Part 20 (2/2)
”But may I not enter it?”
”Not unless you are fortunate enough to discover one of the paths that lead to the Summit. From thence one can see the City.”
CHAPTER XVI.
EXPERT INVENTORS OF THE BROAD HIGHWAY.
1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member fail to see the Ways and Means Committee at work.
2. They are directed to the city where expert inventors are constantly employed in devising weapons and all kinds of devices.
3. They see a few inventions which are just being perfected to facilitate the services of the churches along the King's Highway.
After Mr. World's remarkable experiences on the Observatory, he gladly called for his friend, Miss Church-Member, who accompanied him on another branch of the Mountain Trolley.
They alighted at a station called Progress, and proceeded on the Broad Highway. Neither of them became wearied in listening to the experiences of the other during their brief separation.
Ere long they came to a large hall which was used by the Ways and Means Committee of the Broad Highway.
They obtained permission to visit the interior of the hall, hoping thereby to see the famous committee in session. But, after being escorted from room to room by a guide, they were informed, upon reaching the main auditorium, that the committee was holding a secret session, and that no visitors would be allowed to enter during that day.
”How soon will visitors be admitted?' asked Mr. World, with a shade of disappointment in his tone.
”Not until the matter now under consideration is settled. It may be two hours, perhaps two days,” was the indefinite reply.
”And where can we spend the interim with most profit and interest?”
further interrogated Mr. World.
The guide, looking through a window, described a path leading to a lofty summit. ”When you reach that elevation,” explained he, ”you will see, in the busy vale beyond, the Wizard City.
”Most of the experiments performed in that wondrous vale are closed forever from the view of mortal man; but so much of the work as you are allowed to see will interest you for many days.”
”In my opinion such a privilege is greater than the one we are here denied,” smilingly spoke Miss Church-Member.
”True indeed, my friend, unless the climbing of the hill should prove to be a more arduous task than you imagine,” cautioned Mr. World.
”Each of you will be pleasantly surprised,” promptly affirmed the guide, ”for they only can climb to that summit who do so willingly, and by them it is easily accomplished.”
”Is there no shorter way thither than by that winding path?” slowly asked Mr. World.
”There is but one shorter route, and that is underground. No one is permitted to go that way until he has pa.s.sed the summit and has reached the seventh degree in the secret service of our Master.”
”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.
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