But the girl was paying no attention to where the machine was going.
She was looking at the man and seeming to be perfectly satisfied.
"I don't care," she declared a little shakily. "Holl looks good enough to me, dear—if you're going to be living on it!"
The craft rocked perilously.
Back on the earth, three of the four stirred in their chairs. The doctor was the first to arouse. He sounded the gong to warn his wife, and the action helped to awaken the others; Billie first, then Smith. But Van Emmon did not rouse. Still connected with the dictator, Billie's husband was twisting and turning in his chair, moaning slightly under his breath. In his subconscious mind some terrible scene was being enacted. Suddenly his mouth flew open, and the words fairly tumbled forth:
"Ernol—at the contact—he's telephoned! Everybody knows now!" Next: "Billie: Why didn't you tell me? I could have warned Powart!" And then, in a voice of agony:
"God, what a mob! They'll kill him!"
But he was still unconscious. The doctor exclaimed in fear.
"Quick!" he ordered. "Into the connection again!" And he threw himself back into his chair.
In a minute the three were still. Except for two great tears from Billie's eyes, there were no signs of life. Two minutes passed, then three. Finally all four roused together.
"Well!" Van Emmon was the first to speak. His voice was harsh and strained. "By George, that was a narrow squeak! I thought sure I was a goner! They threw Powart—out of his yacht!"