he now muddy and slippery streets. They
stood shivering in damp and soiled clothing, their blearing eyes fixed
hopelessly on the lowering signs in the west. Johnston noticed a bent
figure crouched against a wall beneath them. It was Branasko.

"Who is it?" inquired the princess.

"Branasko, the companion of my adventures," he replied.

"Call him to us," she said eagerly, and the American went down to the
Alphian.

As they entered together, Branasko uncovered his dishevelled head and
bowed most humbly.

"You look tired and sick and hungry; have you eaten anything today?" she
asked.

"Not in two days," he replied.

The princess called to a frightened maid who was wringing her hands in a
corridor.

"Give this man food and drink at once," she ordered, and Branasko, with
a grateful bow and glance, withdrew. Johnston followed him to the door.

"Fear nothing," he said. "If the danger passes we are safe; the king has
promised to pardon me, and he will do the same for you."

"There is no hope for any of us," replied Branasko grimly; "but I do not
want to die with this gnawing in my stomach; adieu."

"If the worst comes, is there any chance for us to escape from here to
the outer world?" the Englishman was asking the princess when Johnston
turned back to them.

"For a few hundred, yes,--by the sub-water ships, but for all, no; and,
then, my father would not consent to rescue a part and not the whole of
his subjects. He would not try to save himself or any of his family."

The clouds still covered the sun; but on the eastern sky its rays were
shining gloriously. Ever and anon there sounded from afar a low rumbling
as if the earth were swelling with heat.

Johnston left the two lovers together and went to the door of the
Electric Auditorium, and over the heads of the breathless crowd he
watched the great mirror. After a few moments Waldmeer appeared and
spoke:

"Prince Marentel is operating with great difficulty. A large quantity of
his explosives has been injured by water, but he hopes there is enough
left intact to serve his purpose. The final explosion will soon take
place. The greatest peril hangs over Alpha."

Waldmeer's reflection was becoming in-distinct, and sick at heart the
American elbowed his way through the muttering crowd into the corridor.
Here he met Branasko, and together they walked back to Thorndyke and the
princess, who were mutely watching the signs in the east. Just then the
sun slowly eme