“Ah! so there is an underground connection between this place and the Expert Inventors?” said Miss Church-Member in a low tone, and with a look of suspicion.
“Be not in the least alarmed. The Ways and Means Committee and the Expert Inventors work in harmony, each supplementing the work of the other. It is therefore essential that between them there be as close connection as possible, not only for convenience of travel, but for insuring secrecy.”
“Then why are the two places so far apart?” queried Miss Church-Member.
“Everything is perfectly arranged. If you could see the underground world between the two sites you would readily observe the logical relation of all parts. But the bell rings; I must go,” continued the guide. “If you wish further information you may obtain it at the office,” and with a courteous bow he withdrew.
That same day I saw the two travelers climb with ease to the summit from whence they beheld the most curious sight that had yet met their gaze since their fellowship had begun.
Down in the long and deep sloping vale before them, shut in from all the world, lay a large city of fantastic structures.
The weird outlines of this marvelous city extended downward into the darkness of the earth, while the height of its buildings varied from the common even unto the amazing.
The form of the city, and the shape of its buildings, were the most bizarre features of all. Only a few of the edifices bore resemblance to any which the travelers had ever before seen.
Toward one end of the city they saw a cluster of buildings which, taken as a whole, resembled a gigantic tree towering to a great height and covered with strange foliage.
