have studied the climatic differences between the two
countries. You have much to contend with--the winds, for instance, the
heat and cold, etc.; this is the only known country where the winds are
subjugated. I have never been in your world, but from what I have heard
of it I am not anxious to see it. Your atmosphere and climate are so
changeable and so diverse in different localities that I have heard your
people spend much of their time in seeking congenial climes. I think it
was a man who came from London that claimed he once had a cold--'a bad
cold,' I think he called it. It was a standing joke in the royal family
for a long time, and he heard so much about it that he tried to deny
what he had said!"

Johnston glanced at the speaker non-plussed, but the captain was looking
at Thorndyke.

"Your climate is delightful here now," said the Englishman; "is it so
long at a time?"

"Perpetually; it is regulated every moment, and every year we perfect it
in some way."

"Perfect it?"

"Yes, of course, why not? If it ever fails to be up to the usual high
standard, it is owing to neglect of those in charge, and neglect is
punished severely."

Thorndyke's eyes sought those of the American incredulously. Seeing
which Tradmos looked amused.

"You doubt it," he smiled. "Well, wait till you have been here longer.
The fact is, any one born in our climate could not live in yours. The
king experimented on a man who claimed to have only one lung, but who
had two sound ones when he was cut open. Well, the king sent him to
China, or America, or some such place, and he wheezed himself to death
in a week by your clocks. The weather was too fickle for him. Our system
has been perfected to such an extent that we live four lives to your
one, and our fruits and vegetables are a hundred per cent. better than
those in other countries."

"What is the name of your country?" asked Thorndyke, feeling that he was
not losing anything by his boldness.

"Alpha."

"Where is it located?"

"I don't know." Tradmos looked out at the window for a moment as if to
ascertain that they were going in the right direction, then he fixed his
dark eyes on Thorndyke and asked hesitatingly:--

"I never thought--I--but do you know where your country is located?"

"Why, certainly."

"Well, I don't know where this one is. We are taught everything, I
think, except geography." Nothing more was said for several minutes,
then an exclamation of admiration br