inhabitants will flit to another."

"Seriously, if Carmichael's machine turns out all right, will you join
me in a trip?"

"Thanks, no. I believe I shall wait and see how you get on first."

"And where would you advise me to go, Mars or Venus?"

The professor smiled, but I was quite in earnest.

"Well," he replied, "Mars is evidently inhabited; but so is Venus,
probably, and of the two I think you will find her the more hospitable
and the nearest. When do you propose to start?"

"Perhaps within six months."

"We must consider their relative distances from the earth. By the way,
I don't think you have seen my new electrical orrery."

"An electrical orrery," I exclaimed. "Surely that is something new!"

"So far as I am aware; but you never know in these days. There is
nothing new under the sun, or even above it."

So saying, he opened a small door in the side of the observatory, and,
ushering me into a very dark apartment, closed it behind us.

"Follow me, there is no danger," said he, taking me by the arm, and
guiding me for several paces into the darkness.