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into the details。 The views； however； are reflected to this point from various observatories throughout the land。 Such a system would be impossible in any other country on account of the clouds and atmospheric changes； but here we control everything。〃
〃I noticed；〃 returned the Englishman； 〃that green fields lie beside ripening ones and those in which the grain is being harvested。〃
〃We have no change of seasons；〃 answered the king。 〃Change of seasons may be according to nature； but it is in the province of man's intellect to improve on nature。 But I must leave you now； I shall summon you again when I have the leisure to continue our conversation。〃
〃Well； what do you think of it？〃 asked Johnston； as the king disappeared behind a curtain in the direction of the audience chamber。
〃I give it up； I only know that the old fellow's daughter； the Princess Bernardino is the most beautiful； the most bewitching creature that ever breathed。 Did you notice her eyes and form？ Great heavens！ was there ever such a vision of human loveliness？ Her grace； her voice； her glances drove me wild with delight。〃
〃You are dead gone；〃 grumbled the American despondently； 〃we'll never get away from here in the world。 I can see that。〃
〃I gave up all hope in that direction some time ago；〃 said Thorndyke； 〃and why should we care？ We were awfully bored with life before we came； for my part I'd as soon end mine up here as anywhere else。 Besides； didn't his majesty say that they live longer under his system than we do？〃
〃I don't take stock in all he says；〃 growled the American； 〃he talks like a Chicago real estate agent who wants to sell a lot。 Why doesn't he chop off our heads and be done with it？〃
Thorndyke burst into a jovial laugh。 〃You are coming round all right； that is the first joke you have got off since we came here； his royal Nibs may need a court…jester and give you a job。〃
〃There goes that blamed sunlight again；〃 exclaimed Johnston； grasping his companion's arm； 〃don't you see it changing？〃
〃Yes； and this time it is white； like old Sol's natural smile； but isn't it clear？ It seems to me that I could see to the end of the earth in that light。 I want to know how he does it。〃
〃How who does it？〃
〃Why； the king； of course； it is his worksome sort of invention； but we must keep civil tongues in our heads when we are dealing with a man who can color the very light of the sun。〃
They were walking back toward the great rotunda； and； as they entered the conservatory； the crowds of men and women stared at them curiously。 They had paused to inspect the statue of a massive stone dragon when a young officer in glittering uniform approached and addressed Johnston。
〃Follow me；〃 he said simply； 〃it is the king's command。〃
The American started and looked at Thorndyke apprehensively。
〃Go；〃 said the latter； 〃don't hesitate an instant。〃
Poor Johnston had turned white。 He held out his hand to Thorndyke； 〃Shake；〃 he said in a whisper； not intended for the ears of the officer； 〃I don't believe that we shall meet again。 I felt that we were to be parted ever since that medical examination。〃
Thorndyke's face had altered； an angry flush came in his face and his eyes flashed； but with an effort he controlled himself。
〃Tut； tut； don't be silly。 I shall wait for you round here； if there is any foul play I shall make some one suffer for it。 You can depend on me to the end； we are hand in hand in this adventure； old man。〃
Chapter VII。
Johnston followed his guide to a flying machine outside。 He hesitated an instant； as the officer was holding the door open； and looked back toward the conservatory； but he could not see Thorndyke。
〃Where are you taking me？〃 he asked desperately。 But the officer did not seem to hear the question。 He was motioning to a tall man of athletic build who wore a dark blue uniform and who came hastily forward and pushed the American into the machine。 Through the open door Johnston saw Thorndyke's anxious face as the Englishman emerged from the conservatory and strode toward them。 The two officers entered and closed the glass door。
Then the machine rose and Johnston's spirits sank as they shot upward and floated easily over the humming crowd into the free white light above the smokeless city。 The poor captive leaned on the window…sill and looked out。 There was no breeze； and no current of air except that caused by their rapid passage through the atmosphere。
Up； up； they went； till the city seemed a blur of mingled white and gray； and then the color below changed to a vague blue as they flew over the fields of the open country。
The first officer took a glass and a decanter from a receptacle under a seat； and； pouring a little red fluid into the glass； offered it to the American。
〃Drink it；〃 he said； 〃it will put you to sleep for a time。〃
〃I don't want to be drugged。〃
〃The journey will try your nerves。 It is harmless。〃
〃I don't want it； if I take it； you will have to pour it down my throat。〃
The officer smiled as he put the glass and decanter away。 Faster and faster flew the machine。 They had to put the window down； for the current of air had become too strong and cool to be pleasant。 The color of the sunlight changed to green； and then at noon； from the zenith； a glorious red light shimmered down and veiled the earth with such a beautiful translucent haze that the poor American for a moment almost forgot his trouble。
The afternoon came on。 The sunlight became successively green； white； blue； lavender； rose and gray。 The sun was no longer in sight and the gray in the west was darkening into purple； the last hour of the day。 Night was at hand。 Johnston's limbs were growing stiff from inaction； and he had a strong desire to speak or to hear one of the officers say something； but they were dozing in their respective corners。 The moon had risen and hung far out in space overhead； but they seemed to be leaving it behind。 Later he felt sure of this； for its light gradually became dimmer and dimmer till at last they were in total darknessdarkness pierced only by the powerful search…light which threw its dazzling； trumpet…shaped rays far ahead。 But； search as he would in the direction they were going； the unfortunate American could see nothing but the ever…receding wall of blackness。
Suddenly they began to descend。 The officers awoke and stretched themselves and yawned。 One of them opened the window and Johnston heard a far…off； roaring sound like that of a multitude of skaters on a vast sheet of ice。
Down； down； they dropped。 Johnston's heart was in his mouth。
The machine suddenly slackened in its speed and then hung poised in mid…air。 The rays of the search…light were directed downward and slowly shifted from point to point。 Looking down； the American caught glimpses of rugged rocks； sharp cliffs and yawning chasms。
〃How is it？〃 asked the first officer； through a speaking…tube； of the driver。
〃A good landing！〃 was the reply。
〃Well； go down。〃 And a moment later the machine settled on the uneven ground。
The same officer opened the door； and gently pushed Johnston out。 Johnston expected them to follow him； but the door of the machine closed behind him。
〃Sta