speaking?" asked Maskull, looking from one to the other in
perplexity.

"Krag has something for us. Let us go outside," replied Nightspore.
He got up, and glanced over his shoulder. Maskull, following the
direction of his eye, observed that the few remaining men were
watching their little group attentively.



Chapter 2

IN THE STREET

The three men gathered in the street outside the house. The night
was slightly frosty, but particularly clear, with an east wind
blowing. The multitude of blazing stars caused the sky to appear
like a vast scroll of hieroglyphic symbols. Maskull felt oddly
excited; he had a sense that something extraordinary was about to
happen "What brought you to this house tonight, Krag, and what made
you do what you did? How are we understand that apparition?"

"That must have been Crystalman's expression on face," muttered
Nightspore.

"We have discussed that, haven't we, Maskull? Maskull is anxious to
behold that rare fruit in its native wilds."

Maskull looked at Krag carefully, trying to analyse his own feelings
toward him. He was distinctly repelled by the man's personality, yet