"Zitu grant it," said Croft, deeply affected by Gaya's greeting. "It is of that we must speak after I have made certain things plain." Robur nodded. Gaya returned to the couch. The two men drew other seats beside her, and Croft narrated his story. "First in my mind comes this meeting with the woman herself. Since she journeys first to Berla, it is certain some time must still elapse ere she goes to her hunting lodge. And as regards the meeting itself, here is what I propose." He rapidly outlined a plan for sending a Tamarizian party into the mountains north of Cathur, and at the last he mentioned Koryphu's name. * * * * * "Hai!" Robur's face lighted. "Now, by Zitu, Jason, you have found the proper man. True is he in his heart, as I believe, and a sufferer from his brother's treason. He should welcome this task as a means of proving his loyalty to his nation and in so much reestablishing himself--and where were a better agent to represent us before this unclean woman, by whom his brother was disgraced?" "Naia brought the man to my mind," said Jason, unwilling to appropriate the credit. "Aye"--Gaya smiled--"the step savors of a woman. Kalamita will gain small satisfaction when she meets him face to face. It is a proper choice." "He lies at Scira?" Robur questioned. Croft nodded. "Aye--I have visited him in spirit inside the last five days--and found him busy with tablets and scrolls, more student than man of affairs." "Then," Robur declared with quick decision, "we go to Scira and lay the matter before him without delay." "Nay"--Croft shook his head--"first shall I be present in Berla in my own fashion when Naia arrives. Meanwhile, Robur, you and I arrange other details for the mission to this meeting, and prepare to reopen the shops." For a moment Robur regarded him out of narrowed eyes, and then he nodded. "Has the Mouthpiece of Zitu some new device for the making, he will find me ready to work with him upon it as in the past." Jason smiled at his ready acceptance. There had been no time when he had failed to find Robur's interest in the modern innovations he had introduced on Palos lacking, or had been denied his aid in their production. The Aphurian was of a most progressive mind. "Nay," he said now, "I know not, nor will till after this meeting with the Zollarian woman. And after that it may be I shall revisit earth." "Earth!" Robur exclaimed. "When last you attempted such a matter, the thing was an affair of Zitrans. Think you--" "Hold, Rob," Jason interrupted. "Within the last cycle--I have visited and conversed with a man of earth in the spirit rather than the flesh." Gaya caught her breath sharply. Both she and Robur knew the history of Croft's former mundane existence. Yet now she seemed shaken. "Jason," she faltered, "as man I know you, yet are there times when to me you seem more like to a spirit in man's form even as on a time Zud of Zitra said." Her eyes were wide.