Later they descended to the ground and passed into the superb public
gardens of the city. Seating themselves beside one of the numerous
fountains sparkling with colored waters and perfumed with strange
aquatic plants, they watched the brilliant scene that surrounded
them. Aerial chariots flashed above, and men, women, and children
moved through the air entirely regardless of the law of gravitation.
Occasionally a passer-by would nod to Ah Ben, who returned the salute
familiarly, as if in recognition of an old friend; but no one stopped
to talk.

"And you know some of these people!" cried Paul in astonishment.

"Some of them." But a look of intense sadness had settled upon the
old man's face, quite different from anything Henley had seen. For a
moment neither spoke, and then Ah Ben, passing the back of his hand
across his forehead, said: "Yes, Mr. Henley, I know them, but I am
not of them; and as you see, they shun me."

"I can not understand why that should be," answered Paul, who was
conscious of a growing attachment for his guide.

"I can not explain; but some day, perhaps, you may know. Let us
continue our walk."

Looking up at the marvelous examples of architecture that surrounded
them, Paul observed that many of the houses had no windows, and
inquired the reason.

"Windows and doors are here only a matter of taste, and not of