Their first efforts were rewarded by the faint sound of a woman’s voice and a dim vision of the beautiful girl seen on two previous occasions. Almost as soon as it began to appear, the image was blotted from the disc, and from then on until early morning, when the three tired men relinquished their unsuccessful attempt, they were rewarded only by blackness and a faint rumbling sound which greatly resembled distant thunder. “Looks as if P’an-ku had severed diplomatic relations,” said Roger, rising from his seat at the recorder and stretching his cramped limbs. “I’m afraid you are right,” replied the professor, leaning his placard against a chair. “We’ll try again, and keep on trying,” said Ted. “The Lunites should be amenable to reason if we can get the message through.” Try they did, the following night, and each night thereafter for nearly two weeks. The results were only darkness, and the distant thunderous rumbling. Even the image of the girl had failed to appear for so much as a fraction of a second. When the efforts of the last night had proved unavailing, Ted threw off the switch and rose with a look of grim determination. “We must face the facts,” he said. “War is inevitable unless P’an-ku can be reached and influenced by a specific message. It will take two more weeks at the very least, to complete our large interplanetary vehicle. By that time the war will undoubtedly be in full progress.” “What do you propose to do about it?” asked the professor. “I will take the message in person,” replied Ted. “How?” chorused his two surprised companions in unison. “Come with me and I’ll show you, but you must preserve absolute secrecy.” VII. PERILOUS JOURNEY Ted led Roger and the professor through a side door, and out onto the roof, which was illuminated by the silvery glory of the moon. A watchman challenged them, then saluted respectfully as he recognized his employer. As they passed the hangars of Ted’s fleet of electroplanes, more watchmen challenged and saluted. Beyond this, they came to a square shed of steel, the heavy metal door of which Ted unlocked with a key taken from his pocket. As his two companions entered he closed the door after them, then pressed a light switch. “Here is my secret,” he said. “Isn’t she a little beauty?”