convinced that such is not the case with you, but we doubt if you adequately appreciate the peril and its imminence.
"Although you already know its general nature, let me, at the risk of being wearisome, again speak of it. I am not able to tell you how the baleful influence will act on Macrae, but you must be prepared for every subtle means of gaining its end. Have you seen anything as yet to arouse suspicion?"
"Nothing whatever."
"Three days have now elapsed since the time of conjunction. Mars is now rapidly increasing his angle with the sun. The time of danger is now very near. If there is no sign of the influence we fear within a day or two, all is well, and the evil was not wrought. Remember, whatever the time of day or night, let me know at once of any overt sign."
"I will of course do so," said the Professor.
"On no account let yourself be lulled into any false idea of security by relying on the great physical superiority you may possess. In the event of the occurrence of what we strive to guard against, that would be entirely useless. You, and all your race, would be brought to the means of communication like lambs to the slaughter. We can resume our conversation to-morrow at the same hour, if no previous call is rendered necessary.
Regarding this as dismissal for the time, Professor Rudge removed the receivers and sat for a time gazing at the instrument before him, but not thinking of it. It was with a very worried air that he ultimately rose and left the signal-room.
CHAPTER X
The Venerian's Anxiety
With the Venerian's words of warning still ringing in his ears, Professor Rudge left the signal-room and went to his own apartment. He was soon lost in thought, but it was not on general science that his mind was concentrated. He was revolving the matter so urgently pressed on his attention by the Venerian.
He was chiefly impressed by perceiving that however keen his own sense of the danger from the Martians, his informant was much more impressed, and he did not forget that that informant was a being of higher mental status than himself. He remembered words that, although accompanied by some complimentary remark, gave the impression that if the speaker's sense of the danger arose principally from a knowledge of the character of the Martian, it came also partly from a lack of reliance on the character of humanity, even as exemplified by himself.
He was told to be on the look-out for every kind of subtle means that the unseen enemy could possibly seize on to achieve his ends. At the same time, he was unable to conceive of any means available, or against which he could set a guard, beyond taking the obvious precaution of keeping Macrae from the signal-table. This he had done effectually, but the Venerian, in spite of the Professor's promise, was evidentally not fully reassured. This gave Professor Rudge an uneasy feeling; for he did not disguise from himself for a moment the fact as to which possessed the better knowledge and judgment.
The Venerians Still Fear the Evil-Minded Martians
The Venerian had claimed for his race a great superiority over humanity, and had given more than ample proof of it. It was, however, clear that, while having the greatest admiration for the science and mental status of the Martians, the Venerian, when acting in opposition to them, felt his inferiority and danger of defeat. How much greater must man's inferiority be! If the Venerian felt the greater anxiety, it could but arise from a greater knowledge of the foe.
Tax his brain as he would, Professor Rudge could not see what more he could do. He longed for the arrival of the Sagitta. He knew the impossibility of any one doing without sleep. If his responsibility meant continual watchfulnes, day and night, he saw that time was fighting against him. Everything depended upon the arrival of the cruiser.
To ease his mind of mere useless worry, he strove to fix his attention on the scientific revelations to which he had just listened. Had they stood alone, he would have been able to think of nothing else. They were epoch-making, colossal; yet it now required a distinct effort of will on his part to give to them the requisite concentration of mind. In this, however, he at length succeeded.
Scientific riches had been poured out to him with an unstinted hand. He saw that this new knowledge meant revolution in the scientific world, for it not only went far beyond the dreams of our greatest thinkers, but was at variance with many theories long accepted. Each branch of science being so interwoven with others on which it impinges, it was evident how deeply even those he had not heard dealt with would be affected. As an instance, he remembered the long dispute between the geologists and the astronomers as to the age of the earth, in which each side claimed to have proved the other wrong by many millions of years. He saw that the whole argument fell to the ground before this new and splendid theory of the maintenance of the cosmos.
Feeling at length that deep thought was not helping him to keep his brain prepared for its possible coming contest with sleepless hours, he decided to drop the subject until next morning and seek the company of Lieutenant Hughes at their evening meal. He realized that the time he had hitherto given to that young man, considering that he was practically the host, was scarcely sufficient for the needs of politeness. He also wished to sound him, with a view to deciding how far it would be possible or rather, desirable, to confide in him.
Professor Rudge found Hughes a cheerful light-hearted fellow, who proved pleasant company. He made one or two attempts to interest him in scientific subjects, but saw that although the young officer gave him polite and even deferential attention, his leaning was certainly not in that direction, and his information in such things was quite superficial.
The Professor was confirmed in his opinion that to say nothing was best.
A Walk On the Island—Professor Rudge's Suspicions
Inpassing to his own room, Professor Rudge once more tried the door of the signal-room. It was securely locked. He prepared himself to pass a night of watchfulness. He felt the disadvant-
