r, a hundred feet in diameter, with a roof ten feet
high. Dozens of tunnels led off in every direction.

"Your light, Carnes, quick!" cried the doctor in a strained voice.
Carnes reached toward the table for his light. Before he could reach
it he was frozen into immobility. From the corner of his eye he could
watch the doctor. Dr. Bird was struggling to bring the light back on
the moles which stood before them. Great beads of sweat stood out on
his forehead. Inch by inch he moved the light closer to his goal, but
Carnes could see that his thumb was stealing up toward the switch
button. His breath came in sobs. Suddenly the light went out.

For some time the two men sat motionless on the bench unable to speak
or move. One of the moles stepped before them and gave a mental
command. The two rose to their feet. For a mile or more they followed
their guide, then, at a silent command, they turned to the right for a
few steps and stopped. In another moment, the numbing influence had
departed.

"Are you all right, Carnes?"

"Yes, right as can be. Doctor, what were those things? Where are we?
What's it all about?"

"We'll find out in time, I guess," replied the doctor with a chuckle.
"Carnes, isn't this the darnedest thing we've ever been through?
Captured half a mile underground by a race of giant talpidae before
whose mental orders we are as helpless as children. Did you understand
any of their talk?"

"Talk? I didn't hear any."

"Well, mental conversation then. They made no sound."

"No. All I understood was the orders I obeyed."

* * * * *

"I got a great deal of it," the doctor said. "We are evidently in or
near a sort of central community of these fellows. They spoke;
thought is a better word; they thought of doing away with us but
decided to wait until they consulted someone with more authority. You
see, we are not airplane pilots. Captain Garland was taken at once to
the place where they have other aviators imprisoned."

"What do they want of pilots underground?"

"I couldn't quite get that. There was another thought that I am not
sure that I interpreted correctly. If I did, there is some man of the
upper world down here in a position of considerable authority among
them. He has some use for pilots, but what use, I don't know. We are
to be held until he is consulted."

"Who could it be?"

"I can only think of one man. Carnes, and I hope I'm wrong. I don't
have to name him