Then he checked them off and nodded.
"It's even better than the professor thought. His theory is all
but proven. If Jerome and Hume can deliver the other stone without
accident, we can save those now inside the Spot." Then, very
solemnly: "But we face a heavy task. It will be another
Thermopylae. We must hold the gate against an occult Xerxes,
together with all his horde."
"The hosts of the dead!" exclaimed Mme. Le Fabre.
"No; the living! Just give me time, Madame, and you will see
something hitherto undreamed of. As for your theory--tomorrow you
may doubt whether you are living or dead! In other words, Dr.
Holcomb has certainly proved the occult by material means. He has
done it with a vengeance. In so doing he has left us in doubt as
to ourselves; and unless he discovers the missing factor within
the next few hours we are going to be in the anomalous position of
knowing plenty about the next world, but nothing about ourselves."
He paused. He must have known that their curiosity could not hold
out much longer. He said:
"Now, just one thing more, friends, and I can tell you everything,
while we are waiting for Jerome and the general to return. But
first I must see the one who preceded me out of the spot."
"Ariadne!" from Charlotte, in wonder.
"Ariadne!" exclaimed Watson. He was both puzzled and amazed. "Did
you call her--Ariadne?"
"She is upstairs," cut in Dr.
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