"Perhaps. But in reality I'm trying to make clear to you the causes which have brought forth here a serious condition. It affects this world--and you, all of us--for you are now plunged into it with me. And the safety of our own earth--" Father's voice turned vigorous. "Why do you suppose I sent for you? I could not leave here--I would rather, infinitely rather, have come back with Hulda." "Tell us," said Dan. * * * * * Freddie prompted: "There are two races here. You mentioned the Brauns in your letter. Are they the race which menaces the earth? Who invaded it before?" Dan said: "That night in our house in Porto Rico--who took you away? What was Zetta doing there? Who was the man with her we found dead? She had just told you everything that afternoon you both disappeared--what was it she told you--" "You see, there is so much, father, which we are eager to know--" I put in. He raised his hand against our outpouring of questions. "I'm trying to tell you as best I can. There was only one race here--the Garlands. They were not all of one mind in giving up modernity. No race of people can ever be all the same. Some continued to lust for achievement; some desired personal power--conventional riches; some were just plain bad. Criminals. Only in Utopia would there be a complete lack of crime. "Out of this diversity the Garland rulers strove to weed the discordant element. Generations ago it was found expedient to exile criminals. A region north of here, at the edge of the metal plains, was set aside as a penal colony. Criminals were banished to live there, and there they bred their kind. "Then, later, it was made by law a crime here in Garla to preach modernity. The element--outside of the legalized scientific Guild--who still lusted for the old achievement, were classed as criminals and were banished also. As a matter of actuality they were largely criminals at heart. "There were a few well-meaning crusaders who felt that the world was going wrong--who actually believed their doctrine of 'hustle, bustle and get rich.' But for the most part this element was composed of men of criminal instinct who thought they could gain power by such a stand. They preached, sought followers, tried by every means to foster a discontent. Some were clever, learned men; one even tried to foment a revolution and seize the government; another started a little city and culture of his own.