But Alan knew it was not barbarism, but decadence. Civilization had reached its summit, and declined. Fallen back, to this. Lea was in advance of Alan and San. She turned into a small gateway. They passed through a garden profuse with flowers. A low house stood here, half hidden by the verdure. An old man was at the doorway--a stalwart old fellow with a furious white beard; a shaggy white mane of hair; a robe of sober gray, monklike with its rope about his bulging middle. He greeted Lea and San with a gesture of affection. He stared open-mouthed at Alan. Lea explained to him swiftly. And then came relief to Alan. This old patriarch spoke what he doubtless called the ancient English. He said slowly, with a meticulous, careful intonation: "I thank you for saving Lea from Wolf Turber." "But we've got to locate them," Alan insisted. "How can we? With this cloak? Yes, it belongs to my sister." "I will take you shortly to my instrument room," said the old man. "I have had Lentz, my assistant, preparing the Time-vision--we cannot do it more quickly." * * * * * They had talked now for perhaps half an hour--old Powl, as he was called, interpreting for Lea and San. He was their grandfather. It was he who had discovered the secret of this Time-traveling tower. He had built it; and had constructed also a series of instruments which he called Time-vision. He was, in this age of decadence, one of the few living scientists. And he was a language student as well--he had trained himself in many of the dead languages of the past. "My son," Powl said, "the father of Lea and San took my tower and once stopped in the year you call about 1925. He paused for just a moment, but when he returned here there was found a young man with him. A stowaway, as you would call it. That man was Wolf Turber." It was all presently clear to Alan. Turber had come here; had stolen the secret of the tower and the Time-vision, and getting followers had built himself his Time-vehicle--and departed. "He said he was in love with Lea. But she was afraid of him--his attentions were unwelcome. We told him so." Like Nanette! "I understand," said Alan bitterly. "My sister--" "He has her now, you tell me. That is bad. You must get her back. And kill him." The old man's mild blue eyes suddenly flashed. Lea spoke. He interpreted. "She says, I must tell you--we have sworn to kill Turber. He murdered my son--father of Lea and San. Stole our platinum treasure--and murdered my son, who was defending it." Alan thought he had never heard such intensity as came into the old man's voice. "We are careful with our tower--we do nothing evil with it. Turber's vehicle is all for evil. My son died--and there as he died we swore--myself and Lea and San--that some time we would kill Turber and destroy his vehicle."