ar and the surrounding seas thereof. You
must not again return to this our realm in any manner
whatsoever, or send messengers, or correspond or conspire
with any inhabitant thereof, particularly with our said
supreme goddess, under penalty of death, both for yourself
and for your entire crew.

"Given at our palace in Calnogor, in this fifty-sixth year
of our reign.

"ALDEMEGRY BHOOLMAKAR,

"_King of Atvatabar_."

I received the document from the hands of the admiral with deep
respect, and requested him to assure his majesty King Aldemegry
Bhoolmakar of my profound regard and deep gratitude for the hospitable
reception we had received from his majesty and his people during our
stay in the glorious kingdom of Atvatabar.

I stated that we were at present in the act of leaving their country
on a voyage of further discovery, but could not say that we would not
again return to Atvatabar. We should be most happy to obey the command
of the king, but should we receive a message to return from the
supreme goddess ere we left the interior world, we might possibly
return, notwithstanding the royal command, and brave the wrath of his
majesty.

"In that case," said the admiral, "it would be my duty to prevent you
from landing on Atvatabar soil; and should you succeed in eluding the
vigilance of the fleet, your apprehension and that of your people by
his majesty's wayleals would mean the execution of your entire party.
We are a proud nation, and our army and navy are invincible."

I thanked the admiral for his well-meant warning, whereupon he
withdrew from the palace.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE CRISIS IN ATVATABAR.

The manifesto of Lyone had precipitated an historic crisis in
Atvatabar. The king awaited my leaving the country with the utmost
impatience. He made every effort to prevent the news from reaching the
public, hoping that when I took my departure the goddess would be
amenable to the laws of the realm, and the faith be thus preserved.

The more that Lyone and myself discussed the situation, the more
apparent it appeared that we could not now draw back from the position
we had taken. It was absolutely necessary to provide a following in
case the government attempted arrest, or the execution of either or
both of us. Trusty messengers were despatched to the high priest,
Hushnoly, the grand sorcerer,