“There is not much I can tell you, father. But enough. Please do not question me--for if you do, I will tell nothing.” He threatened it, quietly, but with a very firm, very convincing finality. “Many of your theories, father, are correct. There is a race of people under the ocean beds--I think largely here under the Pacific. Nereid, as you see her here before you, is, I am sure, a representative of the higher portion of this other civilization. It menaces us--you were right about that, father! The conquest of our world is contemplated--and has already begun. Soon I--we, Nereid and I, will show you.” Dr. Plantet sat very still. I knew that a score of questions were storming within him. He sat, regarding Arturo with keen, scientifically appraising glance. He saw Arturo striving now to talk with a precise, scientific exactness, but failing, for the lad was evidently laboring under a tense excitement. Dr. Plantet was enough of the physician to understand his son’s condition; he knew that very easily Arturo could fall into a stubborn silence which nothing could break through. And Dr. Plantet did not dare question. But I was not so self-controlled. I burst out, “Arturo, look here--the water is leaving our oceans. Why? And why can’t you tell us everything you know? Why pick and choose? With the fate of our world at stake--” He turned on me. “You’re childish, Jeff. I’m telling you as clearly as I can. I don’t know very much myself--do you think that Nereid has been able to give me a complete scientific report on all these questions which you would like answered? Our world is doubtless at stake, as you say. This enemy is ruthless--inhuman by all our standards of humanity. Oh, do not judge the enemy you will have to confront by what you see of gentle Nereid! Yes, the oceans will probably empty of water. The ‘Gians’ have contrived it. How long it will take, I do not know. Where the main rift is--or how many rifts there are--I do not know. I think there is one in sub-marine Micronesia--I don’t know just where--” Polly stammered, “The people--‘Gians’?” “Yes, Polly, you can call them that--this enemy. The word Nereid gives me sounds about like that. I don’t know what weapons they have. Nereid doesn’t know; she is neither a warrior nor a scientist--just a girl. If I knew the weapons with which they will attack, I’d describe them quickly enough!”