le blocks, and the magician
had planned to crush his victims where they stood. But the four were
still unharmed. The marble, being unable to touch them, was diverted
from its course, and when the roar of the great crash had died away,
Zog saw his intended victims standing quietly in their places and
smiling scornfully at his weak attempts to destroy them.

CHAPTER 16

THE TOP OF THE GREAT DOME

Cap'n Bill's heart was beating pretty vast, but he did not let Zog
know that. Trot was so sure of the protection of the fairy mermaids
that she would not allow herself to become frightened. Aquareine and
Clia were as calm as if nothing had happened.

"Please excuse this little interruption," said Zog. "I knew very
well the marble blocks would not hurt you. But the play is over for
a time. You may now retire to your rooms, and when I again invite
you to my presence, I shall have found some better ways to entertain
you."

Without reply to this threat, they turned and followed Sacho from
the hall, and the boy led them straight back to their own rooms.

"Zog is making a great mistake," said Sacho with a laugh. "He has no
time for vengeance, but the great magician does not know that."

"What is he trying to do, anyway?" asked Trot.

"He does not tell me all his secrets, but I've an idea he wants to
kill you," replied Sacho. "How absurd it is to be plotting such a
thing when he might spend his time in laughing and being jolly!
Isn't it, now?"

"Zog is a wicked, wicked creature!" exclaimed Trot.

"But he had his good points," replied Sacho cheerfully. "There is no
one about in the world so bad that there is nothing good about him."

"I'm not so sure of that," said Cap'n Bill. "What are Zog's good
points?"

"All his slaves were saved from drowning, and he is kind to them,"
said Sacho.

"That is merely the kindness of selfishness," said Aquareine. "Tell
me, my lad, is the opening in the great dome outside guarded?"

"Yes indeed," was the reply. "You cannot hope to escape in that way,
for the prince of the sea devils, who is the largest and fiercest of
his race, lies crouched over the opening night and day, and none can
pass his network of curling legs."

"Is there no avenue that is not guarded?" continued Aquareine.

"None at all, your Majesty. Zog is always careful to be well
guarded, for he fears the approach of an enemy. What this enemy can
be to terrify the great magician I do not know, but Zog is always