"Or to depart from me," Thone added. "I could force you back--as far from me as I could spin the net." "I was thinking--suppose we must fight them in the Borderland--" "A combat at once physical and mental," Thone retorted. He smiled. "You think we are ill-prepared, Will? That is not so. My men of Science have studied this condition--experimented with it very fully. The Borderland--the transition into your Earth-state--all such things are new to us. But we are coming to understand them. And I think that Brutar's people know little of their subject...." He paused in contemplation; then went on slowly. "We are not sure how permanent may be the transition by the lolos-blood into the state of your Earth-matter. Brutar may be mistaken in that--" He paused again. His smile had a gleam of irony; and there came into his voice an ironic note. "I am not sure but that from the Borderland, our opposing thoughts might not reach your Earth-state. They might, perhaps, do strange things to those of Brutar's people who have reached there--who have taken with them what they may think are effective weapons." That Thone had learned, or divined much of Brutar's purpose, and that he was prepared to combat it, was evident. But at the moment he chose to speak no further. He added abruptly, "My Thinkers are organized. Very soon they will be ready. The mind, my friend Will, grows strong only with use. Every moment that they can, they are developing the strength of battle.... Come here and see." They passed upward upon the side of the globe; and at once its opaque wall began to glow; become translucent; transparent, until through it Will saw the city. An open space, from this angle seemingly tilted on end, was nearby. Within it a horde of shapes were squatting. Figures which after a moment of inspection seemed men--gaunt of body, but with craniums distended. A horde--a myriad; Will could not have guessed at their number. Squatting in a giant spiral curving inward to its center point. From the heads of them all light was streaming. It spun in a band close over them; whirled, flashed with iridescent color. A spiral band of light, concentrating at the center point into a beam that shot away and was lost in the darkness. The globe wall became again opaque; the scene vanished. Thone said softly, "There is much power for combat in mentalities like those. And very soon I will put them to searching for Brutar's realm." A cry from Ala interrupted him. The girl had been seated as though in meditation; but now she flung herself erect. "I can find this encampment of Brutar--I can lead you to it now!" Thone stared. "Are you getting thoughts from it?" Will demanded eagerly. And Bee gave a glad exclamation. She asked, "Is Rob there? Is he safe, Ala? Can you take us to him?" "I do not know if he is there, or safe. Oh, I cannot tell you those things! I only know I can take you to Brutar's realm!" "You feel no thoughts from there?" said Thone. "No."