Essential Science Fiction Novels - Volume 6. Richard Jefferies

of the cavern's roof and the light did not vary in color. A son of the first king suggested the plan of giving the sun diurnal movement and the changing light. The moon and stars were a later development. They found, too, that the light could not be made to reach certain recesses in the cavern where the roof approached the earth, so they finally built a great wall to keep the inhabitants within proscribed boundaries, and to prevent them from understanding the machinery of the heavens.”

      “Wonderful!” exclaimed Thorndyke. “But the temperature of the atmosphere, how does that happen to be so delightful and beneficial?”

      “I believe they do not themselves thoroughly comprehend that. The heat comes from the internal fires, and the fresh air from without in some mysterious way. At first, in a few places, the heat was too severe, but the scientific men among the first settlers obviated this difficulty by closing up the hottest of the fissures and opening others in the cooler parts of the cavern.”

      “And the people, where did they come from?”

      “From all parts of the earth. We had agents outside who selected such men and women that were willing to come, and who filled all the requirements, mentally and physically.”

      “But why do they desire to live here instead of out in the world, when they have all the wealth that they need to assure every advantage.”

      “They dread death, and it is undoubtedly true that life is prolonged here; our medical men declare that the longevity of every generation is improved.”

      “Is it possible? But tell me about the sun, when it sets, what becomes of it?”

      “It goes back to its place of rising through a great tunnel beneath us.”

      Thorndyke sat in deep thought for a moment; then he looked so steadily and so admiringly into Bernardino's eyes that she grew red with confusion. “But you, yourself, are you thoroughly content here?”

      “I know nothing else,” she continued. “I have heard little about your world except that your people are discontented, weak and insane, and that your changeable weather and your careless laws regarding marriage and heredity produce perpetual and innumerable diseases; that your people are not well developed and beautiful; that you war with one another, and that one tears down what another builds. I have, too, always been happy, and since you came I am happier still. I don't know what it means. I have never been so much interested in any one before.”

      “It is love on the part of both of us,” replied the Englishman impulsively, taking her hand. “I never was content before. I went roving over the earth trying to end my life at sea or in balloon voyages, but now I only want to be with you. I have never dreamed that I could be so happy or that I would meet any one so beautiful as you are.”

      Bernardino's delight showed itself in blushes on her face, and Thorndyke, unable to restrain himself, put his arm around her and drew her to his breast and kissed her.

      She sprang up quickly and he saw that she was trembling and that all the color had fled from her face.

      “What is the matter?” he asked, in alarm.

      At first she did not answer, but only looked at him half-frightened, and then covered her face with her hands. He drew them from her face and compelled her to look at him.

      “What is the matter?” he repeated, a strange fear at his heart.

      “You have broken one of the most sacred laws of our country,” she faltered, in great embarrassment; “my father would punish me very severely if he knew of it, and he would banish you; for, to treat me in that manner, as his daughter, is regarded as an insult to him.”

      “I beg your pardon most humbly,” said the contrite Englishman. “It was all on account of my ignorance of your customs and my impulsiveness. It shall never happen again, I promise you.”

      Her face brightened a little and the color came back slowly. She sat down again, but not so near Thorndyke, and seemed desirous of changing the subject.

      “And do you love the man my father has transported?” she questioned.

      “Yes, he is a good, faithful fellow, and it is hard to die so far away from friends.”

      “We must try to save him, but I cannot now think of a safe plan. The police are very vigilant.”

      “Where was he taken?”

      “Into the darkness behind the sun—beyond the wall of which I spoke.”

      A flush of shame came into Thorndyke's face over the remembrance that he had made no effort to aid poor Johnston, and was sitting listening with delight to the conversation of Bernardino. He rose suddenly.

      “I must be doing something to aid him,” he said. “I cannot sit here inactive while he is in danger.”

      “Be patient,” she advised, looking at him admiringly; “it is near night; see, it is the gray light of dusk; the sun is out of sight. To-night, if possible, I shall come to you. Perhaps I shall approach you without disguise if you are in the throne-room and my father does not object to my entertaining you, but for the present we must separate. Adieu.”

      He bowed low as she turned away, and joined the throng that was passing along outside. An officer approached him. It was Captain Tradmos, who bowed and smiled pleasantly.

      “I congratulate you,” he said, with suave pleasantness.

      “Upon what?” Thorndyke was on his guard at once.

      “Upon having pleased the king so thoroughly. No stranger, in my memory, has ever been treated so courteously. Every other new-comer is put under surveillance, but you are left unwatched.”

      “He is easily pleased,” said the Englishman, “for I have done nothing to gratify him.”

      “I thought he would like you; and I felt that your friend would have to suffer, but I could not help him.”

      “He shall not suffer if I can prevent it.”

      “Sh—be cautious. Those words, implying an inclination to treason, if spoken to any other officer would place you under immediate arrest. I like you, therefore I want to warn you against such folly. You are wholly in the king's power. Another thing I would specially warn you against——”

      “And that is?”

      “Not to allow the king to suspect your admiration for the Princess Bernardino. It would displease the king. She is much taken with you; I saw it in her eyes when she danced for your entertainment.”

      Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed searchingly into the eyes of the officer. Tradmos laughed.

      “You are afraid of me.”

      “No, I am not, I trust you wholly; I know that you are honorable; I never make a mistake along that line.”

      Tradmos bowed, pleased by the compliment.

      “I shall aid you all I can with my advice, for I know you will not betray me; but at present I am powerless to give you material aid. Every subject of this realm is bound to the autocratic will of the king. It is impossible for any one to get from under his power.”

      “Why?”

      “The only outlet to the upper world is carefully guarded by men who would not be bribed.”

      “Is there any chance for my friend?”

      “None that I can see, but I must walk on; there comes one of the king's attendants.”

      “The king has asked to speak to you,” announced the attendant to Thorndyke.

      “I will go with you,” was his reply, and he followed the man through the crowded corridors into the throne-room of the king. Thorndyke forced a smile as he saw the king smiling at him as he approached the throne.

      “What do you think of my palace?”