when my
recorder showed the waves of electrical energy proceeding from the
city. You were clever, Dent, but you see, you had to come back to me
to get my help."

"Don't be afraid, dear," said Jim, trying to soothe the girl. "That's
a wireless receiving apparatus." He pointed to a sort of cabinet
enclosed among the rotating wheels, and then it was evident that
Tode's voice was proceeding from it.

* * * * *

Tode's figure appeared again, dancing through a haze of lines and
patches. He was holding something in his hand which Jim made out to be
the mouthpiece of a microphone. The voice inside the Atom Smasher
spoke again:

"Turn all the micrometer screws until the needles register zero,
Parrish. Then turn Dial D to point 3, Dial C to 5, Dial B to 1, and
Dial A to 2. I'll repeat.... Now press the starting lever, Parrish,
and you'll find yourself on firm ground again."

A few moments later the Atom Smasher was pouring out an immense column
of the violet light, and slowly the vibration ceased. The blurred
forms of Tode, of the Drilgoes grew clear. They had arrived.

Tode stepped over the rail. "And now, my friends, we'll have a talk,"
he said.

"No tricks, Tode," Jim warned him, "You've probably got a number of
deviltries up your sleeve--"

"One or two, Dent," grinned Tode.

"We're willing to negotiate."

"Of course you are. You see, I hold the trumps, Dent. Those dial
deflections, which are inevitable in the construction of any piece of
mechanism, are not the same for Earth in 1920. Don't think you can use
the same figures to land with. You must remember that there has been a
precession of the equinoxes since the time of Atlantis, with a
consequent shift in the earth's axis. No, Dent, I've got you very much
where I want you. But I'm willing to discuss terms with you. First of
all, let's get rid of this useless cargo. I don't believe in
overburdening a ship," he grinned.

He picked up Cain bodily and heaved the astonished Drilgo over the
side before he knew what was happening to him. Cain picked himself up
and rubbed his sides, whimpering mournfully. The Drilgoes crowded
closer, their faces agape with astonishment. Tode spoke a command
sharply, and they scattered.

* * * * *

"Before we come to terms, Dent, I'll give you a piece of news that may
interest you," said Tode. "Much has happened during the time you've
been away. Ambassadors have been o