Again she questioned the voice-- "You tell me I cannot proceed,"-- she said--"Why ?" "Because our city is guarded and fortified by the air,"-- was the answer--"We are surrounded by a belt of etheric force through which nothing can pass.

A million bombs could not break it,--everything driven against it would be dashed to pieces.

We saw you coming--we were surprised, for no air-ship has ever ventured so far--we rang the bells of the city to warn you, and stopped your flight." The warm gentleness of the voice thrilled her with a sudden sympathy.
"That was kind!" she said, and smiled.

Some one smiled in response--or she thought so.

Presently she spoke again-- "Then you hold me here a prisoner ?" "No.