Arlene hardly knew what to gasp, so Ronjan saved her the trouble.
“Don’t thank me,” he expressed. “Thank Mr. Cranston; it was his idea. He sent me word to interview you” - Ronjan’s tone became confidential - “probably because of Miss Lane.”
Arlene took it that Miss Lane was probably the type to be jealous if she knew that Mr. Cranston had offered a job to a former Wave. Perhaps her face registered a trace of reluctance on the basis of possible complications, for Ronjan immediately sought to reassure her.
“It’s really very important,” confided the shaggy-haired man. “Any word from Mr. Cranston is important. He has influence with Craig Farnsworth, the man who backed my great invention.”
With that, Ronjan gestured to the big tank where the articulated tube was on display. He didn’t have to explain it to Arlene; she could tell that it was a model of some sort of device used for reaching sunken ships.
“Our calculations were correct,” declared Ronjan, “but perhaps Farnsworth is not convinced of it. The work you do may furnish the proof he needs.”
Noting that Arlene was interested in the tank and its contents, Ronjan let her study the exhibit, though it was apparent that he was anxious to leave. In fact, Ronjan seemed to be timing things by the occasional glances he gave at his watch. Finally, Ronjan was about to gesture toward the door when a strange thing happened.
It occurred when Arlene was on the far side of the tank, over toward the window. As she turned, the girl was attracted by the scene from that window, for outdoors the dusk had settled, bringing a typical Manhattan nightscape. Central Park was gaining its velvety touch, lights were gleaming like gems, and a soft glow, rising from the street was a natural magnet for Arlene’s eyes.
Then all was blackened by a momentary horror. Arlene dropped back aghast as the window clouded, almost blotting the scene with it.
The blotting shape had all the semblance of a cloaked figure with outspread arms, looming straight up into the window, as though arrived on some monstrous mission!