The Venusian tapped his forehead.  “I can tell!” he exclaimed, with a return of that exalted flush.  “Just give me a chance to offer my sister’s discovery to the world, and I shall be satisfied!” He touched the package of leaflets.  “These are not written as clearly as they should be; but if I cannot hold them back, then these”—­fingering the papers—­“these go to the friends down below!” He moved closer to the window, but his eyes were on the door.

A rending crash told that the corridor was now open to the mob.  There was a rush, and then the storm of the people battering the last door.

“Van!  Doc!  Billie!” Smith had the window open, and was stepping into one of the cars.  Kinney and the geologist were at his side in an instant.  The girl held back.

“Estra!” she begged.  She picked up the baby, and with her free hand tugged at the Venusian’s arm.  “Come on!  Don’t sacrifice yourself!”

The door bulged under the attack.  The noise was ear-splitting.  Nevertheless Estra heard, and shook his head without looking at the woman from the Earth.  She dashed to the window, then came back.  “Hurry!  There’s a chance!” He stood unmoved, watchful and ready.  “Estra!  I want you to come!” Her face flamed.  “Can’t you see?  Can’t you see that I—­I want you?” She gasped as the door shrieked under the strain.  “Come—­if you’re a man!”

The Venusian’s face changed.  He turned, and stared at the girl with eyes that held nothing but blank amazement.  The grimness left his mouth, his lips partly opened.  He took a step forward and threw an arm about her shoulders.

“Billie—­I’m sorry!  I never thought!” A crack showed at the edge of the door, and a roar smote their ears.  Estra backed to the window.  “Go!” he shouted.  “Go quickly, while you can!”

Billie stood stock still, gazing at him.  “I’m going to stay!” she screamed.  “I’ll take my chances with—­”

He thrust her through the window.  “You don’t understand!” he shouted, and took the baby away from her, despite all her strength.  Then a wonderfully tender light came into his eyes.  He gripped Billie’s hands, and spoke sorrowfully: 

“Billie—­I’m not what you thought!  I’m not a man—­I’m a woman!”

XV

Back!

By the time Smith had driven the strange craft fifty yards, he had it under control.  Billie glanced back; Estra was out on the balcony, now, and the mob was surging against the windows she had locked against them.  She shifted the baby to the hollow of one arm while with the other she broke the cord of the packet.

At the sight, the crowd in the street gave voice.  “Let us have it!” they were crying; they drowned out the uproar within the house.  Estra did not even look at the other car.

Then the windows gave way.  Like the breaking of a dam, a flood of Venusians poured and tumbled at Estra’s feet.  She raised her hand, and shouted something Billie could not hear; then, scarcely without pause, the crowd bore down upon her.