s
mechanism. A cloak of the reflecting-absorbing variety.[A]

[A] The principle of this invisible cloak involves the use of an
electronized fabric. All color is absorbed. The light rays reflected to
the eye of the observer thus show an image of empty blackness. There is
also created about the cloak a magnetic field which by natural laws
bends the rays of light from objects behind it. This principle of the
natural bending of light when passing through a magnetic field was first
recognized by Albert Einstein, a scientist of the Twentieth century. In
the case of this invisible cloak, the bending light rays, by making
visible what was behind the cloak's blackness, thus destroyed its solid
black outline and gave a pseudo-invisibility which was fairly effective
under favorable conditions.

* * * * *

I donned it, and drew its hood, and threw on its current.

"All right, Anita?"

"Yes."

"Can you see me?"

"No." She stepped back a foot or two further. "Not from here. But you
must let no one approach too close."

Then she came forward, put out her hand, fumbled until she found me.

It was our plan to have me follow her out. Anyone observing us would see
only the robed figure of the supposed George Prince, and I would escape
notice.

The situation about the ship was almost unchanged. Anita had secured the
weapon and the cloak and slipped away to my cubby without being
observed.

"You're sure of that?"

"I think so, Gregg. I was careful."

Moa was now in the lounge, guarding the passengers. Hahn was asleep in
the chart-room; Coniston was in the turret. Coniston would be off duty
presently, Anita said, with Hahn taking his place. There were look-outs
in the forward and stern watch-towers, and a guard upon Snap in the
helio-room.

"Is he inside the room, Anita?"

"Snap? Yes."

"No--the guard."

"No. He was sitting upon the spider bridge at the door."

* * * * *

This was unfortunate. That guard could see all the deck clearly. He
might be suspicious of George Prince wandering around; it would be
difficult to get near enough to assail him. This cylinder, I knew, had
an effective range of only some twenty feet.

Anita and I were swiftly whispering. It was necessary now to decide
exactly what we were to do; once under observation outside, there must
be no hesitation, no fumbling.

"Coniston is sharpest, Gregg. He will be