rged from the cloud.

"Look!" cried Bernardino in horror. "The cloud is not moving; the
sun has not stopped! It is going down and we shall soon be in utter
darkness. Oh, it is awful--to die in this way!"

The king had just returned, and he over-heard her words. He came hastily
to the edge of the balcony, and gazed at the sun. The others held their
breath and waited. His face became more rigid; he swayed a little as he
turned to her.

"You are right, my daughter," he groaned; "it is going down; the
cowardly dogs in the east have deserted their posts. It is going down!
It will sink into a tunnel filled with water, and the light of Alpha
will be extinguished forever. We are undone! Say your prayers, my
child, your prayers, I tell you, for an Infinite God is angry at our
pretensions!"

"Don't despair, father," and Bernardino put her arms gently round the
old man's neck. "You understand the solar machinery; could you not stop
the sun?"

The eyes of the old man flashed. He seemed electrified as he drew
himself from her embrace and looked anxiously over the balustrade to a
flying-machine in the street below.

"I might reach the east in time," he cried; "yes, you are right, I was
acting cowardly. The fastest air-ship in Alpha is ready, and Nanleon
can drive it to its utmost speed. If the worst comes, I shall see you no
more, good-bye!" He kissed her brow tenderly, and her eyes filled as
he hastened away. Down below they saw him spring lightly into the
gold-mounted car, and the next instant the graceful vessel rose above
the palace roof and sped like an arrow across the sky toward the east.

A faint cheer broke from the lips of the crowd which seemed suddenly to
take new hope from the king's departure. Some of them waved their hats
and scarfs, and many watched the air-ship till it had disappeared in the
murky distance.

"He may not get there in time!" cried the princess; "it seems to be
going down faster than it ever did before, and he has a great distance
to go."

The little party on the balcony were silent for a long time. Presently
Bernardino turned her tearful eyes to the face of Thorndyke.

"The smoke and steam do not seem so voluminous, do you think all will go
well?"

The Englishman slowly shook his head. "I don't want to depress you more
than you are; but I think at such a time we ought to realize the worst.
It is true, the clouds are not so heavy, and the earth-quakes are less
frequent, but, unfortunately