"All through it safely," she murmured after him. "All safe except--except my father." Her arm around the Chemist tightened. "All safe--except those." She turned her big, sorrowful eyes towards the beach, where a thousand little mangled figures lay dead and dying. "All safe--except those." It was only a short time before the adventurers from Orlog arrived, and Loto was in his mother's arms. The Very Young Man, with mixed feelings of pride at his exploit and relief at being freed from so grave a responsibility, happily displayed Aura to his friends. "Gosh, I'm glad we're all together again; it had me scared, that's a fact." His eye fell upon the beach. "Great Scott, you've been having a fight, too? Look at that." The Big Business Man and the Doctor outlined briefly what had happened, and the Very Young Man answered in turn with an account of his adventures. Aura joined her sister and Loto. The Chemist after a moment stood apart from the others thinking deeply. He had said little during all the events of the afternoon and evening. Now he reached the inevitable decision that events had forced upon him. His face was very serious as he called his companions around him. "We must decide at once," he began, looking from one to the other, "what we are to do. Our situation here has become intolerable--desperate. I agree with you," his glance rested on the Big Business Man an instant; "by staying here we can only do harm to these misguided people." "Of course," the Big Business Man interjected under his breath. "If the drugs should ever get out of our possession down here, immeasurable harm would result to this world, as well as causing our own deaths. If we leave now, we save ourselves; although we leave the Oroids ruled by Targo. But without the power of the drugs, he can do only temporary harm. Eventually he will be overthrown. It is the best way, I think. And I am ready to leave." "It's the only way," the Big Business Man agreed. "Don't you think so?" The Doctor and the Very Young Man both assented. "The sooner the better," the Very Young Man added. He glanced at Aura, and the thought that flashed into his mind made his heart jump violently. The Chemist turned to Lylda. "To leave your people," he said gently, "I know how hard it is. But your way now lies with me--with us." He pulled Loto up against him as he spoke. Lylda bowed her head. "You speak true, my husband, my way does lie with you. I cannot help the feeling that we should stay. But with you my way does lie; whither you direct, we shall go--for ever." The Chemist kissed her tenderly. "My sister also?" he smiled gently at Aura. "My way lies with you, too," the girl answered simply. "For no man here has held my heart." The Very Young Man stepped forward. "Do we take them with us?" He indicated Oteo and Eena, who stood silently watching. "Ask them, Lylda," said the Chemist.