"The paint was returned to its proper place?" "Even so." "And the telescope——’ "That matter was attended to." "I trust you handled the telescope with care? It is exceedingly fragile and could be easily injured." "After the king spoke as he did, death by zet would be meted out to the one who injured the instrument." There were several things I wanted to ask Olox, and the principal one had to do with Gilhooly, and the way he had been taken from the car and made to serve the traction interests of the kingdom. However, the professor was keeping Olox so busy with his word-box that my own questions were crowded out. "The family of the executioner-general are anxious to have him returned," remarked Olox, while the professor was looking for the proper key on which to formulate his next question. "Could that be accomplished?" "It might," replied the professor guardedly. "What has become of him?" "He disappeared as he was about to commit a deed of base injustice," said the professor grimly. "We are aware of that," and Olox looked uneasily around as he punched the words, "but we are ignorant of the cause of his disappearance. He is a distant relative of mine, and I promised his next of kin to put these questions to you. Is he alive?" "Undoubtedly." Olox pressed closer and muffled his word-box so that the sounds could not carry to dangerous limits. "If you would tell us how to proceed in the matter of getting the executioner-general back," he whispered, "I can promise you and your friends help in getting out of the country." "Look out for the indexograph, Olox," said I. "If they should happen to give you a try out with it, the ideograph wouldn’t look well to the king." Olox was greatly shaken—so shaken, in fact, that he could not pursue the subject further. "I will talk with you later about the executioner-general," he finished, noting the empty dishes before the professor and Meigs and me, and the curious manner of those who had come with him. "Until then, pray consider that nothing has been said on the subject." With that, he arose and beckoned to his companions. After Olox had led the attendants away with the empty food receptacles, the professor and I got our heads together on the mission that had brought us to Baigadd. We did not think it necessary or advisable to let Meigs know of our purpose in regaining control of the Bolla. "We are pledged to secure the mysterious stone if we can, Mr. Munn," said Quinn. "Undoubtedly the work will put us in bad odor here, and may interfere with our attempt to balk the king in his comprehensive scheme of conquest, but that does not release us from the task in question." A tingle of gratification shot along my nerves. The feeling of oppression that had burdened me was lifted, for I ever loved to crack a professional nut, and here was one that would certainly try me to the utmost. I surveyed the small building with critical eyes.