hite and he shrank under the clutch of
Drayle's fingers. Beyond them I saw the two twinlike men standing
beside Mrs. Farrel, surveying each other with incredulous recognition
and distaste.

"'Explain!' roared Drayle, and tightened his grasp.

"'I thought you said Washington, Chief.' His voice was not convincing.
I didn't believe him, nor did Drayle.

"'You lie!' he raged, and floored the man with his fist.

"In a way I couldn't help feeling sorry for the chap. It must have
been a frightful temptation to participate in the experiment and I
suppose he had not forseen the consequences. But I began to have a
glimmering of the magnificent possibilities of the invention for
purposes far beyond Drayle's intent. For, I asked myself, why, if such
a machine could produce two human identities, why not a score, a
hundred, a thousand? The best of the race could be multiplied
indefinitely and man could make man at last, literally out of the dust
of the earth. The virtue of instantaneous transmission which had been
Drayle's aim sank into insignificance beside it. I fancied a race of
supermen thus created. And I still believe, Sergeant, that the chance
for the world's greatest happiness is sealed within that box you
guard. But its first fruits were tragic."

The historian shifted his position on the bench so as to escape the
sun that was now reflected dazzlingly by the polished steel casket.

* * * * *

"Drayle did not glance again at his disobedient lieutenant. He was
concerned with the problem of the extra man, or, I should say, an
extra man, for both were equal. Never before in the history of the
world had two men been absolutely identical. They were, of course, one
in thought, possessions and rights, physical attributes and
appearance. Mrs. Farrel, as they were beginning to realize, was the
wife of both. And I have an unworthy suspicion that the red-headed
young woman, after she recovered from the shock, was not entirely
displeased. The two men, however, finding that each had an arm about
her waist, were regarding each other in a way that foretold trouble.
Both spoke at the same time and in the same words.

"'Take your hands off my wife!'

"And I think they would have attacked each other then if Drayle hadn't
intervened. He said, 'Sit down! All of you!' in so peremptory a voice
that we obeyed him.

"'Now,' he went on, 'pay attention to me. I think you realize the
situation. The question i