l war. Any
suggestions? Keep an eye on that bird, then, Mart, and we'll go down."

* * * * *

The _Skylark_ dropped down into the midst of the fleet, which instantly
turned against her the full force of their giant guns and their immense
ray batteries. Seaton held the _Skylark_ motionless, staring into his
visiplate, his right hand grasping the zone-switch.

"The outer screen isn't even getting warm!" he exulted after a moment.
The repellers were hurling the shells back long before they reached even
the outer screen, and they were exploding harmlessly in the air. The
full power of the ray-generators, too, which had been so destructive to
the Osnomian defenses, were only sufficient to bring the outer screen to
a dull red glow. After fifteen minutes of passive acceptance of all the
airships could do, Seaton spoke to the captive.

"Sir, please signal the commanding officer of vessel seven-two-four that
I am going to cut it in two in the middle. Have him remove all men in
that part of the ship to the ends, and have parachutes in readiness, as
I do not wish to cause any loss of life."

The signal was sent, and, as the officer was already daunted by the fact
that their utmost efforts could not even make the strangers' screens
radiate, it was obeyed. Seaton then threw on the frightful power of the
Fenachrone super-generators. The defensive screens of the doomed warship
flashed once--a sparkling, coruscating display of incandescent
brilliance--and in the same instant went down. Simultaneously the entire
midsection of the vessel exploded into light and disappeared; completely
volatilized.

"Sir, please signal the entire fleet to cease action, and to follow me
down. If they do not do so, I will destroy the rest of them."

The _Skylark_ dropped to the ground, followed by the fleet of warships,
who settled in a ring about her--inactive, but ready.

"Will you please loan me your sending instrument, sir?" Seaton asked.
"From this point on I can carry on negotiations better direct than
through you."

The lieutenant found his voice as he surrendered the instrument.

"Sir, are you the Overlord of Osnome, of whom we have heard? We had
supposed that one was a mythical character, but you must be he--no one
else would spare lives that he could take, and the Overlord is the only
being reputed to have a skin the color of yours."

"Yes, lieutenant, I am the Overlord--and I have decided to become the