XIIIEight days had passed since Adam and Belgrade had hopped off into the Unknown. In two days more, their time limit would expire, and the Penguin would sail home. Lars was already broadcasting frantic messages into the silent air. He feared the ice and gales; he could stay no longer than the ten days agreed upon. The flyers must return soon, if they were to return at all.
Still Belgrade did not yield. He went about his scientific investigations with a composure that dumfounded Adam. The latter tried in vain to imitate him, but he could not keep from counting the hours between himself and utter exile.
As he delved into the lives of the people, he kept encountering one mystery which he seemed unable to solve. What and where was Maun ig Mere? He knew in general that it was a cave, the exe
