nd
well-being was growing within him. The stiff soreness of his bruises was
easing. The sense of restless confinement which he always associated
with the wearing of his thermalloy suit was dimming. The first pangs of
rising hunger of which he had earlier become aware were now dulling, as
though he were in the midst of a bountiful and delicious meal. He
experienced a rising tide of physical and mental satisfaction, as if
every want of these two components were being realized and generously
administered to.

Momentarily, he thought of Laura and, because it had grown to be
synonymous with her, the murder of Big Tim. His mental picture of the
girl had never been more beautiful, desirable, or appealing. Every
quality which she had ever possessed, real in actuality or imaginary as
a result of his idealizations, was now transcended beyond all mortal
planes. She became the very embodiment of every human aspiration and
desire.

Surely, he found himself reasoning with that curious pleasure and
contentment which had come over him, the murder of Big Tim for so
glorious and wonderful a girl could be no base act. And the scruples
which had forever risen to bar him mockingly from the actual deed, were
now so smoothed away that he would never have known he had had them. Big
Tim would die, of course. And he would take great pleasure in killing
him. There would be no regrets, no self-accusations, no torturing pangs
of conscience. There would only be complete satisfaction, comfort, and
happiness. And Laura would be his. There was no doubt about that. There
was no doubt anywhere in his mind. There was only complete gratification
of every whimsical and vagrant thought or desire.

Then a sudden jar shook him. For a moment he had the sensation of
struggling up from warm, drowsy depths. And then, suddenly, he was
looking into Big Tim Austin's puzzled and incredulous face, and that
eery mental surcease was gone.

"Brad--did you feel it, too?"

Nellon nodded wordlessly. He was a little frightened of the weird force
that had held them both in thrall. A glance at the column looming
gigantically before him showed that he and Big Tim had walked a good
distance without any conscious knowledge of having done so. It was the
chance collision which had aroused them both from their sleep-walking
state.

* * * * *

Nellon could feel the force yet, brushing at the fringes of his mind
with warm, soothing fingers. But