rnly, and Johnston was further
humiliated by having Tradmos sympathetically catch hold of his arm to
steady him.

"Your people are far advanced in the sciences," went on the physician
coldly, "but there are only a few out of their number who know that the
mind governs the body and that fear is its prime enemy. Five minutes ago
you were eating heartily and had your share of physical strength, and
yet the mere thought that you are now to know the actual condition of
your most vital organ has made you as weak as an infant. If you kept up
this state of mind for a month it would kill you.

"Now listen," he went on, as the instrument gripped Johnston's flesh and
the rubber tube began to twist and move as if charged with electricity.
The American held his breath. A sound as of water being forced through
channels that were choked, mingled with a wheezing sound like wind
escaping from a broken bellows came from the bell.

"Your frame is all right," said the medical man, as he released the
trembling American, "but you have long believed in the weakness of your
heart and it has, on that account, become so. You must banish all fear
from your thoughts. You perhaps know that we have a place specially
prepared for those who are not physically sound. I am sorry that you do
not stand a better examination."

Tradmos regarded the American with a look of sympathy as he gave him a
chair and then rang a bell on the table. Thorndyke looked up sleepily,
as an attendant entered with a couple of parcels, and glanced
wonderingly at his friend's white face and bloodshot eyes.

"What's the matter?" he asked; but Johnston made no reply, for the
captain had opened the parcels and taken out two suits of silken
clothing.

"Put them on," he said, giving a suit of gray to Johnston and one of
light blue to Thorndyke. "We shall leave you to change your attire, and
I shall soon come for you."

Chapter IV.

In a few minutes the captain returned and found his prisoners ready to
go with him. Thorndyke looked exceedingly handsome in his glossy tights,
close-fitting sack-coat, tinsel belt and low shoes with buckles of gold.
The natural color had come back into his cheeks, and he was exhilarated
over the prospect of further adventure.

It was not so, however, with poor Johnston; his spirits had been so
dampened by the physician's words that he could not rally from
his despondency. His suit fitted his figure as well as that of the
Englishman, but h