They had no way of knowing but that the Automaton and his emissaries might still be lurking above, ready to thrust them back into the water or to reserve for them some even more terrible fate.  But it was a risk that they realized must be taken and at once.  An attempt to swim to another dock could end only disastrously.

Locke soon returned with the cheering news that he had discovered a ladder that came even to the surface of the water, a landing for small boats.  More than that, he had mounted the ladder, and from a short survey he had seen no sign of their enemies.

Carefully aiding Eva, Locke swam to this ladder and soon they stood upon the dock, safe.

With great caution they moved toward the street and, without harm, finally passed beneath the arched gates again and were in the city street.

Eva went at once to her father’s room.  His condition was one of great weakness.  The laughing madness had abated in so far that the poor victim was so weak that the spasms could not maintain a very violent form.

Eva practised all those little kindnesses which are known only to women, and tears were in her eyes as she stroked his poor gray head.

How terrible was it that, after all they had attempted, all that they had suffered, they should still stand defeated in their aim to get the antidote that would cure her father’s malady.  However, the brave girl was not one to admit herself beaten, and even as she sat there she was planning new ways to discover who were her terrible adversaries and to bring defeat to them.

At Brent Rock the next morning an aged inventor named Winters arrived before Locke was down-stairs, and was shown into the library to wait.

Locke soon descended from the laboratory and went into the room to meet him.  But Winters was so agitated that at first he could hardly speak.  It was some moments before he gained control.

“What can I do for you, sir?” inquired Locke, although he knew the man must be one wronged by the patents company.

“One of my inventions was returned to me, when I protested once,” the man replied, “but nothing has been done about two others.”

“Please try to have a little further patience,” pleaded Locke.  “Everything is being done to assure justice to all.”

“But, Mr. Locke,” the man persisted, “I must insist on the return or the immediate marketing of the two inventions now in the possession of International Patents or I will—­”

He paused, for Eva had entered and was overhearing what Winters was demanding.

“I am sure that, as my father returned one of your inventions,” she interrupted, “he would wish me to return the other two, and I shall do so at once.  Mr. Locke, will you be so kind as to get them?”

Locke immediately left the room and descended to the Graveyard of Genius for the two models.

In the laboratory above were Balcom and Zita, for she had told him of her discovery of the dictagraph.  Balcom had the headpiece firmly clamped over his head and was drinking in the purport of the conversation down in the library.