The big crowd was silent with terror; the man high in the air over their heads screamed horribly. Lylda hesitated only a moment more; then she threw back her arm and, with a great great sweep, flung her screaming victim far out into the lake. CHAPTER XXV THE ESCAPE OF TARGO "I am very much afraid it was a wrong move," said the Chemist gravely. They were sitting in a corner of the roof, talking over the situation. Lylda had left the city; the last they had seen of her, she was striding rapidly away, over the country towards Orlog. The street and field before the house now was nearly deserted. "She had to do it, of course," the Chemist continued, "but to kill Targo's brother----" "I wonder," began the Big Business Man thoughtfully. "It seems to me this disturbance is becoming far more serious than we think. It isn't so much a political issue now between your government and the followers of Targo, as it is a struggle against those of us who have this magic, as they call it." "That's just the point," put in the Doctor quickly. "They are making the people believe that our power of changing size is a menace that----" "If I had only realized," said the Chemist. "I thought your coming would help. Apparently it was the very worst thing that could have happened." "Not for you personally," interjected the Very Young Man. "We're perfectly safe--and Lylda, and Loto." He put his arm affectionately around the boy who sat close beside him. "You are not afraid, are you, Loto?" "Now I am not," answered the boy seriously. "But this morning, when I left my grandfather, coming home----" "You were afraid for your mother. That was it, wasn't it?" finished the Very Young Man. "Does your grandfather teach you?" "Yes--he, and father, and mother." "I want you to see Lylda's father," said the Chemist. "There is nothing we can do now until Lylda returns. Shall we walk up there?" They all agreed readily. "I may go, too?" Loto asked, looking at his father. "You have your lessons," said the Chemist. "But, my father, it is so very lonely without mother," protested the boy. The Chemist smiled gently. "Afraid, little son, to stay with Oteo?" "He's not afraid," said the Very Young Man stoutly. The little boy looked from one to the other of them a moment silently. Then, calling Oteo's name, he ran across the roof and down into the house. "Five years ago," said the Chemist, as the child disappeared, "there was hardly such an emotion in this world as fear or hate or anger. Now the pendulum is swinging to the other extreme. I suppose that's natural, but----" He ended with a sigh, and, breaking his train of thought, rose to his feet. "Shall we start?"