They stopped, and Dee called to the guards. One of them descended from the platform, down a narrow flight of steps cut in the cliff face. He came forward in the moonlight, a black robed figure. Dee spoke with him, and, recognizing a daughter of Fahn, he saluted respectfully. There followed a brief colloquy, then the guard stood aside. A moment later they were in the cavern. The huge tunnel was dark and dank, but blue-white lights glimmered ahead in the darkness. The place was silent, seemingly deserted. Down the length of the main tunnel they hurried. The plane stood there in the open space, in the glare of blue-white light. They stood before it. "Dee, shall we send for your father?" She hesitated. "Where is he?" George persisted. "Did you ask the guard?" "Yes. He and Loto and Loto's father are at the palace. There has been rebellion and murder--the murder of Helene, Mme. Voluptua." She recounted succinctly the events of the night in Anglese City as the guard had told them to her. George whistled. "They've got their hands full. Dee, are you still in communication with Azeela?" "Yes. They are beyond fifty years." "Going how fast?" "Azeela says as fast as they can--the twentieth intensity." George made his decision. "Dee, we mustn't wait, mustn't stop for anything. You're willing to go?" "Yes," she declared soberly. She reached toward the platform. George locked his hands, and she put her small foot into them. He lifted her--she seemed no heavier than a child--and she swung herself up gracefully and easily to the platform. George followed and closed the cabin door after them. "Did you tell the guard what we were going to do?" "Yes," she said. "I told him to tell father later tonight when things were more quiet at the palace." "Good girl. Dee, have you ever been back into time?" "No. Azeela has. Just a little way--with Loto. He taught her to operate the plane." "How fast are they going, Dee? The twentieth intensity?" "Yes." George's hand was on the proton switch. He took a last look around. "Sit down, Dee. Hold the arms of your chair. Don't be frightened." The cabin was dark; through its windows the blue-white glare outside showed the jagged brown walls of the cavern. The twentieth intensity! _Toroh was going as fast as he possibly could!_ George pulled the switch. There was a soundless clap in his head; a plunge, headlong into some bottomless abyss, falling for hours--an eternity. * * * * * Fahn's proclamation to the Bas had far-reaching effects. All over the island that night and the next day there was rejoicing. The radio proclaimed a national holiday, which the Bas gave over to festivities.