He was in his laboratory, that day, when his young and beautiful wife entered. She was an exquisite creature, vibrant with youth, aglow with health, athrob with the joy and zest of life. "Anton," she said, "you ought to get outdoors for a change of air. You've locked yourself in here for weeks, and you're looking ghastly." She anxiously regarded his scholarly face. Against his black Vandyke beard, his skin was startlingly pale. Yet his eyes glowed with intellectual fire. "I know, my dear," he said, patting her shoulder; "but I've nearly finished now, and presently we shall celebrate--you and Robin and I--the triumph of my greatest experiment." Her long blue eyes surveyed the litter of test-tubes and retorts. "What is this experiment, Anton?" "You will soon know, my dear. And it will astonish you. I promise you that. Now run along, like a good little girl, and enjoy yourself." His tone was paternal, and as they stood together they might well have been mistaken for father and daughter--he, tall and dark and somehow elderly; she, small and blond and gloriously youthful. "I wish, Anton," she protested, "you wouldn't always treat me like a child. After all, you know, I _am_ your wife.... And I am proud of you, Anton. I like to be seen with you, and watch people point you out as a great celebrity, and let them know that you're my husband. So suppose you drop everything for this afternoon and go places with me. We could drive through the park, stop somewhere for a cocktail, go somewhere else for dinner, and then to a theater if you like, or to a night club...." "No, my dear. But you and Robin go." She moved a disdainful shoulder. "Robin! It's only a bore, going places with Robin. He's such a----" She bit her lips, for at this moment Robin entered--an athletic young chap of sparkling eye, of sun-tanned skin and exuberant spirits. "'Lo, Uncle Anton! How comes the Great Experiment?" "Most satisfactorily, my boy. It will soon be finished, and it will amaze you and Zora--and all the world." "Well, Anton," said Zora, "if I can't coax you outdoors, I'll be running along. I've some letters to write." "Wait, my dear." She paused at the door, her hand on the knob, and looked back at him. She ignored the younger man as she might have ignored a small boy. "Since you and Robin are to share in the success of my experiment"--Anton beamed upon them--"it is only fitting that you should also share in its consummation." He walked to a cabinet, from which he took two pairs of white gauntlets. "First," he said, "you must put these on.... And now," he added, when their hands were gloved, "take this material and dip it in here." From a shelf of the cabinet he had taken a large roll of white cloth, wrapped in cellophane, and from a white-enameled vat he removed the lid, disclosing a milky fluid.