CHAPTER XXXIV
THE DECISION
"Giants!" exclaimed the Doctor, staring across the country towards Orlog. There was dismay in his voice.
The Big Business Man, standing beside him, clutched at his robe. "How many do you make out; they look like three to me."
The Doctor strained his eyes into the dim, luminous distance. "Three, I think—one taller than the others; it must be Jack." His voice was a little husky, and held none of the confidence his words were intended to convey.
Lylda was upon her feet now, standing beside the Chemist. She stared towards Orlog searchingly, then turned to him and said quietly, "It must be Jack and Aura, with Loto." She stopped with quivering lips; then with an obvious effort went on confidently. "It cannot be that the God you believe in would let anything happen to them."
"They're coming this way—fast," said the Big Business Man. "We'll know in a few moments."
The figures, plainly visible now against the starry background, were out in the open country, half a mile perhaps from the lake, and were evidently rapidly approaching Arite.
"If it should be Targo's men," the Big Business Man added, "we must take more of the drug. It is death then for them or for us."