The gentle Ulama, even, looked somewhat offended. "We do not question the wonderful things you tell us about the world outside," she said. "Why should you question what we know to be true?" "It seems to me," said Leonard, "that it all depends upon the virtues of the 'Plant of Life.' Now, if that herb, or plant, or whatever it is, really has the qualities attributed to it, why, the rest is easy enough." "I admit that," Jack said, laughing. "When once that is conceded, a man may just as easily live to five thousand years. Only, even in that case, I see a difficulty. How would Mellenda get the necessary 'Plant of Life' away from here?" "The White Priests who went away with him would not be likely to leave their secret behind," explained Zonella. "Besides, it is specially stated in our historical manuscripts--so Colenna has told me--that those who went out from the island for long periods--governors of distant provinces and the like--not only took a large supply of the dried plant with them, but seeds that they might grow it; and in some places they found the plant do well; though they kept its virtues a secret from the peoples they went amongst. These things would be known to Mellenda and to the White Priests who went away with him; and, probably, they settled in a place where they knew the plant was being grown." "Were that so, it would explain something of the former far-reaching fame and power of a small nation of islanders like these," said Leonard. "The secret of such a plant--the rapid increase of population when there were so few deaths in proportion--would of course give them a long pull over other nations." "As to the question whether we seriously expect Mellenda to return to us," resumed Zonella, "in the large museum you will see one of his suits of armour, his banner, and a celebrated sword of his, all kept bright and ready for use and well preserved. They are kept there waiting for him." "I saw them," Jack remarked. "He must have been a big fine man, if that suit fitted him. But, to go back to the son of this great king, said to have been saved after all, and then put on the throne; did he have any descendants?" Zonella nodded. "There have been five kings in the direct line since." "I see. So that the present king is----" "A great-great-great-grandson of the great Mellenda," put in Ulama. "I think it was rather fortunate you managed as you did when you came here," Zonella said after a pause; "for, if Coryon had been the first to know of you strangers being in the country, he would have striven in every way to have killed or captured you. They say he is a firm believer in the early coming of Mellenda, and is in mortal terror about it." Jack was silent awhile, and then he observed drily,