"And also prepare the drone to return that pillar of hell back to Earth Two," said Maddox with a bit of mild concern. CHAPTER VIII _Halfway Mark_ Unmindful of his danger--both immediate and future--Ed Bronson sat and watched Virginia with admiration. Their initial talk had been sketchy. All Virginia knew was that she had been working on equipment similar to his and had heard the same things he had--including him. Her information was less complete than his, for Virginia was not equipped to tinker up a complete set of filters to tune out the interferences, so she said. Only Bronson's voice came through clearly enough to be understood. Yet she was aware of the danger and felt that she must help. And that was that so far as she was concerned. As to what track to follow, Virginia professed ignorance. She suggested that they eat and then go to Bronson's laboratory and work on the stuff. "And what do we do about them?" he asked. Virginia blinked. "You're certain it was they?" "He told me so." "Then there's just one." "There may be more," objected Bronson. "Perhaps we should forget my place and go to work on yours." Virginia blinked inwardly at that one. Naturally, Virginia could not take him to her place for she had none. There had to be some way. "I suggest that you and I go in very quietly," she said. "If the house is infested we'll go to my place. If it is clear, even temporarily, we can go in and steal the phosphor." "Better," grinned Bronson. "We can conceal it in a steel safe. I have a hunch they can't get through it then." "I wouldn't know," said Virginia. She did know, however, that Peter Moray would not be in evidence since she was bringing Bronson back with her. "But you have a good idea. It'll do them a lot of good to try coming through if they end up in a steel box. "Besides," she said thoughtfully, "it is better to try. I'd hate to think of them coming through unguarded. We owe it to the earth to try and stop them." "That we do," nodded Bronson. Then he ceased to think about it since it had been settled. He preferred to watch Virginia. She was a beautiful girl--one of the most beautiful women that Bronson had ever seen. That alone won his admiration. But what brought his real commendation was her attitude. Bronson had known other beautiful women before and most of them were inclined towards a selfish narcissism because of the round of admiration they got from every male. This gave them an egotistical attitude that repelled Bronson, for he knew with some disdain that their attitude was born of the actions of his own sex. Virginia had none of this false sophistication. She was readily and honestly pleased with things as they were and with Bronson's offerings. To add to that Virginia was clever and intelligent and could, without straining, discuss several subjects that the average beauty wouldn't bother to strain her vapid mind on.