know if he hadactually reached the control board but abruptly he realized that he hadnot felt Mayhem's presence in his mind for several minutes. Was Mayhemconserving his energy for a final try, letting Larry absorb thepunishment now so he--
Yes, Larry remembered thinking vaguely. It had to be that. For Mayhemknew how to work the controls, and he did not. Now his mind receded intoa fog of semi-consciousness, but he was aware that his blistered fingerswere fairly flying across the control board, aware then of an inwardsigh--whether of relief or triumph, he was never to know--then aware,abruptly and terribly, of a wrenching pain which seemed to strip hisskin from his flesh, his flesh from his bones, the marrow from....
* * * * *
"Can you see?" the doctor asked.
"Yes," Larry said as the bandages were removed from his eyes. Threepeople were in the room with the doctor--Admiral Stapleton, thePresident--and Sheila. Somehow, Sheila was most important.
"We are now in subspace, thanks to you," the Admiral said. "We all haveminor injuries as a result of the transfer, but there were only twofatalities, I'm happy to say. And naturally, the ship is now out ofdanger."
"What gets me, Grange," the President said, "is how you managed to workthose controls. What the devil do you know about sub-space, my boy?"
"The two fatalities," the Admiral said, "were Ackerman Boone and the manhe had killed." Then the Admiral grinned. "Can't you see, Mr. President,that he's not paying any attention to us? I think, at the moment, thehero of the hour only has eyes for Miss Kelly here."
"Begging your pardons, sirs, yes," Larry said happily.
Nodding and smiling, the President of the Galactic Federation andAdmiral Stapleton left the dispensary room--with the doctor.
"Well, hero," Sheila said, and smiled.
Larry realized--quite suddenly--that, inside himself, he was alone.Mayhem had done his job--and vanished utterly.
"You know," Sheila said, "it's as if you--well, I hope this doesn't getyou sore at me--as if you grew up overnight."
Before he kissed her Larry said: "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'll tellyou about it someday. But you'd never believe me."
THE END
Transcriber's Note: A few typographical errors have been repaired. cornea CHANGED TO corona (2 places) The squack box blared: CHANGED TO The squawk box blared: _bead_ on his elan CHANGED TO bead on his _elan_ liason CHANGED TO liaison (1 place)
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