rose and grew as it passed from +lip to lip. + +It became a threatening roar, broken by an occasional cry of +pain and a dismal groan of terror. There was a crash as if a +mountain had been burst by explosives. + +"The swinging bridge has been thrown down!" said Tradmos. + +Light after light flashed up in different parts of the city, but +they were so small and so far apart that they seemed to add to the +darkness rather than to lessen it. + +"The moon, it will rise!" cried the princess. + +"It cannot," said Tradmos in his beard, "at least not for several +hours." + +"They will kill my father," she said despondently, "they always +hold him responsible for any accident." + +"They cannot reach him," consoled Tradmos. "He is safe for the +present at least." + +"Is it possible to make the repairs needed?" + +"I don't know. When the accident happened long ago the sun was +just rising." + +"Has it stopped?" + +"I think not; it has simply gone out; the electric connection has, +in some way, been cut off." + +The tumult seemed to have extended to the very limits of the city, +and was constantly increasing. The smashing of timber and the +falling of heavy stones were heard near by. + +Tradmos leaned far over the parapet. "They are coming toward us!" +he said; "they intend to destroy the palace; we must try to get +down, but we shall meet danger even there." + + + +Chapter XIII. + +Johnston and Branasko looked down at the great ball of light +below them in silent wonder. Johnston was the first to speak. He +pointed to the four massive cables which supported the sun at +each corner of the platform and extended upward till they were +enveloped in the darkness. + +"They hold us up," he said, "where do they go to?" + +"To the big trucks which run on the tracks near the roof of the +cavern; the endless cables are up there, too, but we can not see +them with this glare about us." + +"We can see nothing of Alpha from here," remarked Johnston +disappointedly, "we can see nothing beyond our circle of light." + +"I should like to look down from this height at night," said the +Alphian. "It would be a great view." + +"What is this?" Johnston went to one side of the platform and laid +his hand on the spokes of a polished metal wheel shaped like the +pilot-wheel of a steamboat. Branasko hastened to him. + +"Don't touch it," he warned. "It looks as if it were to turn the +electric connection off and on. If the sun should go out, the +consequences would be awful. The people of Alpha would go mad +with fear." + +The American withdrew his hand, and he and Branasko walked back to +the centre of the platform. Johnston uttered an exclamation of +surprise. "The light is changing." + +And it was, for it was gradually fading into a purple that was +delightfully soothing to the eye after the painful brightness of a +moment before. + +"I understand," said the Alphian, "we are running very +slow and are only now about to approach the great wall, for +purple is the color of the first morning hour." + +"But how is the light changed?" asked Johnston curiously. + +"By some shifting of glasses through which the rays shine, I +presume," returned the Alphian; "but the mechanism seems to be +concealed in the walls of the globe." + +Not a word was spoken for an hour. They had lain down on the +platform near the iron railing which encompassed it, and Branasko +was dozing intermittently. Again the light began to change +gradually. This time it was gray. Johnston put out his hand to +touch Branasko, but the Alphian was awake. He sat up and nodded +smiling. "Wait till the next hour," he said; "it will be rose- +color; that is the most beautiful." + +Slowly the hours dragged by till the yellow light showed that it +was the sixth hour. Branasko had been exploring the vast interior +below and came back to Johnston who was asleep on the floor of +the platform. + +"I have just thought of something," said Branasko. "This is the +day appointed by the king to entertain his subjects with a grand +display of the elements." + +"I do not understand," said Johnston. + +"The king," explained the Alphian, "darkens the sun with clouds so +that all Alpha is blacker than night, and then he produces great +storms in the sky, and lightning and musical thunder. We may, +perhaps, hear the music, but we cannot witness the storm and +electric display on account of the light about us. It usually +begins at this hour; so be silent and listen." + +After a few minutes there was a rumble from below like the roar of +a volcano and an answering echo from the black dome overhead. This +died away and was succeeded by a crash of musical thunder that +thrilled Johnston's being to its very core. Branasko's face was +aglow with enthusiasm. + +"Grand, glorious!" he ejaculated, "but if only you could see the +lightning and the dawn in the east you would remember it all your +life. The sunlight is cut off from Alpha by the clouds, and there +is no light except the wonderful effects in the sky." + +Johnston had gone back to the wheel and was examining it +curiously. + +"I have a mind to turn off the current for a moment anyway," he +said doggedly; "if the sun is hidden they would not discover it." + +Branasko came to him, a weird look of interest in his eyes. +"That is true," he said; "besides, what matters it? We may not +live to see another day." + +Johnston acted on a sudden impulse. He intended only to frighten +Branasko by moving the wheel slightly, and he had turned it barely +an eighth of an inch, when, as if controlled by some powerful +spring, it whirled round at a great rate, making a loud rattling +noise. To their dismay the light went out. + +"My God! what have I done?" gasped the American in alarm. + +"Settled our fate, I have no doubt," muttered the Alphian from the +darkness. + +Johnston had recoiled from the whirling wheel, and now cautiously +groped back to it, and attempted to turn it. It would not move. + +"It has caught some way," he groaned under his breath. + +"And we have no light to find the cause of the trouble," added the +Alphian, who had knelt down and was feeling about the wheel. +Presently he rose. + +"I give it up," he sighed, "I cannot understand it. The machinery +is somewhere inside." + +"It has grown colder," shuddered Johnston. + +"We were warmed by the light, of course," remarked Branasko, "and +now we feel the dampness more. We are going at a frightful speed." + +Just then there was a jar, and the sun swung so violently from +side to side that the two men were prostrated on the floor. The +speed seemed to slacken. + +"I wonder if we are going to stop," groaned the American, and he +sat up and held to Branasko. "Perhaps they will draw us back to +rectify the mistake, and then----" + +"It cannot be done," interrupted the Alphian. "The machinery runs +only one way. We shall simply have to finish our journey in +darkness." + +"They may catch us on the other side before the sun starts back +through the tunnel," suggested the American. + +"Not unlikely," returned Branasko. "There, we are going ahead +again. One thing in our favor is that we can more easily escape +capture in darkness than if the sun were shining." + +"Does the sun stop before entering the tunnel?" + +"I do not know," replied Branasko; "perhaps somebody will be there +to see what is wrong with the light. We must have our wits about +us when we land." + +Johnston was looking over the edge of the platform. "If the +king's display is taking place down there I can see no sign of +it." + +"How stupid of us!" ejaculated Branasko. "Of course, clouds +sufficiently dense to hide the sun from Alpha would also prevent +us from seeing the display below. I ought to----" + +He was interrupted by a grand outburst of harmony. The whole +earth seemed to vibrate with sublime melody. "Our blunder has not +been discovered yet," finished Branasko, after a pause, "else +the fete down below would have been over. I am cold; shall we go +inside?" + +Johnston's answer was taken out of his mouth by a loud rattling +beneath the floor, near the wheel he had just turned; the sun +shook spasmodically for an instant, and its entire surface was +faintly illuminated, but the light failed signally. + +"It must have been an extra current of electricity sent to relight +the lamps," remarked Johnston; and, as he concluded, the sun +trembled again, and another flash and failure occurred. "Look," +cried the American, "the clouds are thinning; see the lights +below! They have discovered the accident!" + +They both leaned over the railing and looked below. As far as the +eye could reach, within the arc of their vision, they could see +fitful lights flashing up, here and there, and going out again. +And then they heard faint sounds of crashing masonry and the +condensed roar of human voices, which seemed to come from above +rather than from below. The Alphian turned. "I cannot stand the +cold," he said. + +Johnston followed him. The rapid motion of the swinging sphere +made him dizzy, and he caught Branasko's arm to keep from falling. + +"How can we tell when we go over the wall?" he asked anxiously. + +"We shall have to guess at it," was the answer. "At any rate we +must be near the lower door so as to get out quickly if it is +necessary to do so to escape detection." + +In the darkness they slowly made their way down the stairs to the +great room. + +"There ought to be some way of making a light," said the Alphian, +and his voice sounded loud and hollow in the empty chamber. After +several failures to find the stairs they descended to the door +they had entered. Branasko opened it a little, and a breeze came +in. They sat down on the stone, and after a while, in sheer +fatigue, they fell asleep. Hours passed. Branasko rose with a +start, and shook Johnston. + +"Our speed is lessening," he exclaimed. "We must be going down. Be +ready to jump out the instant we stop. There, let me open the door +wider." + + + +Chapter XIV. + +When Tradmos spoke the words of warning, Thorndyke put his arm +round the princess and drew her after Tradmos, who was hastening +away in the gloom. + +"Wait," she said, drawing back. "Let us not get excited. We are +really as safe here as there; for in their madness they will kill +one another and trample them under foot." She led him to a parapet +overlooking the great court below. "Hear them," she said, in pity, +"listen to their blows and cries. That was a woman's voice, and +some man must have struck her." + +"Tell me what is best to do," said the Englishman. "I want to +protect you, but I am helpless; I don't know which way to turn." + +"Wait," she said simply, and the Englishman thought she drew +closer to him, as if touched by his words. + +There was a crash of timbers--a massive door had fallen--a +scrambling of feet on the stone pavement, and they could see the +dark human mass surging into the court through the corridors +leading from the streets. + +"What are they doing?" asked Thorn dyke. + +She shrank from the parapet as if she had been struck. + +"Tearing the pillars down," she replied aghast; "this part of the +palace will fall. Oh, what can be done!" + +There was a grinding of stone upon stone, a mad yell from an +hundred throats, the crash of glass, and, with a thunderous sound, +a colossal pillar fell to the earth. The roof beneath the feet of +the princess and Thorndyke trembled and sagged, and the tiling +split and showered about them. + +Raising Bernardino in his arms, as if she were an infant, +Thorndyke sprang toward the stairway leading to his chambers, but +the roof had sunken till it was steep and slippery. One instant he +was toppling over backward, the next, by a mighty effort, he had +recovered his equilibrium, and finally managed to reach a safer +place. As he hurried on another pillar went down. The roof sagged +lower, and an avalanche of mortar and tiling slid into the court +below. Yells, groans, and cries of fury rent the air. + +Bernardino had fainted. Thorndyke tried to restore her to +consciousness, but dared not put her from him for an instant. On +he ran, and presently reached a flight of stairs which he thought +led to his chambers. He descended them, and was hastening along +a narrow corridor on the floor beneath when Bernardino opened her +eyes. She asked to be released from his arms. He put her down, +but supported her along the corridor. + +"We have lost our way," he said, as he discovered that the +corridor, instead of leading to his chambers, turned off obliquely +in another direction. + +"Let's go on anyway," she suggested; "it may lead us out. I have +never been here before. I--" A great crash drowned her words. +The floor quivered and swayed, but it did not fall. On they ran +through the darkness, till Thorndyke felt a heavy curtain before. +He paused abruptly, not knowing what to do. Bernardino felt of +its texture, perplexed for an instant. + +"Draw it aside, it seems to hang across the corridor," she said. +He obeyed her, and only a few yards further on they saw another +curtain with bars of light above and below it. They drew this +aside, and found themselves on the threshold of a most beautiful +apartment. + +In the mosaic floor were pictures cut in colored stones, and the +ceiling was a silken canopy as filmy and as delicately blue as the +sky on a summer's night. The floor was strewn with richly +embroidered pillows, couches, rugs and ottomans; and here and +there were palm trees and beds of flowers and grottoes. A solitary +light, representing the moon, showed through the silken canopy in +whose folds little lights sparkled like far-off stars. + +Thorndyke looked at the princess inquiringly. She was bewildered. + +"I have no idea where we are," she murmured. "I am sure I have +never been here before; but there is another apartment beyond. +Listen! I hear cries." + +"Some one in distress," he answered, and he drew her across the +room and through a door into another room more beautiful than the +one they had just left. Here, huddled together at a window +overlooking the court, were six or eight beautiful young +women. They were staring out into the darkness, and moaning and +muttering low cries of despair. + +"It is my father's ladies," ejaculated the princess aghast. "He +would be angry if he knew we had come here. No one but himself +enters these apartments." + +Just then one of the women turned a lovely and despairing face +toward them, and came forward and knelt at the feet of Bernardino. + +"Oh, save us, Princess," she cried. + +"Be calm," said the princess, touching the white brow of the +woman. "The danger may soon pass; this portion of the palace is +too strongly built for them to injure it." Then she turned to +Thorndyke: "We must hasten on and find our way down; it would +never do for us to be seen here." Then she turned to the kneeling +woman and said gently: "I hope you will say nothing to the king of +this; we lost our way in trying to get down from the roof." + +"I will not," gladly promised the woman, and seeing that +Bernardino knew not which way to turn, she guided them to a door +opening into a dimly-lighted corridor. "It will take you out to +the balconies and down to the audience-chamber," she said. +The princess thanked her, and she and the Englishman descended +several flights of stairs. Reaching one of the balconies they met +the denser darkness of the outside and the deafening clang and +clamor of the multitude. There was no light of any kind, and +Thorndyke and his charge had to press close against the balustrade +of the balcony to keep from being crushed by the mad torrent of +humanity. + +Now and then a strident voice would rise above the din:-- + +"Down with the palace! Death to the king!" + +The trumpet in the tower sounded again and again. + +"It is my father trying to attract their attention," explained the +princess. "Something very serious has happened for once. In +speaking of the time the sun went out before, he told me that he +had made an invention which, in such a crisis, would instantly +restore confidence to the people. I cannot understand why he does +not use it. Oh, I am afraid they will kill him!" + +Thorndyke tried to console her, for he saw that she was weeping, +but just then there was a strange lull in the general tumult. What +could have happened? + +"The dawn! the ideal dawn!" cried Bernardino, pointing to the +eastern sky. Thorndyke looked in wonder. A purple light had spread +along the horizon, and as it gradually softened into gray and +slowly turned to pink, the noise of the populace died down. No +sound could now be heard save the low groans of wounded men and +women. What a sight met the view as the rose-light shimmered over +the city! The dead and dying lay under the feet of the crowd. +Almost every creature bore some mark of violence. Eyes were blood- +shot, clothing torn, limbs were bleeding, and mingled fury and +sudden hope struggled in each ashen face. The young trees and +shrubbery had been trampled under foot, and walls, arcades and +triumphal arches had been thrown down. The fragments of statues +lay here and there, and the bodies of human beings filled the +basins of broken fountains. + +"It is not the sun," explained Bernardino; "but the invention my +father spoke of. He is doing it to calm them." + +Thorndyke made no answer. He stood as if transfixed, gazing at the +horizon. The rose-light had spread over a third of the sky when +gradually there appeared in its centre a bright circle of yellow +light. The yellow light faded, leaving a perfect picture of the +throne of the king; and as the now silent masses looked at the +picture, a curtain behind the throne parted and the king himself +appeared. He advanced and sat on the throne, and turned a calm +face towards his subjects. + +"Wonderful!"ejaculated Bernardino, and her face was full of hope. +"See what he will do!" + +"Where is the picture?" asked Thorndyke; "can it be seen by all +of--of the people?" + +"Yes, by all Alpha, for it is on the sky." + +Thorndyke said nothing further, for the king had stood up, and +with hands out-stretched was bowing. Above the circle of light, +as if cut out of the solid blackness, in flaming letters stood +the word, + +"SILENCE!" + +And there was silence. Even the lips of the wounded men closed +as the king began to speak. The sound of his voice seemed as far +away as the stars, and to permeate all space:-- + +"All danger is over. Tidings from the west state that the sun is +setting. No harm has come to it. It will rise in the morning, and +the moon and stars will be out in a few hours. Let the dead be +removed, the wounded cared for, and everything be repaired. This +is my will." + +That was all. The king bowed sedately and retired from the throne, +and the circle and pink glow faded from the black sky. The +stillness was unbroken for a moment, then glad murmurings were +heard in all directions. + +"They are lighting the palace," cried the princess. "See, down +there is the arcade leading to the rotunda." + +"I am glad it is over," said Thorndyke. + +She grasped his arm and impulsively looked into his face. +"But your friend, we have forgotten him, and done nothing +to save him, and now it is too late." + +"We could not help it; we had to think of our own safety." + +"I shall send for Captain Tradmos and try to devise some other +plan," she said, as they descended the stairs. + +"We should not be seen together," she added, as they approached +the throne-room; "besides, you ought to go to your chambers. No +one is allowed to be out when the dead is being removed." + +"Where is the dead taken?" + +"Over the wall, to be burned in the internal fires," she +concluded, as she was leaving him. + +He found everything in order in his rooms and he lay down and +tried to sleep, but he was too much excited over the happenings of +the day. Hours must have passed when his attention was drawn to a +bright light shining on the wall of his room. He went to a window +and looked out on the court. The light came from the rising moon. + +Below lay the ruins of fallen columns, capitals, cornices and +statues. Figures in black cloaks and cowls were removing the dead +from the debris. With a fluttering sound something swooped down +past his window to the ground. It looked like a great bird, +carrying the car of a flying-machine. Thorndyke watched its +circular descent to the earth, and shuddered with horror as the +black figures filled the car with bodies and the gruesome machine +spread its wings and rose slowly till it was clear of the domes +and pinnacles of the palace, and then flew away westward. + +Other machines came, and, one after another, received their +ghastly burdens and departed. In a short time all the dead was +removed, and hundreds of workmen came from the palace and began +repairing the fallen masonry. + +Thorndyke went back to his couch and tried to sleep, but in vain. +Slowly the hours of night passed, and as the purple of dawn rose +in the east he dressed himself and went up on the roof. The moon +had gone down and the stars were fading from the sky. The dark +earth below showed no signs of life; but as the purple light +softened into gray he saw that the streets of the city +were filled with silent expectant people, all watching the +eastern sky. And, as the gray light flushed into rose, and the +rose began to scintillate with gold, they began to stir, and a +hum of joyful voices was heard. The promised day had come. + + + +Chapter XV. + +The sun was, indeed, slowing up. The two men peered out at the +door. + +"It would be unlucky for us if it should not come so near +to the earth as it did on the other side," whispered Branasko. + +"I can hardly feel any motion to the thing at all," replied the +American. "Look! for some reason it is not so dark below. I +can see the rocks. Surely we have already passed over the wall." + +"That's so," returned the Alphian. "Come; we must be quick and +watch our opportunity to land. I can't imagine where the light +comes from unless it be from the people waiting for the arrival +of the sun." Every instant the speed was lessening. Overhead the +cables were beginning to creak and groan, and, now and then, the +great globe swung perilously near some tall stony peak, or passed +under a mighty stalactite. Slower and slower it got till, when +within a few feet of the ground, it stopped its onward motion and +only swung back and forth like a pendulum. + +"Quick," whispered Branasko, "we must get down while it is +swinging, no time to lose--not an instant!" And as the sun moved +backward, with his hand on the doorsill, he leaped to the earth. +Johnston followed him. They were not a moment too soon, for about +fifty yards away they saw a body of sixty or seventy men with +lights in their hands hastening toward them. + +"Just in time," exulted Branasko, and he quickly drew Johnston +into a little cave in the face of a cliff. Crouching behind a +great rock, they saw and heard the men as they approached. + +Some of them walked around the sun, and two, evidently in +authority, entered the door. The others were placing ladders +against the side of the sphere, when suddenly there was a loud +clattering in the interior, a whirling of wheels under the +platform above, and the surface of the sun burst into light. + +The two refugees were momentarily blinded. Branasko had the +presence of mind to quickly draw his companion down close to the +earth behind the rock. "They could see us in the light," he +whispered. + +There was a joyous clamoring of voices among the men, and they +withdrew several yards to look at the sun. This drew them nearer +the hiding-place of the two refugees. + +"Only an accident," said a voice; "it won't happen again." + +Then one of them went into the sun and the lights died out. In a +moment the sun began to move. Slowly and majestically it swept +over the rocky earth, followed by the crowd, till it reached a +great hole and sank into it. + +"Gone into the tunnel," said the Alphian, as the crowd disappeared +behind the cliff. + +"What are we to do now?" asked Johnston. "We certainly can't go +through with the sun." + +"Wait till the next trip," grimly replied Branasko. + +The rumbling noise from the big hole gradually died away, and the +two men left their hiding-place. + +"What is that?" asked Johnston. He pointed to the west, where a +red light shone against the towering cliffs. + +"It must be the internal fires," answered Branasko, with a +noticeable shudder. "Let's go nearer; I have heard that there is a +point near here where one can look down into the Lake of Flame." + +"The Lake of Flame!" echoed the American, "What is that?" +"It is where all of the dead of Alpha is cast by the black +'vultures of death.'" + +Johnston said nothing, for it was difficult to keep up with the +Alphian, who was bounding over rocks and dangerous fissures toward +the red glow in the distance. + +At every step the atmosphere got warmer, and they detected a +slight gaseous odor in the air. Finally, after an arduous tramp of +an hour, they climbed up a steep hill and looked sharply down into +a vast bubbling lake of molten matter more than a thousand yards +below. Branasko noticed a stone weighing several tons evenly +balanced on the verge of the great gulf, and pushed it with both +his hands. It rocked, broke loose from its slender hold on the +cliff and bounded out into the red space. Down it went, lessen- +ing as it sank till it became a mere black speck and then +disappeared. + +"That's where the dead go," said Branasko gloomily. + +Just then the American, happening to glance up, saw something like +a huge black bird with outspread wings circling about in the red +light over the pit. Branasko saw it, too, and his face paled and a +tremolo was in his voice when he spoke. + +"It is one of the 'vultures of death;' don't stir; we won't be +seen if we remain where we are!" The strange machine sank lower +over the lake of fire, till, as if buoyed up on the hot air, with +faintly quivering wings, it paused. A man opened a door of the +black car and carelessly threw out the bodies of a woman and a +child. + +The bodies whirled over and over and disappeared in the pit, and +the man closed the door. The machine then rose and gracefully +winged its flight to the east. In a moment others came with their +grim burdens, and still others, till the mouth of the pit was +dark with them. + +"Something has happened," whispered Branasko, "some great +calamity, for surely so many people do not die in Alpha in a +single day." + +For an hour they watched the coming and going of the vultures, +till, finally the last one hovered over the lake of fire. Suddenly +the machine swerved so near to Branasko and Johnston that they +shrank close to the earth to keep from being seen. Something was +evidently wrong with the machine, for there was a wild look of +desperation on the driver's face as he tugged excitedly at the +pilot-wheel. But all his efforts only caused the air-ship to dart +irregularly from side to side, and, now and then, to strike the +rocks of the pit's mouth, to shoot up suddenly, or to sink +dangerously down toward the fire. + +"He is losing control of it," whispered Branasko,"he does not know +what to do. See, he is trying to lighten the load, by kicking out +the body." + +That was true, and, as the machine made a sudden plunge toward the +cliff a few yards to the left of the refugees, the dead body, +which the driver had managed to move to the door with his feet, +fell out and lodged upon the edge of the cliff instead of falling +into the fiery depths. The machine bounded up a few yards and +paused, now apparently under the control of its driver. The man +looked down hesitatingly at the corpse for a moment and then +lowered the machine to the sloping rock near where the body lay. +He alighted and cautiously crept down the steep incline to the +body. He raised it in his arms and was about to cast it from him +when his foot slipped, and with a cry of horror he fell with his +burden over the cliff's edge into the red abyss. + +Johnston uttered an exclamation of horror, but Branasko was +unmoved. After a moment he rose, and carefully scanning the space +overhead, he crawled on hands and knees toward the machine. +Johnston heard him chuckling to himself and uttering spasmodic +laughs, and he watched him closely as he reached the machine. For +several minutes he seemed to be inspecting it critically, both +inside and out; then he stood away from it, a bold, black +silhouette on a background of flame, and motioned the American to +come to him. + +Johnston promptly, but not without many misgivings, obeyed his +signal. "What are you up to?" asked he, as the Alphian assisted +him to rise from his hands and knees. + +Branasko touched the machine and smiled. His face was shining with +enthusiasm. + +"The question of our returning to Alpha is settled," he said +sententiously. + +"How?" + +"We can go in this." + +"Can you manage it?" + +"Easily; that fellow must have been drunk; the machine is in good +order, I think." + +"When do you propose to start?" and the American eyed the funeral- +car dubiously. + +"The night is before us; we could not get a better time." As he +spoke he entered the car and laid his hand on the wheel. Johnston, +obeying his nod, followed, shuddering as he remarked the traces of +blood on the floor. + +"All right!" Branasko turned the wheel slowly, and the wings +outside began to flap, and the car mounted into the air like a +startled bird and flew out quickly over the pit. + +Branasko bit his lip, and Johnston heard him stifle an exclamation +of impatience. As for the American, he was at once thrilled and +fascinated by the awful sight below; he could now see beneath the +overhanging mouth of the pit, and look far down into a boundless +lake of molten matter that seemed as restless as an ocean in a +storm. + +Then the air became so hot he could hardly breathe. He looked at +the Alphian in alarm. The latter was whirling the wheel first one +way and then another with a startled look of fear in his eyes, and +then Johnston noticed that the walls of the pit were rising about +them, and the black canopy overhead rapidly receding. + +They were sinking down into the fire. + +Almost wild with terror, the American sprang toward the wheel, but +Branasko pushed him away roughly. + +"Stand back," he ordered gruffly. "It is the heat; let me alone!" + +The American sank into his seat. The heat became more and more +intense. Both men were purple in the face, and the perspiration +was rolling from their bodies in streams. Down sank the machine. + +"I can't manage it," said Branasko hoarsely, "we'd as well give +up." +Just then Johnston noticed the mouth of a cave behind Branasko. + +"Look," he cried, "can't we get into it?" + +Branasko looked over his shoulder, and, as he saw the cave, he +uttered a glad cry. He quickly turned the wheel and drew out a +lever at his right. The machine obeyed instantly; it swerved round +suddenly and dived into the cave. The cool air soon revived them, +and Branasko had little trouble in bringing the car to a resting- +place on the rocky floor of the cave. Before them hung +impenetrable darkness, behind a curtain of red light. + +"We are in a pretty pickle now," said Johnston despondently, as +they alighted from the car. + +"Nothing to do but to make the best of it," sighed Branasko. + +"Perhaps this cave may lead out into some place of safety." + +Johnston's eyes had become somewhat accustomed to the gloom, and +he began to peer into the darkness. + +"I see a light," he exclaimed; "it cannot be a reflection from +the fire in the pit, for it is whiter." + +The Alphian gazed at it steadily for a moment, then he said +decidedly: "We must go and see what it is." Without another word +he started toward the white, star-like spot, sliding his hand over +the rocky wall, and springing over a fissure in the floor. + +Gradually the light grew brighter, till, as they suddenly rounded +a cliff, a grand sight burst upon their view. They found +themselves in a vast dome-shaped cavern, thousands of yards in +diameter and height. And almost in the centre of the floor, from a +red and purple mound of cooling lava, leapt a white stream of +molten matter from the floor to the dome. And in the black dome, +where the lava turned to molten spray, hung countless stalactites +of every color known to the artistic eye. And from the foot of the +fountain ran a tortuous rivulet that lighted the walls and roof +of a narrow chamber that extended for miles down toward the bowels +of the earth. + +Branasko was delighted. + +"The king does not know of this," he declared, "else he would make +it accessible to his people, and call it one of the wonders of +Alpha. By accidentally sinking into the pit we have discovered it. +But," he concluded, "we must at once try to find some way out +other than that by which we came." + +They turned from the beautiful fountain, and, holding to each +other's hands, and aided by the light behind them, they stumbled +laboriously through the semi-darkness. Branasko's ears were very +acute. He paused to listen. + +"Hark ye!" he cautioned. + +The combined roar of the pit and the fountain of lava had sunk to +a low murmur, but ahead of them they now heard a rushing sound +like a distant tornado. + +"Come on," said the Alphian, and he drew his companion after him +with an eagerness the American was slow to understand. The light +in the cavern gradually grew brighter. By a circuitous route they +were again approaching the pit of fire, though it was still hidden +from sight. + +Finally they reached a point where the wind was blowing stiffly, +and further on a volume of cold spray suddenly dashed upon them +and wet them to the skin. And when their eyes had become +accustomed to the rolling mist, they saw a great lake, and pouring +into it from high above was a mighty waterfall. + +"Mercy!" ejaculated the Alphian, in great alarm. "If this is salt +water we are lost. All Alpha will come to an end!" + +"What do you mean?" And Johnston wondered if Branasko's trials and +struggle could have turned his brain. + +"If it be salt water, then it has broken in from the ocean above +Alpha," he explained. "The king has often said that not a drop +of the ocean has ever entered the great cavern." + +Branasko stooped and wet his hand in a little pool at his feet. "I +am almost afraid to taste it," said he, holding his hand near +his mouth. "It would settle all our fates." He waited a moment +and then touched his fingers to his tongue. + +"Salt!" That was all he said for several moments. He folded his +arms and looked mutely toward the boiling lake. Presently he +raised his eyes to the great hole in the roof, and groaned: "The +break is gradually widening. These stones are freshly broken, and +the great bowl is filling." + +"It will fill all Alpha with water and drown every soul in it," +added the terrified American. + +"That, however, is not the most immediate danger," said Branasko +wisely. "They would first suffocate, and later their bodies would +be swallowed up in the stomach of the earth." + +"What do you mean?" + +Branasko shrugged his shoulders. "As soon as this bowl is filled +with water, which would not take many hours, it would run over +into the lake of fire and produce an explosion that would rend +Alpha from end to end." + +"Who knows, it might turn the whole Atlantic into the centre of +the earth, and destroy the entire earth." +But Branasko was unable to grasp the full magnitude of the remark, +for to him the world was simply a vast cavern lighted by human +ingenuity. He fastened a narrow splinter of stone upright in the +shallow water at his eet, and, lying down on his stomach with his +eyes close to it, he studied it for several minutes. When he got +up, a desperate gleam was in his dark eyes. + +"It is rising fast," he said. "We must attempt to get to the +capitol and warn the king. It is possible that he may be able +to stop the opening. The only thing left to us is to try our +machine again." + +Johnston found it hard to keep pace with him as he bounded out of +the mist and on toward the faint glow ahead. Reaching the flying +machine Branasko entered it and turned on a small electric light. + +"Ah," he grunted with satisfaction, "I have found a light. I can +now see what is the matter with it." + +Johnston stood outside and heard him hammering on the metal parts +in the car, and became so absorbed in thinking of the peril of +their position that he was startled when Branasko cried out to +him:--"All right. I think we can make it do; a pin has lost out, +but perhaps I can hold the piece in place with my foot. If only we +can stand the heat of the pit long enough to rise above it, we may +escape." + +Johnston followed him into the car. Branasko seated himself firmly +and gave the wheel a little turn. Slowly the machine rose. "See!" +cried Branasko, "it is under control. "We must not be too hasty. +Now for the pit!" + +The heart of the American was in his mouth as the long black +wings waved up and down and the air-ship, like some live thing, +shuddered and swept gracefully out of the mouth of the cave into +the glare and heat of the pit. + +"Hold your breath!" yelled Branasko, and he bent lower into the +car to escape the shower of hot ashes that was falling about them. +Far out over the lake in a straight line they glided, and there +came to a sudden halt. Johnston's eyes were glued on his +companion's face. Branasko sat doubled up, every muscle drawn, his +eyes bulging from their sockets. Would he be strong enough? To +Johnston everything seemed in a whirl. The walls of the pit were +rising around them. + + + +Chapter XVI. + +Thorndyke went down into his chambers to make his toilet and was +ready to leave when there was a soft rap on his door. He opened +it, and to his surprise saw Bernardino modestly draw herself back +into the shadow of the hall. + +"Pardon me, but I must speak to you," she stammered in confusion. + +"What is it?" he asked, going out to her. + +"I want to advise you to avoid my father to-day. He is greatly +disappointed with the accident of yesterday, and he is never +courteous to strangers when he is displeased. He was particularly +anxious to have you entertained by the fete." + +"Thank you; I shall keep out of his way," promised the Englishman. +"Where had I better stay--here in my rooms?" + +"No, he might send for you. If you would care to see Winter Park, +I can go with you as your guide." + +"I should be delighted; nothing could please me more." + +"But," (as a servant passed in the room with a tray) "that is your +breakfast. Meet me at the fountain at the north entrance of the +palace in half an hour." And, drawing her veil over her face, she +vanished in the darkness of the corridor. + +After he had breakfasted and sent the man away, he hastened below +to the place designated by the princess. She was waiting for him +under the palm trees, and was so disguised that he would not have +known her but for her low amused laugh as he was about to pass +her. + +"It would not do for any one to suspect me," she explained; "my +father would never forgive me for doing this." She pointed to a +flying-machine near by. "We must take the air; I have made all the +arrangements. Winter Park is beyond the limits of the city." + +He followed her across the grass to the machine and into the car. +They could see the driver behind the glass of the narrow +compartment in which he sat, and when he turned the polished metal +wheel the machine rose like a liberated balloon. + +Thorndyke looked out of the window. The blue haze of the fifth +hour of the morning was breaking over everything, and as the +domes, pinnacles, and vari-colored roofs fell away in the +beautiful light, the breast of the Englishman heaved with +delightful emotions. Bernardino was watching his face with a +gratified smile. + +"You like Alpha," she said, half anxiously, half inquiringly. + +"Very much," he replied; "but I want to show you the great world I +came from;--and some day perhaps I can." + +The blood ran into her cheeks suddenly, and then as quickly +receded, leaving a wistful expression in her eyes. She sighed. "It +has been my dream for a long time. I have always imagined that it +is more wonderful than Alpha; but you know there is no chance for +you to return now." + +"I shall manage to escape some way and you shall go with me as my +wife." + +Her blushes came again. "I did not know that you cared that much +for me," she said. Then, as if to change the subject, she +pointed through the window. "See, we are approaching the Park, +and shall descend in a moment." + +He looked out of the window and then drew his head in quickly. + +"We are coming down into a big lake!" he cried out. +"Oh, no, it is only the glass roof of the park," she laughed; +"true, it does look like water in the sunlight." + +The machine sank lower and finally rested on a plot of grass in a +little square ornamented with beds of flowers and white statues. +Thorndyke saw a seemingly endless wall, so high that he could not +calculate its height. Bernardino preceded him in at a great +arching door in the wall, and they found themselves in a stone- +paved vestibule several hundred feet square. + +A maid servant came forward at once and brought heavy fur clothing +for them and invited them into separate toilet rooms. When he came +out Bernardino was waiting for him. He could hardly breathe, so +thick were the furs he had put on. + +"It is warm here, but it will be colder in a moment," said the +princess. And she led him to a door across the room. When the door +was opened, Thorndyke uttered an exclamation of astonishment. +Before their eyes lay a wide expanse of snow-covered roads, +woodlands and frozen lakes and streams. The air was as crisp and +invigorating as a Canadian winter. + +Bernardino led him to a pavilion where a number of pleasure- +seekers were gathered and selected a sleigh and two mettlesome +horses. She took the reins from the man, and sprang lightly into +the graceful cutter. Thorndyke followed her and wrapped the thick +robes about her feet. Away they sped like the wind down the smooth +road, through a leafless forest. Overhead the glass roof could not +be seen, but a lowering gray cloud hung over them and a light snow +was falling. + +"Winter Park is a great resort," the princess explained; "we get +tired of the unchanging climate, and it is pleasant to visit such +a place as this. There is a winter park in every town of any size +in Alpha." + +They drove along the shore of a beautiful lake, on the +frozen surface of which hundreds of skaters were darting here +and there, and passed hillsides on which crowds of young people +were coasting in sleds. When they had driven about ten miles in a +circuitous route she turned the horses round. + +"We had better return," she said; "you have not seen all of the +Park, but we can visit it some other time." + +Outside they found their flying-machine awaiting them, and were +soon on the way back to the city. They parted at the fountain in +the park, she hastening to the palace, and he turning to stroll +through the little wood behind him. + +He was passing a thick bunch of trees when he was startled by +hearing his name called. He turned round, but at first saw no one. + +"Thorndyke!" There it was again, and then he saw a hand beckoning +to him from a hedge of ferns at his right. He stepped back a few +paces; a man came out of the wood. + +It was Johnston, his face was white and haggard, his clothing rent +and soiled. + +"My God, can it be you?" gasped the Englishman. + +"Nobody else," groaned Johnston, cautiously advancing and laying a +trembling hand on the arm of Thorndyke; "but don't talk loud, they +will find me." + +"Where did you come from?" + +Johnston pointed first to the east, and then swept his hand over +the sky to the west. + +"Over the wall," he said despondently. "From the dead lands behind +the sun." + +"How did you get back here?" + +For reply Johnston parted the fern leaves and pointed to the lank +figure of the tall Alphian, who lay curled up on the grass as if +asleep. "He brought me in that flying- machine there; but he has +spent all his strength in trying to manage the thing, which was +out of order, and now he is helpless. Twice we came within an inch +of sinking down into the internal fires. The last time we escaped +only by the breadth of a hair; if he had not had the endurance of +a man of iron he would have succumbed to the heat and we would +have been lost. We sank so far down that I became insensible and +never knew a thing till the fresh air revived me. See, my beard +and hair are singed, and look how he is blistered. Poor fellow! He +is a hero." Johnston stepped back and shook the Alphian, but the +poor fellow's head only rolled to one side, showing his bloodshot +eyes. He was in- sensible. + +"He is in a bad fix," said Thorndyke; "where did he come from?" + +"Banished like myself; we met over there in the dark and roamed +about together." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"I don't know; I was following his lead. We will both be put to +death if we are discovered." + +"Did he not tell you his plan?" + +Johnston started visibly. "Oh, I forgot," he exclaimed. "He +declares that all this vast cavern is in danger. Over in the west +we discovered a hole in the roof through which the ocean is +streaming in a torrent. He calculated that before many hours the +water would overflow into the internal fires and produce a +volcanic eruption that will swallow up all of Alpha." + +"Merciful Heaven! and you are hiding here at such a moment? The +king must be informed at once." + +Johnston had grown suddenly paler. "It may not be as bad as +Branasko feared, and the king would have no mercy on me and him." + +"Leave that to me," said Thorndyke; "I have made a good friend of +the Princess Bernardino. She will tell me what is best to do. +Remain here." + +In breathless haste, Thorndyke went into the audience chamber. +Fortunately the king was not on his throne, and he caught sight of +the confidential maid of the princess. + +She saw him approaching, and withdrew behind a cluster of tall +white jars of porcelain containing rare plants. + +"I must see your mistress," he said; "tell her to come to me at +once; we are in great peril!" + +The girl swept her eyes over the balconies and the throne and +said: "She is in her apartments, sir; I shall bring her." + +"Tell her to meet me at the fountain where we last met," and he +hastened back to the spot mentioned. + +She soon came. "What is it?" she asked excitedly. + +"Johnston is back," he replied. "He is in the wood there with a +fellow who escaped with him in a disabled flying-machine. He +says the sea has broken through over in the west and is streaming +into Alpha in a torrent." + +"Surely there is some mistake," she said; "such a thing has never +happened." + +"It may have been caused by the explosives during the storm," went +on Thorndyke. "Branasko, the Alphian who was with Johnston, says +we are in imminent peril." + +"There must be some mistake," she repeated incredulously, as she +looked to westward. The green glow of the second hour of the +afternoon lay over everything. She stood mute and motionless for a +long time, + +looking steadily at the horizon; then she started suddenly, +changed her position, and shaded her eyes from the sunlight. + +"It really does seem to me that there is a cloud rising, and it +is unlike any cloud I ever saw." + +"I see it too!" cried the Englishman; "it must be that the water +has already reached the internal fires." + +Bernardino was very pale when she turned to him. + +"My father must know this at once; come with me." + +Into the palace, through the vast rotunda, past the throne, and +into the very apartment of the king himself she led him hastily. A +royal attendant met them and held up his hands warningly. "The +king is asleep," he said in an undertone. + +"Wake him -- wake him at once!" commanded the excited girl. + +"I cannot, it would offend him," was the reply. + +She did not pause an instant, but darting past the man and running +to the king's couch, she drew the curtain aside and touched the +sleeper. He waked in anger, but her first word disarmed him. + +"Alpha is in danger." + +"What!" he growled, half awake. +"The sea is breaking through in the west, and running into the +internal fires." + +"How do you know that?" + +"A dense cloud is rising in the west, and:----" + +"Impossible!" the word came from far down in his throat, and he +was ghastly pale. He ran to the table and touched a button and, to +the astonishment of Thorndyke, the walls on the western side of +the room silently parted, showing a little balcony overlooking the +street below. The king went hastily out and looked toward the +west. The others followed him. +The princess stifled a cry of alarm when she glanced at the sky. + +Great black, rolling clouds were rapidly spreading along the +horizon. + +The king looked at them as helplessly as a frightened child. "The +air!" he groaned. "It is hot!" and then he held out his hand to +the princess, and showed her a flake of soot on it, and he dumbly +pointed to others that were falling about them. + +"How did you discover it?" he asked, and Thorndyke saw that he was +trying to appear calm. + +"Mr.--this gentleman's friend has returned from banishment, +and----" + +"Returned! has the wall been destroyed?" + +"No; he accidentally discovered the danger, and came in a flying- +machine to warn you." + +"Where is he? bring him to me, quick!" + +"But you will not ----" + +He waved his hand impatiently. "Go; if Alpha is saved he shall be +at liberty--if it is not, what does it matter?" + +Thorndyke hastened away after Johnston, who, when he was told of +the king's words, readily accompanied his friend to the presence +of the ruler. They found him with his daughter still on the +balcony. + +"How did you discover this?" asked the king, turning to the +American. + +As quickly as possible, Johnston related his adventures, and +particularly the story of the shooting fountain and the fall of +salt water. The king did not wait for him to conclude. He ran back +into his chamber, touched another button, and the next instant +alarm-bells were ringing all over the city. + +"A signal to the protectors," explained the princess to Thorndyke; +"by this time they are ringing all over Alpha. Oh, what will +become of us?" as she spoke she leaned over the balustrade and +looked down into the street. Vast crowds had gathered and were +motionless, except at points where the purple-clad "protectors" +rushed from public buildings to assemble in squads on the street +corner. + + + +Chapter XVII. + +Bernardino turned to look after her father as he was leaving +the room. + +"He is going to the observatory," she said to Thorndyke and +Johnston. "Let us go also." And they followed the king into the +room with the glass roof and walls covered with mirrors which he +had shown the strangers several days before. A white-headed old +man stood at the stand, his fingers trembling over the half circle +of electric buttons. In a mirror before him he was studying the +reflection of a town of perhaps a hundred houses. The streets were +filled with excited citizens, and a squad of protectors stood +ready for action near a row of flying-machines. + +"Ornethelo," said the king, and at the sound of his voice the old +man turned and bowed humbly. + +"All right," went on the king, "I will take your place a moment." + +He went to the stand and touched a button. Instantly the scene +changed; fields, forests, streams and hills ran by in a murky +blur, and then a larger town flashed on the mirror. Here the same +stir and alertness characterized the scene. The gaze of every +inhabitant was fixed on the threatening horizon. Rapidly the +scenes shifted at the king's will, till a hundred cities, towns +and villages had been reviewed. + +"Enough! They are all ready--all faithful," groaned the king, +"and, Ornethelo, they may all have to perish to-day, and all for +our ambition. Poor mortals!" + +Ornethelo's face was half submerged in the beard on his breast, +but he looked up suddenly and spoke: + +"For their sakes, then, we ought not to delay; there may yet be +hope." + +"You are right, Ornethelo." There was a ring of hope in the voice +of the king. "Quick! show me my capitol, that I may see if all the +protectors are ready." + +Ornethelo touched another button, and, as if seen from a great +height, the fair and wondrous city dawned before the eyes of the +spectators. In every street policemen and protectors and flying- +machines stood in orderly readiness. The housetops were colored +with the variegated costumes of men, women and children. Over all +lay the wondrous sunlight, through the green splendor of which the +flakes of soot were falling like black snow. + +The king touched the old man's arm. "I must see beyond the walls; +are the connections made?" + +"Ready, sir." + +"Try them; they must not fail me now!" + +The old man tremblingly unlocked a cabinet on the table, and +another row of electric buttons was displayed. Ornethelo touched +one. Immediately there was a sharp clicking sound under the stand, +and the view was swept from the mirror. Nothing could be seen but +a dark suggestion of towering cliffs and yawning caverns. + +"Not the east, Ornethelo," cried the king impatiently. "Go on! the +west! the west!" + +The black landscape flashed by like a glimpse of night from a +flying train, and then a blur of redly illuminated smoke in +rolling billows seemed to swell out from the surface of the mirror +into the room. + +"There, slow!" cried the king, and then a frightful scene burst +upon their sight. They beheld a great belching pit of fire and +flames. The sky from the earth to the zenith was a vast expanse of +illuminated smoke, and the black landscape round about was cut by +rivulets of molten lava rolling on and on like restless streams of +quicksilver. + +The king leaned against the stand as if faint with despair. "Call +Prince Arthur!" he ordered, and almost at that instant the young +man appeared. + +"Father!" + +The king pointed a quivering finger at the mirror, and said +huskily: + +"Let not the sun go down! Let its light be white as at noon." + +"But, father, it has never been done before; it----" + +"Alpha has never faced such danger. All our dream is about to end. +Go!" + +Without a word the young man hastened away, and it seemed scarcely +a moment before the sunlight streaming in at the oval glass roof +changed from green to white. + +The king pushed Ornethelo impatiently aside; his eyes held a dull +gleam of despair, and he seemed to have grown ten years older. He +touched a button, and the awful scene at the pit gave place to a +bright view of the capitol, which was plainly seen from its +crowded centre to its scattering suburbs. The squads of +"protectors" stood like armies ready for battle, their rigid faces +still toward the awful west. + +"They are ready--the signal!" yelled the king, waving his hand, +"the signal!" Ornethelo caught his breath suddenly and tottered as +he went across the room, and touched a button on the wall. The +king's eyes were glued on the mirrored view of the capitol, his +trembling hands held out, as if commanding silence. Then a +deafening trumpet blast broke on the ear. The masses of citizens +pressed near the edges of the roofs and close against the walls +along the streets, as the protectors rushed into the flying- +machines. Another trumpet-blast, and away they flew, a long black +line, every instant growing smaller as it receded in the murky +distance. The princess, white and silent, led Thorndyke and +Johnston back to the balcony. The line of machines was now a +mere thread in the sky, but the ominous cloud in the west had +increased, and fine sand and ashes were added to the fall of +soot. + +"What was that?" gasped the princess. It was a low rumble +like distant thunder, and the balcony shook violently. + +"An earthquake," said Thorndyke. "I am really afraid there is not +a ghost of a chance for us; the water running into the fire is +sure to cause an eruption of some sort, and even a slight one +would be likely to enlarge the opening to the ocean." + +Johnston nodded knowingly as he looked into his friend's face, +but, considering the presence of the princess, he said nothing. + +"My brother, Prince Marentel, is the greatest man in our kingdom," +she re marked. "He has taken enough explosives to remove a +mountain." + +"How will he use them?" asked Thorndyke. + +"I don't know, but I fancy he will try to close the opening in +some way." + +The latter slowly shook his head. "I fear he will fail. The fall +must be as voluminous as Niagara by this time." + +"My father must have lost hope, or he would not have stopped the +sun," sighed the princess, and she cast a sad glance towards the +west. The rolling clouds had become more dense, and the rumbling +and booming in the distance was growing more frequent. A thin gray +cloud passed before the sun, and a dim shadow fell over the city. + +"That is a natural cloud," said Thorndyke; "it comes from the +steam that rises from the pit." + +"It is exactly like our rain clouds," returned the princess; "but +it comes from the steam, as you say. But let us go into the +Electric Auditorium and hear the news. As soon as anything is done +we will hear of it there." The others had no time to question her, +for she was hastening into the corridor outside. She piloted them +down a flight of stairs into a large circular room beneath the +surface of the ground. It was filled with seats like a modern +theatre, and in the place where the stage would have been, stood a +mighty mirror over an hundred feet square. She led them to a +private box in front of the mirror. The room was filled from the +first row of chairs to the rear with a silent, anxious crowd. In +the massive frame of the mirror were numerous bell-shaped trumpets +like those on the ordinary phonograph, though much larger. + +"Watch the mirror," whispered Bernardino as she sat down. + +And at that instant the surface of the great glass began to glow +like the sky at dawn, and all the lights in the room went out. +Then from the trumpets in the frame came the loud ringing of +musical bells. + +"They are ready," whispered Bernardino; "now watch and listen." + +The pink light on the mirror faded, and a life-like reflection +appeared--the reflection of a young man standing on a rock in bold +relief against a dark background of rugged, slabbering cliffs and +the forbidding mouths of caves. + +"Waldmeer!" ejaculated the princess, and she relapsed into +silence. + +The young man held in his hand a cup-shaped instrument from which +extended a wire to the ground. He raised it to his lips, and +instantly a calm, deliberate voice came from the mirror, soft and +low and yet loud, enough to reach the most remote parts of the +great room. + +"The ocean," began he, "is pouring into the 'Volcano of the Dead' +in a gradually increasing torrent. Prince Marentel hopes +temporarily to delay the crisis by partially turning the torrent +away from the pit into the lowlands of the country. For that +purpose a portion of the endless wall is being torn down, and +Marentel's forces are placing their explosives. After this is done +an attempt will be made to stop the original break. There is, +however, little hope. The prince has warned the king to be +prepared for the worst." + +At this point, the speaker turned as if startled toward the red +glare at his right. He quickly picked up another instrument +attached to a wire and put it to his ear. A look of horror changed +his face as he turned to the audience and began to speak:--"The +opening in the wall is not progressing rapidly. Workmen are +drowning and the tunnel of the sun is filling with water. It will +be impossible for the sun to go through to the east." + +Just then there was a far-away crash, and instantly the mirror was +void. There was now no sound except the low groans of women in the +audience and the subdued curses of maddened men. The silence was +profound. Then the mirror began to glow, and the image of another +man took Waldmeer's place. + +"It is the Mayor of Telmantio," whispered the princess, "a place +near the western limits of Alpha." + +He held a like instrument to the one used by Waldmeer, and through +it spoke:--"Venus, one of the great stars, has been shaken from +the firmament. It fell in the suburbs of Telmantio, and many lives +were lost." + +That was all, and the figure vanished. Presently Waldmeer +reappeared. He seemed to be standing nearer the pit, for the +entire background was aflame; volumes of black smoke now and then +hid him from view, and a thick shower of ashes and small stones +were falling round him. He spoke, but his voice was drowned in a +deafening explosion, and the whole landscape about him seemed +afire. In the semi-darkness hundreds of protectors could be seen +struggling in the rushing water, moving stones and building a dam. +Waldmeer again faced his far-off audience and spoke:--"Prince +Marentel has turned the course of the stream. All now depends on +the success or failure of his final test with explosives, which +will take place in about half an hour." + +"We ought to go outside again," suggested Bernardino, as +Waldmeer's image disappeared; "my father might want us." + +Seeing no one in the king's apartment, they passed through it to +the balcony. Half the sky was now covered with mingled fog and +smoke, and the sun could be seen only now and then. A drizzling +rain was falling--a rain that brought down clots of ashes and +soot. But this made no difference to the throngs in the now muddy +and slippery streets. They stood shivering in damp and soiled +clothing, their blearing eyes fixed hopelessly on the lowering +signs in the west. Johnston noticed a bent figure crouched against +a wall beneath them. It was Branasko. + +"Who is it?" inquired the princess. + +"Branasko, the companion of my adventures," he replied. + +"Call him to us," she said eagerly, and the American went down to +the Alphian. + +As they entered together, Branasko uncovered his dishevelled head +and bowed most humbly. + +"You look tired and sick and hungry; have you eaten anything +today?" she asked. + +"Not in two days," he replied. + +The princess called to a frightened maid who was wringing her +hands in a corridor. + +"Give this man food and drink at once," she ordered, and Branasko, +with a grateful bow and glance, withdrew. Johnston followed him to +the door. + +"Fear nothing," he said. "If the danger passes we are safe; the +king has promised to pardon me, and he will do the same for you." + +"There is no hope for any of us," replied Branasko grimly; "but I +do not want to die with this gnawing in my stomach; adieu." + +"If the worst comes, is there any chance for us to escape from +here to the outer world?" the Englishman was asking the princess +when Johnston turned back to them. + +"For a few hundred, yes,--by the sub-water ships, but for all, no; +and, then, my father would not consent to rescue a part and not +the whole of his subjects. He would not try to save himself or any +of his family." + +The clouds still covered the sun; but on the eastern sky its rays +were shining gloriously. Ever and anon there sounded from afar a +low rumbling as if the earth were swelling with heat. + +Johnston left the two lovers together and went to the door of the +Electric Auditorium, and over the heads of the breathless crowd he +watched the great mirror. After a few moments Waldmeer appeared +and spoke: + +"Prince Marentel is operating with great difficulty. A large +quantity of his explosives has been injured by water, but he hopes +there is enough left intact to serve his purpose. The final +explosion will soon take place. The greatest peril hangs over +Alpha." + +Waldmeer's reflection was becoming in-distinct, and sick at heart +the American elbowed his way through the muttering crowd into the +corridor. Here he met Branasko, and together they walked back to +Thorndyke and the princess, who were mutely watching the signs in +the east. Just then the sun slowly emerged from the cloud. + +"Look!" cried Bernardino in horror. "The cloud is not moving; the +sun has not stopped! It is going down and we shall soon be in +utter darkness. Oh, it is awful--to die in this way!" + +The king had just returned, and he over-heard her words. He came +hastily to the edge of the balcony, and gazed at the sun. The +others held their breath and waited. His face became more rigid; +he swayed a little as he turned to her. + +"You are right, my daughter," he groaned; "it is going down; the +cowardly dogs in the east have deserted their posts. It is going +down! It will sink into a tunnel filled with water, and the light +of Alpha will be extinguished forever. We are undone! Say your +prayers, my child, your prayers, I tell you, for an Infinite God +is angry at our pretensions!" + +"Don't despair, father," and Bernardino put her arms gently round +the old man's neck. "You understand the solar machinery; could you +not stop the sun?" + +The eyes of the old man flashed. He seemed electrified as he drew +himself from her embrace and looked anxiously over the balustrade +to a flying-machine in the street below. + +"I might reach the east in time," he cried; "yes, you are right, I +was acting cowardly. The fastest air-ship in Alpha is ready, and +Nanleon can drive it to its utmost speed. If the worst comes, I +shall see you no more, good-bye!" He kissed her brow tenderly, and +her eyes filled as he hastened away. Down below they saw him +spring lightly into the gold-mounted car, and the next instant the +graceful vessel rose above the palace roof and sped like an arrow +across the sky toward the east. + +A faint cheer broke from the lips of the crowd which seemed +suddenly to take new hope from the king's departure. Some of them +waved their hats and scarfs, and many watched the air-ship till it +had disappeared in the murky distance. + +"He may not get there in time!" cried the princess; "it seems to +be going down faster than it ever did before, and he has a great +distance to go." + +The little party on the balcony were silent for a long time. +Presently Bernardino turned her tearful eyes to the face of +Thorndyke. + +"The smoke and steam do not seem so voluminous, do you think all +will go well?" + +The Englishman slowly shook his head. "I don't want to depress you +more than you are; but I think at such a time we ought to realize +the worst. It is true, the clouds are not so heavy, and the earth- +quakes are less frequent, but, unfortunately, it is owing to the +fact that the volume of water has been turned away from the pit +into the tunnel. Be prepared for the worst. If your father cannot +reach the machinery in the east soon enough, our light will go +out; and, worse than that, if Prince Marentel should fail in his +next venture with explosives, all hope will be gone." + +"I have never desired to live so much as now," she answered, +inclining with an air of tenderness toward, him. "I never knew +what it was to fear death till--till you came to us." + +He made no reply. There was a lump in his throat and he could not +trust his voice to speech. Branasko and Johnston left them +together to go into the Electric Auditorium. They returned in +great haste. + +"The prince is ready for the explosion," panted Johnston. +Thorndyke, old man, this is simply awful! It is not like standing +up to be shot at, or being jerked through the clouds in a balloon. +It seems to me that out there is the endless space of infinity, +and that all the material world is coming to an end. My God! look +at that hellish fire, the awful smoke and that black sky! Oh, the +blasphemy of a such a paltry imitation of the handiwork of the +Creator! We are damned! I say damned, and by a just and angry +God!" + +"Don't be a fool," said Thorndyke, and he threw a warning glance +at Bernardino, who, with staring, distended eyes was listening to +Johnston. + +"No, he is right," she said in a low tone. "I have never seen your +world, but I know my people must be woefully wrong. In your land +they say men teach things about Infinity and an eternal life for +the soul; and that one may prepare for that life by living pure, +and in striving to attain a high spiritual state. Oh, why have you +not told me about that? It is the one important thing. I have long +wanted to know if my soul will be safe at death, but I can learn +nothing of my people. They have always tried to rival God, and, +in their mad pursuit of perfection in science, they have been +reduced to--this. That black cloud is the frown of God, hose mad +flames may burst forth at any moment and engulf us." + +She uttered a low groan and hung her head as if in prayer. +Johnston and Thorndyke were awed to silence. Never had the +Englishman loved her as at that moment. She was no longer simply a +beautiful human creature, but a divinity, speaking truths from +Heaven itself. He felt too unworthy to stand in her presence, and +yet his heart was aching to comfort her. + +She raised her pallid face heavenward and extended her fair, +fragile hands toward the lowering sky and began to pray. "My +Creator," she said reverently, childishly, "I have never come to +Thee, but they say that people far away from this dark land, under +Thy own sun, moon and stars do ask aid of Thee, and I, too, want +Thy help. Forgive me and my people. They have been sinful, and +vain, and thoughtless, but let them not perish in utter gloom. +Forgive them, O thou Maker of all that exists--thou Creator of +pain that we may love joy, Creator of evil that we may know good, +turn not from us! We are but thoughtless children--and Thy +children--give us time to realize the awful error of our hollow +pretensions! Give them all now, at once, if they are to die, that +spirit which is awakened in me by the awful majesty of Thy anger! +Hear me, O God!" And with a sob she sank on her knees, clasped her +hands and raised them upward. Thorndyke tried to lift her up, but +she shook her head and continued her prayer in silence. A marked +change had come over Branasko. He looked at Johnston and Thorndyke +in a strange, helpless way, and then, in a corner of the balcony +the begrimed and tattered man fell on his knees. He knew not the +meaning of prayer, but there was something in the reverent +attitude of the princess that drew his untutored being toward his +Maker. He covered his face with his hands and his shaggy head sank +to his knees. + +Johnston hastened back into the Auditorium. Returning in a moment, +he found the Englishman tenderly lifting Bernardino from her knees +and Branasko still crouching in a corner. + +"What is the news?" asked Thorndyke. + +"Everything is ready for the explosion. The prince seems only +waiting because he dreads failure. The people in there are so +frightened that they cannot move from their seats." + +Just then Branasko raised a haggard face and looked appealingly at +the princess. She caught his eye. + +"Fear nothing, good man," she said; "the God of the Christians +will not harm us; we are safe in His hands. I felt it here in my +heart when I prayed to Him. Oh, why has my father and the other +kings of Alpha not taught us that grand simple truth! But before I +die I want to leave this dark pit of sin, and look out once into +endless, world- filled space." + +A joyous flush came into the face of the Alphian. His fear had +vanished. She had promised him safety. He bowed worshipfully, but +he spoke not, for Bernardino was eagerly pointing to the sun. + +"Look!" she cried gleefully, with the merry tremolo of a happy, +surprised child. "The sun is not moving. Father has been +successful! It is a good omen! God will save us!" + +It was true; the sun was standing still. A deep silence was on the +city. The crowds in the street neither moved nor spoke. Without a +murmur or complaint they stood facing the frowning west. Suddenly +the silence was interrupted by a low volcanic rumble. The earth +heaved, and rolled, and far away in the suburbs of the city the +spire of a public building fell with a loud crash. A groan swept +from mouth to mouth and then died away. + +"The cloud is increasing rapidly," said Thorndyke. "I can really +see little hope. I shall return in a moment." + +While he was gone Bernardino knelt and prayed. Again overcome with +fear Branasko crouched down in his corner. Another shudder and +rumble from the earth, another long moan from the people. +Thorndyke came back. He spoke to the princess: + +"The dam built by Prince Marentel has been swept away. The ocean +is pouring into the internal fires. There is scarcely any hope +now." + +Branasko groaned, but Bernardino's face was aglow with celestial +faith. She shook her head. + +"They will not be destroyed in this way," she said;" they have +had no chance to know God." + +"It all depends on the explosion which may take place at any +moment," and Thorndyke took her into his arms and whispered into +her ear, "I do not care for myself; but I cannot bear to think of +your suffering pain." + +She answered only by pressing his hand. The clouds were now +rolling upward in greater volume than ever. It was growing darker. +The little group on the balcony could now scarcely see the people +below them. The fall of damp ashes was resumed. The air had grown +hot and close. + +Boom! Boom! Boom! the streets of the city rose nd fell with the +undulating motion of a swelling sea. Blacker and blacker grew the +sky; closer and closer the atmosphere; damper and damper became +the fog; thicker and thicker fell the wet sand and ashes. + +"Perhaps we would be safer in the streets," suggested Thorndyke, +drawing Bernardino closer into his arms, "the palace may fall on +us." + +But the princess shook her head. "Father would not know where to +find me, I shall await him here." Branasko had edged nearer to +her. His eyes were glued on her face and he hung on her words as +if his fate were in her hands. He had no regard for the opinions +of the others. + +"The explosion will soon take place now unless something has +happened contrary to the expectations of the prince," said the +Englishman. + +Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! The noise seemed to shake the earth +to its centre. Now the far-away pit was belching forth fire and +molten lava rather than steam and smoke. The flames had spread out +against the sloping roof of the cavern, and seemed to extend for a +mile along the horizon. "They can do nothing in that heat," +exclaimed Johnston; "they could not get near enough to the pit. +Thorndyke, old fellow, I can't see a ghost of a chance. We might +as well say good-bye." + +"Hush!" It was the voice of the princess. "I feel that we shall +not be lost, I say." And as she spoke Branasko crept toward her +and raised the hem of her gown to his white lips. Something dark +came between them and the far-off glare. It was a flying-machine. + +"It is father," cried Bernardino, and she called out to him: +"Father! father! Here we are, waiting for you!" In a moment he was +with them. + +"All right in the east," he said gloomily. "Baryonay is there. +They deserted him, but they returned when the flames went down. +This is awful, daughter; it means death! It means annihilation!" + +She put her arms round his neck and drew his face close to hers. +"No, no," she said earnestly; "I see with a new light--a new +spiritual light. There is mercy in the divine heart of Him that +made the walls of our little world and constructed countless other +worlds. I have prayed for mercy, and into my heart has come a +sweet peace I never knew before. We shall not be lost. He will +give us time to give up our sinful life here and seek Him." + +The old man quivered as with ague; he searched her face eagerly, +drew her spasmodically into his arms, and then sank to the floor, +overcome with exhaustion. + +The roar in the west was increasing. Hot ashes, gravel and small +stones were falling on the roofs and the people. Now and then a +cry of pain was heard, but they would not seek the shelter of the +buildings. If they had to die they wanted to fall facing the +enemy. Suddenly the king rose. He looked to the west and groaned. +Something told them that the explosion was coming. Expectation, +horrible suspense was in the air. There was a mighty flare of +light. The entire heavens were lighted from horizon to horizon, +and then the light went out. + +"Oh, I thought it ----" but the princess did not finish her +sentence. + +"The explosion," said Thorndyke, "the sound will follow in a +moment." + +"My God, have mercy on us!" cried the king. But his prayer was +drowned in a deafening sound. Bernardino had leaned into the arms +of her lover. "Don't despair," he said tenderly, "the prince +may have been successful." + +"I feel that he has," she replied. "But, oh, it is dreadful!" + +The crowds below seemed to understand that their fate depended on +the news that would reach them in a few minutes. + +Boom! Boom! kr-kr-kr-kr-boom! There seemed to be no lessening of +the volcanic disturbance, and the earth groaned and rocked and +quivered as before. + +"It is impossible to tell yet," groaned the king. "Oh, God, save +us; give us a chance to escape this awful doom!" + +Johnston bethought himself that he might learn something in the +Electric Auditorium and he went into it. It was empty and dark; +not a soul was there save himself. He was turning to leave when +his eye was drawn to the great mirror by a faint pink glow +appearing upon it. He stood still, a superstitious fear coming +over him as he thought of being alone with a possible messenger +from the far-away scene of disaster. The light went out +tremblingly; then it flashed up again, and the American thought he +saw the face of Waldmeer. The light grew steadier, stronger. It +was Waldmeer, but he was submerged in smoke. Hark! he was +speaking. + +"Marentel is successful! Entrance closed temporarily, and will be +strengthened!" + +Johnston rushed out to the balcony. +"I have been to the Auditorium," he announced. "I have seen +Waldmeer. He says the experiment was successful. It is closed +temporarily, and can be strengthened." + +The king grasped the hand of the American. "Thank God!" he +ejaculated, "if I can only save my people I shall desire nothing +more." The princess moved toward him affectionately, but he put +her aside and retired into the palace. + +"He will at once communicate with the people," remarked +Bernardino hopefully, and she turned her face again toward the +west. The red glare was dying down, and the dense clouds in the +sky were thinning. In an hour the face of the sun broke through +the smoke, and the flying-machines of the protectors began to +return. + +That night the king caused the pink light of the "Ideal Dawn" to +flood the eastern sky, and, as before, he appeared in a circle of +dazzling light and addressed his subjects: + +"All danger to life is over; but the ultimate fate of Alpha is +sealed. Prince Marentel has effectually closed the entrance of the +ocean, but the internal fires are gradually burning through the +rocky bed of the ocean. In a couple of years Alpha will be +demolished. All our wealth shall be equally distributed among you, +and my ships shall transport you to whatever destination you +desire. Let there be no haste. Order shall be preserved +throughout." + +That was all. The king bowed and the picture faded from view. A +deep silence was over everything. The only light came from the +stars and from the moon. Then there was a sound like the wind +passing over a vast forest of dry-leaved trees--the people were +returning to their homes. + +"I should have thought they would greet the king's announcement +with a cheer of joy," said Thorndyke to the princess, as they +returned to the palace. + +"They don't know whether to weep or laugh," she replied. "They +love Alpha, and the other world will be strange to most of them. +As for myself, now that I am to leave, I feel a few misgivings." + +"I shall see that you are perfectly happy," he said tenderly. "You +are to be my wife. I shall always love you and care for you; you +need have no fears." + +And a moment later, with joyous tears and face aglow, she assured +him she had none. + +THE END. + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Land of the Changing Sun +by William N. Harben + diff --git a/old/lcsun10.zip b/old/lcsun10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6791371 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/lcsun10.zip |