he, too, grew silent.

"Come," said Yva, "my father, the Lord Oro, awaits you."

We crossed the court of the Water of Life and mounted steps that led
to a wide and impressive portico, Tommy frisking ahead of us in a
most excited way for a dog of his experience. Evidently the water had
produced its effect upon him as well as upon his masters. This portico
was in a solemn style of architecture which I cannot describe, because
it differed from any other that I know. It was not Egyptian and not
Greek, although its solidity reminded me of the former, and the beauty
and grace of some of the columns, of the latter. The profuseness and
rather grotesque character of the carvings suggested the ruins of Mexico
and Yucatan, and the enormous size of the blocks of stone, those of Peru
and Baalbec. In short, all the known forms of ancient architecture
might have found their inspiration here, and the general effect was
tremendous.

"The palace of the King," said Yva, "whereof we approach the great
hall."

We entered through mighty metal doors, one of which stood ajar, into
a vestibule which from certain indications I gathered had once been a
guard, or perhaps an assembly-room. It was about forty feet deep by a
hundred wide. Thence she led us through a smaller door into the hall
itself. It was a vast place without columns, for there was no roof to
support. The walls of marble or limestone were sculptured like those of
Egyptian temples, apparently with battle scenes, though of this I am not
sure for I did not go near to them. Except for a broad avenue along the
middle, up which we walked, the area was filled with marble benches that
would, I presume, have accommodated several thousand people. But they
were empty--empty, and oh! the loneliness of it all.

Far away at the head of the hall was a dais enclosed, and, as it were,
roofed in by a towering structure that mingled grace and majesty to a
wonderful degree. It was modelled on the pattern of a huge shell. The
base of the shell was the platform; behind were the ribs, and above, the
overhanging lip of the shell. On this platform was a throne of silvery
metal. It was supported on the arched coils of snakes, whereof the tails
formed the back and the heads the arms of the throne.

On this throne, arrayed in gorgeous robes, sat the Lord Oro, his white
beard flowing over them, and a jewelled cap upon his head. In front of
him was a low table on which lay graven sheets of metal, and amo