ung, as might have happened if we had fired our mine when
the people were gathered to sacrifice to their god.

The fatal day arrived at last. All was completed, save for the blocking
of the passage, which still went on, or, rather, was being reinforced by
the piling up of loose rocks against its mouth, at which a hundred or so
men laboured incessantly. The firing wires had been led into that little
chamber in the old temple where the dog Pharaoh tore out the throat of
Shadrach, and no inch of them was left unguarded for fear of accident or
treachery.

The electric batteries--two of them, in case one should fail--had been
tested but not connected with the wires. There they stood upon the
floor, looking innocent enough, and we four sat round them like wizards
round their magic pot, who await the working of some spell. We were not
cheerful; who could be under so intense a strain? Orme, indeed, who
had grown pale and thin with continuous labour of mind and body, seemed
quite worn out. He could not eat nor smoke, and with difficulty I
persuaded him to drink some of the native wine. He would not even go to
look at the completion of the work or to test the wires.

"You can see to it," he said; "I have done all I can. Now things must
take their chance."

After our midday meal he lay down and slept quite soundly for several
hours. About four o'clock those who were labouring at the piling up of
debris over the mouth of the tunnel completed their task, and, in charge
of Quick, were marched out of the underground city.

Then Higgs and I took lamps and went along the length of the wires,
which lay in a little trench covered over with dust, removing the dust
and inspecting them at intervals. Discovering nothing amiss, we returned
to the old temple, and at its doorway met the mountaineer, Japhet, who
throughout all these proceedings had been our prop and stay. Indeed,
without his help and that of his authority over the Abati the mine could
never have been completed, at any rate within the time.

The light of the lamp showed that his face was very anxious.

"What is the matter?" I asked.

"O Physician," he answered, "I have words for the ear of the Captain
Orme. Be pleased to lead me to him."

We explained that he slept and could not be disturbed, but Japhet only
answered as before, adding:

"Come you with me, my words are for your ears as well as his."

So we went into the little room and awoke Oliver, who sprang up in a