She stood there looking scared, and not believing that it was really me. Her eyes were big as dollars.
And when she was sure, the way she threw herself at me and hugged me, it was embarrassing.
"Chuck, Chuck! I never thought I'd see you again. I never—I'm so—!" And that was all I got out of her for the next couple of minutes. I gave her my handkerchief to dab at her eyes, and I got the story at last.
She had been there two days without food and water, locked in.
They had arrived a week ago, and during that time she had seen nothing except the interior of this room.
Althea Campbell had heard rumors of the rainbow gardens, and that the natives, by bathing in the radiation given off by the colored mists, were able to restore youth and vigor for long periods of time. She had seen the chance of restoring her own body to its youthful bloom and of working the miracle that she had sought for so many years on half a dozen planets. She had sought out Marjud, who alone had contacts that could get them into the forbidden area.
"I still don't get it," I said. "Where is she now, and why has she got you locked in here?"
"I was afraid after we arrived, and I didn't want to do it. She said we had to take off our clothes and go with the priests into the rainbow garden. I refused, and she slapped me and said that I was impertinent and ungrateful. I threatened to run away and tell the authorities, so they locked me in here.
"The she-devil!" I said.