"There is evil in nature here--a danger which on earth we have not. The Garlands have preserved enough of their science to enable them to control it. Enough science also to guard against any attack. They're not fatuous! There is a scientific body--they call it by a word I translate as Guild. A small body of scientists who are 'modern' in every respect. Their work is secret--so that what they do may not contaminate the people with any desire again to 'achieve.' They are thoroughly trustworthy, these scientists--" Hulda said suddenly: "Or at least you hope so." "Yes," he said gravely. "I hope and believe so. They hold in their hands the power of this world. In their grottos they have weapons ready and waiting--and controlled power which holds in check the evil forces of nature--the great sub-world of Xenephrene which lies here within the cognizance of our human senses, as you knew when you landed and first opened your door to let it in." I exclaimed: "These crimson things--this sound!" It was around us, murmuring in our ears as we sat there. "Yes," he agreed. "It is harmless, if controlled." It was what his look implied, what he refrained from saying, that brought me a shudder. He changed the subject abruptly. "The animal and insect world is very interesting here, Peter. It is not comparable to what we have on earth at all. You'll understand that very shortly. There are few animals. The insects--" His glance involuntarily went above us; that great brown thing was lying motionless up there in the foliage. "The insect world plays a very large part in the scheme of things here. These Garlands have a very well ordered world. All designed for a pleasant existence. All this that the Guild of Science does is never obtruded in the Garland's happy life. There is no stress--no struggle--" Freddie interrupted: "I'm hanged if I understand you, Professor Vanderstuyft. You talk as though this were some Elysium here. Utopia--something like that. But you sent for us because of impending danger. Last night when we arrived Hulda talked very differently. "Even awhile ago--and look at Hulda now--" Hulda's face certainly was very solemn; Dan put his arm around her. I said: "I feel the same--what Freddie says--father, if there is no stress, no struggle here--" He gestured. "I meant, in fundamentals. This is no Utopia. There never has been any Utopia in human existence, and there never will be. Human nature, wherever you find it in the immensity of God's Great Universe, will have its human failings. If it had not, it would not be human. There are good people--and bad people. Most of us are a blend of both qualities. There is nothing wholly good short of Divinity, and nothing wholly bad save our conception, perchance, of Satan." "Your father is in a philosophical mood," Dan commented to Hulda. But she did not smile. Father said: