So absorbed had the strangers been in gazing at the palace on the mountain-top that they had not noticed a flying-craft which had been travelling behind them, and had almost overtaken them. Alondra and his attendants, seeing the effect produced upon his guests by the scene before them, had reduced the speed, and allowed the yacht to float upwards in leisurely fashion, omitting to look out for what might be behind them. There was now a sudden bustle on board as the navigators rushed to the various levers, and a moment later the yacht dropped suddenly with a downward swoop, allowing the strange craft to pass harmlessly overhead. ’Jupiter!’ cried Gerald, ’that was a near squeak! What careless people they must be! Is that sort of thing common here?’ Monck scowled and shook his head. ’No,’ he said curtly. ’And there will be trouble about it to-morrow. Some one will be called to account for it, you may be sure!’ Alondra made no remark, but coolly resumed the journey as though nothing out of the way had happened. Gradually they drew nearer to the mountain-top, and all the while fresh beauties burst upon their view. Down the rocky sides tumbled mighty waterfalls, which gleamed like masses of molten gold till they were lost in clouds of golden spray below. Around the wondrous edifice itself were now seen groves and terraces upon a tableland broken by hills and dales extending far into the clouds beyond. The travellers from the distant Earth, reassured by Alondra’s coolness, gazed upon the scene of grandeur and sublimity in wondering silence, and seemed for a while scarcely to breathe. So entranced were they that they scarcely noticed when their yacht ’grounded’ upon the summit of the mountain, at a short distance from an imposing gateway which formed the main entrance to the palace. A minute or two later they passed down a gangway, and then followed their young host towards the gateway, which seemed to loom up larger and higher as they approached it. Suddenly the massive gates were thrown open, and a stream of attendants sallied forth and ranged themselves in two rows, between which the guests were ushered into the building. Through wide galleries, open courtyards, where fountains played among strange plants and flowers, and up spacious staircases, they passed onwards to a central hall, where they found another assembly of nobles and officials, evidently waiting to receive them. At one end, upon a dais, was a throne of ivory and gold, and on each side of it a number of richly upholstered seats. Alondra signed to his chief guests to seat themselves upon the latter, while he himself occupied the throne.