For instance, those dead men who hollowed or dressed these caves must have been engineers and no mean ones." "We have such among us now," she said.

"They raise dams and make drains and houses, though not so good as those which were built of old.

But again I ask--what have you learned, O wise Engineer ?" "Only that here we stand not so very far above the city Harmac, of which I chanced to take the level, and that behind yonder chair there was, I think, once a passage which has been built up.

But be pleased to say nothing of the matter, Lady, and to ask me no more questions at present, as I cannot answer them with certainty." "I see that you are discreet as well as wise," she replied with some sarcasm.

"Well, since I may not be trusted with your counsel, keep it to yourself." Oliver bowed and obeyed this curt instruction.
Then we began our return journey, passing many more groups of skeletons which now we scarcely troubled to look at, perhaps because the heavy air filled with dust that once had been the flesh of men, was telling on our energies.