be safer in Norhala's home
than where we were going, of course, and yet to leave her was most
distressing. After all, I wondered, was there any need of both of us
taking the journey; would not one do just as well?

Drake could stay--

"No use of putting all our eggs in one basket," I broached the subject.
"I'll go down by myself while you stay and help Ruth. You can always
follow if I don't turn up in a reasonable time."

His indignation at this proposal was matched only by her own.

"You'll go with him, Dick Drake," she cried, "or I'll never look at or
speak to you again!"

"Good Lord! Did you think for a minute I wouldn't?" Pain and wrath
struggled on his face. "We go together or neither of us goes. Ruth will
be all right here, Goodwin. The only thing she has any cause to fear is
Yuruk--and he's had his lesson.

"Besides, she'll have the rifles and her pistols, and she knows how
to use them. What d'ye mean by making such a proposition as that?" His
indignation burst all bounds.

Lamely I tried to justify myself.

"I'll be all right," said Ruth. "I'm not afraid of Yuruk. And none of
these Things will hurt me--not after--not after--" Her eyes fell, her
lips quivered, then she faced us steadily. "Don't ask me how I know
that," she said quietly. "Believe me, I do know it. I am closer to--them
than you two are. And if I choose I can call upon that alien strength
their master gave me. It is for you two that I fear."

"No fear for us," Drake burst out hastily. "We're Norhala's little
playthings. We're tabu. Take it from me, Ruth, I'd bet my head there
isn't one of these Things, great or small, and no matter how many, that
doesn't by this time know all about us.

"We'll probably be received with demonstrations of interest by the
populace as welcome guests. Probably we'll find a sign--'Welcome to our
City'--hung up over the front gate."

She smiled, a trifle tremulously.

"We'll come back," he said. Suddenly he leaned forward, put his hands on
her shoulders. "Do you think there is anything that could keep me from
coming back?" he whispered.

She trembled, wide eyes searching deep into his.

"Well," I broke in, a bit uncomfortably, "we'd better be starting.
I think as Drake does, that we're tabu. Barring accident there's
no danger. And if I guess right about these Things, accident is
impossible."

"As inconceivable as the multiplication table going wrong," he laughed,
straightening.

And so we made ready.