is proportions."

"Yes, that would do it--temporarily at least," Dantor agreed, his brow
wrinkled in thought; "and there are the invisible cloaks. It is a bare
chance if you want to take it. I can show you the way to this
underground laboratory, and, in invisibility, you might even be able to
change the ratios yourself. Yes, yes, it is a very good idea." The
scientist brightened in renewed hope.

"Of course I'll chance it. When do I start?"

Dantor grinned in appreciation and Ulana looked up at him starry-eyed.
"I'm going with you," she stated simply.

"Not on your life! There'll be danger. I won't have it!"

"Nevertheless, I'm going. There's another cloak and besides the danger
would be greater if I were alone. Where you go I go, and if you die I
die with you--gladly." She twined her fingers with his and gazed at him
appealingly.

"Dantor! This can't be!" He turned to the scientist for support.

The aged scientist studied the two a little while, and then said
quietly, "I'm afraid it is better as she wishes, Carson. I am unable to
protect her, my boy, and there is no one else who might give her
shelter. We are the last of the Rulans, she and I. The very last."

"Oh-h!" Ulana moaned, pale and distraught. "All--all are gone?"

"All, my dear. In his rage the Dictator destroyed the Tritu Deanu and
the Tritu Raortu when he had finished here. Those were the last
settlements remaining, you know. We alone are left behind, Ulana."
Dantor bowed his head and the girl sobbed silently.

"Good Heavens!" Blaine Carson was aghast at the revelation. A monstrous
deed, this last one of Ianito's. He was a fit master of a world gone
mad. A monster in the twisted semblance of human form.

* * * * *

"He will be searching for you, oh Dantor," the girl said with sudden
conviction. She had mastered her emotions and was instantly alert to
every angle of the situation.

"That is true," said the old man gravely. "For myself I have nothing to
fear, of course. Though insanely jealous of my accomplishments, he
maintains an armed truce with me. He dares not do otherwise as the
Supreme Council is aware of his shortcomings and cognizant of my
superior knowledge of science. But there is danger to you two. You must
make haste."

A trembling of the ground beneath them lent added emphasis to his final
words. A quick glance into the crystal told them that the initial
charge was at work in the huge roc