t. Soon, I think, I will put on the belt that they brought for me
and go forth with them like Laelaps to invade the night."

He paused a minute and then added cautiously, "They have brought two more
belts with them. For you two, if you should decide--"

Maya shivered. Odin laughed, as he shook his head. "No. I am a man. Just
flesh and blood, Ato. And I choose to stay here and take the blows of
time. To endure to the end--even as my fathers before on earth--"

Maya snuggled against his shoulder as she nodded her agreement.

Ato smiled. "I thought so--But we will say no more about it. There is
one thing that you may not understand. Wolden has tried to tell you. But
he is a scientist, and his words are different and difficult to follow.
You and I have fought shoulder to shoulder. Perhaps I can explain--"

Then he talked for nearly an hour about the passing of time--and how a
ship could circle the universe at the speed of light--and upon returning
it might find its home-port nothing but dust and memories. For while their
hearts were beating once a month out there in space tide after tide of
years had flowed over their homes and their loved ones.

It was a sad, bewildering speech. It reduced time to nothing--and both
Maya and Odin felt a lump of ice in their throats as Ato talked.

But even after he had finished, they shook their heads and clung together.
A chill wind from space seemed to be blowing through the room, whispering
of time's vagaries, and how space had different clocks, and how the
affairs of men were swept by time and chance down to a sunless sea.

For the last time Jack Odin and Maya refused Ato's offer. Eden was behind
him. Immortality was lost. But Adam and Eve held close to each other there
at the edge of space--and as they left Eden behind an old sad nobility
clung to them. Something brave and beautiful, like the last leaves of
autumn glinting in the setting sun.

* * * * *

The notes that Doctor Jack Odin sent me are ended. But even as before he
wrote a short letter and added it to the package at the last.

Dear Joe: (he began)

Wolden and Ato have agreed to deliver this message and the
attached notes. Wolden says that it is a terrible experience to
go from the fourth-dimensional light of his into a time-bound
world. He will not again obligate himself as a messenger boy.

I promised to let you know how we fared. And here is the tale, if
you