rin that had appeared
on his countenance since their arrival. "Let's make our plans quickly.
We must contrive to get Lucille inside the machine, under the pretense
of assisting with the mechanism. And Cain, of course," he added,
glancing at the goggly-eyed Drilgo. "You do your best to locate the
starting mechanism, Parrish, and signal me the moment you're ready.
We'll both leap in, and the four of us will sail--God, I don't care
where we sail to, so long as we get away from here! Into eternity, if
need be. But I hope it's Long Island!"

Back came the dignitary with two of the guards. Smiling at Jim, he
indicated by signs that the three others might accompany him. The
Atlanteans had bitten, as Jim had forecast.

The four proceeded along the hall and over the tongue of flooring.
This time the force that had previously controlled their movements was
not in action. At the farther end of the bridge they saw the group of
dignitaries gathered about the Atom Smasher, examining it curiously.
Over their heads the hooked arms of the hideous gods were raised. The
Eye was darkened, as if with a curtain, and through the glass roof,
high overhead, the sunlight streamed down upon the empty amphitheatre.

* * * * *

In spite of their smiles, the dignitaries of Atlantis were very much
on the alert, as their tense attitudes denoted. Two more guards had
appeared, and Jim saw that they were uncovering some apparatus at the
base of the Eye. They were swinging a camera-like object toward him,
its lens focused upon the Atom Smasher. It was not difficult to
understand what was in the minds of the Atlanteans. The dignitaries
were uneasy and mistrustful, and at the first suspicion of treachery
they meant to loose the blue-white Ray contained in the apparatus, and
blow the Atom Smasher and the group about it to destruction.

Jim intercepted a sign from Parrish, indicating that he was to make
pretense of assisting him. He bent over the machine, Lucille beside
him. Parrish was busily examining the wheels and levers. He was
adjusting the thumbscrews, moving the needles along the dials.

One of the Atlanteans spoke, and Cain translated into "Drilgo" for
Parrish's benefit. Parrish answered. Then, without raising his head,
the old man said quietly, "I've located the starting lever, Dent. You
and Lucille get inside quickly and pretend you're doing something to
the machinery."

They stepped over the bow of the boat a