way it was to the sound of muttering
and mumbled curses and the clanking of a heavy chain.

Chapter XXVI

"Master," remarked Fidu, "I have long suspected that in following this
Impossible Curve we are not getting anywhere."

"What difference does it make?" replied Gud, "we are only walking for
recreation."

"Oh, yes, I know all that, but still, I do not like to walk in a circle,
because it makes me dizzy."

"But we can't be walking in a circle," argued Gud, "because a circle is
quite probable and this curve is impossible."

"That may also be true, Master, but nevertheless we just passed that
world again where you made a virgin prophetess out of a stupid girl, and
I know that building ahead of us is the almshouse on the steps of which
we found the poor old beggar whom you made so happy."

Gud looked ahead. "Yes, Fidu," he agreed, "you are right; and perhaps we
shall meet him again, for he will not be a beggar now but a rich and
prosperous novelist."

But alas! when they came up to the almshouse they found the same old
beggar looking more disreputable than before.

Gud reached over and shook him, but he did not stir nor answer. Gud
turned quickly away and called Fidu, and they passed on.

"Why did he not speak?" asked Fidu.

"Because," answered Gud, "the poor old fellow was dead, apparently of
starvation."

"And you thought that he would be rich and prosperous."

"Yes, yes, so I did. I gave him the chance of his life, too, by making
triangles with three sexes and therefore perfectly moral--it just goes
to show how useless it is to attempt to salvage these mendicants."

Chapter XXVII

As Gud was knocking about among the stars he saw yet another world
spinning idly on its axis as it floated aimlessly in the nebulous ether.
Prompted by curiosity he drew nearer and observed that the ether was
full of ghosts. Most of them seemed to be observing the conduct of the
beings in the material world below, and Gud rightly judged them to be
demised of that reality and amusing themselves by watching the doings of
their descendants.

But there was one ghost of an old woman that seemed sore troubled and
full of yearning for the beings of the world below, as if she would
communicate to them some message and could find not the means of
communication. Filled with compassion, Gud approached the ghost of the
old woman and asked if he might be of service to her. But she merely
gazed up at him out of troubled