Another moment or two, and with a slight jar the rocket came to rest. "Well, we're here, wherever it is," said Stoddard, stirring. "Yes, undoubtedly," the professor agreed. "And the next move?" "I think we'll let them make that." They were not long in doing so. There came the sound of doors rasping open, of footsteps echoing on metal stairs and corridors. Once a giant Cossack passed within four feet of them. But at length, all was silent within the rocket. "Now, then, suppose we have a look around," said Stoddard, stepping out. "Right," agreed his companion, following. "I'll admit I am mildly curious to know what corner of the earth we've been transported to." They proceeded down the dim-lit corridor the way they had come, descended a flight of stairs and headed along another corridor--to pause suddenly and gasp with astonishment. For through the door whence they had entered the rocket poured a flood of sunshine. * * * * * Stoddard stared at it a moment incredulously, and then glanced at his watch. "Ten o'clock, I make it!" he muttered. "Am I crazy, or what?" "No, I hardly think so," smiled Professor Prescott, recovering from his own surprise. "It is merely that we are in some part of the world quite a few thousand miles removed from India. Back on Kinchinjunga, it is still ten o'clock at night, but here, it is quite obviously daytime." "That must be the explanation," Stoddard agreed. "But it certainly gave me a start at first!" Approaching the door, followed by the professor, he peered cautiously out, to confront a desolate stretch of scrubby growth, hemmed in by a background of rugged mountains. "Now where the devil would you say we are?" he demanded, gazing around perplexedly. "Either in the United States or in Mexico," was the astonishing reply. "But how can you say that?" "Because it must be some place approximately twelve hours distant from India in time, to judge from the sun, which is not far past the meridian." "But why not Australia, for instance?" "Because Australia is too far. It would be three o'clock tomorrow morning there, since it is ten o'clock last night now in India." * * * * * Stoddard pondered this a minute, then admitted its correctness. "All right, then. Assuming that we are somewhere on the North American continent, the next thing is to give Krassnov the slip; otherwise it won't be big enough for all of us!" And that Professor Prescott conceded readily enough. But before making any further move, they looked over their surroundings carefully, to satisfy themselves none of their late captors were in view. "They're evidently somewhere on the other side of the rocket," Stoddard concluded at length. "So let's make a break for it while we've got the chance." "Lead the way!" said the professor. "O. K., here we go!"