There was complete silence when Rogers paused. George decided to speak, but checked himself and relaxed back in his chair. "I shall start the Frazia Company on another plane at once," Rogers added. "And working on Loto's mechanism simultaneously, I should be ready in ninety days." He waited, but again no one else spoke. Then he said: "I am going, of course. It is a great trial for my wife, but I know she is willing." George turned and flashed an admiring glance at Lylda; her face was strained, but she smiled at him gently. "Do not be hasty, my friends," Rogers went on quickly. "Any two of you are free to come--or to stay, all of you--as you think best." "I'm going," said George suddenly. "Loto said I could. And you say so. I'm going." He jumped to his feet and grasped Roger's hand. "You can count on me, Mr. Rogers." Rogers smiled. "Thank you, George. I knew I could." George sat down again. Then he got up and crossed to Lylda, shaking her hand also, and whispering to her. But in another instant he was pacing the room, smoking violently, and frowning. Rogers was saying to the others, "I will take one more. I realize it is a momentous question. Your lives may be at stake." The Big Business Man was deep in reverie. "I wonder," he murmured. "I wonder if I _do_ want to go." "Come on," urged George, stopping suddenly before him. "Take a chance." He did not wait for an answer, but went back to his pacing. The Banker said, half apologetically. "You don't really need me, do you, Rogers?" "Of course not," Rogers said heartily. "Use your own judgement. But I knew you'd be offended if I didn't give you the opportunity." The Banker nodded. "Yes, but you don't need me. I'm an old man--seventy-three, though I hope you'd never guess it. I think I'd better stay where I'm used to things." "Of course," agreed Rogers. "But if you need money," the Banker added hopefully, "and you will, naturally--everybody needs money--you'll call on me, won't you? I'm going to see this thing through." "I don't believe I'll go," the Business Man declared. He met the Doctor's glance, and the Doctor seemed relieved. "You don't really need us, Rogers. I think Frank would prefer to stay also." The Doctor nodded emphatic agreement. "Quite so," said Rogers. "I can understand perfectly how you feel." George stopped his pacing. "Then it's all settled, Mr. Rogers. You and I go; the others stay on guard here. Now listen, everybody, I've got some good ideas..." * * * * * Two days before Christmas, another plane lay glistening on the roof of the Scientific Club, walled in from curious eyes by the board enclosure. Sleek, self-satisfied, its every line denoting latent power, it lay motionless, awaiting those human masters who soon were to launch it into another time world. Occasionally during the afternoon George visited it, anxiously verifying again and again that all was in readiness.