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Flint's avaricious mind wavered between a scheme nearing success and the possibility of failure and the fear of the Automaton. Balcom strained to hear the purport of the message that Locke was receiving. At the sound of the chemist's voice Locke was tense with suppressed excitement. "I've found the antidote," hastened to report the professor.
It was a facer for Balcom and he quickly guided the conversation into less dangerous channels. Eva's candid nature could not comprehend treachery of any kind in others, and yet, although she was unable to put a name to it, she had a vague feeling of insecurity in dealing with her father's partner. This feeling had been heightened by Balcom's actions.
"He promised me that if I would come to New York with him he would secure an electrocuted brain so that I could perfect my steel automaton and obtain my revenge. I was easily persuaded and I sailed with Balcom, bringing the iron monster with me." A strange light gleamed in the old man's eyes as he spoke, not the light of madness, but of kindliness now.
"I've just escaped from the Automaton," shouted Flint, "and I've found the antidote!" Before Balcom could stop him he rushed into the library, Balcom following in a towering rage. Eva gave a startled little cry at the wild intrusion and Locke moved closer to her.
There was something ominous about the very words. Brent had no intention of keeping the promise which Balcom had extracted from him by a species of moral duress that afternoon. In fact, already he had gone too far in his plans for restitution or was it self-preservation? to turn back.
Doctor Q turned on his heel and hobbled out of the room. Long Fang and the Strangler were about to proceed to the torture-chamber when footsteps were heard on the stairway that led to the curio-shop below. Long Fang and the Madagascan stopped and listened. Another moment and De Luxe Dora and Paul Balcom stepped into the room.
Paul glanced surlily at Locke, who bowed pleasantly to him, as well he might, considering their relative positions in Eva's real affections. Catching sight of his father with Eva, Paul paused a moment. It was just at that instant that Balcom had been saying to her: "Why don't you marry Paul, as you promised your father and me? That would settle all the difficulties."
Locke turned down again toward the stairway leading to the Graveyard of Genius, while Eva, nodding pleasantly to Zita and Balcom, mounted the stairs leading to her father's room. Zita turned questioningly again to Balcom. "Half of everything that girl possesses rightfully belongs to you," he whispered. Zita apparently did not understand. "What shall I do to obtain my rights?" she asked.
For Zita had framed her story cleverly and was playing desperately. "Then I'll meet you at the hypnotist's in about half an hour," agreed Eva, after Zita had told her how friendless she herself was and how both Balcom and Paul had refused her aid. Zita left Brent Rock alone and was passing a dark corner when a hand reached out and grasped her by the arm and she heard a voice that she recognized.
"Why why this is unheard of absurd!" sputtered Balcom. "I'll I'll " And his rage got the better of him. "No, Mr. Balcom," again interrupted Locke, "you will do nothing. It is I who will give you twenty-four hours to arrange your affairs with the company before I order your removal or arrest." Balcom tried to remonstrate, to plead his innocence of any wrong-doing.
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