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CHAPTER I STRANGERS COME TO MARSHFIELDEN
CHAPTER I STRANGERS COME TO MARSHFIELDEN
An English summer! The birds sang merrily, and the trees bowed their heads, keeping time with the melody. The breeze whispered its accompaniment, and all the glades and woods were happy. Marshfielden was, perhaps, one of the prettiest villages in Derbyshire. Nestling among the peaks of that lovely county, its surroundings were most picturesque. Its straggling street, for it had but one, was unspoiled by tripper or tourist, for its charms were unknown to the outside world. The road was cobbled, a
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CHAPTER II THE CURSE
CHAPTER II THE CURSE
The two men had now been working for three months at the mine, and the villagers had become used to the sight of strangers in Marshfielden. Indeed, as the weeks sped by, and nothing uncanny happened, they began gradually to forget the “Curse” in connection with the two young Forsyths. Summer was now waning. Leaves were beginning to fall and folks were making preparations for a hard winter. Mr. Winthrop was still going round on his kindly errands and had become sincerely attached to the two youth
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CHAPTER III THE LIGHT
CHAPTER III THE LIGHT
The London papers were burning with excitement. Marshfielden had at last become known to the vast, outside world, for the disappearance of so many of its inhabitants could no longer be hidden under a veil. After the vicar was found to be missing, Mr. Dickson at the mine made Slater promise to report the matter to the Kiltown police—the nearest constabulary to Marshfielden. The detective officer and his men came over and pompously took notes and asked voluminous questions, but after a fortnight’s
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CHAPTER IV THE OUTLET
CHAPTER IV THE OUTLET
For over six months Marshfielden was unvisited by the “Light”. The inhabitants were settling down and work had begun again in earnest. Alan had been promoted second overseer at the mine, and as he had a firm way with the men, those under him worked diligently and well. Traces of sorrow were left on every one’s face. It was impossible to eradicate them in a few months; years would not wipe away the affliction that had come into their lives. The little village was opened up now. Motors traversed i
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CHAPTER I A STRANGE MEETING
CHAPTER I A STRANGE MEETING
The ever present sense of “self-preservation” beats within the breasts of men most strongly at some period or other of their lives. It showed itself to Alan now. A fear of the supernatural came over him, and very quietly he stepped into the shelter of a jutting piece of rock, from which, all unseen, he could take a view of his surroundings. He realized at once that it was to no mine that he had come, for strange, fantastic figures flitted about in the distance, figures that did not belong to the
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CHAPTER II THE ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLE
CHAPTER II THE ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLE
For some time after the cousins met again so strangely, they could only grasp each other’s hands—their hearts were too full for words. “I’m like a silly woman,” said Desmond at last “but oh! Alan, I seem to have been in this Hell a lifetime.” “Poor old boy.” “No one to speak to but Kaweeka—no one to look at but Kaweeka—always Kaweeka—until I felt I should go mad.” “How did you get here?” asked Alan at last. “We were never able to discover the origin of the Light. Oh,” he shuddered, “I shall neve
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CHAPTER III RELATING TO HISTORY
CHAPTER III RELATING TO HISTORY
“How long have we been down here, Lanny?” “Together do you mean?” “Yes.” “Oh months and months—I can’t count time.” “Neither can I. Days pass—we grow tired and we sleep, only to wake to another day like the last, like every day here.” “How far have you got with the translation, Dez?” “Nearly to the end.” “Splendid. What do you make of it?” “Just what we expected—It is a very corrupted version of part of the Pentateuch.” “How much of it?” “Nearly all Genesis—a minute portion of Exodus—and Levitic
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CHAPTER IV OUT INTO THE GREAT BEYOND
CHAPTER IV OUT INTO THE GREAT BEYOND
The boys had no packing to do. They possessed nothing but the clothes they stood in, and a sailor’s clasp knife that belonged to Alan; but they put together a store of dried elers, a fruit that was sustaining, and that, down below, took the place of the bread of the upper world. There were very few of the purple people about; it was the vigil of Meherut,—the most solemn feast day of their strange religion, and all were shut up in their houses with their curtains drawn spending their time in fast
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CHAPTER V A FRIEND FROM THE ENEMY
CHAPTER V A FRIEND FROM THE ENEMY
Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld. “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely. “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.” A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of
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CHAPTER VI THE LAIR OF THE SERPENT
CHAPTER VI THE LAIR OF THE SERPENT
“Korah! Korah!” the words grew fainter and fainter, until at length, worn out with religious fervour, Jez-Riah flung herself on the ground and fell asleep. Alan and Desmond gazed after her for some time and then Alan said “Let’s lie down, Dez. We are both worn out, and it is useless to follow her. She will return to us only when the spirit moves her.” “Then for Heaven’s sake let us get away from this infernal din.” They walked down one of the widest passages until they came to a place where the
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CHAPTER VII ON THE WAY TO THE TOMB OF KORAH
CHAPTER VII ON THE WAY TO THE TOMB OF KORAH
Time passed—time that had no measure—time that seemed an eternity. They had all recovered from their encounter with the Sacred Serpent, but the adventure had left them nervous and irritable. There was food in plenty, and the luscious roots gave them both meat and drink. Always upward they mounted—and as they saw the mountainous paths rise before them, hope held out her encouraging hand, and whispered that one day they might even see the stars. Jez-Riah still led them on, through untold paths and
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CHAPTER VIII THE TOMB OF KORAH
CHAPTER VIII THE TOMB OF KORAH
The Tomb of Korah! They had reached their goal at last! The boys stood back awed at the thought of what might have passed in that selfsame cavern thousands of years before. “You go first, Jez-Riah,” said Alan at last, and slowly, reverently the two boys followed her in. The natural light had grown stronger and allowed them to see quite plainly the mysteries the cave was to unfold. They discovered it to be a cavern perhaps forty yards square. The roof rose above them perhaps a hundred feet, and w
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CHAPTER IX THE PAPYRUS
CHAPTER IX THE PAPYRUS
Desmond had slept well; he woke lazily and looked round him. Alan had already gone. He turned sleepily over, but raised himself quickly as Alan hailed him from Korah’s tomb with an exultant shout. Even Jez-Riah realized that something of import had happened as she watched Alan enter, bubbling over with excitement, and his eyes bright and shining. “What is it?” asked Desmond eagerly. “I’ve found the remains of Korah.” Alan made the announcement quietly, but his cousin saw the undercurrent of exci
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CHAPTER X THE ESCAPE
CHAPTER X THE ESCAPE
And the seventh day was the Sabbath! The Lord rested on the Sabbath! Sabbath! Seventh! Seventh! Sabbath! These words kept ringing in Alan’s ears as he lay quiet and tranquil in the darkness. He wondered where he was, but was too tired to make much effort to find out. His senses were dulled and his whole body ached; he could see nothing, for total darkness surrounded him. Then unconsciousness again overtook him, and he dreamed again of the Marshfielden fields and the rippling brooks. When he awok
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CHAPTER I AT WALLA BALLA
CHAPTER I AT WALLA BALLA
Nurse Mavis Wylton looked after her patients cheerfully; she was glad of something to do. Life had been very dull in the little township and although the advent of the two Englishmen had made her unaccountably homesick, it had done a great deal toward breaking the monotony. In the first year of the Great War she had taken up nursing, had tended the suffering on the muddy battlefields of Flanders, had seen service under the scorching sun of Salonica, had continued her labours in Malta, Gibraltar
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CHAPTER II HOME AGAIN
CHAPTER II HOME AGAIN
In a lovely part of Perthshire, deep in a valley among the mountains, lonely and hard of access, stood a curious building. Any one with a knowledge of aeronautics would have recognized it as a hangar for an airship. A narrow track led from it to a tiny cottage in which lived three men—Sir John Forsyth, Abel Masters and Hector Murdoch, the latter a trusty and faithful mechanic. Shortly after Alan’s supposed death, Sir John gave up everything to the last remaining object of his life—the completion
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CHAPTER III THE AIRSHIP
CHAPTER III THE AIRSHIP
“It’s wonderful, Uncle John! It’s almost beyond belief!” Mavis had walked the whole length of the vessel on the under deck in silence. Her husband’s arm was about her waist, her face was radiant, flushed with excitement. Alan, too, was bereft of words; even his wildest dreams had never imagined a vessel so perfect, so magnificent, so sensitive to touch that two men could manage it with comfort and ease, and should necessity arise, even one man could manipulate the tiny levers and navigate it. Wi
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CHAPTER IV THE END OF THE WORLD
CHAPTER IV THE END OF THE WORLD
Four days had passed, four days of glorious sunshine. Every day the whole party had been for a trip in the Argenta. They never landed anywhere, however, for Sir John was still jealous of his secret; he wanted to test her in every kind of weather—he wanted to leave nothing to chance, so that finally her worth could not be questioned. It was nothing for them to circle over the Outer Hebrides in the morning, come home for lunch, and then run over as far as Paris before dinner. Scarcely any motion w
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CHAPTER I IN SPACE
CHAPTER I IN SPACE
Space—infinite space! On, on, swept the Argenta through the heavens at frightful speed. The engines were useless; the levers refused to work, and the occupants of the airship sat within the shuttered vessel, helpless. For days they had eaten nothing—they were unable to move; terror had them fast within its grasp. “Sir John,” said Masters at last, “I’m going to make a cup of tea. Here we are, and here we must remain until our food gives out. Mrs. Desmond,—won’t you come and help me?” Mavis rose f
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CHAPTER II ADRIFT IN THE SOLAR REGIONS
CHAPTER II ADRIFT IN THE SOLAR REGIONS
Life in the Argenta became very monotonous. After the first throes of despair, the glimpse of the glorious expanse of the Heavens served to cheer the prisoners within the ship. They had no clocks that were going. During the terror of the first few days time had mattered so little to them that they had let them run down. They now arranged to set all the clocks, and judge the time accordingly, and plan out their days. Rise at eight; lunch at one; tea at four; and dinner at seven and then to bed. T
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CHAPTER III THE VISION OF A NEW WORLD
CHAPTER III THE VISION OF A NEW WORLD
Perfect silence, perfect stillness, and the clouds whirled round and round outside. In vain they tried to move the ship. The engines worked smoothly, and with perfect rhythm, but were powerless to propel the Argenta. The death of Murdoch had a terribly depressing effect on every one—they all missed his kindly brusqueness, his forethought and stolid help. When Masters was sufficiently recovered he told his story. “I got through the ether all right,” said he. “I was through in a second and was sta
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CHAPTER IV JUPITER AND THE JOVIANS
CHAPTER IV JUPITER AND THE JOVIANS
The sweet toned bell in the Observatory at Minnaviar rang violently, and startled the students out of their usual calm and placidity. Kulmervan looked up from his studies. “What is it, my Waiko?” said he in his own language to his friend. “I know not, my Kulmervan. Let us go to the Turret Room, and see.” The two astronomical students at the most important meteorological college on the whole of Keemar, went swiftly up the wide, marble stairway to their Djoh’s room. Before they were half way up, t
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CHAPTER V DEATH IN JUPITER
CHAPTER V DEATH IN JUPITER
They walked down a lovely avenue to the outer gates. It was grass-covered, soft and velvety and cool. Birds with the gayest plumage hopped among the branches of the trees, and came fearlessly up to the strangers. One bird, perhaps as big as an English bullfinch, of many colours and with a fan-shaped tail, perched on Mavis’ shoulder, and chirped prettily to her. “How wonderful!” said she. “Did not your, birds do that?” asked Waz-Y-Kjesta. “No, they were too nervous.” “Nervous?” “Yes—frightened—te
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CHAPTER VI THE SACRAMENT OF SCHLERIK-ITATA
CHAPTER VI THE SACRAMENT OF SCHLERIK-ITATA
Alan bent over his uncle, but the High Priest waved him away. “Touch him not,” said he sternly, and such command rang in his tones, that Alan stepped back involuntarily. Again the scene was repeated—Sir John was prayed over, sprayed with the “waters of purity,” and incensed. As the sweet fumes found their way up his nostrils, he stirred. Alan rushed to him and embraced him. “It was only foolishness, Alan,” said he brokenly. “But the Argenta—my ship—I was so proud of her. Masters, you know how I
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CHAPTER VII HATRED ON KEEMAR
CHAPTER VII HATRED ON KEEMAR
Marlinok, the Jkak’s majordomo, called on Sir John and Alan a few days after they had witnessed the Sacrament of Schlerik-itata. “Will you be ready,” he asked them, “when the Kymo is at the full, to start on your journey to Hoormoori to render homage to the Rorka?” “Are we all to go?” asked Alan. “But one of you need go,” he answered. “The Rorka will visit Minniviar later, and then the other strangers may make their bows.” “I am glad of that,” said Sir John, “for I should like to stay here in qu
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CHAPTER VIII THE UNFORGIVEABLE KISS
CHAPTER VIII THE UNFORGIVEABLE KISS
The day passed slowly. Still the Princess remained in her cabin. Alan passed Waiko with his usual cheery smile, and the guilty student trembled and turned white at sight of the healthy man, who he thought had been doomed to serquor. Kulmervan remained in his cabin near the princess, and had his meals served him there. Waz-Y-Kjesta realized that something was wrong, but as Alan did not confide in him, he made no effort to find out the cause of his friend’s restlessness. “My Waz,” said Alan sudden
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CHAPTER IX ALAN—THE KNIGHT ERRANT
CHAPTER IX ALAN—THE KNIGHT ERRANT
As Alan leapt over the bulwarks, his quick eye caught sight of footmarks, two going one way, and two the other, with perhaps five feet between them. “So,” said he grimly to himself, “they were carrying her between them. Poor little Chlorie.” The tracks were easy to follow, they led down to the sea and along the seashore. Steadily they went on and Alan followed dauntlessly. There was no attempt made to cover their traces. On they went, carrying their burden between them. They had about ten hours
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CHAPTER X THE CAVE OF WHISPERING MADNESS
CHAPTER X THE CAVE OF WHISPERING MADNESS
Throughout the night Alan watched. Never did Kulmervan move from his place in the clearing—never did his eyes close nor did he show the slightest inclination to sleep. Towards morning Waiko raised himself from the ground. He was pitiable to look upon. Led on by a stronger will the madness had come upon him also. But it was a weaker madness than that which affected Kulmervan—it was a madness that chattered and gibbered in the sun, that laughed and cackled insanely—a madness that was pitiful to be
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CHAPTER XI THE WRAITHS OF THE RORKAS
CHAPTER XI THE WRAITHS OF THE RORKAS
Alan remained motionless, watching the little craft vanish from his ken. He was thinking hard. Kulmervan had so far got the better of him, but the game was not yet won. It might be check to the King, but Alan was far from being mated. His eye searched the beach—there was nothing in sight; neither boat, nor sailing craft. He looked behind him at the many yawning cavern entrances. He was still in doubt as to the one which led to the Cave of Whispering Madness. He clenched his hands together till t
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CHAPTER XII THE FATE OF KULMERVAN
CHAPTER XII THE FATE OF KULMERVAN
Hoormoori was rejoicing! Their Princess, Chlorie the Ipso-Rorka, was found. Not only was she alive and well, but she had found her mate. True he was from another world, but she loved him, and the Jovians, like the men of Terra, dearly loved a romance. The wedding day was fixed, telepathic messages had been sent to Sir John, and he and his party were coming to Hoormoori as guests of the Rorka. The Rorka was very troubled over Kulmervan. Never, in the history of Keemar, had such a terrible tale of
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CHAPTER XIII THE SENTENCE UPON ARRACK
CHAPTER XIII THE SENTENCE UPON ARRACK
Sir John, with Masters, Desmond and Mavis arrived at Hoormoori in time for the trial. They were much interested in Alan’s adventures, and were looking forward to witnessing the spectacle of Jovian justice. Mavis and Chlorie were already warm friends, and the Rorka insisted on the strangers occupying suites of apartments in his palace. Baby John Alan had grown into a fine boy. Now nearly four, he toddled about the palace and chattered away in a quaint mixture of Keemarnian and English. The grown-
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CHAPTER XIV THE HALL OF SORROWS
CHAPTER XIV THE HALL OF SORROWS
The air struck cold and Alan was glad of the heavy cloaks that the Rorka insisted on his taking for the journey. They had passed through glorious scenery, but now it was changing. No longer was the air sweet and balmy; no longer were the fields below covered with beautiful flowers. Great stretches of bare and rocky country took the place of the fields, and snow-topped hills looked down on the desolation. Then Fyjipo hove in sight. One great building dominated the scene. Of a dark grey stone it l
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CHAPTER XV THE TRIUMPH OF AK-ALAN
CHAPTER XV THE TRIUMPH OF AK-ALAN
The populace of Hoormoori were wildly excited, for the time had come when their Princess, the Ipso-Rorka of all Keemar, was to wed. Every place was full, the streets were thronged with visitors, for people had come from all parts of Jupiter to witness the long ceremonies and jubilations that preceded the actual wedding. Parties came from the warmth of Xzor, from the heat of Paila, from the temperate breezes of the Isles of Kalœ. Every dwelling house in Hoormoori was full; every public guest hous
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CHAPTER XVI THE PERFECT WORLD
CHAPTER XVI THE PERFECT WORLD
Many hundred times the Kymo rose and set, and Ak-Alan and his wife, beloved of all Keemarnians, lived in peace and happiness. A son and daughter had been born to them, and now the time had come when the Rorka had received his call, and through the Sacrament of Schlerik-itata would make his exit from the world, and enter into glory. “My son,” said he, “the voice came in my sleep last night. My room was bathed in a wonderful whiteness when the messenger from Mitzor called me. ‘When the Kymo reache
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