The men, all except the pilot, landed, and a dazzling electric
search-light was turned on the spot where Thorndyke and Johnston
stood. For a moment they were so blinded that they could not
see, and then they heard footsteps, and, their eyes becoming
accustomed to the light, they found themselves surrounded by
several men, very strangely clad. They all wore long cloaks that
covered them from head to foot and every man was more than six
feet in height and finely proportioned. One of them, who seemed
to be an officer in command, bowed politely.

"I am Captain Tradmos, gentlemen, in the king's service. It is my
duty to make you my prisoners. I must escort you to the palace
of the king."

"That's cool," said Johnston, to conceal the discomfiture that he
felt, "we had no idea that you had a kingdom. We have tramped all
over this island, and you are the first signs of humanity we have
met."

He would have recalled his words before he had finished speaking,
if he could have done so, for he saw by the manner of the captain
that he had been over bold.

"Follow me," answered the officer curtly, and with a motion of
his hand to his men he turned toward the odd-looking vessel.

The two adventurers obeyed, and the cloaked men fell in behind
them. Neither Johnston nor Thorndyke had ever seen anything like
the peculiar boat that was moored to the rocky shore. It was
about forty feet in length, had a hull shaped like a racing