e and fresher. Then the waters
suddenly parted over the roof and ran in crystal streams down the oval
glass.

They were on the surface, and the vessel was slowly gliding toward the
shore which could not be seen owing to there now being no light except
that inside the boat. Captain Tradmos entered, followed by two of his
men holding black silken bandages.

"We must blindfold you," he said; "captives are not allowed to see the
entrance to our kingdom."

Without a word they submitted.

"This way," said the captain kindly, and, holding to an arm of each, he
piloted them out of the vessel to the shore. Then he led them through
what they imagined to be a long stone corridor or arcade from the
ringing echoes of their feet on the stone pavement. Presently they came
to what seemed to be an elevator, for when they had entered it and sat
down, they heard a metallic door slide back into its place, and they
descended quickly.

They could form no idea as to the distance they went down; but Thorndyke
declared afterward that it was over ten thousand feet. When the elevator
stopped Captain Tradmos led them out, and both of the captives were
conscious of breathing the purest, most invigorating air they had ever
inhaled. Instantly their strength returned, and they felt remarkably
buoyant as they were led along over another pavement of polished stone.

Tradmos laughed. "You like the atmosphere?"

"I never heard of anything like it," said Thorndyke. "It is so
delightful I can almost taste it."

"It was that which made Alpha what it is--the most wonderful country in
the universe," said the officer. "There is much in store for you."

The ears of the two captives were greeted by a vague, indefinable hum,
like and yet unlike that of a busy city. It was like many far-off sounds
carefully muffled. Now and then they heard human voices, laughter, and
singing in the distance, and the twanging of musical instruments.

Then they knew that they were entering a building of some sort, for they
heard a key turn in a lock and the humming sound in the distance was
cut off. They felt a soft carpet under their feet, and the feet of their
guards no longer clinked on the stones.

When the bandages were removed they found themselves in a sumptuous
chamber, alone with the captain. The brilliant light from a
quaintly-shaped candelabrum, in the centre of the chamber, dazzled them,
but in a few minutes their eyes had become accustomed to it.

Tradmos