“Enter!” said a clear voice.

“But we can’t!” protested Trot.

“Swim straight ahead,” whispered the boy in soft tones.  “There is no real barrier before you.  Your eyes are merely deceived by magic.”

“Ah, I understand,” said Aquareine, nodding her pretty head.  And then she took Mayre’s hand and swam boldly forward, while Cap’n Bill followed holding the hand of Clia.  And behold! the marble wall melted away before them, and they found themselves in a chamber more splendid than even the fairy mermaids had ever seen before.

PRISONERS OF THE SEA MONSTER

CHAPTER 13

The room in the enchanted castle which Zog called the “den” and in which the wicked sea monster passed most of his time was a perfectly shaped dome of solid gold.  The upper part of this dome was thickly set with precious jewels—­diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, which sparkled beautifully through the crystal water.  The lower walls were as thickly studded with pearls, all being of perfect shape and color.  Many of the pearls were larger than any which may be found upon earth, for the sea people knew where to find the very best and hide them away where men cannot discover them.

The golden floor was engraved with designs of rare beauty, depicting not only sea life, but many adventures upon land.  In the room were several large, golden cabinets, the doors of which were closed and locked, and in addition to the cabinets there were tables, chairs and sofas, the latter upholstered with softest sealskins.  Handsome rugs of exquisitely woven seaweeds were scattered about, the colors of which were artistically blended together.  In one corner a fountain of air bubbled up through the water.  The entire room was lighted as brilliantly as if exposed to the direct rays of the sun, yet where this light came from our friends could not imagine.  No lamp or other similar device was visible anywhere.

The strangers at first scarcely glanced at all these beautiful things, for in an easy chair sat Zog himself, more wonderful than any other living creature, and as they gazed upon him, their eyes seemed fascinated as if held by a spell.  Zog’s face was the face of a man, except that the tops of his ears were pointed like horns and he had small horns instead of eyebrows and a horn on the end of his chin.  In spite of these deformities, the expression of the face was not unpleasant or repulsive.  His hair was carefully parted and brushed, and his mouth and nose were not only perfect in shape but quite handsome.