KER KARRAJE 175

having had the pleasure of visiting this cavern I was at
liberty to leave it.”

“What! would you dream of leaving us, Mr. Gaydon—
of returning to your stupid pavilion at Healthful House?
You have scarcely explored our magnificent domain, nor
had time to admire its incomparable beauties, all due to
nature alone.”

“What I have seen is enough for me,’ I replied, “and
in case you speak to me seriously, I answer you seriously
that I don’t want to see any more.”

“Come, come, Mr. Gaydon, permit me to observe that
you are not yet able to appreciate the advantages of
existence under such unrivalled conditions! A calm and
tranquil life, free from all care, the future assured, material
surroundings such as are not to be met elsewhere, an
equable climate, nothing to fear from the tempests that
sweep the Atlantic, neither frosts in winter nor heat
in summer! The changes of season scarcely make
themselves felt in this mild and health-giving atmo-
sphere. Here we have to dread neither Neptune nor
Pluto.”

This evocation of mythological names was, it seemed
to me, out of place. Serké was evidently making fun of
me. Gaydon could hardly have heard of either Pluto or
Neptune.

“Sir,” I said, “possibly this climate suits you, and you
appreciate as they deserve the advantages of living at the
bottom of this cavern of—”

I was on the point of saying Backcup—lI stopped myself