CHAPTER X
_The Promise Fulfilled_
Although puzzled by the Hawk's promise, Leithgow could only put histrust in it and go ahead with the preparations as he had beendirected. He took two of his three laboratory assistants off theirhurried manufacture of quantities of the V-27, and with Ku Sui wentout into the air-car. Passing by way of tube and lake and air, theywere quickly inside the dome on the asteroid, and then into Ku Sui'slaboratory, where Friday waited on guard.
Completely docile and friendly, the Eurasian indicated the variousinstruments and devices he would need for the operations, and thesewere transported quickly. Then came the case of coordinated brains.Dr. Ku detached in connections with expert fingers, and all butLeithgow took a corner and carried it with infinite care to theair-car outside.
"Do I stay here, suh?" Friday asked the Master Scientist in awhisper. Though informed of the change in Dr. Ku effected by the V-27,he was still very suspicious of him. "Seems to me he's a bit too meekand mild, suh. I think I ought to go down and watch him."
Eliot Leithgow did not quite know what answer to give. The Eurasianforced the decision.
"I will need," he observed, in his new, frank voice, "all theassistance you can possibly give me. I am faced by a tremendous task,and the use of every man will be necessary. I would suggest, MasterLeithgow that the Negro be brought down."
And so Friday came and the asteroid was left unguarded. A mistake,this turned out to be, but under the circumstances Eliot Leithgowcould hardly be blamed for it. There was so much on their minds, somuch work of vital importance, so desperate a need for speed, thatquite naturally other considerations were subordinated. The asteroid,to the naked eye, was invisible; it could attract no attention; itsoccupants had all been disposed of. Certainly it seemed safe enough toleave it unguarded for a while.
However, Eliot Leithgow took one precaution. Down in his ownlaboratory again, in the midst of the work of transferring Dr. Ku'soperating equipment from the air-car, he called aside one of hisassistants and instructed him to go and survey the asteroid throughthe infra-red device every ten minutes: and with this order the oldscientist dismissed the matter from his mind, and turned all hisenergies to preparing the laboratory for the operations.
* * * * *
Under Ku Sui's directions his cases of equipment were brought in andarrayed, and the various drills and delicate saws, and such otherinstruments as worked by electricity, were connected. Everything wassterilized. Rapidly the plain, square room assumed the appearance ofan operating arena, the five tables in the center, spotlessly whiteand clean under the direct beams of the tubes hanging from theceiling, at the head of every table a stand on which were containersof antiseptics, bottles of etheloid, a breathing cone, rolls of gauzeand other materials, and along the edge of the stand identical,complete sets of fine instruments.
The case of coordinated brains was brought into the laboratory last.The inner liquid was now dark and apparently lifeless; to the casualeye, it would not have seemed possible that the five grayish moundsimmersed in the liquid held life. And, indeed, Leithgow looked at themdoubtfully.
"Are you sure they're still alive? Do you think there's still time?"he asked Dr. Ku.
The Eurasian picked up a long, slender, tubelike instrument with adial topping it. Then, going to the brain-case, he touched a cleverlyconcealed catch and a square pane set in the top of the case swungback. He dipped the instrument he held into the liquid, and for amoment stood silent, watching the dial. Then he took it out, re-closedthe pane and turned to Leithgow.
"A test," he explained. "The indicator, interpreted means we haveabout forty-eight minutes in which to complete the first phase of thetransplantation of the brains into human heads. It might be done if westart in eight minutes. But the human heads--?" He paused.
"Eight minutes!" said Leithgow worriedly. "Eight minutes for Carse tocome! He promised the bodies, but ... well, we can only go ahead withthe preparations and trust to him. Is everything ready?"
"All but my assistants. I had better see them now."
* * * * *
The Master Scientist issued an order to one of his men, and presentlythe four white assistants of Dr. Ku were led into the laboratory. Forthese men, no V-27 was needed; their brains were utterly subservientto Dr. Ku Sui, and his orders they would obey unquestioningly, nomatter what the work. There was no danger from them.
They stood motionless, their eyes fastened on their master, as hespoke to them.
"Brain operations," he said. "These"--he indicated the case--"are tobe transplanted again into human heads. You have done work similar toit before; you know the routine. But now it must be quick. Synchronizeyour speed with mine; I will be working very rapidly, and it is vitalthat you be in harmony with me every instant. When the bodies come,you will prepare the heads: and then you will attend me through everystep. You understand." He turned to the old scientist. "Operatinggowns, gloves, masks, Master Leithgow?"
"I have your own. Over there. Your black costume is among them."
But Leithgow's answer was abstracted. Four minutes for Carse to come!Or else, everything lost! He busied himself helping the four surgeonsand two of his own assistants into the white, sterilized gowns, andthe masks that left only the eyes free and the skin-tight rubbergloves, but his mind was not with his actions. The old man looked veryfrail now; his age showed in the deep lines now eminent on his face.Three minutes--swiftly two....
"At least," observed Ku Sui, "we have one body ... the coolie. I hadbetter start immediately on him."
"Bring him out," Leithgow instructed one of his men. "One brain willbe saved. But--_there!_ Thank God! Hear that? Coming down the passage?It's Carse, returning!"
* * * * *
It was Carse. He and Ban Wilson, coming down the passage from the topof the tree-shaft. Everyone in the laboratory could hear plainly theheavy, sliding tread of the great space-boots. Eliot Leithgow wasfirst to the door. He opened it, peered through eagerly and called:
"Carse? You've got them?"
"Yes, Eliot. Here--we need help."
The Hawk's voice sounded weary. Friday and the scientist ran down thepassageway until they reached the adventurer. In the faint light, theysaw he was carrying a limp body. He laid it carefully down on thefloor.
"Ban's coming down with another," he said, "and there are two moreabove. Go up and get them, Friday."
The Negro started to obey. But Eliot Leithgow did not move, did notutter a sound. He stood staring at the body Carse had laid down. Theparchmentlike skin of his face seemed to whiten; that was all; but hewinced and slowly brushed his eyes with his hands when, in a moment,Ban Wilson floated down the shaft and, approached with a secondunconscious body.
At last Leithgow whispered:
"They're all--like that, Carse?"
"Yes," answered the emotionless voice. "There were two others, but welet them go. They were worse." The gray eyes looked steadily at EliotLeithgow. "I know," the Hawk said. "It's horrible--but it can't behelped. It was these or nothing. There was no choice."
Hawk Carse had fulfilled his promise. He had brought back fourisuanacs.