or just an instant, Bennett's vision blurred. Time paused, and the next moment he knew he had returned to Thone. The sounds of the alien city floated up to him and he stirred.
He grasped the sides of his coffinlike bed with fingers that had lost their sense of touch. He pulled himself up to a sitting position and looked about him. On one side stood Lima, though now her features were not those of the implacable, merciless mystic, but rather those of a woman in love.
She smiled happily and said, "At last you have returned."
Bennett strove to move his tongue and lips to ask questions, but they refused, as though numbed by long inaction. He turned to his other side and gazed questioningly at the replica of Tournay who stood there.
Tournay's image spoke. "We had quite a time bringing you back, Sire. But now it has been accomplished—for good."
Striving to move his throat muscles, Bennett finally forced a sound, and then words, through his lips.
"Tell me," he pleaded. "Who are you? And, more important, who am I?"
He turned to Lima for an answer, realizing that now she would help him if anyone would.
"Doctor Tournay will explain it to you," Lima replied, indicating the dark man.
Imploringly, Bennett turned back to face Tournay.