Id like to know where and when well arrive, just the same, exclaimed the little girl.
Be patient and youll find out, my dear, said Polychrome. But isnt this an odd experience? Here am I, whose home is in the skies, making a journey through the center of the earth where I never expected to be!
How do you know were in the center of the earth? asked Betsy, her voice trembling a little through nervousness.
Why, we cant be anywhere else, replied Polychrome. I have often heard of this passage, which was once built by a Magician who was a great traveler. He thought it would save him the bother of going around the earths surface, but he tumbled through the Tube so fast that he shot out at the other end and hit a star in the sky, which at once exploded.
The star exploded? asked Betsy wonderingly.
Yes; the Magician hit it so hard.
And what became of the Magician? inquired the girl.
No one knows that, answered Polychrome. But I dont think it matters much.
It matters a good deal, if we also hit the stars when we come out, said Queen Ann, with a moan.
Dont worry, advised Polychrome. I believe the Magician was going the other way, and probably he went much faster than we are going.
Its fast enough to suit me, remarked Shaggy, gently removing Polychromes heel from his left eye. Couldnt you manage to fall all by yourself, my dear?
Ill try, laughed the Rainbows Daughter.
All this time they were swiftly falling through the Tube, and it was not so easy for them to talk as you may imagine when you read their words. But although they were so helpless and altogether in the dark as to their fate, the fact that they were able to converse at all cheered them considerably.
Files and Ozga were also conversing as they clung tightly to one another, and the young fellow bravely strove to reassure the Princess, although he was terribly frightened, both on her account and on his own.
An hour, under such trying circumstances, is a very long time, and for more than an hour they continued their fearful journey. Then, just as they began to
feet which showed through the open sandals he wore were jet black.
Betsy could not decide whether these gorgeous colors were dyes or the natural tints of the skin, but while she was thinking it over the man who had been called Tubekins said:
Follow me to the Residence all of you!
But just then a Voice exclaimed: Heres another of them, Tubekins, lying in the water of the fountain.
Gracious! cried Betsy; it must be Tik-Tok, and hell drown.
Water is a bad thing for his clockworks, anyhow, agreed Shaggy, as with one accord they all started for the fountain. But before they could reach it, invisible hands raised Tik-Tok from the marble basin and set him upon his feet beside it, water dripping from every joint of his copper body.
Ma ny tha tha tha thanks! he said; and then his copper jaws clicked together and he could say no more. He next made an attempt to walk but after several awkward trials found he could not move his joints.
Peals of jeering laughter from persons unseen greeted Tik-Toks failure, and the new arrivals in this strange land found it very uncomfortable to realize that there were many creatures around them who were invisible, yet could be heard plainly.
Shall I wind him up? asked Betsy, feeling very sorry for Tik-Tok.
I think his machinery is wound; but he needs oiling, replied Shaggy.
At once an oil-can appeared before him, held on a level with his eyes by some unseen hand. Shaggy took the can and tried to oil Tik-Toks joints. As if to assist him, a strong current of warm air was directed against the copper man, which quickly dried him. Soon he was able to say Ma-ny thanks! quite smoothly and his joints worked fairly well.
Come! commanded Tubekins, and turning his back upon them he walked up the path toward the castle.
Shall we go? asked Queen Ann, uncertainly; but just then she received a shove that almost pitched her forward on her head; so she decided to go. The officers who hesitated received several energetic kicks, but could not see who delivered them; therefore they also decided very wisely to go. The others followed willingly enough, for unless they ventured upon another terrible journey through the Tube they must make the best of the unknown country they were in, and the best seemed to be to obey orders.
CHAPTER 11 The Famous Fellowship of Fairies
From the crown which he wore, Betsy had thought this man must be the King of the country they were in, yet after he had seated all the strangers upon benches that were ranged in a semicircle before a high throne, Tubekins bowed humbly before the vacant throne and in a flash became invisible and disappeared.
The hall was an immense place, but there seemed to be no one in it beside themselves. Presently, however, they heard a low cough near them, and here and there was the faint rustling of a robe and a slight patter as of footsteps. Then suddenly there rang out the clear tone of a bell and at the sound all was changed.