architecture not seen by the Americans elsewhere in Hili-li. The
building had an eerie look, and as the party drew near to it Peters
observed that but one of its wings was inhabited, the remainder of the
mansion being in a state of almost complete decay. They all entered by a
side doorway into the inhabited wing. Pym and Peters were motioned to
seats in the hallway, the Duke remarking, in hushed tones, 'The home of
Masusaelili,' as he and Diregus passed through a broken and decaying
doorway into apartments beyond. Soon Diregus returned, and, escorting
Pym and Peters through several disordered rooms, finally paused before a
large curtained doorway. Then Diregus spoke, but in a hushed voice, and
with an awed solemnity that chilled his hearers through and through.

"'Fear not,' he said; 'no harm will befall you. If the benign Fate is to
smile--well; if the Furies are to rage, we can but bow to the Will that
has held in its hand for countless cycles this petty planet--a grain in
the wastes of Eternity. Come!'

"He passed through the doorway, and the two followed him. The room they
entered was spacious--almost thirty feet square. It was crowded with
strange devices, and was lighted by six colored swinging globes. A
strange odor filled the atmosphere of the apartment. The room was
brilliantly enough illuminated, though the light was variously colored
and its shades and blendings were confusing; whilst the strange,
intoxicating perfume also helped to perplex the senses. If the apartment
had contained not more than several objects, the visitors might soon
have detected and observed all of them; but, as it was, Pym and Peters
stood gazing confusedly about them, momentarily beholding fresh objects,
all of them strange, many of them bizarre, some of them frightful. It
was apparently at the same instant of time that the sight of Pym and
Peters fell upon an object so awesome that their hearts almost ceased to