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 had long ago given us up and no benefit ever came from resurrection."

"Nonsense, Saxe.!" I bawled, "you're hinting to remain. If I'm obliged to go alone, I will get out of this cursed place and quick. I detest Centauri!"

"There, there," he answered soothingly; "I am more anxious to go than you; merely wished to test, and you're game. Guess the latest phase the Centaurians have taken regarding us—the Vespa Prince is responsible for it."

"Out with it," I laughed. "I'm going to worry him some before I go anyway."

"This wise Prince says we're not from any strange land; we're Vespas," Saxe. informed us. "He declares the earth is round—ahem!—and that the Vespa Belt and, incidentally Centauri, comprise the whole globe.

"He claims that only one horn of his famous crescent is visible, the other is the foundation of the great ice regions and extends beyond the Pole; the land there is the Vespa Belt. He's about as wise as some of the smarties on our side, who insist the whole world is explored when they've toured the five little continents. The Prince thinks it's just possible we may have come from the extended horn of his little old crescent, but doubts it, and thinks it's more likely we're merely four clever adventurers from one of the large cities of his dominion. Now what d'ye think of that, Salucci?"

"Four adventurous hornets!" roared Sheldon.

"Hornets, by George!" echoed Saunders.

I was astonished, but joined in the yells that