are too considerate," said Maskull, laughing outright. "I was
beginning to fear that I would be hauled away at once.... However, I
have neither wife, land, nor profession, so there's nothing to wait
for.... What is the itinerary?"

"You are a fortunate man. A bold, daring heart, and no encumbrances."
Krag's features became suddenly grave and rigid. "Don't be a fool, and
refuse a gift of luck. A gift declined is not offered a second time."

"Krag," replied Maskull simply, returning his pipe to his pocket. "I ask
you to put yourself in my place. Even if were a man sick for adventures,
how could I listen seriously to such an insane proposition as this? What
do I know about you, or your past record? You may be a practical joker,
or you may have come out of a madhouse--I know nothing about it. If you
claim to be an exceptional man, and want my cooperation, you must offer
me exceptional proofs."

"And what proofs would you consider adequate, Maskull?"

As he spoke he gripped Maskull's arm. A sharp, chilling pain immediately
passed through the latter's body and at the same moment his brain caught
fire. A light burst in upon him like the rising of the sun. He asked
himself for the first time if this fantastic conversation could by any
chance refer to real things.

"Listen, Krag," he said slowly, while peculiar images and conceptions
started to travel in rich disorder through his mind. "You talk about a
certain journey. Well, if that journey were a possible one, and I were
given the chance of making it, I would be willing never to come back.
For twenty-four hours on that Arcturian planet, I would give my life.
That is my attitude toward that journey.... Now prove to me that you're
not talking nonsense. Produce your credentials."

Krag stared at him all the time he was speaking, his face gradually
resuming its jesting expression.

"Oh, you will get your twenty-four hours, and perhaps longer, but not
much longer. You're an audacious fellow, Maskull, but this trip will
prove a little strenuous, even for you.... And so, like the unbelievers
of old, you want a sign from heaven?"

Maskull frowned. "But the whole thing is ridiculous. Our brains are
overexcited by what took place in there. Let us go home, and sleep it
off."

Krag detained him with one hand, while groping in his breast pocket with
the other. He presently fished out what resembled a small folding lens.
The diameter of the glass did not exceed two inches.

"Fir