a correct
one. Merely the fortuitous fact that we had just pierced one of the
tunnels of the Selom, and I was away from my borer exploring it, saved
me. You did me a good turn, Doctor, without meaning to. You destroyed
an instrument on which I had relied. In doing so, you unwittingly
delivered into my hands a power greater than any I had dreamed of--the
Selom."

"What can a mental cripple like you do with blind allies like them?"
asked Dr. Bird with a contemptuous laugh. The Russian half rose from
his seat in rage. For a moment his hand toyed with a switch before
him. The sardonic sneer came back into his face and he dropped back
into his seat.

"You nearly provoked me to destroy you, Doctor," he said, "but cold
calculation saved you. Since you will never return to the upper world,
save when and as I decree, I have no objection to telling you. The
Selom are not blind. Their eyes are under the skin as is the case with
many of the talpidae, but for all that they can see very well. Their
eyes function on a shorter wave than ours, a wave so short that it
readily penetrates through miles of earth and rock. This cavern is now
flooded with it. Visible light, the light by which we see, is limited
to their eyes, hence the helmets which you see. They can see through
those helmets as well as you or I can see through air."

"What do you intend to do with us?"

"Ah, Doctor, there you hit me in a tender spot. I have a sore
temptation to close this switch on which my hand rests. Were I to do
so, both you and Mr. Carnes would vanish forevermore. I have, however,
conceived a very real affection for you two. Your brains, Doctor,
working in my behalf instead of against me would render me well-nigh
omnipotent. Mr. Carnes has a certain low cunning which I can also use
to advantage. Both of you will join me."

* * * * *

"You might as well close your switch and save your breath, Saranoff,
for we will do nothing of the sort," replied the doctor sharply.

"Ah, but you will. So will Mr. Carnes. I had no hopes that you would
join me willingly. In fact, I am pleased that you do not. I could
never trust you. All the same, you will join my forces as have the
others whom I have brought into the hands of the Selom. I have ways of
accomplishing my desires. It pleases my fancy, Doctor, to use your
brains in aiding me in my scientific developments. You will enjoy
working with the scientists of the Selom. Among the