nts itself. We must be
very careful, in that event, not to change our position in space--not to
keep on traveling, in other words--or else, when we become the same size
once more, we will be out of sight of one another. Geographically
separated, so to speak," the Doctor finished with a smile.

"I am so explicit on this point of keeping together," he continued,
"because--well, I personally do not want to undertake even part of this
journey alone."

"You're darn right--me neither," agreed the Very Young Man emphatically.
"Let's get going."

"I guess that's all," said the Doctor, with a last glance around, and
finally facing the Banker. "Good-by, George."

The Banker was quite overcome, and without a word he shook hands with
each of his friends.

The three men sat beside each other on the floor, close to the
handkerchief and ring; the Banker sat in his chair on the other side,
facing them, spoon in hand. In silence they each took four of the
pellets. Then the Banker saw them close their eyes; he saw the Big
Business Man put his hands suddenly on the floor as though to steady
himself.

The Banker gripped the arms of his chair firmly. He knew exactly what to
expect, yet now when his friends began slowly to diminish in size he was
filled with surprise and horror. For several minutes no one spoke. Then
the Very Young Man opened his eyes, looked around dizzily for an
instant, and began feeling with his hands the belt at his waist, his
shoes, wrist-watch, and the pouches under his armpits.

"It's all right," he said with an enthusiasm that contrasted strangely
with the tremor in his voice. "The belt's getting smaller, too. We're
going to be able to take everything with us."

Again silence fell on the room, broken only by the sound of the three
men on the floor continually shifting their positions as they grew
smaller. In another moment the Doctor clambered unsteadily to his feet
and, taking a step backward, leaned up against the cylindrical mahogany
leg of the center-table, flinging his arms around it. His head did not
reach the table-top.

The Very Young Man and the Big Business Man were on their feet now, too,
standing at the edge of the handkerchief, and clinging to one another
for support. The Banker looked down at them and tried to smile. The Very
Young Man waved his hand, and the Banker found voice to say: "Good-by,
my boy."

"Good-by, sir," echoed the Very Young Man. "We're making it."

Steadily they grew s