Jack’s theory proved to be well founded. In the middle of the clump of bushes they discovered a portion of an old tree-trunk. It was about three feet high by, perhaps, four feet in diameter. A glance over the side showed that it was hollow, and that inside it there were some steps leading downwards. Jack pointed to them in quiet triumph. ’Are you going to explore farther?’ he asked Alondra, in a low tone scarcely above a whisper. ’Because, if you are, I should suggest that we go very quietly.’ ’Yes; I ’m going to find out what it all means,’ said Alondra firmly. ’What about arms?’ queried Jack dubiously. ’I have my trident, or I had,’ Alondra answered. ’I must have left it somewhere about on the floor.’ Jack went back to look for it, and Alondra followed; but it was nowhere to be seen. ’It has disappeared!’ exclaimed Alondra, bewildered. ’What can have become of it? I remember putting it down when I went, towards the pool to pick one of those terrible flowers. Are you sure you have not picked it up, either of you?’ ’What should we do with it—put it in one of our pockets?’ laughed Jack. ’No; this is one more proof that what you saw was reality and not a vision of your fanciful brain. Some one was here—some one who coolly looked on while you were struggling for your life in the grasp of the dreadful floral monster beside yonder pretty-looking fountain. Some one who wears diamonds on his breast, and was in too great a hurry to notice that the bushes had scratched one off in passing. Some one, finally, who has walked off with your trident.’ ’True. But why did he take that?’ ’It seems to me that the reason is not difficult to guess at. It tells a little tale to me by itself. He considered that you were as good as dead, and would have no further use for your trident. So, as it is a very beautifully ornamented one, he thought he might as well have it.’ ’I ’m afraid you must be right!’ Alondra rejoined, with a slight shiver. ’Yet, I don’t understand it! However, let us see what we can find out. As to arms, who would dare to lay a hand openly on me?’ As Alondra asked this last question he drew himself up proudly, and his eyes flashed. ’It’s not for me to say,’ Jack remarked, with a philosophical air. ’Gerald and I have our own arms—what we call revolvers when we are at home. They’re not like yours, though. They hurt if they are used properly, as you know.’ The two went back to where they had left Gerald, and a little later they were all three creeping noiselessly down the steps inside the hollow tree-trunk. At the bottom they found themselves in another passage, which they calculated must run under the floor of the glass-house, and then under the garden. It was in darkness, save for a little glimmer which came down the steps they had descended. ’Now, I wonder where this goes to?’ muttered Jack. ’It doesn’t seem to me to lead to the palace. I fancy it runs in the opposite direction.’