a ruby as large as my fist. Instantly, without
warning, the creature nearest me raised its scaly hand in a
flinging gesture, and I felt a hot and rushing pain just
above my right elbow. I felt, too, a coldness of water
spurting down my arm and clutched wildly at the sleeve of my
diving-suit to seal the little hole which I saw in it.
Holding it tightly with my left hand, I slashed with my right
at the creatures who were now moving upon me menacingly,
pressing me close. If they forced me back into the doorway,
all hope would be gone. I cut desperately at the fastenings
that secured the weights; felt myself rising; felt my legs
pull out from the clinging, slimy arms; looked down at
them--a sea of bobbing smooth heads, of round,
expressionless, black eyes; saw them waving their
tentacle-like arms in fury; saw at last the dim, golden crest
of the tallest tower below my feet; burst above the blessed
sea-level and saw good blue waves slapping the bow of the
brigantine drifting lazily down toward me.

I know nothing of the voyage home. I must have been poisoned
by the missile, whatever it was, that the sea-creature flung
at me. (I bear the scar to this day.) For I have no
recollection of much more, until I sat in the library
bow-window of my father's house, very tired and stiff and
thoroughly thankful that the voyage was over. It was dark,
and my mother sat sewing beside a shaded lamp and singing to
herself. I fingered the book that lay beside me, on the
window-seat, and said:

"Mother, did you keep the book just here all the time I was
gone because you were sorry I went and wanted to remember
me?"

She laughed, and said: "Yes, all the time while you were
sailing to the Port of Stars. Come now to supper, my dear."

So I got up very stiffly, for I felt weak and dizzy still,
and went with her. I said:

"I'm sorry, Mother, that after all I couldn't bring you any
of the jewels."

Whereupon she laughed again and said something about
"Cornelia" which I am too modest to repeat, but which, being
scholars, you will know by heart, and said that she was glad
enough to have me back at all.

Sirs, you cannot think how beautiful our little dining-room
looked to me, with the old brass-handled highboy in the
corner and the pots of flowers on the sill--far more
beautiful than the fretted golden towers and gem-girdled
walls of the City under th