dislike the thing as a whole." When he had satisfied his sharp hunger he
went out into a corridor and seeing an elevator he entered it and went
down to the throne-room. The king was just leaving his throne, but
seeing Thorndyke he turned to him with a smile.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

"Well, indeed," replied Thorndyke, with a low bow.

"I cannot talk to you now. I intended to, but I have promised my people
a 'War of the Elements' to-day and am busy. You will enjoy it, I trust."

"I am sure of it, your Majesty."

"Well, be about the palace, for it is a good point from which to view
the display."

With these words he turned away and the Englishman, as if drawn there by
the memory of his last conversation with Bernardino, sought the retreat
where he had bidden her good-night. He sat down on the seat they had
occupied, and gave himself over to delightful reveries about her beauty
and loveliness of nature. Looking up suddenly he saw a pair of white
hands part the palm leaves in front of him and the subject of his
thoughts emerged into view.

She wore a regal gown and beautiful silken head-dress set with fine
gems, and gave him a warm glance of friendly greeting.

"I half hoped to find you here," she said, blushing modestly under his
ardent gaze; "that is, I knew you would not know where to go----" She
paused, her face suffused with blushes.

"I did not hope to find you here," he said, coming to her aid gallantly,
"but it was a delight to sit here where I last saw you."

She blushed even deeper, and a pleased look flashed into her eyes. "It
was important that I should see you this morning," she continued, with a
womanly desire to disguise her own feeling. "I wanted to tell you where
to meet me when the storm begins."

"Where?" he asked.

"On the roof of the palace, near the stairs leading down to your
chambers. At first it will be very dark, and it is then that we must get
out of sight of the palace. No other flying-machines will be in the
air, and Captain Tradmos thinks, if we are very careful, we can get away
safely before the display of lightning."

"If we find my friend what can we do with him?"

She hesitated a moment, a look of perplexity on her face, then she said:
"We can bring him back and keep him hidden in your chambers till some
better arrangement can be made. We shall think of some expedient before
long, but at present he must be saved from starvation."

Thorndyke attempted to draw her to