“But the mark!” repeated Jack insistently.
“Torpeon carries with him a wand, which he uses for various purposes,” said Argon, “and he succeeded in touching Miriam once with it on the forehead. The effect it to put her, for an hour every day, into a sort of trance, during which he can communicate with her. The rest of the time she is herself, and her own mistress.”
“And what is the hour?” demanded Jack.
“That is as Torpeon pleases: it may be any hour: we cannot control it, though our scientific men, under the guidance of Aunion, the chief, are studying means of dissolving the spell. But it seems very difficult.
Jack looked very gloomy. “I believe I know something of his wand,” he remarked, indicating the truncheon which Jim still carried. “He fired a shot at me with it, but thanks to Mary Faust, it went astray. I wish I’d tried it on him.”
“It would probably have been ineffective in any hands but his,” said Argon taking the truncheon and examining it. “It is tuned to accord with the person using it. Your capture of it is a remarkable feat; but he no doubt has others. Mary Faust,” he added, “is well known and greatly honored here. You are well protected.”
“I’m not worrying about myself,” returned Jack, “but Miriam.”
“I feel sure that with reasonable precautions that will turn out all right,” said the other. “Lamara will talk with you about it, and of course you will see Miriam. I hope you will like us and our world,” he continued cordially.
“It’s beautiful,” said Jack trying to throw off his preoccupation. “I wonder it has so few inhabitants.”
“Oh, there are plenty of us,” answered Argon with a smile; “but we have no cities, as you do, and our habitations come and go as we need them: the permanence of your dwelling and structures seems to us strange and burdensome. My sister and I have made a special study of conditions on your earth. But as to our population, if you’ll lift the visor of your cap, you will see some of them.”