ls
of life eternal for the children of earth. Is it so?"

"It is," said Bastin eagerly. "I will set out--"

Oro cut him short with a wave of the hand.

"Not now in the presence of Bickley who doubtless disbelieves your
faith, as he does all else, holding it with justice or without, to be
but another illusion. Yet you shall teach me and on it I will form my
own judgment."

"I shall be delighted," said Bastin. Then a doubt struck him, and he
added: "But why do you wish to learn? Not that you may make a mock of my
religion, is it?"

"I mock at no man's belief, because I think that what men believe is
true--for them. I will tell you why I wish to hear of yours, since I
never hide the truth. I who am so wise and old, yet must die; though
that time may be far away, still I must die, for such is the lot of man
born of woman. And I do not desire to die. Therefore I shall rejoice to
learn of any faith that promises to the children of earth a life eternal
beyond the earth. Tomorrow you shall begin to teach me. Now leave me,
Strangers, for I have much to do," and he waved his hand towards the
table.

We rose and bowed, wondering what he could have to do down in this
luminous hole, he who had been for so many thousands of years out of
touch with the world. It occurred to me, however, that during this long
period he might have got in touch with other worlds, indeed he looked
like it.

"Wait," he said, "I have something to tell you. I have been studying
this book of writings, or world pictures," and he pointed to my atlas
which, as I now observed for the first time, was also lying upon the
table. "It interests me much. Your country is small, very small. When
I caused it to be raised up I think that it was larger, but since then
that seas have flowed in."

Here Bickley groaned aloud.

"This one is much greater," went on Oro, casting a glance at Bickley
that must have penetrated him like a searchlight. Then he opened the map
of Europe and with his finger indicated Germany and Austria-Hungary.
"I know nothing of the peoples of these lands," he added, "but as you
belong to one of them and are my guests, I trust that yours may succeed
in the war."

"What war?" we asked with one voice.

"Since Bickley is so clever, surely he should know better than an
illusion such as I. All I can tell you is that I have learned that there
is war between this country and that," and he pointed to Great Britain
and to Germany upon the map; "a