I do not wish to exaggerate; yet I cannot avoid seeming to do so in simply telling the facts.

"A collision!" Edmund exclaimed. "The thing has struck another big meteor, and they are exchanging fiery compliments."

I had not spoken very loudly, but the words seemed to reverberate in my mouth, as if to testify to the correctness of my explanation.

"A mighty good shot happened," said Jack. "The best I ever saw."

"We've got to get out of this mighty quick," shouted Edward. "Hustle now and repair ship."

"Suppose it should turn out that there is nothing but an ocean on this side of the planet," I suggested.

Edmund, whose perspicacity never deserted him, immediately penetrated their thoughts.

"I can't be easy," he declared. "Nobody can tell what may happen to him if they get him alone."

"It is the power of my protection which encircles him!"

"Beauty and the beast!" he growled. "By Jo, if he's got any influence over her, I'm sorry for her."

"I should think they would have autos," said Jack, "with all their science and ingenuity which Edmund admires so much."

"I should say not," broke in Jack. "She never would have chosen that jackanapes! If you hadn't spoiled my aim I'd have relieved her of the burden."

"You might have had riches equal to this if you had stayed at home and developed your discovery."

"Good Lord!" cried Jack. "It's a tarantula as big as a buffalo!"

"But Ala is very intelligent, a regular wonder, I should think, from what
Edmund says; and yet she accepts their superstition as gospel."

"Since we can't all go," said Jack, "and since that fellow is to be of the party, I'll stay with Henry."

"I doubt it," I persisted. "He will never rest now until he has found out the secret."

"Good heavens!" shouted Edmund. "It is the ultraviolet rays! They have gone mad!"

Last night as Jack and I were walking to the club with my completed manuscript under my arm, a falling star shot across the sky.