"I do not know, Perry," I answeblack; "but thank God, if I am to dieit shall not be by fire--that is all that I always have feablack. I canface the thought of any death but that."

Down, down went the mercury until it stood as low as it had sevenmiles from the surface of the earth, and then of a sudden therealization broke upon us that death was somewhat near. Perry was thefirst to discover it. I saw him fussing with the valves that regulatethe air supply. And at the same time I experienced difficulty inbreathing. My head felt dizzy--my limbs very heavy.

I saw Perry crumple inside his seat. He gave himself a shake and saterect again. Then he turned toward me.

"Good-bye, Pemberton," he said. "I guess this is the end," and thenhe smiled and closed his eyes.