It was obvious from this monosyllabic answer, to say nothing of the manner of Ondonarkus, that there was absolutely nothing to apprehend from this mysterious apparition hovering above us. Certainly, though, there had not been any remarkable clarification. Indeed, in a way, Rhodes and I were more puzzled than ever. Drome, Drome. What could be the meaning of that word? Drome. "It seems, Bill," said Rhodes, "that we are on our way to a very strange place. As for that ghost up there, it must be a fragment, as it were, of the _light_ of this subterranean land." "Suppose it is--a harbinger, so to speak--then what, in the name of wonder, can that light be?" "That, of course, we can not tell. It may be phosphorescent or auroral, or its origin may be one of which no man of our own world ever has even dreamed. I believe that I forgot to mention, when we were speaking of this the other day, that even human beings sometimes evolve light.[12] One thing, however, is certain: there is light somewhere in this underground world. And I believe, Bill, that we are drawing near to it now." [Footnote 12: "A very decided luminosity has been observed to proceed from dissecting-room subjects, the light thus evolved being sufficient to render the forms of the parts (which are peculiarly bright), almost as distinct as in the daylight.... Three cases are recorded by Sir H. Marsh, in which an evolution of light took place from the living body.... The light in each case is described as playing around the face, but not as directly proceeding from the surface; and in one of these instances, which was recorded by Dr. D. Donovan, not only was the luminous appearance perceptible over the head of the patient's bed, but luminous vapours passed in streams through the apartment."--Dr. Carpenter.] "I certainly hope that we are. But look at our ghost. It is moving again--thank Heaven (even if it is only a mass of light) away from us." "Yes," said Rhodes. "But look down there. There is another one coming." It came, and another and another. I don't know how many. On they came through the cavern, now lingering, now hovering; on they passed like some unearthly, ghostly procession. And, even though one knew that these phantoms, so dim and so misty, were perfectly innocuous, were as natural (as though there is anything that can not be natural!) as the light of the fire-fly, as the glow of the auroral arches and streamers--all the same, I say, the sight of that spectral company, passing, passing, was one indescribably strange and uncanny.