The shells were outside in the other world; he could look out at any moment and see them, and touch them, take them up; his friend had said so.

Now, however, it seemed best just to be alive, and to stay still and wonder what would become of him.

He heard the Skipper come down and go to bed, and soon the sound of deep, regular breathing told that he slept, the man of wonder; but John could not sleep.

And now other thoughts came thronging into his mind, thoughts that were not soft and crimson and luxurious.

To go away, as the Skipper had said,--to go to heaven! But one did not go to heaven till the time came.