"Here is where my inches get the better of me, professor," said I. "For one of my size to get into that house is out of the question. And I wouldn’t know where to lay hands on the Bolla if it were physically possible for me to effect an entrance." "I can make a suggestion, Mr. Munn," said Quinn, "which would get you safely around that difficulty." "What is that?" "Whisper." I inclined my ear to his lips. "Why not run away with the imperial exchequer?" "Eh?" I gasped. "Steal it bodily, I mean. When you get to Baigol with it, let the king effect entrance, secure his Bolla, and then you return the exchequer to its original location. Of course, it would be very wrong to steal the king’s treasury, and I would not counsel that under any consideration. You merely borrow it to obtain the Bolla; the stone returned to its rightful owners, you return the exchequer." "And get zetbaied for my pains!" I exclaimed. "Let us hope," said the professor, "that before you can get zetbaied we shall be in a position to use the car and escape from the planet." I gave much thought to the matter. "It is a long chance," I returned frankly, "but I have been taking long chances ever since I became a cracksman. I will put the plan in operation, professor, at the very first opportunity that presents itself." Thus we left the matter, the professor warmly congratulating me on my courage and expressing the hope that I would prove equally courageous in more worthy pursuits, if the chance ever offered. *CHAPTER XV.* *SURVEYING OUR OWN PLANET.* Day slipped along to its close, and shortly after the reflectors winked out the king came, accompanied by Olox, a guard of Gaddbaizets, and six attendants bearing the telescope. To our surprise and gratification, both Markham and Popham were in the midst of the royal guard. "It struck me," said the king graciously, "that your friends might also wish to view the orb from which they came. It is a little thing and can be done without inconvenience, so I am pleased to favor them." The high chief traced an opening in the zet ring with the black tip of his weapon, and Meigs was first to rush through and hurl himself into the arms of Popham. The unfortunate gentlemen were long in each other’s embrace. When they finally drew apart, Meigs groped through the black gloom by Markham, while the professor felt for the coal baron’s hand and gave it a gentle and reassuring pressure. "Professor Quinn," said Popham, "I am being badly treated. The king has put me on the night shift in one of the royal coal mines and the soldiers make me work like a galley slave. This is the first night I have had off since they set me to work." Popham was loud in his complainings, but was cut short by the king.