Tradmos bowed, pleased by the compliment.

"I shall aid you all I can with my advice, for I know you will not
betray me; but at present I am powerless to give you material aid. Every
subject of this realm is bound to the autocratic will of the king. It is
impossible for any one to get from under his power."

"Why?"

"The only outlet to the upper world is carefully guarded by men who
would not be bribed."

"Is there any chance for my friend?"

"None that I can see, but I must walk on; there comes one of the king's
attendants."

"The king has asked to speak to you," announced the attendant to
Thorndyke.

"I will go with you," was his reply, and he followed the man through the
crowded corridors into the throne-room of the king. Thorndyke forced a
smile as he saw the king smiling at him as he approached the throne.

"What do you think of my palace?" asked the king, after Thorndyke had
knelt before him.

"It is superb," answered the Englishman, recalling the advice of
Bernardino. "I am dazed by its splendor, its architecture, and its art.
I have seen nothing to equal it on earth."

The king rose and stood beside him. His manner was both pleasing and
sympathetic. "I am persuaded," said he, "that you will make a good
subject, and have the interest of Alpha always at heart, but I have
often been mistaken in the character of men and think it best to give
you a timely warning. An attendant will conduct you to a chamber beneath
the palace where it will be your privilege to converse with a man who
once planned to get up a rebellion among my people."

There had come suddenly a stern harshness into the king's tone that
roused the fears of Thorndyke. He was about to reply, but the king held
up his hand. "Wait till you have visited the dungeon of Nordeskyne, then
I am sure that you will be convinced that strict obedience in thought
as well as deed is best for an inhabitant of Alpha." Speaking thus, he
signed to an attendant who came forward and bowed.

"Conduct him to the dungeon of Nordeskyne, and return to me," ordered
the king.

Thorndyke's heart was heavy, and he was filled with strange forebodings,
but he simply smiled and bowed, as the attendant led him away. The
attendant opened a door at the back of the throne-room and they were
confronted by darkness. They went along a narrow corridor for some
distance, the darkness thickening at every step. There was no sound
except the sound of the guide's shoes on the smoot