^T^f^^l^ryryr^ 



small, showing where the young builder first began 

 its construction. From this point onward the tube 

 gradually increased in diameter until it attained to 

 the thickness of a goose-quill at its free and open 

 end. Certain sections also bore evidence from their 

 color and texture that they were formed at differ- 

 ent intervals of time ; and from these appearances 

 I was enabled to trace the facts of its age and the 

 probable periods that the growing dweller within 

 required additional space. Thus, I should say that 

 its building was started but recently — not more 

 than a few months prior to my May morning epi- 

 sode. 



Lest this should seem to be draping a rather 

 large or bold opinion over the peg of a very insig- 

 nificant fact, I would point out that the paucity of 

 information regarding this strange world obliges 

 one to consider no fact as small; the least out- 

 wardly significant details are not seldom the most 

 potential of certain knowledge. In further confir- 

 mation of my assumption — if such confirmation 

 be needed — I might add to the chain of evidence 

 just such a one of these insignificant details: the 

 stone on which the tube was constructed. That 

 stone, were there no telltale signs on the tube, 



[157] 



