ell me what I've got to do," he said
helplessly. "You're going all but me; I'll be left behind alone."

The Big Business Man laid his hand on the Banker's shoulder
affectionately. "Don't look so sad, George," he said, with an attempt at
levity. "We're not leaving you forever--we're coming back."

The Banker pressed his friend's hand. His usual crusty manner was quite
gone now; he seemed years older.

The Doctor produced the same spoon he had used when the Chemist made his
departure into the ring. "I've kept it all this time," he said, smiling.
"Perhaps it will bring us luck." He handed it to the Banker.

"What you have to do is this," he continued seriously. "We shall all
take an equal amount of the drug at the same instant. I hope it will act
upon each of us at the same rate, so that we may diminish uniformly in
size, and thus keep together."

"Gosh!" said the Very Young Man. "I never thought of that. Suppose it
doesn't?"

"Then we shall have to adjust the difference by taking other smaller
amounts of the drug. But I think probably it will.

"You must be ready," he went on to the Banker, "to help us on to the
ring if necessary."

"Or put us back if we fall off," said the Very Young Man. "I'm going to
sit still until I'm pretty small. Gracious, it's going to feel funny."

"After we have disappeared," continued the Doctor, "you will wait, say,
until eleven o'clock. Watch the ring carefully--some of us may have to
come back before that time. At eleven o'clock pack up everything"--he
looked around the littered room with a smile--"and take the ring back to
the Biological Society."

"Keep your eye on it on the way back," warned the Very Young Man.
"Suppose we decide to come out some time later to-night--you can't
tell."

"I'll watch it all night to-night, here and at the Museum," said the
Banker, mopping his forehead.

"Good scheme," said the Very Young Man approvingly. "Anything might
happen."

"Well, gentlemen," said the Doctor, "I believe we're all ready. Come on,
Will."

The Big Business Man was standing by the window, looking out intently.
He evidently did not hear the remark addressed to him, for he paid no
attention. The Doctor joined him.

Through the window they could see the street below, crowded now with
scurrying automobiles. The sidewalks were thronged with
people--theater-goers, hurrying forward, seeking eagerly their evening's
pleasure. It had been raining, and the wet pavements shone with