n the aeromotor? By its aid
he hoped to reach civilization once more; and in spite of the great
loss which had wrecked his life, he was thrilled to the centre by that
glorious prospect. Here he was dead while breathing; there he would at
least be in touch with his fellow men once more!

An early meal was prepared by the exile, and in readiness when his trio
of guests awakened to the new day; and then, while busily discussing
the really appetising viands placed before them, the next move was fully
determined upon.

Not a little to his secret delight, the professor heard Edgecombe broach
the subject of further explorations, and seeing that his excitement had
passed away in goodly measure during the silent watches of the night, he
talked with greater freedom.

"Of course we'll keep in touch with you, here, friend, and take no
decisive move without your knowledge and consent. Our fate shall be
yours, and your fate shall be ours. Only--I would dearly love to catch a
glimpse of--If there should actually be a Lost City in existence!"

"If there is, as there surely must be one of some description, judging
from the number of red men I have seen collecting here at the lake,"
observed the exile, "you certainly ought to make the discovery with the
aid of your air-ship. You can ascend at will, of course, sir?"

Nothing loath, the professor spoke of his pet and its wondrous
capabilities, and then all hands left the cavern for the outer air, to
prepare for action.

As a further assurance, uncle Phaeton begged Edgecombe to enter the
aerostat, then skilfully caused the vessel to float upward into clear
space, sailing out over the lake even to the whirlpool itself before
turning, his passenger eagerly watching every move and touch of hand,
asking questions which proved him both shrewd and ingenious, from a
mechanical point of view.

Returning to their starting-point, Edgecombe sprang lightly to earth to
make way for the brothers, face ruddy and eyes aglow as he again begged
them all to keep watch for aught which might solve the mystery yet
surrounding the fate of his loved ones.

The promise was given, together with an earnest assurance that they
would soon return; then the parting was cut as short as might be, all
feeling that such a course was wisest and kindest, after all.

For an hour or more the air-ship sped on, high in air, its inmates
viewing the various and varying landmarks beneath and beyond them, all
marvelling at