* * * * * Good heavens, Odin thought, what a cold-blooded obituary for any race! "And so, Wolden," the Scientist continued, "it has worked out well. We were lucky to find this spot. We fashioned the two doors first, for the cave was open when we reached it--I think a meteor must have crashed here long after these people died. After that, it was easy to build the lights and to draw moisture and air from the rocks. We have struck a balance now. I said all along that it could be done, if we could escape the constant interference from those ruffians above us--uh, Odin, I beg your pardon." Odin always resented these cracks at his people so he ignored the request by asking another question. "But how did you do all this in so short a time? Those vines look like they have been growing for years." "Just as they do in Alaska during the growing season. We kept our suns burning all the time. Soon we may be able to afford both day and night, but not yet. "And after that," the Scientist went on, "we were able to get back to your work on the Time-Space Continuum. We have made some wonderful advances. I would like to show you--but Gunnar and Odin, I am boring you." "Wouldn't you care to look at the new lake?" Wolden urged. "I can take a hint," Gunnar grumbled. "Nobody wants a fighting man about until the swords are flashing--" As Odin and Gunnar went down the front steps of the tower, they met the girl Nea. She was swinging the bowling-ball-shaped satchel at her side. When they greeted her, Odin felt that he could hold back his curiosity no longer. "Are you a bowler, Miss Nea?" he asked. "A bowler!" Then she laughed a silvery laugh. "Oh, no. This is an invention of mine. My father and I were working on it. He died in the tunnel when it was flooded." For a second her dark eyes appeared infinitely sad. Then she laughed again. "But it is not perfected. It may not ever be perfected now. I thought that perhaps Wolden and Gor might help me with it." Gunnar muttered some words that might be roughly interpreted as "Fat Chance" and he and Odin left the girl on the steps. As they walked around the little lake which was as smooth as a mirror, Gunnar explained. "Her mother was a cousin to Maya's mother. You know how the Brons number their kin to the seventh generation. Her father was one of the Scientists. A brilliant man--but a poor provider. However, he died nobly. Remember, Nors-King, Nea's branch of the family is a strange group. They have done brilliant things, but they have thought up some hare-brained schemes, too. As I said before, she is also kin to Grim Hagen--" Another day had passed. The voyagers had been summoned to a council hall within the tower. A screen was set up for the convenience of those who had been left upon the Nebula.