as by means of slanting
tunnels.

"Some of these cubicles were very large, and utilized as storage
rooms. Others were used for community activities, schools,
entertainments, and so forth. We learned these things later, and
explored them by means of our _ethon_ lamps--the entire system of
tunnels being, of course, in utter darkness.

"The first few days they were exceedingly hostile, and tried to tear
us to pieces. When they could not do this, word was sent to some of
their more learned members, and we were investigated. By the use of
extra menores we had brought with us, we established a contact with
their minds; first by the usual process of impressing pictures of our
thoughts upon their minds, and later by more direct process."

* * * * *

"I will say nothing of the great scientific value of our discoveries,
for you would neither understand nor appreciate them--although they
will set the scientific universe agog," continued Tipene, his eyes
gleaming suddenly with a triumphant light. "As we perfected
communication, we convinced them that we were friendly, and we gained
their complete confidence.

"They are a very ancient race. Very slowly have they come to their
present stage of mental development, but they now possess reasoning
faculties, a language--and a form of community government. There is
much more, which, as I have said, would be of no significance to you.

"And then word came that beings like ourselves had attacked and killed
many of the Aranians. The news had traveled slowly, for their system
of communication is crude, but it reached the community center in
which we were staying.

"Instantly, all was hostility. They felt they had been betrayed, and
that we might betray them. Brady and Inverness, always rash and
thoughtless, had discarded their protective suits, feeling sure they
were perfectly safe, and they were torn to pieces.

"I, having a more scientific and cautious mind, doubting everything as
a true scientific mind must, still wore my armor. By the liberal use
of my pistol, I managed to fight my way to the surface, and to the
boat. And now, Commander Hanson, will you start back, as I have
ordered?"

I don't know what I would have said if I had not caught a peculiar
glance from Correy, a glance accompanied by a significant, momentary
closing of one eye (a gesture of Earth which means many things, and
which is impossible to explain) and a slight nod.

"Very we