but I cannot project myself any nearer to it than we are at
present. Before I leave you, I will say that you have conferred a real
favor upon me--you have given me something to think about for thousands
of cycles to come. Good-bye."

Assured that their visitor had really gone, Seaton reduced the power to
that of gravity and Dorothy soon sat up, Margaret reviving more slowly.

"Dick," said Dorothy solemnly, "did that happen or have I been
unconscious and just had a nightmare?"

"It happened, all right," returned her lover, wiping his brow in relief.
"See that pistol clamped upon the top of the board? That's a token in
remembrance of him."

Dorothy, though she had been only half conscious, had heard the words of
the stranger. As she looked at the faces of the men, white and drawn
with the mental struggle, she realized what they had gone through, and
she drew Seaton down into one of the seats, stroking his hair tenderly.

Margaret went to her room immediately, and as she did not return,
Dorothy followed. She came back presently with a look of concern upon
her face.

"This life is a little hard on Peggy. I didn't realize how much harder
for her it would be than it is for me until I went in there and found
her crying. It is much harder for her, of course, since I am with you,
Dick, and with you, Martin, whom I know so well. She must feel terribly
alone."

"Why should she?" demanded Seaton. "We think she's some game little guy.
Why, she's one of the bunch! She must know that!"

"Well, it isn't the same," insisted Dorothy. "You be extra nice to her,
Dick. But don't you dare let her know I told you about the tears, or
she'd eat me alive!"

Crane said nothing--a not unusual occurrence--but his face grew
thoughtful and his manner, when Margaret appeared at mealtime, was more
solicitous than usual and more than brotherly in its tenderness.

"I shall be an interstellar diplomat," Dorothy whispered to Seaton as
soon as they were alone. "Wasn't that a beautiful bee I put upon
Martin?"

Seaton stared at her a moment, then shook her gently before he took her
into his arms.

* * * * *

The information, however, did not prevent him from calling to Crane a
few minutes later, even though he was still deep in conversation with
Margaret. Dorothy gave him an exasperated glance and walked away.

"I sure pulled a boner that time," Seaton muttered as he plucked at his
hair ruefully. "It nearly di