“That is the one biggest bubble of the god. Chief thing I wanted you to see. You have a germ of intelligence—only don’t bother to cultivate it, for it’s not to be compared with your other attractions. What I want of you is—But I digress.”
He declared the “bubble” his latest and greatest invention, the last blow, so to speak, in motion picture photography, by which events on Earth might be pictured simultaneously with their occurrence.
Just then the Ball of Life, not being in use, was uncovered that it might absorb atmospheric vitality. The countless prisms of spirits of mercury which composed the pool acted as one glass in reflecting distant Earth-scenes caught by the whirling bubble, which ignored distances as it did materialistic interference. The vast stadium when filled, was enclosed with adjustable electric walls of dark green. There, from under eye-shields, the doings of Earth might be watched as they were done.
“If ever you get homesick, fair house-guest, I’ll give you a look-in on the conduct of the dear detained.”
“Oh, if you only——”
Dolores smothered her wish in the midst of its expression.
“If I only wouldn’t!” Rather disagreeably the King laughed at her obviousness. “Now for a dip below the sun. I abhor this pale, abiding light. Makes me blind as a bat.”
As they bolted downward, he volunteered to correct her assumption that already she had arrived in Hell. Greater Gehenna was only the starting station.
“We haven’t reached the bottomless pit or the lake of fire yet, not by a world-full. And perhaps——” His coherency slackened. “Just perhaps we never shall. That depends upon who is stronger when the test comes, the cast-out near-angel or—— It is a strange thing if bad won’t overcome good in the Universe—if ruthlessness and preparedness——”
He checked himself, as though self-accused of disclosing too much to such a neophyte. After a suspicious scowl around at her, he continued: