the land of the changing sun-第4章

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〃We　are　indeed　in　wonderland；〃　said　the　Englishman；　〃I　can't　make　head　nor　tail　of　it。　We　were　on　an　isolated　island；　the　Lord　only　knows　where；　and　have　suddenly　been　transported　to　a　new　world！〃

〃I　can't　feel　at　all　as　if　we　were　in　the　world　we　were　born　in；〃　returned　Johnston。　〃I　feel　strange。〃

〃The　wine；〃　suggested　the　Englishman；　〃you　know　it　did　wonders　for　us　in　that　subwater　thing。〃

〃No；　the　wine　has　nothing　to　do　with　it。　My　head　never　was　clearer。　The　very　atmosphere　is　peculiar。　The　air　is　invigorating；　and　I　can't　get　enough　of　it。〃

〃That　is　exactly　the　way　I　feel；〃　was　Thorndyke's　answer。

〃Look　at　the　sunlight；〃　went　on　Johnston；　〃it　is　gray　like　our　dawn；　but　see　how　transparent　it　is。　You　can　look　through　it　for　miles　and　miles。　It　is　becoming　pink　in　the　east；　the　sun　will　soon　be　up；　and　I　am　curious　to　see　it。〃

〃It　must　be　up　now；　but　we　cannot　see　it　for　the　hills　and　buildings。　My　goodness；　see　that！〃　and　the　Englishman　pointed　to　the　east。　A　flood　of　delicate　pink　light　was　now　pouring　into　the　vast　body　of　gray　and　was　slowly　driving　the　more　sombre　color　toward　the　west。　The　line　of　separation　was　markedso　marked；　indeed；　that　it　seemed　a　vast；　rose…colored　billow　rolling；　widening　and　sweeping　onward　like　a　swell　of　the　ocean　shoreward。　On　it　came　rapidly；　till　the　whole　landscape　was　magically　changed。　The　flowers；　the　trees；　the　grass；　the　waters　of　the　lakes；　the　white　buildings；　the　costumes　of　the　people　in　the　streets；　even　the　sky；　changed　in　aspect。　The　white　clouds　looked　like　fire…lit　smoke；　and　far　toward　the　west　rolled　the　long　line　of　pink　still　struggling　with　the　gray　and　driving　it　back。

The　sun　now　came　into　sight；　a　great　bleeding　ball　of　fire　slowly　rising　above　the　gilded　roofs　in　the　distance。

〃By　Jove；　look　at　our　shadows！〃　exclaimed　Johnston；　and　both　men　gazed　at　the　balcony　floor　in　amazement；　their　shadows　were　as　clearly　defined　and　black　as　silhouettes。　〃How　do　you　account　for　that？〃　continued　the　American；　〃I　am　firmly　convinced　that　this　sun　is　not　the　orb　that　shines　over　my　native　land。〃

Thorndyke　laughed；　but　his　laugh　was　forced。　〃How　absurd！　and　yet〃　He　extended　his　hand　over　the　balustrade　into　the　rosy　glow；　and　without　concluding　his　remark　held　it　back　into　the　shadow　of　the　window…casement。　〃By　Jove！〃　he　exclaimed；　〃there　is　not　a　particle　of　warmth　in　it。　It　is　exactly　the　same　temperature　in　the　shade　as　in　the　light。〃　He　moved　back　against　the　wall。　〃No；　there　is　no　difference；　the　blamed　thing　doesn't　give　out　any　warmth。〃

Johnston's　hands　were　extended　in　the　light。　〃I　believe　you　are　right；〃　he　declared　in　awe；　〃something　is　wrong。〃

At　that　moment　appeared　from　the　room　behind　them　a　handsome　youth；　attired　in　a　suit　of　scarlet　silk　that　fitted　his　athletic　figure　perfectly。　He　rapped　softly　on　the　window…　casement　and　bowed　when　they　turned。

〃Your　breakfast　is　waiting　for　you；〃　he　announced。　They　followed　him　into　a　room　adjoining　the　one　they　had　occupied；　and　found　a　table　holding　a　sumptuous　repast。　The　boy　gave　them　seats　and　handed　them　golden　plates　to　eat　upon。　The　fruits；　wine　and　meats　were　very　appetizing；　and　they　ate　with　relish。

〃I　believe　we　are　to　be　conducted　to　the　palace　of　your　king　to…　morrow；〃　ventured　the　Englishman　to　the　boy。

The　boy　shook　his　head；　but　made　no　reply；　and　busied　himself　with　removing　the　dishes。　As　they　were　rising　from　the　table；　they　heard　footsteps　in　the　hall　outside。　The　door　opened。　It　was　Captain　Tradmos；　and　he　was　accompanied　by　a　tall；　bearded　man　with　a　leather　case　under　his　arm。

〃You　must　undergo　a　medical　examination；〃　the　captain　said　smilingly。　〃It　is　our　invariable　custom；　but　this　is　by　a　special　order　from　the　king。〃

Johnston　shuddered　as　he　looked　at　the　odd…looking　instruments　the　medical　man　was　taking　from　the　case；　but　Thorndyke　watched　his　movements　with　phlegmatic　indifference。　He　stood　erect；　threw　back　his　shoulders；　expanded　his　massive　chest　and　struck　it　with　his　clenched　fist　in　pantomimic　boastfulness。

Tradmos　smiled　genially；　but　there　was　something　curt　and　official　in　his　tone　when　he　next　spoke　that　took　the　Englishman　slightly　aback。　〃You　must　bare　your　breast　over　your　heart　and　lungs；〃　he　said；　and　while　Thorndyke　was　unbuttoning　his　shirt；　he　and　the　medical　man　went　to　the　door　and　brought　into　the　room　a　great　golden　bell　hanging　in　a　metallic　frame。

The　bell　was　so　thin　and　sensitive　to　the　slightest　jar　or　movement　that；　although　it　had　been　handled　with　extreme　care；　the　captives　could　see　that　it　was　vibrating　considerably；　and　the　room　was　filled　with　a　low　metallic　sound　that　not　only　affected　the　ear　of　the　hearer　but　set　every　nerve　to　tingling。　The　medical　man　stopped　the　sound　by　laying　his　hand　upon　the　bell。　To　a　tube　in　the　top　of　the　bell　he　fastened　one　end　of　a　rubber　pipe；　the　other　end　was　finished　with　a　silver　device　shaped　like　the　mouth…piece　of　a　speaking　tube。　This　he　firmly　pressed　over　the　Englishman's　heart。　Thorndyke　winced　and　bit　his　lip；　for　the　strange　thing　took　hold　of　his　flesh　with　the　tenacity　of　a　powerful　suction…pump。

〃Ouch！〃　he　exclaimed　playfully；　but　Johnston　saw　that　he　had　turned　pale；　and　that　his　face　was　drawn　as　if　from　pain。

〃Hold　still！〃　ordered　the　medical　man；　〃it　will　be　over　in　a　minute；　now；　be　perfectly　quiet　and　listen　to　the　bell！〃

The　Englishman　stood　motionless；　the　sinews　of　his　neck　drawn　and　knotted；　his　eyes　starting　from　their　sockets。　Thorndyke　felt　the　rubber　tube　quiver　suddenly　and　writhe　with　the　slow　energy　of　a　dying　snake；　and　then　from　the　quivering　bell　came　a　low；　gurgling　sound　like　a　stream　of　water　being　forced　backward　and　forward。

Tradmos　and　the　medical　man　stepped　to　the　bell　and　inspected　a　small　dial　on　its　top。

〃What　was　that？〃　gasped　the　Englishman；　purple　in　the　face。

〃The　sound　of　your　blood；〃　answered　Tradmos；　as　he　removed　the　instrument　from　Thorndyke's　flesh；　〃it　is　as　regular　as　mine；　you　are　very　lucky；　you　are　slightly　fatigued；　but　you　will　be　sound　in　a　day　or　two。〃

〃Thank　you；〃　replied　the　Englishman；　but　he　sank　into　a　chair；　overcome　with　weakness。

〃Now；　I'll　take　you；　please；〃　said　the　medical　man；　motioning　Johnston　to　rise。

〃I　am　slightly　nervous；〃　apologized　the　latter；　as　he　stood　up　and　awkwardly　fumbled　the　buttons　of　his　coat。

〃Nervousness　is　a　mental　disease；〃　said　the　man；　with　professional　brusqueness；　〃it　has　nothing　to　do　with　the　body　except　to　dominate　it　at　times。　If　you　pass　your　examination　you　may　live　to　overcome　it。〃

The　American　looked　furtively　at　Thorndyke；　but　the　head　of　the　Englishman　had　sunk　on　his　breast　and　he　seemed　to　be　asleep。　Johnston　had　never　felt　so　lonely　and　forsaken　in　his　life。　From　his　childhood　he　had　entertained　a　secret　fear　that　he　had　inherited　heart　disease；　and　like　Maupassant's　〃Coward；〃　who　committed　suicide　rather　than　meet　a　man　in　a　duel；　he　had　tried　in　vain　to　get　away　from　the　horrible；　ever…present　thought　by　plunging　into　perilous　adventures。

At　that　moment　he　felt　that　he　would　rather　die　than　know　the　worst　from　the　uncanny　instrument　that　had　just　tortured　his　strong　comrade　till　he　was　overcome　with　exhaustion。

〃I　never　felt　better　in　my　life；〃　he　said　falteringly；　but　it　seemed　to　him　that　every　nerve　and　muscle　in　his　frame　was　withering　through　fear。　His　tongue　felt　clumsy　and　thick　and　his　knees　were　quivering　as　with　ague。

〃Stand　still；〃　ordered　the　physician　sternly；　and　Johnston　was　further　humiliated　by　having　Tradmos　sympathetically　catch　hold　of　his　arm　to　steady　him。

〃Your　people　are　far　advanced　in　the　sciences；〃　went　on　the　physician　coldly；　〃but　there　are　only　a　few　out　of　their　number　who　know　that　the　mind　governs　the　body　and　that　fear　is　its　prime　enemy。　Five　minutes　ago　you　were　eating　heartily　and　had　your　share　of　physical　strength；　and　yet　the　mere　thought　that　you　are　now　to　know　the　actual　condition　of　your　most　vital　organ　has　made　you　as　weak　as　an　infant。　If　you　kept　up　this　state　of　mind　for　a　month　it　would　kill　you。

〃Now　listen；〃　he　went　on；　as　the　instrument　gripped　Johnston's　flesh　and　the　rubber　tube　began　to　twist　and　move　as　if　charged　with　electricity。　The　American　held　his　breath。　A　sound　as　of　water　being　forced　through　channels　that　were　choked；　mingled　with　a　wheezing　sound　like　wind　escaping　from　a　broken　bellows　came　from　the　bell。

〃Your　frame　is　all　right；〃　said　the　medical　man；　as　he　released　the　trembling　American；　〃but　you　have　long　believed　in　the　weakness　of　your　heart　and　it　has；　on　that　account；　become　so。　You　must　banish　all　fear　from　your　thoughts。　You　perhaps　know　that　we　have　a　place　specially　prepared　for　those　who　are　not　physically　sound。　I　am　sorry　that　you　do　not　stand　a　better　examination。〃

Tradmos　regarded　the　American　with　a　look　of　sympathy　as　he　gave　him　a　chair　and　then　rang　a　bell　on　the　table。　Thorndyke　looked　up　sleepily；　as　an　attendant　entered　with　a　couple　of　parcels；　and　glanced　wonderingly　at　his　friend's　white　face　and　bloodshot　eyes。

〃What's　the　matter？〃　he　asked；　but　Johnston　made　no　reply；　for　the　captain　had　opened　the　parcels　and　taken　out　two　suits　of　silken　clothing。

〃Put　them　on；〃　he　said；　giving　a　suit　of　gray　to　Johnston　and　one　of　light　blue　to　Thorndyke。　〃We　shall　leave　you　to　change　your　attire；　and　I　shall　soon　come　for　you。〃



Chapter　IV。

In　a　few　minutes　the　captain　returned　and　found　his　prisoners　ready　to　go　with　him。　Thorndyke　looked　exceedingly　handsome　in　his　glossy　tights；　close…fitting　sack…coat；　tinsel　belt　and　low　shoes　with　buckles　of　gold。　The　natural　color　had　come　back　into　his　cheeks；　and　he　was　exhilarated　over　the　prospect　of　further　adventure。

It　was　not　so；　however；　with　poor　Johnston；　his　spirits　had　been　so　dampened　by　the　physician's　words　that　he　could　not　rally　from　his　despondency。　His　suit　fitted　his　figure　as　well　as　that　of　the　Englishman；　but　he　could　not　wear　it　with　the　same　hopeful　grace。

〃Cheer　up！〃　whispered　Thorndyke；　as　they　followed　the　captain　through　a　long　corridor；　〃if　we　are　on　our　way　to　the　stake　or　block　we　are　at　least　going　dressed　like　gentlemen。〃

Outside　they　found　the　streets　lined　with　spectators　eagerly　waiting　to　see　them　pass。　The　men　all　had　suits　like　those　which　had　been　given　the　captives；　and　the　women　wore　flowing　gowns　like　those　of　ancient　Greece。

〃These　are　the　common　people；〃　whispered　Thorndyke　to　Johnston；　〃but　did　you　ever　dream　of　such　perfect　features　and　physiques？　Every　face　is　full　of　merriment　and　good　cheer。　I　am　curious　to　see　the　royalty。〃

Johnston　made　no　reply；　for　Captain　Tradmos　turned　suddenly　and　faced　them。

〃Stand　here　till　I　return；〃　he　said；　and　he　went　back　into　the　house。

〃Where　in　the　deuce　do　you　think　we　are？〃　pursued　Thorndyke　with　a　grim　smile。

〃Haven't　the　slightest　idea；〃　sighed　Johnston；　and　he　shuddered　as　he　looked　down　the　long　white　street　with　its　borders　of　human　faces。

Thorndyke　was　observant。

〃There　is　not　a　breath　of　air　stirring；〃　he　said；　〃and　yet　the　atmosphere　is　like　impalpable　delicacies　to　a　hungry　man's　stomach。Look　at　that　big　tree；　not　a　leaf　is　moving；　and　yet　every　breath　I　draw　is　as　fresh　as　if　it　came　from　a　mountain…　top。　Did　you　ever　see　such　flowers　as　those？　Look　at　tha