She saw the black-moustached face drawing closer. She saw the black eyes sparkling with predatory glee. She knew that in an instant the long twining fingers would be feeling their way about her. And she realized the futility, the folly of calling out for help. Nevertheless, a scream was upon her lips. Then, when already she could feel his breath, hot and fetid as that of some beast of prey, relief came from an unexpected quarter. A sharp sudden rattling and snapping sounded from the direction of the laboratory. And through the open door she could see how, miraculously, the laboratory window flew open as if in a violent gale, although not the slightest breeze was blowing. Dunbar, hearing the noise, wheeled about, and gasped. "By Christopher, how'd that happen?" Then solemnly, after a moment, he added, "Why, I could swear I locked that window this morning!" As if in answer, several thick steel rods on the laboratory table began to dance back and forth like dry leaves in the wind. "Holy Jerusalem!" he ejaculated, backing away. "Am I going crazy?" "No, nignig, you are no crazier than ever!" returned a rasping voice, seemingly from nowhere. "But we have been paying you a visit of inspection." The two hearers stood with wide-open mouths, speechless. "I am Quimboson, the servant of the Peerless Red One," went on the invisible. "I am perched outside your window now, on a web you cannot see. Finding the window closed, I pulled it open. One of my hands is in the room, shuffling these little objects on the table. I can reach in wherever I wish. Shall I prove it?" Feeling the sudden pressure of a clammy paw against his brow, Dunbar was quite convinced. Now all at once the tone of the invisible became harsher, more menacing. "Earthling," he growled, "I am much displeased! The tail of the Peerless Red One will lash out in wrath when he hears my report. For instead of attending to your duties, we find you in dalliance with the female of your species!" "But only for a moment!" pleaded Dunbar, in a cowed manner. "A moment too much! I always thought it was a mistake to spare the female. When I tell the Peerless Red One, he will order her to be stung to death! Stung to death instantly! So I shall recommend, O earthling, and the Peerless Red One always takes my advice on these minor matters!" Eleanor's gasp of horror was drowned out by Dunbar's appeal. "But you've got to spare her, O Quimboson! Otherwise, how can I do my best work? On my oath! I shall waste no more time with her--" "Your oath, O earthling, is as a sword of sand! But no more of this empty talk! I go now--I go!" There came a whirring and a screeching, sounding oddly like mocking laughter; then the laboratory window banged to a close, and all became silent. * * * * *