I found it, screened behind vine-clad walls, and slipped inside it, past a staggered entrance wall that screened its gate. It lay before me, a limpid pool in a basin of lemon stone like onyx save that it was neither mottled nor veined. It shimmered in the Sirian ray, an oblong of water as brilliant as a bit of polished silver, inside the expanse of the enclosure, paved with alternating squares of rock-crystal and pure white stone. I stood gazing upon it, recalling that it was here Croft had once met Naia of Aphur--the first time when in defiance of all social custom on Palos, she had yielded him her lips. * * * * * Then I went back to the front of the house, and seated myself on a carven stone bench. I lifted my eyes to the light-filled heavens. This was Palos--and up there somewhere or down or sidewise--or however you chose to call it--was earth. It was like Omar as to direction when he says: "For Is and Is not though with rule and line And Up and Down without, I can define--" Anyway, out there somewhere in the void there floated the mundane sphere, where the body of me might even now be exciting consternation among the staff of the hospital, where it had been moved and held a little prestige in its work. And here was I. Suddenly there stole over me the sensation that the whole thing was a dream excited by Jason's stories--a feeling that I ought to rouse myself and get about my business. I rose. I felt all at once restless, vaguely disturbed. I turned and found Jason beside me. "I was longer than I meant to be, Murray," he said. "And, see here--I know you'll understand me when I tell you it's past ten o'clock on earth." I nodded. It was no time for misunderstanding or niceties of speech. More and more I was finding myself filled with a vital urge--to be away from here and about my own affairs. "To tell the truth, with all respect to your feelings and those of Naia, I was getting impatient of your coming," I replied. "She sends you her deepest thanks, and the blessings of Zitu and Ga the Mother," he responded quickly. "I know you know how I feel, old fellow. Now fix your mind on your body--and try to open its eyes." I was ready. I put out a hand and laid it on his shoulder. He did the same. We looked into one another's faces. "Some time--you'll come again," Croft told me. "And--now that we've established the astral power, I'll come to you, Murray--and when I speak you will answer. Don't forget it. Man--mayhap we'll build Tamarizia up together--at least, I can come to you like this from now on for knowledge--conversation. Can you see where the thing may lead to?" "Yes," I said. "It's big, Croft--big. But if I don't get out of here now it may lead a very important part of me to the grave. Make my adieus to Naia. I'd envy you, man, if you weren't my friend. Now--do what you can to help me, for I'm going to try a pretty broad jump, as such things are considered." I closed my eyes.