evil said to you last night," the girl said. "He
means to kill you with awful tortures. He is away now, on some task or
other, but he'll be back at any moment. We must get away at once--we
three. Dad's in another cave not far away, and his guards bolted after
the earthquake."

The earth was still rumbling, and the cavern still vibrating, but it
was clear that there was no time to lose. As soon as the quake
subsided the Drilgoes would return. Guided by Lucille, Jim groped his
way through the cavern. The girl called softly at intervals, and
presently Jim heard old Parrish's answering call. Then the old man's
form appeared in silhouette against the dark.

"I've got Jim," Lucille whispered. "Are you ready, dad?"

"Yes, yes, I'm ready," chattered the old man. "Now's our chance. I
know a place where we can hide in the thick forests, where the Ray of
the Atlanteans cannot penetrate the mists. Let's go! Let's go!"

Gripping hands, the three started back toward the point where a faint
patch of darkness showed out the entrance to the cavern. They were
nearing it when another and more violent shock flung them upon their
faces.

Huge masses of rock came hurtling down from the roof and sides of the
cavern, and again the three seemed to escape by a miracle.

* * * * *

Suddenly a huge shaft of fire shot from the crater opposite, evolving
into an inverted cone that made the whole land dazzlingly bright. It
pierced the mists in the valley underneath, and by that light Jim
could see a great wave of lava streaming down the mountain sides, like
soup spilled out of a bowl.

A gush of black smoke followed, and the light went out.

"Now!" gasped Parrish, and, clinging to one another, the three darted
out of the cavern's entrance. Another terrific shock sent them
stumbling and reeling and sprawling down the side of the mountain. Jim
heard old Parrish wailing, and, as the shock subsided, groped his way
to his side.

"You hurt?" he shouted.

"Lucille, Lucille," moaned the old man. "She's dead! A big rock
crushed her. I wish I was dead too."

Jim called Lucille's name frantically, and to his immense relief
heard her crying faintly out of the darkness. He rushed to her side
and held her in his arms.

"Where are you hit, darling?"

"I'm--all right," she panted. "I was stunned for a moment. I--can--go
on now."

But she went limp in Jim's arms, and Jim picked her up and stood
irresolute, until he h