I HAD THOUGHT THAT Dora and I were standing by a railing. But like the rest of this dwelling it was a barrage barrier. I could see its outlines quivering in front of me; feel its repellent force so that if I had taken a step forward it would shove me back.
Beside Dora and me now, Torkine had appeared. He stood gazing down at Dora. His face, with the lurid glow on it, was grinning. And suddenly the Supreme One said:
“You, Torkine, you tell me you knew this girl many of your years ago?”
“Yes, Master. Oh, yes.” Torkine said ingratiatingly.
Knew Dora years ago? That was news to me.
“I shall think of it,” the monster said. “There are several marriages for me to perform presently in your Earth, and Mars and Venus fashions. I need more humans here. You, Tom Ralston—have they told you my purp
