so swiftly overwhelmed Rivardi and Gaspard, she could not
stop now to question, or determine it,--she was satisfied that they
were not dead, or dying. She went to the steering-gear to take it in
hand--but though the mysterious mechanism of the air-ship was silently
and rapidly throbbing, the ship did not move. She grasped the
propeller--it resisted her touch with hard and absolute inflexibility.
All at once a low deep voice spoke close to her ear--

"Do not try to steer. You cannot proceed."

Her heart gave one wild bound,--then almost stood still from sheer
terror. She felt herself swaying into unconsciousness, and made a
violent effort to master the physical weakness that threatened her.
That voice--what voice? Surely one evoked from her own imagination! It
spoke again--this time with an intonation that was exquisitely soothing
and tender.

"Why are you afraid? For you there is nothing to fear!"

She raised her eyes and looked about nervously. The soft luminance
which lit the "White Eagle's" interior from end to end showed nothing
new or alarming,--her dainty, rose-lined cabin held no strange or
supernatural visitant,--all was as usual. After a pause she rallied
strength enough to question the audible but invisible intruder.

"Who is it that speaks to me?" she asked, faintly.

"One from the city below,"--was the instant reply given in full clear
accents--"I am speaking on the Sound Ray."

She held her breath in mute wonder, listening. The voice went on,
equably--

"You know the use of wireless telephony--we have it as you have it,
only your methods are imperfect. We speak on Sound Rays which are not
yet discovered in your country. We need neither transmitter nor
receiver. Wherever we send our messages, no matter how great the
distance, they are always heard."

Slowly Morgana began to regain courage. By degrees she realised that
she was attaining the wish of her heart--namely, to know what no woman
had ever known before. Again she questioned the voice--

"You tell me I cannot proceed,"--she said--"Why?"

"Because our city is guarded and fortified by the air,"--was the
answer--"We are surrounded by a belt of etheric force through which
nothing can pass. A million bombs could not break it,--everything
driven against it would be dashed to pieces. We saw you coming--we were
surprised, for no air-ship has ever ventured so far--we rang the bells
of the city to warn you, and stopped your flight."

The warm gent