the land of the changing sun-第19章

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Thorndyke　went　down　into　his　chambers　to　make　his　toilet　and　was　ready　to　leave　when　there　was　a　soft　rap　on　his　door。　He　opened　it；　and　to　his　surprise　saw　Bernardino　modestly　draw　herself　back　into　the　shadow　of　the　hall。

〃Pardon　me；　but　I　must　speak　to　you；〃　she　stammered　in　confusion。

〃What　is　it？〃　he　asked；　going　out　to　her。

〃I　want　to　advise　you　to　avoid　my　father　to…day。　He　is　greatly　disappointed　with　the　accident　of　yesterday；　and　he　is　never　courteous　to　strangers　when　he　is　displeased。　He　was　particularly　anxious　to　have　you　entertained　by　the　fete。〃

〃Thank　you；　I　shall　keep　out　of　his　way；〃　promised　the　Englishman。　〃Where　had　I　better　stayhere　in　my　rooms？〃

〃No；　he　might　send　for　you。　If　you　would　care　to　see　Winter　Park；　I　can　go　with　you　as　your　guide。〃

〃I　should　be　delighted；　nothing　could　please　me　more。〃

〃But；〃　（as　a　servant　passed　in　the　room　with　a　tray）　〃that　is　your　breakfast。　Meet　me　at　the　fountain　at　the　north　entrance　of　the　palace　in　half　an　hour。〃　And；　drawing　her　veil　over　her　face；　she　vanished　in　the　darkness　of　the　corridor。

After　he　had　breakfasted　and　sent　the　man　away；　he　hastened　below　to　the　place　designated　by　the　princess。　She　was　waiting　for　him　under　the　palm　trees；　and　was　so　disguised　that　he　would　not　have　known　her　but　for　her　low　amused　laugh　as　he　was　about　to　pass　her。

〃It　would　not　do　for　any　one　to　suspect　me；〃　she　explained；　〃my　father　would　never　forgive　me　for　doing　this。〃　She　pointed　to　a　flying…machine　near　by。　〃We　must　take　the　air；　I　have　made　all　the　arrangements。　Winter　Park　is　beyond　the　limits　of　the　city。〃

He　followed　her　across　the　grass　to　the　machine　and　into　the　car。　They　could　see　the　driver　behind　the　glass　of　the　narrow　compartment　in　which　he　sat；　and　when　he　turned　the　polished　metal　wheel　the　machine　rose　like　a　liberated　balloon。

Thorndyke　looked　out　of　the　window。　The　blue　haze　of　the　fifth　hour　of　the　morning　was　breaking　over　everything；　and　as　the　domes；　pinnacles；　and　vari…colored　roofs　fell　away　in　the　beautiful　light；　the　breast　of　the　Englishman　heaved　with　delightful　emotions。　Bernardino　was　watching　his　face　with　a　gratified　smile。

〃You　like　Alpha；〃　she　said；　half　anxiously；　half　inquiringly。

〃Very　much；〃　he　replied；　〃but　I　want　to　show　you　the　great　world　I　came　from；and　some　day　perhaps　I　can。〃

The　blood　ran　into　her　cheeks　suddenly；　and　then　as　quickly　receded；　leaving　a　wistful　expression　in　her　eyes。　She　sighed。　〃It　has　been　my　dream　for　a　long　time。　I　have　always　imagined　that　it　is　more　wonderful　than　Alpha；　but　you　know　there　is　no　chance　for　you　to　return　now。〃

〃I　shall　manage　to　escape　some　way　and　you　shall　go　with　me　as　my　wife。〃

Her　blushes　came　again。　〃I　did　not　know　that　you　cared　that　much　for　me；〃　she　said。　Then；　as　if　to　change　the　subject；　she　pointed　through　the　window。　〃See；　we　are　approaching　the　Park；　and　shall　descend　in　a　moment。〃

He　looked　out　of　the　window　and　then　drew　his　head　in　quickly。

〃We　are　coming　down　into　a　big　lake！〃　he　cried　out。　〃Oh；　no；　it　is　only　the　glass　roof　of　the　park；〃　she　laughed；　〃true；　it　does　look　like　water　in　the　sunlight。〃

The　machine　sank　lower　and　finally　rested　on　a　plot　of　grass　in　a　little　square　ornamented　with　beds　of　flowers　and　white　statues。　Thorndyke　saw　a　seemingly　endless　wall；　so　high　that　he　could　not　calculate　its　height。　Bernardino　preceded　him　in　at　a　great　arching　door　in　the　wall；　and　they　found　themselves　in　a　stone…　paved　vestibule　several　hundred　feet　square。

A　maid　servant　came　forward　at　once　and　brought　heavy　fur　clothing　for　them　and　invited　them　into　separate　toilet　rooms。　When　he　came　out　Bernardino　was　waiting　for　him。　He　could　hardly　breathe；　so　thick　were　the　furs　he　had　put　on。

〃It　is　warm　here；　but　it　will　be　colder　in　a　moment；〃　said　the　princess。　And　she　led　him　to　a　door　across　the　room。　When　the　door　was　opened；　Thorndyke　uttered　an　exclamation　of　astonishment。　Before　their　eyes　lay　a　wide　expanse　of　snow…covered　roads；　woodlands　and　frozen　lakes　and　streams。　The　air　was　as　crisp　and　invigorating　as　a　Canadian　winter。

Bernardino　led　him　to　a　pavilion　where　a　number　of　pleasure…　seekers　were　gathered　and　selected　a　sleigh　and　two　mettlesome　horses。　She　took　the　reins　from　the　man；　and　sprang　lightly　into　the　graceful　cutter。　Thorndyke　followed　her　and　wrapped　the　thick　robes　about　her　feet。　Away　they　sped　like　the　wind　down　the　smooth　road；　through　a　leafless　forest。　Overhead　the　glass　roof　could　not　be　seen；　but　a　lowering　gray　cloud　hung　over　them　and　a　light　snow　was　falling。

〃Winter　Park　is　a　great　resort；〃　the　princess　explained；　〃we　get　tired　of　the　unchanging　climate；　and　it　is　pleasant　to　visit　such　a　place　as　this。　There　is　a　winter　park　in　every　town　of　any　size　in　Alpha。〃

They　drove　along　the　shore　of　a　beautiful　lake；　on　the　frozen　surface　of　which　hundreds　of　skaters　were　darting　here　and　there；　and　passed　hillsides　on　which　crowds　of　young　people　were　coasting　in　sleds。　When　they　had　driven　about　ten　miles　in　a　circuitous　route　she　turned　the　horses　round。

〃We　had　better　return；〃　she　said；　〃you　have　not　seen　all　of　the　Park；　but　we　can　visit　it　some　other　time。〃

Outside　they　found　their　flying…machine　awaiting　them；　and　were　soon　on　the　way　back　to　the　city。　They　parted　at　the　fountain　in　the　park；　she　hastening　to　the　palace；　and　he　turning　to　stroll　through　the　little　wood　behind　him。

He　was　passing　a　thick　bunch　of　trees　when　he　was　startled　by　hearing　his　name　called。　He　turned　round；　but　at　first　saw　no　one。

〃Thorndyke！〃　There　it　was　again；　and　then　he　saw　a　hand　beckoning　to　him　from　a　hedge　of　ferns　at　his　right。　He　stepped　back　a　few　paces；　a　man　came　out　of　the　wood。

It　was　Johnston；　his　face　was　white　and　haggard；　his　clothing　rent　and　soiled。

〃My　God；　can　it　be　you？〃　gasped　the　Englishman。

〃Nobody　else；〃　groaned　Johnston；　cautiously　advancing　and　laying　a　trembling　hand　on　the　arm　of　Thorndyke；　〃but　don't　talk　loud；　they　will　find　me。〃

〃Where　did　you　come　from？〃

Johnston　pointed　first　to　the　east；　and　then　swept　his　hand　over　the　sky　to　the　west。

〃Over　the　wall；〃　he　said　despondently。　〃From　the　dead　lands　behind　the　sun。〃

〃How　did　you　get　back　here？〃

For　reply　Johnston　parted　the　fern　leaves　and　pointed　to　the　lank　figure　of　the　tall　Alphian；　who　lay　curled　up　on　the　grass　as　if　asleep。　〃He　brought　me　in　that　flying…　machine　there；　but　he　has　spent　all　his　strength　in　trying　to　manage　the　thing；　which　was　out　of　order；　and　now　he　is　helpless。　Twice　we　came　within　an　inch　of　sinking　down　into　the　internal　fires。　The　last　time　we　escaped　only　by　the　breadth　of　a　hair；　if　he　had　not　had　the　endurance　of　a　man　of　iron　he　would　have　succumbed　to　the　heat　and　we　would　have　been　lost。　We　sank　so　far　down　that　I　became　insensible　and　never　knew　a　thing　till　the　fresh　air　revived　me。　See；　my　beard　and　hair　are　singed；　and　look　how　he　is　blistered。　Poor　fellow！　He　is　a　hero。〃　Johnston　stepped　back　and　shook　the　Alphian；　but　the　poor　fellow's　head　only　rolled　to　one　side；　showing　his　bloodshot　eyes。　He　was　in…　sensible。

〃He　is　in　a　bad　fix；〃　said　Thorndyke；　〃where　did　he　come　from？〃

〃Banished　like　myself；　we　met　over　there　in　the　dark　and　roamed　about　together。〃

〃What　are　you　going　to　do？〃

〃I　don't　know；　I　was　following　his　lead。　We　will　both　be　put　to　death　if　we　are　discovered。〃

〃Did　he　not　tell　you　his　plan？〃

Johnston　started　visibly。　〃Oh；　I　forgot；〃　he　exclaimed。　〃He　declares　that　all　this　vast　cavern　is　in　danger。　Over　in　the　west　we　discovered　a　hole　in　the　roof　through　which　the　ocean　is　streaming　in　a　torrent。　He　calculated　that　before　many　hours　the　water　would　overflow　into　the　internal　fires　and　produce　a　volcanic　eruption　that　will　swallow　up　all　of　Alpha。〃

〃Merciful　Heaven！　and　you　are　hiding　here　at　such　a　moment？　The　king　must　be　informed　at　once。〃

Johnston　had　grown　suddenly　paler。　〃It　may　not　be　as　bad　as　Branasko　feared；　and　the　king　would　have　no　mercy　on　me　and　him。〃

〃Leave　that　to　me；〃　said　Thorndyke；　〃I　have　made　a　good　friend　of　the　Princess　Bernardino。　She　will　tell　me　what　is　best　to　do。　Remain　here。〃

In　breathless　haste；　Thorndyke　went　into　the　audience　chamber。　Fortunately　the　king　was　not　on　his　throne；　and　he　caught　sight　of　the　confidential　maid　of　the　princess。

She　saw　him　approaching；　and　withdrew　behind　a　cluster　of　tall　white　jars　of　porcelain　containing　rare　plants。

〃I　must　see　your　mistress；〃　he　said；　〃tell　her　to　come　to　me　at　once；　we　are　in　great　peril！〃

The　girl　swept　her　eyes　over　the　balconies　and　the　throne　and　said：　〃She　is　in　her　apartments；　sir；　I　shall　bring　her。〃

〃Tell　her　to　meet　me　at　the　fountain　where　we　last　met；〃　and　he　hastened　back　to　the　spot　mentioned。

She　soon　came。　〃What　is　it？〃　she　asked　excitedly。

〃Johnston　is　back；〃　he　replied。　〃He　is　in　the　wood　there　with　a　fellow　who　escaped　with　him　in　a　disabled　flying…machine。　He　says　the　sea　has　broken　through　over　in　the　west　and　is　streaming　into　Alpha　in　a　torrent。〃

〃Surely　there　is　some　mistake；〃　she　said；　〃such　a　thing　has　never　happened。〃

〃It　may　have　been　caused　by　the　explosives　during　the　storm；〃　went　on　Thorndyke。　〃Branasko；　the　Alphian　who　was　with　Johnston；　says　we　are　in　imminent　peril。〃

〃There　must　be　some　mistake；〃　she　repeated　incredulously；　as　she　looked　to　westward。　The　green　glow　of　the　second　hour　of　the　afternoon　lay　over　everything。　She　stood　mute　and　motionless　for　a　long　time；

looking　steadily　at　the　horizon；　then　she　started　suddenly；　changed　her　position；　and　shaded　her　eyes　from　the　sunlight。

〃It　really　does　seem　to　me　that　there　is　a　cloud　rising；　and　it　is　unlike　any　cloud　I　ever　saw。〃

〃I　see　it　too！〃　cried　the　Englishman；　〃it　must　be　that　the　water　has　already　reached　the　internal　fires。〃

Bernardino　was　very　pale　when　she　turned　to　him。

〃My　father　must　know　this　at　once；　come　with　me。〃

Into　the　palace；　through　the　vast　rotunda；　past　the　throne；　and　into　the　very　apartment　of　the　king　himself　she　led　him　hastily。　A　royal　attendant　met　them　and　held　up　his　hands　warningly。　〃The　king　is　asleep；〃　he　said　in　an　undertone。

〃Wake　him　　wake　him　at　once！〃　commanded　the　excited　girl。

〃I　cannot；　it　would　offend　him；〃　was　the　reply。

She　did　not　pause　an　instant；　but　darting　past　the　man　and　running　to　the　king's　couch；　she　drew　the　curtain　aside　and　touched　the　sleeper。　He　waked　in　anger；　but　her　first　word　disarmed　him。

〃Alpha　is　in　danger。〃

〃What！〃　he　growled；　half　awake。　〃The　sea　is　breaking　through　in　the　west；　and　running　into　the　internal　fires。〃

〃How　do　you　know　that？〃

〃A　dense　cloud　is　rising　in　the　west；　and：〃

〃Impossible！〃　the　word　came　from　far　down　in　his　throat；　and　he　was　ghastly　pale。　He　ran　to　the　table　and　touched　a　button　and；　to　the　astonishment　of　Thorndyke；　the　walls　on　the　western　side　of　the　room　silently　parted；　showing　a　little　balcony　overlooking　the　street　below。　The　king　went　hastily　out　and　looked　toward　the　west。　The　others　followed　him。　The　princess　stifled　a　cry　of　alarm　when　she　glanced　at　the　sky。

Great　black；　rolling　clouds　were　rapidly　spreading　along　the　horizon。

The　king　looked　at　them　as　helplessly　as　a　frightened　child。　〃The　air！〃　he　groaned。　〃It　is　hot！〃　and　then　he　held　out　his　hand　to　the