CHAPTER IV

METAL WITH
A BRAIN

The eagerness, the relief in his voice betrayed the
tension, the anxiety which until now he had hidden so
well; and hot shame burned me for my shrinking, my
dread of again passing through that haunted vale.

"I certainly DO." I was once more master of myself.
"Drake--don't you agree?"

"Sure," he replied. "Sure. I'll look after Ruth--er--I
mean Miss Ventnor."

The glint of amusement in Ventnor's eyes at this faded
abruptly; his face grew somber.

"Wait," he said. "I carried away some--some exhibits
from the crevice of the noises, Goodwin."

"What kind of exhibits?" I asked, eagerly.

"Put 'em where they'd be safe," he continued. "I've an
idea they're far more curious than our armored men--
and of far more importance. At any rate, we must take
them with us.

"Go with Ruth, you and Drake, and look at them. And