The line BA represented the time line of Rihlon. The line CD was the time line of the earth. The points E and F were the Nows on Rihlon and earth, respectively, at which the accident occurred. The point G represented the Now at which a space ship would leave the earth for Rihlon carrying Trella's half body. The point H represented the Now of arrival on Rihlon and the point J the parallel point on earth. We still had a right-angled triangle and we still had to deal with irrational numbers. But hold on—
I gazed at my drawing. Before my eyes was the answer! The whole thing was clearly and completely solved. The secret of time travel was solved. Trella was saved. The invention of the translator had been perfected so that all danger of becoming lost in time was removed![2]
"Blake," I said to the servant, "bring me my automatic pistol."
"Wh-what?" Blake stuttered.
"I said bring me my automatic pistol. I'm going to save Trella, or murder somebody."
"Perhaps I should call your lawyer."
I threw a book at him and he left hurriedly, to return in a few minutes with my pistol and holster. I strapped the weapon about my waist and slammed my straw hat on my head. In a few minutes I stepped from a taxi in front of the Galaxy building, in which the officers of the Stellar Transport Company are located.
A clerk with thick glasses interviewed me.