se this morning."

A flush of pleasure crossed the face of the king. "You have not seen
half of our wonders yet. I confess that I am pleased with you, sir. The
majority of people who are brought here are so frightened that they grow
morbid and desirous to return to their own countries as soon as they
learn that such a thing is out of the question."

Thorndyke's stout heart suffered a sudden pang at the words, but he
did not change countenance in the slightest, for the king was closely
watching the effect of his announcement.

"Of course," went on the ruler, gratified by the indifference of the
Englishman, "of course, it could not be done. No one, outside of a few
of the royal family and our trusted agents, has ever left us."

"I can't see how any one could be so unappreciative as to want to go,"
answered Thorndyke, with a coolness that surprised even Johnston.
"I have travelled in all countries under the sun--the sun I was born
under--and got so bored with them that my friend and myself took to
ballooning for diversion; but here, there is a delightful surprise at
every turn."

"I was told you were aeronauts," returned the ruler, deigning to cast
a glance at the silent Johnston, who stood with eyes downcast, "and I
confess that it interested me in you."

At that juncture a most beautiful girl glided through the curtains at
the back of the throne and came impulsively toward the king. Her brown
hair fell in rich masses on her bare shoulders; her eyes were large,
deep and brown, and her skin was exquisitely fine in texture and color;
her dress was artistic and well suited to her lithe figure. She held an
instrument resembling a lute in her hands, and stopped suddenly when she
noticed that the king was engaged.

"It is my daughter, the Princess Bernardino," explained the king, as
he heard her light step and turned toward her; "she shall sing for you,
and, yes (nodding to her) you shall dance also."

As she took her position on a great rug in front of the throne, she kept
her eyes on the handsome Englishman as if fascinated by his appearance.
Thorndyke's heart beat quickly; the blood mantled his face and he stood
entranced as she touched the resonant strings with her white fingers and
began to play and sing. An innocent, artless smile parted her lips from
her matchless teeth, and her face glowed with inspiration. Far above in
the nooks and crannies of the vast dome, with its divergent corridors
and arcades, the faint