his place I am
beginning to lose count of what is or is not possible. Also, of course,
there may have been many deluges; indeed the history of the world shows
that this was so; it is written in its geological strata. What was the
end of it?"

"The end was that he took the South Sea Bible and, after I had explained
a little about our letters, seemed to be able to read it at once. I
suppose he was acquainted with the art of printing in his youth. At any
rate he said that he would study it, I don't know how, unless he can
read, and that in two days' time he would let me know what he thought
about the matter of my religion. Then he told me to go. I said that I
did not know the way and was afraid of losing myself. Thereupon he waved
his hand, and I really can't say what happened."

"Did you levitate up here," asked Bickley, "like the late lamented Mr.
Home at the spiritualistic seances?"

"No, I did not exactly levitate, but something or someone seemed to get
a hold of me, and I was just rushed along in a most tumultuous fashion.
The next thing I knew was that I was standing at the door of that
sepulchre, though I have no recollection of going up in the lift, or
whatever it is. I believe those beastly caves are full of ghosts, or
devils, and the worst of it is that they have kept my solar-tope, which
I put on this morning forgetting that it would be useless there."

"The Lady Yva's Fourth Dimension in action," I suggested, "only it
wouldn't work on solar-topes."

"I don't know what you are talking about," said Bastin, "but if my hat
had to be left, why not my boots and other garments? Please stop your
nonsense and pass the tea. Thank goodness I haven't got to go down there
tomorrow, as he seems to have had enough of me for the present, so I
vote we all pay a visit to the ship. It will be a very pleasant change.
I couldn't stand two days running with that old fiend, and his ghosts or
devils in the cave."

Next morning accordingly, fearing no harm from the Orofenans, we took
the canoe and rowed to the main island. Marama had evidently seen
us coming, for he and a number of his people met us with every
demonstration of delight, and escorted us to the ship. Here we found
things just as we had left them, for there had been no attempt at theft
or other mischief.

While we were in the cabin a fit of moral weakness seemed to overcome
Bickley, the first and I may add the last from which I ever saw him
suffer.

"Do you kn