Ivanta said a few more kindly words, and then returned to the brilliant circle he had left, this time beckoning the Diamond King to accompany him. ’My father says I may conduct you to our home,’ said Alondra, as the king went away. ’So, if you are agreeable, we will start at once. My yacht is waiting close by.’ ’We are ready, I think,’ said Armeath. But in his manner there was some hesitation. Monck interposed. ’You are thinking of your baggage,’ he said, with a smile; ’but you need not trouble. It will be looked after, and whatever you want will be brought on afterwards.’ ’Good! That being so, we are at your service, Prince. Shall our attendants come with us?’ ’I dare say they will feel a bit lost if you leave them alone in a strange world,’ laughed Alondra. ’So, by all means bring them with you, if it so pleases you.’ So Tom Clinch and Bob Reid, looking very confused and wonderstruck at their new surroundings, were sent for; and the whole party followed Alondra—who had been joined by Aveena—to the other end of the deck. Here, to their surprise, they found a most beautiful structure awaiting them, moored, so to speak, to the _Ivenia_. Compared with the great aerostat in which they had made their memorable voyage, she was like a tiny, graceful yacht beside one of our modern warships; yet she was large and roomy enough to accommodate a numerous party. Alondra led his guests across a gangway on to the deck, and then, begging them to excuse him, he dived into a cabin. In a minute or two he returned, having divested himself of his ’flying dress,’ and appearing now in a rich costume similar to that usually worn by the king and his courtiers. He gave the signal, ropes were cast off, unseen engines began to work with a quiet, smooth, scarcely perceptible vibration, setting in motion several curious spiral contrivances which revolved round three masts. The ’yacht’ rose quietly through the air, and when she was clear of the _Ivenia_, wings spread out on each side. Then she sailed swiftly away in a direction a little to the right of the city they had seen. ’What a curious arrangement!’ exclaimed Jack, as he watched the revolving spirals. ’They take the place of fans,’ Monck explained. ’They are far more handy and more powerful.’ ’And far prettier too!’ cried Gerald. ’What lovely coloured devices they make as they twirl round! They are like kaleidoscopes; and the wings, too, seem to be spangled with gold.’ ’She is a beautifully designed structure in every way,’ observed Monck. ’One of the latest and best, and also one of the fastest of our pleasure yachts.’ Meanwhile, a little apart, Tom Clinch and Bob Reid sat together, staring about, noticing everything, and making their comments in low, awe-struck tones. ’Well, well! that ever I should live t’ see the likes o’ this!’ said Clinch. ’What d’ye think of it all, Bob?’ ’I ’m thinkin’ what ’d happen if she was t’ shift ’er ballast, Tom. I do ’ope it be well stowed.’