"They did not know. She grew very big and went away."
"Where is your brother and my two friends?"
"Targo said they were here when he—he took Loto. Now they have gone home. He was afraid of them—now—because they have the drugs."
"To-morrow they are going to send a messenger from Orlog to demand the drugs?"
"He said to-morrow. Oh, you will do something for us? You can save Loto?"
The Very Young Man was beginning to formulate a plan. "And to-night," he asked, "from what they said—are you sure they will not hurt Loto?"
"They said no. But he is so little—so——" The girl burst into tears, and at every sob the Very Young Man's heart leaped in his breast. He wanted to comfort her, but he could think of no word to say; he wanted to help her—to do the best thing in what he saw was a grave crisis. What he should have done was to have taken her back to the Chemist and his friends, and then with them planned the rescue of Loto. But with the girl's hands upon his shoulders, and her sorrowful little tear-stained face looking up to his, he did not think of that. He thought only of her and her pathetic appeal. "You will do something, my friend? You can save Loto?" He could save Loto! With the power of the drugs he could do anything!
The Very Young Man made a sudden decision. "I don't know the way to Orlog; you do?" he asked abruptly.
"Oh yes, I know it well."
"We will go to Orlog, you and I—now, and rescue Loto. You will not be afraid?"