“From what you say, I infer that Miss Mayne’s physical part is here?” he suggested.
“What happened is this,” she returned. “After Miriam’s arrival here yesterday, I was in another room for several minutes to fetch some materials. When I returned, I found her sitting in this chair, unconscious. The pointer indicated Saturn. She must have seated herself, and inadvertently pressed the lever. I signaled Saturn and learned of her safe arrival there; but neither I nor they had prepared means for her return. Since then I have been occupied with this problem.”
“Then—?” interjected Sam.
“I have made this explanation in order to prepare Mr. Mayne for what he is to see,” observed Mary Faust. “Do not attempt to touch her; she is protected by forces whose disturbance might involve grave consequences both for you and her.”
She moved to the cabinet, followed by the two elder men; Jack remained in his revery.
When the doors were opened, Mayne, with a faint cry, staggered toward the sleeping figure, but Paladin restrained him. The starlike light upon the girl’s breast, flickered as before; at long intervals a slight movement was perceptible in the chest and diaphragm, as she drew her breath.
“Respiration in Saturn is slower than with us,” Mary Faust remarked.
“What is the cause of that bluish light?” Sam inquired.
“It is the Saturnian sign,” she replied. “It indicates the connection between the spirit and its body here.”
“Don’t deceive me, woman—is she alive?” burst out Mayne, hoarsely. He was trembling like a man shaken with palsy.