Indescribable voice! Human, animal or monster no one could say. But the words were clear, precise; and for all their terror, they seemed to hold an infinite command. A wave of excitement swept the hall, but Brayley's gesture silenced it. He leaped forward and bent low over the palpitating brain. "So you can talk. You came as an enemy. We have given you every chance today for friendship, and you have refused. What are you trying to do to us?" It only glared. "Speak!" "I will not tell you anything." "Oh, yes, you will." "No!" All the men on the platform were crowding close to it now. "Speak!" ordered Brayley again. "Here in Greater New York is a hiding place. Where is it?" No answer. "Where is it? You are perhaps a leader of your world. I lead ours, and I'm going to master you now. Where is this hiding place?" The thing suddenly laughed, a gruesome, eerie cackle. "You will know when it is too late. I think it is too late already." "Too late for what?" "To save your world. Doomed, your three worlds! Don't touch--me!" It ended with a scream of apprehension as Nippor grasped the crooked little arm. "Tell us!" "No!" It screamed again. "Let--me--go!" "Tell us!" Nippor strengthened his squeezing grip. The thing was writhing, the thin ball of membrane palpitating, heaving. And suddenly it burst. Over all its purpled surface, blood came with a gush. Nippor and Brayley staggered backward. The scream of the brain ended in a choking gurgle. The little legs and tiny body wilted under it; the round ball of membrane sank to the table. It rolled sidewise upon one arm and ear, and in a moment its palpitation ceased. A purple-red mass of blood, it lay deflated and flabby. It was dead. 4 "But see here," I said, "did they mention the Martian, Molo, at all?" "They were discussing Molo before you arrived," Grantline told us. We had drawn back from the doorway. The conference, with the dead thing removed, was proceeding. Snap and I had momentarily forgotten Anita and Venza; but now we were in a panic to get back to the Red Spark. "But you can't go," said Grantline. "Brayley ordered you here. He'll want to see you in a moment." "Well, why doesn't he see us now?" Snap protested. "I'm not going to cool myself off sitting here." "Oh yes, you are." Grantline sent word to Brayley that we were here. In a moment the answer came. We were to wait a short time; he would want to see us. We swiftly told Grantline what had happened at the Red Spark, and found that already he knew. Francis had relayed it to the conference, and Halsey was in constant communication with the officials here. "Then what is happening?" I demanded. "Where are the girls? Has Halsey heard from them?" Again Grantline went to a nearby room. "Anita sent a message," he said, when he returned. "They are with Molo. Halsey is ordering a squad of men to be ready."