CHAPTER XI Tydvil's head was whirling with bewilderment. Perhaps, the thought occurred to him, both he and his visitor were non compos mentis. However, if the strange creature were a product of a prostrated nervous system it might be better to play up to him. Especially as the next question was, "By the way, my friend, will you tell me where on earth I am?" "You are, at present," he replied, "in the city of Melbourne, which is the capital of the State of Victoria in the Commonwealth of Australia." "Melbourne--Australia," murmured the other thoughtfully. "Er really, Mr. Jones, you must forgive me, but I do not seem to remember the names. Have you altered your European or Asiatic nomenclature by any means?" It was Tydvil's turn to stare. Strange to say, he felt a little nettled that, if

