evelop sufficiently to form a part of the empire which we have planned
or to occupy our abilities to any great degree. On the other, we have
already spent millions of years in surveying hundreds of millions of
continua, without having found anywhere such a profusion of planets as
will, in all probability, soon fill both of these galaxies. There may
also be certain advantages inherent in the fact that these planets are
not yet populated. As life develops, we can mold it as we please.
Krongenes, what are your findings in regard to the planetary
possibilities of other spaces?"

The term "Krongenes" was not, in the accepted sense, a name. Or, rather,
it was more than a name. It was a key-thought, in mental shorthand; a
condensation and abbreviation of the life-pattern or ego of that
particular Eddorian.

"Not at all promising, Your Supremacy," Krongenes replied promptly. "No
space within reach of my instruments has more than a small fraction of
the inhabitable worlds which will presently exist in this one."

"Very well. Have any of you others any valid objections to the
establishment of our empire here in this space? If so, give me your
thought now."

No objecting thoughts appeared, since none of the monsters then knew
anything of Arisia or of the Arisians. Indeed, even if they had known,
it is highly improbable that any objection would have been raised.
First, because no Eddorian, from the All-Highest down, could conceive or
would under any circumstances admit that any race, anywhere, had ever
approached or ever would approach the Eddorians in any quality
whatever; and second, because, as is routine in all dictatorships,
disagreement with the All-Highest did not operate to lengthen the span
of life.

"Very well. We will now confer as to ... but hold! That thought is not
one of ours! Who are you, stranger, to dare to intrude thus upon a
conference of the Innermost Circle?"

"I am Enphilistor, a younger student, of the planet Arisia." This name,
too, was a symbol. Nor was the young Arisian yet a Watchman, as he and
so many of his fellows were so soon to become, for before Eddore's
arrival Arisia had had no need of Watchmen. "I am not intruding, as you
know. I have not touched any one of your minds; have not read any one of
your thoughts. I have been waiting for you to notice my presence, so
that we could become acquainted with each other. A surprising
development, truly--we have thought for many cycles of time that we