be, unless it is further down that
cave," said Bastin. "The top of the mountain would not be convenient as
a residence."

"It has not been convenient for many an age, for reasons that I will
show you. Think now, before you come. You have naught to fear from us,
and I believe that no harm will happen to you. But you will see many
strange things that will anger Bickley because he cannot understand
them, and perhaps will weary Bastin because his heart turns from what
is wondrous and ancient. Only Humphrey will rejoice in them because
the doors of his soul are open and he longs--what do you long for,
Humphrey?"

"That which I have lost and fear I shall never find again," I answered
boldly.

"I know that you have lost many things--last night, for instance,
you lost Tommy, and when he slept with me he told me much about you
and--others."

"This is ridiculous," broke in Bastin. "Can a dog talk?"

"Everything can talk, if you understand its language, Bastin. But keep a
good heart, Humphrey, for the bold seeker finds in the end. Oh! foolish
man, do you not understand that all is yours if you have but the soul to
conceive and the will to grasp? All, all, below, between, above! Even I
know that, I who have so much to learn."

So she spoke and became suddenly magnificent. Her face which had been
but that of a super-lovely woman, took on grandeur. Her bosom swelled;
her presence radiated some subtle power, much as her hair radiated
light.

In a moment it was gone and she was smiling and jesting.

"Will you come, Strangers, where Tommy was not afraid to go, down to
the Under-world? Or will you stay here in the sun? Perhaps you will do
better to stay here in the sun, for the Under-world has terrors for weak
hearts that were born but yesterday, and feeble feet may stumble in the
dark."

"I shall take my electric torch," said Bastin with decision, "and I
advise you fellows to do the same. I always hated cellars, and the
catacombs at Rome are worse, though full of sacred interest."

Then we started, Tommy frisking on ahead in a most provoking way as
though he were bored by a visit to a strange house and going home, and
Yva gliding forward with a smile upon her face that was half mystic and
half mischievous. We passed the remains of the machines, and Bickley
asked her what they were.

"Carriages in which once we travelled through the skies, until we found
a better way, and that the uninstructed used till the end," she answe