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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:38:57 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:38:57 -0700 |
| commit | 09ea48a9b76db8cf2c2d8b736188c43233a4dd9b (patch) | |
| tree | 4e7dde16abdde23043aa83616b8a7b7889fee1c5 /28617-h | |
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diff --git a/28617-h/28617-h.htm b/28617-h/28617-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..aa0b3fc --- /dev/null +++ b/28617-h/28617-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,19039 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + Astounding Stories of Super-Science, February, 1930, by Various. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left: 3.25em; margin-right: 3.25em;} + p {margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + h1,h2,h3 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + .authorhdr {font-size: 1.17em; font-weight: bolder; margin: .83em 0; text-align: center;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + hr {text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; + clear: both; width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr.short {width: 20%;} + hr.veryshort {width: 10%; margin: 1em auto;} + hr.invis {margin: 1em auto; visibility: hidden;} + + p.dropcap:first-letter {padding-top: .07em;} + p.dropcapq span.drop {padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0;} + p.dropcap:first-letter, p.dropcapq span.drop {float: left; margin-right: .05em; + font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em; width: auto;} + p.dropcapq small {float: left; font-weight: bold; width: auto;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + + .trnote {background-color: #EEE; color: inherit; margin: 2em 5% 1em 5%; font-size: 80%; + padding: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 1em; border: dotted 1px gray; clear:both;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: .2em; font-size: 75%;} + .ralign, .pagenum, span.pagenum {padding-left: 0; text-indent: 0; text-align: right;} /* ie does not like raligns with indents (and needs extra specification) */ + .center, .center p, span.center {text-align: center;} + .lalign, .lalign p {text-align: left;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .larger {font-size: large;} + .muchlarger {font-size: xx-large;} + .smaller {font-size: small;} + .nowrap {white-space:nowrap;} + ins.correction {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + + .adtop {font-size: xx-large;} + .ad1 {font-size: x-large;} + .ad2 {font-size: large;} + .adtop, .ad1, .ad2, .ad3 {font-weight: bold;} + p.adtop, p.ad1, p.ad2, p.ad3, p.ad4 {text-align: center;} + .adbox {border: 5px double black; text-align: center; + font-size: larger; padding: 9px} + .adbox p {text-align: center;} + + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img, .figleft img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p, .figleft p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em; text-align: center;} + .figcenter, .clearit {clear: both;} + .figright {float: right; width: auto;} + .figleft {float: left; width: auto;} + .figure, .figcenter, .figright, .figleft + { padding: 1em; margin: 0; + text-align: center; width: auto; } + img, img.plain {border: none; padding: 0;} + p.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + + .width30 {width: 30%;} + .width25 {width: 25%;} + .width40 {width: 40%;} + .width50 {width: 50%;} + .widthauto {width: auto;} + .in1 {margin-left: 1em;} /* indentations*/ + .in4 {margin-left: 4em;} + + blockquote {display: block; margin: .75em 10% .75em 5%; + text-align: justify; } + .toc_desc {padding-bottom: 1em;} + ul {list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0em;} + li {margin-bottom: .2em; margin-left: -2.5em;} + + .hang1st, ul.multicolumn {padding-left: 3em;} + .multicolumn li {float: left; width: 50%; margin-left: -1.5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .coupon, .couponleft, .couponright {border: 1px dashed black; padding: 9px; margin: 9px; font-size: smaller;} + + .sidebarleft p, .sidebarright p {margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em;} + .sidebarleft, .sidebarright {border: 1px solid black; font-size: smaller; + text-indent: 0; margin: 9px; padding: 9px;} + .sidebarleft, .couponleft {float: left; clear: left;} + .sidebarright, .couponright {float: right; clear: right;} + + ul.dots {clear: both;} + ul.dots li {border-bottom: 1px solid black; margin-bottom: 1em; + height: 1em; margin-right: .5em;} + span.dotsleft {float: left; padding-right: 0.3em; background: #fff; width: auto;} + span.dotsmiddle {margin-left: 50%; padding-right: 0.3em; background: #fff;} + + span.ralign {padding-left: 1em; margin-right: 0;} + + .intro {width: 20em; margin: 0 auto 2em; border-top: solid 2px;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Astounding Stories of Super-Science +February 1930, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Astounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: April 26, 2009 [EBook #28617] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ASTOUNDING STORIES--SUPER SCIENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Katherine Ward and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="trnote"> +<p><b>Transcriber's Note</b></p> + +<p> +Initial advertisements moved <a href="#Advertisements">below main text</a>.<br /> +The Beetle Horde concludes a story begun in the Jan, 1930 edition.<br /> +Minor spelling and typographical errors corrected.<br /> +Variable Spelling and Hyphenations standardized.<br /> +The changes from the original text are <ins class="correction" title="original here">highlighted</ins>. +</p> + +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:auto"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="360" height="518" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h1>ASTOUNDING<br /> +STORIES<br /> +OF SUPER-SCIENCE</h1> + +<p class="center"><span class="smaller"><i>On Sale the First Thursday of Each Month</i></span></p> + +<table summary="masthead2" width="100%"> + <col width="30%" /> + <col width="40%" /> + <col width="30%" /> + <tr> + <td align="left">W. M. CLAYTON, Publisher</td> + <td class="center">HARRY BATES, Editor</td> + <td class="ralign">DOUGLAS M. DOLD, Consulting Editor</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/146.png" width="99" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>The Clayton Standard on a Magazine Guarantees:</p> + +<blockquote class="smaller"> +<p><i>That</i> the stories therein are clean, interesting, vivid; by leading writers of the day and purchased +under conditions approved by the Authors' League of America;</p> + +<p><i>That</i> such magazines are manufactured in Union shops by American workmen;</p> + +<p><i>That</i> each newsdealer and agent is insured a fair profit;</p> + +<p><i>That</i> an intelligent censorship guards their advertising pages.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>The other Clayton magazines are</i>:</p> + +<p class="center">ACE-HIGH MAGAZINE, RANCH ROMANCES, COWBOY STORIES, CLUES, FIVE-NOVELS +MONTHLY, WIDE WORLD ADVENTURES, ALL STAR DETECTIVE STORIES, FLYERS, +RANGELAND LOVE STORY MAGAZINE, SKY-HIGH LIBRARY MAGAZINE, +MISS 1930, <i>and</i> FOREST AND STREAM</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="center"><i>More Than Two Million Copies Required to Supply the Monthly Demand for Clayton Magazines.</i></p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div style="margin-bottom:1em"> +<table summary="masthead" width="100%"> + <col width="30%" /> + <col width="45%" /> + <col width="25%" /> + <tr> + <td align="left">VOL. I, No. 2</td> + <td class="center larger">CONTENTS</td> + <td class="ralign">FEBRUARY, 1930</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<table summary="TOC" width="100%"> + <col width="45%" /> + <col width="45%" /> + <col width="10%" /> + <tr> + <td>COVER DESIGN</td> + <td>H. W. WESSOLOWSKI</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="toc_desc"><i>Painted in Water-colors from a Scene in "Spawn of the Stars."</i></td> + </tr> + +<tr><td>OLD CROMPTON'S SECRET</td><td>HARL VINCENT</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#Old_Cromptons_Secret">153</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>Tom's Extraordinary Machine Glowed—and the Years Were Banished from Old Crompton's +Body. But There Still Remained, Deep-seated in His Century-old Mind, the +Memory of His Crime.</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td>SPAWN OF THE STARS</td><td>CHARLES WILLARD DIFFIN</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#Spawn_of_the_Stars">166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>The Earth Lay Powerless Beneath Those Loathsome, Yellowish Monsters That, Sheathed +in Cometlike Globes, Sprang from the Skies to Annihilate Man and Reduce His Cities +to Ashes.</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td>THE CORPSE ON THE GRATING</td><td>HUGH B. CAVE</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#The_Corpse_on_the_Grating">187</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>In the Gloomy Depths of the Old Warehouse Dale Saw a Thing That Drew a Scream of +Horror to His Dry Lips. It Was a Corpse—the Mold of Decay on Its Long-dead +Features—and Yet It Was Alive!</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td>CREATURES OF THE LIGHT</td><td>SOPHIE WENZEL ELLIS</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#Creatures">196</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>He Had Striven to Perfect the Faultless Man of the Future, and Had Succeeded—Too +Well. For in the Pitilessly Cold Eyes of Adam, His Super-human Creation, Dr. +Mundson Saw Only Contempt—and Annihilation—for the Human Race.</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td>INTO SPACE</td><td>STERNER ST. PAUL</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#Into_Space">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>What Was the Extraordinary Connection Between Dr. Livermore's Sudden Disappearance +and the Coming of a New Satellite to the Earth?</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td>THE BEETLE HORDE</td><td>VICTOR ROUSSEAU</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#The_Beetle_Horde">229</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>Bullets, Shrapnel, Shell—Nothing Can Stop the Trillions of Famished, Man-sized Beetles +Which, Led by a Madman, Sweep Down Over the Human Race.</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td>MAD MUSIC</td><td>ANTHONY PELCHER</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#Mad_Music">248</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>The Sixty Stories of the Perfectly Constructed Colossus Building Had Mysteriously +Crashed! What Was the Connection Between This Catastrophe and the Weird +Strains of the Mad Musician's Violin?</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td>THE THIEF OF TIME</td><td>CAPTAIN S. P. MEEK</td><td class="ralign"><a href="#The_Thief_of_Time">259</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" class="toc_desc hang1st"><i>The Teller Turned to the Stacked Pile of Bills. They Were Gone! And No One Had +Been Near!</i></td></tr> +</table> + +<div class="smaller"> +<table summary="masthead" width="100%"> + <col width="55%" /> + <col width="35%" /> + <tr> + <td align="left">Single Copies, 20 Cents (In Canada, 25 Cents)</td> + <td class="ralign">Yearly Subscription, $2.00</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>Issued monthly by Publishers' Fiscal Corporation, 80 Lafayette St., New York, N.Y. W. M. Clayton, President; +Nathan Goldmann, Secretary. Application for entry as second-class mail pending at the Post Office at +New York, under Act of March 3, 1879. Application for registration of title as Trade Mark pending in the +U.S. Patent Office. Member Newsstand Group—Men's List. For advertising rates address E. R. Crowe & Co., +Inc., 25 Vanderbilt Ave., New York; or 225 North Michigan Ave., Chicago.</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page153" name="page153">[153]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Old_Cromptons_Secret" id="Old_Cromptons_Secret"></a>Old Crompton's Secret</h2> +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Harl Vincent</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/153.png" width="400" height="355" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Tom tripped on a +wire and fell, with +his ferocious adversary +on top.</i></p> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Two</span> miles west of the village +of Laketon there lived an aged +recluse who was known only as +Old Crompton. As far back as +the villagers could remember he had +visited the town +regularly twice a +month, each time +tottering his lonely +way homeward +with a load of +provisions. He +appeared to be +well supplied with funds, but purchased +sparingly as became a miserly +hermit. And so vicious was his tongue +that few cared to converse with him, +even the young hoodlums of the town +hesitating to harass him with the banter +usually accorded the other bizarre +characters of the streets.</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">Tom's extraordinary machine glowed—and +the years were banished from Old +Crompton's body. But there still remained, +deep-seated in his century-old +mind, the memory of his crime.</p> + +<p>The oldest inhabitants knew nothing +of his past history, and they had long +since lost their curiosity in the matter. +He was a fixture, +as was the old +town hall with +its surrounding +park. His lonely +cabin was shunned +by all who chanced +to pass along the +old dirt road that led through the +woods to nowhere and was rarely used.</p> + +<p>His only extravagance was in the +matter of books, and the village book +store profited considerably by his purchases. +But, at the instigation of Cass<span class="pagenum"><a id="page154" name="page154">[154]</a></span> +Harmon, the bookseller, it was whispered +about that Old Crompton was a +believer in the black art—that he had +made a pact with the devil himself and +was leagued with him and his imps. +For the books he bought were strange +ones; ancient volumes that Cass must +needs order from New York or Chicago +and that cost as much as ten and even +fifteen dollars a copy; translations of +the writings of the alchemists and astrologers +and philosophers of the dark +ages.</p> + +<p>It was no wonder Old Crompton was +looked at askance by the simple-living +and deeply religious natives of the +small Pennsylvania town.</p> + +<p>But there came a day when the hermit +was to have a neighbor, and the +town buzzed with excited speculation +as to what would happen.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> property across the road from +Old Crompton's hut belonged to +Alton Forsythe, Laketon's wealthiest +resident—hundreds of acres of scrubby +woodland that he considered well nigh +worthless. But Tom Forsythe, the only +son, had returned from college and his +ambitions were of a nature strange to +his townspeople and utterly incomprehensible +to his father. Something +vague about biology and chemical experiments +and the like is what he spoke +of, and, when his parents objected on +the grounds of possible explosions and +other weird accidents, he prevailed +upon his father to have a secluded laboratory +built for him in the woods.</p> + +<p>When the workmen started the small +frame structure not a quarter of a mile +from his own hut, Old Crompton was +furious. He raged and stormed, but to +no avail. Tom Forsythe had his heart +set on the project and he was somewhat +of a successful debater himself. +The fire that flashed from his cold gray +eyes matched that from the pale blue +ones of the elderly anchorite. And the +law was on his side.</p> + +<p>So the building was completed and +Tom Forsythe moved in, bag and baggage.</p> + +<p>For more than a year the hermit studiously +avoided his neighbor, though, +truth to tell, this required very little +effort. For Tom Forsythe became almost +as much of a recluse as his predecessor, +remaining indoors for days +at a time and visiting the home of his +people scarcely oftener than Old +Crompton visited the village. He too +became the target of village gossip and +his name was ere long linked with that +of the old man in similar animadversion. +But he cared naught for the +opinions of his townspeople nor for the +dark looks of suspicion that greeted +him on his rare appearances in the public +places. His chosen work engrossed +him so deeply that all else counted for +nothing. His parents remonstrated +with him in vain. Tom laughed away +their recriminations and fears, continuing +with his labors more strenuously +than ever. He never troubled his mind +over the nearness of Old Crompton's +hut, the existence of which he hardly +noticed or considered.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> so happened one day that the old +man's curiosity got the better of +him and Tom caught him prowling +about on his property, peering wonderingly +at the many rabbit hutches, chicken +coops, dove cotes and the like which +cluttered the space to the rear of the +laboratory.</p> + +<p>Seeing that he was discovered, the +old man wrinkled his face into a toothless +grin of conciliation.</p> + +<p>"Just looking over your place, Forsythe," +he said. "Sorry about the fuss +I made when you built the house. But +I'm an old man, you know, and changes +are unwelcome. Now I have forgotten +my objections and would like to be +friends. Can we?"</p> + +<p>Tom peered searchingly into the +flinty eyes that were set so deeply in +the wrinkled, leathery countenance. +He suspected an ulterior motive, but +could not find it within him to turn the +old fellow down.</p> + +<p>"Why—I guess so, Crompton," he +hesitated: "I have nothing against you,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page155" name="page155">[155]</a></span> +but I came here for seclusion and I'll +not have anyone bothering me in my +work."</p> + +<p>"I'll not bother you, young man. But +I'm fond of pets and I see you have +many of them here; guinea pigs, chickens, +pigeons, and rabbits. Would you +mind if I make friends with some of +them?"</p> + +<p>"They're not pets," answered Tom +dryly, "they are material for use in my +experiments. But you may amuse yourself +with them if you wish."</p> + +<p>"You mean that you cut them up—kill +them, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Not that. But I sometimes change +them in physical form, sometimes cause +them to become of huge size, sometimes +produce pigmy offspring of normal +animals."</p> + +<p>"Don't they suffer?"</p> + +<p>"Very seldom, though occasionally a +subject dies. But the benefit that will +accrue to mankind is well worth the +slight inconvenience to the dumb creatures +and the infrequent loss of their +lives."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Old Crompton</span> regarded him +dubiously. "You are trying to +find?" he interrogated.</p> + +<p>"The secret of life!" Tom Forsythe's +eyes took on the stare of fanaticism. +"Before I have finished I shall know +the nature of the vital force—how to +produce it. I shall prolong human life +indefinitely; create artificial life. And +the solution is more closely approached +with each passing day."</p> + +<p>The hermit blinked in pretended +mystification. But he understood perfectly, +and he bitterly envied the +younger man's knowledge and ability +that enabled him to delve into the mysteries +of nature which had always been +so attractive to his own mind. And +somehow, he acquired a sudden deep +hatred of the coolly confident young +man who spoke so positively of accomplishing +the impossible.</p> + +<p>During the winter months that followed, +the strange acquaintance progressed +but little. Tom did not invite +his neighbor to visit him, nor did Old +Crompton go out of his way to impose +his presence on the younger man, +though each spoke pleasantly enough +to the other on the few occasions when +they happened to meet.</p> + +<p>With the coming of spring they encountered +one another more frequently, +and Tom found considerable of interest +in the quaint, borrowed philosophy +of the gloomy old man. Old Crompton, +of course, was desperately interested in +the things that were hidden in Tom's +laboratory, but he never requested permission +to see them. He hid his real +feelings extremely well and was apparently +content to spend as much time as +possible with the feathered and furred +subjects for experiment, being very +careful not to incur Tom's displeasure +by displaying too great interest in the +laboratory itself.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Then</span> there came a day in early +summer when an accident served +to draw the two men closer together, +and Old Crompton's long-sought opportunity +followed.</p> + +<p>He was starting for the village when, +from down the road, there came a series +of tremendous squawkings, then a bellow +of dismay in the voice of his young +neighbor. He turned quickly and was +astonished at <ins class="correction" title="Added the">the sight</ins> of a monstrous +rooster which had escaped and was +headed straight for him with head +down and wings fluttering wildly. +Tom followed close behind, but was +unable to catch the darting monster. +And monster it was, for this rooster +stood no less than three feet in height +and appeared more ferocious than a +large turkey. Old Crompton had his +shopping bag, a large one of burlap +which he always carried to town, and +he summoned enough courage to throw +it over the head of the screeching, over-sized +fowl. So tangled did the panic-stricken +bird become that it was a comparatively +simple matter to effect his +capture, and the old man rose to his +feet triumphant with the bag securely +closed over the struggling captive.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page156" name="page156">[156]</a></span> +"Thanks," panted Tom, when he +drew alongside. "I should never have +caught him, and his appearance at large +might have caused me a great deal of +trouble—now of all times."</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Forsythe," smirked the +old man. "Glad I was able to do it."</p> + +<p>Secretly he gloated, for he knew this +occurrence would be an open sesame to +that laboratory of Tom's. And it +proved to be just that.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A few</span> nights later he was awakened +by a vigorous thumping at +his door, something that had never before +occurred during his nearly sixty +years occupancy of the tumbledown +hut. The moon was high and he cautiously +peeped from the window and +saw that his late visitor was none other +than young Forsythe.</p> + +<p>"With you in a minute!" he shouted, +hastily thrusting his rheumatic old +limbs into his shabby trousers. "Now +to see the inside of that laboratory," he +chuckled to himself.</p> + +<p>It required but a moment to attire +himself in the scanty raiment he wore +during the warm months, but he could +hear Tom muttering and impatiently +pacing the flagstones before his door.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked, as he drew +the bolt and emerged into the brilliant +light of the moon.</p> + +<p>"Success!" breathed Tom excitedly. +"I have produced growing, living matter +synthetically. More than this, I +have learned the secret of the vital +force—the spark of life. Immortality +is within easy reach. Come and see +for yourself."</p> + +<p>They quickly traversed the short distance +to the two-story building which +comprised Tom's workshop and living +quarters. The entire ground floor was +taken up by the laboratory, and Old +Crompton stared aghast at the wealth +of equipment it contained. Furnaces +there were, and retorts that reminded +him of those pictured in the wood cuts +in some of his musty books. Then +there were complicated machines with +many levers and dials mounted on their +faces, and with huge glass bulbs of peculiar +shape with coils of wire connecting +to knoblike protuberances of their +transparent walls. In the exact center +of the great single room there was what +appeared to be a dissecting table, with +a brilliant light overhead and with two +of the odd glass bulbs at either end. +It was to this table that Tom led the +excited old man.</p> + +<p>"This is my perfected apparatus," +said Tom proudly, "and by its use I +intend to create a new race of supermen, +men and women who will always +retain the vigor and strength of their +youth and who can not die excepting +by actual destruction of their bodies. +Under the influence of the rays all +bodily ailments vanish as if by magic, +and organic defects are quickly corrected. +Watch this now."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> stepped to one of the many +cages at the side of the room and +returned with a wriggling cottontail in +his hands. Old Compton watched anxiously +as he picked a nickeled instrument +from a tray of surgical appliances +and requested his visitor to hold the +protesting animal while he covered its +head with a handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"Ethyl chloride," explained Tom, +noting with amusement the look of distaste +on the old man's face. "We'll +just put him to sleep for a minute while +I amputate a leg."</p> + +<p>The struggles of the rabbit quickly +ceased when the spray soaked the handkerchief +and the anaesthetic took effect. +With a shining scalpel and a surgical +saw, Tom speedily removed one +of the forelegs of the animal and then +he placed the limp body in the center +of the table, removing the handkerchief +from its head as he did so. At +the end of the table there was a panel +with its glittering array of switches +and electrical instruments, and Old +Crompton observed very closely the +manipulations of the controls as Tom +started the mechanism. With the ensuing +hum of a motor-generator from a +corner of the room, the four bulbs ad<span class="pagenum"><a id="page157" name="page157">[157]</a></span>jacent +to the table sprang into life, each +glowing with a different color and each +emitting a different vibratory note as +it responded to the energy within.</p> + +<p>"Keep an eye on Mr. Rabbit now," +admonished Tom.</p> + +<p>From the body of the small animal +there emanated an intangible though +hazily visible aura as the combined effects +of the rays grew in intensity. Old +Crompton bent over the table and +peered amazedly at the stump of the +foreleg, from which blood no longer +dripped. The stump was healing over! +Yes—it seemed to elongate as one +watched. A new limb was growing on +to replace the old! Then the animal +struggled once more, this time to regain +consciousness. In a moment it +was fully awake and, with a frightened +hop, was off the table and hobbling +about in search of a hiding place.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Tom Forsythe</span> laughed. "Never +knew what happened," he exulted, +"and excepting for the temporary limp +is not inconvenienced at all. Even that +will be gone in a couple of hours, for +the new limb will be completely grown +by that time."</p> + +<p>"But—but, Tom," stammered the old +man, "this is wonderful. How do you +accomplish it?"</p> + +<p>"Ha! Don't think I'll reveal my +secret. But this much I will tell you: +the life force generated by my apparatus +stimulates a certain gland that's +normally inactive in warm blooded animals. +This gland, when active, possesses +the function of growing new +members to the body to replace lost +ones in much the same manner as this +is done in case of the lobster and certain +other crustaceans. Of course, the +process is extremely rapid when the +gland is stimulated by the vital rays +from my tubes. But this is only one +of the many wonders of the process. +Here is something far more remarkable."</p> + +<p>He took from a large glass jar the +body of a guinea pig, a body that was +rigid in death.</p> + +<p>"This guinea pig," he explained, "was +suffocated twenty-four hours ago and +is stone dead."</p> + +<p>"Suffocated?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. But quite painlessly, I assure +you. I merely removed the air from +the jar with a vacuum pump and the +little creature passed out of the picture +very quickly. Now we'll revive it."</p> + +<p>Old Crompton stretched forth a skinny +hand to touch the dead animal, but +withdrew it hastily when he felt the +clammy rigidity of the body. There +was no doubt as to the lifelessness of +this specimen.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Tom</span> placed the dead guinea pig on +the spot where the rabbit had been +subjected to the action of the rays. +Again his visitor watched carefully as +he manipulated the controls of the apparatus.</p> + +<p>With the glow of the tubes and the +ensuing haze of eery light that surrounded +the little body, a marked +change was apparent. The inanimate +form relaxed suddenly and it seemed +that the muscles pulsated with an accession +of energy. Then one leg was +stretched forth spasmodically. There +was a convulsive heave as the lungs +drew in a first long breath, and, with +that, an astonished and very much alive +rodent scrambled to its feet, blinking +wondering eyes in the dazzling light.</p> + +<p>"See? See?" shouted Tom, grasping +Old Crompton by the arm in a viselike +grip. "It is the secret of life and +death! Aristocrats, plutocrats and beggars +will beat a path to my door. But, +never fear, I shall choose my subjects +well. The name of Thomas Forsythe +will yet be emblazoned in the Hall of +Fame. I shall be master of the world!"</p> + +<p>Old Crompton began to fear the glitter +in the eyes of the gaunt young man +who seemed suddenly to have become +demented. And his envy and hatred of +his talented host blazed anew as Forsythe +gloried in the success of his efforts. +Then he was struck with an idea +and he affected his most ingratiating +manner.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page158" name="page158">[158]</a></span> +"It is a marvelous thing, Tom," he +said, "and is entirely beyond my poor +comprehension. But I can see that it +is all you say and more. Tell me—can +you restore the youth of an aged person +by these means?"</p> + +<p>"Positively!" Tom did not catch the +eager note in the old man's voice. Rather +he took the question as an inquiry +into the further marvels of his process. +"Here," he continued, enthusiastically, +"I'll prove that to you also. My dog +Spot is around the place somewhere. +And he is a decrepit old hound, blind, +lame and toothless. You've probably +seen him with me."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> rushed to the stairs and whistled. +There was an answering +yelp from above and the pad of uncertain +paws on the bare wooden steps. +A dejected old beagle blundered into +the room, dragging a crippled hind leg +as he fawned upon his master, who +stretched forth a hand to pat the unsteady +head.</p> + +<p>"Guess Spot is old enough for the +test," laughed Tom, "and I have been +meaning to restore him to his youthful +vigor, anyway. No time like the present."</p> + +<p>He led his trembling pet to the table +of the remarkable tubes and lifted him +to its surface. The poor old beast lay +trustingly where he was placed, quiet, +save for his husky asthmatic breathing.</p> + +<p>"Hold him, Crompton," directed Tom +as he pulled the starting lever of his +apparatus.</p> + +<p>And Old Crompton watched in fascinated +anticipation as the ethereal luminosity +bathed the dog's body in response +to the action of the four rays. +Somewhat vaguely it came to him that +the baggy flesh of his own wrinkled +hands took on a new firmness and color +where they reposed on the animal's +back. Young Forsythe grinned triumphantly +as Spot's breathing became +more regular and the rasp gradually +left it. Then the dog whined in pleasure +and wagged his tail with increasing +vigor. Suddenly he raised his head, +perked his ears in astonishment and +looked his master straight in the face +with eyes that saw once more. The low +throat cry rose to a full and joyous +bark. He sprang to his feet from under +the restraining hands and jumped +to the floor in a lithe-muscled leap that +carried him half way across the room. +He capered about with the abandon of +a puppy, making extremely active use +of four sound limbs.</p> + +<p>"Why—why, Forsythe," stammered +the hermit, "it's absolutely incredible. +Tell me—tell me—what is this remarkable +force?"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">His</span> host laughed gleefully. "You +probably wouldn't understand it +anyway, but I'll tell you. It is as simple +as the nose on your face. The spark +of life, the vital force, is merely an extremely +complicated electrical manifestation +which I have been able to duplicate +artificially. This spark or force +is all that distinguishes living from inanimate +matter, and in living beings +the force gradually decreases in power +as the years pass, causing loss of health +and strength. The chemical composition +of bones and tissue alters, joints +become stiff, muscles atrophied, and +bones brittle. By recharging, as it +were, with the vital force, the gland +action is intensified, youth and strength +is renewed. By repeating the process +every ten or fifteen years the same degree +of vigor can be maintained indefinitely. +Mankind will become immortal. +That is why I say I am to be master of +the world."</p> + +<p>For the moment Old Crompton forgot +his jealous hatred in the enthusiasm +with which he was imbued. "Tom—Tom," +he pleaded in his excitement, +"use me as a subject. Renew my youth. +My life has been a sad one and a lonely +one, but I would that I might live it +over. I should make of it a far different +one—something worth while. See, +I am ready."</p> + +<p>He sat on the edge of the gleaming +table and made as if to lie down on its +gleaming surface. But his young host<span class="pagenum"><a id="page159" name="page159">[159]</a></span> +only stared at him in open amusement.</p> + +<p>"What? You?" he sneered, unfeelingly. +"Why, you old fossil! I told +you I would choose my subjects carefully. +They are to be people of standing +and wealth, who can contribute to +the fame and fortune of one Thomas +Forsythe."</p> + +<p>"But Tom, I have money," Old +Crompton begged. But when he saw +the hard mirth in the younger man's +eyes, his old animosity flamed anew +and he sprang from his position and +shook a skinny <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from fore-finger">forefinger</ins> in Tom's +face.</p> + +<p>"Don't do that to me, you old fool!" +shouted Tom, "and get out of here. +Think I'd waste current on an old cadger +like you? I guess not! Now get +out. Get out, I say!"</p> + +<p>Then the old anchorite saw red. +Something seemed to snap in his soured +old brain. He found himself kicking +and biting and punching at his host, +who backed away from the furious onslaught +in surprise. Then Tom tripped +over a wire and fell to the floor with a +force that rattled the windows, his ferocious +little adversary on top. The +younger man lay still where he had +fallen, a trickle of blood showing at +his temple.</p> + +<p>"My God! I've killed him!" gasped +the old man.</p> + +<p>With trembling fingers he opened +Tom's shirt and listened for his heartbeats. +Panic-stricken, he rubbed the +young man's wrists, slapped his cheeks, +and ran for water to dash in his face. +But all efforts to revive him proved +futile, and then, in awful fear, Old +Crompton dashed into the night, the +dog Spot snapping at his heels as he +ran.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Hours</span> later the stooped figure of +a shabby old man might have +been seen stealthily re-entering the +lonely workshop where the lights still +burned brightly. Tom Forsythe lay +rigid in the position in which Old +Crompton had left him, and the dog +growled menacingly.</p> + +<p>Averting his gaze and circling wide +of the body, Old Crompton made for +the table of the marvelous rays. In +minute detail he recalled every move +made by Tom in starting and adjusting +the apparatus to produce the incredible +results he had witnessed. Not a +moment was to be wasted now. Already +he had hesitated too long, for +soon would come the dawn and possible +discovery of his crime. But the invention +of his victim would save him from +the long arm of the law, for, with youth +restored, Old Crompton would cease to +exist and a new life would open its +doors to the starved soul of the hermit. +Hermit, indeed! He would begin life +anew, an active man with youthful vigor +and ambition. Under an assumed +name he would travel abroad, would +enjoy life, and would later become a +successful man of affairs. He had +enough money, he told himself. And +the police would never find Old Crompton, +the murderer of Tom Forsythe! +He deposited his small traveling bag +on the floor and fingered the controls +of Tom's apparatus.</p> + +<p>He threw the starting switch confidently +and grinned in satisfaction as +the answering whine of the motor-generator +came to his ears. One by one he +carefully made the adjustments in exactly +the manner followed by the now +silenced discoverer of the process. +Everything operated precisely as it +had during the preceding experiments. +Odd that he should have anticipated +some such necessity! But something +had told him to observe Tom's movements +carefully, and now he rejoiced +in the fact that his intuition had led +him aright. Painfully he climbed to +the table top and stretched his aching +body in the warm light of the four huge +tubes. His exertions during the struggle +with Tom were beginning to tell +on him. But the soreness and stiffness +of feeble muscles and stubborn joints +would soon be but a memory. His +pulses quickened at the thought and he +breathed deep in a sudden feeling of +unaccustomed well-being.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page160" name="page160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> dog growled continuously +from his position at the head of +his master, but did not move to interfere +with the intruder. And Old +Crompton, in the excitement of the momentous +experience, paid him not the +slightest attention.</p> + +<p>His body tingled from head to foot +with a not unpleasant sensation that +conveyed the assurance of radical +changes taking place under the influence +of the vital rays. The tingling +sensation increased in intensity until +it seemed that every corpuscle in his +veins danced to the tune of the vibration +from those glowing tubes that +bathed him in an ever-spreading radiance. +Aches and pains vanished from +his body, but he soon experienced a +sharp stab of new pain in his lower jaw. +With an experimental forefinger he +rubbed the gum. He laughed aloud as +the realization came to him that in +those gums where there had been no +teeth for more than twenty years there +was now growing a complete new set. +And the rapidity of the process amazed +him beyond measure. The aching area +spread quickly and was becoming really +uncomfortable. But then—and he +consoled himself with the thought—nothing +is brought into being without +a certain amount of pain. Besides, he +was confident that his discomfort +would soon be over.</p> + +<p>He examined his hand, and found +that the joints of two fingers long crippled +with rheumatism now moved freely +and painlessly. The misty brilliance +surrounding his body was paling and +he saw that the flesh was taking on a +faint green fluorescence instead. The +rays had completed their work and +soon the transformation would be fully +effected. He turned on his side and +slipped to the floor with the agility of +a youngster. The dog snarled anew, +but kept steadfastly to his position.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">There</span> was a small mirror over +the wash stand at the far end of +the room and Old Crompton made haste +to obtain the first view of his reflected +image. His step was firm and springy, +his bearing confident, and he found +that his long-stooped shoulders +straightened naturally and easily. He +felt that he had taken on at least two +inches in stature, which was indeed the +case. When he reached the mirror he +peered anxiously into its dingy surface +and what he saw there so startled him +that he stepped backward in amazement. +This was not Larry Crompton, +but an entirely new man. The straggly +white hair had given way to soft, +healthy waves of chestnut hue. Gone +were the seams from the leathery countenance +and the eyes looked out clearly +and steadily from under brows as thick +and dark as they had been in his youth. +The reflected features were those of an +entire stranger. They were not even +reminiscent of the Larry Crompton of +fifty years ago, but were the features +of a far more vigorous and prepossessing +individual than he had ever seemed, +even in the best years of his life. The +jaw was firm, the once sunken cheeks +so well filled out that his high cheek +bones were no longer in evidence. It +was the face of a man of not more than +thirty-eight years of age, reflecting exceptional +intelligence and strength of +character.</p> + +<p>"What a disguise!" he exclaimed in +delight. And his voice, echoing in the +stillness that followed the switching +off of the apparatus, was deep-throated +and mellow—the voice of a new man.</p> + +<p>Now, serenely confident that discovery +was impossible, he picked up his +small but heavy bag and started for the +door. Dawn was breaking and he +wished to put as many miles between +himself and Tom's laboratory as could +be covered in the next few hours. +But at the door he hesitated. Then, +despite the furious yapping of Spot, +he returned to the table of the rays and, +with deliberate thoroughness smashed +the costly tubes which had brought +about his rehabilitation. With a pinch +bar from a nearby tool rack, he wrecked +the controls and generating mechanisms +beyond recognition. Now he was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page161" name="page161">[161]</a></span> +absolutely secure! No meddling experts +could possibly discover the secret +of Tom's invention. All evidence +would show that the young experimenter +had met his death at the hands +of Old Crompton, the despised hermit +of West Laketon. But none would +dream that the handsome man of means +who was henceforth to be known as +George Voight was that same despised +hermit.</p> + +<p>He recovered his satchel and left the +scene. With long, rapid strides he +proceeded down the old dirt road toward +the main highway where, instead +of turning east into the village, he +would turn west and walk to Kernsburg, +the neighboring town. There, in +not more than two hours time, his new +life would really begin!</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Had</span> you, a visitor, departed from +Laketon when Old Crompton did +and returned twelve years later, you +would have noticed very little difference +in the appearance of the village. +The old town hall and the little park +were the same, the dingy brick building +among the trees being just a little +dingier and its wooden steps more +worn and sagged. The main street +showed evidence of recent repaving, +and, in consequence of the resulting increase +in through automobile traffic; +there were two new gasoline filling stations +in the heart of the town. Down +the road about a half mile there was a +new building, which, upon inquiring +from one of the natives, would be +proudly designated as the new high +school building. Otherwise there were +no changes to be observed.</p> + +<p>In his dilapidated chair in the untidy +office he had occupied for nearly thirty +years, sat Asa Culkin, popularly known +as "Judge" Culkin. Justice of the +peace, sheriff, attorney-at-law, and +three times Mayor of Laketon, he was +still a controlling factor in local politics +and government. And many a +knotty legal problem was settled in +that gloomy little office. Many a dispute +in the town council was dependent +for arbitration upon the keen mind and +understanding wit of the old judge.</p> + +<p>The four o'clock train had just puffed +its labored way from the station when +a stranger entered his office, a stranger +of uncommonly prosperous air. The +keen blue eyes of the old attorney appraised +him instantly and classified him +as a successful man of business, not yet +forty years of age, and with a weighty +problem on his mind.</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you, sir?" he +asked, removing his feet from the battered +desk top.</p> + +<p>"You may be able to help me a great +deal, Judge," was the unexpected reply. +"I came to Laketon to give myself up."</p> + +<p>"Give yourself up?" Culkin rose to +his feet in surprise and unconsciously +straightened his shoulders in the effort +to seem less dwarfed before the tall +stranger. "Why, what do you mean?" +he inquired.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">I</span><span class="dcap"> wish</span> to give myself up for murder," +answered the amazing visitor, +slowly and with decision, "for a +murder committed twelve years ago. I +should like you to listen to my story +first, though. It has been kept too +long."</p> + +<p>"But I still do not understand." +There was puzzlement in the honest old +face of the attorney. He shook his +gray locks in uncertainty. "Why +should you come here? Why come to +me? What possible interest can I have +in the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Just this, Judge. You do not recognize +me now, and you will probably +consider my story incredible when you +hear it. But, when I have given you +all the evidence, you will know who I +am and will be compelled to believe. +The murder was committed in Laketon. +That is why I came to you."</p> + +<p>"A murder in Laketon? Twelve +years ago?" Again the aged attorney +shook his head. "But—proceed."</p> + +<p>"Yes. I killed Thomas Forsythe."</p> + +<p>The stranger looked for an expression +of horror in the features of his +listener, but there was none. Instead<span class="pagenum"><a id="page162" name="page162">[162]</a></span> +the benign countenance took on a look +of deepening amazement, but the smile +wrinkles had somehow vanished and +the old face was grave in its surprised +interest.</p> + +<p>"You seem astonished," continued +the stranger. "Undoubtedly you were +convinced that the murderer was Larry +Crompton—Old Crompton, the hermit. +He disappeared the night of the crime +and has never been heard from since. +Am I correct?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He disappeared all right. But +continue."</p> + +<p>Not by a lift of his eyebrow did Culkin +betray his disbelief, but the stranger +sensed that his story was somehow +not as startling as it should have been.</p> + +<p>"You will think me crazy, I presume. +But I am Old Crompton. It was my +hand that felled the unfortunate young +man in his laboratory out there in West +Laketon twelve years ago to-night. It +was his marvelous invention that transformed +the old hermit into the apparently +young man you see before you. +But I swear that I am none other than +Larry Crompton and that I killed +young Forsythe. I am ready to pay +the penalty. I can bear the flagellation +of my own conscience no longer."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> visitor's voice had risen to the +point of hysteria. But his listener +remained calm and unmoved.</p> + +<p>"Now just let me get this straight," +he said quietly. "Do I understand that +you claim to be Old Crompton, rejuvenated +in some mysterious manner, and +that you killed Tom Forsythe on that +night twelve years ago? Do I understand +that you wish now to go to trial +for that crime and to pay the penalty?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! Yes! And the sooner the better. +I can stand it no longer. I am +the most miserable man in the world!"</p> + +<p>"Hm-m—hm-m," muttered the judge, +"this is strange." He spoke soothingly +to his visitor. "Do not upset yourself, +I beg of you. I will take care of this +thing for you, never fear. Just take a +seat, Mister—er—"</p> + +<p>"You may call me Voight for the +present," said the stranger, in a more +composed tone of voice, "George +Voight. That is the name I have been +using since the mur—since that fatal +night."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Mr. Voight," replied the +counsellor with an air of the greatest +solicitude, "please have a seat now, +while I make a telephone call."</p> + +<p>And George Voight slipped into a +stiff-backed chair with a sigh of relief. +For he knew the judge from the old +days and he was now certain that his +case would be disposed of very quickly.</p> + +<p>With the telephone receiver pressed +to his ear, Culkin repeated a number. +The stranger listened intently during +the ensuing silence. Then there came +a muffled "hello" sounding in impatient +response to the call.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Alton," spoke the attorney, +"this is Asa speaking. A stranger has +just stepped into my office and he +claims to be Old Crompton. Remember +the hermit across the road from your +son's old laboratory? Well, this man, +who bears no resemblance whatever to +the old man he claims to be and who +seems to be less than half the age of +Tom's old neighbor, says that he killed +Tom on that night we remember so +well."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">There</span> were some surprised remarks +from the other end of the +wire, but Voight was unable to catch +them. He was in a cold perspiration +at the thought of meeting his victim's +father.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, Alton," continued Culkin, +"I think there is something in this +story, although I cannot believe it all. +But I wish you would accompany us +and visit the laboratory. Will you?"</p> + +<p>"Lord, man, not that!" interrupted +the judge's visitor. "I can hardly bear +to visit the scene of my crime—and in +the company of Alton Forsythe. +Please, not that!"</p> + +<p>"Now you just let me take care of +this, young man," replied the judge, +testily. Then, once more speaking into +the mouthpiece of the telephone, "All<span class="pagenum"><a id="page163" name="page163">[163]</a></span> +right, Alton. We'll pick you up at +your office in five minutes."</p> + +<p>He replaced the receiver on its hook +and turned again to his visitor. "Please +be so kind as to do exactly as I request," +he said. "I want to help you, +but there is more to this thing than +you know and I want you to follow unquestioningly +where I lead and ask no +questions at all for the present. Things +may turn out differently than you expect."</p> + +<p>"All right, Judge." The visitor resigned +himself to whatever might +transpire under the guidance of the +man he had called upon to turn him +over to the officers of the law.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Seated</span> in the judge's ancient +motor car, they stopped at the +office of Alton Forsythe a few minutes +later and were joined by that red-faced +and pompous old man. Few words +were spoken during the short run to +the well-remembered location of Tom's +laboratory, and the man who was +known as George Voight caught at his +own throat with nervous fingers when +they passed the tumbledown remains +of the hut in which Old Crompton had +spent so many years. With a screeching +of well-worn brakes the car stopped +before the laboratory, which was now +almost hidden behind a mass of shrubs +and flowers.</p> + +<p>"Easy now, young man," cautioned +the judge, noting the look of fear +which had clouded his new client's features. +The three men advanced to the +door through which Old Crompton had +fled on that night of horror, twelve +years before. The elder Forsythe spoke +not a word as he turned the knob and +stepped within. Voight shrank from +entering, but soon mastered his feelings +and followed the other two. The +sight that met his eyes caused him to +cry aloud in awe.</p> + +<p>At the dissecting table, which seemed +to be exactly as he had seen it last but +with replicas of the tubes he had destroyed +once more in place, stood Tom +Forsythe! Considerably older and +with hair prematurely gray, he was still +the young man Old Crompton thought +he had killed. Tom Forsythe was not +dead after all! And all of his years +of misery had gone for nothing. He +advanced slowly to the side of the wondering +young man, Alton Forsythe and +Asa Culkin watching silently from just +inside the door.</p> + +<p>"Tom—Tom," spoke the stranger, +"you are alive? You were not dead +when I left you on that terrible night +when I smashed your precious tubes? +Oh—it is too good to be true! I can +scarcely believe my eyes!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> stretched forth trembling fingers +to touch the body of the +young man to assure himself that it +was not all a dream.</p> + +<p>"Why," said Tom Forsythe, in astonishment. +"I do not know you, sir. +Never saw you in my life. What do +you mean by your talk of smashing my +tubes, of leaving me for dead?"</p> + +<p>"Mean?" The stranger's voice rose +now; he was growing excited. "Why, +Tom, I am Old Crompton. Remember +the struggle, here in this very room? +You refused to rejuvenate an unhappy +old man with your marvelous apparatus, +a temporarily insane old man—Crompton. +I was that old man and I +fought with you. You fell, striking +your head. There was blood. You +were unconscious. Yes, for many hours +I was sure you were dead and that I +had murdered you. But I had watched +your manipulations of the apparatus +and I subjected myself to the action of +the rays. My youth was miraculously +restored. I became as you see me now. +Detection was impossible, for I looked +no more like Old Crompton than you +do. I smashed your machinery to avoid +suspicion. Then I escaped. And, for +twelve years, I have thought myself a +murderer. I have suffered the tortures +of the damned!"</p> + +<p>Tom Forsythe advanced on this remarkable +visitor with clenched fists. +Staring him in the eyes with cold appraisal, +his wrath was all too apparent.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page164" name="page164">[164]</a></span> +The dog Spot, young as ever, entered +the room and, upon observing the stranger, +set up an ominous growling and +snarling. At least the dog recognized +him!</p> + +<p>"What are you trying to do, catechise +me? Are you another of these +alienists my father has been bringing +around?" The young inventor was furious. +"If you are," he continued, "you +can get out of here—now! I'll have +no more of this meddling with my affairs. +I'm as sane as any of you and I +refuse to submit to this continual persecution."</p> + +<p>The elder Forsythe grunted, and +Culkin laid a restraining hand on his +arm. "Just a minute now, Tom," he +said soothingly. "This stranger is no +alienist. He has a story to tell. Please +permit him to finish."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Somewhat</span> mollified, Tom Forsythe +shrugged his assent.</p> + +<p>"Tom," continued the stranger, more +calmly now, "what I have said is the +truth. I shall prove it to you. I'll tell +you things no mortals on earth could +know but we two. Remember the day +I captured the big rooster for you—the +monster you had created? Remember +the night you awakened me and +brought me here in the moonlight? Remember +the rabbit whose leg you amputated +and re-grew? The poor guinea +pig you had suffocated and whose life +you restored? Spot here? Don't you +remember rejuvenating him? I was +here. And you refused to use your +process on me, old man that I was. +Then is when I went mad and attacked +you. Do you believe me, Tom?"</p> + +<p>Then a strange thing happened. +While Tom Forsythe gazed in growing +belief, the stranger's shoulders sagged +and he trembled as with the ague. The +two older men who had kept in the +background gasped their astonishment +as his hair faded to a sickly gray, then +became as white as the driven snow. +Old Crompton was reverting to his +previous state! Within five minutes, +instead of the handsome young stranger, +there stood before them a bent, +withered old man—Old Crompton beyond +a doubt. The effects of Tom's +process were spent.</p> + +<p>"Well I'm damned!" ejaculated Alton +Forsythe. "You have been right +all along, Asa. And I am mighty glad +I did not commit Tom as I intended. +He has told us the truth all these years +and we were not wise enough to see it."</p> + +<p>"We!" exclaimed the judge. "You, +Alton Forsythe! I have always upheld +him. You have done your son a +grave injustice and you owe him your +apologies if ever a father owed his son +anything."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Asa." And, his aristocratic +pride forgotten, Alton Forsythe +rushed to the side of his son and +embraced him.</p> + +<p>The judge turned to Old Crompton +pityingly. "Rather a bad ending for +you, Crompton," he said. "Still, it is +better by far than being branded as a +murderer."</p> + +<p>"Better? Better?" croaked Old +Crompton. "It is wonderful, Judge. I +have never been so happy in my life!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> face of the old man beamed, +though scalding tears coursed +down the withered and seamed cheeks. +The two Forsythes looked up from +their demonstrations of peacemaking +to listen to the amazing words of the +old hermit.</p> + +<p>"Yes, happy for the first time in my +life," he continued. "I am one hundred +years of age, gentlemen, and I now look +it and feel it. That is as it should be. +And my experience has taught me a +final lasting lesson. None of you know +it, but, when I was but a very young +man I was bitterly disappointed in love. +Ha! ha! Never think it to look at me +now, would you? But I was, and it +ruined my entire life. I had a little +money—inherited—and I traveled +about in the world for a few years, then +settled in that old hut across the road +where I buried myself for sixty years, +becoming crabbed and sour and despicable. +Young Tom here was the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page165" name="page165">[165]</a></span> +first bright spot and, though I admired +him, I hated him for his opportunities, +hated him for that which he had that +I had not. With the promise of his invention +I thought I saw happiness, a +new life for myself. I got what I wanted, +though not in the way I had expected. +And I want to tell you gentlemen +that there is nothing in it. With developments +of modern science you may +be able to restore a man's youthful vigor +of body, but you can't cure his mind +with electricity. Though I had a +youthful body, my brain was the brain +of an old man—memories were there +which could not be suppressed. Even +had I not had the fancied death of +young Tom on my conscience I should +still have been miserable. I worked. +God, how I worked—to forget! But I +could not forget. I was <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'successsful'">successful</ins> in +business and made a lot of money. +I am more independent—probably +wealthier than you, Alton Forsythe, but +that did not bring happiness. I longed +to be myself once more, to have the +aches and pains which had been taken +from me. It is natural to age and to +die. Immortality would make of us +a people of restless misery. We would +quarrel and bicker and long for death, +which would not come to relieve us. +Now it is over for me and I am glad—glad—glad!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> paused for breath, looking beseechingly +at Tom Forsythe. +"Tom," he said, "I suppose you have +nothing for me in your heart but +hatred. And I don't blame you. But I +wish—I wish you would try and forgive +me. Can you?"</p> + +<p>The years had brought increased understanding +and tolerance to young +Tom. He stared at Old Crompton and +the long-nursed anger over the destruction +of his equipment melted into a +strange mixture of pity and admiration +for the courageous old fellow.</p> + +<p>"Why, I guess I can, Crompton," he +replied. "There was many a day when +I struggled hopelessly to reconstruct +my apparatus, cursing you with every +bit of energy in my make-up. I could +cheerfully have throttled you, had you +been within reach. For twelve years +I have labored incessantly to reproduce +the results we obtained on the night of +which you speak. People called me insane—even +my father wished to have +me committed to an asylum. And, until +now, I have been unsuccessful. Only +to-day has it seemed for the first time +that the experiments will again succeed. +But my ideas have changed with +regard to the uses of the process. I +was a cocksure young pup in the old +days, with foolish dreams of fame and +influence. But I have seen the error of +my ways. Your experience, too, convinces +me that immortality may not be +as desirable as I thought. But there +are great possibilities in the way of relieving +the sufferings of mankind and +in making this a better world in which +to live. With your advice and help I +believe I can do great things. I now +forgive you freely and I ask you to remain +here with me to assist in the work +that is to come. What do you say to +the idea?"</p> + +<p>At the reverent thankfulness in the +pale eyes of the broken old man who +had so recently been a perfect specimen +of vigorous youth, Alton Forsythe blew +his nose noisily. The little judge +smiled benevolently and shook his head +as if to say, "I told you so." Tom and +Old Crompton gripped hands—mightily.</p> + +<p class="adbox"> +<i>COMING, NEXT MONTH</i><br /> +BRIGANDS OF THE MOON<br /> +By RAY CUMMINGS<br /> +</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page166" name="page166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="Spawn_of_the_Stars" id="Spawn_of_the_Stars"></a>Spawn of the Stars</h2> + +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Charles Willard Diffin</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/166.png" width="400" height="406" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">The sky was alive with winged shapes, +and high in the air shone the glittering +menace, trailing five plumes of gas.</p> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">When</span> Cyrus R. Thurston +bought himself a single-motored +Stoughton job he +was looking for new thrills. +Flying around the east coast had lost +its zest: he wanted +to join that +jaunty group who +spoke so easily of +hopping off for +Los Angeles.</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">The Earth lay powerless beneath those +loathsome, yellowish monsters that, +sheathed in cometlike globes, sprang from +the skies to annihilate man and reduce +his cities to ashes.</p> + +<p>And what Cyrus +Thurston +wanted he usually obtained. But if +that young millionaire-sportsman had +been told that on his first flight this +blocky, bulletlike ship was to pitch him +headlong into the exact center of the +wildest, strangest war this earth had +ever seen—well, it is still probable that +the Stoughton +company would +not have lost the +sale.</p> + +<p>They were +roaring through +the starlit, calm +night, three thousand +feet above a sage sprinkled desert, +when the trip ended. Slim Riley had<span class="pagenum"><a id="page167" name="page167">[167]</a></span> +the stick when the first blast of hot oil +ripped slashingly across the pilot's +window. "There goes your old trip!" +he yelled. "Why don't they try putting +engines in these ships?"</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/167.png" width="400" height="551" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>He jammed over the throttle and, +with motor idling, swept down toward +the endless miles of moonlit waste. +Wind? They had been boring into it. +Through the opened window he +spotted a likely stretch of ground. +Setting down the ship on a nice piece +of Arizona desert was a mere detail for +Slim.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page168" name="page168">[168]</a></span> +"Let off a flare," he ordered, "when +I give the word."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> white glare of it faded the +stars as he sideslipped, then +straightened out on his hand-picked +field. The plane rolled down a clear +space and stopped. The bright glare +persisted while he stared curiously +from the quiet cabin. Cutting the motor +he opened both windows, then +grabbed Thurston by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a curious thing, that," he said +unsteadily. His hand pointed straight +ahead. The flare died, but the bright +stars of the desert country still shone +on a glistening, shining bulb.</p> + +<p>It was some two hundred feet away. +The lower part was lost in shadow, but +its upper surfaces shone rounded and +silvery like a giant bubble. It towered +in the air, scores of feet above the +chaparral beside it. There was a +round spot of black on its side, which +looked absurdly like a door....</p> + +<p>"I saw something moving," said +Thurston slowly. "On the ground I +saw.... Oh, good Lord, Slim, it isn't +real!"</p> + +<p>Slim Riley made no reply. His eyes +were <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'rivetted'">riveted</ins> to an undulating, ghastly +something that oozed and crawled +in the pale light not far from the bulb. +His hand was reaching, reaching.... +It found what he sought; he leaned toward +the window. In his hand was the +Very pistol for discharging the flares. +He aimed forward and up.</p> + +<p>The second flare hung close before +it settled on the sandy floor. Its blinding +whiteness made the more loathsome +the sickening yellow of the flabby +flowing thing that writhed frantically +in the glare. It was formless, shapeless, +a heaving mound of nauseous matter. +Yet even in its agonized writhing +distortions they sensed the beating pulsations +that marked it a living thing.</p> + +<p>There were unending ripplings +crossing and recrossing through the +convolutions. To Thurston there was +suddenly a sickening likeness: the +thing was a brain from a gigantic skull—it +was naked—was suffering....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> thing poured itself across the +sand. Before the staring gaze of +the speechless men an excrescence appeared—a +thick bulb on the mass—that +protruded itself into a tentacle. At the +end there grew instantly a hooked +hand. It reached for the black opening +in the great shell, found it, and the +whole loathsome shapelessness poured +itself up and through the hole.</p> + +<p>Only at the last was it still. In the +dark opening the last slippery mass held +quiet for endless seconds. It formed, +as they watched, to a head—frightful—menacing. +Eyes appeared in the head; +eyes flat and round and black save for +a cross slit in each; eyes that stared +horribly and unchangingly into theirs. +Below them a gaping mouth opened +and closed.... The head melted—was +gone....</p> + +<p>And with its going came a rushing +roar of sound.</p> + +<p>From under the metallic mass +shrieked a vaporous cloud. It drove at +them, a swirling blast of snow and +sand. Some buried memory of gas +attacks woke Riley from his stupor. He +slammed shut the windows an instant +before the cloud struck, but not before +they had seen, in the moonlight, a +gleaming, gigantic, elongated bulb rise +swiftly—screamingly—into the upper +air.</p> + +<p>The blast tore at their plane. And +the cold in their tight compartment +was like the cold of outer space. The +men stared, speechless, panting. Their +breath froze in that frigid room into +steam clouds.</p> + +<p>"It—it...." Thurston gasped—and +slumped helpless upon the floor.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was an hour before they dared +open the door of their cabin. An +hour of biting, numbing cold. Zero—on +a warm summer night on the desert! +Snow in the hurricane that had struck +them!</p> + +<p>"'Twas the blast from the thing," +guessed the pilot; "though never did<span class="pagenum"><a id="page169" name="page169">[169]</a></span> +I see an engine with an exhaust like +that." He was pounding himself with +his arms to force up the chilled circulation.</p> + +<p>"But the beast—the—the <i>thing</i>!" exclaimed +Thurston. "It's monstrous; +indecent! It thought—no question of +that—but no body! Horrible! Just a +raw, naked, thinking protoplasm!"</p> + +<p>It was here that he flung open the +door. They sniffed cautiously of the +air. It was warm again—clean—save +for a hint of some nauseous odor. They +walked forward; Riley carried a flash.</p> + +<p>The odor grew to a stench as they +came where the great mass had lain. +On the ground was a fleshy mound. +There were bones showing, and horns +on a skull. Riley held the light close +to show the body of a steer. A body +of raw bleeding meat. Half of it had +been absorbed....</p> + +<p>"The damned thing," said Riley, and +paused vainly for adequate words. "The +damned thing was eating.... Like a +jelly-fish, it was!"</p> + +<p>"Exactly," Thurston agreed. He +pointed about. There were other heaps +scattered among the low sage.</p> + +<p>"Smothered," guessed Thurston, +"with that frozen exhaust. Then the +filthy thing landed and came out to +eat."</p> + +<p>"Hold the light for me," the pilot +commanded. "I'm goin' to fix that +busted oil line. And I'm goin' to do +it right now. Maybe the creature's still +hungry."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> sat in their room. About +them was the luxury of a modern +hotel. Cyrus Thurston stared vacantly +at the breakfast he was forgetting to +eat. He wiped his hands mechanically +on a snowy napkin. He looked from +the window. There were palm trees +in the park, and autos in a ceaseless +stream. And people! Sane, sober +people, living in a sane world. Newsboys +were shouting; the life of the city +was flowing.</p> + +<p>"Riley!" Thurston turned to the man +across the table. His voice was curiously +toneless, and his face haggard. +"Riley, I haven't slept for three nights. +Neither have you. We've got to get +this thing straight. We didn't both +become absolute maniacs at the same +instant, but—it was <i>not</i> there, it was +<i>never</i> there—not <i>that</i>...." He was +lost in unpleasant recollections. "There +are other records of hallucinations."</p> + +<p>"Hallucinations—hell!" said Slim +Riley. He was looking at a Los Angeles +newspaper. He passed one hand +wearily across his eyes, but his face +was happier than it had been in days.</p> + +<p>"We didn't imagine it, we aren't +crazy—it's real! Would you read that +now!" He passed the paper across to +Thurston. The headlines were startling.</p> + +<p>"Pilot Killed by Mysterious Airship. +Silvery Bubble Hangs Over New York. +Downs Army Plane in Burst of Flame. +Vanishes at Terrific Speed."</p> + +<p>"It's our little friend," said Thurston. +And on his face, too, the lines +were vanishing; to find this horror a +reality was positive relief. "Here's the +same cloud of vapor—drifted slowly +across the city, the accounts says, blowing +this stuff like steam from underneath. +Airplanes investigated—an army +plane drove into the vapor—terrific explosion—plane +down in flames—others +wrecked. The machine ascended with +meteor speed, trailing blue flame. +Come on, boy, where's that old bus? +Thought I never wanted to fly a plane +again. Now I don't want to do anything +but."</p> + +<p>"Where to?" Slim inquired.</p> + +<p>"Headquarters," Thurston told him. +"Washington—let's go!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">From</span> Los Angeles to Washington +is not far, as the plane flies. There +was a stop or two for gasoline, but it +was only a day later that they were +seated in the War Office. Thurston's +card had gained immediate admittance. +"Got the low-down," he had written on +the back of his card, "on the mystery +airship."</p> + +<p>"What you have told me is incred<span class="pagenum"><a id="page170" name="page170">[170]</a></span>ible," +the Secretary was saying, "or +would be if General Lozier here had +not reported personally on the occurrence +at New York. But the monster, +the thing you have described.... Cy, +if I didn't know you as I do I would +have you locked up."</p> + +<p>"It's true," said Thurston, simply. +"It's damnable, but it's true. Now what +does it mean?"</p> + +<p>"Heaven knows," was the response. +"That's where it came from—out of +the heavens."</p> + +<p>"Not what we saw," Slim Riley broke +in. "That thing came straight out of +Hell." And in his voice was no suggestion +of levity.</p> + +<p>"You left Los Angeles early yesterday; +have you seen the papers?"</p> + +<p>Thurston shook his head.</p> + +<p>"They are back," said the Secretary. +"Reported over London—Paris—the +West Coast. Even China has seen +them. Shanghai cabled an hour ago."</p> + +<p>"Them? How many are there?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody knows. There were five +seen at one time. There are more—unless +the same ones go around the +world in a matter of minutes."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Thurston</span> remembered that +whirlwind of vapor and a vanishing +speck in the Arizona sky. "They +could," he asserted. "They're faster +than anything on earth. Though what +drives them ... that gas—steam—whatever +it is...."</p> + +<p>"Hydrogen," stated General Lozier. +"I saw the New York show when poor +Davis got his. He flew into the exhaust; +it went off like a million bombs. +Characteristic hydrogen flame trailed +the damn thing up out of sight—a tail +of blue fire."</p> + +<p>"And cold," stated Thurston.</p> + +<p>"Hot as a Bunsen burner," the General +contradicted. "Davis' plane almost +melted."</p> + +<p>"Before it ignited," said the other. +He told of the cold in their plane.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" The General spoke explosively. +"That's expansion. That's a tip on +their motive power. Expansion of gas. +That accounts for the cold and the +vapor. Suddenly expanded it would be +intensely cold. The moisture of the +air would condense, freeze. But how +could they carry it? Or"—he frowned +for a moment, brows drawn over deep-set +gray eyes—"or generate it? But +that's crazy—that's impossible!"</p> + +<p>"So is the whole matter," the Secretary +reminded him. "With the information +Mr. Thurston and Mr. Riley +have given us, the whole affair is beyond +any gage our past experience +might supply. We start from the impossible, +and we go—where? What is +to be done?"</p> + +<p>"With your permission, sir, a number +of things shall be done. It would +be interesting to see what a squadron +of planes might accomplish, diving on +them from above. Or anti-aircraft +fire."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">N</span><span class="dcap">o,"</span> said the Secretary of War, +"not yet. They have looked us +over, but they have not attacked. For +the present we do not know what they +are. All of us have our suspicions—thoughts +of interplanetary travel—thoughts +too wild for serious utterance—but +we know nothing.</p> + +<p>"Say nothing to the papers of what +you have told me," he directed Thurston. +"Lord knows their surmises are +wild enough now. And for you, General, +in the event of any hostile move, +you will resist."</p> + +<p>"Your order was anticipated, sir." +The General permitted himself a slight +smile. "The air force is ready."</p> + +<p>"Of course," the Secretary of War +nodded. "Meet me here to-night—nine +o'clock." He included Thurston and +Riley in the command. "We need to +think ... to think ... and perhaps their +mission is friendly."</p> + +<p>"Friendly!" The two flyers exchanged +glances as they went to the +door. And each knew what the other +was seeing—a viscous ocherous mass +that formed into a head where eyes +devilish in their hate stared coldly into +theirs....</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page171" name="page171">[171]</a></span> +"Think, we need to think," repeated +Thurston later. "A creature that is just +one big hideous brain, that can think +an arm into existence—think a head +where it wishes! What does a thing +like that think of? What beastly +thoughts could that—that <i>thing</i> conceive?"</p> + +<p>"If I got the sights of a Lewis gun +on it," said Riley vindictively, "I'd +make it think."</p> + +<p>"And my guess is that is all you +would accomplish," Thurston told him. +"I am forming a few theories about our +visitors. One is that it <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'would me'">would be</ins> quite +impossible to find a vital spot in that +big homogeneous mass."</p> + +<p>The pilot dispensed with theories: +his was a more literal mind. "Where +on earth did they come from, do you +suppose, Mr. Thurston?"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> were walking to their hotel. +Thurston raised his eyes to the +summer heavens. Faint stars were +beginning to twinkle; there was one +that glowed steadily.</p> + +<p>"Nowhere on earth," Thurston stated +softly, "nowhere on earth."</p> + +<p>"Maybe so," said the pilot, "maybe +so. We've thought about it and talked +about it ... and they've gone ahead and +done it." He called to a newsboy; they +took the latest editions to their room.</p> + +<p>The papers were ablaze with speculation. +There were dispatches from all +corners of the earth, interviews with +scientists and near scientists. The machines +were a Soviet invention—they +were beyond anything human—they +were harmless—they would wipe out +civilization—poison gas—blasts of fire +like that which had enveloped the army +flyer....</p> + +<p>And through it all Thurston read an +ill-concealed fear, a reflection of panic +that was gripping the nation—the +whole world. These great machines +were sinister. Wherever they appeared +came the sense of being +watched, of a menace being calmly +withheld. And at thought of the obscene +monsters inside those spheres, +Thurston's lips were compressed and +his eyes hardened. He threw the papers +aside.</p> + +<p>"They are here," he said, "and that's +all that we know. I hope the Secretary +of War gets some good men together. +And I hope someone is inspired with +an answer."</p> + +<p>"An answer is it?" said Riley. "I'm +thinkin' that the answer will come, but +not from these swivel-chair fighters. +'Tis the boys in the cockpits with one +hand on the stick and one on the guns +that will have the answer."</p> + +<p>But Thurston shook his head. "Their +speed," he said, "and the gas! Remember +that cold. How much of it can they +lay over a city?"</p> + +<p>The question was unanswered, unless +the quick ringing of the phone was +a reply.</p> + +<p>"War Department," said a voice. +"Hold the wire." The voice of the Secretary +of War came on immediately.</p> + +<p>"Thurston?" he asked. "Come over +at once on the jump, old man. Hell's +popping."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> windows of the War Department +Building were all alight +as they approached. Cars were coming +and going; men in uniform, as the +Secretary had said, "on the jump." +Soldiers with bayonets stopped them, +then passed Thurston and his companion +on. Bells were ringing from all +sides. But in the Secretary's office +was perfect quiet.</p> + +<p>General Lozier was there, Thurston +saw, and an imposing array of gold-braided +men with a sprinkling of those +in civilian clothes. One he recognized: +MacGregor from the Bureau of Standards. +The Secretary handed Thurston +some papers.</p> + +<p>"Radio," he explained. "They are +over the Pacific coast. Hit near Vancouver; +Associated Press says city destroyed. +They are working down the +coast. Same story—blast of hydrogen +from their funnel shaped base. Colder +than Greenland below them; snow fell +in Seattle. No real attack since Van<span class="pagenum"><a id="page172" name="page172">[172]</a></span>couver +and little damage done—" A +message was laid before him.</p> + +<p>"Portland," he said. "Five mystery +ships over city. Dart repeatedly toward +earth, deliver blast of gas and then +retreat. Doing no damage. Apparently +inviting attack. All commercial planes +ordered grounded. Awaiting instructions.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the Secretary, "I +believe I speak for all present when I +say that, in the absence of first hand +information, we are utterly unable to +arrive at any definite conclusion or +make a definite plan. There is a menace +in this, undeniably. Mr. Thurston +and Mr. Riley have been good enough +to report to me. They have seen one +machine at close range. It was occupied +by a monster so incredible that the +report would receive no attention from +me did I not know Mr. Thurston personally.</p> + +<p>"Where have they come from? What +does it mean—what is their mission? +Only God knows.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, I feel that I must see +them. I want General Lozier to accompany +me, also Doctor MacGregor, to +advise me from the scientific angle. I +am going to the Pacific Coast. They +may not wait—that is true—but they +appear to be going slowly south. I will +leave to-night for San Diego. I hope +to intercept them. We have strong +air-forces there; the Navy Department +is cooperating."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> waited for no comment. "General," +he ordered, "will you kindly +arrange for a plane? Take an escort +or not as you think best.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Thurston and Mr. Riley will +also accompany us. We want all the +authoritative data we can get. This on +my return will be placed before you, +gentlemen, for your consideration." +He rose from his chair. "I hope they +wait for us," he said.</p> + +<p>Time was when a commander called +loudly for a horse, but in this day a +Secretary of War is not kept waiting +for transportation. Sirening motorcycles +preceded them from the city. +Within an hour, motors roaring wide +open, <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'propellors'">propellers</ins> ripping into the summer +night, lights slipping eastward +three thousand feet below, the Secretary +of War for the United States was +on his way. And on either side from +their plane stretched the arms of a V. +Like a flight of gigantic wild geese, +fast fighting planes of the Army air +service bored steadily into the night, +guarantors of safe convoy.</p> + +<p>"The Air Service is ready," General +Lozier had said. And Thurston and +his pilot knew that from East coast to +West, swift scout planes, whose idling +engines could roar into action at a moment's +notice, stood waiting; battle +planes hidden in hangars would roll +forth at the word—the Navy was cooperating—and +at San Diego there +were strong naval units, Army units, +and Marine Corps.</p> + +<p>"They don't know what we can do, +what we have up our sleeve: they are +feeling us out," said the Secretary. +They had stopped more than once for +gas and for wireless reports. He held +a sheaf of typewritten briefs.</p> + +<p>"Going slowly south. They have +taken their time. Hours over San +Francisco and the bay district. Repeating +same tactics; fall with terrific +speed to cushion against their blast of +gas. Trying to draw us out, provoke +an attack, make us show our strength. +Well, we shall beat them to San Diego +at this rate. We'll be there in a few +hours."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> afternoon sun was dropping +ahead of them when they sighted +the water. "Eckener Pass," the pilot +told them, "where the Graf Zeppelin +came through. Wonder what these +birds would think of a Zepp!</p> + +<p>"There's the ocean," he added after +a time. San Diego glistened against +the bare hills. "There's North Island—the +Army field." He stared intently +ahead, then shouted: "And there they +are! Look there!"</p> + +<p>Over the city a cluster of meteors<span class="pagenum"><a id="page173" name="page173">[173]</a></span> +was falling. Dark underneath, their +tops shone like pure silver in the sun's +slanting glare. They fell toward the +city, then buried themselves in a dense +cloud of steam, rebounding at once to +the upper air, vapor trailing behind +them.</p> + +<p>The cloud billowed slowly. It +struck the hills of the city, then lifted +and vanished.</p> + +<p>"Land at once," requested the Secretary. +A flash of silver countermanded +the order.</p> + +<p>It hung there before them, a great +gleaming globe, keeping always its distance +ahead. It was elongated at the +base, Thurston observed. From that +base shot the familiar blast that turned +steamy a hundred feet below as it +chilled the warm air. There were round +orifices, like ports, ranged around the +top, where an occasional jet of vapor +showed this to be a method of control. +Other spots shone dark and glassy. +Were they windows? He hardly realized +their peril, so interested was he +in the strange machine ahead.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Then:</span> "Dodge that vapor," ordered +General Lozier. The plane +wavered in signal to the others and +swung sharply to the left. Each man +knew the flaming death that was theirs +if the fire of their exhaust touched that +explosive mixture of hydrogen and air. +The great bubble turned with them and +paralleled their course.</p> + +<p>"He's watching us," said Riley, "giving +us the once over, the slimy devil. +Ain't there a gun on this ship?"</p> + +<p>The General addressed his superior. +Even above the roar of the motors his +voice seemed quiet, assured. "We must +not land now," he said. "We can't land +at North Island. It would focus their +attention upon our defenses. That +thing—whatever it is—is looking for a +vulnerable spot. We must.... Hold +on—there he goes!"</p> + +<p>The big bulb shot upward. It slanted +above them, and hovered there.</p> + +<p>"I think he is about to attack," said +the General quietly. And, to the commander +of their squadron: "It's in your +hands now, Captain. It's your fight."</p> + +<p>The Captain nodded and squinted +above. "He's got to throw heavier stuff +than that," he remarked. A small object +was falling from the cloud. It +passed close to their ship.</p> + +<p>"Half-pint size," said Cyrus Thurston, +and laughed in derision. There +was something ludicrous in the futility +of the attack. He stuck his head from +a window into the gale they created. +He sheltered his eyes to try to follow +the missile in its fall.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> were over the city. The +criss-cross of streets made a grill-work +of lines; tall buildings were +dwarfed from this three thousand foot +altitude. The sun slanted across a +projecting promontory to make golden +ripples on a blue sea and the city +sparkled back in the clear air. Tiny +white faces were massed in the streets, +huddled in clusters where the futile +black missile had vanished.</p> + +<p>And then—then the city was +gone....</p> + +<p>A white cloud-bank billowed and +mushroomed. Slowly, it seemed to the +watcher—so slowly.</p> + +<p>It was done in the fraction of a second. +Yet in that brief time his eyes +registered the chaotic sweep in advance +of the cloud. There came a +crashing of buildings in some monster +whirlwind, a white cloud engulfing it +all.... It was rising—was on them.</p> + +<p>"God," thought Thurston, "why can't +I move!" The plane lifted and lurched. +A thunder of sound crashed against +them, an intolerable force. They were +crushed to the floor as the plane was +hurled over and upward.</p> + +<p>Out of the mad whirling tangle of +flying bodies, Thurston glimpsed one +clear picture. The face of the pilot +hung battered and blood-covered before +him, and over the limp body the hand +of Slim Riley clutched at the switch.</p> + +<p>"Bully boy," he said dazedly, "he's +cutting the motors...." The thought +ended in blackness.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page174" name="page174">[174]</a></span> +There was no sound of engines or +beating propellers when he came to +his senses. Something lay heavy upon +him. He pushed it to one side. It was +the body of General Lozier.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> drew himself to his knees to +look slowly about, rubbed stupidly +at his eyes to quiet the whirl, then +stared at the blood on his hand. It +was so quiet—the motors—what was it +that happened? Slim had reached for +the switch....</p> + +<p>The whirling subsided. Before him +he saw Slim Riley at the controls. He +got to his feet and went unsteadily forward. +It was a battered face that was +lifted to his.</p> + +<p>"She was spinning," the puffed lips +were muttering slowly. "I brought her +out ... there's the field...." His voice +was thick; he formed the words slowly, +painfully. "Got to land ... can +you take it? I'm—I'm—" He slumped +limply in his seat.</p> + +<p>Thurston's arms were uninjured. He +dragged the pilot to the floor and got +back of the wheel. The field was below +them. There were planes taxiing +out; he heard the roar of their motors. +He tried the controls. The plane answered +stiffly, but he managed to level +off as the brown field approached.</p> + +<p>Thurston never remembered that +landing. He was trying to drag Riley +from the battered plane when the first +man got to him.</p> + +<p>"Secretary of War?" he gasped. "In +there.... Take Riley; I can walk."</p> + +<p>"We'll get them," an officer assured +him. "Knew you were coming. They +sure gave you hell! But look at the +city!"</p> + +<p>Arms carried him stumbling from the +field. Above the low hangars he saw +smoke clouds over the bay. These and +red rolling flames marked what had +been an American city. Far in the +heavens moved five glinting specks.</p> + +<p>His head reeled with the thunder of +engines. There were planes standing +in lines and more erupting from +hangars, where khaki-clad men, faces +tense under leather helmets, rushed +swiftly about.</p> + +<p>"General Lozier is dead," said a +voice. Thurston turned to the man. +They were bringing the others. "The +rest are smashed up some," the officer +told him, "but I think they'll pull +through."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> Secretary of War for the +United States lay beside him. Men +with red on their sleeves were slitting +his coat. Through one good eye he +squinted at Thurston. He even managed +a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, I wanted to see them up +close," he said. "They say you saved +us, old man."</p> + +<p>Thurston waved that aside. "Thank +Riley—" he began, but the words ended +in the roar of an exhaust. A plane +darted swiftly away to shoot vertically +a hundred feet in the air. Another followed +and another. In a cloud of brown +dust they streamed endlessly out, +zooming up like angry hornets, eager +to get into the fight.</p> + +<p>"Fast little devils!" the ambulance +man observed. "Here come the big +boys."</p> + +<p>A leviathan went deafeningly past. +And again others came on in quick succession. +Farther up the field, silvery +gray planes with rudders flaunting +their red, white and blue rose circling +to the heights.</p> + +<p>"That's the Navy," was the explanation. +The surgeon straightened the +Secretary's arm. "See them come off +the big airplane carriers!"</p> + +<p>If his remarks were part of his professional +training in removing a patient's +thoughts from his pain, they +were effective. The Secretary stared +out to sea, where two great flat-decked +craft were shooting planes with the +regularity of a rapid fire gun. They +stood out sharply against a bank of +gray fog. Cyrus Thurston forgot his +bruised body, forgot his own peril—even +the inferno that raged back across +the bay: he was lost in the sheer thrill +of the spectacle.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page175" name="page175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Above</span> them the sky was alive +with winged shapes. And from +all the disorder there was order appearing. +Squadron after squadron swept +to battle formation. Like flights of +wild ducks the true sharp-pointed Vs +soared off into the sky. Far above and +beyond, rows of dots marked the race +of swift scouts for the upper levels. +And high in the clear air shone the +glittering menace trailing their five +plumes of gas.</p> + +<p>A deeper detonation was merging +into the uproar. It came from the +ships, Thurston knew, where anti-aircraft +guns poured a rain of shells into +the sky. About the invaders they +bloomed into clusters of smoke balls. +The globes shot a thousand feet into +the air. Again the shells found them, +and again they retreated.</p> + +<p>"Look!" said Thurston. "They got +one!"</p> + +<p>He groaned as a long curving arc of +speed showed that the big bulb was under +control. Over the ships it paused, +to balance and swing, then shot to the +zenith as one of the great boats exploded +in a cloud of vapor.</p> + +<p>The following blast swept the airdrome. +Planes yet on the ground went +like dry autumn leaves. The hangars +were flattened.</p> + +<p>Thurston cowered in awe. They were +sheltered, he saw, by a slope of the +ground. No ridicule now for the +bombs!</p> + +<p>A second blast marked when the gas-cloud +ignited. The billowing flames +were blue. They writhed in tortured +convulsions through the air. Endless +explosions merged into one rumbling +roar.</p> + +<p>MacGregor had roused from his stupor; +he raised to a sitting position.</p> + +<p>"Hydrogen," he stated positively, +and pointed where great volumes of +flame were sent whirling aloft. "It +burns as it mixes with air." The scientist +was studying intently the mammoth +reaction. "But the volume," he +marveled, "the volume! From that +small container! Impossible!"</p> + +<p>"Impossible," the Secretary agreed, +"but...." He pointed with his one good +arm toward the Pacific. Two great +ships of steel, blackened and battered +in that fiery breath, tossed helplessly +upon the pitching, heaving sea. They +furnished to the scientist's exclamation +the only adequate reply.</p> + +<p>Each man stared aghast into the pallid +faces of his companions. "I think +we have underestimated the opposition," +said the Secretary of War quietly. +"Look—the fog is coming in, but +it's too late to save them."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> big ships were vanishing in the +oncoming fog. Whirls of vapor +were eddying toward them in the flame-blaster +air. Above them the watchers +saw dimly the five gleaming bulbs. +There were airplanes attacking: the +tapping of machine-gun fire came to +them faintly.</p> + +<p>Fast planes circled and swooped toward +the enemy. An armada of big +planes drove in from beyond. Formations +were blocking space above.... +Every branch of the service was there, +Thurston exulted, the army, Marine +Corps, the Navy. He gripped hard at +the dry ground in a paralysis of taut +nerves. The battle was on, and in the +balance hung the fate of the world.</p> + +<p>The fog drove in fast. Through +straining eyes he tried in vain to +glimpse the drama spread above. The +world grew dark and gray. He buried +his face in his hands.</p> + +<p>And again came the thunder. The +men on the ground forced their gaze +to the clouds, though they knew some +fresh horror awaited.</p> + +<p>The fog-clouds reflected the blue terror +above. They were riven and torn. +And through them black objects were +falling. Some blazed as they fell. +They slipped into unthought maneuvers—they +darted to earth trailing yellow +and black of gasoline fires. The +air was filled with the dread rain of +death that was spewed from the gray +clouds. Gone was the roaring of motors. +The air-force of the San Diego<span class="pagenum"><a id="page176" name="page176">[176]</a></span> +area swept in silence to the earth, +whose impact alone could give kindly +concealment to their flame-stricken +burden.</p> + +<p>Thurston's last control snapped. He +flung himself flat to bury his face in +the sheltering earth.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Only</span> the driving necessity of work +to be done saved the sanity of the +survivors. The commercial broadcasting +stations were demolished, a part of +the fuel for the terrible furnace across +the bay. But the Naval radio station +was beyond on an outlying hill. The +Secretary of War was in charge. An +hour's work and this was again in commission +to flash to the world the story +of disaster. It told the world also of +what lay ahead. The writing was +plain. No prophet was needed to forecast +the doom and destruction that +awaited the earth.</p> + +<p>Civilization was helpless. What of +armies and cannon, of navies, of aircraft, +when from some unreachable +height these monsters within their +bulbous machines could drop coldly—methodically—their +diminutive bombs. +And when each bomb meant shattering +destruction; each explosion blasting all +within a radius of miles; each followed +by the blue blast of fire that melted the +twisted framework of buildings and +powdered the stones to make of a proud +city a desolation of wreckage, black +and silent beneath the cold stars. +There was no crumb of comfort for the +world in the terror the radio told.</p> + +<p>Slim Riley was lying on an improvised +cot when Thurston and the representative +of the Bureau of Standards +joined him. Four walls of a room still +gave shelter in a half-wrecked building. +There were candles burning: the +dark was unbearable.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," said MacGregor quietly; +"we must think...."</p> + +<p>"Think!" Thurston's voice had an +hysterical note. "I can't think! I +mustn't think! I'll go raving crazy...."</p> + +<p>"Yes, think," said the scientist. "Had +it occurred to you that that is our only +weapon left?</p> + +<p>"We must think, we must analyze. +Have these devils a vulnerable spot? +Is there any known means of attack? +We do not know. We must learn. +Here in this room we have all the direct +information the world possesses of +this menace. I have seen their machines +in operation. You have seen +more—you have looked at the monsters +themselves. At one of them, anyway."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> man's voice was quiet, methodical. +Mr. MacGregor was attacking +a problem. Problems called for +concentration; not hysterics. He could +have poured the contents from a beaker +without spilling a drop. His poise was +needed: they were soon to make a laboratory +experiment.</p> + +<p>The door burst open to admit a wild-eyed +figure that snatched up their candles +and dashed them to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Lights out!" he screamed at them. +"There's one of 'em coming back." He +was gone from the room.</p> + +<p>The men sprang for the door, then +turned to where Riley was clumsily +crawling from his couch. An arm under +each of his, and the three men +stumbled from the room.</p> + +<p>They looked about them in the night. +The fog-banks were high, drifting in +from the ocean. Beneath them the air +was clear; from somewhere above a hidden +moon forced a pale light through +the clouds. And over the ocean, close +to the water, drifted a familiar shape. +Familiar in its huge sleek roundness, +in its funnel-shaped base where a soft +roar made vaporous clouds upon the +water. Familiar, too, in the wild dread +it inspired.</p> + +<p>The watchers were spellbound. To +Thurston there came a fury of impotent +frenzy. It was so near! His +hands trembled to tear at that door, +to rip at that foul mass he knew was +within.... The great bulb drifted +past. It was nearing the shore. But +its action! Its motion!</p> + +<p>Gone was the swift certainty of con<span class="pagenum"><a id="page177" name="page177">[177]</a></span>trol. +The thing settled and sank, to +rise weakly with a fresh blast of gas +from its exhaust. It settled again, and +passed waveringly on in the night.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Thurston</span> was throbbingly alive +with hope that was certainty. "It's +been hit," he exulted; "it's been hit. +Quick! After it, follow it!" He +dashed for a car. There were some +that had been salvaged from the less +ruined buildings. He swung it quickly +around where the others were waiting.</p> + +<p>"Get a gun," he commanded. "Hey, +you,"—to an officer who appeared—"your +pistol, man, quick! We're going +after it!" He caught the tossed +gun and hurried the others into the +car.</p> + +<p>"Wait," MacGregor commanded. +"Would you hunt elephants with a pop-gun? +Or these things?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the other told him, "or my +bare hands! Are you coming, or aren't +you?"</p> + +<p>The physicist was unmoved. "The +creature you saw—you said that it +writhed in a bright light—you said it +seemed almost in agony. There's an +idea there! Yes, I'm going with you, +but keep your shirt on, and think."</p> + +<p>He turned again to the officer. "We +need lights," he explained, "bright +lights. What is there? Magnesium? +Lights of any kind?"</p> + +<p>"Wait." The man rushed off into +the dark.</p> + +<p>He was back in a moment to thrust +a pistol into the car. "Flares," he explained. +"Here's a flashlight, if you +need it." The car tore at the ground +as Thurston opened it wide. He drove +recklessly toward the highway that followed +the shore.</p> + +<p>The high fog had thinned to a mist. +A full moon was breaking through to +touch with silver the white breakers +hissing on the sand. It spread its full +glory on dunes and sea: one more of +the countless soft nights where peace +and calm beauty told of an ageless existence +that made naught of the red +havoc of men or of monsters. It shone +on the ceaseless surf that had beaten +these shores before there were men, +that would thunder there still when +men were no more. But to the tense +crouching men in the car it shone only +ahead on a distant, glittering speck. A +wavering reflection marked the uncertain +flight of the stricken enemy.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Thurston</span> drove like a maniac; +the road carried them straight toward +their quarry. What could he do +when he overtook it? He neither knew +nor cared. There was only the blind +fury forcing him on within reach of +the thing. He cursed as the lights of +the car showed a bend in the road. It +was leaving the shore.</p> + +<p>He slackened their speed to drive +cautiously into the sand. It dragged +at the car, but he fought through to +the beach, where he hoped for firm +footing. The tide was out. They tore +madly along the smooth sand, breakers +clutching at the flying wheels.</p> + +<p>The strange aircraft was nearer; it +was plainly over the shore, they saw. +Thurston groaned as it shot high in the +air in an effort to clear the cliffs ahead. +But the heights were no longer a refuge. +Again it settled. It struck on +the cliff to rebound in a last futile leap. +The great pear shape tilted, then shot +end over end to crash hard on the firm +sand. The lights of the car struck the +wreck, and they saw the shell roll over +once. A ragged break was opening—the +spherical top fell slowly to one +side. It was still rocking as they +brought the car to a stop. Filling the +lower shell, they saw dimly, was a +mucouslike mass that seethed and +struggled in the brilliance of their +lights.</p> + +<p>MacGregor was persisting in his theory. +"Keep the lights on it!" he +shouted. "It can't stand the light."</p> + +<p>While they watched, the hideous, +bubbling beast oozed over the side of +the broken shell to shelter itself in +the shadow beneath. And again Thurston +sensed the pulse and throb of life +in the monstrous mass.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page178" name="page178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> saw again in his rage the +streaming rain of black airplanes; +saw, too, the bodies, blackened +and charred as they saw them when +first they tried rescue from the crashed +ships; the smoke clouds and flames +from the blasted city, where people—his +people, men and women and little +children—had met terrible death. He +sprang from the car. Yet he faltered +with a revulsion that was almost a +nausea. His gun was gripped in his +hand as he ran toward the monster.</p> + +<p>"Come back!" shouted MacGregor. +"Come back! Have you gone mad?" +He was jerking at the door of the car.</p> + +<p>Beyond the white funnel of their +lights a yellow thing was moving. It +twisted and flowed with incredible +speed a hundred feet back to the base +of the cliff. It drew itself together in +a quivering heap.</p> + +<p>An out-thrusting rock threw a sheltering +shadow; the moon was low in +the west. In the blackness a phosphorescence +was apparent. It rippled and +rose in the dark with the pulsing beat +of the jellylike mass. And through it +were showing two discs. Gray at first, +they formed to black, staring eyes.</p> + +<p>Thurston had followed. His gun was +raised as he neared it. Then out of +the mass shot a serpentine arm. It +whipped about him, soft, sticky, viscid—utterly +loathsome. He screamed once +when it clung to his face, then tore +savagely and in silence at the encircling +folds.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> gun! He ripped a blinding +mass from his face and emptied +the automatic in a stream of shots +straight toward the eyes. And he +knew as he fired that the effort was +useless; to have shot at the milky surf +would have been as vain.</p> + +<p>The thing was pulling him irresistibly; +he sank to his knees; it dragged +him over the sand. He clutched at a +rock. A vision was before him: the +carcass of a steer, half absorbed and +still bleeding on the sand of an Arizona +desert....</p> + +<p>To be drawn to the smothering embrace +of that glutinous mass ... for +that monstrous appetite.... He tore +afresh at the unyielding folds, then +knew MacGregor was beside him.</p> + +<p>In the man's hand was a flashlight. +The scientist risked his life on a guess. +He thrust the powerful light into the +clinging serpent. It was like the touch +of hot iron to human flesh. The arm +struggled and flailed in a paroxysm of +pain.</p> + +<p>Thurston was free. He lay gasping +on the sand. But MacGregor!... +He looked up to see him vanish in the +clinging ooze. Another thick tentacle +had been projected from the main mass +to sweep like a whip about the man. +It hissed as it whirled about him in +the still air.</p> + +<p>The flashlight was gone; Thurston's +hand touched it in the sand. He sprang +to his feet and pressed the switch. No +light responded; the flashlight was out—broken.</p> + +<p>A thick arm slashed and wrapped +about him.... It beat him to the +ground. The sand was moving beneath +him; he was being dragged swiftly, +helplessly, toward what waited in the +shadow. He was smothering.... A +blinding glare filled his eyes....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> flares were still burning when +he dared look about. MacGregor +was pulling frantically at his arm. +"Quick—quick!" he was shouting. +Thurston scrambled to his feet.</p> + +<p>One glimpse he caught of a heaving +yellow mass in the white light; it +twisted in horrible convulsions. They +ran stumblingly—drunkenly—toward +the car.</p> + +<p>Riley was half out of the machine. +He had tried to drag himself to their +assistance. "I couldn't make it," he +said: "then I thought of the flares."</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven," said MacGregor +with emphasis, "it was your legs that +were paralyzed, Riley, not your brain."</p> + +<p>Thurston found his voice. "Let me +have that Very pistol. If light hurts +that damn thing, I am going to put a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page179" name="page179">[179]</a></span> +blaze of magnesium into the middle +of it if I die for it."</p> + +<p>"They're all gone," said Riley.</p> + +<p>"Then let's get out of here. I've had +enough. We can come back later on."</p> + +<p>He got back of the wheel and +slammed the door of the sedan. The +moonlight was gone. The darkness +was velvet just tinged with the gray +that precedes the dawn. Back in the +deeper blackness at the cliff-base a +phosphorescent something wavered and +glowed. The light rippled and flowed +in all directions over the mass. +Thurston felt, vaguely, its mystery—the +bulk was a vast, naked brain; its +quiverings were like visible thought +waves....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> phosphorescence grew brighter. +The thing was approaching. +Thurston let in his clutch, but the scientist +checked him.</p> + +<p>"Wait," he implored, "wait! I +wouldn't miss this for the world." He +waved toward the east, where far distant +ranges were etched in palest rose.</p> + +<p>"We know less than nothing of these +creatures, in what part of the universe +they are spawned, how they live, where +they live—Saturn!—Mars!—the Moon! +But—we shall soon know how one +dies!"</p> + +<p>The thing was coming from the cliff. +In the dim grayness it seemed less +yellow, less fluid. A membrane enclosed +it. It was close to the car. Was +it hunger that drove it, or cold rage +for these puny opponents? The hollow +eyes were glaring; a thick arm formed +quickly to dart out toward the car. A +cloud, high above, caught the color of +approaching day....</p> + +<p>Before their eyes the vile mass +pulsed visibly; it quivered and beat. +Then, sensing its danger, it darted like +some headless serpent for its machine.</p> + +<p>It massed itself about the shattered +top to heave convulsively. The top was +lifted, carried toward the rest of the +great metal egg. The sun's first rays +made golden arrows through the distant +peaks.</p> + +<p>The struggling mass released its burden +to stretch its vile length toward +the dark caves under the cliffs. The +last sheltering fog-veil parted. The +thing was <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from half-way">halfway</ins> to the high bank +when the first bright shaft of direct +sunlight shot through.</p> + +<p>Incredible in the concealment of +night, the vast protoplasmic pod was +doubly so in the glare of day. But it +was there before them, not a hundred +feet distant. And it boiled in vast tortured +convulsions. The clean sunshine +struck it, and the mass heaved itself +into the air in a nauseous eruption, +then fell limply to the earth.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> yellow membrane turned +paler. Once more the staring +black eyes formed to turn hopelessly +toward the sheltering globe. Then the +bulk flattened out on the sand. It was +a jellylike mound, through which trembled +endless quivering palpitations.</p> + +<p>The sun struck hot, and before the +eyes of the watching, speechless men +was a sickening, horrible sight—a +festering mass of corruption.</p> + +<p>The sickening yellow was liquid. It +seethed and bubbled with liberated +gases; it decomposed to purplish fluid +streams. A breath of wind blew in +their direction. The stench from the +hideous pool was overpowering, unbearable. +Their heads swam in the evil +breath.... Thurston ripped the gears +into reverse, nor stopped until they +were far away on the clean sand.</p> + +<p>The tide was coming in when they +returned. Gone was the vile putrescence. +The waves were lapping at the +base of the gleaming machine.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to work fast," said MacGregor. +"I must know, I must learn." +He drew himself up and into the shattered +shell.</p> + +<p>It was of metal, some forty feet +across, its framework a maze of latticed +struts. The central part was +clear. Here in a wide, shallow pan the +monster had rested. Below this was +tubing, intricate coils, massive, heavy +and strong. MacGregor lowered him<span class="pagenum"><a id="page180" name="page180">[180]</a></span>self +upon it, Thurston was beside him. +They went down into the dim bowels +of the deadly instrument.</p> + +<p>"Hydrogen," the physicist was stating. +"Hydrogen—there's our starting +point. A generator, obviously, forming +the gas—from what? They couldn't +compress it! They couldn't carry it +or make it, not the volume that they +evolved. But they did it, they did it!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Close</span> to the coils a dim light was +glowing. It was a pin-point of +radiance in the half-darkness about +them. The two men bent closer.</p> + +<p>"See," directed MacGregor, "it +strikes on this mirror—bright metal +and parabolic. It disperses the light, +doesn't concentrate it! Ah! Here is +another, and another. This one is bent—broken. +They are adjustable. Hm! +Micrometer accuracy for reducing the +light. The last one could reflect +through this slot. It's light that does +it, Thurston, it's light that does it!"</p> + +<p>"Does what?" Thurston had followed +the other's analysis of the diffusion +process. "The light that would +finally reach that slot would be hardly +perceptible."</p> + +<p>"It's the agent," said MacGregor, +"the activator—the catalyst! What +does it strike upon? I must know—I +must!"</p> + +<p>The waves were splashing outside +the shell. Thurston turned in a feverish +search of the unexplored depths. +There was a surprising simplicity, an +absence of complicated mechanism. +The generator, with its tremendous +braces to carry its thrust to the framework +itself, filled most of the space. +Some of the ribs were thicker, he noticed. +Solid metal, as if they might +carry great weights. Resting upon +them were ranged numbers of objects. +They were like eggs, slender, and +inches in length. On some were <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'propellors'">propellers</ins>. +They worked through the +shells on long slender rods. Each was +threaded finely—an adjustable arm engaged +the thread. Thurston called excitedly +to the other.</p> + +<p>"Here they are," he said. "Look! +Here are the shells. Here's what blew +us up!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> pointed to the slim shafts with +their little <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'propellorlike'">propellerlike</ins> fans. +"Adjustable, see? Unwind in their +fall ... set 'em for any length of travel +... fires the charge in the air. That's +how they wiped out our air fleet."</p> + +<p>There were others without the <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'propellors'">propellers</ins>; +they had fins to hold them nose +downward. On each nose was a small +rounded cap.</p> + +<p>"Detonators of some sort," said MacGregor. +"We've got to have one. We +must get it out quick; the tide's coming +in." He laid his hands upon one of +the slim, egg-shaped things. He lifted, +then strained mightily. But the object +did not rise; it only rolled sluggishly.</p> + +<p>The scientist stared at it amazed. +"Specific gravity," he exclaimed, "beyond +anything known! There's nothing +on earth ... there is no such substance +... no form of matter...." His +eyes were incredulous.</p> + +<p>"Lots to learn," Thurston answered +grimly. "We've yet to learn how to +fight off the other four."</p> + +<p>The other nodded. "Here's the +secret," he said. "These shells liberate +the same gas that drives the machine. +Solve one and we solve both—then we +learn how to combat it. But how to remove +it—that is the problem. You and +I can never lift this out of here."</p> + +<p>His glance darted about. There was +a small door in the metal beam. The +groove in which the shells were placed +led to it; it was a port for launching +the projectiles. He moved it, opened +it. A dash of spray struck him in the +face. He glanced inquiringly at his +companion.</p> + +<p>"Dare we do it?" he asked. "Slide +one of them out?"</p> + +<p>Each man looked long into the eyes +of the other. Was this, then, the end +of their terrible night? One shell to +be dropped—then a bursting volcano +to blast them to eternity....</p> + +<p>"The boys in the planes risked it,"<span class="pagenum"><a id="page181" name="page181">[181]</a></span> +said Thurston quietly. "They got +theirs." He stopped for a broken fragment +of steel. "Try one with a fan on; +it hasn't a detonator."</p> + +<p>The men pried at the slim thing. It +slid slowly toward the open port. One +heave and it balanced on the edge, then +vanished abruptly. The spray was cold +on their faces. They breathed heavily +with the realization that they still +lived.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">There</span> were days of horror that +followed, horror tempered by a +numbing paralysis of all emotions. +There were bodies by thousands to be +heaped in the pit where San Diego had +stood, to be buried beneath countless +tons of debris and dirt. Trains brought +an army of helpers; airplanes came +with doctors and nurses and the beginning +of a mountain of supplies. The +need was there; it must be met. Yet +the whole world was waiting while it +helped, waiting for the next blow to +fall.</p> + +<p>Telegraph service was improvised, +and radio receivers rushed in. The +news of the world was theirs once +more. And it told of a terrified, waiting +world. There would be no temporizing +now on the part of the invaders. +They had seen the airplanes +swarming from the ground—they +would know an airdrome next time +from the air. Thurston had noted the +windows in the great shell, windows +of dull-colored glass which would protect +the darkness of the interior, essential +to life for the horrible occupant, +but through which it could see. +It could watch all directions at once.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> great shell had vanished from +the shore. Pounding waves and +the shifting sands of high tide had obliterated +all trace. More than once had +Thurston uttered devout thanks for the +chance shell from an anti-aircraft gun +that had entered the funnel beneath the +machine, had bent and twisted the arrangement +of mirrors that he and MacGregor +had seen, and, exploding, had +cracked and broken the domed roof of +the bulb. They had learned little, but +MacGregor was up north within reach +of Los Angeles laboratories. And he +had with him the slim cylinder of +death. He was studying, thinking.</p> + +<p>Telephone service had been established +for official business. The whole +nation-wide system, for that matter, +was under military control. The Secretary +of War had flown back to Washington. +The whole world was on a war +basis. War! And none knew where +they should defend themselves, nor +how.</p> + +<p>An orderly rushed Thurston to the +telephone. "You are wanted at once; +Los Angeles calling."</p> + +<p>The voice of MacGregor was cool +and unhurried as Thurston listened. +"Grab a plane, old man," he was saying, +"and come up here on the jump."</p> + +<p>The phrase brought a grim smile to +Thurston's tired lips. "Hell's popping!" +the Secretary of War had added +on that evening those long ages before. +Did MacGregor have something? Was +a different kind of hell preparing to +pop? The thoughts flashed through the +listener's mind.</p> + +<p>"I need a good deputy," MacGregor +said. "You may be the whole works—may +have to carry on—but I'll tell you +it all later. Meet me at the Biltmore."</p> + +<p>"In less than two hours," Thurston +assured him.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A plane</span> was at his disposal. +Riley's legs were functioning +again, after a fashion. They kept the +appointment with minutes to spare.</p> + +<p>"Come on," said MacGregor, "I'll +talk to you in the car." The automobile +whirled them out of the city to +race off upon a winding highway that +climbed into far hills. There was +twenty miles of this; MacGregor had +time for his talk.</p> + +<p>"They've struck," he told the two +men. "They were over Germany yesterday. +The news was kept quiet: I +got the last report a half-hour ago. +They pretty well wiped out Berlin. No<span class="pagenum"><a id="page182" name="page182">[182]</a></span> +air-force there. France and England +sent a swarm of planes, from the reports. +Poor devils! No need to tell +you what they got. We've seen it first +hand. They headed west over the Atlantic, +the four machines. Gave England +a burst or two from high up, +paused over New York, then went on. +But they're here somewhere, we think. +Now listen:</p> + +<p>"How long was it from the time when +you saw the first monster until we +heard from them again?"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Thurston</span> forced his mind back +to those days that seemed so far +in the past. He tried to remember.</p> + +<p>"Four days," broke in Riley. "It was +the fourth day after we found the devil +feeding."</p> + +<p>"Feeding!" interrupted the scientist. +"That's the point I am making. Four +days. Remember that!</p> + +<p>"And we knew they were down in +the Argentine five days ago—that's another +item kept from an hysterical +public. They slaughtered some thousands +of cattle; there were scores of +them found where the devils—I'll borrow +Riley's word—where the devils +had fed. Nothing left but hide and +bones.</p> + +<p>"And—mark this—that was four days +before they appeared over Berlin.</p> + +<p>"Why? Don't ask me. Do they have +to lie quiet for that period miles up +there in space? God knows. Perhaps! +These things seem outside the knowledge +of a deity. But enough of that! +Remember: four days! Let us assume +that there is this four days waiting +period. It will help us to time them. +I'll come back to that later.</p> + +<p>"Here is what I have been doing. +We know that light is a means of attack. +I believe that the detonators we +saw on those bombs merely opened a +seal in the shell and forced in a flash +of some sort. I believe that radiant +energy is what fires the blast.</p> + +<p>"What is it that explodes? Nobody +knows. We have opened the shell, +working in the absolute blackness of a +room a hundred feet underground. We +found in it a powder—two powders, to +be exact.</p> + +<p>"They are mixed. One is finely divided, +the other rather granular. Their +specific gravity is enormous, beyond +anything known to physical science +unless it would be the hypothetical +neutron masses we think are in certain +stars. But this is not matter as we +know matter; it is something new.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">O</span><span class="dcap">ur</span> theory is this: the hydrogen +atom has been split, resolved +into components, not of electrons and +the proton centers, but held at some +halfway point of decomposition. Matter +composed only of neutrons would +be heavy beyond belief. This fits the +theory in that respect. But the point is +this: When these solids are formed—they +are dense—they represent in a +cubic centimeter possibly a cubic mile +of hydrogen gas under normal pressure. +That's a guess, but it will give +you the idea.</p> + +<p>"Not compressed, you understand, +but all the elements present in other +than elemental form for the reconstruction +of the atom ... for a million billions +of atoms.</p> + +<p>"Then the light strikes it. These +dense solids become instantly a gas—miles +of it held in that small space.</p> + +<p>"There you have it: the gas, the explosion, +the entire absence of heat—which +is to say, its terrific cold—when +it expands."</p> + +<p>Slim Riley was looking bewildered +but game. "Sure, I saw it snow," he +affirmed, "so I guess the rest must be +O.K. But what are we going to do +about it? You say light kills 'em, and +fires their bombs. But how can we let +light into those big steel shells, or the +little ones either?"</p> + +<p>"Not through those thick walls," said +MacGregor. "Not light. One of our +anti-aircraft shells made a direct hit. +That might not happen again in a million +shots. But there are other forms +of radiant energy that do penetrate +steel...."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page183" name="page183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> car had stopped beside a +grove of eucalyptus. A barren, +sun-baked hillside stretched beyond. +MacGregor motioned them to alight.</p> + +<p>Riley was afire with optimism. "And +do you believe it?" he asked eagerly. +"Do you believe that we've got 'em +licked?"</p> + +<p>Thurston, too, looked into MacGregor's +face: Riley was not the only +one who needed encouragement. But +the gray eyes were suddenly tired and +hopeless.</p> + +<p>"You ask what I believe," said the +scientist slowly. "I believe we are witnessing +the end of the world, our +world of humans, their struggles, their +grave hopes and happiness and aspirations...."</p> + +<p>He was not looking at them. His +gaze was far off in space.</p> + +<p>"Men will struggle and fight with +their puny weapons, but these monsters +will win, and they will have their +way with us. Then more of them will +come. The world, I believe, is +doomed...."</p> + +<p>He straightened his shoulders. "But +we can die fighting," he added, and +pointed over the hill.</p> + +<p>"Over there," he said, "in the valley +beyond, is a charge of their explosive +and a little apparatus of mine. I intend +to fire the charge from a distance +of three hundred yards. I expect to be +safe, perfectly safe. But accidents +happen.</p> + +<p>"In Washington a plane is being prepared. +I have given instructions +through hours of phoning. They are +working night and day. It will contain +a huge generator for producing +my ray. Nothing new! Just the product +of our knowledge of radiant energy +up to date. But the man who flies that +plane will die—horribly. No time to +experiment with protection. The rays +will destroy him, though he may live a +month.</p> + +<p>"I am asking you," he told Cyrus +Thurston, "to handle that plane. You +may be of service to the world—you +may find you are utterly powerless. +You surely will die. But you know +the machines and the monsters; your +knowledge may be of value in an attack." +He waited. The silence lasted +for only a moment.</p> + +<p>"Why, sure," said Cyrus Thurston.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> looked at the eucalyptus grove +with earnest appraisal. The sun +made lovely shadows among their +stripped trunks: the world was a beautiful +place. A lingering death, MacGregor +had intimated—and horrible.... +"Why, sure," he repeated steadily.</p> + +<p>Slim Riley shoved him firmly aside +to stand facing MacGregor.</p> + +<p>"Sure, hell!" he said. "I'm your man, +Mr. MacGregor.</p> + +<p>"What do you know about flying?" +he asked Cyrus Thurston. "You're +good—for a beginner. But men like +you two have got brains, and I'm thinkin' +the world will be needin' them. +Now me, all I'm good for is holdin' a +shtick"—his brogue had returned to +his speech, and was evidence of his +earnestness.</p> + +<p>"And, besides"—the smile faded +from his lips, and his voice was suddenly +soft—"them boys we saw take +their last flip was just pilots to you, +just a bunch of good fighters. Well, +they're buddies of mine. I fought beside +some of them in France.... I belong!"</p> + +<p>He grinned happily at Thurston. +"Besides," he said, "what do you know +about dog-fights?"</p> + +<p>MacGregor gripped him by the hand. +"You win," he said. "Report to Washington. +The Secretary of War has all +the dope."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> turned to Thurston. "Now for +you! Get this! The enemy +machines almost attacked New York. +One of them came low, then went back, +and the four flashed out of sight toward +the west. It is my belief that +New York is next, but the devils are +hungry. The beast that attacked us +was ravenous, remember. They need +food and lots of it. You will hear of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page184" name="page184">[184]</a></span> +their feeding, and you can count on +four days. Keep Riley informed—that's +your job.</p> + +<p>"Now I'm going over the hill. If +this experiment works, there's a chance +we can repeat it on a larger scale. No +certainty, but a chance! I'll be back. +Full instructions at the hotel in +case...." He vanished into the scrub +growth.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly encouraging," Thurston +pondered, "but he's a good man, Mac, +a good egg! Not as big a brain as the +one we saw, but perhaps it's a better +one—cleaner—and it's working!"</p> + +<p>They were sheltered under the brow +of the hill, but the blast from the valley +beyond rocked them like an earthquake. +They rushed to the top of the +knoll. MacGregor was standing in the +valley; he waved them a greeting and +shouted something unintelligible.</p> + +<p>The gas had mushroomed into a +cloud of steamy vapor. From above +came snowflakes to whirl in the churning +mass, then fall to the ground. A +wind came howling about them to beat +upon the cloud. It swirled slowly back +and down the valley. The figure of +MacGregor vanished in its smothering +embrace.</p> + +<p>"Exit, MacGregor!" said Cyrus +Thurston softly. He held tight to the +struggling figure of Slim Riley.</p> + +<p>"He couldn't live a minute in that +atmosphere of hydrogen," he explained. +"They can—the devils!—but +not a good egg like Mac. It's our job +now—yours and mine."</p> + +<p>Slowly the gas retreated, lifted to +permit their passage down the slope.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">MacGregor</span> was a good +prophet. Thurston admitted that +when, four days later, he stood on the +roof of the Equitable Building in +lower New York.</p> + +<p>The monsters had fed as predicted. +Out in Wyoming a desolate area +marked the place of their meal, where +a great herd of cattle lay smothered +and frozen. There were ranch houses, +too, in the circle of destruction, their +occupants frozen stiff as the carcasses +that dotted the plains. The country +had stood tense for the following blow. +Only Thurston had lived in certainty +of a few days reprieve. And now had +come the fourth day.</p> + +<p>In Washington was Riley. Thurston +had been in touch with him frequently.</p> + +<p>"Sure, it's a crazy machine," the pilot +had told him, "and 'tis not much I +think of it at all. Neither bullets nor +guns, just this big glass contraption +and speed. She's fast, man, she's fast +... but it's little hope I have." And +Thurston, remembering the scientist's +words, was heartless and sick with +dreadful certainty.</p> + +<p>There were aircraft ready near New +York; it was generally felt that here +was the next objective. The enemy +had looked it over carefully. And +Washington, too, was guarded. The +nation's capital must receive what little +help the aircraft could afford.</p> + +<p>There were other cities waiting for +destruction. If not this time—later! +The horror hung over them all.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> fourth day! And Thurston +was suddenly certain of the fate +of New York. He hurried to a telephone. +Of the Secretary of War he +implored assistance.</p> + +<p>"Send your planes," he begged. +"Here's where we will get it next. +Send Riley. Let's make a last stand—win +or lose."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you a squadron," was the +concession. "What difference whether +they die there or here...?" The voice +was that of a weary man, weary and +sleepless and hopeless.</p> + +<p>"Good-by Cy, old man!" The click +of the receiver sounded in Thurston's +ear. He returned to the roof for his +vigil.</p> + +<p>To wait, to stride nervously back +and forth in impotent expectancy. He +could leave, go out into open country, +but what were a few days or months—or +a year—with this horror upon them? +It was the end. MacGregor was right. +"Good old Mac!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page185" name="page185">[185]</a></span> +There were airplanes roaring overhead. +It meant.... Thurston abruptly +was cold; a chill gripped at his heart.</p> + +<p>The paroxysm passed. He was +doubled with laughter—or was it he +who was laughing? He was suddenly +buoyantly carefree. Who was he that +it mattered? Cyrus Thurston—an ant! +And their ant-hill was about to be +snuffed out....</p> + +<p>He walked over to a waiting group +and clapped one man on the shoulder. +"Well, how does it feel to be an ant?" +he inquired and laughed loudly at the +jest. "You and your millions of dollars, +your acres of factories, your +steamships, railroads!"</p> + +<p>The man looked at him strangely and +edged cautiously away. His eyes, like +those of the others, had a dazed, +stricken look. A woman was sobbing +softly as she clung to her husband. +From the streets far below came a quavering +shrillness of sound.</p> + +<p>The planes gathered in climbing +circles. Far on the horizon were four +tiny glinting specks....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Thurston</span> stared until his eyes +were stinging. He was walking in +a waking sleep as he made his way to +the stone coping beyond which was +the street far below. He was dead—dead!—right +this minute. What were +a few minutes more or less? He could +climb over the coping; none of the +huddled, fear-gripped group would +stop him. He could step out into space +and fool them, the devils. They could +never kill him....</p> + +<p>What was it MacGregor had said? +Good egg, MacGregor! "But we can +die fighting...." Yes, that was it—die +fighting. But he couldn't fight; he +could only wait. Well, what were the +others doing, down there in the streets—in +their homes? He could wait with +them, die with them....</p> + +<p>He straightened slowly and drew one +long breath. He looked steadily and +unafraid at the advancing specks. +They were larger now. He could see +their round forms. The planes were +less noisy: they were far up in the +heights—climbing—climbing.</p> + +<p>The bulbs came slantingly down. +They were separating. Thurston wondered +vaguely.</p> + +<p>What had they done in Berlin? Yes, +he remembered. Placed themselves at +the four corners of a great square and +wiped out the whole city in one explosion. +Four bombs dropped at the same +instant while they shot up to safety in +the thin air. How did they communicate? +Thought transference, most +likely. Telepathy between those great +brains, one to another. A plane was +falling. It curved and swooped in a +trail of flame, then fell straight toward +the earth. They were fighting....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Thurston</span> stared above. There +were clusters of planes diving +down from on high. Machine-guns +stuttered faintly. "Machine-guns—toys! +Brave, that was it! 'We can die +fighting.'" His thoughts were far off; +it was like listening to another's mind.</p> + +<p>The air was filled with swelling +clouds. He saw them before the blast +struck where he stood. The great +building shuddered at the impact. +There were things falling from the +clouds, wrecks of planes, blazing and +shattered. Still came others; he saw +them faintly through the clouds. They +came in from the West; they had gone +far to gain altitude. They drove down +from the heights—the enemy had drifted—they +were over the bay.</p> + +<p>More clouds, and another blast thundering +at the city. There were specks, +Thurston saw, falling into the water.</p> + +<p>Again the invaders came down from +the heights where they had escaped +their own shattering attack. There was +the faint roar of motors behind, from +the south. The squadron from Washington +passed overhead.</p> + +<p>They surely had seen the fate that +awaited. And they drove on to the attack, +to strike at an enemy that shot +instantly into the sky leaving crashing +destruction about the torn dead.</p> + +<p>"Now!" said Cyrus Thurston aloud.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page186" name="page186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> big bulbs were back. They +floated easily in the air, a plume of +vapor billowing beneath. They were +ranging to the four corners of a great +square.</p> + +<p>One plane only was left, coming in +from the south, a lone straggler, late +for the fray. One plane! Thurston's +shoulders sagged heavily. All they had +left! It went swiftly overhead.... +It was fast—fast. Thurston suddenly +knew. It was Riley in that plane.</p> + +<p>"Go back, you fool!"—he was screaming +at the top of his voice—"Back—back—you +poor, damned, decent Irishman!"</p> + +<p>Tears were streaming down his face. +"His buddies," Riley had said. And +this was Riley, driving swiftly in, +alone, to avenge them....</p> + +<p>He saw dimly as the swift plane sped +over the first bulb, on and over the second. +The soft roar of gas from the +machines drowned the sound of his engine. +The plane passed them in silence +to bank sharply toward the third +corner of the forming square.</p> + +<p>He was looking them over, Thurston +thought. And the damn beasts disregarded +so contemptible an opponent. +He could still leave. "For God's sake, +Riley, beat it—escape!"</p> + +<p>Thurston's mind was solely on the +fate of the lone voyager—until the impossible +was borne in upon him.</p> + +<p>The square was disrupted. Three +great bulbs were now drifting. The +wind was carrying them out toward the +bay. They were coming down in a +long, smooth descent. The plane shot +like a winged rocket at the fourth +great, shining ball. To the watcher, +aghast with sudden hope, it seemed +barely to crawl.</p> + +<p>"The ray! The ray...." Thurston +saw as if straining eyes had pierced +through the distance to see the invisible. +He saw from below the swift <ins class="correction" title="Added comma">plane,</ins> +the streaming, intangible ray. That +was why Riley had flown closely past +and above them—the ray poured from +below. His throat was choking him, +strangling....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> last enemy took alarm. Had it +seen the slow sinking of its companions, +failed to hear them in reply +to his mental call? The shining pear +shape shot violently upward; the attacking +plane rolled to a vertical bank +as it missed the threatening clouds of +exhaust. "What do you know about +dog-fights?" And Riley had grinned +... Riley belonged!</p> + +<p>The bulb swelled before Thurston's +eyes in its swift descent. It canted to +one side to head off the struggling +plane that could never escape, did not +try to escape. The steady wings held +true upon their straight course. From +above came the silver meteor; it seemed +striking at the very plane itself. It was +almost upon it before it belched forth +the cushioning blast of gas.</p> + +<p>Through the forming clouds a plane +bored in swiftly. It rolled slowly, was +flying upside down. It was under the +enemy! Its ray.... Thurston was +thrown a score of feet away to crash +helpless into the stone coping by the +thunderous crash of the explosion.</p> + +<p>There were fragments falling from a +dense cloud—fragments of curved and +silvery metal ... the wing of a plane +danced and fluttered in the air....</p> + +<p>"He fired its bombs," whispered +Thurston in a shaking voice. "He +killed the other devils where they lay—he +destroyed this with its own explosive. +He flew upside down to shoot up +with the ray, to set off its shells...."</p> + +<p>His mind was fumbling with the miracle +of it. "Clever pilot, Riley, in a +dog-fight...." And then he realized.</p> + +<p>Cyrus Thurston, millionaire sportsman, +sank slowly, numbly to the roof +of the Equitable Building that still +stood. And New York was still there +... and the whole world....</p> + +<p>He sobbed weakly, brokenly. +Through his dazed brain flashed a sudden, +mind-saving thought. He laughed +foolishly through his sobs.</p> + +<p>"And you said he'd die horribly, Mac, +a horrible death." His head dropped +upon his arms, unconscious—and safe—with +the rest of humanity.</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page187" name="page187">[187]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="The_Corpse_on_the_Grating" id="The_Corpse_on_the_Grating"></a>The Corpse on the Grating</h2> +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Hugh B. Cave</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/187.png" width="400" height="310" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">It was a corpse, standing before me like some propped-up thing +from the grave.</p> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was ten o'clock on the morning +of December 5 when M. S. and I +left the study of Professor +Daimler. You are perhaps acquainted +with M. S. His name appears +constantly in the pages of the Illustrated +News, in conjunction with some +very technical article +on psycho-analysis +or with +some extensive +study of the human +brain and its +functions. He is +a psycho-fanatic, more or less, and +has spent an entire lifetime of some +seventy-odd years in pulling apart +human skulls for the purpose of investigation. +Lovely pursuit!</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">In the gloomy depths of the old warehouse +Dale saw a thing that drew a +scream of horror to his dry lips. It was +a corpse—the mold of decay on its long-dead +features—and yet it was alive!</p> + +<p>For some twenty years I have +mocked him, in a friendly, half-hearted +fashion. I am a medical man, and my +own profession is one that does not +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'symphathize'">sympathize</ins> with radicals.</p> + +<p>As for Professor Daimler, the third +member of our triangle—perhaps, if I +take a moment to outline the events of +that evening, the Professor's part in +what follows will +be less obscure. +We had called on +him, M. S. and I, +at his urgent request. +His rooms +were in a narrow, +unlighted street just off the square, +and Daimler himself opened the door +to us. A tall, loosely built chap he +was, standing in the doorway like a +motionless ape, arms half extended.</p> + +<p>"I've summoned you, gentlemen," he +said quietly, "because you two, of all<span class="pagenum"><a id="page188" name="page188">[188]</a></span> +London, are the only persons who +know the nature of my recent experiments. +I should like to acquaint you +with the results!"</p> + +<p>He led the way to his study, then +kicked the door shut with his foot, +seizing my arm as he did so. Quietly +he dragged me to the table that stood +against the farther wall. In the same +even, unemotional tone of a man completely +sure of himself, he commanded +me to inspect it.</p> + +<p>For a moment, in the semi-gloom of +the room, I saw nothing. At length, +however, the contents of the table revealed +themselves, and I distinguished +a motley collection of test tubes, each +filled with some fluid. The tubes were +attached to each other by some ingenious +arrangement of thistles, and +at the end of the table, where a chance +blow could not brush it aside, lay a +tiny phial of the resulting serum. +From the appearance of the table, +Daimler had evidently drawn a certain +amount of gas from each of the +smaller tubes, distilling them through +acid into the minute phial at the end. +Yet even now, as I stared down at the +fantastic paraphernalia before me, I +could sense no conclusive reason for +its existence.</p> + +<p>I turned to the Professor with a +quiet stare of bewilderment. He +smiled.</p> + +<p>"The experiment is over," he said. +"As to its conclusion, you, Dale, as a +medical man, will be sceptical. And +you"—turning to M. S.—"as a scientist +you will be amazed. I, being neither +physician nor scientist, am merely +filled with wonder!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> stepped to a long, square table-like +structure in the center of +the room. Standing over it, he glanced +quizzically at M. S., then at me.</p> + +<p>"For a period of two weeks," he +went on, "I have kept, on the table +here, the body of a man who has been +dead more than a month. I have tried, +gentlemen, with acid combinations of +my own origination, to bring that body +back to life. And ... I have—failed!</p> + +<p>"But," he added quickly, noting the +smile that crept across my face, "that +failure was in itself worth more than +the average scientist's greatest achievement! +You know, Dale, that heat, if +a man is not truly dead, will sometimes +resurrect him. In a case of epilepsy, +for instance, victims have been +pronounced dead only to return to life—sometimes +in the grave.</p> + +<p>"I say 'if a man be not truly dead.' +But what if that man <i>is</i> truly dead? +Does the cure alter itself in any manner? +The motor of your car dies—do +you bury it? You do not; you locate +the faulty part, correct it, and infuse +new life. And so, gentlemen, +after remedying the ruptured heart of +this dead man, by operation, I proceeded +to bring him back to life.</p> + +<p>"I used heat. Terrific heat will +sometimes originate a spark of new life +in something long dead. Gentlemen, +on the fourth day of my tests, following +a continued application of electric +and acid heat, the patient—"</p> + +<p>Daimler leaned over the table and +took up a cigarette. <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'Lightning'">Lighting</ins> it, he +dropped the match and resumed his +monologue.</p> + +<p>"The patient turned suddenly over +and drew his arm weakly across his +eyes. I rushed to his side. When I +reached him, the body was once again +stiff and lifeless. And—it has remained +so."</p> + +<p>The Professor stared at us quietly, +waiting for comment. I answered +him, as carelessly as I could, with a +shrug of my shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Professor, have you ever played +with the dead body of a frog?" I said +softly.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> shook his head silently.</p> + +<p>"You would find it interesting +sport," I told him. "Take a common +dry cell battery with enough voltage +to render a sharp shock. Then apply +your wires to various parts of the +frog's anatomy. If you are lucky, and +strike the right set of muscles, you<span class="pagenum"><a id="page189" name="page189">[189]</a></span> +will have the pleasure of seeing a dead +frog leap suddenly forward. Understand, +he will not regain life. You +have merely released his dead muscles +by shock, and sent him bolting."</p> + +<p>The Professor did not reply. I could +feel his eyes on me, and had I turned, +I should probably had found M. S. +glaring at me in honest hate. These +men were students of mesmerism, of +spiritualism, and my commonplace contradiction +was not over welcome.</p> + +<p>"You are cynical, Dale," said M. S. +coldly, "because you do not understand!"</p> + +<p>"Understand? I am a doctor—not a +ghost!"</p> + +<p>But M. S. had turned eagerly to the +Professor.</p> + +<p>"Where is this body—this experiment?" +he demanded.</p> + +<p>Daimler shook his head. Evidently +he had acknowledged failure and did +not intend to drag his dead man before +our eyes, unless he could bring +that man forth alive, upright, and ready +to join our conversation!</p> + +<p>"I've put it away," he said distantly. +"There is nothing more to be done, +now that our reverend doctor has insisted +in making a matter of fact thing +out of our experiment. You understand, +I had not intended to go in for +wholesale resurrection, even if I had +met with success. It was my belief +that a dead body, like a dead piece of +mechanism, can be brought to life +again, provided we are intelligent +enough to discover the secret. And by +God, it is <i>still</i> my belief!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">That</span> was the situation, then, +when M. S. and I paced slowly +back along the narrow street that contained +the Professor's dwelling-place. +My companion was strangely silent. +More than once I felt his eyes upon +me in an uncomfortable stare, yet he +said nothing. Nothing, that is, until +I had opened the conversation with +some casual remark about the lunacy +of the man we had just left.</p> + +<p>"You are wrong in mocking him, +Dale," M. S. replied bitterly. "Daimler +is a man of science. He is no child, +experimenting with a toy; he is a +grown man who has the courage to +believe in his powers. One of these +days...."</p> + +<p>He had intended to say that some +day I should respect the Professor's +efforts. One of these days! The interval +of time was far shorter than +anything so indefinite. The first event, +with its succeeding series of horrors, +came within the next three minutes.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">We</span> had reached a more deserted +section of the square, a black, +uninhabited street extending like a +shadowed band of darkness between +gaunt, high walls. I had noticed for +some time that the stone structure beside +us seemed to be unbroken by door +or window—that it appeared to be a +single gigantic building, black and forbidding. +I mentioned the fact to M. S.</p> + +<p>"The warehouse," he said simply. "A +lonely, God-forsaken place. We shall +probably see the flicker of the watchman's +light in one of the upper chinks."</p> + +<p>At his words, I glanced up. True +enough, the higher part of the grim +structure was punctured by narrow, +barred openings. Safety vaults, probably. +But the light, unless its tiny +gleam was somewhere in the inner recesses +of the warehouse, was dead. +The great building was like an immense +burial vault, a tomb—silent and +lifeless.</p> + +<p>We had reached the most forbidding +section of the narrow street, where a +single arch-lamp overhead cast a halo +of ghastly yellow light over the pavement. +At the very rim of the circle +of illumination, where the shadows +were deeper and more silent, I could +make out the black mouldings of a +heavy iron grating. The bars of metal +were designed, I believe, to seal the +side entrance of the great warehouse +from night marauders. It was bolted +in place and secured with a set of immense +chains, immovable.</p> + +<p>This much I saw as my intent gaze<span class="pagenum"><a id="page190" name="page190">[190]</a></span> +swept the wall before me. This huge +tomb of silence held for me a peculiar +fascination, and as I paced along beside +my gloomy companion, I stared +directly ahead of me into the darkness +of the street. I wish to God my eyes +had been closed or blinded!</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> was hanging on the grating. +Hanging there, with white, +twisted hands clutching the rigid bars +of iron, straining to force them apart. +His whole distorted body was forced +against the barrier, like the form of +a madman struggling to escape from +his cage. His face—the image of it +still haunts me whenever I see iron +bars in the darkness of a passage—was +the face of a man who has died from +utter, stark horror. It was frozen in +a silent shriek of agony, staring out +at me with fiendish maliciousness. Lips +twisted apart. White teeth gleaming +in the light. Bloody eyes, with a horrible +glare of colorless pigment. And—<i>dead</i>.</p> + +<p>I believe M. S. saw him at the very +instant I recoiled. I felt a sudden grip +on my arm; and then, as an exclamation +came harshly from my companion's +lips, I was pulled forward roughly. +I found myself staring straight +into the dead eyes of that fearful thing +before me, found myself standing rigid, +motionless, before the corpse that hung +within reach of my arm.</p> + +<p>And then, through that overwhelming +sense of the horrible, came the +quiet voice of my comrade—the voice +of a man who looks upon death as +nothing more than an opportunity for +research.</p> + +<p>"The fellow has been frightened to +death, Dale. Frightened most horribly. +Note the expression of his +mouth, the evident struggle to force +these bars apart and escape. Something +has driven fear to his soul, killed him."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">I remember</span> the words vaguely. +When M. S. had finished speaking, +I did not reply. Not until he had +stepped forward and bent over the distorted +face of the thing before me, did +I attempt to speak. When I did, my +thoughts were a jargon.</p> + +<p>"What, in God's name," I cried, +"could have brought such horror to a +strong man? What—"</p> + +<p>"Loneliness, perhaps," suggested M. +S. with a smile. "The fellow is evidently +the watchman. He is alone, in +a huge, deserted pit of darkness, for +hours at a time. His light is merely +a ghostly ray of illumination, hardly +enough to do more than increase the +darkness. I have heard of such cases +before."</p> + +<p>He shrugged his shoulders. Even as +he spoke, I sensed the evasion in his +words. When I replied, he hardly +heard my answer, for he had suddenly +stepped forward, where he could look +directly into those fear twisted eyes.</p> + +<p>"Dale," he said at length, turning +slowly to face me, "you ask for an +explanation of this horror? There <i>is</i> +an explanation. It is written with an +almost fearful clearness on this fellow's +mind. Yet if I tell you, you will +return to your old skepticism—your +damnable habit of disbelief!"</p> + +<p>I looked at him quietly. I had heard +M. S. claim, at other times, that he +could read the thoughts of a dead man +by the mental image that lay on that +man's brain. I had laughed at him. +Evidently, in the present moment, he +recalled those laughs. Nevertheless, he +faced me seriously.</p> + +<p>"I can see two things, Dale," he said +deliberately. "One of them is a dark, +narrow room—a room piled with indistinct +boxes and crates, and with an +open door bearing the black number +4167. And in that open doorway, coming +forward with slow steps—alive, +with arms extended and a frightful +face of passion—is a decayed human +form. A corpse, Dale. A man who +has been dead for many days, and is +now—<i>alive</i>!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">M. S.</span> turned slowly and pointed +with upraised hand to the +corpse on the grating.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page191" name="page191">[191]</a></span> +"That is why," he said simply, "this +fellow died from horror."</p> + +<p>His words died into emptiness. For +a moment I stared at him. Then, in +spite of our surroundings, in spite of +the late hour, the loneliness of the +street, the awful thing beside us, I +laughed.</p> + +<p>He turned upon me with a snarl. For +the first time in my life I saw M. S. +convulsed with rage. His old, lined +face had suddenly become savage with +intensity.</p> + +<p>"You laugh at me, Dale," he thundered. +"By God, you make a mockery +out of a science that I have spent more +than my life in studying! You call +yourself a medical man—and you are +not fit to carry the name! I will wager +you, man, that your laughter is not +backed by courage!"</p> + +<p>I fell away from him. Had I stood +within reach, I am sure he would have +struck me. Struck me! And I have +been nearer to M. S. for the past ten +years than any man in London. And +as I retreated from his temper, he +reached forward to seize my arm. I +could not help but feel impressed at +his grim intentness.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Dale," he said bitterly, +"I will wager you a hundred pounds +that you will not spend the remainder +of this night in the warehouse above +you! I will wager a hundred pounds +against your own courage that you will +not back your laughter by going +through what this fellow has gone +through. That you will not prowl +through the corridors of this great +structure until you have found room +4167—<i>and remain in that room until +dawn</i>!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">There</span> was no choice. I glanced +at the dead man, at the face of +fear and the clutching, twisted hands, +and a cold dread filled me. But to refuse +my friend's wager would have +been to brand myself an empty coward. +I had mocked him. Now, whatever the +cost, I must stand ready to pay for that +mockery.</p> + +<p>"Room 4167?" I replied quietly, in a +voice which I made every effort to control, +lest he should discover the tremor +in it. "Very well, I will do it!"</p> + +<p>It was nearly midnight when I found +myself alone, climbing a musty, winding +ramp between the first and second +floors of the deserted building. Not a +sound, except the sharp intake of my +breath and the dismal creak of the +wooden stairs, echoed through that +tomb of death. There was no light, +not even the usual dim glow that is left +to illuminate an unused corridor. +Moreover, I had brought no means of +light with me—nothing but a half +empty box of safety matches which, by +some unholy premonition, I had forced +myself to save for some future moment. +The stairs were black and difficult, +and I mounted them slowly, groping +with both hands along the rough +wall.</p> + +<p>I had left M. S. some few moments +before. In his usual decisive manner +he had helped me to climb the iron +grating and lower myself to the sealed +alley-way on the farther side. Then, +leaving him without a word, for I was +bitter against the triumphant tone of +his parting words, I proceeded into the +darkness, fumbling forward until I had +discovered the open door in the lower +part of the warehouse.</p> + +<p>And then the ramp, winding crazily +upward—upward—upward, seemingly +without end. I was seeking blindly +for that particular room which was to +be my destination. Room 4167, with +its high number, could hardly be on +the lower floors, and so I had stumbled +upward....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was at the entrance of the second +floor corridor that I struck the first +of my desultory supply of matches, +and by its light discovered a placard +nailed to the wall. The thing was yellow +with age and hardly legible. In +the drab light of the match I had difficulty +in reading it—but, as far as I can +remember, the notice went something +like this:<span class="pagenum"><a id="page192" name="page192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p>WAREHOUSE RULES</p> + +<ol> +<li>No light shall be permitted in +any room or corridor, as a prevention +against fire.</li> + +<li>No person shall be admitted to +rooms or corridors unless accompanied +by an employee.</li> + +<li>A watchman shall be on the +premises from 7 P.M. until +6 A.M. He shall make the +round of the corridors every +hour during that interval, at a +quarter past the hour.</li> + +<li>Rooms are located by their +numbers: the first figure in the +room number indicating its +floor location.</li> +</ol></blockquote> + +<p>I could read no further. The match +in my fingers burned to a black thread +and dropped. Then, with the burnt +stump still in my hand, I groped +through the darkness to the bottom of +the second ramp.</p> + +<p>Room 4167, then, was on the fourth +floor—the topmost floor of the structure. +I must confess that the knowledge +did not bring any renewed burst +of courage! The top floor! Three +black stair-pits would lie between me +and the safety of escape. There would +be no escape! No human being in the +throes of fear could hope to discover +that tortured outlet, could hope to +grope his way through Stygian gloom +down a triple ramp of black stairs. +And even though he succeeded in +reaching the lower corridors, there was +still a blind alley-way, sealed at the +outer end by a high grating of iron +bars....</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Escape</span>! The mockery of it +caused me to stop suddenly in my +ascent and stand rigid, my whole body +trembling violently.</p> + +<p>But outside, in the gloom of the +street, M. S. was waiting, waiting with +that fiendish glare of triumph that +would brand me a man without courage. +I could not return to face him, +not though all the horrors of hell inhabited +this gruesome place of mystery. +And horrors must surely inhabit +it, else how could one account for that +fearful thing on the grating below? +But I had been through horror before. +I had seen a man, supposedly dead on +the operating table, jerk suddenly to +his feet and scream. I had seen a +young girl, not long before, awake in +the midst of an operation, with the +knife already in her frail body. Surely, +after those definite horrors, no <i>unknown</i> +danger would send me cringing +back to the man who was waiting so +bitterly for me to return.</p> + +<p>Those were the thoughts pregnant +in my mind as I groped slowly, cautiously +along the corridor of the upper +floor, searching each closed door for +the indistinct number 4167. The place +was like the center of a huge labyrinth, +a spider-web of black, repelling passages, +leading into some central chamber +of utter silence and blackness. I +went forward with dragging steps, +fighting back the dread that gripped +me as I went farther and farther from +the outlet of escape. And then, after +losing myself completely in the gloom, +I threw aside all thoughts of return +and pushed on with a careless, surface +bravado, and laughed aloud.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">So</span>, at length, I reached that room +of horror, secreted high in the +deeper recesses of the deserted warehouse. +The number—God grant I +never see it again!—was scrawled in +black chalk on the door—4167. I +pushed the half-open barrier wide, and +entered.</p> + +<p>It was a small room, even as M. S. +had forewarned me—or as the dead +mind of that thing on the grate had +forewarned M. S. The glow of my +out-thrust match revealed a great stack +of dusty boxes and crates, piled against +the farther wall. Revealed, too, the +black corridor beyond the entrance, and +a small, upright table before me.</p> + +<p>It was the table, and the stool beside +it, that drew my attention and brought +a muffled exclamation from my lips. +The thing had been thrust out of its<span class="pagenum"><a id="page193" name="page193">[193]</a></span> +usual place, pushed aside as if some +frenzied shape had lunged against it. +I could make out its former position +by the marks on the dusty floor at my +feet. Now it was nearer to the center +of the room, and had been wrenched +sidewise from its holdings. A shudder +took hold of me as I looked at it. +A living person, sitting on the stool +before me, staring at the door, would +have wrenched the table in just this +manner in his frenzy to escape from +the room!</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> light of the match died, +plunging me into a pit of <ins class="correction" title="Changed comma to period">gloom.</ins> +I struck another and stepped closer to +the table. And there, on the floor, +I found two more things that brought +fear to my soul. One of them was a +heavy flash-lamp—a watchman's lamp—where +it had evidently been dropped. +Been dropped in flight! But what awful +terror must have gripped the fellow +to make him forsake his only +means of escape through those black +passages? And the second thing—a +worn copy of a leather-bound book, +flung open on the boards below the +stool!</p> + +<p>The flash-lamp, thank God! had not +been shattered. I switched it on, directing +its white circle of light over +the room. This time, in the vivid glare, +the room became even more unreal. +Black walls, clumsy, distorted shadows +on the wall, thrown by those huge piles +of wooden boxes. Shadows that were +like crouching men, groping toward +me. And beyond, where the single +door opened into a passage of Stygian +darkness, that yawning entrance was +thrown into hideous detail. Had any +upright figure been standing there, the +light would have made an unholy phosphorescent +specter out of it.</p> + +<p>I summoned enough courage to cross +the room and pull the door shut. There +was no way of locking it. Had I been +able to fasten it, I should surely have +done so; but the room was evidently +an unused chamber, filled with empty +refuse. This was the reason, probably, +why the watchman had made use of it +as a retreat during the intervals between +his rounds.</p> + +<p>But I had no desire to ponder over +the sordidness of my surroundings. I +returned to my stool in silence, and +stooping, picked up the fallen book +from the floor. Carefully I placed the +lamp on the table, where its light would +shine on the open page. Then, turning +the cover, I began to glance +through the thing which the man before +me had evidently been studying.</p> + +<p>And before I had read two lines, the +explanation of the whole horrible thing +struck me. I stared dumbly down at +the little book and laughed. Laughed +harshly, so that the sound of my mad +cackle echoed in a thousand ghastly reverberations +through the dead corridors +of the building.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was a book of horror, of fantasy. +A collection of weird, terrifying, +supernatural tales with grotesque illustrations +in funereal black and white. +And the very line I had turned to, the +line which had probably struck terror +to that unlucky devil's soul, explained +M. S.'s "decayed human form, standing +in the doorway with arms extended +and a frightful face of passion!" The +description—the same description—lay +before me, almost in my friend's words. +Little wonder that the fellow on the +grating below, after reading this orgy +of horror, had suddenly gone mad with +fright. Little wonder that the picture +engraved on his dead mind was a picture +of a corpse standing in the doorway +of room 4167!</p> + +<p>I glanced at that doorway and +laughed. No doubt of it, it was that +awful description in M. S.'s untempered +language that had made me dread +my surroundings, not the loneliness +and silence of the corridors about me. +Now, as I stared at the room, the closed +door, the shadows on the wall, I could +not repress a grin.</p> + +<p>But the grin was not long in duration. +A six-hour siege awaited me before +I could hear the sound of human<span class="pagenum"><a id="page194" name="page194">[194]</a></span> +voice again—six hours of silence and +gloom. I did not relish it. Thank God +the fellow before me had had foresight +enough to leave his book of fantasy +for my amusement!</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">I turned</span> to the beginning of the +story. A lovely beginning it was, +outlining in some detail how a certain +Jack Fulton, English adventurer, had +suddenly found himself imprisoned (by +a mysterious black gang of monks, or +something of the sort) in a forgotten +cell at the monastery of El Toro. The +cell, according to the pages before me, +was located in the "empty, haunted pits +below the stone floors of the structure...." +Lovely setting! And the brave +Fulton had been secured firmly to a +huge metal ring set in the farther wall, +opposite the entrance.</p> + +<p>I read the description twice. At the +end of it I could not help but lift my +head to stare at my own surroundings. +Except for the location of the cell, I +might have been in they same setting. +The same darkness, same silence, same +loneliness. Peculiar similarity!</p> + +<p>And then: "Fulton lay quietly, +without attempt to struggle. In the +dark, the stillness of the vaults became +unbearable, terrifying. Not a suggestion +of sound, except the scraping of +unseen rats—"</p> + +<p>I dropped the book with a start. +From the opposite end of the room in +which I sat came a half inaudible scuffling +noise—the sound of hidden rodents +scrambling through the great pile +of boxes. Imagination? I am not sure. +At the moment, I would have sworn +that the sound was a definite one, that +I had heard it distinctly. Now, as I +recount this tale of horror, I am not +sure.</p> + +<p>But I am sure of this: There was +no smile on my lips as I picked up +the book again with trembling fingers +and continued.</p> + +<p>"The sound died into silence. For +an eternity, the prisoner lay rigid, staring +at the open door of his cell. The +opening was black, deserted, like the +mouth of a deep tunnel, leading to +hell. And then, suddenly, from the +gloom beyond that opening, came an +almost noiseless, padded footfall!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">This</span> time there was no doubt of +it. The book fell from my fingers, +dropped to the floor with a clatter. +Yet even through the sound of its falling, +I heard that fearful sound—the +shuffle of a living foot! I sat motionless, +staring with bloodless face at the +door of room 4167. And as I stared, +the sound came again, and again—<i>the +slow tread of dragging footsteps, approaching +along the black corridor +without</i>!</p> + +<p>I got to my feet like an automaton, +swaying heavily. Every drop of courage +ebbed from my soul as I stood +there, one hand clutching the table, +waiting....</p> + +<p>And then, with an effort, I moved +forward. My hand was outstretched +to grasp the wooden handle of the +door. And—I did not have the courage. +Like a cowed beast I crept back +to my place and slumped down on the +stool, my eyes still transfixed in a mute +stare of terror.</p> + +<p>I waited. For more than half an +hour I waited, motionless. Not a sound +stirred in the passage beyond that +closed barrier. Not a suggestion of +any living presence came to me. Then, +leaning back against the wall with a +harsh laugh, I wiped away the cold +moisture that had trickled over my +forehead into my eyes.</p> + +<p>It was another five minutes before I +picked up the book again. You call me +a fool for continuing it? A fool? I +tell you, even a story of horror is more +comfort <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'that'">than</ins> a room of grotesque +shadows and silence. Even a printed +page is better than grim reality!</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">And</span> so I read on. The story was +one of suspense, madness. For +the next two pages I read a cunning +description of the prisoner's mental +reaction. Strangely enough, it conformed +precisely with my own.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page195" name="page195">[195]</a></span> +"Fulton's head had fallen to his +chest," the script read. "For an endless +while he did not stir, did not dare +to lift his eyes. And then, after more +than an hour of silent agony and +suspense, the boy's head came up +mechanically. Came up—and suddenly +jerked rigid. A horrible scream burst +from his dry lips as he stared—stared +like a dead man—at the black entrance +to his cell. There, standing without +motion in the opening, stood a +shrouded figure of death. Empty eyes, +glaring with awful hate, bored into his +own. Great arms, bony and rotten, extended +toward him. Decayed flesh—"</p> + +<p>I read no more. Even as I lunged to +my feet, with that mad book still +gripped in my hand, I heard the door +of my room grind open. I screamed, +screamed in utter horror at the thing +I saw there. Dead? Good God, I do +not know. It was a corpse, a dead +human body, standing before me like +some propped-up thing from the grave. +A face half eaten away, terrible in its +leering grin. Twisted mouth, with +only a suggestion of lips, curled back +over broken teeth. Hair—writhing, +distorted—like a mass of moving, +bloody coils. And its arms, ghastly +white, bloodless, were extended toward +me, with open, clutching hands.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was alive! Alive! Even while I +stood there, crouching against the +wall, it stepped forward toward me. +I saw a heavy shudder pass over it, +and the sound of its scraping feet +burned its way into my soul. And +then, with its second step, the fearful +thing stumbled to its knees. The white, +gleaming arms, thrown into streaks of +living fire by the light of my lamp, +flung violently upwards, twisting toward +the ceiling. I saw the grin change +to an expression of agony, of torment. +And then the thing crashed upon me—dead.</p> + +<p>With a great cry of fear I stumbled +to the door. I groped out of that room +of horror, stumbled along the corridor. +No light. I left it behind, on the table, +to throw a circle of white glare over +the decayed, living-dead intruder who +had driven me mad.</p> + +<p>My return down those winding +ramps to the lower floor was a nightmare +of fear. I remember that I stumbled, +that I plunged through the +darkness like a man gone mad. I had +no thought of caution, no thought of +anything except escape.</p> + +<p>And then the lower door, and the +alley of gloom. I reached the grating, +flung myself upon it and pressed my +face against the bars in a futile effort +to escape. The same—as the fear-tortured +man—who had—come before—me.</p> + +<p>I felt strong hands lifting me up. A +dash of cool air, and then the refreshing +patter of falling rain.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was the afternoon of the following +day, December 6, when M. S. +sat across the table from me in my own +study. I had made a rather hesitant +attempt to tell him, without dramatics +and without dwelling on my own lack +of courage, of the events of the previous +night.</p> + +<p>"You deserved it, Dale," he said +quietly. "You are a medical man, nothing +more, and yet you mock the beliefs +of a scientist as great as Daimler. +I wonder—do you still mock the +Professor's beliefs?"</p> + +<p>"That he can bring a dead man to +life?" I smiled, a bit doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you something, Dale," +said M. S. deliberately. He was leaning +across the table, staring at me. "The +Professor made only one mistake in +his great experiment. He did not wait +long enough for the effect of his +strange acids to work. He acknowledged +failure too soon, and got rid of +the body." He paused.</p> + +<p>"When the Professor stored his patient +away, Dale," he said quietly, "he +stored it in room 4170, at the great +warehouse. If you are acquainted +with the place, you will know that +room 4170 is directly across the corridor +from 4167."</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page196" name="page196">[196]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Creatures" id="Creatures"></a>Creatures +of the Light</h2> +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Sophie Wenzel Ellis</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/196.png" width="400" height="485" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">In</span> a night club of many lights +and much high-pitched laughter, +where he had come for an hour +of forgetfulness and an execrable +dinner, John Northwood was suddenly +conscious that Fate had begun shuffling +the cards of his +destiny for a dramatic +game.</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">He had striven to perfect the faultless +man of the future, and had succeeded—too +well. For in the pitilessly cold eyes +of Adam, his super-human creation, Dr. +Mundson saw only contempt—and annihilation—for +the human race.</p> + +<p>First, he was +aware that the +singularly ugly +and deformed +man at the next table was gazing at +him with an intense, almost excited +scrutiny. But, more disturbing than +this, was the scowl of hate on the face +of another man, as handsome as this +other was hideous, who sat in a far +corner hidden behind +a broad column, +with rude +elbows on the +table, gawking +first at Northwood +and then<span class="pagenum"><a id="page197" name="page197">[197]</a></span> +at the deformed, almost hideous man.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/197.png" width="400" height="458" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">The projector, belching forth +its stinking breath of corruption, +swung in a mad arc +over the ceiling, over the +walls.</p> +</div> + +<p>Northwood's blood chilled over the +expression on the handsome, fair-haired +stranger's perfectly carved face. If a +figure in marble could display a fierce, +unnatural passion, it would seem no +more eldritch than the hate in the icy +blue eyes.</p> + +<p>It was not a new experience for +Northwood to be stared at: he was not +merely a good-looking young fellow +of twenty-five, he was scenery, magnificent +and compelling. Furthermore, +he had been in the public eye for years, +first as a precocious child and, later, +as a brilliant young scientist. Yet, for +all his experience with hero worshippers +to put an adamantine crust on his +sensibilities, he grew warm-eared under +the gaze of these two strangers—this +hunchback with a face like a +grotesque mask in a Greek play, this +other who, even handsomer than himself, +chilled the blood queerly with the +cold perfection of his godlike masculine +beauty.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page198" name="page198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> sensed something +familiar about the hunchback. +Somewhere he had seen that huge, +round, intelligent face splattered with +startling features. The very breadth +of the man's massive brow was not altogether +unknown to him, nor could +Northwood look into the mournful, +near-sighted black eyes without trying +to recall when and where he had last +seen them.</p> + +<p>But this other of the marble-perfect +nose and jaw, the blond, thick-waved +hair, was totally a stranger, whom +Northwood fervently hoped he would +never know too well.</p> + +<p>Trying to analyze the queer repugnance +that he felt for this handsome, +boldly staring fellow, Northwood decided: +"He's like a newly-made wax +figure endowed with life."</p> + +<p>Shivering over his own fantastic +thought, he again glanced swiftly at +the hunchback, who he noticed was +playing with his coffee, evidently to +prolong the meal.</p> + +<p>One year of calm-headed scientific +teaching in a famous old eastern university +had not made him callous to +mysteries. Thus, with a feeling of high +adventure, he finished his supper and +prepared to go. From the corner of his +eye, he saw the hunchback leave his +seat, while the handsome man behind +the column rose furtively, as though +he, too, intended to follow.</p> + +<p>Northwood was out in the dusky +street about thirty seconds, when the +hunchback came from the foyer. Without +apparently noticing Northwood, +he hailed a taxi. For a moment, he +stood still, waiting for the taxi to pull +up at the curb. Standing thus, with the +street light limning every unnatural +angle of his twisted body and every +queer abnormality of his huge features, +he looked almost repulsive.</p> + +<p>On his way to the taxi, his thick +shoulder jostled the younger man. +Northwood felt something strike his +foot, and, stooping in the crowded +street, picked up a black leather wallet.</p> + +<p>"Wait!" he shouted as the hunchback +stepped into the waiting taxi.</p> + +<p>But the man did not falter. In a +moment, Northwood lost sight of him +as the taxi moved away.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> debated with himself whether +or not he should attempt to +follow. And while he stood thus in +indecision, the handsome stranger approached +him.</p> + +<p>"Good evening to you," he said curtly. +His rich, musical voice, for all its +deepness, held a faint hint of the +tremulous, birdlike notes heard in the +voice of a young child who has not +used his vocal chords long enough for +them to have lost their exquisite newness.</p> + +<p>"Good evening," echoed Northwood, +somewhat uncertainly. A sudden aura +of repulsion swept coldly over him. +Seen close, with the brilliant light of +the street directly on his too perfect +face, the man was more sinister than in +the café. Yet Northwood, struggling +desperately for a reason to explain his +violent dislike, could not discover why +he shrank from this splendid creature, +whose eyes and flesh had a new, fresh +appearance rarely seen except in very +young boys.</p> + +<p>"I want what you picked up," went +on the stranger.</p> + +<p>"It isn't yours!" Northwood flashed +back. Ah! that effluvium of hatred +which seemed to weave a tangible net +around him!</p> + +<p>"Nor is it yours. Give it to me!"</p> + +<p>"You're insolent, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"If you don't give it to me, you will +be sorry." The man did not raise his +voice in anger, yet the words whipped +Northwood with almost physical violence. +"If he knew that I saw everything +that happened in there—that I +am talking to you at this moment—he +would tremble with fear."</p> + +<p>"But you can't intimidate me."</p> + +<p>"No?" For a long moment, the cold +blue eyes held his contemptuously. +"No? I can't frighten you—you worm +of the Black Age?"</p> + +<p>Before Northwood's horrified sight,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page199" name="page199">[199]</a></span> +he vanished; vanished as though he +had turned suddenly to air and floated +away.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> street was not crowded at that +time, and there was no pressing +group of bodies to hide the splendid +creature. Northwood gawked stupidly, +mouth half open, eyes searching wildly +everywhere. The man was gone. He +had simply disappeared, in this sane, +electric-lighted street.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, close to Northwood's ear, +grated a derisive laugh. "I can't +frighten you?" From nowhere came +that singularly young-old voice.</p> + +<p>As Northwood jerked his head +around to meet blank space, a blow +struck the corner of his mouth. He felt +the warm blood run over his chin.</p> + +<p>"I could take that wallet from you, +worm, but you may keep it, and see +me later. But remember this—the thing +inside never will be yours."</p> + +<p>The words fell from empty air.</p> + +<p>For several minutes, Northwood +waited at the spot, expecting another +demonstration of the abnormal, but +nothing else occurred. At last, trembling +violently, he wiped the thick +moisture from his forehead and dabbed +at the blood which he still felt on his +chin.</p> + +<p>But when he looked at his handkerchief, +he muttered:</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be jiggered!"</p> + +<p>The handkerchief bore not the +slightest trace of blood.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Under</span> the light in his bedroom, +Northwood examined the wallet. +It was made of alligator skin, clasped +with a gold signet that bore the initial +M. The first pocket was empty; the +second yielded an object that sent a +warm flush to his face.</p> + +<p>It was the photograph of a gloriously +beautiful girl, so seductively lovely +that the picture seemed almost to be +alive. The short, curved upper lip, the +full, delicately voluptuous lower, +parted slightly in a smile that seemed +to linger in every exquisite line of her +face. She looked as though she had +just spoken passionately, and the +spirit of her words had inspired her +sweet flesh and eyes.</p> + +<p>Northwood turned his head abruptly +and groaned, "Good Heavens!"</p> + +<p>He had no right to palpitate over +the picture of an unknown beauty. +Only a month ago, he had become engaged +to a young woman whose mind +was as brilliant as her face was plain. +Always he had vowed that he would +never marry a pretty girl, for he detested +his own masculine beauty sincerely.</p> + +<p>He tried to grasp a mental picture of +Mary Burns, who had never stirred in +him the emotion that this smiling picture +invoked. But, gazing at the picture, +he could not remember how his +fiancée looked.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the picture fell from his +fingers and dropped to the floor on its +face, revealing an inscription on the +back. In a bold, masculine hand, he +read: "Your future wife."</p> + +<p>"Some lucky fellow is headed for a +life of bliss," was his jealous thought.</p> + +<p>He frowned at the beautiful face. +What was this girl to that hideous +hunchback? Why did the handsome +stranger warn him, "<i>The thing inside +never will be yours</i>?"</p> + +<p>Again he turned eagerly to the +wallet.</p> + +<p>In the last flap he found something +that gave him another surprise: a plain +white card on which a name and address +were written by the same hand +that had penned the inscription on the +picture.</p> + +<p class="center"> +Emil Mundson, Ph. D.,<br /> +44-1/2 Indian Court<br /> +</p> + +<p>Emil Mundson, the electrical wizard +and distinguished scientific writer, +friend of the professor of science at +the university where Northwood was +an assistant professor; Emil Mundson, +whom, a week ago, Northwood had +yearned mightily to meet.</p> + +<p>Now Northwood knew why the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page200" name="page200">[200]</a></span> +hunchback's intelligent, ugly face was +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'familar'">familiar</ins> to him. He had seen it pictured +as often as enterprising news +photographers could steal a likeness +from the over-sensitive scientist, who +would never sit for a formal portrait.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Even</span> before Northwood had graduated +from the university where +he now taught, he had been avidly interested +in Emil Mundson's fantastic +articles in scientific journals. Only a +week ago, Professor Michael had come +to him with the current issue of New +Science, shouting excitedly:</p> + +<p>"Did you read this, John, this article +by Emil Mundson?" His shaking, +gnarled old fingers tapped the open +magazine.</p> + +<p>Northwood seized the magazine and +looked avidly at the title of the article, +"Creatures of the Light."</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't read it," he admitted. +"My magazine hasn't come yet."</p> + +<p>"Run through it now briefly, will +you? And note with especial care the +passages I have marked. In fact, you +needn't bother with anything else just +now. Read this—and this—and this." +He pointed out penciled paragraphs.</p> + +<p>Northwood read:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Man always has been, always will +be a creature of the light. He is +forever reaching for some future +point of perfected evolution which, +even when his most remote ancestor +was a fish creature composed +of a few cells, was the guiding +power that brought him up +from the first stinking sea and +caused him to create gods in his +own image.</p> + +<p>It is this yearning for perfection +which sets man apart from all +other life, which made him <i>man</i> +even in the rudimentary stages of +his development. He was man when +he wallowed in the slime of the +new world and yearned for the air +above. He will still be man when +he has evolved into that glorious +creature of the future whose body +is deathless and whose mind rules +the universe.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Professor Michael, looking over +Northwood's shoulder, interrupted the +reading:</p> + +<p>"<i>Man always has been man</i>," he +droned emphatically. "That's not original +with friend Mundson, of course; +yet it is a theory that has not received +sufficient investigation." He indicated +another marked paragraph. "Read this +thoughtfully, John. It's the crux of +Mundson's thought."</p> + +<p>Northwood continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Since the human body is chemical +and electrical, increased +knowledge of its powers and limitations +will enable us to work with +Nature in her sublime but infinitely +slow processes of human evolution. +We need not wait another +fifty thousand years to be godlike +creatures. Perhaps even now +we may be standing at the beginning +of the splendid bridge that +will take us to that state of perfected +evolution when we shall be +Creatures who have reached the +Light.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Northwood looked questioningly at +the professor. "Queer, fantastic +thing, isn't it?"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Professor Michael</span> smoothed +his thin, gray hair with his +dried-out hand. "Fantastic?" His +intellectual eyes behind the thick +glasses sought the ceiling. "Who can +say? Haven't you ever wondered why +all parents expect their children to be +nearer perfection than themselves, and +why is it a natural impulse for them +to be willing to sacrifice themselves to +better their offspring?" He paused and +moistened his pale, wrinkled lips. "Instinct, +Northwood. We Creatures of +the Light know that our race shall +reach that point in evolution when, as +perfect creatures, we shall rule all matter +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page201" name="page201">[201]</a></span>and live forever." He punctuated +the last words with blows on the table.</p> + +<p>Northwood laughed dryly. "How +many thousands of years are you looking +forward, Professor?"</p> + +<p>The professor made an obscure noise +that sounded like a smothered sniff. +"You and I shall never agree on the +point that mental advancement may +wipe out physical limitations in the +human race, perhaps in a few hundred +years. It seems as though your profound +admiration for Dr. Mundson +would win you over to this pet theory."</p> + +<p>"But what sane man can believe that +even perfectly developed beings, +through mental control, could overcome +Nature's fixed laws?"</p> + +<p>"We don't know! We don't know!" +The professor slapped the magazine +with an emphatic hand. "Emil Mundson +hasn't written this article for nothing. +He's paving the way for some announcement +that will startle the scientific +world. I know him. In the same +manner he gave out veiled hints of his +various brilliant discoveries and inventions +long before he offered them to +the world."</p> + +<p>"But Dr. Mundson is an electrical +wizard. He would not be delving seriously +into the mysteries of evolution, +would he?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?" The professor's wizened +face screwed up wisely. "A year +ago, when he was back from one of +those mysterious long excursions he +takes in that weirdly different aircraft +of his, about which he is so secretive, +he told me that he was conducting experiments +to prove his belief that the +human brain generates electric current, +and that the electrical impulses in the +brain set up radioactive waves that +some day, among other miracles, will +make thought communication possible. +Perfect man, he says, will perform +mental feats which will give him complete +mental domination over the physical."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> finished reading +and turned thoughtfully to the +window. His profile in repose had the +straight-nosed, full-lipped perfection +of a Greek coin. Old, wizened Professor +Michael, gazing at him covertly, +smothered a sigh.</p> + +<p>"I wish you knew Dr. Mundson," he +said. "He, the ugliest man in the +world, delights in physical perfection. +He would revel in your splendid body +and brilliant mind."</p> + +<p>Northwood blushed hotly. "You'll +have to arrange a meeting between us."</p> + +<p>"I have." The professor's thin, dry +lips pursed comically. "He'll drop in +to see you within a few days."</p> + +<p>And now John Northwood sat holding +Dr. Mundson's card and the wallet +which the scientist had so mysteriously +dropped at his feet.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Here</span> was high adventure, perhaps, +for which he had been singled +out by the famous electrical +wizard. While excitement mounted in +his blood, Northwood again examined +the photograph. The girl's strange +eyes, odd in expression rather than in +size or shape, seemed to hold him. The +young man's breath came quicker.</p> + +<p>"It's a challenge," he said softly. "It +won't hurt to see what it's all about."</p> + +<p>His watch showed eleven o'clock. He +would return the wallet that night. +Into his coat pocket he slipped a revolver. +One sometimes needed weapons +in Indian Court.</p> + +<p>He took a taxi, which soon turned +from the well-lighted streets into a section +where squalid houses crowded +against each other, and dirty children +swarmed in the streets in their last +games of the day.</p> + +<p>Indian Court was little more than an +alley, dark and evil smelling.</p> + +<p>The chauffeur stopped at the entrance +and said:</p> + +<p>"If I drive in, I'll have to back out, +sir. Number forty-four and a half is +the end house, facing the entrance."</p> + +<p>"You've been here before?" asked +Northwood.</p> + +<p>"Last week I drove the queerest bird +here—a fellow as good-looking as you, +who had me follow the taxi occupied<span class="pagenum"><a id="page202" name="page202">[202]</a></span> +by a hunchback with a face like Old +Nick." The man hesitated and went on +haltingly: "It might sound goofy, +mister, but there was something funny +about my fare. He jumped out, asked +me the charge, and, in the moment I +glanced at my taxi-meter, he disappeared. +Yes, sir. Vanished, owing me +four dollars, six bits. It was almost +ghostlike, mister."</p> + +<p>Northwood laughed nervously and +dismissed him. He found his number +and knocked at the dilapidated door. +He heard a sudden movement in the +lighted room beyond, and the door +opened quickly.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson faced him.</p> + +<p>"I knew you'd come!" he said with +a slight Teutonic accent. "Often I'm +not wrong in sizing up my man. Come +in."</p> + +<p>Northwood cleared his throat awkwardly. +"You dropped your wallet at +my feet, Dr. Mundson. I tried to stop +you before you got away, but I guess +you did not hear me."</p> + +<p>He offered the wallet, but the hunchback +waved it aside.</p> + +<p>"A ruse, of course," he confessed. "It +just was my way of testing what your +Professor Michael told about you—that +you are extraordinarily intelligent, +virile, and imaginative. Had you sent +the wallet to me, I should have sought +elsewhere for my man. Come in."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> followed him into +a living room evidently recently +furnished in a somewhat hurried manner. +The furniture, although rich, was +not placed to best advantage. The new +rug was a trifle crooked on the floor, +and the lamp shades clashed in color +with the other furnishings.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson's intense eyes swept +over Northwood's tall, slim body.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you're a man!" he said softly. +"You are what all men would be if we +followed Nature's plan that only the fit +shall survive. But modern science is +permitting the unfit to live and to mix +their defective beings with the developing +race!" His huge fist gesticulated +madly. "Fools! Fools! They +need me and perfect men like you."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because you can help me in my plan +to populate the earth with a new race +of godlike people. But don't question +me too closely now. Even if I should +explain, you would call me insane. But +watch; gradually I shall unfold the +mystery before you, so that you will +believe."</p> + +<p>He reached for the wallet that +Northwood still held, opened it with a +monstrous hand, and reached for the +photograph. "She shall bring you love. +She's more beautiful than a poet's +dream."</p> + +<p>A warm flush crept over the young +man's face.</p> + +<p>"I can easily understand," he said, +"how a man could love her, but for me +she comes too late."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! Fiddlesticks!" The scientist +snapped his fingers. "This girl was +created for you. That other—you will +forget her the moment you set eyes on +the sweet flesh of this Athalia. She is +an houri from Paradise—a maiden of +musk and incense." He held the girl's +photograph toward the young man. +"Keep it. She is yours, if you are +strong enough to hold her."</p> + +<p>Northwood opened his card case and +placed the picture inside, facing +Mary's photograph. Again the warning +words of the mysterious stranger +rang in his memory: "<i>The thing inside +never will be yours.</i>"</p> + +<p>"Where to," he said eagerly; "and +when do we start?"</p> + +<p>"To the new Garden of Eden," said +the scientist, with such a beatific +smile that his face was less hideous. +"We start immediately. I have arranged +with Professor Michael for you +to go."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> followed Dr. +Mundson to the street and walked +with him a few blocks to a garage +where the scientist's motor car +waited.</p> + +<p>"The apartment in Indian Court is<span class="pagenum"><a id="page203" name="page203">[203]</a></span> +just a little eccentricity of mine," explained +Dr. Mundson. "I need people +in my work, people whom I must select +through swift, sure tests. The apartment +comes in handy, as to-night."</p> + +<p>Northwood scarcely noted where +they were going, or how long they had +been on the way. He was vaguely aware +that they had left the city behind, and +were now passing through farms +bathed in moonlight.</p> + +<p>At last they entered a path that led +through a bit of woodland. For half a +mile the path continued, and then +ended at a small, enclosed field. In the +middle of this rested a queer aircraft. +Northwood knew it was a flying machine +only by the propellers mounted +on the top of the huge ball-shaped +body. There were no wings, no birdlike +hull, no tail.</p> + +<p>"It looks almost like a little world +ready to fly off into space," he commented.</p> + +<p>"It is just about that." The scientist's +squat, bunched-out body, settled +squarely on long, thin, straddled legs, +looked gnomelike in the moonlight. +"One cannot copy flesh with steel and +wood, but one can make metal perform +magic of which flesh is not capable. My +sun-ship is not a mechanical reproduction +of a bird. It is—but, climb in, +young friend."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> followed Dr. +Mundson into the aircraft. The +moment the scientist closed the metal +door behind them, Northwood was instantly +aware of some concealed horror +that vibrated through his nerves. For +one dreadful moment, he expected +some terrific agent of the shadows that +escaped the electric lights to leap upon +him. And this was odd, for nothing +could be saner than the globular interior +of the aircraft, divided into four +wedge-shaped apartments.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson also paused at the door, +puzzled, hesitant.</p> + +<p>"Someone has been here!" he exclaimed. +"Look, Northwood! The +bunk has been occupied—the one in +this cabin I had set aside for you."</p> + +<p>He pointed to the disarranged bunk, +where the impression of a head could +still be seen on a pillow.</p> + +<p>"A tramp, perhaps."</p> + +<p>"No! The door was locked, and, as +you saw, the fence around this field was +protected with barbed wire. There's +something wrong. I felt it on my trip +here all the way, like someone watching +me in the dark. And don't laugh! I +have stopped laughing at all things +that seem unnatural. You don't know +what is natural."</p> + +<p>Northwood shivered. "Maybe someone +is concealed about the ship."</p> + +<p>"Impossible. Me, I thought so, too. +But I looked and looked, and there was +nothing."</p> + +<p>All evening Northwood had burned +to tell the scientist about the handsome +stranger in the Mad Hatter Club. But +even now he shrank from saying that a +man had vanished before his eyes.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson was working with a +succession of buttons and levers. There +was a slight jerk, and then the strange +craft shot up, straight as a bullet from +a gun, with scarcely a sound other than +a continuous whistle.</p> + +<p>"The vertical rising aircraft perfected," +explained Dr. Mundson. "But +what would you think if I told you that +there is not an ounce of gasoline in my +heavier-than-air craft?"</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't be surprised. An electrical +genius would seek for a less obsolete +source of power."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">In</span> the bright flare of the electric +lights, the scientist's ugly face +flushed. "The man who harnesses the +sun rules the world. He can make the +desert places bloom, the frozen poles +balmy and verdant. You, John Northwood, +are one of the very few to fly +in a machine operated solely by electrical +energy from the sun's rays."</p> + +<p>"Are you telling me that this airship +is operated with power from the sun?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. And I cannot take the credit +for its invention." He sighed. "The +dream was mine, but a greater brain<span class="pagenum"><a id="page204" name="page204">[204]</a></span> +developed it—a brain that may be +greater than I suspect." His face grew +suddenly graver.</p> + +<p>A little later Northwood said: "It +seems that we must be making fabulous +speed."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps!" Dr. Mundson worked +with the controls. "Here, I've cut her +down to the average speed of the ordinary +airplane. Now you can see a +bit of the night scenery."</p> + +<p>Northwood peeped out the thick +glass porthole. Far below, he saw two +tiny streaks of light, one smooth and +stationery, the other wavering as +though it were a reflection in water.</p> + +<p>"That can't be a lighthouse!" he +cried.</p> + +<p>The scientist glanced out. "It is. +We're approaching the Florida Keys."</p> + +<p>"Impossible! We've been traveling +less than an hour."</p> + +<p>"But, my young friend, do you realize +that my sun-ship has a speed of +over one thousand miles an hour, how +much over I dare not tell you?"</p> + +<p>Throughout the night, Northwood +sat beside Dr. Mundson, watching his +deft fingers control the simple-looking +buttons and levers. So fast was their +flight now that, through the portholes, +sky and earth looked the same: dark +gray films of emptiness. The continuous +weird whistle from the hidden +mechanism of the sun-ship was like the +drone of a monster insect, monotonous +and soporific during the long intervals +when the scientist was too busy with +his controls to engage in conversation.</p> + +<p>For some reason that he could not +explain, Northwood had an aversion to +going into the sleeping apartment behind +the control room. Then, towards +morning, when the suddenly falling +temperature struck a biting chill +throughout the <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'sun ship'">sun-ship</ins>, Northwood, +going into the cabin for fur coats, discovered +why his mind and body shrank +in horror from the cabin.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">After</span> he had procured the fur +coats from a closet, he paused a +moment, in the privacy of the cabin, to +look at Athalia's picture. Every nerve +in his body leaped to meet the magnetism +of her beautiful eyes. Never +had Mary Burns stirred emotion like +this in him. He hung over Mary's picture, +wistfully, hoping almost prayerfully +that he could react to her as he +did to Athalia; but her pale, over-intellectual +face left him cold.</p> + +<p>"Cad!" he ground out between his +teeth. "Forgetting her so soon!"</p> + +<p>The two pictures were lying side by +side on a little table. Suddenly an obscure +noise in the room caught his attention. +It was more vibration than +noise, for small sounds could scarcely +be heard above the whistle of the sun-ship. +A slight compression of the air +against his neck gave him the eery +feeling that someone was standing +close behind him. He wheeled and +looked over his shoulder. Half +ashamed of his startled gesture, he +again turned to his pictures. Then a +sharp cry broke from him.</p> + +<p><ins class="correction" title="Original was 'Athania's'">Athalia's</ins> picture was gone.</p> + +<p>He searched for it everywhere in the +room, in his own pockets, under the +furniture. It was nowhere to be found.</p> + +<p>In sudden, overpowering horror, he +seized the fur coats and returned to the +control room.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dr. Mundson</span> was changing the +speed.</p> + +<p>"Look out the window!" he called to +Northwood.</p> + +<p>The young man looked and started +violently. Day had come, and now that +the sun-ship was flying at a moderate +speed, the ocean beneath was plainly +visible; and its entire surface was covered +with broken floes of ice and small, +ragged icebergs. He seized a telescope +and <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'focusd'">focused</ins> it below. A typical polar +scene met his eyes: penguins strutted +about on cakes of ice, a whale blowing +in the icy water.</p> + +<p>"A part of the Antarctic that has +never been explored," said Dr. Mundson; +"and there, just showing on the +horizon, is the Great Ice Barrier." His +characteristic smile lighted the morose<span class="pagenum"><a id="page205" name="page205">[205]</a></span> +black eyes. "I am enough of the +dramatist to wish you to be impressed +with what I shall show you within less +than an hour. Accordingly, I shall +make a landing and let you feel polar +ice under your feet."</p> + +<p>After less than a minute's search, Dr. +Mundson found a suitable place on the +ice for a landing, and, with a few deft +manipulations of the controls, brought +the sun-ship swooping down like an +eagle on its prey.</p> + +<p>For a long moment after the scientist +had stepped out on the ice, Northwood +paused at the door. His feet were +chained by a strange reluctance to enter +this white, dead wilderness of ice. +But Dr. Mundson's impatient, +"Ready?" drew from him one last +glance at the cozy interior of the sun-ship +before he, too, went out into the +frozen stillness.</p> + +<p>They left the sun-ship resting on the +ice like a fallen silver moon, while they +wandered to the edge of the Barrier +and looked at the gray, narrow stretch +of sea between the ice pack and the +high cliffs of the Barrier. The sun of +the commencing six-months' Antarctic +day was a low, cold ball whose slanted +rays struck the ice with blinding +whiteness. There were constant falls +of ice from the Barrier, which thundered +into the ocean amid great clouds +of ice smoke that lingered like wraiths +around the edge. It was a scene of +loneliness and waiting death.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" exclaimed the scientist +suddenly.</p> + +<p>Out of the white silence shrilled a +low whistle, a familiar whistle. Both +men wheeled toward the sun-ship.</p> + +<p>Before their horrified eyes, the great +sphere jerked and glided up, and +swerved into the heavens.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Up</span> it soared; then, gaining speed, +it swung into the blue distance +until, in a moment, it was a tiny star +that flickered out even as they watched.</p> + +<p>Both men screamed and cursed and +flung up their arms despairingly. A +penguin, attracted by their cries, waddled +solemnly over to them and regarded +them with manlike curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Stranded in the coldest spot on +earth!" groaned the scientist.</p> + +<p>"Why did it start itself, Dr. Mundson!" +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'Norwood'">Northwood</ins> narrowed his eyes as +he spoke.</p> + +<p>"It didn't!" The scientist's huge +face, red from cold, quivered with helpless +rage. "Human hands started it."</p> + +<p>"What! Whose hands?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Ach!</i> Do I know?" His Teutonic +accent grew more pronounced, as it always +did when he was under emotional +stress. "Somebody whose brain is better +than mine. Somebody who found a +way to hide away from our eyes. <i>Ach, +Gott!</i> Don't let me think!"</p> + +<p>His great head sank between his +shoulders, giving him, in his fur suit, +the grotesque appearance of a friendly +brown bear.</p> + +<p>"Doctor Mundson," said Northwood +suddenly, "did you have an enemy, a +man with the face and body of a pagan +god—a great, blond creature with eyes +as cold and cruel as the ice under our +feet?"</p> + +<p>"Wait!" The huge round head +jerked up. "How do you know about +Adam? You have not seen him, won't +see him until we arrive at our destination."</p> + +<p>"But I have seen him. He was sitting +not thirty feet from you in the +Mad Hatter's Club last night. Didn't +you know? He followed me to the +street, spoke to me, and then—" +Northwood stopped. How could he let +the insane words pass his lips?</p> + +<p>"Then, what? Speak up!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> laughed nervously. +"It sounds foolish, but I saw +him vanish like that." He snapped his +fingers.</p> + +<p>"<i>Ach, Gott!</i>" All the ruddy color +drained from the scientist's face. As +though talking to himself, he continued:</p> + +<p>"Then it is true, as he said. He has +crossed the bridge. He has reached +the Light. And now he comes to see<span class="pagenum"><a id="page206" name="page206">[206]</a></span> +the world he will conquer—came unseen +when I refused my permission."</p> + +<p>He was silent for a long time, pondering. +Then he turned passionately +to Northwood.</p> + +<p>"John Northwood, kill me! I have +brought a new horror into the world. +From the unborn future, I have +snatched a creature who has reached +the Light too soon. Kill me!" He +bowed his great, shaggy head.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Dr. Mundson: +that this Adam has arrived at a point +in evolution beyond this age?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Think of it! I visioned godlike +creatures with the souls of gods. +But, Heaven help us, man always will +be man: always will lust for conquest. +You and I, Northwood, and all others +are barbarians to Adam. He and his +kind will do what men always do to +barbarians—conquer and kill."</p> + +<p>"Are there more like him?" Northwood +struggled with a smile of unbelief.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I did not know that +Adam had reached a point so near the +ultimate. But you have seen. Already +he is able to set aside what we call +natural laws."</p> + +<p>Northwood looked at the scientist +closely. The man was surely mad—mad +in this desert of white death.</p> + +<p>"Come!" he said cheerfully. "Let's +build an Eskimo snow house. We can +live on penguins for days. And who +knows what may rescue us?"</p> + +<p>For three hours the two worked at +cutting ice blocks. With snow for +mortar, they built a crude shelter which +enabled them to rest out of the cold +breath of the spiral polar winds that +blew from the south.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dr. Mundson</span> was sitting at the +door of their hut, moodily pulling +at his strong, black pipe. As though +a fit had seized him, he leaped up and +let his pipe fall to the ice.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he shouted. "The sun-ship!"</p> + +<p>It seemed but a moment before the +tiny speck on the horizon had swept +overhead, a silver comet on the grayish-blue +polar sky. In another moment +it had swooped down, eaglewise, +scarcely fifty feet from the ice hut.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson and Northwood ran +forward. From the metal sphere +stepped the stranger of the Mad Hatter +Club. His tall, straight form, erect and +slim, swung toward them over the ice.</p> + +<p>"Adam!" shouted Dr. Mundson. +"What does this mean? How dare +you!"</p> + +<p>Adam's laugh was like the happy +demonstration of a boy. "So? You +think you still are master? You think +I returned because I reverenced you +yet?" Hate shot viciously through the +freezing blue eyes. "You worm of the +Black Age!"</p> + +<p>Northwood shuddered. He had heard +those strange words addressed to himself +scarcely more than twelve hours +ago.</p> + +<p>Adam was still speaking: "With a +thought I could annihilate you where +you are standing. But I have use for +you. Get in." He swept his hand to +the sun-ship.</p> + +<p>Both men hesitated. Then Northwood +strode forward until he was within +three feet of Adam. They stood thus, +eyeing each other, two splendid beings, +one blond as a Viking, the other dark +and vital.</p> + +<p>"Just what is your game?" demanded +Northwood.</p> + +<p>The icy eyes shot forth a gleam like +lightning. "I needn't tell you, of +course, but I may as well let you suffer +over the knowledge." He curled his +lips with superb scorn. "I have one +human weakness. I want Athalia." The +icy eyes warmed for a fleeting second. +"She is anticipating her meeting with +you—bah! The taste of these women +of the Black Age! I could kill you, of +course; but that would only inflame +her. And so I take you to her, thrust +you down her throat. When she sees +you, she will fly to me." He spread his +magnificent chest.</p> + +<p>"Adam!" Dr. Mundson's face was +dark with anger. "What of Eve?"</p> + +<p>"Who are you to question my ac<span class="pagenum"><a id="page207" name="page207">[207]</a></span>tions? +What a fool you were to let me, +whom you forced into life thousands of +years too soon, grow more powerful +than you! Before I am through with +all of you petty creatures of the Black +Age, you will call me more terrible +than your Jehovah! For see what you +have called forth from unborn time."</p> + +<p>He vanished.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Before</span> the startled men could +recover from the shock of it, the +vibrant, too-new voice went on:</p> + +<p>"I am sorry for you, Mundson, because, +like you, I need specimens for +my experiments. What a splendid +specimen you will be!" His laugh was +ugly with significance. "Get in, +worms!"</p> + +<p>Unseen hands cuffed and pushed +them into the sun-ship.</p> + +<p>Inside, Dr. Mundson stumbled to the +control room, white and drawn of face, +his great brain seemingly paralyzed by +the catastrophe.</p> + +<p>"You needn't attempt tricks," went +on the voice. "I am watching you both. +You cannot even hide your thoughts +from me."</p> + +<p>And thus began the strange continuation +of the journey. Not once, in +that wild half-hour's rush over the +polar ice clouds, did they see Adam. +They saw and heard only the weird +signs of his presence: a puffing cigar +hanging in midair, a glass of water +swinging to unseen lips, a ghostly +voice hurling threats and insults at +them.</p> + +<p>Once the scientist whispered: "Don't +cross him; it is useless. John Northwood, +you'll have to fight a demigod +for your woman!"</p> + +<p>Because of the terrific speed of the +sun-ship, Northwood could distinguish +nothing of the topographical details below. +At the end of half-an-hour, the +scientist slowed enough to point out a +tall range of snow-covered mountains, +over which hovered a play of colored +lights like the <i>aurora australis</i>.</p> + +<p>"Behind those mountains," he said, +"is our destination."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Almost</span> in a moment, the sun-ship +had soared over the peaks. +Dr. Mundson kept the speed low +enough for Northwood to see the +splendid view below.</p> + +<p>In the giant cup formed by the encircling +mountain range was a green +valley of tropical luxuriance. Stretches +of dense forest swept half up the mountains +and filled the valley cup with tangled +verdure. In the center, surrounded +by a broad field and a narrow +ring of woods, towered a group of +buildings. From the largest, which was +circular, came the auroralike radiance +that formed an umbrella of light over +the entire valley.</p> + +<p>"Do I guess right," said <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'Northwood:'">Northwood,</ins> +"that the light is responsible for this +oasis in the ice?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dr. <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'Munson'">Mundson</ins>. "In your +American slang, it is canned sunshine +containing an overabundance of certain +rays, especially the Life Ray, which I +have isolated." He smiled proudly. +"You needn't look startled, my friend. +Some of the most common things store +sunlight. On very dark nights, if you +have sharp eyes, you can see the radiance +given off by certain flowers, which +many naturalists say is trapped sunshine. +The familiar nasturtium and the +marigold opened for me the way to +hold sunshine against the long polar +night, for they taught me how to apply +the Einstein theory of bent light. +Stated simply, during the polar night, +when the sun is hidden over the rim of +the world, we steal some of his rays; +during the polar day we concentrate +the light."</p> + +<p>"But could stored sunshine alone +give enough warmth for the luxuriant +growth of those jungles?"</p> + +<p>"An overabundance of the Life Ray +is responsible for the miraculous +growth of all life in New Eden. The +Life Ray is Nature's most powerful +force. Yet Nature is often niggardly +and paradoxical in her use of her +powers. In New Eden, we have forced +the powers of creation to take ascendency +over the powers of destruction."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page208" name="page208">[208]</a></span> +At Northwood's sudden start, the +scientist laughed and continued: "Is it +not a pity that Nature, left alone, requires +twenty years to make a man who +begins to die in another ten years? +Such waste is not tolerated in New +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'Elden'">Eden</ins>, where supermen are younger +than babes and—"</p> + +<p>"Come, worms; let's land."</p> + +<p>It was Adam's voice. Suddenly he +materialized, a blond god, whose eyes +and flesh were too new.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> were in a world of golden +skylight, warmth and tropical +vegetation. The field on which they +had landed was covered with a velvety +green growth of very soft, fine-bladed +grass, sprinkled with tiny, star-shaped +blue flowers. A balmy, sweet-scented +wind, downy as the breeze of a dream, +blew gently along the grass and tingled +against Northwood's skin refreshingly. +Almost instantly he had the +sensation of perfect well being, and +this feeling of physical perfection was +part of the ecstasy that seemed to pervade +the entire valley. Grass and +breeze and golden skylight were saturated +with a strange ether of joyousness.</p> + +<p>At one end of the field was a dense +jungle, cut through by a road that led +to the towering building from which, +while above in the sun-ship, they had +seen the golden light issue.</p> + +<p>From the jungle road came a man +and a woman, large, handsome people, +whose flesh and eyes had the sinister +newness of Adam's. Even before they +came close enough to speak, Northwood +was aware that while they seemed +of Adam's breed, they were yet unlike +him. The difference was psychical +rather than physical; they lacked the +aura of hate and horror that surrounded +Adam. The woman drew +Adam's head down and kissed him affectionately +on both cheeks.</p> + +<p>Adam, from his towering height, +patted her shoulder impatiently and +said: "Run on back to the laboratory, +grandmother. We're following soon. +You have some new human embryos, I +believe you told me this morning."</p> + +<p>"Four fine specimens, two of them +being your sister's twins."</p> + +<p>"Splendid! I was sure that creation +had stopped with my generation. I +must see them." He turned to the +scientist and Northwood. "You needn't +try to leave this spot. Of course I +shall know instantly and deal with you +in my own way. Wait here."</p> + +<p>He strode over the emerald grass on +the heels of the woman.</p> + +<p>Northwood asked: "Why does he call +that girl grandmother?"</p> + +<p>"Because she is his ancestress." He +stirred uneasily. "She is of the first +generation brought forth in the laboratory, +and is no different from you +or I, except that, at the age of five +years, she is the ancestress of twenty +generations."</p> + +<p>"My God!" muttered Northwood.</p> + +<p>"Don't start being horrified, my +friend. Forget about so-called natural +laws while you are in New Eden. Remember, +here we have isolated the Life +Ray. But look! Here comes your +Athalia!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> gazed covertly at +the beautiful girl approaching +them with a rarely graceful walk. She +was tall, slender, round-bosomed, narrow-hipped, +and she held her lovely +body in the erect poise of splendid +health. Northwood had a confused +realization of uncovered bronzy hair, +drawn to the back of a white neck in +a bunch of short curls; of immense +soft black eyes; lips the color of +blood, and delicate, plump flesh on +which the golden skylight lingered +graciously. He was instantly glad to +see that while she possessed the freshness +of young <ins class="correction" title="Changed from semi-colon to comma">girlhood,</ins> her skin and +eyes did not have the horrible newness +of Adam's.</p> + +<p>When she was still twenty feet distant, +Northwood met her eyes and she +smiled shyly. The rich, red blood ran +through her face; and he, too, flushed.</p> + +<p>She went to Dr. Mundson and, plac<span class="pagenum"><a id="page209" name="page209">[209]</a></span>ing +her hands on his thick shoulders, +kissed him affectionately.</p> + +<p>"I've been worried about you, Daddy +Mundson." Her rich contralto voice +matched her exotic beauty. "Since you +and Adam had that quarrel the day you +left, I did not see him until this morning, +when he landed the sun-ship +alone."</p> + +<p>"And you pleaded with him to return +for us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." Her eyes drooped and a hot +flush swept over her face.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson smiled. "But I'm back +now, Athalia, and I've brought some +one whom I hope you will be glad to +know."</p> + +<p>Reaching for her hand, he placed it +simply in Northwood's.</p> + +<p>"This is John, Athalia. Isn't he +handsomer than the pictures of him +which I televisioned to you? God +bless both of you."</p> + +<p>He walked ahead and turned his +back.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A magical</span> half hour followed +for Northwood and Athalia. The +girl told him of her past life, how Dr. +Mundson had discovered her one year +ago working in a New York sweat +shop, half dead from consumption. +Without friends, she was eager to follow +the scientist to New Eden, where +he promised she would recover her +health immediately.</p> + +<p>"And he was right, John," she said +shyly. "The Life Ray, that marvelous +energy ray which penetrates to the utmost +depths of earth and ocean, giving +to the cells of all living bodies the +power to grow and remain animate, has +been concentrated by Dr. Mundson in +his stored sunshine. The Life Ray +healed me almost immediately."</p> + +<p>Northwood looked down at the +glorious girl beside him, whose eyes +already fluttered away from his like +shy black butterflies. Suddenly he +squeezed the soft hand in his and said +passionately:</p> + +<p>"Athalia! Because Adam wants you +and will get you if he can, let us set +aside all the artificialities of civilization. +I have loved you madly ever since +I saw your picture. If you can say the +same to me, it will give me courage to +face what I know lies before me."</p> + +<p>Athalia, her face suddenly tender, +came closer to him.</p> + +<p>"John Northwood, I love you."</p> + +<p>Her red lips came temptingly close; +but before he could touch them, Adam +suddenly pushed his body between him +and Athalia. Adam was pale, and all +the <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'icyness'">iciness</ins> was gone from his blue +eyes, which were deep and dark and +very human. He looked down at +Athalia, and she looked up at him, two +handsome specimens of perfect manhood +and womanhood.</p> + +<p>"Fast work, Athalia!" The new vibrant +voice was strained. "I was hoping +you would be disappointed in <ins class="correction" title="Added comma">him,</ins> +especially after having been wooed by +me this morning. I could take you if +I wished, of course; but I prefer to +win you in the ancient manner. Dismiss +him!" He jerked his thumb over +his shoulder in Northwood's direction.</p> + +<p>Athalia flushed vividly and looked at +him almost compassionately. "I am not +great enough for you, Adam. I dare +not love you."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Adam</span> laughed, and still oblivious +of Northwood and Dr. Mundson, +folded his arms over his breast. With +the golden skylight on his burnished +hair, he was a valiant, magnificent +spectacle.</p> + +<p>"Since the beginning of time, gods +and archangels have looked upon the +daughters of men and found them fair. +Mate with me, Athalia, and I, fifty +thousand years beyond the creature +Mundson has selected for you, will +make you as I am, the deathless overlord +of life and all nature."</p> + +<p>He drew her hand to his bosom.</p> + +<p>For one dark moment, Northwood +felt himself seared by jealousy, for, +through the plump, sweet flesh of +Athalia's face, he saw the red blood +leap again. How could she withhold +herself from this splendid superman?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page210" name="page210">[210]</a></span> +But her answer, given with faltering +voice, was the old, simple one: "I have +promised him, Adam. I love him." +Tears trembled on her thick lashes.</p> + +<p>"So! I cannot get you in the ancient +manner. Now I'll use my own."</p> + +<p>He seized her in his arms crushed +her against him, and, laughing over her +head at Northwood, bent his glistening +head and kissed her on the mouth.</p> + +<p>There was a blinding flash of blue +electric sparks—and nothing else. Both +Adam and Athalia had vanished.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Adam's</span> voice came in a last mocking +challenge: "I shall be what +no other gods before me have been—a +good sport. I'll leave you both to your +own devices, until I want you again."</p> + +<p>White-lipped and trembling, Northwood +groaned: "What has he done +now?"</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson's great head drooped. +"I don't know. Our bodies are electric +and chemical machines; and a super intelligence +has discovered new laws of +which you and I are ignorant."</p> + +<p>"But Athalia...."</p> + +<p>"She is safe; he loves her."</p> + +<p>"Loves her!" Northwood shivered. +"I cannot believe that those freezing +eyes could ever look with love on a +woman."</p> + +<p>"Adam is a man. At heart he is as +human as the first man-creature that +wallowed in the new earth's slime." +His voice dropped as though he were +musing aloud. "It might be well to let +him have Athalia. She will help to +keep vigor in the new race, which +would stop reproducing in another few +generations without the injection of +Black Age blood."</p> + +<p>"Do you want to bring more creatures +like Adam into the world?" +Northwood flung at him. "You have +tampered with life enough, Dr. Mundson. +But, although Adam has my sympathy, +I'm not willing to turn Athalia +over to him."</p> + +<p>"Well said! Now come to the laboratory +for chemical nourishment and rest +under the Life Ray."</p> + +<p>They went to the great circular +building from whose highest tower issued +the golden radiance that shamed +the light of the sun, hanging low in the +northeast.</p> + +<p>"John Northwood," said Dr. Mundson, +"with that laboratory, which is the +center of all life in New Eden, we'll +have to whip Adam. He gave us what +he called a 'sporting chance' because he +knew that he is able to send us and all +mankind to a doom more terrible than +hell. Even now we might be entering +some hideous trap that he has set for +us."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> entered by a side entrance +and went immediately to what Dr. +Mundson called the Rest Ward. Here, +in a large room, were ranged rows of +cots, on many of which lay men basking +in the deep orange flood of light +which poured from individual lamps +set above each cot.</p> + +<p>"It is the Life Ray!" said Dr. Mundson +reverently. "The source of all +growth and restoration in Nature. It +is the power that bursts open the seed +and brings forth the shoot, that increases +the shoot into a giant tree. It +is the same power that enables the fertilized +ovum to develop into an animal. +It creates and recreates cells almost instantly; +accordingly, it is the perfect +substitute for sleep. Stretch out, enjoy +its power; and while you rest, eat these +nourishing tablets."</p> + +<p>Northwood lay on a cot, and Dr. +Mundson turned the Life Ray on him. +For a few minutes a delicious drowsiness +fell upon him, producing a spell of +perfect peace which the cells of his being +seemed to drink in. For another +delirious, fleeting space, every inch of +him vibrated with a thrilling sensation +of freshness. He took a deep, ecstatic +breath and opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Enough," said Dr. Mundson, switching +off the Ray. "After three minutes +of rejuvenation, you are commencing +again with perfect cells. All ravages +from disease and wear have been corrected."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page211" name="page211">[211]</a></span> +Northwood leaped up joyously. His +handsome eyes sparkled, his skin +glowed. "I feel great! Never felt so +good since I was a kid."</p> + +<p>A pleased grin spread over the +scientist's homely face. "See what my +discovery will mean to the world! In +the future we shall all go to the laboratory +for recuperation and nourishment. +We'll have almost twenty-four hours a +day for work and play."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> stretched out on the bed contentedly. +"Some day, when my +work is nearly done, I shall permit the +Life Ray to cure my hump."</p> + +<p>"Why not now?"</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson sighed. "If I were perfect, +I should cease to be so overwhelmingly +conscious of the importance +of perfection." He settled back +to enjoyment of the Life Ray.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, he jumped up, +alert as a boy. "<i>Ach!</i> That's fine. +Now I'll show you how the Life Ray +speeds up development and produces +four generations of humans a year."</p> + +<p>With restored energy, Northwood +began thinking of Athalia. As he followed +Dr. Mundson down a long corridor, +he yearned to see her again, to be +certain that she was safe. Once he +imagined he felt a gentle, soft-fleshed +touch against his hand, and was disappointed +not to see her walking by his +side. Was she with him, unseen? The +thought was sweet.</p> + +<p>Before Dr. Mundson opened the massive +bronze door at the end of the corridor, +he said:</p> + +<p>"Don't be surprised or shocked over +anything you see here, John Northwood. +This is the Baby Laboratory."</p> + +<p>They entered a room which seemed +no different from a hospital ward. On +little white beds lay naked children of +various sizes, perfect, solemn-eyed +youngsters and older children as +beautiful as animated statues. Above +each bed was a small Life Ray projector. +A white-capped nurse went +from bed to bed.</p> + +<p>"They are recuperating from the +daily educational period," said the +scientist. "After a few minutes of this +they will go into the growing room, +which I shall have to show you through +a window. Should you and I enter, we +might be changed in a most extraordinary +manner." He laughed mischievously. +"But, look, Northwood!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> slid back a panel in the wall, +and Northwood peered in +through a thick pane of clear glass. +The room was really an immense outdoor +arena, its only carpet the fine-bladed +grass, its roof the blue sky cut +in the middle by an enormous disc +from which shot the aurora of trapped +sunshine which made a golden umbrella +over the valley. Through openings +in the bottom of the disc poured +a fine rain of rays which fell constantly +upon groups of children, youths and +young girls, all clad in the merest +scraps of clothing. Some were dancing, +others were playing games, but all +seemed as supremely happy as the +birds and butterflies which fluttered +about the shrubs and flowers edging +the arena.</p> + +<p>"I don't expect you to believe," said +Dr. Mundson, "that the oldest young +man in there is three months old. You +cannot see visible changes in a body +which grows as slowly as the human +being, whose normal period of development +is twenty years or more. But I +can give you visible proof of how fast +growth takes place under the full +power of the Life Ray. Plant life, +which, even when left to nature, often +develops from seed to flower within a +few weeks or months, can be seen making +its miraculous changes under the +Life Ray. Watch those gorgeous purple +flowers over which the butterflies +are hovering."</p> + +<p>Northwood followed his pointing +finger. Near the glass window through +which they looked grew an enormous +bank of resplendent violet colored +flowers, which literally enshrouded the +entire bush with their royal glory. At +first glance it seemed as though a vio<span class="pagenum"><a id="page212" name="page212">[212]</a></span>lent +wind were snatching at flower and +bush, but closer inspection proved that +the agitation was part of the plant itself. +And then he saw that the movements +were the result of perpetual +composition and growth.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> fastened his eyes on one huge +bud. He saw it swell, burst, +spread out its passionate purple velvet, +lift the broad flower face to the light +for a joyous minute. A few seconds +later a butterfly lighted airily to +sample its nectar and to brush the +pollen from its yellow dusted wings. +Scarcely had the winged visitor flown +away than the purple petals began to +wither and fall away, leaving the seed +pod on the stem. The visible change +went on in this seed pod. It turned +rapidly brown, dried out, and then sent +the released seeds in a shower to the +rich black earth below. Scarcely had +the seeds touched the ground than they +sent up tiny green shoots that grew +larger each moment. Within ten minutes +there was a new plant a foot high. +Within half an hour, the plant budded, +blossomed, and cast forth its own seed.</p> + +<p>"You understand?" asked the scientist. +"Development is going on as rapidly +among the children. Before the first +year has passed, the youngest baby will +have grandchildren; that is, if the baby +tests out fit to pass its seed down to +the new generation. I know it sounds +absurd. Yet you saw the plant."</p> + +<p>"But Doctor," Northwood rubbed his +jaw thoughtfully, "Nature's forces of +destruction, of tearing down, are as +powerful as her creative powers. You +have discovered the ultimate in creation +and upbuilding. But perhaps—oh, +Lord, it is too awful to think!"</p> + +<p>"Speak, Northwood!" The scientist's +voice was impatient.</p> + +<p>"It is nothing!" The pale young man +attempted a smile. "I was only imagining +some of the horror that could be +thrust on the world if a supermind like +Adam's should discover Nature's secret +of death and destruction and speed it +up as you have sped the life force."</p> + +<p>"<i>Ach Gott!</i>" Dr. Mundson's face was +white. "He has his own laboratory, +where he works every day. Don't talk +so loud. He might be listening. And I +believe he can do anything he sets out +to accomplish."</p> + +<p>Close to Northwood's ear fell a faint, +triumphant whisper: "Yes, he can do +anything. How did you guess, worm?"</p> + +<p>It was Adam's voice.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">N</span><span class="dcap">ow</span> come and see the Leyden +jar mothers," said Dr. Mundson. +"We do not wait for the child to be +born to start our work."</p> + +<p>He took Northwood to a laboratory +crowded with strange apparatus, where +young men and women worked. Northwood +knew instantly that these people, +although unusually handsome and +strong, were not of Adam's generation. +None of them had the look of newness +which marked those who had grown up +under the Life Ray.</p> + +<p>"They are the perfect couples whom +I combed the world to find," said the +scientist. "From their eugenic marriages +sprang the first children that +passed through the laboratory. I had +hoped," he hesitated and looked sideways +at Northwood, "I had dreamed of +having the children of you and Athalia +to help strengthen the New Race."</p> + +<p>A wave of sudden disgust passed +over Northwood.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," he said tartly. "When I +marry Athalia, I intend to have an old-fashioned +home and a Black Age family. +I don't relish having my children +turned into—experiments."</p> + +<p>"But wait until you see all the wonders +of the laboratory! That is why +I am showing you all this."</p> + +<p>Northwood drew his handkerchief +and mopped his brow. "It sickens me, +Doctor! The more I see, the more pity +I have for Adam—and the less I blame +him for his rebellion and his desire to +kill and to rule. Heavens! What a +terrible thing you have done, experimenting +with human life."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Can you say that all life—all +matter—is not the result of scien<span class="pagenum"><a id="page213" name="page213">[213]</a></span>tific +experiment? Can you?" His black +gaze made Northwood uncomfortable. +"Buck up, young friend, for now I am +going to show you a marvelous improvement +on Nature's bungling ways—the +Leyden jar mother." He raised +his voice and called, "Lilith!"</p> + +<p>The woman whom they had met on +the field came forward.</p> + +<p>"May we take a peep at Lona's +twins?" asked the scientist. "They are +about ready to go to the growing dome, +are they not?"</p> + +<p>"In five more minutes," said the +woman. "Come see."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">She</span> lifted one of the black velvet +curtains that lined an entire side +of the laboratory and thereby disclosed +a globular jar of glass and metal, connected +by wires to a dynamo. Above +the jar was a Life Ray projector. +Lilith slid aside a metal portion of the +jar, disclosing through the glass underneath +the squirming, kicking body of a +baby, resting on a bed of soft, spongy +substance, to which it was connected +by the navel cord.</p> + +<p>"The Leyden jar mother," said Dr. +Mundson. "It is the dream of us scientists +realized. The human mother's +body does nothing but nourish and protect +her unborn child, a job which +science can do better. And so, in New +Eden, we take the young embryo and +place it in the Leyden jar mother, +where the Life Ray, electricity, and +chemical food shortens the period of +gestation to a few days."</p> + +<p>At that moment a bell under the +Leyden jar began to ring. Dr. Mundson +uncovered the jar and lifted out the +child, a beautiful, perfectly formed +boy, who began to cry lustily.</p> + +<p>"Here is one baby who'll never be +kissed," he said. "He'll be nourished +chemically, and, at the end of the week, +will no longer be a baby. If you are +patient, you can actually see the processes +of development taking place under +the Life Ray, for babies develop +very fast."</p> + +<p>Northwood buried his face in his +hands. "Lord! This is awful. No childhood; +no mother to mould his mind! +No parents to watch over him, to give +him their tender care!"</p> + +<p>"Awful, fiddlesticks! Come see how +children get their education, how they +learn to use their hands and feet so +they need not pass through the awkwardness +of childhood."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> led Northwood to a magnificent +building whose façade of white +marble was as simply beautiful as a +Greek temple. The side walls, built almost +entirely of glass, permitted the +synthetic sunshine to sweep from end +to end. They first entered a library, +where youths and young girls poured +over books of all kinds. Their manner +of reading mystified Northwood. With +a single sweep of the eye, they seemed +to devour a page, and then turned to +the next. He stepped closer to peer over +the shoulder of a beautiful girl. She +was reading "Euclid's Elements of +Geometry," in Latin, and she turned +the pages as swiftly as the other girl +occupying her table, who was devouring +"Paradise Lost."</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson whispered to him: "If +you do not believe that Ruth here is +getting her Euclid, which she probably +never saw before <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from today">to-day</ins>, examine her +from the book; that is, if you are a +good enough Latin scholar."</p> + +<p>Ruth stopped her reading to talk to +him, and, in a few minutes, had completely +dumbfounded him with her pedantic +replies, which fell from lips as +luscious and unformed as an infant's.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Dr. Mundson, "test +Rachael on her Milton. As far as she +has read, she should not misquote a +line, and her comments will probably +prove her scholarly appreciation of +Milton."</p> + +<p>Word for word, Rachael was able to +give him "Paradise Lost" from memory, +except the last four pages, which she +had not read. Then, taking the book +from him, she swept her eyes over +these pages, returned the book to him, +and quoted copiously and correctly.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page214" name="page214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dr. Mundson</span> gloated triumphantly +over his astonishment. +"There, my friend. Could you now be +satisfied with old-fashioned children +who spend long, expensive years in +getting an education? Of course, your +children will not have the perfect +brains of these, yet, developed under +the Life Ray, they should have splendid +mentality.</p> + +<p>"These children, through selective +breeding, have brains that make everlasting +records instantly. A page in a +book, once seen, is indelibly retained +by them, and understood. The same is +true of a lecture, of an explanation +given by a teacher, of even idle conversation. +Any man or woman in this +room should be able to repeat the most +trivial conversation days old."</p> + +<p>"But what of the arts, Dr. Mundson? +Surely even your supermen and women +cannot instantly learn to paint a masterpiece +or to guide their fingers and +their brains through the intricacies of +a difficult musical composition."</p> + +<p>"No?" His dark eyes glowed. "Come +see!"</p> + +<p>Before they entered another wing of +the building, they heard a violin being +played masterfully.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson paused at the door.</p> + +<p>"So that you may understand what +you shall see, let me remind you that +the nerve impulses and the coordinating +means in the human body are purely +electrical. The world has not yet +accepted my theory, but it will. Under +superman's system of education, the +instantaneous records made on the +brain give immediate skill to the acting +parts of the body. Accordingly, musicians +are made over night."</p> + +<p>He threw open the door. Under a +Life Ray projector, a beautiful, Juno-esque +woman was playing a violin. +Facing her, and with eyes fastened to +hers, stood a young man, whose arms +and slender fingers mimicked every +motion she made. Presently she stopped +playing and handed the violin to him. +In her own masterly manner, he repeated +the score she had played.</p> + +<p>"That is Eve," whispered Dr. Mundson. +"I had selected her as Adam's +wife. But he does not want her, the +most brilliant woman of the New Race."</p> + +<p>Northwood gave the woman an appraising +look. "Who wants a perfect +woman? I don't blame Adam for <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'prefering'">preferring</ins> +Athalia. But how is she teaching +her pupil?"</p> + +<p>"Through thought vibration, which +these perfect people have developed +until they can record permanently the +radioactive waves of the brains of +others."</p> + +<p>Eve turned, caught Northwood's eyes +in her magnetic blue gaze, and smiled +as only a goddess can smile upon a +mortal she has marked as her own. She +came toward him with outflung hands.</p> + +<p>"So you have come!" Her vibrant +contralto voice, like Adam's, held the +birdlike, broken tremulo of a young +child's. "I have been waiting for you, +John Northwood."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Her</span> eyes, as blue and icy as +Adam's, lingered long on him, +until he flinched from their steely +magnetism. She slipped her arm +through his and drew him gently but +firmly from the room, while Dr. Mundson +stood gaping after them.</p> + +<p>They were on a flagged terrace +arched with roses of gigantic size, +which sent forth billows of sensuous +fragrance. Eve led him to a white +marble seat piled with silk cushions, +on which she reclined her superb body, +while she regarded him from narrowed +lids.</p> + +<p>"I saw your picture that he televisioned +to Athalia," she said. "What a +botch Dr. Mundson has made of his +mating." Her laugh rippled like falling +water. "I want you, John Northwood!"</p> + +<p>Northwood started and blushed furiously. +Smile dimples broke around her +red, humid lips.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you're old-fashioned!"</p> + +<p>Her large, beautiful hand, fleshed +more tenderly than any woman's hand +he had ever seen, went out to him appealingly. +"I can bring you amorous<span class="pagenum"><a id="page215" name="page215">[215]</a></span> +delight that your Athalia never could +offer in her few years of youth. And +I'll never grow old, John Northwood."</p> + +<p>She came closer until he could feel +the fragrant warmth of her tawny, +ribbon bound hair pulse against his +face. In sudden panic he drew back.</p> + +<p>"But I am pledged to Athalia!" +tumbled from him. "It is all a dreadful +mistake, Eve. You and Adam were +created for each other."</p> + +<p>"Hush!" The lightning that flashed +from her blue eyes changed her from +seductress to angry goddess. "Created +for each other! Who wants a made-to-measure +lover?"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> luscious lips trembled slightly, +and into the vivid eyes crept +a suspicion of moisture. Eternal Eve's +weapons! Northwood's handsome face +relaxed with pity.</p> + +<p>"I want you, John Northwood," she +continued shamelessly. "Our love will +be sublime." She leaned heavily against +him, and her lips were like a blood red +flower pressed against white satin. +"Come, beloved, kiss me!"</p> + +<p>Northwood gasped and turned his +head. "Don't, Eve!"</p> + +<p>"But a kiss from me will set you +apart from all your generation, John +Northwood, and you shall understand +what no man of the Black Age could +possibly fathom."</p> + +<p>Her hair had partly fallen from its +ribbon bandage and poured its fragrant +gold against his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, don't tempt me!" he +groaned. "What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That mental and physical and spiritual +contact with me will temporarily +give you, a three-dimension creature, +the power of the new sense, which +your race will not have for fifty thousand +years."</p> + +<p>White-lipped and trembling, he demanded: +"Explain!"</p> + +<p>Eve smiled. "Have you not guessed +that Adam has developed an additional +sense? You've seen him vanish. He and +I have the sixth sense of Time Perception—the +new sense which enables us +to penetrate what you of the Black Age +call the Fourth Dimension. Even you +whose mentalities are framed by three +dimensions have this sixth sense instinct. +Your very religion is based on +it, for you believe that in another life +you shall step into Time, or, as you +call it, eternity." She leaned closer so +that her hair brushed his cheek. "What +is eternity, John Northwood? Is it not +keeping forever ahead of the Destroyer? +The future is eternal, for it is +never reached. Adam and I, through +our new sense which comprehends +Time and Space, can vanish by stepping +a few seconds into the future, the +Fourth Dimension of Space. Death can +never reach us, not even accidental +death, unless that which causes death +could also slip into the future, which +is not yet possible."</p> + +<p>"But if the Fourth Dimension is +future Time, why can one in the third +dimension feel the touch of an unseen +presence in the Fourth Dimension—hear +his voice, even?"</p> + +<p>"Thought vibration. The touch is not +really felt nor the voice heard: they +are only imagined. The radioactive +waves of the brain of even you Black +Age people are swift enough to bridge +Space and Time. And it is the mind +that carries us beyond the third dimension."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Her</span> red mouth reached closer to +him, her blue eyes touched hidden +forces that slept in remote cells +of his being. "You are going into +Eternal Time, John Northwood, Eternity +without beginning or end. You +understand? You feel it? Comprehend +it? Now for the contact—kiss me!"</p> + +<p>Northwood had seen Athalia vanish +under Adam's kiss. Suddenly, in one +mad burst of understanding, he leaned +over to his magnificent temptress.</p> + +<p>For a split second he felt the sweet +pressure of baby-soft lips, and then +the atoms of his body seemed to fly +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'assunder'">asunder</ins>. Black chaos held him for +a frightful moment before he felt +sanity return.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page216" name="page216">[216]</a></span> +He was back on the terrace again, +with Eve by his side. They were standing +now. The world about him looked +the same, yet there was a subtle change +in everything.</p> + +<p>Eve laughed softly. "It is puzzling, +isn't it? You're seeing everything as +in a mirror. What was left before is +now right. Only you and I are real. +All else is but a vision, a dream. For +now you and I are existing one minute +in future time, or, more simply, we are +in the Fourth Dimension. To everything +in the third dimension, we are +invisible. Let me show you that Dr. +Mundson cannot see you."</p> + +<p>They went back to the room beyond +the terrace. Dr. Mundson was not +present.</p> + +<p>"There he goes down the jungle +path," said Eve, looking out a window. +She laughed. "Poor old fellow. The +children of his genius are worrying +him."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> were standing in the recess +formed by a bay window. Eve +picked up his hand and laid it against +her face, giving him the full, blasting +glory of her smiling blue eyes.</p> + +<p>Northwood, looking away miserably, +uttered a low cry. Coming over the +field beyond were Adam and Athalia. +By the trimming on the blue dress she +wore, he could see that she was still +in the Fourth Dimension, for he did +not see her as a mirror image.</p> + +<p>A look of fear leaped to Eve's face. +She clutched Northwood's arm, trembling.</p> + +<p>"I don't want Adam to see that I have +passed you beyond," she gasped. "We +are existing but one minute in the +future. Always Adam and I have feared +to pass too far beyond the sweetness of +reality. But now, so that Adam may +not see us, we shall step five minutes +into what-is-yet-to-be. And even he, +with all his power, cannot see into a +future that is more distant than that +in which he exists."</p> + +<p>She raised her humid lips to his. +"Come, beloved."</p> + +<p>Northwood kissed her. Again came +the moment of confusion, of the awful +vacancy that was like death, and then +he found himself and Eve in the laboratory, +following Adam and Athalia +down a long corridor. Athalia was crying +and pleading frantically with +Adam. Once she stopped and threw +herself at his feet in a gesture of +dramatic supplication, arms outflung, +streaming eyes wide open with fear.</p> + +<p>Adam stooped and lifted her gently +and continued on his way, supporting +her against his side.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Eve</span> dug her fingers into Northwood's +arm. Horror contorted +her face, horror mixed with rage.</p> + +<p>"My mind hears what he is saying, +understands the vile plan he has made, +John Northwood. He is on his way to +his laboratory to destroy not only you +and most of these in New Eden, but +me as well. He wants only Athalia."</p> + +<p>Striding forward like an avenging +goddess, she pulled Northwood after +her.</p> + +<p>"Hurry!" she whispered. "Remember, +you and I are five minutes in the future, +and Adam is only one. We are witnessing +what will occur four minutes from +now. We yet have time to reach the +laboratory before him and be ready for +him when he enters. And because he +will have to go back to Present Time +to do his work of destruction, I will +be able to destroy him. Ah!"</p> + +<p>Fierce joy burned in her flashing +blue eyes, and her slender nostrils +quivered delicately. Northwood, peeping +at her in horror, knew that no +mercy could be expected of her. And +when she stopped at a certain door and +inserted a key, he remembered Athalia. +What if she should enter with Adam +in Present Time?</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> were inside Adam's laboratory, +a huge apartment filled with +queer apparatus and cages of live animals. +The room was a strange paradox. +Part of the equipment, the walls, and +the floor was glistening with newness,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page217" name="page217">[217]</a></span> +and part was moulding with extreme +age. The powers of disintegration that +haunt a tropical forest seemed to be +devouring certain spots of the room. +Here, in the midst of bright marble, +was a section of wall that seemed as +old as the pyramids. The surface of the +stone had an appalling mouldiness, as +though it had been lifted from an ancient +graveyard where it had lain in the +festering ground for unwholesome centuries.</p> + +<p>Between cracks in this stained and +decayed section of stone grew fetid +moss that quivered with the microscopic +organisms that infest age-rotten +places. Sections of the flooring and +woodwork also reeked with mustiness. +In one dark, webby corner of the room +lay a pile of bleached bones, still tinted +with the ghastly grays and pinks of +putrefaction. Northwood, overwhelmingly +nauseated, withdrew his eyes +from the bones, only to see, in another +corner, a pile of worm-eaten clothing +that lay on the floor in the outline of +a man.</p> + +<p>Faint with the reek of ancient mustiness, +Northwood retreated to the door, +dizzy and staggering.</p> + +<p>"It sickens you," said Eve, "and it +sickens me also, for death and decay +are not pleasant. Yet Nature, left to +herself, reduces all to this. Every grave +that has yawned to receive its <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'pray'">prey</ins> +hides corruption no less shocking. +Nature's forces of creation and destruction +forever work in partnership. +Never satisfied with her composition, +she destroys and starts again, building, +building towards the ultimate of perfection. +Thus, it is natural that if Dr. +Mundson isolated the Life Ray, Nature's +supreme force of compensation, +isolation of the Death Ray should +closely follow. Adam, thirsting for +power, has succeeded. A few sweeps +of his unholy ray of decomposition +will undo all Dr. Mundson's work in +this valley and reduce it to a stinking +holocaust of destruction. And the time +for his striking has come!"</p> + +<p>She seized his face and drew it toward +her. "Quick!" she said. "We'll +have to go back to the third dimension. +I could leave you safe in the fourth, +but if anything should happen to me, +you would be stranded forever in future +time."</p> + +<p>She kissed his lips. In a moment, he +was back in the old familiar world, +where right is right and left is left. +Again the subtle change wrought by +Eve's magic lips had taken place.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Eve</span> went to a machine standing in +a corner of the room.</p> + +<p>"Come here and get behind me, John +Northwood. I want to test it before he +enters."</p> + +<p>Northwood stood behind her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Now watch!" she ordered. "I shall +turn it on one of those cages of guinea +pigs over there."</p> + +<p>She swung the projector around, +pointed it at the cage of small, squealing +animals, and threw a lever. Instantly +a cone of black mephitis shot forth, +a loathsome, bituminous stream of +putrefaction that reeked of the grave +and the cesspool, of the utmost reaches +of decay before the dust accepts the +disintegrated atoms. The first touch of +seething, pitchy destruction brought +screams of sudden agony from the +guinea pigs, but the screams were cut +short as the little animals fell in shocking, +instant decay. The very cage which +imprisoned them shriveled and retreated +from the hellish, devouring +breath that struck its noisome rot into +the heart of the wood and the metal, +reducing both to revolting ruin.</p> + +<p>Eve cut off the frightful power, and +the black cone disappeared, leaving the +room putrid with its defilement.</p> + +<p>"And Adam would do that to the +world," she said, her blue eyes like +electric-shot icicles. "He would do it +to you, John Northwood—and to me!" +Her full bosom strained under the +passion beneath.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" She raised her hand warningly. +"He comes! The destroyer +comes!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page218" name="page218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A hand</span> was at the door. Eve +reached for the lever, and, the +same moment, Northwood leaned over +her imploringly.</p> + +<p>"If Athalia is with him!" he gasped. +"You will not harm her?"</p> + +<p>A wild shriek at the door, a slight +scuffle, and then the doorknob was +wrenched as though two were fighting +over it.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Eve!" implored +Northwood. "Wait! Wait!"</p> + +<p>"No! She shall die, too. You love +her!"</p> + +<p>Icy, cruel eyes cut into him, and a +new-fleshed hand tried to push him +aside. The door was straining open. A +beloved voice shrieked. "John!"</p> + +<p>Eve and Northwood both leaped for +the lever. Under her tender white flesh +she was as strong as a man. In the +midst of the struggle, her red, humid +lips approached his—closer. Closer. +Their merest pressure would thrust +him into Future Time, where the <ins class="correction" title="Original split across lines with r repeated, as labor-ratory">laboratory</ins> +and all it contained would be +but a shadow, and where he would be +helpless to interfere with her terrible +will.</p> + +<p>He saw the door open and Adam +stride into the room. Behind him, lying +prone in the hall where she had +probably fainted, was Athalia. In a +mad burst of strength he touched the +lever together with Eve.</p> + +<p>The projector, belching forth its +stinking breath of corruption swung in +a mad arc over the ceiling, over the +walls—and then straight at Adam.</p> + +<p>Then, quicker than thought, came the +accident. Eve, attempting to throw +Northwood off, tripped, fell half over +the machine, and, with a short scream +of despair, dropped into the black +path of destruction.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Northwood</span> paused, horrified. +The Death Ray was pointed at +an inner wall of the room, which, even +as he looked, crumbled and disappeared, +bringing down upon him dust +more foul than any obscenity the +bowels of the earth might yield. In an +instant the black cone ate through the +outer parts of the building, where +crashing stone and screams that were +more horrible because of their shortness +followed the ruin that swept far +into the fair reaches of the valley.</p> + +<p>The paralyzing odor of decay took +his breath, numbed his muscles, until, +of all that huge building, the wall behind +him and one small section of the +room by the doorway alone remained +whole. He was trying to nerve himself +to reach for the lever close to that +quiet formless thing still partly draped +over the machine, when a faint sound +in the door electrified him. At first, he +dared not look, but his own name, +spoken almost in a gasp, gave him +courage.</p> + +<p>Athalia lay on the floor, apparently +untouched.</p> + +<p>He jerked the lever violently before +running to her, exultant with the +knowledge that his own efforts to keep +the ray from the door had saved her.</p> + +<p>"And you're not hurt!" He gathered +her close.</p> + +<p>"John! I saw it get Adam." She +pointed to a new mound of mouldy +clothes on the floor. "Oh, it is hideous +for me to be so glad, but he was going +to destroy everything and everyone except +me. He made the ray projector +for that one purpose."</p> + +<p>Northwood looked over the pile of +putrid ruins which a few minutes ago +had been a building. There was not a +wall left intact.</p> + +<p>"His intention is accomplished, Athalia," +he said sadly. "Let's get out before +more stones fall."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">In</span> a moment they were in the open. +An ominous stillness seemed to +grip the very air—the awful silence of +the polar wastes which lay not far +beyond the mountains.</p> + +<p>"How dark it is, John!" cried Athalia. +"Dark and cold!"</p> + +<p>"The sunshine projector!" gasped +Northwood. "It must have been destroyed. +Look, dearest! The golden +light has disappeared."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page219" name="page219">[219]</a></span> +"And the warm air of the valley will +lift immediately. That means a polar +blizzard." She shuddered and clung +closer to him. "I've seen Antarctic +storms, John. They're death."</p> + +<p>Northwood avoided her eyes. "There's +the sun-ship. We'll give the ruins the +once over in case there are any survivors; +then we'll save ourselves."</p> + +<p>Even a cursory examination of the +mouldy piles of stone and dust convinced +them that there could be no +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'survivers'">survivors</ins>. The ruins looked as though +they had lain in those crumbling piles +for centuries. Northwood, smothering +his repugnance, stepped among them—among +the green, slimy stones and the +unspeakable revolting débris, staggering +back and faint and shocked when +he came upon dust that was once +human.</p> + +<p>"God!" he groaned, hands over eyes. +"We're alone, Athalia! Alone in a +charnal house. The laboratory housed +the entire population, didn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Needing no sleep nor food, +we did not need houses. We all worked +here, under Dr. Mundson's generalship, +and, lately under Adam's, like a +little band of soldiers fighting for a +great cause."</p> + +<p>"Let's go to the sun-ship, dearest."</p> + +<p>"But Daddy Mundson was in the +library," sobbed Athalia. "Let's look +for him a little longer."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Sudden</span> remembrance came to +Northwood. "No, Athalia! He left +the library. I saw him go down the +jungle path several minutes before I +and Eve went to Adam's laboratory."</p> + +<p>"Then he might be safe!" Her eyes +danced. "He might have gone to the +sun-ship."</p> + +<p>Shivering, she slumped against him. +"Oh, John! I'm cold."</p> + +<p>Her face was blue. Northwood jerked +off his coat and wrapped it around her, +taking the intense cold against his unprotected +shoulders. The low, gray sky +was rapidly darkening, and the feeble +light of the sun could scarcely pierce +the clouds. It was disturbing to know +that even the summer temperature in +the Antarctic was far below zero.</p> + +<p>"Come, girl," said Northwood gravely. +"Hurry! It's snowing."</p> + +<p>They started to run down the road +through the narrow strip of jungle. +The Death Ray had cut huge swathes +in the tangle of trees and vines, and +now areas of heaped débris, livid with +the colors of recent decay, exhaled a +mephitic humidity altogether alien to +the snow that fell in soft, slow flakes. +Each hesitated to voice the new fear: +had the sun-ship been destroyed?</p> + +<p>By the time they reached the open +field, the snow stung their flesh like +sharp needles, but it was not yet thick +enough to hide from them a hideous +fact.</p> + +<p>The sun-ship was gone.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> might have occupied one of several +black, foul areas on the green +grass, where the searching Death Ray +had made the very soil putrefy, and +the rocks crumble into shocking dust.</p> + +<p>Northwood snatched Athalia to him, +too full of despair to speak. A sudden +terrific flurry of snow whirled around +them, and they were almost blown from +their feet by the icy wind that tore +over the unprotected field.</p> + +<p>"It won't be long," said Athalia +faintly. "Freezing doesn't hurt, John, +dear."</p> + +<p>"It isn't fair, Athalia! There never +would have been such a marriage as +ours. Dr. Mundson searched the world +to bring us together."</p> + +<p>"For scientific experiment!" she +sobbed. "I'd rather die, John. I want +an old-fashioned home, a Black Age +family. I want to grow old with you +and leave the earth to my children. +Or else I want to die here now under +the kind, white blanket the snow is +already spreading over us." She +drooped in his arms.</p> + +<p>Clinging together, they stood in the +howling wind, looking at each other +hungrily, as though they would snatch +from death this one last picture of the +other.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page220" name="page220">[220]</a></span> +Northwood's freezing lips translated +some of the futile words that crowded +against them. "I love you because you +are not perfect. I hate perfection!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Perfection is the only hopeless +state, John. That is why Adam +wanted to destroy, so that he might +build again."</p> + +<p>They were sitting in the snow now, +for they were very tired. The storm +began whistling louder, as though it +were only a few feet above their heads.</p> + +<p>"That sounds almost like the sun-ship," +said Athalia drowsily.</p> + +<p>"It's only the wind. Hold your face +down so it won't strike your flesh so +cruelly."</p> + +<p>"I'm not suffering. I'm getting warm +again." She smiled at him sleepily.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Little</span> icicles began to form on +their clothing, and the powdery +snow frosted their uncovered hair.</p> + +<p>Suddenly came a familiar voice: +"<i>Ach Gott!</i>"</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson stood before them, +covered with snow until he looked like +a polar bear.</p> + +<p>"Get up!" he shouted. "Quick! To +the sun-ship!"</p> + +<p>He seized Athalia and jerked her to +her feet. She looked at him sleepily +for a moment, and then threw herself +at him and hugged him frantically.</p> + +<p>"You're not dead?"</p> + +<p>Taking each by the arm, he half +dragged them to the sun-ship, which +had landed only a few feet away. In +a few minutes he had hot brandy for +them.</p> + +<p>While they sipped greedily, he +talked, between working the sun-ship's +controls.</p> + +<p>"No, I wouldn't say it was a lucky +moment that drew me to the sun-ship. +When I saw Eve trying to charm John, +I had what you American slangists +call a hunch, which sent me to the +sun-ship to get it off the ground so +that Adam couldn't commandeer it. +And what is a hunch but a mental +penetration into the Fourth Dimension?" +For a long moment, he brooded, +absent-minded. "I was in the air when +the black ray, which I suppose is +Adam's deviltry, began to destroy +everything it touched. From a safe +elevation I saw it wreck all my work." +A sudden spasm crossed his face. "I've +flown over the entire valley. We're the +only survivors—thank God!"</p> + +<p>"And so at last you confess that it is +not well to tamper with human life?" +Northwood, warmed with hot brandy, +was his old self again.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I have not altogether wasted +my efforts. I went to elaborate pains +to bring together a perfect man and a +perfect woman of what Adam called +our Black Age." He smiled at them +whimsically.</p> + +<p>"And who can say to what extent +you have thus furthered natural evolution?" +Northwood slipped his arm +around Athalia. "Our children might +be more than geniuses, Doctor!"</p> + +<p>Dr. Mundson nodded his huge, +shaggy head gravely.</p> + +<p>"The true instinct of a Creature of +the Light," he declared.</p> + +<p class="adbox"> +<i>Remember</i><br /> +ASTOUNDING STORIES<br /> +<i>Appears on Newsstands</i><br /> +THE FIRST THURSDAY IN EACH MONTH<br /> +</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page221" name="page221">[221]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Into_Space" id="Into_Space"></a>Into Space</h2> + +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Sterner St. Paul</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/221.png" width="400" height="425" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">A loud hum filled the +air, and suddenly the +projectile rose, gaining +speed rapidly.</p> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Many</span> of my readers will remember +the mysterious radio +messages which were +heard by both amateur and +professional short wave operators during +the nights of +the twenty-third +and twenty-fourth +of last +September, and +even more will remember +the astounding +discovery made by Professor +Montescue of the Lick Observatory on +the night of September twenty-fifth. +At the time, some inspired writers tried +to connect the two events, maintaining +that the discovery of the fact that the +earth had a new satellite coincident +with the receipt +of the mysterious +messages was evidence +that the +new planetoid +was inhabited and +that the messages +were attempts on the part of the inhabitants +to communicate with us.</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">What was the extraordinary connection +between Dr. Livermore's sudden disappearance +and the coming of a new +satellite to the Earth?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page222" name="page222">[222]</a></span> +The fact that the messages were on a +lower wave length than any receiver +then in existence could receive with +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'and'">any</ins> degree of clarity, and the additional +fact that they appeared to come from +an immense distance lent a certain air +of plausibility to these <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'ebulitions'">ebullitions</ins> in +the Sunday magazine sections. For +some weeks the feature writers harped +on the subject, but the hurried construction +of new receivers which would +work on a lower wave length yielded no +results, and the solemn pronouncements +of astronomers to the effect that +the new celestial body could by no possibility +have an atmosphere on account +of its small size finally put an end to +the talk. So the matter lapsed into +oblivion.</p> + +<p>While quite a few people will remember +the two events I have noted, I +doubt whether there are five hundred +people alive who will remember anything +at all about the disappearance of +Dr. Livermore of the University of +Calvada on September twenty-third. +He was a man of some local prominence, +but he had no more than a local +fame, and few papers outside of California +even noted the event in their +columns. I do not think that anyone +ever tried to connect up his disappearance +with the radio messages or the discovery +of the new earthly satellite; yet +the three events were closely bound up +together, and but for the Doctor's disappearance, +the other two would never +have happened.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dr. Livermore</span> taught physics +at Calvada, or at least he taught +the subject when he remembered that +he had a class and felt like teaching. +His students never knew whether he +would appear at class or not; but he +always passed <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from 'every one'">everyone</ins> who took his +courses and so, of course, they were always +crowded. The University authorities +used to remonstrate with him, but +his ability as a research worker was so +well known and recognized that he was +allowed to <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'do about'">go about</ins> as he pleased. He +was a bachelor who lived alone and who +had no interests in life, so far as anyone +knew, other than his work.</p> + +<p>I first made contact with him when +I was a freshman at Calvada, and for +some unknown reason he took a liking +to me. My father had insisted that I +follow in his footsteps as an electrical +engineer; as he was paying my bills, I +had to make a show at studying engineering +while I clandestinely pursued +my hobby, literature. Dr. Livermore's +courses were the easiest in the +school and they counted as science, so +I regularly registered for them, cut +them, and attended a class in literature +as an auditor. The Doctor used to meet +me on the campus and laughingly scold +me for my absence, but he was really +in sympathy with my ambition and he +regularly gave me a passing mark and +my units of credit without regard to +my attendance, or, rather, lack of it.</p> + +<p>When I graduated from Calvada I +was theoretically an electrical engineer. +Practically I had a pretty good +knowledge of contemporary literature +and knew almost nothing about my so-called +profession. I stalled around +Dad's office for a few months until I +landed a job as a cub reporter on the +San Francisco <i>Graphic</i> and then I quit +him cold. When the storm blew over, +Dad admitted that you couldn't make +a silk purse out of a sow's ear and +agreed with a grunt to my new line of +work. He said that I would probably +be a better reporter than an engineer +because I couldn't by any possibility be +a worse one, and let it go at that. However, +all this has nothing to do with +the story. It just explains how I came +to be acquainted with Dr. Livermore, +in the first place, and why he sent for +me on September twenty-second, in the +second place.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> morning of the twenty-second +the City Editor called me in and +asked me if I knew "Old Liverpills."</p> + +<p>"He says that he has a good story +ready to break but he won't talk to anyone +but you," went on Barnes. "I of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page223" name="page223">[223]</a></span>fered +to send out a good man, for when +Old Liverpills starts a story it ought +to be good, but all I got was a high +powered bawling out. He said that he +would talk to you or no one and would +just as soon talk to no one as to me any +longer. Then he hung up. You'd better +take a run out to Calvada and see +what he has to say. I can have a good +man <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from re-write">rewrite</ins> your drivel when you get +back."</p> + +<p>I was more or less used to that sort +of talk from Barnes so I paid no attention +to it. I drove my flivver down to +Calvada and asked for the Doctor.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Livermore?" said the bursar. +"Why, he hasn't been around here for +the last ten months. This is his sabbatical +year and he is spending it on +a ranch he owns up at Hat Creek, near +Mount Lassen. You'll have to go there +if you want to see him."</p> + +<p>I knew better than to report back to +Barnes without the story, so there was +nothing to it but to drive up to Hat +Creek, and a long, hard drive it was. +I made Redding late that night; the +next day I drove on to Burney and +asked for directions to the Doctor's +ranch.</p> + +<p>"So you're going up to Doc Livermore's, +are you?" asked the Postmaster, +my informant. "Have you got an +invitation?"</p> + +<p>I assured him that I had.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing," he replied, "because +he don't allow anyone on his +place without one. I'd like to go up +there myself and see what's going on, +but I don't want to get shot at like +old Pete Johnson did when he tried +to drop in on the Doc and pay him a +little call. There's something mighty +funny going on up there."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Naturally</span> I tried to find out +what was going on but evidently +the Postmaster, who was also the express +agent, didn't know. All he could +tell me was that a "lot of junk" had +come for the Doctor by express and +that a lot more had been hauled in by +truck from Redding.</p> + +<p>"What kind of junk?" I asked him.</p> + +<p>"Almost everything, Bub: sheet +steel, machinery, batteries, cases of +glass, and Lord knows what all. It's +been going on ever since he landed +there. He has a bunch of Indians working +for him and he don't let a white +man on the place."</p> + +<p>Forced to be satisfied with this +meager information, I started old Lizzie +and lit out for the ranch. After I +had turned off the main trail I met +no one until the ranch house was in +sight. As I rounded a bend in the road +which brought me in sight of the building, +I was forced to put on my brakes +at top speed to avoid running into a +chain which was stretched across the +road. An Indian armed with a Winchester +rifle stood behind it, and when +I stopped he came up and asked my +business.</p> + +<p>"My business is with Dr. Livermore," +I said tartly.</p> + +<p>"You got letter?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"No," I answered.</p> + +<p>"No ketchum letter, no ketchum Doctor," +he replied, and walked stolidly +back to his post.</p> + +<p>"This is absurd," I shouted, and +drove Lizzie up to the chain. I saw +that it was merely hooked to a ring +at the end, and I climbed out and +started to take it down. A thirty-thirty +bullet embedded itself in the post an +inch or two from my head, and I +changed my mind about taking down +that chain.</p> + +<p>"No ketchum letter, no ketchum Doctor," +said the Indian laconically as he +pumped another shell into his gun.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">I was</span> balked, until I noticed a pair +of telephone wires running from +the house to the tree to which one end +of the chain was fastened.</p> + +<p>"Is that a telephone to the house?" +I demanded.</p> + +<p>The Indian grunted an assent.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Livermore telephoned me to +come and see him," I said. "Can't I +call him up and see if he still wants to +see me?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page224" name="page224">[224]</a></span> +The Indian debated the question +with himself for a minute and then +nodded a doubtful assent. I cranked +the old coffee mill type of telephone +which I found, and presently heard the +voice of Dr. Livermore.</p> + +<p>"This is Tom Faber, Doctor," I said. +"The <i>Graphic</i> sent me up to get a story +from you, but there's an Indian here +who started to murder me when I tried +to get past your barricade."</p> + +<p>"Good for him," chuckled the Doctor. +"I heard the shot, but didn't know +that he was shooting at you. Tell him +to talk to me."</p> + +<p>The Indian took the telephone at +my bidding and listened for a minute.</p> + +<p>"You go in," he agreed when he hung +up the receiver.</p> + +<p>He took down the chain and I drove +on up to the house, to find the Doctor +waiting for me on the veranda.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Tom," he greeted me heartily. +"So you had trouble with my +guard, did you?"</p> + +<p>"I nearly got murdered," I said ruefully.</p> + +<p>"I expect that Joe would have drilled +you if you had tried to force your way +in," he remarked cheerfully. "I forgot +to tell him that you were coming <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from today">to-day</ins>. +I told him you would be here +yesterday, but yesterday isn't to-day to +that Indian. I wasn't sure you would +get here at all, in point of fact, for I +didn't know whether that old fool I +talked to in your office would send you +or some one else. If anyone else had +been sent, he would have never got by +Joe, I can tell you. Come in. Where's +your bag?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't one," I replied. "I went +to Calvada yesterday to see you, and +didn't know until I got there that you +were up here."</p> + +<p>The Doctor chuckled.</p> + +<p>"I guess I forgot to tell where I +was," he said. "That man I talked to +got me so mad that I hung up on him +before I told him. It doesn't matter, +though. I can dig you up a new toothbrush, +and I guess you can make out +with that. Come in."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">I followed</span> him into the house, +and he showed me a room fitted +with a crude bunk, a washstand, a bowl +and a pitcher.</p> + +<p>"You won't have many luxuries +here, Tom," he said, "but you won't +need to stay here for more than a few +days. My work is done: I am ready +to start. In fact, I would have started +yesterday instead of to-day, had you +arrived. Now don't ask any questions; +it's nearly lunch time."</p> + +<p>"What's the story, Doctor?" I asked +after lunch as I puffed one of his excellent +cigars. "And why did you pick +me to tell it to?"</p> + +<p>"For several reasons," he replied, ignoring +my first question. "In the first +place, I like you and I think that you +can keep your mouth shut until you +are told to open it. In the second place, +I have always found that you had the +gift of vision or imagination and have +the ability to believe. In the third +place, you are the only man I know +who had the literary ability to write up +a good story and at the same time has +the scientific background to grasp what +it is all about. Understand that unless +I have your promise not to write this +story until I tell you that you can, not +a word will I tell you."</p> + +<p>I reflected for a moment. The +<i>Graphic</i> would expect the story when +I got back, but on the other hand I +knew that unless I gave the desired +promise, the Doctor wouldn't talk.</p> + +<p>"All right," I assented, "I'll promise."</p> + +<p>"Good!" he replied. "In that case, +I'll tell you all about it. No doubt you, +like the rest of the world, think that +I'm crazy?"</p> + +<p>"Why, not at all," I stammered. In +point of fact, I had often harbored +such a suspicion.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right," he went on +cheerfully. "I <i>am</i> crazy, crazy as a +loon, which, by the way, is a highly +sensible bird with a well balanced +mentality. There is no doubt that I +am crazy, but my craziness is not of +the usual type. Mine is the insanity of +genius."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page225" name="page225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> looked at me sharply as he +spoke, but long sessions at poker +in the San Francisco Press Club had +taught me how to control my facial +muscles, and I never batted an eye. He +seemed satisfied, and went on.</p> + +<p>"From your college work you are familiar +with the laws of magnetism," he +said. "Perhaps, considering just what +your college career really was, I might +better say that you are supposed to be +familiar with them."</p> + +<p>I joined with him in his laughter.</p> + +<p>"It won't require a very deep knowledge +to follow the thread of my argument," +he went on. "You know, of +course, that the force of magnetic attraction +is inversely proportional to the +square of the distances separating the +magnet and the attracted particles, and +also that each magnetized particle had +two poles, a positive and a negative +pole, or a north pole and a south pole, +as they are usually called?"</p> + +<p>I nodded.</p> + +<p>"Consider for a moment that the laws +of magnetism, insofar as concerns the +relation between distance and power of +attraction, are exactly matched by the +laws of gravitation."</p> + +<p>"But there the similarity between the +two forces ends," I interrupted.</p> + +<p>"But there the similarity does <i>not</i> +end," he said sharply. "That is the +crux of the discovery which I have +made: that magnetism and gravity are +one and the same, or, rather, that the +two are separate, but similar manifestations +of one force. The parallel between +the two grows closer with each +succeeding experiment. You know, +for example, that each magnetized particle +has two poles. Similarly each +gravitized particle, to coin a new word, +had two poles, one positive and one +negative. Every particle on the earth +is so oriented that the negative poles +point toward the positive center of the +earth. This is what causes the commonly +known phenomena of gravity or +weight."</p> + +<p>"I can prove the fallacy of that in a +moment," I retorted.</p> + +<p>"There are none so blind as those +who will not see," he quoted with an +icy smile. "I can probably predict +your puerile argument, but go ahead +and present it."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">I</span><span class="dcap">f</span> two magnets are placed so that +the north pole of one is in juxtaposition +to the south pole of the other, +they attract one another," I said. "If +the position of the magnets be reversed +so that the two similar poles are opposite, +they will repel. If your theory +were correct, a man standing on his +head would fall off the earth."</p> + +<p>"Exactly what I expected," he replied. +"Now let me ask you a question. +Have you ever seen a small bar magnet +placed within the field of attraction of +a large electromagnet? Of course you +have, and you have noticed that, when +the north pole of the bar magnet was +pointed toward the electromagnet, the +bar was attracted. However, when the +bar was reversed and the south pole +pointed toward the electromagnet, the +bar was still attracted. You doubtless +remember that experiment."</p> + +<p>"But in that case the magnetism of +the electromagnet was so large that the +polarity of the small magnet was reversed!" +I cried.</p> + +<p>"Exactly, and the field of gravity of +the earth is so great compared to the +gravity of a man that when he stands +on his head, his polarity is instantly +reversed."</p> + +<p>I nodded. His explanation was too +logical for me to pick a flaw in it.</p> + +<p>"If that same bar magnet were held +in the field of the electromagnet with +its north pole pointed toward the magnet +and then, by the action of some +outside force of sufficient power, its +polarity were reversed, the bar would +be repelled. If the magnetism were +neutralized and held exactly neutral, +it would be neither repelled nor attracted, +but would act only as the force +of gravity impelled it. Is that clear?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly," I assented.</p> + +<p>"That, then, paves the way for what +I have to tell you. I have developed<span class="pagenum"><a id="page226" name="page226">[226]</a></span> +an electrical method of neutralizing the +gravity of a body while it is within +the field of the earth, and also, by a +slight extension, a method of entirely +reversing its polarity."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">I nodded</span> calmly.</p> + +<p>"Do you realize what this +means?" he cried.</p> + +<p>"No," I replied, puzzled by his great +excitement.</p> + +<p>"Man alive," he cried, "it means that +the problem of aerial flight is entirely +revolutionized, and that the era of interplanetary +travel is at hand! Suppose +that I construct an airship and +then render it neutral to gravity. It +would weigh nothing, <i>absolutely nothing</i>! +The tiniest propeller would drive +it at almost incalculable speed with a +minimum consumption of power, for +the only resistance to its motion would +be the resistance of the air. If I were +to reverse the polarity, it would be repelled +from the earth with the same +force with which it is now attracted, +and it would rise with the same acceleration +as a body falls toward the +earth. It would travel to the moon in +two hours and forty minutes."</p> + +<p>"Air resistance would—"</p> + +<p>"There is no air a few miles from the +earth. Of course, I do not mean that +such a craft would take off from the +earth and land on the moon three hours +later. There are two things which +would interfere with that. One is the +fact that the propelling force, the gravity +of the earth, would diminish as the +square of the distance from the center +of the earth, and the other is that when +the band of neutral attraction, or rather +repulsion, between the earth and the +moon had been reached, it would be +necessary to <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'decellerate'">decelerate</ins> so as to avoid +a smash on landing. I have been over +the whole thing and I find that it would +take twenty-nine hours and fifty-two +minutes to make the whole trip. The +entire thing is perfectly possible. In +fact, I have asked you here to witness +and report the first interplanetary trip +to be made."</p> + +<p>"Have you constructed such a device?" +I cried.</p> + +<p>"My space ship is finished and ready +for your inspection," he replied. "If +you will come with me, I will show it +to you."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Hardly</span> knowing what to believe, +I followed him from the house +and to a huge barnlike structure, over +a hundred feet high, which stood +nearby. He opened the door and +switched on a light, and there before +me stood what looked at <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'fist'">first</ins> glance to +be a huge artillery shell, but of a size +larger than any ever made. It was constructed +of sheet steel, and while the +lower part was solid, the upper sections +had huge glass windows set in them. +On the point was a mushroom shaped +protuberance. It measured perhaps +fifty feet in diameter and was one hundred +and forty feet high, the Doctor +informed me. A ladder led from the +floor to a door about fifty feet from the +ground.</p> + +<p>I followed the Doctor up the ladder +and into the space flier. The door led +us into a comfortable living room +through a double door arrangement.</p> + +<p>"The whole hull beneath us," explained +the Doctor, "is filled with batteries +and machinery except for a space +in the center, where a shaft leads to a +glass window in the bottom so that I +can see behind me, so to speak. The +space above is filled with storerooms +and the air purifying apparatus. On +this level is my bedroom, kitchen, and +other living rooms, together with a +laboratory and an observatory. There +is a central control room located on +an upper level, but it need seldom be +entered, for the craft can be controlled +by a system of relays from this room or +from any other room in the ship. I +suppose that you are more or less +familiar with imaginative stories of +interplanetary travel?"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">I nodded</span> an assent.</p> + +<p>"In that case there is no use in +going over the details of the air puri<span class="pagenum"><a id="page227" name="page227">[227]</a></span>fying +and such matters," he said. "The +story writers have worked out all that +sort of thing in great detail, and there +is nothing novel in my arrangements. +I carry food and water for six months +and air enough for two months by constant +renovating. Have you any question +you wish to ask?"</p> + +<p>"One objection I have seen frequently +raised to the idea of interplanetary +travel is that the human body could not +stand the rapid acceleration which +would be necessary to attain speed +enough to ever get anywhere. How do +you overcome this?"</p> + +<p>"My dear boy, who knows what the +human body can stand? When the +locomotive was first invented learned +scientists predicted that the limit of +speed was thirty miles an hour, as the +human body could not stand a higher +speed. <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from Today">To-day</ins> the human body stands +a speed of three hundred and sixty +miles an hour without ill effects. At +any rate, on my first trip I intend to +take no chances. We know that the +body can stand an acceleration of +thirty-two feet per second without +trouble. That is the rate of acceleration +due to gravity and is the rate at +which a body increases speed when it +falls. This is the acceleration which I +will use.</p> + +<p>"Remember that the space traveled +by a falling body in a vacuum is equal +to one half the acceleration multiplied +by the square of the elapsed time. The +moon, to which I intend to make my +first trip, is only 280,000 miles, or +1,478,400,000 feet, from us. With an +acceleration of thirty-two feet per second, +I would pass the moon two hours +and forty minutes after leaving the +earth. If I later take another trip, say +to Mars, I will have to find a means of +increasing my acceleration, possibly +by the use of the rocket principle. +Then will be time enough to worry +about what my body will stand."</p> + +<p>A short calculation verified the +figures the Doctor had given me, and I +stood convinced.</p> + +<p>"Are you really going?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Most decidedly. To repeat, I would +have started yesterday, had you arrived. +As it is, I am ready to start +at once. We will go back to the house +for a few minutes while I show you the +location of an excellent telescope +through which you may watch my +progress, and instruct you in the use +of an ultra-short-wave receiver which +I am confident will pierce the Heaviside +layer. With this I will keep in communication +with you, although I have +made no arrangements for you to send +messages to me on this trip. I intend +to go to the moon and land. I will +take atmosphere samples through an +air port and, if there is an atmosphere +which will support life, I will step out +on the surface. If there is not, I will +return to the earth."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A few</span> minutes was enough +<ins class="correction" title="Duplicate 'for' removed">for</ins> me to grasp the simple +manipulations which I would have to +perform, and I followed him again to +the space flier.</p> + +<p>"How are you going to get it out?" I +asked.</p> + +<p>"Watch," he said.</p> + +<p>He worked some levers and the roof +of the barn folded back, leaving the +way clear for the departure of the +huge projectile. I followed him inside +and he climbed the ladder.</p> + +<p>"When I shut the door, go back to +the house and test the radio," he directed.</p> + +<p>The door clanged shut and I hastened +into the house. His voice came +plainly enough. I went back to the +flier and waved him a final farewell, +which he acknowledged through a +window; then I returned to the receiver. +A loud hum filled the air, and +suddenly the projectile rose and flew +out through the open roof, gaining +speed rapidly until it was a mere speck +in the sky. It vanished. I had no +trouble in picking him up with the +telescope. In fact, I could see the Doctor +through one of the windows.</p> + +<p>"I have passed beyond the range of +the atmosphere, Tom," came his voice<span class="pagenum"><a id="page228" name="page228">[228]</a></span> +over the receiver, "and I find that +everything is going exactly as it +should. I feel no discomfort, and my +only regret is that I did not install a +transmitter in the house so that you +could talk to me; but there is no real +necessity for it. I am going to make +some observations now, but I will call +you again with a report of progress in +half-an-hour."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">For</span> the rest of the afternoon and +all of that night I received his messages +regularly, but with the coming +of daylight they began to fade. By +nine o'clock I could get only a word +here and there. By noon I could hear +nothing. I went to sleep hoping that +the night would bring better reception, +nor was I disappointed. About eight +o'clock I received a message, rather +faintly, but none the less distinctly.</p> + +<p>"I regret more than ever that I did +not install a transmitter so that I could +learn from you whether you are receiving +my messages," his voice said faintly. +"I have no idea of whether you can +hear me or not, but I will keep on repeating +this message every hour while +my battery holds out. It is now thirty +hours since I left the earth and I +should be on the moon, according to +my calculations. But I am not, and +never will be. I am caught at the neutral +point where the gravity of the +earth and the moon are exactly equal.</p> + +<p>"I had relied on my momentum to +carry me over this point. Once over +it, I expected to reverse my polarity +and fall on the moon. My momentum +did not do so. If I keep my polarity +as it was when left the earth, both the +earth and the moon repel me. If I reverse +it, they both attract me, and +again I cannot move. If I had +equipped my space flier with a rocket +so that I could move a few miles, or +even a few feet, from the dead line, +I could proceed, but I did not do so, +and I cannot move forward or back. +Apparently I am doomed to stay here +until my air gives out. Then my body, +entombed in my space ship, will endlessly +circle the earth as a satellite +until the end of time. There is no +hope for me, for long before a duplicate +of my device equipped with +rockets could be constructed and come +to my rescue, my air would be exhausted. +Good-by, Tom. You may +write your story as soon as you wish. +I will repeat my message in one hour. +Good-by!"</p> + +<p>At nine and at ten o'clock the message +was repeated. At eleven it started +again but after a few sentences the +sound suddenly ceased and the receiver +went dead. I thought that the fault +was with the receiver and I toiled +feverishly the rest of the night, but +without result. I learned later that +the messages heard all over the world +ceased at the same hour.</p> + +<p>The next morning Professor Montescue +announced his discovery of the +world's new satellite.</p> + +<p class="adbox"> +<i>Coming</i>—<br /> +MURDER MADNESS<br /> +<i>An Extraordinary Four-Part Novel</i><br /> +<br /> +<i>By</i> MURRAY LEINSTER<br /> +</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page229" name="page229">[229]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="The_Beetle_Horde" id="The_Beetle_Horde"></a>The Beetle Horde</h2> +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Victor Rousseau</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/229.png" width="400" height="366" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">The hideous monsters leaped +into the cockpits and began their +abominable meal.</p> +</div> + +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Tommy Travers</span> and James +Dodd, of the Travers Antarctic +Expedition, crash in their plane somewhere +near the South Pole, and are +seized by a swarm of man-sized beetles. +They are carried +down to Submundia, +a world under +the earth's +crust, where the +beetles have developed +their civilization to an amazing +point, using a wretched race of degenerated +humans, whom they breed +as cattle, for food.</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">Bullets, shrapnel, shell—nothing can stop +the trillions of famished, man-sized beetles +which, led by a madman, sweep down +over the human race.</p> + +<p>The insect horde is ruled by a human +from the outside world—a drug-doped +madman. Dodd recognizes this +man as Bram, the archaeologist who +had been lost years before at the Pole +and given up for dead by a world he +had hated because +it refused to accept +his radical +scientific theories. +His fiendish +mind now plans +the horrible revenge of leading his unconquerable +horde of monster insects +forth to ravage the world, destroy the +human race and establish a new era—the +era of the insect.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page230" name="page230">[230]</a></span> +The world has to be warned of the +impending doom. The two, with +Haidia, a girl of Submundia, escape, +and pass through menacing dangers to +within two miles of the exit. There, +suddenly, Tommy sees towering over +him a creature that turns his blood +cold—a gigantic praying mantis. Before +he has time to act, the monster +springs at them!</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<br /> +<i>Through the Inferno</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Fortunately</span>, the monster +miscalculated its leap. The +huge legs, whirling through the +air, came within a few inches +of Tommy's head, but passed over him, +and the mantis plunged into the +stream. Instantly the water was alive +with leaping things with faces of such +grotesque horror that Tommy sat paralyzed +in his rocking shell, unable to +avert his eyes.</p> + +<p>Things no more than a foot or two +in length, to judge from the slender, +eel-like bodies that leaped into the air, +but things with catfish heads and tentacles, +and eyes waving on stalks; +things with clawlike appendages to +their ventral fins, and mouths that +widened to fearful size, so that the +whole head seemed to disappear above +them, disclosing fangs like wolves'. +Instantly the water was churned into +phosphorescent fire as they precipitated +themselves upon the struggling +mantis, whose enormous form, extending +halfway from shore to shore, was +covered with the river monsters, gnawing, +rending, tearing.</p> + +<p>Luckily the struggles of the dying +monster carried it downstream instead +of up. In a few moments the immediate +danger was past. And suddenly +Haidia awoke, sat up.</p> + +<p>"Where are we?" she cried. "Oh, I +can see! I can see! Something has +burned away from my eyes! I know +this place. A wise man of my people +once came here, and returned to tell of +it. We must go on. Soon we shall be +safe on the wide river. But there is +another way that leads to here. We +must go on! We must go on!"</p> + +<p>Even as she spoke they heard the +distant rasping of the beetle-legs. And +before the shells were well in mid-current +they saw the beetle horde coming +round the bend; in the front of +them Bram, reclining on his shell +couch, and drawn by the eight trained +beetles.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Bram</span> saw the fugitives, and a +roar of ironic mirth broke from +his lips, resounding high above the +strident rasping of the beetle-legs, and +roaring over the marshes.</p> + +<p>"I've got you, Dodd and Travers," he +bellowed, as the trained beetles hovered +above the shell canoes. "You +thought you were clever, but you're at +my mercy. Now's your last chance, +Dodd. I'll save you still if you'll submit +to me, if you'll admit that there +were fossil monotremes before the +pleistocene epoch. Come, it's so +simple! Say it after me: 'The marsupial +lion—'"</p> + +<p>"You go to hell!" yelled Dodd, +nearly upsetting his shell as he shook +his fist at his enemy.</p> + +<p>High above the rasping sound came +Bram's shrill whistle. Just audible to +human ears, though probably sounding +like the roar of thunder to those of the +beetles, there was no need to wonder +what it was.</p> + +<p>It was the call to slaughter.</p> + +<p>Like a black cloud the beetles shot +forward. A serried phalanx covered +the two men and the girl, hovering a +few feet overhead, the long legs dangling +to within arm's reach. And a +terrible cry of fear broke from Haidia's +lips.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Tommy remembered +Bram's cigarette-lighter. He pulled it +from his pocket and ignited it.</p> + +<p>Small as the flame was, it was actinically +much more powerful than the +brighter phosphorescence of the fungi +behind them. The beetle-cloud overhead +parted. The strident sound was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page231" name="page231">[231]</a></span> +broken into a confused buzzing as the +terrified, blinded beetles plopped into +the stream.</p> + +<p>None of them, fortunately, fell into +either of the three shells, but the mass +of struggling monsters in the water +was hardly less formidable to the +safety of the occupants than that menacing +cloud overhead.</p> + +<p>"Get clear!" Tommy yelled to Dodd, +trying to help the shell along with his +hands.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> heard Bram's cry of baffled +rage, and, looking backward, +could not refrain from a laugh of +triumph. Bram's trained steeds had +taken fright and overset him. Bram +had fallen into the red mud beside the +stream, from which he was struggling +up, plastered from head to feet, and +shaking his fists and evidently cursing, +though his words could not be heard.</p> + +<p>"How about your marsupial lion +now, Bram?" yelled Dodd. "No monotremes +before the pleistocene! D'you +get that? That's my slogan now and +for ever more!"</p> + +<p>Bram shrieked and raved, and +seemed to be inciting the beetles to a +renewed assault. The air was still +thick with them, but Tommy was waving +the cigarette-lighter in a flaming +arc, which cleared the way for them.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly came disaster. The +flame went out! Tommy closed the +lighter with a snap and opened it. In +vain. In his excitement he must have +spilled all the contents, for it would +not catch.</p> + +<p>Bram saw and yelled derision. The +beetle-cloud was thickening. Tommy, +now abreast of his companions on the +widening stream, saw the imminent +end.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">And</span> then once more fate intervened. +For, leaping through the +air out of the places where they had +lain concealed, six mantises launched +themselves at their beetle prey.</p> + +<p>Those awful bounds of the long-legged +monsters, the scourges of the +insect world, carried them clear from +one bank to the other—fortunately for +the occupants of the shells. In an instant +the beetle-cloud dissolved. And +it had all happened in a few seconds. +Before Dodd or Tommy had quite +taken in the situation, the mantises, +each carrying a victim in its grooved +legs, had vanished like the beetles. +There was no sign of Bram. The +three were alone upon the face of the +stream, which went swirling upward +into renewed darkness.</p> + +<p>Tommy saw Dodd bend toward +Haidia as she lay on her shell couch. +He heard the sound of a noisy kiss. +And he lay back in the hollow of his +shell, with the feeling that nothing +that could happen in the future could +be worse than what they had passed +through.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Days</span> went by, days when the +sense of dawning freedom filled +their hearts with hope. Haidia told +Dodd and Tommy that, according to +the legends of her people, the river +ran into the world from which they +had been driven by the floods, ages +before.</p> + +<p>There had been no further signs of +Bram or the beetle horde, and Dodd +and Tommy surmised that it had been +disorganized by the attack of the mantises, +and that Bram was engaged in +regaining his control over it. But +neither of them believed that the +respite would be a long one, and for +that reason they rested ashore only for +the briefest intervals, just long enough +to snatch a little sleep, and to eat some +of the shrimps that Haidia was adept +at finding—or to pull some juicy fruit +surreptitiously from a tree.</p> + +<p>Incidents there were, nevertheless, +during those days. For hours their +shells were followed by a school of the +luminous river monsters, which, nevertheless, +made no attempt to attack +them. And once, hearing a cry from +Haidia, as she was gathering shrimps, +Dodd ran forward to see her battling +furiously with a luminous scorpion,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page232" name="page232">[232]</a></span> +eight feet in length, that had sprung +at her from its lurking place behind a +pear shrub.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dodd</span> succeeded in stunning and +dispatching the monster without +suffering any injury from it, but the +strain of the period was beginning to +tell on all of them. Worst of all, they +seemed to have left all the luminous +vegetation behind them, and were entering +a region of almost total darkness, +in which Haidia had to be their +eyes.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Something</span> had happened to the +girl's sight in the journey over +the petrol spring. As a matter of fact, +the third, or nictitating membrane, +which the humans of Submundia possessed, +in common with birds, had been +burned away. Haidia could see as well +as ever in the dark, but she could bear +more light than formerly as well. Unobtrusively +she assumed command of +the party. She anticipated their wants, +dug shrimps in the darkness, and fed +Tommy and Dodd with her own hands.</p> + +<p>"God, what a girl!" breathed Dodd +to his friend. "I've always had the +reputation of being a woman-hater, +Tommy, but once I get that girl to +civilization I'm going to take her to +the nearest Little Church Around the +Corner in record time."</p> + +<p>"I wish you luck, old man, I'm +sure," answered Tommy. Dodd's words +did not seem strange to him. Civilization +was growing very remote to him, +and Broadway seemed like a memory +of some previous incarnation.</p> + +<p>The river was growing narrower +again, and swifter, too. On the last +day, or night, of their journey—though +they did not know that it was to be +their last—it swirled so fiercely that +it threatened every moment to overset +their beetle-shells. Suddenly Tommy +began to feel giddy. He gripped the +side of his shell with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Tommy, we're going round!" +shouted Dodd in front of him.</p> + +<p>There was no longer any doubt of +it. The shells were revolving in a +vortex of rushing, foaming water.</p> + +<p>"Haidia!" they shouted.</p> + +<p>The girl's voice came back thickly +across the roaring torrent. The circles +grew smaller. Tommy knew that he +was being sucked nearer and nearer to +the edge of some terrific whirlpool in +that inky blackness. Now he could no +longer hear Dodd's shouts, and the +shell was tipping so that he could feel +the water rushing along the edge of +it. But for the exercise of centrifugal +force he would have been flung from +his perilous seat, for he was leaning +inward at an angle of forty-five degrees.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Then</span> suddenly his progress was +arrested. He felt the shell being +drawn to the shore. He leaped out, +and Haidia's strong hands dragged the +shell out of the torrent, while Tommy +sank down, gasping.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he heard Dodd +demanding.</p> + +<p>"There is no more river," said Haidia +calmly. "It goes into a hole in the +ground. So much I have heard from +the wise men of my people. They say +that it is near such a place that they +fled from the flood in years gone by."</p> + +<p>"Then we're near safety," shouted +Tommy. "That river must emerge as +a stream somewhere in the upper +world, Dodd. I wonder where the road +lies."</p> + +<p>"There is a road here," came Haidia's +calm voice. "Let us put on our shells +again, since who knows whether there +may not be beetles here."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see such a girl as +that?" demanded Dodd ecstatically. +"First she saves our lives, and then she +thinks of everything. Good lord, she'll +remember my meals, and to wind my +watch for me, and—and—"</p> + +<p>But Haidia's voice, some distance +ahead, interrupted Dodd's soliloquy, +and, hoisting the beetle-shells upon +their backs, they started along the +rough trail that they could feel with +their feet over the stony ground. It<span class="pagenum"><a id="page233" name="page233">[233]</a></span> +was still as dark as pitch, but soon +they found themselves traveling up a +sunken way that was evidently a dry +watercourse. And now and again +Haidia's reassuring voice would come +from in front of them.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> road grew steeper. There +could no longer be any doubt +that they were ascending toward the +surface of the earth. But even the +weight of the beetle-shells and the +steepness could not account for the +feeling of intense weakness that took +possession of them. Time and again +they stopped, panting.</p> + +<p>"We must be very near the surface, +Dodd," said Tommy. "We've surely +passed the center of gravity. That's +what makes it so difficult."</p> + +<p>"Come on," Haidia said in her quiet +voice, stretching out her hand through +the darkness. And for very shame +they had to follow her.</p> + +<p>On and on, hour after hour, up the +steep ascent, resting only long enough +to make them realize their utter +fatigue. On because Haidia was leading +them, and because in the belief +that they were about to leave that +awful land behind them their desires +lent new strength to their limbs continuously.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Haidia uttered a fearful +cry. Her ears had caught what became +apparent to Dodd and Jimmy several +seconds later.</p> + +<p>Far down in the hollow of the earth, +increased by the echoes that came +rumbling up, they heard the distant, +strident rasp of the beetle swarm.</p> + +<p>Then it was Dodd's turn to support +Haidia and whisper consolation in her +ears. No thought of resting now. If +they were to be overwhelmed at last +by the monsters, they meant to be +overwhelmed in the upper air.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was growing insufferably hot. +Blasts of air, as if from a furnace, +began to rush up and down past them. +And the trail was growing steeper +still, and slippery as glass.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Jim?" Tommy panted, +as Dodd, leaving Haidia for a moment, +came back to him.</p> + +<p>"I'd say lava," Dodd answered. "If +only one could see something! I don't +know how she finds her way. My impression +is that we are coming out +through the interior of an extinct +volcano."</p> + +<p>"But where are there volcanoes in +the south polar regions?" inquired +Tommy.</p> + +<p>"There are Mount Erebus and Mount +Terror, in South Victoria Land, active +volcanoes discovered by Sir James +Ross in 1841, and again by Borchgrevink, +in 1899. If that's where +we're coming out—well, Tommy, we're +doomed, because it's the heart of the +polar continent. We might as well +turn back."</p> + +<p>"But we won't turn back," said +Tommy. "I'm damned if we do."</p> + +<p>"We're damned if we don't," said +Dodd.</p> + +<p>"Come along please!" sang Haidia's +voice high up the slope.</p> + +<p>They struggled on. And now a +faint luminosity was beginning to +penetrate that infernal darkness. The +rasping of the beetle-legs, too, was no +longer audible. Perhaps they had +thrown Bram off their track! Perhaps +in the darkness he had not known +which way they had gone after leaving +the whirlpool!</p> + +<p>That thought encouraged them to a +last effort. They pushed their flagging +limbs up, upward through an inferno +of heated air. Suddenly Dodd +uttered a yell and pointed upward.</p> + +<p>"God!" ejaculated Tommy. Then he +seized Dodd in his arms and nearly +crushed him. For high above them, +a pin-point in the black void, they saw—a +star!</p> + +<p>They were almost at the earth's +surface!</p> + +<p>One more effort, and suddenly the +ground seemed to give beneath them. +They breathed the outer air, and went +sliding down a chute of sand, and +stopped, half buried, at the bottom.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page234" name="page234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<h3>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<br /> +<i>Recaptured</i></h3> + +<p>"Where are we?" each demanded +of the other, as they +staggered out.</p> + +<p>It was a moonless night, and the +air was chill, but they were certainly +nowhere near the polar regions, for +there was no trace of snow to be seen +anywhere. All about them was sand, +with here and there a spiny shrub +standing up stiff and erect and solitary.</p> + +<p>When they had disengaged themselves +from the clinging sand they +could see that they were apparently in +the hollow of a vast crater, that must +have been half a mile in circumference. +It was low and worn down to an elevation +of not more than two or three +hundred feet, and evidently the volcano +that had thrown it up had been extinct +for millennia.</p> + +<p>"Water!" gasped Dodd.</p> + +<p>They looked all about them. They +could see no signs of a spring anywhere, +and both were parched with +thirst after their terrific climb.</p> + +<p>"We must find water, Haidia," said +Tommy. "Why, what's the matter?"</p> + +<p>Haidia was pointing upward at the +starry heaven, and shivering with fear. +"Eyes!" she cried. "Big beetles waiting +for us up there!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Haidia," Dodd explained. +"Those are stars. They are worlds—places +where people live."</p> + +<p>"Will you take me up there?" asked +Haidia.</p> + +<p>"No, this is our world," said Dodd. +"And by and by the sun will rise, that's +a big ball of fire up there. He watches +over the world and gives us light and +warmth. Don't be afraid. I'll take +care of you."</p> + +<p>"Haidia is not afraid with Jimmydodd +to take care of her," replied the +girl with dignity. "Haidia smells water—over +there." She pointed across one +side of the crater.</p> + +<p>"There we'd better hurry," said +Tommy, "because I can't hold out much +longer."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> three scrambled over the soft +sand, which sucked in their feet to +the ankle at every step. It was with +the greatest difficulty that they succeeded +in reaching the crater's summit, +low though it was. Then Dodd uttered +a cry, and pointed. In front of them +extended a long pool of water, with a +scrubby growth around the edges.</p> + +<p>The ground was firmer here, and +they hurried toward it. Tommy was +the first to reach it. He lay down on +his face and drank eagerly. He had +taken in a quart before he discovered +that the water was saline.</p> + +<p>At the same time Dodd uttered an +exclamation of disgust. Haidia, too, +after sipping a little of the fluid, had +stood up, chattering excitedly in her +own language.</p> + +<p>But she was not chattering about the +water. She was pointing toward the +scrub. "Men there!" she cried. "Men +like you and Tommy, Jimmydodd."</p> + +<p>Tommy and Dodd looked at each +other, the water already forgotten in +their excitement at Haidia's information, +which neither of them doubted.</p> + +<p>Brave as she was, the girl now hung +back behind Dodd, letting the two men +take precedence of her. The water, +saline as it was, had partly quenched +their thirst. They felt their strength +reviving.</p> + +<p>And it was growing light. In the +east the sky was already flecked with +yellow pink. They felt a thrill of intense +excitement at the prospect of +meeting others of their kind.</p> + +<p>"Where do you think we are?" asked +Tommy.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dodd</span> stopped to look at a shrub +that was growing near the edge +of the pool. "I don't think, I know, +Tommy," he answered. "This is wattle."</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"We're somewhere in the interior +regions of the Australian continent—and +that's not going to help us much."</p> + +<p>"Over there—over there," panted +Haidia. "Hold me, Jimmydodd. I +can't see. Ah, this terrible light!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page235" name="page235">[235]</a></span> +She screwed her eyelids tightly together +to shut out the pale light of +dawn. The men had already discovered +that the third membrane had been +burned away.</p> + +<p>"We must get her out of here," whispered +Dodd to Tommy. "Somewhere +where it's dark, before the sun rises. +Let's go back to the entrance of the +crater."</p> + +<p>But Haidia, her arm extended, persisted, +"Over there! Over there!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly a spear came whirling out +of a growth of wattle beside the pool. +It whizzed past Tommy's face and +dropped into the sand behind. Between +the trunks of the wattles they +could see the forms of a party of +blackfellows, watching them intently.</p> + +<p>Tommy held up his arms and moved +forward with a show of confidence that +he was far from feeling. After what he +had escaped in the underworld he was +in no mood to be massacred now.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">But</span> the blacks were evidently not +hostile. It was probable that the +spear had not been aimed to kill. At +the sight of the two white men, and the +white woman, they came forward +doubtfully, then more fearlessly, shouting +in their language. In another minute +Tommy and Dodd were the center +of a group of wondering savages.</p> + +<p>Especially Haidia. Three or four +gins, or black women, had crept out of +the scrub, and were already examining +her with guttural cries, and fingering +the hair garment that she wore.</p> + +<p>"Water!" said Tommy, pointing to +his throat, and then to the pool, with a +frown of disgust.</p> + +<p>The blackfellows grinned, and led +the three a short distance to a place +where a large hollow had been scooped +in the sandy floor of the desert. It +was full of water, perfectly sweet to +the taste. The three drank gratefully.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the edge of the sun appeared +above the horizon, gilding the +sand with gold. The sunlight fell upon +the three, and Haidia uttered a terrible +cry of distress. She dropped upon the +sand, her hands pressed to her eyes convulsively. +Tommy and Dodd dragged +her into the thickest part of the scrub, +where she lay moaning.</p> + +<p>They contrived bandages from the +remnants of their clothing, and these, +damped with cold water, and bound +over the girl's eyes, alleviated her suffering +somewhat. Meanwhile the blackfellows +had prepared a meal of roast +opossum. After their long diet of +shrimps, it tasted like ambrosia to the +two men.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Much</span> to their surprise, Haidia +seemed to enjoy it too. The +three squatted in the scrub among the +friendly blacks, discussing their situation.</p> + +<p>"These fellows will save us," said +Dodd. "It may be that we're quite +near the coast, but, any way, they'll +stick to us, even if only out of curiosity. +They'll take us somewhere. But +as soon as we get Haidia to safety we'll +have to go back along our trail. We +mustn't lose our direction. Suppose +I was <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'to laughed'">laughed</ins> at when I get back, +called a liar! I tell you, we've got to +have something to show, to prove my +statements, before I can persuade anybody +to fit out an expedition into Submundia. +Even those three beetle-shells +that we dropped in the crater won't be +conclusive evidence for the type of +mind that sits in the chairs of science +<ins class="correction" title="Standardized from today">to-day</ins>. And, speaking of that, we must +get those blacks to carry those shells +for us. I tell you, nobody will believe—"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Tommy sharply, +as a rasping sound rose above the cries +of the frightened blacks.</p> + +<p>But there was no need to ask. Out +of the crater two enormous beetles were +winging their way toward them, two +beetles larger than any that they had +seen.</p> + +<p>Fully seven feet in length, they were +circling about each other, apparently +engaged in a vicious battle.</p> + +<p>The fearful beaks stabbed at the flesh +beneath the shells, and they alternately<span class="pagenum"><a id="page236" name="page236">[236]</a></span> +stabbed and drew back, all the while +approaching the party, which watched +them, petrified with terror.</p> + +<p>It was evident that the monsters had +no conception of the presence of humans. +Blinded by the sun, only one +thing could have induced them to leave +the dark depths of Submundia. That +was the mating instinct. The beetles +were evidently rival leaders of some +swarm, engaged in a duel to the death.</p> + +<p>Round and round they went in a +dizzy maze, stabbing and thrusting, +jaws closing on flesh, until they +dropped, close-locked in battle, not +more than twenty feet from the little +party of blacks and whites, both +squirming in the agonies of death.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">I</span><span class="dcap"> don't</span> think that necessarily +means that the swarm is on our +trail," said Tommy, a little later, as the +three stood beside the shells that they +had discarded. "Those two were strays, +lost from the swarm and maddened by +the mating instinct. Still, it might be +as well to wear these things for a +while, in case they do follow us."</p> + +<p>"You're right," answered Dodd, as +he placed one of the shells around +Haidia. "We've got to get this little +lady to civilization, and we've got to +protect our lives in order to give this +great new knowledge to the world. If +we are attacked, you must sacrifice +your life for me, Tommy, so that I can +carry back the news."</p> + +<p>"Righto!" answered Tommy with +alacrity. "You bet I will, Jim."</p> + +<p>The glaring sun of mid-afternoon +was shining down upon the desert, but +Haidia was no longer in pain. It was +evident that she was fast becoming accustomed +to the sunlight, though she +still kept her eyes screwed up tightly, +and had to be helped along by Dodd +and Jimmy. In high good humor the +three reached the encampment, to find +that the blacks were feasting on the +dead beetles, while the two eldest +members of the party had proudly +donned the shells.</p> + +<p>It was near sunset before they finally +started. Dodd and Tommy had managed +to make it clear to them that they +wished to reach civilization, but how +near this was there was, of course, no +means of determining. They noted, +however, that the party started in a +southerly direction.</p> + +<p>"I should say," said Dodd, "that we +are in South Australia, probably three +or four hundred miles from the coast. +We've got a long journey before us, +but these blackfellows will know how +to procure food for us."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> certainly knew how to get +water, for, just as it began to grow +dark, when the three were already tormented +by thirst, they stopped at what +seemed a mere hollow among the stones +and boulders that strewed the face of +the desert, and scooped away the sand, +leaving a hole which quickly filled +with clear, cold water of excellent +taste.</p> + +<p>After which they made signs that +they were to camp there for the night. +The moon was riding high in the sky. +As it grew dark, Haidia opened her +eyes, saw the luminary, and uttered an +exclamation, this time not of fear, but +of wonder.</p> + +<p>"Moon," said Dodd. "That's all +right, girl. She watches over the night, +as the sun does over the day."</p> + +<p>"Haidia likes the moon better than +the sun," said the girl wistfully. "But +the moon not strong enough to keep +away the beetles."</p> + +<p>"If I was you, I'd forget about the +beetles, Haidia," said Dodd. "They +won't come out of that hole in the +ground. You'll never see them again."</p> + +<p>And, as he spoke, they heard a familiar +rasping sound far in the distance.</p> + +<p>"How the wind blows," said Tommy, +desperately resolved not to believe his +ears. "I think a storm's coming up."</p> + +<p>But Haidia, with a scream of fear, +was clinging to Dodd, and the blacks +were on their feet, spears and boomerangs +in their hands, looking northward.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page237" name="page237">[237]</a></span> +Out of that north a little black cloud +was gathering. A cloud that spread +gradually, as a thunder-cloud, until it +covered a good part of the sky. And +still more of the sky, and still more. +All the while that faint, distant rasping +was audible, but it did not increase +in volume. It was as if the +beetles had halted until the full number +of the swarm had come up out of the +crater.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Then</span> the cloud, which by now +covered half the sky, began to +take geometric form. It grew square, +the ragged edges seemed to trim themselves +away, streaks of light shot +through it at right angles, as if it was +marshaling itself into companies.</p> + +<p>The doomed men and the girl stood +perfectly still, staring at that phenomenon. +They knew that only a +miracle could save them. They did +not even speak, but Haidia clung more +tightly to Dodd's arm.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly the cloud spread upward +and covered the face of the moon.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is good-by, Tommy," said +Dodd, gripping his friend's hand. "God, +I wish I had a revolver, or a knife!" +He looked at Haidia.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the rasping became a whining shriek. +A score of enormous +beetles, the advance guards of the +army, zoomed out of the darkness into +a ray of straggling moonlight. Shrieking, +the blacks, who had watched the +approaching swarm perfectly immobile, +threw away the two shells and bolted.</p> + +<p>"Good Lord," Dodd shouted, "did +you see the color of their shells, +Tommy?" Even in that moment the +scientific observer came uppermost in +him. "Those red edges? They must +be young ones, Tommy. It's the new +brood! No wonder Bram stayed behind! +He was waiting for them to +hatch! The new brood! We're doomed—doomed! +All my work wasted!"</p> + +<p>The blackfellows did not get very +far. A hundred yards from the place +where they started to run they dropped, +their bodies hidden beneath the clustering +monsters, their screams cut +short as those frightful beaks sought +their throats, and those jaws crunched +through flesh and bone.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Circling</span> around Dodd, Tommy, +and Haidia, as if puzzled by their +appearance, the beetles kept up a continuous, +furious droning that sounded +like the roar of Niagara mixed with the +shrieking of a thousand sirens. The +moon was completely hidden, and only +a dim, nebulous light showed the repulsive +monsters as they flew within a +few feet of the heads of the fugitives. +The stench was overpowering.</p> + +<p>But suddenly a ray of white light +shot through the darkness, and, with +a changed note, just perceptible to the +ears of the two men, but doubtless of +the greatest significance to the beetles, +the swarm fled apart to right and left, +leaving a clear lane, through which appeared—Bram, +reclining on his shell-couch +above his eight trained beetle +steeds!</p> + +<p>Hovering overhead, the eight huge +monsters dropped lightly to the ground +beside the three. Bram sat up, a vicious +grin upon his twisted face. In his +hand he held a large electric bulb, its +sides sheathed in a roughly carved +wooden frame; the wire was attached +to a battery behind him.</p> + +<p>"Well met, my friends!" he shouted +exultantly. "I owe you more thanks +than I can express for having so +providentially left the electrical equipment +of your plane undamaged after +you crashed at the entrance to Submundia. +I had a hunch about it—and +the hunch worked!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> grinned more malevolently as +he looked from one man to the +other.</p> + +<p>"You've run your race," he said. "But +I'm going to have a little fun with you +before you die. I'm going to use you +as an object lesson. You'll find it out +in a little while."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, go ahead, Bram," Dodd +grinned back at him. "Just a few mil<span class="pagenum"><a id="page238" name="page238">[238]</a></span>lion +years ago, and you were a speck of +protoplasm—in that <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'pre-pleistocence'">pre-pleistocene</ins> +age—swimming among the invertebrate +crustaceans that characterized that +epoch."</p> + +<p>"Invertebrates and monotremes, +Dodd," said Bram, almost wistfully. +"The mammals were already existent +on the earth, as you know—" Suddenly +he broke off, as he realized that +Dodd was spoofing him. A yell of execration +broke from his lips. He uttered +a high whistle, and instantly the +whiplike lashes of a hundred beetles +whizzed through the darkness and remained +poised over Dodd's head.</p> + +<p>"Not even the marsupial lion, Bram," +grinned Dodd, undismayed. "Go ahead, +go ahead, but I'll not die with a lie +upon my lips!"</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<br /> +<i>The Trail of Death</i></h3> + +<p>"There's sure some sort of hoodoo +on these Antarctic expeditions, +Wilson," said the city editor of +<i>The Daily Record</i> to the star rewrite +man. He glanced through the hastily +typed report that had come through on +the wireless set erected on the thirty-sixth +story of the Record Building. +"Tommy Travers gone, eh? And James +Dodd, too! There'll be woe and wailing +along the Great White Way to-night +when this news gets out. They +say that half the chorus girls in town +considered themselves engaged to +Tommy. Nice fellow, too! Always +did like him!"</p> + +<p>"Queer, that curtain of fog that +seems to lie on the actual site of the +south pole," he continued, glancing +over the report again. "So Storm thinks +that Tommy crashed in it, and that +it's a million to one against their ever +finding his remains. What's this about +beetles? Shells of enormous prehistoric +beetles found by Tommy and +Dodd! That'll make good copy, Wilson. +Let's play that up. Hand it to +Jones, and tell him to scare up a catching +headline or two."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> beckoned to the boy who was +hurrying toward his desk, a +flimsy in his hand, glanced through it, +and tossed it toward Wilson.</p> + +<p>"What do they think this is, April +Fool's Day?" he asked. "I'm surprised +that the International Press should fall +for such stuff as that!"</p> + +<p>"Why, to-morrow is the first of +April!" exclaimed Wilson, tossing +back the cable dispatch with a contemptuous +laugh.</p> + +<p>"Well, it won't do the I. P. much +good to play those tricks on their subscribers," +said the city editor testily. +"I'm surprised, to say the least. I +guess their Adelaide correspondent +has gone off his head or something. +Using poor Travers's name, too! Of +course that fellow didn't know he was +dead, but still...."</p> + +<p>That was how <i>The Daily Record</i> +missed being the first to give out certain +information that was to stagger +the world. The dispatch, which had +evidently outrun an earlier one, was as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>ADELAIDE, South Australia, +March 31.—Further telegraphic +communications arriving almost +continuously from Settler's Station, +signed by Thomas Travers, +member of Travers Antarctic Expedition, +who claims to have penetrated +earth's interior at south +pole and to have come out near +Victoria Desert. Travers states +that swarm of prehistoric beetles, +estimated at two trillion, and as +large as men, with shells impenetrable +by rifle bullets, now besieging +Settler's Station, where he +and Dodd and Haidia, woman of +subterranean race whom they +brought away, are shut up in telegraph +office. Bram, former member +of Greystoke Expedition, said +to be in charge of swarm, with intention +of obliterating human race. +Every living thing at Settler's +Station destroyed, and swarm moving +south.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page239" name="page239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was a small-town paper a hundred +miles from New York that took a +chance on publishing this report from +the International Press, in spite of +frantic efforts on the parts of the head +office to recall it after it had been +transmitted. This paper published the +account as an April Fool's Day joke, +though later it took to itself the credit +for having believed it. But by the time +April Fool's Day dawned all the world +knew that the account was, if anything, +an under-estimate of the fearful +things that were happening "down under."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was known now that the swarm +of monsters had originated in the +Great Victoria Desert, one of the worst +stretches of desolation in the world, +situated in the south-east corner of +Western Australia. Their numbers +were incalculable. Wimbush, the aviator, +who was attempting to cross the +continent from east to west, reported +afterward that he had flown for four +days, skirting the edge of the swarm, +and that the whole of that time they +were moving in the same direction, a +thick cloud that left a trail of dense +darkness on earth beneath them, like +the path of an eclipse. Wimbush +escaped them only because he had a +ceiling of twenty thousand feet, to +which apparently the beetles could not +soar.</p> + +<p>And this swarm was only about one-fourth +of the whole number of the +monsters. This was the swarm that was +moving westward, and subsequently totally +destroyed all living things in +Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie, Perth, and all +the coastal cities of Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Ships were found drifting in the +Indian Ocean, totally destitute of +crews and passengers; not even their +skeletons were found, and it was estimated +that the voracious monsters had +carried them away bodily, devoured +them in the air, and dropped the remains +into the water.</p> + +<p>All the world knows now how the +sea elephant herd on Kerguelen Island +was totally destroyed, and of the giant +shells that were found lying everywhere +on the deserted beaches, in positions +that showed the monsters had +in the end devoured one another.</p> + +<p>Mauritius was the most westerly +point reached by a fraction of the +swarm. A little over twenty thousand +of the beetles reached that lovely +island, by count of the shells afterward, +and all the world knows now of the +desperate and successful fight that the +inhabitants waged against them. Men +and women, boys and girls, blacks and +whites, finding that the devils were invulnerable +against rifle fire, sallied +forth boldly with knives and choppers, +and laid down a life for a life.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">On</span> the second day after their appearance, +the main swarm, a trillion +and a half strong, reached the line +of the transcontinental railway, and +moved eastward into South Australia, +traveling, it was estimated, at the rate +of two hundred miles an hour. By the +next morning they were in Adelaide, +a city of nearly a quarter of a million +people. By nightfall every living thing +in Adelaide and the suburbs had been +eaten, except for a few who succeeded +in hiding in walled-up cellars, or in the +surrounding marshes.</p> + +<p>That night the swarm was on the borders +of New South Wales and Victoria, +and moving in two divisions toward +Melbourne and Sydney.</p> + +<p>The northern half, it was quickly +seen, was flying "wild," with no particular +objective, moving in a solid cohort +two hundred miles in length, and +devouring game, stock, and humans indiscriminately. +It was the southern +division, numbering perhaps a trillion, +that was under command of Bram, and +aimed at destroying Melbourne as Adelaide +had been destroyed.</p> + +<p>Bram, with his eight beetle steeds, +was by this time known and execrated +throughout the world. He was pictured +as Anti-Christ, and the fulfilment of +the prophecies of the Rock of Revelations.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page240" name="page240">[240]</a></span> +And all this while—or, rather, until +the telegraph wires were cut—broken, +it was discovered later, by perching +beetles—Thomas Travers was sending +out messages from his post at Settler's +Station.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Soon</span> it was known that prodigious +creatures were following in the +wake of the devastating horde. Mantises, +fifteen feet in height, winged +things like pterodactyls, longer than +bombing airplanes, followed, preying +on the stragglers. But the main bodies +never halted, and the inroads that the +destroyers made on their numbers were +insignificant.</p> + +<p>Before the swarm reached Adelaide +the Commonwealth Government had +taken action. Troops had been called +out, and all the available airplanes in +the country had been ordered to assemble +at Broken Hill, New South +Wales, a strategic point commanding +the approaches to Sydney and Melbourne. +Something like four hundred +airplanes were assembled, with several +batteries of anti-aircraft guns that had +been used in the Great War. Every +amateur aviator in Australia was on +the spot, with machines ranging from +tiny Moths to Handley-Pages—anything +that could fly.</p> + +<p>Nocturnal though the beetles had +been, they no longer feared the light of +the sun. In fact, it was ascertained +later that they were blind. An opacity +had formed over the crystalline lens of +the eye. Blind, they were no less formidable +than with their sight. They +existed only to devour, and their numbers +made them irresistible, no matter +which way they turned.</p> + +<p>As soon as the vanguard of the dark +cloud was sighted from Broken Hill, +the airplanes went aloft. Four hundred +planes, each armed with machine +guns, dashed into the serried hosts, +drumming out volleys of lead. In a +long line, extending nearly to the limits +of the beetle formation, thus giving +each aviator all the room he needed, +the planes gave battle.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> first terror that fell upon the +airmen was the discovery that, +even at close range, the machine gun +bullets failed to penetrate the shells. +The force of the impact whirled the +beetles around, drove them together in +bunches, sent them groping with weaving +tentacles through the air—but that +was all. On the main body of the invaders +no impression was made whatever.</p> + +<p>The second terror was the realization +that the swarm, driven down here and +there from an altitude of several hundred +feet, merely resumed their progress +on the ground, in a succession of +gigantic leaps. Within a few minutes, +instead of presenting an inflexible barrier, +the line of airplanes was badly +broken, each plane surrounded by +swarms of the monsters.</p> + +<p>Then Bram was seen. And that was +the third terror, the sight of the famous +beetle steeds, four pairs abreast, with +Bram reclining like a Roman emperor +upon the surface of the shells. It is +true, Bram had no inclination to risk +his own life in battle. At the first +sight of the aviators he dodged into the +thick of the swarm, where no bullet +could reach him. Bram managed to +transmit an order, and the beetles drew +together.</p> + +<p>Some thought afterward that it was +by thought transference he effected +this maneuver, for instantly the beetles, +which had hitherto flown in loose order, +became a solid wall, a thousand feet in +height, closing in on the planes. The +propellers struck them and snapped +short, and as the planes went weaving +down, the hideous monsters leaped into +the cockpits and began their abominable +meal.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Not</span> a single plane came back. +Planes and skeletons, and here +and there a shell of a dead beetle, itself +completely devoured, were all that was +found afterward.</p> + +<p>The gunners stayed at their posts till +the last moment, firing round after +round of shell and shrapnel, with in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page241" name="page241">[241]</a></span>significant +results. Their skeletons +were found not twenty paces from +their guns—where the Gunners' Monument +now stands.</p> + +<p>Half an hour after the flight had first +been sighted the news was being radioed +to Sydney, Melbourne, and all +other Australian cities, advising instant +flight to sea as the only chance +of safety. That radio message was cut +short—and men listened and shuddered. +After that came the crowding +aboard all craft in the harbors, the +tragedies of the <i>Eustis</i>, the <i>All Australia</i>, +the <i>Sepphoris</i>, sunk at their +moorings. The innumerable sea tragedies. +The horde of fugitives that +landed in New Zealand. The reign of +terror when the mob got out of hand, +the burning of Melbourne, the sack of +Sydney.</p> + +<p>And south and eastward, like a resistless +flood, the beetle swarm came +pouring. Well had Bram boasted that +he would make the earth a desert!</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A hundred</span> miles of poisoned +carcasses of sheep, extended outside +Sydney's suburbs, gave the first +promise of success. Long mounds of +beetle shells testified to the results; +moreover, the beetles that fed on the +carcasses of their fellows, were in turn +poisoned and died. But this was only +a drop in the bucket. What counted +was that the swift advance was slowing +down. As if exhausted by their efforts, +or else satiated with food, the beetles +were doing what the soldiers did.</p> + +<p>They were digging in!</p> + +<p>Twenty-four miles from Sydney, +eighteen outside Melbourne, the advance +was stayed.</p> + +<p>Volunteers who went out from those +cities reported that the beetles seemed +to be resting in long trenches that they +had excavated, so that only their shells +appeared above ground. Trees were +covered with clinging beetles, every +wall, every house was invisible beneath +the beetle armor.</p> + +<p>Australia had a respite. Perhaps +only for a night or day, but still time +to draw breath, time to consider, time +for the shiploads of fugitives to get +farther from the continent that had become +a shambles.</p> + +<p>And then the cry went up, not only +from Australia, but from all the world, +"Get Travers!"</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER X<br /> +<br /> +<i>At Bay</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Bram</span> put his fingers to his mouth +and whistled, a shrill whistle, yet +audible to Dodd, Tommy, and Haidia. +Instantly three pairs of beetles appeared +out of the throng. Their tentacles +went out, and the two men and +the girl found themselves hoisted separately +upon the backs of the pairs. Next +moment they were flying side by side, +high in the air above the surrounding +swarm.</p> + +<p>They could see one another, but it +was impossible for them to make their +voices heard above the rasping of the +beetles' legs. Hours went by, while the +moon crossed the sky and dipped toward +the horizon. Tommy knew that +the moon would set about the hour of +dawn. And the stars were already beginning +to pale when he saw a line of +telegraph poles, then two lines of shining +metals, then a small settlement of +stone and brick houses.</p> + +<p>Tommy was not familiar with the geography +of Australia, but he knew this +must be the transcontinental line.</p> + +<p>Whirling onward, the cloud of beetles +suddenly swooped downward. For +a moment Tommy could see the frightened +occupants of the settlement +crowding into the single street, then +he shuddered with sick horror as he +saw them obliterated by the swarm.</p> + +<p>There was no struggle, no attempt at +flight or resistance. One moment those +forty-odd men were there—the next +minute they existed no longer. There +was nothing but a swarm of beetles, +walking about like men with shells +upon their backs.</p> + +<p>And now Tommy saw evidences of +Bram's devilish control of the swarm.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page242" name="page242">[242]</a></span> +For out of the cloud dropped what +seemed to be a phalanx of beetle +guards, the military police of beetledom, +and, lashing fiercely with their +tentacles, they drove back all the +swarm that sought to join their companions +in their ghoulish feast. There +was just so much food and no more; +the rest must seek theirs further.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">But</span> even beetles, it may be presumed, +are not entirely under +discipline at all times. The pair of +beetles that bore Tommy, suddenly +swooped apart, ten or a dozen feet from +the ground, and dashed into the thick +of the struggling, frenzied mass, flinging +their rider to earth.</p> + +<p>Tommy struck the soft sand, sat up, +half dazed, saw his shell lying a few +feet away from him, and retrieved it +just as a couple of the monsters came +swooping down at him.</p> + +<p>He looked about him. Not far away +stood Dodd and Haidia, with their +shells on their backs. They recognized +Tommy and ran toward him.</p> + +<p>Not more than twenty yards away +stood the railroad station, with several +crates of goods on the platform. Next +to it was a substantial house of stone, +with the front door open.</p> + +<p>Tommy pointed to it, and Dodd understood +and shouted something that +was lost in the furious buzz of the beetles' +wings as they devoured their prey. +The three raced for the entrance, +gained it unmolested, and closed the +door.</p> + +<p>There was a key in the door, and it +was light enough for them to see a +chain, which Dodd pulled into position. +There was only one story, and there +were three rooms, apparently, with the +kitchen. Tommy rushed to the kitchen +door, locked it, too, and, with almost +<ins class="correction" title="Standardized from superhuman">super-human</ins> efforts, dragged the large +iron stove against it. He rushed to the +window, but it was a mere loophole, +not large enough to admit a child. +Nevertheless, he stood the heavy table +on end so that it covered it. Then he +ran back.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dodd</span> had already barricaded the +window of the larger room, which +was a bed-sitting room, with a heavy +wardrobe, and the wooden bedstead, +jamming the two pieces sidewise +against the wall, so that they could not +be forced apart without being demolished. +He was now busy in the smaller +room, which seemed to be the station-master's +office, dragging an iron safe +across the floor. But the window was +criss-crossed with iron bars, and it was +evident that the safe, which was +locked, contained at times considerable +money, for the window could hardly +have been forced save by a charge of +nitro-glycerine or dynamite. However, +it was against the door that Dodd +placed the safe, and he stood back, +panting.</p> + +<p>"Good," said Haidia. "That will hold +them."</p> + +<p>The two men looked at her doubtfully. +Did Haidia know what she was +talking about?</p> + +<p>The sun had risen. A long shaft shot +into the room. Outside the beetles were +still buzzing as they turned over the +vestiges of their prey. There were as +yet no signs of attack. Suddenly Tommy +grasped Dodd's arm.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he shouted, pointing to a +corner which had been in gloom a moment +before.</p> + +<p>There was a table there, and on it a +telegraphic instrument. Telegraphy +had been one of Tommy's hobbies in +boyhood. In a moment he was busy at +the table.</p> + +<p>Dot-dash-dot-dash! Then suddenly +outside a furious hum, and the +impact of beetle bodies against the +front door.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Tommy</span> got up, grinning. That +was the first, interrupted message +from Tommy that was received.</p> + +<p>Through the barred window the three +could see the furious efforts of the beetles +to force an entrance. But the very +tensile strength of the beetle-shells, +which rendered them impervious to +bullets, required a laminate construc<span class="pagenum"><a id="page243" name="page243">[243]</a></span>tion +which rendered them powerless +against brick or stone.</p> + +<p>Desperately the swarm dashed itself +against the walls, until the ground outside +was piled high with stunned beetles. +Not the faintest impression was +made on the defenses.</p> + +<p>"Watch them, Jim," said Tom. "I'll +go see if the rear's secure."</p> + +<p>That thought of his seemed to have +been anticipated by the beetles, for as +Tommy reached the kitchen the swarm +came dashing against door and window, +always recoiling. Tommy came back, +grinning all over his face.</p> + +<p>"You were right, Haidia," he said. +"We've held them all right, and the +tables are turned on Bram. Also I got +a message through, I think," he added +to Dodd.</p> + +<p>Dash—dot—dash—dot from the instrument. +Tommy ran to the table +again. Dash—dot went back. For five +minutes Tommy labored, while the beetles +hammered now on one door, now +on another, now on the windows. Then +Tommy got up.</p> + +<p>"It was some station down the line," +he said. "I've told them, and they're +sending a man up here to replace the +telegraphist, also a couple of cops. +They think I'm crazy. I told them +again. That's the best I could do."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">D</span><span class="dcap">odd!</span> Travers! For the last +time—let's talk!"</p> + +<p>The cloud of beetles seemed to have +thinned, for the sun was shining into +the room. Bram's voice was perfectly +audible, though he himself was invisible; +probably he thought it likely +that the defenders had obtained firearms.</p> + +<p>"Nothing to say to you, Bram," called +Dodd. "We've finished our discussion +on the monotremes."</p> + +<p>"I want you fellows to stand in with +me," came Bram's plaintive tones. "It's +so lonesome all by one's self, Dodd."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you're beginning to find that +out, are you?" Dodd could not resist +answering. "You'll be lonelier yet before +you're through."</p> + +<p>"Dodd, I didn't bring that swarm up +here. I swear it. I've been trying to +control them from the beginning. I +saw what was coming. I believe I can +avert this horror, drive them into the +sea or something like that. Don't make +me desperate, Dodd.</p> + +<p>"And listen, old man. About those +monotremes—sensible men don't quarrel +over things like that. Why can't +we agree to differ?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, now you're talking, Bram," +Dodd answered. "Only you're too late. +After what's happened here to-day, +we'll have no truck with you. That's +final."</p> + +<p>"Damn you," shrieked Bram. "I'll +batter down this house. I'll—"</p> + +<p>"You'll do nothing, Bram, because +you can't," Dodd answered. "Travers +has wired full information about your +devil-horde, and likewise about you, +and all Australia will be prepared to +give you a warm reception when you +arrive."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I'm invincible," Bram +screamed. "In three days Australia +will be a ruin, a depopulated desert. +In a week, all southern Asia, in three +weeks Europe, in two months America."</p> + +<p>"You've been taking too many of +those pellets, Bram," Dodd answered. +"Stand back now! Stand back, wherever +you are, or I'll open the door and +throw the slops over you."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Bram</span>'s screech rose high above +the droning of the wings. In another +moment the interior of the room +had grown as black as night. The rattle +of the beetle shells against the four +walls of the house was like the clattering +of stage thunder.</p> + +<p>All through the darkness Dodd could +hear the unhurried clicking of the key.</p> + +<p>At last the rattling ceased. The sun +shone in again. The ground all around +the house was packed with fallen beetles, +six feet high, a writhing mass that +creaked and clattered as it strove to disengage +itself.</p> + +<p>Bram's voice once more: "I'm leav<span class="pagenum"><a id="page244" name="page244">[244]</a></span>ing +a guard, Dodd. They'll get you if +you try to leave. But they won't eat +you. I'm going to have you three +sliced into little pieces, the Thousand +Deaths of the Chinese. The beetles +will eat the parts that are sliced away—and +you'll live to watch them. I'll be +back with a stick or two of dynamite +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Yeah, but listen, Bram," Dodd sang +out. "Listen, you old marsupial tiger. +When those pipe dreams clear away, +I'm going to build a gallows of beetle-shells +reaching to the moon, to hang +you on!"</p> + +<p>Bram's screech of madness died +away. The strident rasping of the beetles' +legs began again. For hours the +three heard it; it was not until nightfall +that it died away.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Bram</span> had made good his threat, +for all around the house, extending +as far as they could see, was the +host of beetle-guards. To venture out, +even with their shells about them, was +clearly a hazardous undertaking. There +was neither food nor water in the place.</p> + +<p>"We'll just have to hold out," said +Dodd, breaking one of the long periods +of silence.</p> + +<p>Tommy did not answer; he did not +hear him, for he was busy at the key. +Suddenly he leaped to his feet.</p> + +<p>"God, Jimmy," he cried, "that devil's +making good his threat! The swarm's +in South Australia, destroying every +living thing, wiping out whole towns +and villages! And they—they believe +me now!"</p> + +<p>He sank into a chair. For the first +time the strain of the awful past +seemed to grip him. Haidia came to +his side.</p> + +<p>"The beetles are finish," she said in +her soft voice.</p> + +<p>"How d'you know, Haidia?" demanded Dodd.</p> + +<p>"The beetles are finish," Haidia repeated +quietly, and that was all that +Dodd could get out of her. But again +the key began to click, and Tommy +staggered to the table. Dot—dash—dash—dot. +Presently he looked up once more.</p> + +<p>"The swarm's <ins class="correction" title="Standardized from half-way">halfway</ins> to Adelaide," +he said. "They want to know if I can +help them. Help them!" He burst +into hysterical laughter.</p> + +<p>Toward evening he came back after +an hour at the key. "Line must be +broken," he said. "I'm getting nothing."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">In</span> the moonlight they could see the +huge compound eyes of the beetle +guards glittering like enormous diamonds +outside. They had not been +conscious of thirst during the day, but +now, with the coming of the cool night +their desire for water became paramount.</p> + +<p>"Tommy, there must be water in the +station," <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'and'">said</ins> Dodd. "I'm going to get +a pitcher from the kitchen and risk it, +Tommy. Take care of Haidia if—" he +added.</p> + +<p>But Haidia laid her hand upon his +arm. "Do not go, Jimmydodd," she +said. "We can be thirsty to-night, and +to-morrow the beetles will be finish."</p> + +<p>"How d'you know?" asked Dodd +again. But now he realized that +Haidia had never learned the significance +of an interrogation. She only repeated +her statement, and again the +two men had to remain content.</p> + +<p>The long night passed. Outside the +many facets of the beetle eyes. Inside +the two men, desperate with anxiety, +not for themselves, but for the fate of +the world, snatching a few moments' +sleep from time to time, then looking +up to see those glaring eyes from the +silent watchers.</p> + +<p>Then dawn came stealing over the +desert, and the two shook themselves +free from sleep. And now the eyes +were gone.</p> + +<p>But there was immense activity +among the beetles. They were scurrying +to and fro, and, as they watched, +Dodd and Tommy began to see some +significance in their movements.</p> + +<p>"Why, they're digging trenches!" +Tommy shouted. "That's horrible, +Jimmy! Are they intending to con<span class="pagenum"><a id="page245" name="page245">[245]</a></span>duct +sapping operations against us +like engineers, or what?"</p> + +<p>Dodd did not reply, and Tommy +hardly expected any answer. As the +two men, now joined by Haidia, +watched, they saw that the beetles +were actually digging themselves into +the sand.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Within</span> the space of an hour, +by the time the first shafts of +sunlight began to stream into the +room, there was to be seen only the +massive, rounded shells of the monsters +as they squatted in the sand.</p> + +<p>"Now you may fetch water," said +Haidia, smiling at her lover. "No, you +do not need the shells," she added. +"The beetles are finish. It is as the wise +men of my people told me."</p> + +<p>Wondering, hesitating, Tommy and +Dodd unlocked the front door. They +stood upon the threshold ready to bolt +back again. But there was no stirring +among the beetle hosts.</p> + +<p>Growing bolder, they advanced a few +steps; then, shamed by Haidia's courage, +they followed her, still cautiously +to the station.</p> + +<p>Dodd shouted as he saw a water-tank, +and a receptacle above it with a +water-cock. They let Haidia drink, +then followed suit, and for a few moments, +as they appeased their thirst, +the beetles were forgotten.</p> + +<p>Then they turned back. There had +been no movement in that line of shells +that glinted in the morning sunlight.</p> + +<p>"Come, I shall show you," said +Haidia confidently, advancing toward +the trench.</p> + +<p>Dodd would have stopped her, but +the girl moved forward quickly, eluded +him with a graceful, mirthful gesture, +and stooped down over the trench.</p> + +<p>She rose up, raising in her arms an +empty beetle-shell!</p> + +<p>Dodd, who had reached the trench +before Tommy, turned round and +yelled to him excitedly. Tommy ran +forward—and then he understood.</p> + +<p>The shells were empty. The swarm, +whose life cycle Bram had admitted he +did not understand, had just moulted!</p> + +<p>It had moulted because the bodies, +gorged with food, had grown too large +for the shells. In time, if left alone, +the monsters would grow larger shells, +become invincible again. But just now +they were defenseless as new-born +babes—and knew it.</p> + +<p>Deep underneath the empty shells +they had burrowed into the ground. +Everywhere at the bottom of the deep +trenches were the naked, bestial creatures, +waving helpless tentacles and +squirming over one another as they +strove to find shelter and security.</p> + +<p>A sudden madness came over Tommy +and Dodd. "Dynamite—there must +be dynamite!" Dodd shouted, as he ran +back to the station.</p> + +<p>"Something better than dynamite," +shouted Tommy, holding up one of a +score of drums of petrol!</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER XI<br /> +<br /> +<i>The World Set Free</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">They</span> waited two days at Settler's +Station. To push along the line +into the desert would have been useless, +and both men were convinced that +an airplane would arrive for them. But +it was not until the second afternoon +that the aviator arrived, half-dead with +thirst and fatigue, and almost incoherent.</p> + +<p>His was the last plane on the Australian +continent. He brought the news +of the destruction of Adelaide, and of +the siege of Melbourne and Sydney, +as he termed it. He told Dodd and +Tommy that the two cities had been +surrounded with trenches and barbed +wire. Machine guns and artillery were +bombarding the trenches in which the +beetles had taken shelter.</p> + +<p>"Has any one been out on reconnaissance?" +asked Tommy.</p> + +<p>Nobody had been permitted to pass +through the barbed wire, though there +had been volunteers. It meant certain +death. But, unless the beetles were +sapping deep in the ground, what their +purpose was, nobody knew.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page246" name="page246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Tommy</span> and Dodd led him to the +piles of smoking, stinking débris +and told him.</p> + +<p>That was where the aviator fainted +from sheer relief.</p> + +<p>"The Commonwealth wants you to +take supreme command against the +beetles," he told Tommy, when he had +recovered. "I'm to bring you back. +Not that they expect me back. But—God, +what a piece of news! Forgive +my swearing—I used to be a parson. +Still am, for the matter of that."</p> + +<p>"How are you going to bring us +three back in your plane?" asked +Tommy.</p> + +<p>"I shall stay here with Jimmydodd," +said Haidia suavely. "There is not the +least danger any more. You must destroy +the beetles before their shells +have grown again, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Used to be a parson, you say? Still +are?" shouted Dodd excitedly. "Thank +God! I mean, I'm glad to hear it. +Come inside, and come quick. I want +you too, Tommy!"</p> + +<p>Then Tommy understood. And it +seemed as if Haidia understood, by +some instinct that belongs exclusively +to women, for her cheeks were flushed +as she turned and smiled into Dodd's +eyes.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Tommy hopped +into the biplane, leaving the happy +married couple at Settler's Station. +His eyes grew misty as the plane took +the air, and he saw them waving to +him from the ground. Dodd and +Haidia and he had been through so +many adventures, and had reached +safety. He must not fail.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">He</span> did not fail. He found himself +at Sydney in command of thirty +thousand men, all enthusiastic for the +fight for the human race, soldiers and +volunteers ready to fight until they +dropped. When the news of the situation +was made public, an immense +wave of hope ran through the world.</p> + +<p>National differences were forgotten, +color and creed and race grew more +tolerant of one another. A new day +had dawned—the day of humanity's +true liberation.</p> + +<p>Tommy's first act was to call out the +fire companies and have the beetles' +trenches saturated with petrol from +the fire hoses. Then incendiary bullets, +shot from guns from a safe distance, +quickly converted them into blazing +infernos.</p> + +<p>But even so only a tithe of the beetle +army had been destroyed. Two hundred +planes had already been rushed +from New Zealand, and their aviators +went up and scoured the country far +and wide. Everywhere they found +trenches, and, where the soil was +stony, millions of the beetles clustered +helplessly beneath great mounds of +discarded shells.</p> + +<p>An army of black trackers had been +brought in planes from all parts of the +country, and they searched out the +beetle masses everywhere along the +course that the invaders had taken. +Then incendiary bombs were dropped +from above.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Day</span> after day the beetle massacre +went on. By the end of a week +the survivors of the invasion began to +take heart again. It was certain that +the greater portion of the horde had +been destroyed.</p> + +<p>There was only one thing lacking. +No trace of Bram had been seen since +his appearance at the head of his +beetle army in front of Broken Hill. +And louder and more insistent grew +the world clamor that he should be +found, and put to death in some way +more horrible than any yet devised.</p> + +<p>The ingenuity of a million minds +worked upon this problem. Newspapers +all over the world offered prizes +for the most suitable form of death. +Ingenious Oriental tortures were rediscovered.</p> + +<p>The only thing lacking was Bram.</p> + +<p>A spy craze ran through Australia. +Five hundred Brams were found, and +all of them were in imminent danger +of death before they were able to prove +an alias.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page247" name="page247">[247]</a></span> +And, oddly enough, it was Tommy +and Dodd who found Bram. For Dodd +had been brought back east, together +with his bride, and given an important +command in the Army of Extermination.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dodd</span> had joined Tommy not far +from Broken Hill, where a swarm +of a hundred thousand beetles had +been found in a little known valley. +The monsters had begun to grow new +shells, and the news had excited a +fresh wave of apprehension. The airplanes +had concentrated for an attack +upon them, and Tommy and Dodd were +riding together, Tommy at the controls, +and Dodd observing.</p> + +<p>Dodd called through the tube to +Tommy, and indicated a mass that was +moving through the scrub—some fifty +thousand beetles, executing short hops +and evidently regaining some vitality. +Tommy nodded.</p> + +<p>He signalled, and the fleet of planes +circled around and began to drop their +incendiary bombs. Within a few minutes +the beetles were ringed with a +wall of fire. Presently the whole terrain +was a blazing furnace.</p> + +<p>Hours later, when the fires had died +away, Tommy and Dodd went down to +look at the destruction that had been +wrought. The scene was horrible. +Great masses of charred flesh and shell +were piled up everywhere.</p> + +<p>"I guess that's been a pretty thorough +job," said Tommy. "Let's get +back, Jim."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Dodd, pointing. +Then, "My God, Tommy, it's one of +our men!"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was a man, but it was not one of +their men, that creeping, maimed, +half-cinder and half-human thing that +was trying to crawl into the hollow of +a rock. It was Bram, and recognition +was mutual.</p> + +<p>Bram dropping, moaning; he was +only the shell of a man, and it was incredible +how he had managed to survive +that ordeal of fire. The remainder +of his life, which only his indomitable +will had held in that shattered body, +was evidently a matter of minutes, but +he looked up at Dodd and laughed.</p> + +<p>"So—you're—here, damn you!" he +snarled. "And—you think—you've +won. I've—another card—another invasion +of the world—beside which this +is child's play. It's an invasion—"</p> + +<p>Bram was going, but he pulled himself +together with a supreme effort.</p> + +<p>"Invasion by—new species of—monotremes," +he croaked. "Deep down in—earth. +Was saving to—prove you the +liar you are. Monotremes—egg-laying +platypus big as an elephant—existent +long before pleistocene epoch—make +you recant, you lying fool!"</p> + +<p>Bram died, an outburst of bitter +laughter on his lips. Dodd stood silent +for a while; then reverently he removed +his hat.</p> + +<p>"He was a madman and a devil, but +he had the potentialities of a god, +Tommy," he said.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adbox"><b>SUCH WELL-KNOW WRITERS AS</b><br /> +<br /> +Murray Leinster, Ray Cummings,<br /> +Victor Rousseau, R. F. Starzl, A. T. Locke,<br /> +Capt. S. P. Meek and Arthur J. Burks<br /> +<br /> +Write for<br /> +<br /> +<span class="muchlarger"><b>ASTOUNDING STORIES</b></span> +</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page248" name="page248">[248]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Mad_Music" id="Mad_Music"></a>Mad Music</h2> +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Anthony Pelcher</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/248.png" width="400" height="456" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">In an inner room they found +a diabolical machine.</p> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">To</span> the accompaniment of a +crashing roar, not unlike rumbling +thunder, the proud Colossus +Building, which a few minutes +before had reared its sixty stories +of artistic architecture +towards +the blue dome of +the sky, crashed +in a rugged, dusty +heap of stone, +brick, cement and mortar. The steel +framework, like the skeleton of some +prehistoric monster, still reared to +dizzy heights but in a bent and twisted +shape of grotesque outline.</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">The sixty stories of the perfectly constructed +Colossus building had mysteriously +crashed! What was the connection +between this catastrophe and the weird +strains of the Mad Musician's violin?</p> + +<p>No one knew +how many lives +were snuffed out +in the avalanche.</p> + +<p>As the collapse +occurred in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page249" name="page249">[249]</a></span> +early dawn it was not believed the +death list would be large. It was admitted, +however, that autos, cabs and +surface cars may have been caught under +the falling rock. One train was +known to have been wrecked in the +subway due to a cave-in from the surface +under the ragged mountain of +debris.</p> + +<p>The litter fairly filled a part of +Times Square, the most congested +cross-roads on God's footstool. Straggling +brick and rock had rolled across +the street to the west and had crashed +into windows and doors of innocent +small tradesmen's shops.</p> + +<p>A few minutes after the crash a mad +crowd of people had piled from subway +exits as far away as Penn Station and +Columbus Circle and from cross streets. +These milled about, gesticulating and +shouting hysterically. All neighboring +police stations were hard put to handle +the growing mob.</p> + +<p>Hundreds of dead and maimed were +being carried to the surface from the +wrecked train in the subway. Trucks +and cabs joined the ambulance crews +in the work of transporting these to +morgues and hospitals. As the morning +grew older and the news of the +disaster spread, more milling thousands +tried to crowd into the square. Many +were craning necks hopelessly on the +outskirts of the throng, blocks away, +trying vainly to get a view of what +lay beyond.</p> + +<p>The fire department and finally several +companies of militia joined the police +in handling the crowd. Newsies, +never asleep, yowled their "Wuxtras" +and made much small money.</p> + +<p>The newspapers devoted solid pages +in attempting to describe what had happened. +Nervously, efficient reporters +had written and written, using all their +best adjectives and inventing new ones +in attempts to picture the crash and the +hysterics which followed.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">When</span> the excitement was at its +height a middle-aged man, +bleeding at the head, clothes torn and +dusty, staggered into the West 47th +street police station. He found a lone +sergeant at the desk.</p> + +<p>The police sergeant jumped to his +feet as the bedraggled man entered and +stumbled to a bench.</p> + +<p>"I'm Pat Brennan, street floor watchman +of the Colossus," he said. "I ran +for it. I got caught in the edge of the +wreck and a brick clipped me. I musta +been out for some time. When I came +around I looked back just once at the +wreck and then I beat it over here. +Phone my boss."</p> + +<p>"I'll let you phone your boss," said +the sergeant, "but first tell me just what +happened."</p> + +<p>"Earthquake, I guess. I saw the floor +heaving in waves. Glass was crashing +and falling into the street. All windows +in the arcade buckled, either in +or out. I ran into the street and looked +up. God, what a sight! The building +from sidewalk to towers was rocking +and waving and twisting and buckling +and I saw it was bound to crumple, so +I lit out and ran. I heard a roar like +all Hell broke loose and then something +nicked me and my light went out."</p> + +<p>"How many got caught in the building?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody got out but me, I guess. +There weren't many tenants. The +building is all rented, but not everybody +had moved in yet and those as had +didn't spend their nights there. There +was a watchman for every five stories. +An engineer and his crew. Three elevator +operators had come in. There +was no names of tenants in or out on +my book after 4 A.M. The crash musta +come about 6. That's all."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Throughout</span> the country the +news of the crash was received +with great interest and wonderment, +but in one small circle it caused absolute +consternation. That was in the +offices of the Muller Construction Company, +the builders of the Colossus. +Jason V. Linane, chief engineer of the +company, was in conference with its +president, James J. Muller.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page250" name="page250">[250]</a></span> +Muller sat with his head in his hands, +and his face wore an expression of a +man in absolute anguish. Linane was +pacing the floor, a wild expression in +his eyes, and at times he muttered and +mumbled under his breath.</p> + +<p>In the other offices the entire force +from manager to office boys was hushed +and awed, for they had seen the expressions +on the faces of the heads of +the concern when they stalked into the +inner office that morning.</p> + +<p>Muller finally looked up, rather hopelessly, +at Linane.</p> + +<p>"Unless we can prove that the crash +was due to some circumstance over +which we had no control, we are +ruined," he said, and there actually +were tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"No doubt about that," agreed Linane, +"but I can swear that the Colossus +went up according to specifications and +that every ounce and splinter of material +was of the best. The workmanship +was faultless. We have built scores of +the biggest blocks in the world and of +them all this Colossus was the most +perfect. I had prided myself on it. +Muller, it was perfection. I simply +cannot account for it. I cannot. It +should have stood up for thousands +of years. The foundation was solid +rock. It positively was not an earthquake. +No other building in the section +was even jarred. No other earthquake +was ever localized to one half +block of the earth's crust, and we can +positively eliminate an earthquake or +an explosion as the possible cause. I +am sure we are not to blame, but we +will have to find the exact cause."</p> + +<p>"If there was some flaw?" questioned +Muller, although he knew the answer.</p> + +<p>"If there was some flaw, then we're +sunk. The newspapers are already +clamoring for probes, of us, of the +building, of the owners and everybody +and everything. We have got to have +something damned plausible when we +go to bat on this proposition or every +dollar we have in the world will have +to be paid out."</p> + +<p>"That is not all," said Muller: "not +only will we be penniless, but we may +have to go to jail and we will never +be able to show our faces in reputable +business circles again. Who was the +last to go over that building?"</p> + +<p>"I sent Teddy Jenks. He is a cub +and is swell headed and too big for his +pants, but I would bank my life on +his judgment. He has the judgment of +a much older man and I would also +bank my life and reputation on his engineering +skill and knowledge. He +pronounced the building positively +O.K.—100 per cent."</p> + +<p>"Where is Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"He will be here as soon as his car +can drive down from Tarrytown. He +should be here now."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">As</span> they talked Jenks, the youngest +member of the engineering force, +entered. He entered like a whirlwind. +He threw his hat on the floor and drew +out a drawer of a cabinet. He pulled +out the plans for the Colossus, big +blue prints, some of them yards in extent, +and threw them on the floor. Then +he dropped to his knees and began poring +over them.</p> + +<p>"This is a hell of a time for you to +begin getting around," exploded Muller. +"What were you doing, cabareting +all night?"</p> + +<p>"It sure is terrible—awful," said +Jenks, half to himself.</p> + +<p>"Answer me," thundered Muller.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," said Jenks, looking up. +He saw the look of anguish on his +boss's face and forgot his own excitement +in sympathy. He jumped to his +feet, placed his arm about the shoulders +of the older man and led him to a chair. +Linane only scowled at the young man.</p> + +<p>"I was delayed because I stopped by +to see the wreck. My God, Mr. Muller, +it is awful." Jenks drew his hand +across his eye as if to erase the scene +of the wrecked building. Then patting +the older man affectionately on the +back he said:</p> + +<p>"Buck up. I'm on the job, as usual. +I'll find out about it. It could not have +been our fault. Why man, that build<span class="pagenum"><a id="page251" name="page251">[251]</a></span>ing +was as strong as Gibraltar itself!"</p> + +<p>"You were the last to inspect it," +accused Muller, with a break in his +voice.</p> + +<p>"Nobody knows that better than I, +and I can swear by all that's square +and honest that it was no fault of the +material or the construction. It must +have been—"</p> + +<p>"Must have been what?"</p> + +<p>"I'll be damned if I know."</p> + +<p>"That's like him," said Linane, who, +while really kindly intentioned, had always +rather enjoyed prodding the +young engineer.</p> + +<p>"Like me, like the devil," shouted +Jenks, glaring at Linane. "I suppose +you know all about it, you're so blamed +wise."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't know," admitted Linane. +"But I do know that you don't like me +to tell you anything. Nevertheless, I +am going to tell you that you had better +get busy and find out what caused +it, or—"</p> + +<p>"That's just what I'm doing," said +Jenks, and he dived for his plans on +the floor.</p> + +<p>Newspaper reporters, many of them, +were fighting outside to get in. Muller +looked at Linane when a stenographer +had announced the reporters for the +tenth time.</p> + +<p>"We had better let them in," he said, +"it looks bad to crawl for cover."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to tell them?" +asked Linane.</p> + +<p>"God only knows," said Muller.</p> + +<p>"Let me handle them," said Jenks, +looking up confidently.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> newspapermen had rushed the +office. They came in like a wild +wave. Questions flew like feathers at +a cock-fight.</p> + +<p>Muller held up his hand and there +was something in his grief-stricken +eyes that held the gentlemen of the +press in silence. They had time to +look around. They saw the handsome, +dark-haired, brown-eyed Jenks poring +over the plans. Dust from the carpet +smudged his knees, and he had rubbed +some of it over a sweating forehead, +but he still looked the picture of self-confident +efficiency.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Muller slowly, "I +can answer all your questions at once. +Our firm is one of the oldest and +staunchest in the trade. Our buildings +stand as monuments to our integrity—"</p> + +<p>"All but one," said a young Irishman.</p> + +<p>"You are right. All but one," confessed +Muller. "But that one, believe +me, has been visited by an act of God. +Some form of earthquake or some unlooked +for, uncontrolled, almost unbelievable +catastrophe has happened. +The Muller company stands back of +its work to its last dollar. Gentlemen, +you know as much as we do. Mr. Jenks +there, whose reputation as an engineer +is quite sturdy, I assure you, was the +last to inspect the building. He passed +upon it when it was finished. He is at +your service."</p> + +<p>Jenks arose, brushed some dust from +his knees.</p> + +<p>"You look like you'd been praying," +bandied the Irishman.</p> + +<p>"Maybe I have. Now let me talk. +Don't broadside me with questions. I +know what you want to know. Let me +talk."</p> + +<p>The newspapermen were silent.</p> + +<p>"There has been talk of probing this +disaster, naturally," began Jenks. "You +all know, gentlemen, that we will aid +any inquiry to our utmost. You want +to know what we have to say about it—who +is responsible. In a reasonable +time I will have a statement to make +that will be startling in the extreme. +I am not sure of my ground now."</p> + +<p>"How about the ground under the +Colossus?" said the Irishman.</p> + +<p>"Don't let's kid each other," pleaded +Jenks. "Look at Mr. Muller: it is as +if he had lost his whole family. We +are good people. I am doing all I can. +Mr. Linane, who had charge of the construction, +is doing all he can. We believe +we are blameless. If it is proven +otherwise we will acknowledge our +fault, assume financial responsibility, +and take our medicine. Believe me,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page252" name="page252">[252]</a></span> +that building was perfection plus, like +all our buildings. That covers the entire +situation."</p> + +<p>Hundreds of questions were parried +and answered by the three engineers, +and the reporters left convinced that +if the Muller Construction Company +was responsible, it was not through +any fault of its own.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> fact that Jenks and Linane +were not strong for each other, +except to recognize each other's ability +as engineers, was due to an incident +of the past. This incident had caused +a ripple of mirth in engineering circles +when it happened, and the laugh was +on the older man, Linane.</p> + +<p>It was when radio was new. Linane, +a structural engineer, had paid little +attention to radio. Jenks was the kind +of an engineer who dabbled in all sciences. +He knew his radio.</p> + +<p>When Jenks first came to work with +a technical sheepskin and a few tons +of brass, Linane accorded him only +passing notice. Jenks craved the plaudits +of the older man and his palship. +Linane treated him as a son, but did +not warm to his social advances.</p> + +<p>"I'm as good an engineer as he is," +mused Jenks, "and if he is going to +high-hat me, I'll just put a swift one +over on him and compel his notice."</p> + +<p>The next day Jenks approached +Linane in conference and said:</p> + +<p>"I've got a curious bet on, Mr. +Linane. I am betting sound can travel +a mile quicker than it travels a quarter +of a mile."</p> + +<p>"What?" said Linane.</p> + +<p>"I'm betting fifty that sound can +travel a mile quicker than it can travel +a quarter of a mile."</p> + +<p>"Oh no—it can't," insisted Linane.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes—it can!" decided Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I'll take some of that fool money +myself," said Linane.</p> + +<p>"How much?" asked Jenks.</p> + +<p>"As much as you want."</p> + +<p>"All right—five hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>"How you going to prove your contention?"</p> + +<p>"By stop watches, and your men can +hold the watches. We'll bet that a +pistol shot can be heard two miles away +quicker than it can be heard a quarter +of a mile away."</p> + +<p>"Sound travels about a fifth of a mile +a second. The rate varies slightly according +to temperature," explained +Linane. "At the freezing point the +rate is 1,090 feet per second and increases +a little over one foot for every +degree Fahrenheit."</p> + +<p>"Hot or cold," breezed Jenks, "I am +betting you five hundred dollars that +sound can travel two miles quicker than +a quarter-mile."</p> + +<p>"You're on, you damned idiot!" +shouted the completely exasperated +Linane.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Jenks</span> let Linane's friends hold the +watches and his friend held the +money. Jenks was to fire the shot.</p> + +<p>Jenks fired the shot in front of a +microphone on a football field. One of +Linane's friends picked the sound up +instantaneously on a three-tube radio +set two miles away. The other watch +holder was standing in the open a quarter +of a mile away and his watch +showed a second and a fraction.</p> + +<p>All hands agreed that Jenks had won +the bet fairly. Linane never exactly +liked Jenks after that.</p> + +<p>Then Jenks rather aggravated matters +by a habit. Whenever Linane +would make a very positive statement +Jenks would look owl-eyed and say: +"Mr. Linane, I'll have to sound you out +about that." The heavy accent on the +word "sound" nettled Linane somewhat.</p> + +<p>Linane never completely forgave +Jenks for putting over this "fast one." +Socially they were always more or less +at loggerheads, but neither let this feeling +interfere with their work. They +worked together faithfully enough and +each recognized the ability of the +other.</p> + +<p>And so it was that Linane and Jenks, +their heads together, worked all night +in an attempt to find some cause that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page253" name="page253">[253]</a></span> +would tie responsibility for the disaster +on mother nature.</p> + +<p>They failed to find it and, sleepy-eyed, +they were forced to admit failure, +so far.</p> + +<p>The newspapers, to whom Muller had +said that he would not shirk any responsibility, +began a hue and cry for +the arrest of all parties in any way concerned +with the direction of the building +of the Colossus.</p> + +<p>When the death list from the crash +and subway wreck reached 97, the +press waxed nasty and demanded the +arrest of Muller, Linane and Jenks in +no uncertain tones.</p> + +<p>Half dead from lack of sleep, the +three men were taken by the police to +the district attorney's offices and, after +a strenuous grilling, were formally +placed under arrest on charges of criminal +negligence. They put up a $50,000 +bond in each case and were permitted +to go and seek further to find the cause +of what the newspapers now began calling +the "Colossal Failure."</p> + +<p>Several days were spent by Linane +and Jenks in examining the wreckage +which was being removed from Times +Square, truckload after truckload, to a +point outside the city. Here it was +again sorted and examined and piled +for future disposal.</p> + +<p>So far as could be found every brick, +stone and ounce of material used in the +building was perfect. Attorneys, however, +assured Linane, Jenks and Muller +that they would have to find the real +cause of the disaster if they were to +escape possible long prison sentences.</p> + +<p>Night after night Jenks courted +sleep, but it would not come. He began +to grow wan and haggard.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Jenks</span> took to walking the streets +at night, mile after mile, thinking, +always thinking, and searching his +mind for a solution of the mystery.</p> + +<p>It was evening. He had walked past +the scene of the Colossus crash several +times. He found himself on a side +street. He looked up and saw in electric +lights:</p> + +<p> +TOWN HALL<br /> +<br /> +<i>Munsterbergen, the Mad Musician</i><br /> +Concert Here To-night.<br /> +</p> + +<p>He took five dollars from his pocket +and bought a ticket. He entered with +the crowd and was ushered to a seat. +He looked neither to the right or left. +His eyes were sunken, his face lined +with worry.</p> + +<p>Something within Jenks caused him +to turn slightly. He was curiously +aware of a beautiful girl who sat beside +him. She had a mass of golden hair +which seemed to defy control. It was +wild, positively tempestuous. Her eyes +were deep blue and her skin as white +as fleecy clouds in spring. He was +dimly conscious that those glorious +eyes were troubled.</p> + +<p>She glanced at him. She was aware +that he was suffering. A great surge +of sympathy welled in her heart. She +could not explain the feeling.</p> + +<p>A great red plush curtain parted in +the center and drew in graceful folds +to the edges of the proscenium. A +small stage was revealed.</p> + +<p>A tousle-headed man with glaring, +beady black eyes, dressed in black evening +clothes stepped forward and bowed. +Under his arm was a violin. He brought +the violin forward. His nose, like the +beak of some great bird, bobbed up and +down in acknowledgment of the plaudits +which greeted him. His long nervous +fingers began to caress the instrument +and his lips began to move.</p> + +<p>Jenks was aware that he was saying +something, but was not at all interested. +What he said was this:</p> + +<p>"Maybe, yes, I couldn't talk so good +English, but you could understood it, +yes? Und now I tell you dot I never +play the compositions of any man. I +axtemporize exgloosively. I chust +blay und blay, und maybe you should +listen, yes? If I bleeze you I am chust +happy."</p> + +<p>Jenks' attention was drawn to him. +He noted his wild appearance.</p> + +<p>"He sure looks mad enough," mused +Jenks.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page254" name="page254">[254]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> violinist flipped the fiddle up +under his chin. He drew the bow +over the strings and began a gentle +melody that reminded one of rain +drops falling on calm waters.</p> + +<p>Jenks forgot his troubles. He forgot +everything. He slumped in his seat +and his eyes closed. The rain continued +falling from the strings of the +violin.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the melody changed to a +glad little lilting measure, as sweet as +love itself. The sun was coming out +again and the birds began to sing. +There was the trill of a canary with +the sun on its cage. There was the +song of the thrush, the mocking-bird +and the meadow lark. These blended +finally into a melodious burst of chirping +melody which seemed a chorus of +the wild birds of the forest and glen. +Then the lilting love measure again. +It tore at the heart strings, and brought +tears to one's eyes.</p> + +<p>Unconsciously the girl next to Jenks +leaned towards him. Involuntarily he +leaned to meet her. Their shoulders +touched. The cloud of her golden hair +came to rest against his dark locks. +Their hands found each other with +gentle pressure. Both were lost to the +world.</p> + +<p>Abruptly the music changed. There +was a succession of broken treble notes +that sounded like the crackling of +flames. Moans deep and melancholy +followed. These grew more strident +and prolonged, giving place to abject +howls, suggesting the lamentations of +the damned.</p> + +<p>The hands of the boy and girl +gripped tensely. They could not help +shuddering.</p> + +<p>The violin began to produce notes of +a leering, jeering character, growing +more horrible with each measure until +they burst in a loud guffaw of maniacal +laughter.</p> + +<p>The whole performance was as if +someone had taken a heaven and +plunged it into a hell.</p> + +<p>The musician bowed jerkily, and was +gone.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">There</span> was no applause, only wild +exclamations. Half the house was +on its feet. The other half sat as if +glued to chairs.</p> + +<p>The boy and the girl were standing, +their hands still gripping tensely.</p> + +<p>"Come, let's get out of here," said +Jenks. The girl took her wrap and +Jenks helped her into it. Hand in +hand they fled the place.</p> + +<p>In the lobby their eyes met, and for +the first time they realized they were +strangers. Yet deep in their hearts +was a feeling that their fates had been +sealed.</p> + +<p>"My goodness!" burst from the girl.</p> + +<p>"It can't be helped now," said Jenks +decisively.</p> + +<p>"What can't be helped?" asked the +girl, although she knew in her heart.</p> + +<p>"Nothing can be helped," said Jenks. +Then he added: "We should know each +other by this time. We have been +holding hands for an hour."</p> + +<p>The girl's eyes flared. "You have no +right to presume on that situation," +she said.</p> + +<p>Jenks could have kicked himself. +"Forgive me," he said. "It was only +that I just wanted so to know you. +Won't you let me see you home?"</p> + +<p>"You may," said the girl simply, and +she led the way to her own car.</p> + +<p>They drove north.</p> + +<p>Their bodies seemed like magnets. +They were again shoulder to shoulder, +holding hands.</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me your name?" +pleaded Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Surely," replied the girl. "I am +Elaine Linane."</p> + +<p>"What?" exploded Jenks. "Why, I +work with a Linane, an engineer with +the Muller Construction Company."</p> + +<p>"He is my father," she said.</p> + +<p>"Why, we are great friends," said +the boy. "I am Jenks, his assistant—at +least we work together."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have heard of you," said the +girl. "It is strange, the way we met. +My father admires your work, but I +am afraid you are not great friends." +The girl had forgotten her troubles.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page255" name="page255">[255]</a></span> +She chuckled. She had heard the way +Jenks had "sounded" her father out.</p> + +<p>Jenks was speechless. The girl continued:</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether to like you or +to hate you. My father is an old dear. +You were cruel to him."</p> + +<p>Jenks was abject. "I did not mean +to be," he said. "He rather belittled +me without realizing it. I had to make +my stand. The difference in our years +made him take me rather too lightly. +I had to compel his notice, if I was to +advance."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said the girl.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry—so sorry."</p> + +<p>"You might not have been altogether +at fault," said the girl. "Father forgets +at times that I have grown up. I resent +being treated like a child, but he +is the soul of goodness and fatherly +care."</p> + +<p>"I know that," said Jenks.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Every</span> engineer knows his mathematics. +It was this fact, coupled +with what the world calls a "lucky +break," that solved the Colossus mystery. +Nobody can get around the fact +that two and two make four.</p> + +<p>Jenks had happened on accomplishment +to advance in the engineering profession, +and it was well for him that he +had reached a crisis. He had never believed +in luck or in hunches, so it was +good for him to be brought face to face +with the fact that sometimes the footsteps +of man are guided. It made him +begin to look into the engineering of +the universe, to think more deeply, and +to acknowledge a Higher Power.</p> + +<p>With Linane he had butted into a +stone wall. They were coming to +know what real trouble meant. The +fact that they were innocent did not +make the steel bars of a cage any more +attractive. Their troubles began to +wrap about them with the clammy intimacy +of a shroud. Then came the +lucky break.</p> + +<p>Next to his troubles, Jenks' favorite +topic was the Mad Musician. He tried +to learn all he could about this uncanny +character at whose concert he +had met the girl of his life. He learned +two facts that made him perk up and +think.</p> + +<p>One was that the Mad Musician had +had offices and a studio in the Colossus +and was one of the first to move in. +The other was that the Mad Musician +took great delight in shattering glassware +with notes of or vibrations from +a violin. Nearly everyone knows that +a glass tumbler can be shattered by the +proper note sounded on a violin. The +Mad Musician took delight in this +trick. Jenks courted his acquaintance, +and saw him shatter a row of glasses +of different sizes by sounding different +notes on his fiddle. The glasses +crashed one after another like gelatine +balls hit by the bullets of an expert +rifleman.</p> + +<p>Then Jenks, the engineer who knew +his mathematics, put two and two together. +It made four, of course.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Linane," he said to his co-worker: +"this fiddler is crazier than a +flock of cuckoos. If he can crack +crockery with violin sound vibrations, +is it not possible, by carrying the vibrations +to a much higher power, that +he could crack a pile of stone, steel, +brick and cement, like the Colossus?"</p> + +<p>"Possible, but hardly probable. Still," +Linane mused, "when you think about +it, and put two and two together.... +Let's go after him and see what he is +doing now."</p> + +<p>Both jumped for their coats and hats. +As they fared forth, Jenks cinched his +argument:</p> + +<p>"If a madman takes delight in breaking +glassware with a vibratory wave or +vibration, how much more of a thrill +would he get by crashing a mountain?"</p> + +<p>"Wild, but unanswerable," said Linane.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Jenks</span> had been calling on the Mad +Musician at his country place. "He +had a studio in the Colossus," he reminded +Linane. "He must have re-opened +somewhere else in town. I +wonder where."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page256" name="page256">[256]</a></span> +"Musicians are great union men," +said Linane. "Phone the union."</p> + +<p>Teddy Jenks did, but the union gave +the last known town address as the +Colossus.</p> + +<p>"He would remain in the same district +around Times Square," reasoned +Jenks. "Let's page out the big buildings +and see if he is not preparing to +crash another one."</p> + +<p>"Fair enough," said Linane, who was +too busy with the problem at hand to +choose his words.</p> + +<p>Together the engineers started a canvass +of the big buildings in the theatrical +district. After four or five had been +searched without result they entered +the 30-story Acme Theater building.</p> + +<p>Here they learned that the Mad +Musician had leased a four-room suite +just a few days before. This suite was +on the fifteenth floor, just half way up +in the big structure.</p> + +<p>They went to the manager of the +building and frankly stated their suspicions. +"We want to enter that suite +when the tenant is not there," they explained, +"and we want him forestalled +from entering while we are examining +the premises."</p> + +<p>"Hadn't we better notify the police?" +asked the building manager, who had +broken out in a sweat when he heard +the dire disaster which might be in +store for the stately Acme building.</p> + +<p>"Not yet," said Linane. "You see, +we are not sure: we have just been +putting two and two together."</p> + +<p>"We'll get the building detective, +anyway," insisted the manager.</p> + +<p>"Let him come along, but do not let +him know until we are sure. If we are +right we will find a most unusual infernal +machine," said Linane.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> three men entered the suite +with a pass-key. The detective +was left outside in the hall to halt +anyone who might disturb the searchers. +It was as Jenks had thought. In +an inner room they found a diabolical +machine—a single string stretched +across two bridges, one of brass and +one of wood. A big horsehair bow attached +to a shaft operated by a motor +was automatically sawing across the +string. The note resulting was evidently +higher than the range of the human +ear, because no audible sound resulted. +It was later estimated that the destructive +note was several octaves +higher than the highest note on a +piano.</p> + +<p>The entire machine was <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'inclosed'">enclosed</ins> in a +heavy wire-net cage, securely bolted to +the floor. Neither the string or bow +could be reached. It was evidently the +Mad Musician's idea that the devilish +contrivance should not be reached by +hands other than his own.</p> + +<p>How long the infernal machine had +been operating no one knew, but the +visitors were startled when the building +suddenly began to sway perceptibly. +Jenks jumped forward to stop +the machine but could not find a switch.</p> + +<p>"See if the machine plugs in anywhere +in a wall socket!" he shouted to +Linane, who promptly began examining +the walls. Jenks shouted to the +building manager to phone the police +to clear the streets around the big +building.</p> + +<p>"Tell the police that the Acme Theater +building may crash at any moment," +he instructed.</p> + +<p>The engineers were perfectly cool in +face of the great peril, but the building +manager lost his head completely and +began to run around in circles muttering: +"Oh, my God, save me!" and other +words of supplication that blended into +an incoherent babel.</p> + +<p>Jenks rushed to the man, trying to +still his wild hysteria.</p> + +<p>The building continued to sway dangerously.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Jenks</span> looked from a window. An +enormous crowd was collecting, +watching the big building swinging a +foot out of plumb like a giant pendulum. +The crowd was growing. Should +the building fall the loss of life would +be appalling. It was mid-morning. +The interior of the building teemed<span class="pagenum"><a id="page257" name="page257">[257]</a></span> +with thousands of workers, for all +floors above the third were offices.</p> + +<p>Teddy Jenks turned suddenly. He +heard the watchman in the hall scream +in terror. Then he heard a body fall. +He rushed to the door to see the Mad +Musician standing over the prostrate +form of the detective, a devilish grin +on his distorted countenance.</p> + +<p>The madman turned, saw Jenks, and +started to run. Jenks took after him. +Up the staircase the madman rushed toward +the roof. Teddy followed him +two floors and then rushed out to take +the elevators. The building in its mad +swaying had made it impossible for the +lifts to be operated. Teddy realized +this with a distraught gulp in his +throat. He returned to the stairway +and took up the pursuit of the madman.</p> + +<p>The corridors were beginning to fill +with screaming men and wailing girls. +It was a sight never to be forgotten.</p> + +<p>Laboriously Jenks climbed story after +story without getting sight of the +madman. Finally he reached the roof. +It was waving like swells on a lake before +a breeze. He caught sight of the +Mad Musician standing on the street +wall, thirty stories from the street, a +leer on his devilish visage. He jumped +for him.</p> + +<p>The madman grasped him and lifted +him up to the top of the wall as a cat +might have lifted a mouse. Both men +were breathing heavily as a result of +their 15-story climb.</p> + +<p>The madman tried to throw Teddy +Jenks to the street below. Teddy clung +to him. The two battled desperately +as the building swayed.</p> + +<p>The dense crowd in the street had +caught sight of the two men fighting on +the narrow coping, and the shout which +rent the air reached the ears of Jenks.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> mind of the engineer was still +working clearly, but a wild fear +gripped his heart. His strength seemed +to be leaving him. The madman pushed +him back, bending his spine with brute +strength. Teddy was forced to the narrow +ledge that had given the two men +footing. The fingers of the madman +gripped his throat.</p> + +<p>He was dimly conscious that the +swaying of the building was slowing +down. His reason told him that Linane +had found the wall socket and had +stopped the sawing of the devil's bow +on the engine of hell.</p> + +<p>He saw the madman draw a big knife. +With his last remaining strength he +reached out and grasped the wrist +above the hand which held the weapon. +In spite of all he could do he saw the +madman inching the knife nearer and +nearer his throat.</p> + +<p>Grim death was peering into the +bulging eyes of Teddy Jenks, when his +engineering knowledge came to his rescue. +He remembered the top stories of +the Acme building were constructed +with a step of ten feet in from the +street line, for every story of construction +above the 24th floor.</p> + +<p>"If we fall," he reasoned, "we can +only fall one story." Then he deliberately +rolled his own body and the +weight of the madman, who held him, +over the edge of the coping. At the +same time he twisted the madman's +wrist so the point of the knife pointed +to the madman's body.</p> + +<p>There was a dim consciousness of a +painful impact. Teddy had fallen underneath, +but the force of the two +bodies coming together had thrust the +knife deep into the entrails of the Mad +Musician.</p> + +<p>Clouds which had been collecting in +the sky began a splattering downpour. +The storm grew in fury and lightning +tore the heavens, while thunder boomed +and crackled. The rain began falling +in sheets.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">This</span> served to revive the unconscious +Teddy. He painfully withdrew +his body from under that of the +madman. The falling rain, stained +with the blood of the Mad Musician, +trickled over the edge of the building.</p> + +<p>Teddy dragged himself through a +window and passed his hand over his +forehead, which was aching miserably.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page258" name="page258">[258]</a></span> +He tried to get to his feet and fell back, +only to try again. Several times he +tried and then, his strength returning, +he was able to walk.</p> + +<p>He made his way to the studio where +he had left Linane and found him there +surrounded by police, reporters and +others. The infernal machine had been +rendered harmless, but was kept intact +as evidence.</p> + +<p>Catching sight of Teddy, Linane +shouted with joy. "I stopped the +damned thing," he chuckled, like a +pleased schoolboy. Then, observing +Teddy's exhausted condition he added:</p> + +<p>"Why, you look like you have been +to a funeral!"</p> + +<p>"I have," said Teddy. "You'll find +that crazy fiddler dead on the twenty-ninth +story. Look out the window of +the thirtieth story," he instructed the +police, who had started to recover the +body. "He stabbed himself. He is +either dead or dying."</p> + +<p>It proved that he was dead.</p> + +<p>No engineering firm is responsible +for the actions of a madman. So the +Muller Construction Company was given +a clean bill of health.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Jenks</span> and Elaine Linane were with +the girl's father in his study. They +were asking for the paternal blessing.</p> + +<p>Linane was pretending to be hard to +convince.</p> + +<p>"Now, my daughter," he said, "this +young man takes $500 of my good +money by sounding me out, as he calls +it. Then he comes along and tries to +take my daughter away from me. It is +positively high-handed. It dates back +to the football game—"</p> + +<p>"Daddy, dear, don't be like that!" +said Elaine, who was on the arm of his +chair with her own arms around him.</p> + +<p>"I tell you, Elaine, this dates back +to the fall of 1927."</p> + +<p>"It dates back to the fall of Eve," +said Elaine. "When a girl finds her +man, no power can keep him from her. +If you won't give me to Teddy Jenks, +I'll elope with him."</p> + +<p>"Well, all right then. Kiss me," said +Linane as he turned towards his radio +set.</p> + +<p>"One and one makes one," said Teddy +Jenks.</p> + +<p>Every engineer knows his mathematics.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adbox"><i>Have you written in to</i><br /> +<br /> +<span class="muchlarger">ASTOUNDING STORIES</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>Yet, to Tell the Editors<br /> +Just What Kind of<br /> +Stories You Would Like<br /> +Them to Secure for You?</i></p> +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page259" name="page259">[259]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="The_Thief_of_Time" id="The_Thief_of_Time"></a>The Thief of Time</h2> +<p class="authorhdr"><i>By Captain S. P. Meek</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/259.png" width="400" height="406" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">"That man never entered and stole that money as the picture shows, +unless he managed to make himself invisible."</p> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Harvey Winston,</span> paying +teller of the First National +Bank of Chicago, stripped the +band from a bundle of twenty +dollar bills, counted out seventeen of +them and added +them to the pile +on the counter +before him.</p> + +<p class="sidebarright width50">The teller turned to the stacked pile of +bills. They were gone! And no one had +been near!</p> + +<p>"Twelve hundred +and thirty-one +tens," he read from the payroll +change slip before him. The paymaster +of the Cramer Packing Company nodded +an assent and Winston turned to +the stacked bills in his rear currency +rack. He picked up a handful of bundles +and turned back to the grill. His +gaze swept the +counter where, a +moment before, +he had stacked +the twenties, and +his jaw dropped.</p> + +<p>"You got those twenties, Mr. Trier?" +he asked.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page260" name="page260">[260]</a></span> +"Got them? Of course not, how +could I?" replied the paymaster. +"There they are...."</p> + +<p>His voice trailed off into nothingness +as he looked at the empty counter.</p> + +<p>"I must have dropped them," said +Winston as he turned. He glanced +back at the rear rack where his main +stock of currency was piled. He stood +paralyzed for a moment and then +reached under the counter and pushed +a button.</p> + +<p>The bank resounded instantly to the +clangor of gongs and huge steel grills +shot into place with a clang, sealing all +doors and preventing anyone from entering +or leaving the bank. The guards +sprang to their stations with drawn +weapons and from the inner offices the +bank officials came swarming out. The +cashier, followed by two men, hurried +to the paying teller's cage.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Mr. Winston?" he cried.</p> + +<p>"I've been robbed!" gasped the +teller.</p> + +<p>"Who by? How?" demanded the +cashier.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know, sir," stammered +the teller. "I was counting out Mr. +Trier's payroll, and after I had stacked +the twenties I turned to get the tens. +When I turned back the twenties were +gone."</p> + +<p>"Where had they gone?" asked the +cashier.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir. Mr. Trier was as +surprised as I was, and then I turned +back, thinking that I had knocked them +off the counter, and I saw at a glance +that there was a big hole in my back +racks. You can see yourself, sir."</p> + +<p>The cashier turned to the paymaster.</p> + +<p>"Is this a practical joke, Mr. Trier?" +he demanded sharply.</p> + +<p>"Of course not," replied the paymaster. +"Winston's grill was closed. It +still is. Granted that I might have +reached the twenties he had piled up, +how could I have gone through a grill +and taken the rest of the missing +money without his seeing me? The +money disappeared almost instantly. +It was there a moment before, for I +noticed when Winston took the twenties +from his rack that it was full."</p> + +<p>"But someone must have taken it," +said the bewildered cashier. "Money +doesn't walk off of its own accord or +vanish into thin air—"</p> + +<p>A bell interrupted his speech.</p> + +<p>"There are the police," he said with +an air of relief. "I'll let them in."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> smaller of the two men who +had followed the cashier from his +office when the alarm had sounded +stepped forward and spoke quietly. +His voice was low and well pitched +yet it carried a note of authority and +power that held his auditors' attention +while he spoke. The voice harmonized +with the man. The most noticeable +point about him was the <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'inconspicuous'">inconspicuousness</ins> +of his voice and manner, yet there was +a glint of steel in his gray eyes that +told of enormous force in him.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that I would let +them in for a few moments, Mr. +Rogers," he said. "I think that we are +up against something a little different +from the usual bank robbery."</p> + +<p>"But, Mr. Carnes," protested the +cashier, "we must call in the police in +a case like this, and the sooner they +take charge the better chance there +will be of apprehending the thief."</p> + +<p>"Suit yourself," replied the little +man with a shrug of his shoulders. "I +merely offered my advice."</p> + +<p>"Will you take charge, Mr. Carnes?" +asked the cashier.</p> + +<p>"I can't supersede the local authorities +in a case like this," replied Carnes. +"The secret service is primarily interested +in the suppression of counterfeiting +and the enforcement of certain +federal statutes, but I will be glad to +assist the local authorities to the best +of my ability, provided they desire my +help. My advice to you would be to +keep out the patrolmen who are demanding +admittance and get in touch +with the chief of police. I would ask +that his best detective together with an +expert finger-print photographer be +sent here before anyone else is ad<span class="pagenum"><a id="page261" name="page261">[261]</a></span>mitted. +If the patrolmen are allowed +to wipe their hands over Mr. Winston's +counter they may destroy valuable evidence."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Mr. Carnes," exclaimed +the cashier. "Mr. Jervis, will +you tell the police that there is no +violence threatening and ask them to +wait for a few minutes? I'll telephone +the chief of police at once."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">As</span> the cashier hurried away to his +telephone Carnes turned to his +companion who had stood an interested, +although silent spectator of the +scene. His companion was a marked +contrast to the secret service operator. +He stood well over six feet in height, +and his protruding jaw and shock of +unruly black hair combined with his +massive shoulders and chest to give +him the appearance of a man who +labored with his hands—until one +looked at them. His hands were in +strange contrast to the rest of him. +Long, slim, mobile hands they were, +with tapering nervous fingers—the +hands of a thinker or of a musician. +Telltale splotches of acid told of hours +spent in a laboratory, a tale that was +confirmed by the almost imperceptible +stoop of his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Do you agree with my advice, Dr. +Bird?" asked Carnes deferentially.</p> + +<p>The noted scientist, who from his +laboratory in the Bureau of Standards +had sent forth many new things in the +realms of chemistry and physics, and +who, incidentally, had been instrumental +in solving some of the most +baffling mysteries which the secret +service had been called upon to face, +grunted.</p> + +<p>"It didn't do any harm," he said, "but +it is rather a waste of time. The thief +wore gloves."</p> + +<p>"How in thunder do you know that?" +demanded Carnes.</p> + +<p>"It's merely common sense. A man +who can do what he did had at least +some rudiments of intelligence, and +even the feeblest-minded crooks know +enough to wear gloves nowadays."</p> + +<p>Carnes stepped a little closer to the +doctor.</p> + +<p>"Another reason why I didn't want +patrolmen tramping around," he said +in an undertone, "is this. If Winston +gave the alarm quickly enough, the +thief is probably still in the building."</p> + +<p>"He's a good many miles away by +now," replied Dr. Bird with a shrug of +his shoulders.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Carnes</span>' eyes opened widely. +"Why?—how?—who?" he stammered. +"Have you any idea of who +did it, or how it was done?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly I have an idea," replied +Dr. Bird with a cryptic smile. "My +advice to you, Carnes, is to keep away +from the local authorities as much as +possible. I want to be present when +Winston and Trier are questioned and +I may possibly wish to ask a few questions +myself. Use your authority that +far, but no farther. Don't volunteer +any information and especially don't +let my name get out. We'll drop the +counterfeiting case we were summoned +here on for the present and look into +this a little on our own hook. I will +want your aid, so don't get tied up +with the police."</p> + +<p>"At that, we don't want the police +crossing our trail at every turn," protested +Carnes.</p> + +<p>"They won't," promised the doctor. +"They will never get any evidence on +this case, if I am right, and neither +will we—for the present. Our stunt is +to lie low and wait for the next attempt +of this nature and thus accumulate +some evidence and some idea of +where to look."</p> + +<p>"Will there be another attempt?" +asked Carnes.</p> + +<p>"Surely. You don't expect a man +who got away with a crime like this +to quit operations just because a few +flatfeet run around and make a hullabaloo +about it, do you? I may be +wrong in my assumption, but if I am +right, the most important thing is to +keep all reference to my name or position +out of the press reports."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page262" name="page262">[262]</a></span> +The cashier hastened up to them.</p> + +<p>"Detective-Captain Sturtevant will +be here in a few minutes with a photographer +and some other men," he +said. "Is there anything that we can +do in the meantime, Mr. Carnes?"</p> + +<p>"I would suggest that Mr. Trier and +his guard and Mr. Winston go into +your office," replied Carnes. "My assistant +and I would like to be present +during the questioning, if there are no +objections."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know that you had an +assistant with you," answered the +cashier.</p> + +<p>Carnes indicated Dr. Bird.</p> + +<p>"This gentleman is Mr. Berger, my +assistant," he said. "Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. I am sure there will be +no objection to your presence, Mr. +Carnes," replied the cashier as he led +the way to his office.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A few</span> minutes later Detective-Captain +Sturtevant of the Chicago +police was announced. He acknowledged +the introductions gruffly and +got down to business at once.</p> + +<p>"What were the circumstances of +the robbery?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Winston told his story, Trier and +the guard confirming it.</p> + +<p>"Pretty thin!" snorted the detective +when they had finished. He whirled +suddenly on Winston.</p> + +<p>"Where did you hide the loot?" he +thundered.</p> + +<p>"Why—uh—er—what do you mean?" +gulped the teller.</p> + +<p>"Just what I said," replied the detective. +"Where did you hide the <ins class="correction" title="Changed comma to question mark">loot?</ins>"</p> + +<p>"I didn't hide it anywhere," said the +teller. "It was stolen."</p> + +<p>"You had better think up a better +one," sneered Sturtevant. "If you think +that you can make me believe that that +money was stolen from you in broad +daylight with two men in plain sight +of you who didn't see it, you might +just as well get over it. I know that +you have some hiding place where you +have slipped the stuff and the quicker +you come clean and spill it, the better +it will be for you. Where did you hide +it?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't hide it!" cried the teller, +his voice trembling. "Mr. Trier can +tell you that I didn't touch it from the +time I laid it down until I turned +back."</p> + +<p>"That's right," replied the paymaster. +"He turned his back on me for +a moment, and when he turned back, +it was gone."</p> + +<p>"So you're in on it too, are you?" +said Sturtevant.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" demanded +the paymaster hotly.</p> + +<p>"Oh nothing, nothing at all," replied +the detective. "Of course Winston +didn't touch it and it disappeared and +you never saw it go, although you +were within three feet of it all the +time. Did <i>you</i> see anything?" he demanded +of the guard.</p> + +<p>"Nothing that I am sure of," answered +the guard. "I thought that a +shadow passed in front of me for an +instant, but when I looked again, it +was gone."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dr. Bird</span> sat forward suddenly. +"What did this shadow look +like?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't exactly a shadow," said +the guard. "It was as if a person had +passed suddenly before me so quickly +that I couldn't see him. I seemed to +feel that there was someone there, but +I didn't rightly <i>see</i> anything."</p> + +<p>"Did you notice anything of the +sort?" demanded the doctor of Trier.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Trier +thoughtfully. "Now that Williams has +mentioned it, I did seem to feel a +breath of air or a motion as though +something had passed in front of me. +I didn't think of it at the time."</p> + +<p>"Was this shadow opaque enough to +even momentarily obscure your vision?" +went on the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Not that I am conscious of. It was +just a breath of air such as a person +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'mighty'">might</ins> cause by passing very rapidly."</p> + +<p>"What made you ask Trier if he had<span class="pagenum"><a id="page263" name="page263">[263]</a></span> +the money when you turned around?" +asked the doctor of Winston.</p> + +<p>"Say-y-y," broke in the detective. +"Who the devil are you, and what do +you mean by breaking into my examination +and stopping it?"</p> + +<p>Carnes tossed a leather wallet on the +table.</p> + +<p>"There are my credentials," he said +in his quiet voice. "I am chief of one +section of the United States Secret +Service as you will see, and this is Mr. +Berger, my assistant. We were in the +bank, engaged on a counterfeiting case, +when the robbery took place. We have +had a good deal of experience along +these lines and we are merely anxious +to aid you."</p> + +<p>Sturtevant examined Carnes' credentials +carefully and returned them.</p> + +<p>"This is a Chicago robbery," he said, +"and we have had a little experience in +robberies and in apprehending robbers +ourselves. I think that we can get +along without your help."</p> + +<p>"You have had more experience with +robberies <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'that'">than</ins> with apprehending robbers +if the papers tell the truth," said +Dr. Bird with a chuckle.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> detective's face flushed.</p> + +<p>"That will be enough from you, +Mr. Sherlock Holmes," he said. "If +you open your mouth again, I'll arrest +you as a material witness and as a possible +accomplice."</p> + +<p>"That sounds like Chicago methods," +said Carnes quietly. "Now listen to +me, Captain. My assistant and I are +merely trying to assist you in this +case. If you don't desire our assistance +we'll proceed along our own lines without +interfering, but in the meantime +remember that this is a National Bank, +and that our questions will be answered. +The United States is higher +than even the Chicago police force, and +I am here under orders to investigate +a counterfeiting case. If I desire, I +can seal the doors of this bank and allow +no one in or out until I have the +evidence I desire. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>Sturtevant sprang to his feet with an +oath, but the sight of the gold badge +which Carnes displayed stopped him.</p> + +<p>"Oh well," he said ungraciously. "I +suppose that no harm will come of +letting Winston answer your fool +questions, but I'll warn you that I'll report +to Washington that you are interfering +with the course of justice and +using your authority to aid the getaway +of a criminal."</p> + +<p>"That is your privilege," replied +Carnes quietly. "Mr. Winston, will +you answer Mr. Berger's question?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I asked him because he was +right close to the money and I thought +that he might have reached through the +wicket and picked it up. Then, too—"</p> + +<p>He hesitated for a moment and Dr. +Bird smiled encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"What else?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, I can't exactly tell. It just +seemed to me that I had heard the +rustle that bills make when they are +pulled across a counter. When I saw +them gone, I thought that he might +have taken them. Then when I turned +toward him, I seemed to hear the rustle +of bills behind me, although I knew +that I was alone in the cage. When I +looked back the money was gone."</p> + +<p>"Did you see or hear anything like a +shadow or a person moving?"</p> + +<p>"No—yes—I don't know. Just as I +turned around it seemed to me that the +rear door to my cage had moved and +there may have been a shadow for an +instant. I don't know. I hadn't +thought of it before."</p> + +<p>"How long after that did you ring +the alarm gongs?"</p> + +<p>"Not over a second or two."</p> + +<p>"That's all," said Dr. Bird.</p> + +<p>"If your high and mightiness has no +further questions to ask, perhaps you +will let me ask a few," said Sturtevant.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">G</span><span class="dcap">o</span> ahead, ask all you wish," replied +Dr. Bird with a laugh. "I +have all the information I desire here +for the present. I may want to ask +other questions later, but just now I +think we'll be going."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page264" name="page264">[264]</a></span> +"If you find any strange finger-prints +on Winston's counter, I'll be glad to +have them compared with our files," +said Carnes.</p> + +<p>"I am not bothering with finger-prints," +snorted the detective. "This +is an open and shut case. There would +be lots of Winston's finger-prints there +and no others. There isn't the slightest +doubt that this is an inside case +and I have the men I want right here. +Mr. Rogers, your bank is closed for +<ins class="correction" title="Standardized from today">to-day</ins>. Everyone in it will be searched +and then all those not needed to close +up will be sent away. I will get a +squad of men here to go over your +building and locate the hiding place. +Your money is still on the premises +unless these men slipped it to a confederate +who got out before the alarm +was given. I'll question the guards +about that. If that happened, a little +sweating will get it out of them."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to arrest me?" demanded +Trier in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearie," answered the detective. +"I am going to arrest you and +your two little playmates if these +Washington experts will allow me to. +You will save a lot of time and quite +a few painful experiences if you will +come clean now instead of later."</p> + +<p>"I demand to see my lawyer and to +communicate with my firm," said the +paymaster.</p> + +<p>"Time enough for that when I am +through with you," replied the detective.</p> + +<p>He turned to Carnes.</p> + +<p>"Have I your gracious permission to +arrest these three criminals?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes indeed, Captain," replied +Carnes sweetly. "You have my gracious +permission to make just as big +an ass of yourself as you wish. We're +going now."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">B</span><span class="dcap">y</span> the way, Captain," said Dr. +Bird as he followed Carnes out. +"When you get through playing with +your prisoners and start to look for +the thief, here is a tip. Look for a +left-handed man who has a thorough +knowledge of chemistry and especially +toxicology."</p> + +<p>"It's easy enough to see that he was +left-handed if he pulled that money +out through the grill from the positions +occupied by Trier and his guard, +but what the dickens led you to suspect +that he is a chemist and a toxicologist?" +asked Carnes as he and the +doctor left the bank.</p> + +<p>"Merely a shrewd guess, my dear +Watson," replied the doctor with a +chuckle. "I am likely to be wrong, but +there is a good chance that I am right. +I am judging solely from the method +used."</p> + +<p>"Have you solved the method?" demanded +Carnes in amazement. "What +on earth was it? The more I have +thought about it, the more inclined I +am to believe that Sturtevant is right +and that it is an inside job. It seems +to me impossible that a man could have +entered in broad daylight and lifted +that money in front of three men and +within sight of a hundred more without +some one getting a glimpse of him. +He must have taken the money out in +a grip or a sack or something like that, +yet the bank record shows that no one +but Trier entered with a grip and no +one left with a package for ten minutes +before Trier entered."</p> + +<p>"There may be something in what +you say, Carnes, but I am inclined to +have a different idea. I don't think it +is the usual run of bank robbery, and +I would rather not hazard a guess just +now. I am going back to Washington +to-night. Before I go any further into +the matter, I need some rather specialized +knowledge that I don't possess +and I want to consult with Dr. Knolles. +I'll be back in a week or so and then +we can look into that counterfeiting +case after we get this disposed of."</p> + +<p>"What am I to do?" asked Carnes.</p> + +<p>"Sit around the lobby of your hotel, +eat three meals a day, and read the papers. +If you get bored, I would recommend +that you pay a visit to the Art +Institute and admire the graceful lions<span class="pagenum"><a id="page265" name="page265">[265]</a></span> +which adorn the steps. Artistic contemplations +may well improve your +culture."</p> + +<p>"All right," replied Carnes. "I'll assume +a pensive air and moon at the +lions, but I might do better if you told +me what I was looking for."</p> + +<p>"You are looking for knowledge, my +dear Carnes," said the doctor with a +laugh. "Remember the saying of the +sages: To the wise man, no knowledge +is useless."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A huge</span> Martin bomber roared +down to a landing at the Maywood +airdrome, and a burly figure +descended from the rear cockpit and +waved his hand jovially to the waiting +Carnes. The secret service man +hastened over to greet his colleague.</p> + +<p>"Have you got that truck I wired +you to have ready?" demanded the +doctor.</p> + +<p>"Waiting at the entrance; but say, +I've got some news for you."</p> + +<p>"It can wait. Get a detail of men +and help us to unload this ship. Some +of the cases are pretty heavy."</p> + +<p>Carnes hurried off and returned with +a gang of laborers, who took from the +bomber a dozen heavy packing cases +of various sizes, several of them +labelled either "Fragile" or "Inflammable" +in large type.</p> + +<p>"Where do they go, Doctor?" he +asked when the last of them had been +loaded onto the waiting truck.</p> + +<p>"To the First National Bank," replied +Dr. Bird, "and Casey here goes +with them. You know Casey, don't +you, Carnes? He is the best photographer +in the Bureau."</p> + +<p>"Shall I go along too?" asked +Carnes as he acknowledged the introduction.</p> + +<p>"No need for it. I wired Rogers and +he knows the stuff is coming and what +to do with it. Unpack as soon as you +get there, Casey, and start setting up +as soon as the bank closes."</p> + +<p>"All right, Doctor," replied Casey as +he mounted the truck beside the +driver.</p> + +<p>"Where do we go, Doctor?" asked +Carnes as the truck rolled off.</p> + +<p>"To the Blackstone Hotel for a bath +and some clean clothes," replied the +doctor. "And now, what is the news +you have for me?"</p> + +<p>"The news is this, Doctor. I carried +out your instructions diligently and, +during the daylight hours, the lions +have not moved."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Dr. Bird</span> looked contrite.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Carnes," he +said. "I really didn't think when I +left you so mystified how you must +have felt. Believe me, I had my own +reasons, excellent ones, for secrecy."</p> + +<p>"I have usually been able to maintain +silence when asked to," replied +Carnes stiffly.</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow, I didn't mean to +question your discretion. I know that +whatever I tell you is safe, but there +are angles to this affair that are so +weird and improbable that I don't dare +to trust my own conclusions, let alone +share them. I'll tell you all about it +soon. Did you get those tickets I +wired for?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I got them, but what have +two tickets to the A. A. U. track meet +this afternoon got to do with a bank +robbery?"</p> + +<p>"One trouble with you, Carnes," replied +the doctor with a <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'judical'">judicial</ins> air, "is +that you have no idea of the importance +of proper relaxation. Is it +possible that you have no desire to see +Ladd, this new marvel who is smashing +records right and left, run? He performs +for the Illinois Athletic Club +this afternoon, and it would not surprise +me to see him lower the world's +record again. He has already lowered +the record for the hundred yard dash +from nine and three-fifths to eight and +four-fifths. There is no telling what +he will do."</p> + +<p>"Are we going to waste the whole +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'afternon'">afternoon</ins> just to watch a man run?" +demanded Carnes in disgust.</p> + +<p>"We will see many men run, my dear +fellow, but there is only one in whom<span class="pagenum"><a id="page266" name="page266">[266]</a></span> +I have a deep abiding interest, and +that is Mr. Ladd. Have you your +binoculars with you?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Then by all means beg, borrow or +steal two pairs before this afternoon. +We might easily miss half the fun +without them. Are our seats near the +starting line for the sprints?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. The big demand was for seats +near the finish line."</p> + +<p>"The start will be much more interesting, +Carnes. I was somewhat of a +minor star in track myself in my college +days and it will be of the greatest +interest to me to observe the starting +form of this new speed artist. Now +Carnes, don't ask any more questions. +I may be barking up the wrong tree +and I don't want to give you a chance +to laugh at me. I'll tell you what to +watch for at the track."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> sprinters lined up on the +hundred yard mark and Dr. Bird +and Carnes sat with their glasses +glued to their eyes watching the slim +figure in the colors of the Illinois +Athletic Club, whose large "62" on his +back identified him as the new star.</p> + +<p>"On your mark!" cried the starter. +"Get set!"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried Dr. Bird. "Did you see +that Carnes?"</p> + +<p>The starting gun cracked and the +runners were off on their short grind. +Ladd leaped into the lead and rapidly +distanced the field, his legs twinkling +under him almost faster than the eye +could follow. He was fully twenty +yards in the lead when his speed suddenly +lessened and the balance of the +runners closed up the gap he had +opened. His lead was too great for +them, and he was still a good ten yards +in the lead when he crossed the tape. +The official time was posted as eight +and nine-tenths seconds.</p> + +<p>"Another thirty yards and he would +have been beaten," said Carnes as he +lowered his glasses.</p> + +<p>"That is the way he has won all of +his races," replied the doctor. "He +piles up a huge lead at first and then +loses a good deal at the finish. His +speed doesn't hold up. Never mind +that, though, it is only an additional +point in my favor. Did you notice his +jaws just before the gun went?"</p> + +<p>"They seemed to clench and then he +swallowed, but most of them did some +thing like that."</p> + +<p>"Watch him carefully for the next +heat and see if he puts anything into +his mouth. That is the important +thing."</p> + +<p>Dr. Bird sank into a brown study +and paid no attention to the next few +events, but he came to attention +promptly when the final heat of the +hundred yard dash was called. With +his glasses he watched Ladd closely as +the runner trotted up to the starting +line.</p> + +<p>"There, Carnes!" he cried suddenly. +"Did you see?"</p> + +<p>"I saw him wipe his mouth," said +Carnes doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"All right, now watch his jaws just +before the gun goes."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> final heat was a duplicate of +the first preliminary. Ladd took +an early lead which he held for three-fourths +of the distance to the tape, +then his pace slackened and he finished +only a bare ten yards ahead of the next +runner. The time tied his previous +world's record of eight and four-fifths +seconds.</p> + +<p>"He crunched and swallowed all +right, Doctor," said Carnes.</p> + +<p>"That is all I wanted to be sure of. +Now Carnes, here is something for you +to do. Get hold of the United States +Commissioner and get a John Doe +warrant and go back to the hotel with +it and wait for me. I may phone you +at any minute and I may not. If I +don't, wait in your room until you hear +from me. Don't leave it for a minute."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going down and congratulate +Mr. Ladd. An old track man like me +can't let such an opportunity pass."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what this is all about,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page267" name="page267">[267]</a></span> +Doctor," replied Carnes, "but I know +you well enough to obey orders and to +keep my mouth shut until it is my +turn to speak."</p> + +<p>Few men could resist Dr. Bird when +he set out to make a favorable impression, +and even a world's champion is +apt to be flattered by the attention of +one of the greatest scientists of his +day, especially when that scientist has +made an enviable reputation as an athlete +in his college days and can talk +the jargon of the champion's particular +sport. Henry Ladd promptly capitulated +to the charm of the doctor and +allowed himself to be led away to supper +at Bird's club. The supper passed +off pleasantly, and when the doctor requested +an interview with the young +athlete in a private room, he gladly +consented. They entered the room together, +remained for an hour and a +half, and then came out. The smile +had left Ladd's face and he appeared +nervous and distracted. The doctor +talked cheerfully with him but kept a +firm grip on his arm as they descended +the stairs together. They entered a +telephone booth where the doctor made +several calls, and then descended to the +street, where they entered a taxi.</p> + +<p>"Maywood airdrome," the doctor told +the driver.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Two</span> hours later the big Martin +bomber which had carried the +doctor to Chicago roared away into the +night, and Bird turned back, reentered +the taxi, and headed for the city alone.</p> + +<p>When Carnes received the telephone +call, which was one of those the doctor +made from the booth in his club, +he hurried over to the First National +Bank. His badge secured him an entrance +and he found Casey busily engaged +in rigging up an elaborate piece +of apparatus on one of the balconies +where guards were normally stationed +during banking hours.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Bird said to tell you to keep on +the job all night if necessary," he told +Casey. "He thinks he will need your +machine to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I'll have it ready to turn on the +power at four A.M.," replied Casey.</p> + +<p>Carnes watched him curiously for a +while as he soldered together the electrical +connections and assembled an apparatus +which looked like a motion picture +projector.</p> + +<p>"What are you setting up?" he asked +at length.</p> + +<p>"It is a high speed motion picture +camera," replied Casey, "with a telescopic +lens. It is a piece of apparatus +which Dr. Bird designed while he was +in Washington last week and which I +made from his sketches, using some +apparatus we had on hand. It's a +dandy, all right."</p> + +<p>"What is special about it?"</p> + +<p>"The speed. You know how fast an +ordinary movie is taken, don't you? +No? Well, it's sixteen exposures per +second. The slow pictures are taken +sometimes at a hundred and twenty-eight +or two hundred and fifty-six exposures +per second, and then shown at +sixteen. This affair will take half a +million pictures per second."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know that a film would register +with that short an exposure."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">T</span><span class="dcap">hat's</span> slow," replied Casey +with a laugh. "It all depends on +the light. The best flash-light powder +gives a flash about one ten-thousandth +of a second in duration, but that is by +no means the speed limit of the film. +The only trouble is enough light and +sufficient shutter speed. Pictures have +been taken by means of spark photography +with an exposure of less than +one three-millionth of a second. The +whole secret of this machine lies in +the shutter. This big disc with the +slots in the edge is set up before the +lens and run at such a speed that half +a million slots per second pass before +the lens. The film, which is sixteen +millimeter X-ray film, travels behind +the lens at a speed of nearly five miles +per second. It has to be gradually +worked up to this speed, and after the +whole thing is set up, it takes it nearly +four hours to get to full speed."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page268" name="page268">[268]</a></span> +"At that speed, it must take a million +miles of film before you get up +steam."</p> + +<p>"It would, if the film were being exposed. +There is only about a hundred +yards of film all told, which will run +over these huge drums in an endless +belt. There is a regular camera shutter +working on an electric principle +which remains closed. When the +switch is tripped, the shutter opens in +about two thirty-thousandths of a second, +stays open just one one-hundredth +of a second, and then closes. This time +is enough to expose nearly all of our +film. When we have our picture, I +shut the current down, start applying +a magnetic brake, and let it slow down. +It takes over an hour to stop it without +breaking the film. It sounds complicated, +but it works all right."</p> + +<p>"Where is your switch?"</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">T</span><span class="dcap">hat</span> is the trick part of it. It +is a remote control affair. The +shutter opens and starts the machine +taking pictures when the back door +of the paying teller's cage is opened +half an inch. There is also a hand +switch in the line that can be opened +so that you can open the door without +setting off the camera, if you wish. +When the hand switch is closed and +the door opened, this is what happens. +The shutter on the camera opens, the +machine takes five thousand pictures +during the next hundredth of a second, +and then the shutter closes. Those +five thousand exposures will take about +five minutes to show at the usual rate +of sixteen per second."</p> + +<p>"You said that you had to get plenty +of light. How are you managing that?"</p> + +<p>"The camera is equipped with a special +lens ground out of rock crystal. +This lens lets in ultra-violet light +which the ordinary lens shuts out, and +X-ray film is especially sensitive to +ultra-violet light. In order to be sure +that we get enough illumination, I will +set up these two ultra-violet floodlights +to illumine the cage. The teller will +have to wear glasses to protect his eyes +and he'll get well sunburned, but something +has to be sacrificed to science, +as Dr. Bird is always telling me."</p> + +<p>"It's too deep for me," said Carnes +with a sigh. "Can I do anything to +help? The doctor told me to stand by +and do anything I could."</p> + +<p>"I might be able to use you a little +if you can use tools," said Casey with +a grin. "You can start bolting together +that light proof shield if you want to."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">W</span><span class="dcap">ell,</span> Carnes, did you have an +instructive night?" asked Dr. +Bird cheerfully as he entered the First +National Bank at eight-thirty the next +morning.</p> + +<p>"I don't see that I did much good, +Doctor. Casey would have had the machine +ready on time anyway, and I'm +no machinist."</p> + +<p>"Well, frankly, Carnes, I didn't expect +you to be of much help to him, +but I did want you to see what Casey +was doing, and a little of it was pretty +heavy for him to handle alone. I suppose +that everything is ready?"</p> + +<p>"The motor reached full speed about +fifteen minutes ago and Casey went +out to get a cup of coffee. Would you +mind telling me the object of the +whole thing?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. I plan to make a permanent +record of the work of the most +ingenious bank robber in the world. I +hope he keeps his word."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Three days ago when Sturtevant +sweated a 'confession' out of poor Winston, +the bank got a message that the +robbery would be repeated this morning +and dared them to prevent it. Rogers +thought it was a hoax, but he telephoned +me and I worked the Bureau +men night and day to get my camera +ready in time for him. I am afraid +that I can't do much to prevent the +robbery, but I may be able to take a +picture of it and thus prevent other +cases of a like nature."</p> + +<p>"Was the warning written?"</p> + +<p>"No. It was telephoned from a pay +station in the loop district, and by the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page269" name="page269">[269]</a></span> +time it was traced and men got there, +the telephoner was probably a mile +away. He said that he would rob the +same cage in the same manner as he +did before."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you taking any special precautions?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, the bank is putting on extra +guards and making a lot of fuss of that +sort, probably to the great amusement +of the robber."</p> + +<p>"Why not close the cage for the +day?"</p> + +<p>"Then he would rob a different one +and we would have no way of photographing +his actions. To be sure, we +will put dummy money there, bundles +with bills on the outside and paper on +the inside, so if I don't get a picture +of him, he won't get much. Every bill +in the cage will be marked as well."</p> + +<p>"Did he say at what time he would +operate?"</p> + +<p>"No, he didn't, so we'll have to stand +by all day. Oh, hello, Casey, is everything +all right?"</p> + +<p>"As sweet as chocolate candy, Doctor. +I have tested it out thoroughly, +and unless we have to run it so long +that the film wears out and breaks, we +are sitting pretty. If we don't get the +pictures you are looking for, I'm a +dodo, and I haven't been called that +yet."</p> + +<p>"Good work, Casey. Keep the bearings +oiled and pray that the film doesn't +break."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> bank had been opened only +ten minutes when the clangor of +gongs announced a robbery. It was +practically a duplicate of the first. The +paying teller had turned from his window +to take some bills from his rack +and had found several dozens of bundles +missing. As the gongs sounded, +Dr. Bird and Casey leaped to the camera.</p> + +<p>"She snapped, Doctor!" cried Casey +as he threw two switches. "It'll take +an hour to stop and half a day to develop +the film, but I ought to be able +to show you what we got by to-night."</p> + +<p>"Good enough!" cried Dr. Bird. "Go +ahead while I try to calm down the +bank officials. Will you have everything +ready by eight o'clock?"</p> + +<p>"Easy, Doctor," replied Casey as he +turned to the magnetic brake.</p> + +<p>By eight o'clock quite a crowd had +assembled in a private room at the +Blackstone Hotel. Besides Dr. Bird +and Carnes, Rogers and several other +officials of the First National Bank +were present, together with Detective-Captain +Sturtevant and a group of the +most prominent scientists and physicians +gathered from the schools of the +city.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Dr. Bird when all +had taken seats facing a miniature +moving picture screen on one wall, "to-night +I expect to show you some pictures +which will, I am sure, astonish +you. It marks the advent of a new departure +in transcendental medicine. I +will be glad to answer any questions +you may wish to ask and to explain +the pictures after they are shown, but +before we start a discussion, I will ask +that you examine what I have to show +you. Lights out, please!"</p> + +<p>He stepped to the rear of the room +as the lights went out. As his eyes +grew used to the dimness of the room +he moved forward and took a vacant +seat. His hand fumbled in his pocket +for a second.</p> + +<p>"Now!" he cried suddenly.</p> + +<p>In the momentary silence which followed +his cry, two dull metallic clicks +could be heard, and a quick cry that +was suddenly strangled as Dr. Bird +clamped his hand over the mouth of +the man who sat between him and +Carnes.</p> + +<p>"All right, Casey," called the doctor.</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">The</span> whir of a projection machine +could be heard and on the screen +before them leaped a picture of the paying +teller's cage of the First National +Bank. Winston's successor was standing +motionless at the wicket, his lips +parted in a smile, but the attention of +all was riveted on a figure who moved<span class="pagenum"><a id="page270" name="page270">[270]</a></span> +at the back of the cage. As the picture +started, the figure was bent over an +opened suitcase, stuffing into it bundles +of bills. He straightened up and +reached to the rack for more bills, and +as he did so he faced the camera full +for a moment. He picked up other +bundles of bills, filled the suitcase, fastened +it in a leisurely manner, opened +the rear door of the cage and walked +out.</p> + +<p>"Again, please!" called Dr. Bird. +"And stop when he faces us full."</p> + +<p>The picture was repeated and +stopped at the point indicated.</p> + +<p>"Lights, please!" cried the doctor.</p> + +<p>The lights flashed on and Dr. Bird +rose to his feet, pulling up after him +the wilted figure of a middle-aged man.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the doctor in ringing +tones, "allow me to present to you +Professor James Kirkwood of the faculty +of the Richton University, formerly +known as James Collier of the +Bureau of Standards, and robber of +the First National Bank."</p> + +<p>Detective-Captain Sturtevant jumped +to his feet and cast a searching glance +at the captive.</p> + +<p>"He's the man all right," he cried. +"Hang on to him until I get a wagon +here!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, shut up!" said Carnes. "He's +under federal arrest just now, charged +with the possession of narcotics. When +we are through with him, you can have +him if you want him."</p> + +<p>"How did you get that picture, Doctor?" +cried the cashier. "I watched +that cage every minute during the +morning and I'll swear that man never +entered and stole that money as the +picture shows, unless he managed to +make himself invisible."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">Y</span><span class="dcap">ou're</span> closer to the truth than +you suspect, Mr. Rogers," said +Dr. Bird. "It is not quite a matter of +invisibility, but something pretty close +to it. It is a matter of catalysts."</p> + +<p>"What kind of cats?" asked the cashier.</p> + +<p>"Not cats, Mr. Rogers, catalysts. +Catalysts is the name of a chemical reaction +consisting essentially of a decomposition +and a new combination +effected by means of a catalyst which +acts on the compound bodies in question, +but which goes through the reaction +itself unchanged. There are a +great many of them which are used in +the arts and in manufacturing, and +while their action is not always clearly +understood, the results are well known +and can be banked on.</p> + +<p>"One of the commonest instances of +the use of a catalyst is the use of +sponge platinum in the manufacture of +sulphuric acid. I will not burden you +with the details of the 'contact' process, +as it is known, but the combination +is effected by means of finely divided +platinum which is neither +changed, consumed or wasted during +the process. While there are a number +of other catalysts known, for instance +iron in reactions in which metallic magnesium +is concerned, the commonest +are the metals of the platinum group.</p> + +<p>"Less is known of the action of catalysts +in the organic reactions, but it +has been the subject of intensive study +by Dr. Knolles of the Bureau of Standards +for several years. His studies of +the effects of different colored lights, +that is, rays of different wave-lengths, +on the reactions which constitute +growth in plants have had a great effect +on hothouse forcing of plants and +promise to revolutionize the truck gardening +industry. He has speeded up +the rate of growth to as high as ten +times the normal rate in some cases.</p> + +<p>"A few years ago, he and his assistant, +James Collier, turned their attention +toward discovering a catalyst +which would do for the metabolic reactions +in animal life what his light +rays did for plants. What his method +was, I will not disclose for obvious +reasons, but suffice it to say that he met +with great success. He took a puppy +and by treating it with his catalytic +drugs, made it grow to maturity, pass +through its entire normal life span, +and die of old age in six months."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page271" name="page271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">T</span><span class="dcap">hat</span> is very interesting, Doctor, +but I fail to see what bearing it +has on the robbery."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Rogers, how, on a dark day and +in the absence of a timepiece, would +you judge the passage of time?"</p> + +<p>"Why, by my stomach, I guess."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. By your metabolic rate. +You eat a meal, it digests, you expend +the energy which you have taken into +your system, your stomach becomes +empty and your system demands more +energy. You are hungry and you judge +that some five or six hours must have +passed since you last ate. Do you follow?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"Let us suppose that by means of +some tonic, some catalytic drug, your +rate of metabolism and also your rate +of expenditure of energy has been increased +six fold. You would eat a meal +and in one hour you would be hungry +again. Having no timepiece, and assuming +that you were in a light-proof +room, you would judge that some five +hours had passed, would you not?"</p> + +<p>"I expect so."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Now suppose that this +accelerated rate of digestion and expenditure +of energy continued. You +would be sleepy in perhaps three hours, +would sleep about an hour and a quarter, +and would then wake, ready for +your breakfast. In other words, you +would have lived through a day in four +hours."</p> + +<p>"What advantage would there be in +that?"</p> + +<p>"None, from your standpoint. It +would, however, increase the rate of +reproduction of cattle greatly and +might be a great boom to agriculture, +but we will not discuss this phase now. +Suppose it were possible to increase +your rate of metabolism and expenditure +of energy, in other words, your +rate of living, not six times, but thirty +thousand times. In such a case you +would live five minutes in one one-hundredth +of a second."</p> + +<p>"Naturally, and you would live a +year in about seventeen and one-half +minutes, and a normal lifespan of seventy +years in about twenty hours. You +would be as badly off as any common +may-fly."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">A</span><span class="dcap">greed,</span> but suppose that you +could so regulate the dose of +your catalyst that its effect would last +for only one one-hundredth of a second. +During that short period of time, +you would be able to do the work that +would ordinarily take you five minutes. +In other words, you could enter a bank, +pack a satchel with currency and walk +out. You would be working in a leisurely +manner, yet your actions would +have been so quick that no human eye +could have detected them. This is my +theory of what actually took place. +For verification, I will turn to Dr. +Kirkwood, as he prefers to be known +now."</p> + +<p>"I don't know how you got that picture, +but what you have said is about +right," replied the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"I got that picture by using a speed +of thirty thousand times the normal +sixteen exposures per second," replied +Dr. Bird. "That figure I got from Dr. +Knolles, the man who perfected the +secret you stole when you left the Bureau +three years ago. You secured only +part of it and I suppose it took all your +time since to perfect and complete it. +You gave yourself away when you experimented +on young Ladd. I was a +track man myself in my college days +and when I saw an account of his running, +I smelt a rat, so I came back and +watched him. As soon as I saw him +crush and swallow a capsule just as the +gun was fired, I was sure, and got hold +of him. He was pretty stubborn, but +he finally told me what name you were +running under now, and the rest was +easy. I would have got you in time +anyway, but your bravado in telling us +when you would next operate gave me +the idea of letting you do it and photographing +you at work. That is all I +have to say. Captain Sturtevant, you +can take your prisoner whenever you +want him."</p> + +<hr class="invis" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page272" name="page272">[272]</a></span></p> + +<p class="dropcapq"><small>"</small><span class="drop">I</span><span class="dcap"> reckoned</span> without you, Dr. +Bird, but the end hasn't come yet. +You may send me up for a few years, +but you'll never find that money. I'm +sure of that."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, Professor," laughed +Carnes. "Your safety deposit box in +the Commercial National is already +sealed until a court orders it opened. +The bills you took this morning were +all marked, so that is merely additional +proof, if we needed it. You surely +didn't think that such a transparent +device as changing your name from +'James Collier' to 'John Collyer' and +signing with your left hand instead +of your right would fool the secret +service, did you? Remember, your old +Bureau records showed you to be <ins class="correction" title="Original was 'ambidexterous'">ambidextrous</ins>."</p> + +<p>"What about Winston's confession?" +asked Rogers suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Detective-Captain Sturtevant can +explain that to a court when Mr. Winston +brings suit against him for false +arrest and brutal treatment," replied +Carnes.</p> + +<p>"A very interesting case, Carnes," remarked +the doctor a few hours later. +"It was an enjoyable interlude in the +routine of most of the cases on which +you consult me, but our play time is +over. We'll have to get after that +counterfeiting case to-morrow."</p> + +<div class="adbox"> +<p class="ad1" style="text-decoration: underline">IN THE NEXT ISSUE</p> + +<p class="ad2">BRIGANDS OF THE MOON</p> +<p><i>Beginning an Amazing Four-part Interplanetary Novel</i><br /> +By RAY CUMMINGS<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="veryshort" /> + +<p class="ad2">THE SOUL MASTER</p> +<p><i>A Thrilling Novelette of the Substitution of Personality</i><br /> +By WILL SMITH and R. J. ROBBINS<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="veryshort" /> + +<p class="ad2">COLD LIGHT</p> +<p><i>An Extraordinary Scientific Mystery</i><br /> +By CAPT. S. P. MEEK<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="veryshort" /> + +<p>—<i>AND MANY OTHER STORIES, OF COURSE</i></p> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<div class="adverts"> +<h2><a name="Advertisements" id="Advertisements"></a>Advertisements</h2> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/144b.png" width="260" height="550" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<div class="figcenter" style="clear: right;"> +<img src="images/144a.png" width="185" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="adtop"><i>"She is Yours, Master!"</i></p> +</div> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Sick</span> at heart, the trembling girl shuddered at the words that +delivered her to this terrible fate of the East. How could +she escape from this Oriental monster into whose hands she +had been given—this mysterious man of mighty power whose +face none had yet seen?</p> + +<p class="smaller">Here is an <i>extraordinary situation</i>. What was to be the fate of this +beautiful girl? Who was this strange emissary whom no one really knew?</p> + +<p class="clearit"><b><i>To know the answer to this and the most exciting +tales of Oriental adventure and mystery ever told, +read on through the most thrilling, absorbing, +entertaining and fascinating pages ever written.</i></b></p> + +<p class="adtop">Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery</p> + +<p class="ad4">11 Superb Volumes by SAX ROHMER<br /> +Written with his uncanny knowledge of things Oriental</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">New!</p> + +<p class="ad1">Just A Twist Of The Wrist</p> + +<p class="ad2">Banishes Old-Style Can Openers to the Scrap Heap and<br /> +BRINGS AGENTS $5 to $12 IN AN HOUR</p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Women</span> universally detest the old-style can opener. +Yet in every home in the land cans are being +opened with it, often several times a day. Imagine how +thankfully they welcome this new method—this automatic +way of doing their most distasteful job. With the Speedo +can opening machine you can just put the can in the +machine, turn the handle, and almost instantly the job is +done.</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft width30 smaller"> +<p class="ad2">AGENTS!</p> + +<p class="ad3">Full +Time<br /> +$265<br /> +in a +Week</p> + +<p>"Here is my record +for first 50 days with +Speedo:</p> + +<p class="in1"> +June 13, 60 Speedos;<br /> +June 20, 84 Speedos;<br /> +June 30, 192 Speedos;<br /> +July 6, 288 Speedos.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Speedo sells to 9 out of +10 prospects."</p> + +<p>M. Ornoff, Va.</p> + +<p class="ad3">PART TIME</p> +<p class="ad4">14 sales in 2 hours</p> + +<p>J. J. Corwin, Ariz., +says: "Send more order +books. I sold first 14 +orders in 2 hours."</p> + +<p class="ad3">SPARE TIME</p> +<p class="ad4">Big Money Spare Time</p> + +<p>Bart, W. Va. says:</p> + +<p>"Was only out a few +evenings, and got 20 orders."</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">End This Waste and Danger</p> + +<p>You undoubtedly know what a nasty, dangerous job it is +to open cans with the old-fashioned can opener. You have +to hack your way along slowly—ripping a jagged furrow +around the edge. Next thing +you know, the can opener +slips. Good night! You've +torn a hole in your finger. As +often as not it will get infected +and stay sore a long +time. Perhaps even your life +will be endangered from +blood poisoning!</p> + +<p>You may be lucky enough to +get the can open without cutting +yourself. But there's still +the fact to consider that the +ragged edge of tin left +around the top makes it almost +impossible to pour out +all of the food. Yet now, all +this trouble, waste and danger +is ended. No wonder +salesmen everywhere are finding +this invention a truly +revolutionary money maker!</p> + +<p class="ad3">New "Million +Dollar" Can +Opening Machine</p> + +<p>The Speedo holds the can—opens +it, flips up the lid so +you can grab it—and gives +you back the can without a +drop spilled, without any +rough edges to snag your fingers—all +in a couple of seconds! It's so easy even a 10-year-old +child can do it in perfect safety! No wonder +women—and men, too—simply go wild over it! No wonder +Speedo salesmen often sell to every house in the block +and make up to $10 an hour.</p> + +<div class="couponright width40"> +<p class="ad2">SPEEDO</p> + +<p>Central States Mfg. Co.,<br /> +4500 Mary Ave. Dept. B-2403<br /> +St. Louis, Mo.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Yes, rush me the facts and details of your FREE +OFFER.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> + +<p>[ ] Check here if interested only in one for your home.</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad3" style="clear: left">Generous Free Test Offer</p> + +<p>Frankly, men, I realize that the profit possibilities of this +proposition as outlined briefly here may seem almost incredible +to you. So I've worked out a plan by-which you +can examine the invention and test its profits without +risking one penny.</p> + +<p>Get my free test offer while the territory you want is +still open—I'll hold it for you while you make the test. +I'll send you all the facts about others making $25 to $150 +in a week. I'll also tell you about another fast-selling +item that brings you two profits on every call. All you +risk is a 2¢ stamp—so grab your pencil and shoot me +the coupon right now.</p> + +<p> +CENTRAL STATES MFG. CO., Dept. B-2403<br /> +4500 Mary Ave. (Est. over 20 years) St. Louis, Mo.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="center">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">Half a Million People</p> + +<p class="ad1"><i>have learned music this easy way</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/147.png" width="400" height="196" alt="You, too, Can Learn to Play Your Favorite Instrument Without a Teacher Easy as A-B-C" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Yes, half a million delighted men and women +all over the world have learned music this +quick, easy way.</p> + +<p>Half a million—500,000—what a gigantic orchestra +they would make! Some are playing on +the stage, others in orchestras, and many thousands +are daily enjoying the pleasure and popularity +of being able to play some instrument.</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"> +<p class="ad3">WHAT INSTRUMENT +FOR YOU?</p> + +<ul> +<li>Piano</li> +<li>Organ</li> +<li>Violin</li> +<li>Clarinet</li> +<li>Flute</li> +<li>Harp</li> +<li>Coronet</li> +<li>'Cello</li> +<li>Guitar</li> +<li>Ukulele</li> +<li>Saxophone</li> +<li>Banjo, (Plectrum 5-String or Tenor)</li> +<li>Piccolo</li> +<li>Hawaiian Steel Guitar</li> +<li>Drums and Traps</li> +<li>Mandolin</li> +<li>Sight Singing</li> +<li>Trombone</li> +<li>Piano</li> +<li>Accordion</li> +<li>Voice and Speech Culture</li> +<li>Harmony and Composition</li> +<li>Automatic Finger Control</li> +<li>Italian and German Accordion</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p>Surely this is convincing proof of the success +of the <i>new, modern method</i> perfected by the +U.S. School of Music! And what these people +have done, YOU, too, can do!</p> + +<p>Many of this half million didn't know one note +from another—others had never touched an instrument—yet +in half the usual time they learned +to play their favorite instrument. Best of all, they +found learning music <i>amazingly</i> easy. No monotonous +hours of exercises—no tedious scales—no +expensive teachers. This simplified method made +learning music as easy as A-B-C!</p> + +<p>It is like a fascinating game. From the very start +you are playing <i>real</i> tunes, perfectly, by <i>note</i>. You simply +can't go wrong, for every step, from beginning to end, +is right before your eyes in +print and picture. First you +are <i>told</i> how to do a thing, +then a picture <i>shows</i> you +how, then you do it yourself +and <i>hear</i> it. And almost before +you know it, you are +playing your favorite pieces—jazz, +ballads, classics. No +private teacher could make +it clearer. Little theory—plenty +of accomplishment. +That's why students of the +U.S. School of Music get +ahead twice as fast—<i>three +times as fast</i> as those who +study old-fashioned, plodding +methods.</p> + +<p>You don't need any special "talent." Many of the +half-million who have already become accomplished +players never dreamed they possessed musical ability. +They only wanted to play some instrument—just like +you—and they found they could quickly learn how +this easy way. Just a little of your spare time each +day is needed—and you enjoy every minute of it. The +cost is surprisingly low—averaging only a few cents a +day—and the price is the same for whatever instrument +you choose. And remember, you are studying right in +your own home—without paying big fees to private +teachers.</p> + +<p>Don't miss any more good times! Learn now to +play your favorite instrument and surprise all your +friends. Change from a wallflower to the center of +attraction. Music is the best thing to offer at a party—musicians +are invited everywhere. Enjoy the popularity +you have been missing. Get your share of the musician's +pleasure and profit! Start now!</p> + +<div class="couponright width50"> +<p> +U.S. SCHOOL OF MUSIC,<br /> +3692 Brunswick Bldg., New York City.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Please send me your free book, "Music Lessons in Your Own +Home," with introduction by Dr. Frank Crane, Free Demonstration +Lesson, and particulars of your easy payment plan. I am +interested in the following course:</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li class="in4"><span class="dotsleft">Have you an instrument:</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad3" style="clear:left">Free Booklet and Demonstration Lesson</p> + +<p>If you are in earnest about wanting to join the +crowd of entertainers and be a "big hit" at any party—if +you really <i>do</i> want to play your favorite instrument, +to become a performer whose services will be in demand—fill +out and mail the convenient coupon asking +for our Free Booklet and Free Demonstration Lesson. +These explain our wonderful method fully and show you +how easily and quickly you can learn to play at little +expense. This booklet will also tell you all about the +amazing new <i>Automatic Finger Control</i>. Instruments are +supplied when needed—cash or credit, U.S. School of +Music 3692 Brunswick Bldg., New York City.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Only 28 years old and<br /> +earning $15,000 a year</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="advert" border="1px" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"> +<colgroup span="3" width="150px" valign="top" /> + <tr valign="top"> + <td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/148a.png" width="150" height="131" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Works in Shoe Factory</i></p></div> + +<p>W. T. Carson was forced to leave +school at an early age. His help +was needed at home. He took a +"job" in a shoe factory in Huntington, +W. Va., at $12 a week.</p> +</td> + <td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/148b.png" width="150" height="132" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Starts Studying at Home</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Carson determined to make something +of himself before it was too +late, so he took up a course with +the International Correspondence +Schools and studied in spare time.</p> +</td> + <td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/148c.png" width="150" height="131" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Now Owns Big Business</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Today W. T. Carson is the owner +of one of the largest battery service +stations in West Virginia, with +an income of $15,000 a year. And +he is only 28 years old!</p> +</td> + </tr> +<tr valign="top"> +<td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/148d.png" width="150" height="132" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Lectures at College</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Just a few months ago a large +college asked Carson to lecture before +a class in electricity. That +shows the practical value of his +I. C. S. course.</p> + </td> + <td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/148e.png" width="150" height="132" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>How to Earn More Money</i></p> +</div> + +<p>If the I. C. S. can smooth the path +to success for men like W. T. +Carson it can help you. If it can +help other men to earn more money +it can help you too.</p> + </td> + <td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/148f.png" width="150" height="133" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>The Boss is Watching You</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Show him you are ambitious and +are really trying to get ahead. Decide +today that you are at least +going to find out all about the +I. C. S. and what it can do for you.</p> + </td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<div class="coupon" style="margin-top:1em"> +<p><b>INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS. Box 2124-E, Scranton, Penns.</b></p> + +<p>Without cost or obligation, please send me a copy of your booklet, "<b>Who Wins and Why</b>," and full particulars +about the course <i>before</i> which I have marked <b>X</b> in the list below:</p> + +<p class="ad3">BUSINESS TRAINING COURSES +</p> + +<ul class="multicolumn"> +<li>[ ] Business Management</li> +<li>[ ] Industrial Management</li> +<li>[ ] Personnel Management</li> +<li>[ ] Traffic Management</li> +<li>[ ] Accounting and C.P.A. Coaching</li> +<li>[ ] Cost Accounting</li> +<li>[ ] Bookkeeping</li> +<li>[ ] Secretarial Work</li> +<li>[ ] Spanish</li> +<li>[ ] French</li> +<li>[ ] Salesmanship</li> +<li>[ ] Advertising</li> +<li>[ ] Business Correspondence</li> +<li>[ ] Show Card and Sign Lettering</li> +<li>[ ] Stenography and Typing</li> +<li>[ ] English</li> +<li>[ ] Civil Service</li> +<li>[ ] Railway Mail Clerk</li> +<li>[ ] Mail Carrier</li> +<li>[ ] Grade School Subjects</li> +<li>[ ] High School Subjects</li> +<li>[ ] Cartooning</li> +<li>[ ] Illustrating</li> +<li>[ ] Lumber Dealer</li> +</ul> + +<p class="ad3 clearit"><br />TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL COURSES</p> + +<ul class="multicolumn"> +<li>[ ] Architect</li> +<li>[ ] Architectural Draftsman</li> +<li>[ ] Building Foreman</li> +<li>[ ] Concrete Builder</li> +<li>[ ] Contractor and Builder</li> +<li>[ ] Structural Draftsman</li> +<li>[ ] Structural Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Electrical Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Electrical Contractor</li> +<li>[ ] Electric Wiring</li> +<li>[ ] Electric Lighting</li> +<li>[ ] Electric Car Running</li> +<li>[ ] Telegraph Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Telephone Work</li> +<li>[ ] Mechanical Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Mechanical Draftsman</li> +<li>[ ] Machine Shop Practice</li> +<li>[ ] Toolmaker</li> +<li>[ ] Patternmaker</li> +<li>[ ] Civil Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Surveying and Mapping</li> +<li>[ ] Bridge Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Gas Engine Operating</li> +<li>[ ] Automobile Work</li> +<li>[ ] Aviation Engines</li> +<li>[ ] Plumber and Steam Fitter</li> +<li>[ ] Plumbing Inspector</li> +<li>[ ] Foreman Plumber</li> +<li>[ ] Heating and Ventilation</li> +<li>[ ] Sheet-Metal Worker</li> +<li>[ ] Steam Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Marine Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Refrigeration Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] R.R. Positions</li> +<li>[ ] Highway Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Chemistry</li> +<li>[ ] Pharmacy</li> +<li>[ ] Mining Engineer</li> +<li>[ ] Navigation</li> +<li>[ ] Assayer</li> +<li>[ ] Iron and Steel Worker</li> +<li>[ ] Textile Overseer or Supt.</li> +<li>[ ] Cotton Manufacturing</li> +<li>[ ] Woolen Manufacturing</li> +<li>[ ] Agriculture</li> +<li>[ ] Fruit Growing</li> +<li>[ ] Poultry Farming</li> +<li>[ ] Mathematics</li> +<li>[ ] Radio</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="dots clearit"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">LET RCA INSTITUTES START<br /> +YOU ON THE ROAD TO ...<br /> +SUCCESS IN RADIO</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft" style="width: 198px; border: none"> +<table summary="advert" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> +<colgroup span="2" width="94px" /> + <tr> +<td> +<img src="images/149a.png" width="94" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +</td> + <td> +<p class="center smaller"><i>Radio-Mechanic<br /> +and Inspector<br /> +$1800 to $4000<br /> +a Year.</i></p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> + +<td class="center smaller"> +<i>Broadcast<br /> +Station<br /> +Mechanic<br /> +$1800 to<br /> +$3600<br /> +a Year.</i> +</td> + <td> +<img src="images/149b.png" width="94" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> +<img src="images/149c.png" width="94" height="90" alt="" title="" /> +</td> +<td class="center smaller"> +<i>Land Station<br /> +Operator $1800<br /> +to $4000 a Year.</i> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="center smaller"><i>Broadcast<br /> +Operators<br /> +$1800 to<br /> +$4800<br /> +a Year.</i> +</td> + <td> +<img src="images/149d.png" width="94" height="111" alt="" title="" /> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p><i>Radio needs you</i>.... That's why the entire +Radio industry is calling for trained men. +Radio is thrilling work ... easy hours, +vacations with pay and a chance to see the +world. Manufacturers and broadcasting +stations are now eagerly seeking +trained RCA Institutes men. +Millions of sets need servicing ... +thousands of ships require experienced +operators.... Never before +was there an opportunity like this!</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>This is the Only Course Sponsored +by Radio Corporation of +America</i></p> + +<p>RCA sets the standards for the +entire Radio industry.... The +RCA Institutes' Home Laboratory +Training Course enables you to +quickly learn all the secrets of +Radio.... In your spare time you +can obtain a thorough, practical +education in Radio.</p> + +<div class="sidebarright width40"> +<p>For the added convenience of students +who prefer a Resident Study +Course, RCA Institutes, Inc., has +established Resident Schools in the +following cities:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<col width="50%" /> +<col width="45%" /> +<tr><td align='left'>New York</td><td align='center'>326 Broadway</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Boston, Mass.</td><td align='center'>899 Boylston St.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Philadelphia, Pa.</td><td align='center'>1211 Chestnut St.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Baltimore, Md.</td><td align='center'>1215 N. Charles St.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Newark, N.J.</td><td align='center'>560 Broad St.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><br />You learn Radio by actual experience +with the remarkable outlay +of apparatus given to every student. +That's why every graduate of +RCA Institutes has the experience, +the ability and the confidence to +hold a big-money Radio job.</p> + +<p>Home Study graduates may also attend +any one of our resident schools +for post-graduate instruction at no +extra charge.</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad3"><i>Graduates of RCA Institutes Find +It Easier to Get Good Jobs</i></p> + +<p>Students of RCA Institutes get +first-hand knowledge, get it quickly +and get it complete. Success in +Radio depends upon training and +that's the training you get with +RCA Institutes. That's why every +graduate of RCA Institutes who +desired a position has been able +to get one.... That's why +graduates are always in big +demand!</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>Study Radio at the Oldest and +Largest Commercial Training +Organization in the World</i></p> + +<p>Send for this Free Book ... +or step in at any of our resident +schools and see for yourself how +thousands of men are already on +the road to success in Radio. +Remember that you, too, can +speed up your earning capacity +... can earn more money in Radio +than you ever earned before. The +man who trains today will hold +down the big-money Radio job +of the future. Come in and get +this free book or send for it by +mail. Everything you want to +know about Radio. 40 fascinating +pages, packed with pictures and +descriptions of the brilliant opportunities +in this gigantic, world-wide +money-making profession.</p> + +<div class="couponright width50"> +<p> +RCA INSTITUTES, Inc.<br /> +Dept. NS-2, 326 Broadway,<br /> +New York, N.Y.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: Please send me your FREE 40-page book which +illustrates the brilliant opportunities in Radio and describes +your laboratory-method of instruction at home!</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad3" style="clear: left">SEND FOR IT TODAY!</p> + +<p class="ad1">Clip this Coupon <i>NOW</i>!</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft width20" style="border: hidden"> +<p class="center">SPONSORED BY</p> +<p class="ad2">RCA INSTITUTES, INC.</p> +<div class="figright" style="width:72px;"> +<img src="images/149e.png" width="72" height="50" alt="RCA" title="" /> +</div> +<span class="center smaller"><br />Formerly<br /> +Radio Institute of America<br /> +</span> +</div> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">"INTO THE +AFRICAN BLUE"</p> + +<p class="ad4"><i>High Spots in the Life of a Big Game Photographer</i></p> + +<p class="ad4"><i>By</i> MARTIN JOHNSON</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/150a.png" width="400" height="370" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="lalign"><span class="nowrap">"Into the African Blue"</span> +is Africa—the land of romance—of +adventure.</p> + +<p>African big game is rapidly +being shot off; the +end is in sight, and it is +for the purpose of recording +in pictures and in story +the remarkable wild life +which soon must vanish, +that Martin and Osa Johnson +undertake their safaris +into the remotest corners +of the "Blue."</p> + +<p>Johnson's photographs +are magnificent! They portray +the primitive drama +of the wilderness. We see +close-ups of elephants and +giraffes suckling their +young; lions lolling in the +broiling sun or disputing +possession of a zebra kill. +We are introduced into +the inner family circle of +rhinos, leopards, eland, +oryx, gazelle and others—all +unconscious of the +nearby presence of man. And there are, of course, thrilling moments when a cantankerous +rhino, elephant or lion resents the intrusion and charges the camera with deadly intent.</p> + +<p class="clearit"><b>This thrilling serial, profusely illustrated with photographs by the author, began in the December +issue of FOREST and STREAM. Follow Martin and Osa Johnson through the Soudan, the +Congo, Kenya and Tanganyika; share their <span class="nowrap">adventures—</span></b></p> + +<div class="couponleft" style="width:305px"> +<p class="smaller">Department C</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="padding:0"> +<img src="images/150b.png" width="298" height="86" alt="Forest and Stream" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">80 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y.</p> + +<p>Here's my $1.00. I want the 6 issues beginning +with the December number, and Vols. 1 and 2 of +the Sportsmen's Encyclopedia.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft"> </span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"> </span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"> </span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">SPECIAL OFFER</p> + +<p>In addition to this thrilling serial, which in book form +would cost not less than $3.00, the next six issues of +FOREST and STREAM will contain much of interest +to the outdoorsman—angler, hunter, camper and nature +lover.</p> + +<p>FOREST and STREAM brings to you the best outdoor +literature written by the foremost authorities in +their respective fields. By making use of the coupon +to the left you can secure six issues of FOREST and +STREAM containing the complete story "Into the African +Blue" for the special price of $1.00, and you will receive +in addition to the magazine and without extra cost +volumes 1 and 2 of the Sportsmen's Encyclopedia, an +invaluable reference book which presents in handy form +accurate and comprehensive information on every branch +of outdoor sport.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Send in the coupon—"<i>DO IT NOW!</i>"</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/151b.png" width="250" height="808" alt="You can build 100 circuits with the six big outfits of Radio parts I give you. Find out quick about this practical way to big pay." title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="adtop">I Will Train You<br /> +at Home to Fill<br /> +a Big-Pay +Radio Job</p> + +<p>If you are earning a penny less than $50 +a week, send for my book of information on +the opportunities in Radio. It's FREE. Clip +the coupon NOW. A flood of gold is pouring +into Radio, creating hundreds of big-pay jobs. +Why go along at $25, $30 or $45 a week when +the good jobs in Radio pay $50, $75 and up to +$250 a week? "Rich Rewards in Radio" gives +full information on these big jobs and explains +how you can quickly learn Radio through my +easy, practical home-study training.</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft lalign" style="width:110px;"> +<p class="ad2"><i>Here's the</i> PROOF</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/151d.png" width="50" height="68" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">$375 One Month +In Spare Time</p> +</div> + +<p>"Recently I made +$375 in one month +in my spare time +installing, servicing, +selling Radio +Sets."</p> + +<p class="in1"> +Earle Cummings,<br /> +18 Webster St.,<br /> +Haverhill, Mass.<br /> +</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/151c.png" width="50" height="69" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">$450 a Month</p> +</div> + +<p>"I work in what +I believe to be the +largest and best-equipped +Radio +shop in the Southwest +and also operate +KGFI. I +am averaging $450 +a month."</p> + +<p class="in1"> +Frank M. Jones,<br /> +922 Guadalupe St.,<br /> +San Angelo, Tex.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class="couponright width40"> +<p class="ad3"><i>Mail This FREE COUPON Today</i></p> +<p class="lalign"> +J. E. Smith, President,<br /> +Dept. OBM, National Radio Institute,<br /> +Washington, D.C.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Dear Mr. Smith: Send me your Free book +"Rich Rewards in Radio," giving information +on the big-money opportunities in Radio and +your practical method of teaching with six +Radio Outfits. I understand this places me +under no obligation.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">Age</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">Salaries of $50 to $250 a Week +Not Unusual</p> + +<p>The amazing growth of Radio has astounded +the world. In a few short years three hundred +thousand jobs have been created. And +the biggest growth is still to come. That's +why salaries of $50 to $250 a week are not +unusual. Radio simply hasn't got nearly the +number of thoroughly trained men it needs.</p> + +<p class="ad3">You Can Learn Quickly and Easily +in Spare Time</p> + +<p>Hundreds of N. R. I. trained men are today making +big money—holding down big jobs—in the Radio +field. You, too, should get into Radio. You can stay +home, hold your job and learn in your spare time. +Lack of high school education or Radio experience +are no drawbacks.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Many Earn $15, $20, $30 Weekly +On the Side While Learning</p> + +<p>I teach you to begin making money shortly after +you enroll. My new practical method makes this +possible. I give you SIX BIG OUTFITS of Radio +parts and teach you to build practically every type of +receiving set known. M. E. Sullivan, 412 73rd St., +Brooklyn, N.Y., writes: "I made $720 while studying." +G. W. Page, 1807 21st Ave. S., Nashville, +Tenn., "I picked up $935 in my spare time while +studying."</p> + +<p class="ad3">Your Money Back If Not Satisfied</p> + +<p>My course fits you for all lines—manufacturing, +selling, servicing sets, in business for yourself, operating +on board ship, or in a broadcasting station—and +many others. I back up my training with a signed +agreement to refund every penny of your money if, +after completion, you are not satisfied with the lessons +and instructions I give you.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Act NOW—NEW 64-Page Book is FREE</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/151e.png" width="82" height="100" alt="RADIO NEEDS TRAINED MEN!" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Send for this big book of +Radio information. It has +put hundreds of fellows on +the road to bigger pay and +success. Get it. See what +Radio offers you, and how +my Employment Department +helps you get into Radio +after you graduate. Clip or +tear out the coupon and mail +it RIGHT NOW.</p> + +<p class="center" style="clear:left"> +J. E. Smith, President, Dept. OBM<br /> +National Radio Institute<br /> +Washington, D.C.</p> + +<p class="ad1">Employment Service to all Graduates</p> + +<p class="ad1">Originators of Radio Home Study Training</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<table summary="masthead2" width="100%"> + <col width="30%" /> + <col width="40%" /> + <col width="30%" /> + <tr> + <td align="left"><i>A Year's Protection Against</i> +<b>SICKNESS</b></td> + <td class="ad1">Less than 3¢ a Day!</td> + <td class="ralign"><i>A Year's Protection Against</i> +<b>ACCIDENT</b></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/152.png" width="400" height="91" alt="Cash or sympathy?" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<p class="ad4"><i>Which do you want?</i></p> + +<p>Suppose you met with an accident or sickness +to-night—salary stopped—which would you +prefer,</p> + +<p class="ad3">$25 Weekly ... or Sympathy?</p> + +<p><i>Which will your family want?</i></p> + +<p>In case of your accidental death, which would +you rather give your family</p> + +<p class="ad3">$10,000 Cash ... or Sympathy?</p> + +<p><i>Which would you Pay?</i></p> + +<p>Would you rather pay bills and household expenses +out of a slim savings account or a</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">$10 bill</p> + +<p class="ad2"><i>For a Whole Year's Protection Against</i></p> + +<p class="adtop">SICKNESS<br /> +AND<br /> +ACCIDENT</p> + +<div class="sidebarright width40"> +<p class="ad3">NO MEDICAL EXAMINATION</p> +<p class="ad4"> +$10 A Year Entire Costs.<br /> +No Dues. No Assessments.</p> +<p class="ad3">MEN AND WOMEN</p> +<p class="ad4">16 to 70 Years Accepted.</p> +<p class="ad3">$10,000</p> +<p class="ad4">Principal Sum.</p> +<p class="ad3">$10,000</p> +<p class="ad4">Loss of hands, feet or eyesight.</p> +<p class="ad3">$25 Weekly Benefits</p> +<p class="ad4">for stated accidents<br /> +or sicknesses.</p> + +<p>Doctor's Bills, Hospital Benefit, +Emergency Benefit and other liberal +features to help in time of need—all +clearly shown in policy.</p> + +<p>This is a simple and understandable +policy—without complicated or misleading +clauses. You know exactly +what every word means—and every +word means exactly what it says.</p> +</div> + +<p><i>Get Cash instead of Sympathy</i></p> + +<p>If you met with an accident +in your home, on the +street, or road, in the field, or on your job—will your income continue? +Remember, few escape without accident—and none of us can +tell what to-morrow holds for us. While you are reading this warning, +somewhere some ghastly tragedy is taking its toll of human life or +limb, some flood or fire, some automobile or train disaster. Protect +yourself now.</p> + +<p><i>Get Cash instead of Sympathy</i></p> + +<p>If you suddenly became ill—would your income stop? What if you +contracted lobar pneumonia, appendicitis operation, or any of the +many common ills which are covered in this strong policy, wouldn't +you rest easier and convalesce more quickly if you knew that this +old line company stood ready to help lift from your shoulders +distressing financial burdens in case of a personal tragedy. Protect +yourself now.</p> + +<p><i>Get Cash instead of Sympathy</i></p> + +<p class="ad2">Don't Wait for Misfortune to Overtake You</p> + +<div class="couponleft width40"> +<p> +North American Accident Insurance Co., [of Chicago]<br /> +388 Wallach Building, Newark, New Jersey.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: At no cost to me send details of<br /> +New $10,000 Premier $10 Policy.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="center" style="clear: right"><i>Mail the Coupon +today!</i></p> + +<p>Mail the Coupon +before it's too late +to protect yourself +against the +chances of fate +picking you out +as its next victim.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<p class="ad3">Largest and Oldest Exclusive Health and Accident +Insurance Company in America.</p> + +<p><i>Under Supervision of All State Insurance Departments</i></p> + +<p>ESTABLISHED OVER 40 YEARS</p> +</div> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="advert" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> + <col width="136px" /> + <col width="auto" /> + <col width="153px" /> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/273a1.png" width="136" height="163" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +</td> +<td valign="top"> +<div class="smaller lalign"> +<p class="ad2"><span class="nowrap">Pledge to the Public</span> +on Used Car Sales</p> + +<p class="dropcap">1 Every used car is conspicuously marked +with its lowest price in plain figures, +and that price, just as the price of our +new cars, is rigidly maintained.</p> + +<p class="dropcap">2 All Studebaker automobiles which are +marked as CERTIFIED CARS have been +properly reconditioned, and carry a +30-day guarantee for replacement of +defective parts and free service on adjustments.</p> + +<p class="dropcap">3 Every purchaser of a used car may +drive it for five days, and then, if not +satisfied for any reason, bring it back +and apply the money paid as a credit +on the purchase of any other car in +stock—new or used. (It is assumed +that the car has not been damaged in +the meantime.)</p> +<p class="smaller">© 1929 The Studebaker Corporation of America.</p> +</div> +</td> +<td valign="top"> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/273a2.png" width="153" height="337" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">You can save money +and get a better motor car</p> + +<p class="ad2"><i>if you buy +according to the Studebaker Pledge plan</i></p> + +<p class="ad3">OVER 150,000 THRIFTY AMERICAN +CITIZENS DID LAST YEAR!</p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">A well</span> constructed car, sold at 40 or 50 per cent of +its original price, offers maximum transportation +value. Studebaker dealers offer many fine used cars—Studebakers, +Erskines and other makes—which have +been driven only a few thousand miles.</p> + +<div class="sidebarright width40" style="border: none"> +<p class="ad3"><i>Invest 2¢—you may save $200</i></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="border: 1px solid black; width: 61px; padding: 0; margin: 1em"> +<img src="images/273b.png" width="61" height="75" alt="How to judge a used car" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Mail the coupon +below for the free +booklet.—The 2¢ +stamp is an investment +which may save +you as much as $200 +in buying a motorcar!</p> +</div> + +<div class="couponright width40"> +<p> +The Studebaker Corporation of America<br /> +Dept. 232, South Bend, Indiana</p> + +<p>Please send me copy of "How to Judge a Used Car"</p> +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> + +</div> + +<p>Reconditioning +of mechanical parts, refinishing of bodies give +new car life to these cars at prices no greater than +you must pay for a cheap <b>new</b> car. And as a final +measure of protection, these cars are sold according to +the Studebaker Pledge—which offers 5 days' driving trial +on all cars and a 30-day guarantee on all certified cars.</p> + +<p>Prices being plainly marked provides the same price +for everyone. Millions of people buy "used" houses. +Every car on the road is a used car the +week after it is purchased.</p> + +<p class="adtop">STUDEBAKER</p> + +<p class="ad2"><i>Builder of Champions</i></p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width:250px;"> +<img src="images/274a.png" width="250" height="190" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="ad1">Amazingly Easy<br /> +Way to Get Into<br /> +ELECTRICITY</p> + +<p>Don't spend your life waiting for $5 raises in a dull, hopeless job. +Now ... and forever ... say good-bye to 25 and 35 dollars a week. +Let me teach you how to prepare for positions that lead to $50, +$64, and on up to $200 a week in Electricity—NOT by correspondence, +but by an amazing way to teach <b>right here in the +great Coyne Shops</b> that makes you a practical expert in 90 +days! Getting into electricity is far easier than you imagine!</p> + +<p class="ad3">LEARN WITHOUT BOOKS—In 90 Days<br /> +<i>By Actual Work—in the Great Coyne Shops</i></p> + +<p>Lack of experience—age, or advanced education bars no one. +I don't care if you don't know an armature from an air brake—I +don't expect you to! It makes no difference! Don't let lack +of money stop you. Most of the men at Coyne have no more +money than you have. That's why I have worked out my astonishing +offers.</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>Earn While Learning</i></p> + +<p>If you need part-time work to help pay your living expenses I'll +help you get it and when you graduate I'll give you lifetime +employment service. And, in 12 brief weeks, <b>in the great +roaring shops of Coyne</b>, I train you as you never dreamed you +could be trained ... on one of the greatest outlays of electrical +apparatus ever assembled ... real dynamos, engines, power +plants, autos, switchboards, transmitting stations ... everything +from door bells to farm power and lighting ... full sized +... in full operation every day!</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>No Books—No Lessons</i></p> + +<p>No dull books, no baffling charts, no classes, you get individual training ... +all real actual work ... building real batteries ... winding real armatures, +operating real motors, dynamos and generators, wiring houses, etc.</p> + +<div class="couponright width40"> +<p> +COYNE ELECTRICAL SCHOOL, H. C. Lewis, Pres.<br /> +500 S. Paulina Street,<br /> +Dept. 20-66,<br /> +Chicago, Illinois +</p> + +<p>Dear Mr. Lewis: Without obligation send me your big, free +catalog and all details of Free Employment Service, Radio, +Airplane, and Automotive Electrical Courses, and how I +may "earn while learning."</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Name</i></span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Address</i></span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>City</i></span> <span class="dotsmiddle"><i>State</i></span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p><span class="larger"><b>GET THE FACTS</b></span> Coyne is your one great chance to get +into electricity. Every obstacle is removed. +This school is 30 years old—Coyne training is tested—proven +beyond all doubt—endorsed by many large electrical concerns. You can +find out everything absolutely free. Simply mail the coupon and let me +send you the big, free Coyne book of 150 photographs ... facts ... jobs +... salaries ... opportunities. Tells you how many earn expenses while +training and how we assist our graduates in the field. This does not +obligate you. So act at once. Just mail coupon.</p> + +<p class="ad2">BIG BOOK <i>FREE</i>!</p> + +<p>Send for my big book containing 150 photographs telling complete +story—absolutely FREE</p> + +<p> +COYNE ELECTRICAL SCHOOL<br /> +500 S. Paulina St., Dept. 20-66, Chicago, Ill. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width:283px;"> +<img src="images/274b.png" width="283" height="500" alt="Buy a Watch the Modern Way. This 21 Jewel—Santa Fe Special Sent You On-Approval Wear 30 Days Free!" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Thank +you for +making it +possible for +me to own a +21-jewel Santa +Fe Special, write +thousands of our +customers.</p> + +<p class="ad2">Buy Direct</p> + +<p>Our catalogue is +our showroom. +Any watch will be +sent for you to see +without one penny +down. No obligation +to buy.</p> + +<p class="ad1">Save +1/3 to 1/2</p> + +<p>on the price you pay for a similar watch made by +other Manufacturers. Most liberal offer. Our "Direct +to You" offer and Extra Special Distribution +Plan is fully explained in the New Santa Fe Special +Booklet just off the press. The "Santa Fe Special" +Plan means a big saving of money to you and you +get the best watch value on the market today.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Railroad Accuracy<br /> +Beauty Unsurpassed<br /> +Life-long Dependability</p> + +<p>—all are combined +in the highest degree +in the famous "Santa +Fe Special" Watch.</p> + +<div class="couponright width40"> +<p>SANTA FE WATCH CO., Dept. 255, Thomas Bldg., +Topeka, Kansas.</p> + +<p>Please send me absolutely Free your New Watch Book [ ] +Diamond Book [ ].</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p>These watches are now in service on practically every railroad +in the United States and in every branch of the Army +and Naval service. Thousands of them are distributed +around the world. You will never miss the few cents a day +that will make you own one of these watches.</p> + +<p><span class="larger"><b>Just Out!</b></span>Send coupon for our New Watch Book—just +off the press. All the newest watch +case designs in white or green gold, fancy shapes and thin +models are shown. Read our easy payment offer. Wear +the watch 30 days FREE.</p> + +<p class="ad3 clearit"><span class="larger">SANTA FE WATCH CO.</span><br /> +Dept. 255<br /> +Thomas Bldg.<br /> +Topeka, Kans.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/275.png" width="400" height="270" alt="" title="COOLS while you shave and the coolness lingers! Listerine Shaving Cream" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">"Pardon me, gentlemen!"</p> + +<p class="ad2"><i>Business men gargle daily to check colds and sore throat</i></p> + +<p>Why is Listerine to be found in the offices of +a majority of American business men? Why do +they use it at the noon hour? Why do they +sometimes halt important meetings, to gargle +with it?</p> + +<p>Simply because, like you, they recognize in +this safe antiseptic a swift, effective enemy of +sore throat and the common cold. Used at the +first sign of trouble, it has prevented thousands +of cases from becoming serious.</p> + +<p>Its effectiveness is due to its amazing power to +destroy disease germs, millions of which lodge +in the oral cavity. Though safe to use and +pleasant to taste, full strength Listerine kills +even such resistant organisms as the Staphylococcus +Aureus (pus) and Bacillus Typhosus +(typhoid) in counts ranging to 200,000,000 in +15 seconds. We could not make this statement +unless prepared to prove it to the entire satisfaction +of the medical profession and the U.S. +Government.</p> + +<p>As a preventive of sore throat and colds use +Listerine systematically every day. And at the +first definite sign that either is developing, increase +the frequency of the gargle. You will be +amazed to see how quickly the condition disappears. +Lambert Pharmacal Co., St. Louis, Mo.</p> + +<p class="adtop">LISTERINE <i>for</i> SORE THROAT</p> + +<p class="ad2"><i>Kills 200,000,000 germs in 15 seconds</i></p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Go to School at Home!</p> + +<p class="adtop">High School +Course in +Two Years!</p> + +<p class="ad2">You Want to Earn Big Money!</p> + +<p><b>And you will not be satisfied unless you earn steady promotion.</b> +But are you prepared for the job ahead of you? +Do you measure up to the standard that insures success? +For a more responsible position a fairly good education is +necessary. To write a sensible business letter, to prepare +estimates, to figure cost and to compute interest, you +must have a certain amount of preparation. All this you +must be able to do before you will earn promotion.</p> + +<p>Many business houses hire no men whose general knowledge +is not equal to a high school course. Why? Because +big business refuses to burden itself with men who are +barred from promotion by the lack of elementary education.</p> + +<p class="ad2">Can You Qualify for a Better Position</p> + +<p>We have a plan whereby you can. We can give you a complete +but simplified high school course in two years, giving +you all the essentials that form the foundation of practical +business. It will prepare you to hold your own where +competition is keen and exacting. Do not doubt your ability, +but make up your mind to it and you will soon have +the requirements that will bring you success and big +money. YOU CAN DO IT.</p> + +<p>Let us show you how to get on the road to success. +It will not cost you a single working hour. Write today. +It costs you nothing but a stamp.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<p class="larger">American School</p> + +<p> +Dept. H-237<br /> +Drexel Ave. and 58th St., Chicago<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class="coupon"> +<p> +<b>American School</b><br /> +Dept. H-237<br /> +Drexel Ave. and 58th St., Chicago +</p> + +<p>Send me full information on the subject checked and how +you will help me win success.</p> + +<ul class="multicolumn"> +<li>___ Architect</li> +<li>___ Building Contractor</li> +<li>___ Automobile Engineer</li> +<li>___ Automobile Repairman</li> +<li>___ Civil Engineer</li> +<li>___ Structural Engineer</li> +<li>___ Business Manager</li> +<li>___ Cert. Public Accountant</li> +<li>___ Accountant and Auditor</li> +<li>___ Bookkeeper</li> +<li>___ Draftsman and Designer</li> +<li>___ Electrical Engineer</li> +<li>___ Electric Light & Power</li> +<li>___ General Education</li> +<li>___ Vocational Guidance</li> +<li>___ Business Law</li> +<li>___ Lawyer</li> +<li>___ Machine Shop Practice</li> +<li>___ Mechanical Engineer</li> +<li>___ Shop Superintendent</li> +<li>___ Employment Manager</li> +<li>___ Steam Engineer</li> +<li>___ Foremanship</li> +<li>___ Sanitary Engineer</li> +<li>___ Surveyor (& Mapping)</li> +<li>___ Telephone Engineer</li> +<li>___ Telegraph Engineer</li> +<li>___ High School Graduate</li> +<li>___ Wireless Radio</li> +<li>___ Undecided</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"> +<p class="ad2">EXTRA +STRONG<br /> +IMPROVED MODEL<br /> +COPPER<br /> +BOILER</p> + +<p class="center">Catalog +Free</p> +</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width:236px"> +<img src="images/276b.png" width="236" height="400" alt="SOLID CAST NO SCREW TOP" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">SAVE<br /> +20% <i>NOW</i>!</p> + +<p class="ad2">Most Practical +Boiler & Cooker</p> + +<p>Made with large 5-inch Improved +Cap and Spout. Safe, +practical and simple. Nothing +to get out of order, most substantial +and durable on the +market. Will last a lifetime, +gives real service and satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Easily Cleaned</p> + +<p>Cap removed in a second; +no burning of +hands. An ideal low +pressure-boiler and pasteurizer +for home and +farm.</p> + +<p><b>Save 20%</b> by ordering +direct from factory. No +article of such high quality +and utility ever sold +at such amazingly low +prices. Prices quoted are +each with order or one-fourth +cash, balance +C.O.D. Send check or +money order: prompt +shipment made in plain +strong box. The only boiler +worth having. Large +Catalog Free.</p> + +<p class="center"> +<b>HOME MANUFACTURING CO.</b><br /> +Dept. 5850<br /> +18 E. Kinzie St.<br /> +Chicago, Illinois<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">Agents! +Sell +Shirts</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/276c.png" width="66" height="100" alt="" title="Bostonian" /> +</div> + +<p>Start <b>without investment</b> in a +profitable shirt business of your +own. Take orders in your district +for nationally known Bostonian +Shirts. <b>$1.50 commission</b> for you +on sale of 3 shirts for $6.95—<b>Postage +Paid</b>. $9 value, guaranteed fast colors. +No experience needed. Complete selling equipment <b>FREE</b>!</p> + +<p class="ad3">Good Pay for Honest Workers</p> + +<p>Big earnings for ambitious workers. Genuine Broadcloth in four fast +colors. Write for money-making plan, free outfit, with actual cloth +samples and everything need to start. Name and address on postal +will do. <b>Write TODAY! SURE!</b></p> + +<p class="ad3">BOSTONIAN MFG. CO., <span class="smcap">b-300</span>, 89 Bickford St., Boston, Mass.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">DEAFNESS IS MISERY</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/276d.png" width="47" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/276e.png" width="65" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Multitudes of persons with defective hearing +and Head Noises enjoy conversation, +go to Theatre and Church because they +Use Leonard Invisible Ear Drums which +resemble Tiny Megaphones fitting +in the Ear entirely out of sight. +No wires, batteries or head piece. +They are inexpensive. Write for +booklet and sworn statement of +the inventor who was himself deaf.</p> + +<p class="ad3">A. O. LEONARD, Inc., Suite 683, 70 5th Ave., New York</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"> + +<div class="larger"> +<ul> +<li>Songs</li> +<li>Minstrels</li> +<li>Musical Comedies</li> +<li>Revues</li> +<li>Vaudeville Acts</li> +<li>Blackface Skits</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad3" style="margin-top:2em"><i>Catalogue +Free</i></p> +</div> + +<p class="adtop">Denison's +Plays</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>54 Years of Hits</i></p> + +<p class="center">We supply all entertainment +needs for dramatic clubs, +schools, lodges, etc., and for +every occasion.</p> + +<p class="ad3">T. S. Denison & Co. 623 S. Wabash, Dept. 130 Chicago</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">Don't Stop Tobacco</p> + +<p>Without precautions against injurious effects. +Baco-Cure gives the necessary assistance. Use tobacco +while you take it. Has aided hundreds. Complete +$5.00 treatment guaranteed to get results or +money refunded. Write for booklet.</p> + +<p class="center">Eureka Chemical Co., B-26 Columbus, Ohio</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">Easy, Quick Way +To Get Into</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/277a.png" width="300" height="210" alt="" title="Aviation" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad1"><i>Let</i> Major Rockwell +Train You +<span class="larger">AT HOME</span></p> + +<p>My new, practical, amazing, Home Study Course prepares +you quickly to fill any of the fascinating Aviation +jobs, either on the ground or as a skilled flyer, paying +$50 to $150 a week. I train you to succeed quickly, to +fill one of the thousands of air and ground jobs now +open, and I help you find your right place in Aviation.</p> + +<p class="ad3">I'll Help You Get Your Job</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"> +<p class="ad3">FREE +BOOK<br /> +WRITE!</p> +</div> + +<p>Learn at home in your spare hours. In 12 short weeks you can +be ready to take your flying instructions at greatly reduced +rates at any airport near your home, or right here in Dayton. +Or you can step into any aviation ground job with my help. Experience +or advanced education not necessary. Aviation—the +fastest growing industry is calling you! You risk nothing. If +you are not satisfied after completing my course, I'll refund +your tuition. Take the first step by writing NOW for my big +FREE Book and Tuition offer. State age.</p> + +<p class="ad2 clearit">MAJOR R. L. ROCKWELL</p> +<p class="center"><i>The Dayton School of Aviation</i><br /> +<b>Desk B-6</b><br /> +<b>Dayton, Ohio</b> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/277b.png" width="160" height="250" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">SAXOPHONE +Easy to Play +Easy To Pay</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">Simplified Key Arrangement</p> + +<p>Fingers fall naturally +into playing position. +Makes it extremely +easy to play rapidly +on the Buescher.</p> + +<p>The Buescher True-Tone Saxophone is the +easiest of all wind instruments to play and +one of the most beautiful. You can learn the +scale in an hour, and in a few weeks be playing +popular music. First 3 lessons free, with +each new Saxophone. For home entertainment—church—lodge—school +or for Orchestra Dance +Music, the Saxophone is the ideal instrument.</p> + +<p><b>FREE TRIAL</b>—We allow 6 days' free trial on any +Buescher Saxophone in your own home and arrange easy +payments so you can pay while you play. Write for Saxophone Catalog.</p> + +<p class="center"> +BUESCHER BAND INSTRUMENT CO.<br /> +2980 Buescher Block (553)<br /> +ELKHART, INDIANA +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px"> +<img src="images/277c.png" width="200" height="60" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="ad1">MEN WANTED FOR RAILROADS</p> +</div> + +<p>Nearest their homes—everywhere—to train for Firemen, Brakemen; +average wages $150-$200 monthly. Promoted to Conductor or +Engineer—highest wages on railroads. Also clerks. Railway +Educational Association, Dept. D-30, Brooklyn, New York.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/277d.png" width="158" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">How to RAISE POULTRY for PROFIT</p> +</div> + +<p class="adtop">BIG MONEY <i>IN<br />POULTRY</i>!</p> + +<p>If you want a real job—at real pay or if you +want to start profitable business of your own—become +a trained Poultryman. It's interesting, +healthful, profitable. Our famous home study +Course gives short cuts to success. Write for +Free Book, "How to Raise Poultry for Profit."</p> + +<p class="ad3">National Poultry Institute, Dept. 415-F, Washington, D.C.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">SPORT OF A +THOUSAND THRILLS</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/277e.png" width="376" height="400" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption"><i>Model shown +is the popular +"45" Twin</i></p> +</div> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"> +<p class="ad1 smcap">RIDE A<br /> +Harley-Davidson</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Eager</span> +power under +instant +control—speed +that leaves the car-parades +behind—lightning +response to throttle +and brakes—these +are just a few of the thousand +thrills of motorcycling. Ask +any Harley-Davidson rider—he'll +tell you of dozens more. And they +are all yours at low cost, in a +Harley-Davidson "45"—the wonderful +Twin at a popular price.</p> + +<div class="couponright lalign width50"> +<p> +HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY<br /> +Dept. N. S. G., Milwaukee, Wis.</p> +<p class="center">Interested in your motorcycles. Send literature.</p> +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +<p> +My age is [ ] 16-19 years, [ ] 20-30 years, [ ] 31 years and +up, [ ] under 16 years. Check your age group. +</p> +</div> + +<blockquote><p>Let your dealer show you the 1930 features +of this motorcycle—try the comfortable, +low-swung saddle—get the +"feel" of this wonder Twin. Ask about +his Pay-As-You-Ride Plan.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="ad3 nowrap"><i>Mail the Coupon!</i></p> + +<p><i>for literature showing our full +line of Singles, Twins, and Sidecars. +Motorcycle prices range +from $235 f. o. b. factory</i>.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">"How I Licked +Wretched Old +Age at 63"</p> + +<blockquote><p>I Quit Getting up Nights—Banished Foot and +Leg Pains ... Got Rid of Rheumatic Pains +and Constipation ... Improved My Health +Generally ... Found Renewed Strength.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"At 61, I thought I was through. I blamed old age, but it +never occurred to me to actually fight back. I was only half-living, +getting up nights ... constipated ... constantly tormented +by aches and pains. At 62 my condition became almost intolerable. +I had about given up hope when a doctor recommended +your treatment. Then at 63, it seemed that I shook off 20 years +almost overnight."</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>Forty</i>—The Danger Age</p> + +<p>These are the facts, just as I learned them. In 65% of all +men, the vital prostate gland shows up soon after all. No pain +is experienced, but as this distressing condition continues, sciatica, +backache, severe bladder weakness, constipation, etc., often develop.</p> + +<p class="ad3">PROSTATE TROUBLE</p> + +<p>These are frequently the signs of prostate +trouble. Now thousands suffer these handicaps +needlessly! For a prominent American +Scientist after seven years of research, discovered +a new, safe way to stimulate the prostate +gland to normal health and activity in many +cases. This new hygiene is worthy to be +called a notable achievement of the age.</p> + +<p class="ad3">A National Institution for Men Past 40</p> + +<p>Its success has been startling, its growth +rapid. This new hygiene is rapidly gaining in +national prominence. The institution in Steubenville +has now reached large proportions. +Scores and even hundreds of letters pour in +every day, and in many cases reported results +have been little short of amazing. In case after +case, men have reported that they have felt +ten years younger in six days. Now physicians +in every part of the country are using and recommending this +treatment.</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft width30"><p>If you live West of the Rockies, address The Electro +Thermal Co., 303 Van Nuys Building, Dept. 48-C, Los +Angeles, Calif. In Canada, address The Electro Thermal +Co., Desk 48-C, 53 Yonge St., Toronto, Can.</p></div> + +<p><span class="nowrap">Quick as is the</span> response to this new hygiene, it is actually a +pleasant, natural relaxation, involving no drugs, medicine or electric +rays whatever. The scientist explains this discovery and tells +why many men are old at forty in a new book now sent free, in +24-page, illustrated form. Send for it. Every man past forty +should know the true meaning of three frank facts. No cost or +obligation is incurred. But act at once before this free edition +is exhausted. Simply fill in your name below, tear off and mail.</p> + +<div class="couponright width40"> +<p class="lalign">THE ELECTRO THERMAL CO.,<br /> +4826 Morris Ave., Steubenville, Ohio.</p> +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<b>THE ELECTRO THERMAL COMPANY</b><br /> +4826 Morris Avenue<br /> +Steubenville, Ohio +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">How To Secure A +Government Position</p> + +<p>Why worry about strikes, layoffs, hard +times? Get a Government job! Increased +salaries, steady work, travel, +good pay. Examinations coming. I'll +help you become a Custom House Clerk, +Railway Postal Clerk, Post Office Clerk, +City Mail Carrier, Rural Carrier—or get +into any other Government job you +want. I was a Secretary-Examiner of +Civil Service Commission for 8 years. +Have helped thousands.</p> + +<p class="ad3">NOW FREE</p> + +<p>My 32-page book tells about the jobs +open—and how I can help you get one. +Write TODAY. ARTHUR R. PATTERSON. +Civil Service Expert. PATTERSON +SCHOOL, 1082 Wisner Building, +Rochester. N.Y.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Photos +ENLARGED</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/278c.png" width="134" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">Size 16x20 inches</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto" style="border: none"><p class="ad1">98¢</p></div> + +<p>Same price for full length or best +form groups, landscapes, or pet animals, +etc., enlargements of any part +of group picture. Safe return of +your own original photo guaranteed.</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto" style="border: none"><p class="ad3">SPECIAL<br /> +FREE OFFER</p></div> + +<p><b>SEND NO MONEY</b> Just mail photo or snapshot +(any size) and within +a week you will receive your beautiful life-like +enlargement size 16x20 in. guaranteed fadeless. +Pay postman 98¢ plus postage or send $1.00 +with order and we pay postage. +With each enlargement we will +send FREE a hand-tinted miniature +reproduction of photo sent. Take advantage now +of this amazing offer—send your photo today.</p> + +<p class="center"> +<b>UNITED PORTRAIT COMPANY</b><br /> +1652 Ogden Ave. Dept. B-590, Chicago, Ill. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">BLANK CARTRIDGE PISTOL</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/278d.png" width="250" height="153" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="sidebarleft width25 lalign"><p><b>Special Offer</b></p> + +<p>1 Blank +Cartridge +Pistol, 100 Blank +Cartridges, 1 550-page +Novelty Catalog<br /> +<b>ONLY +$1.50</b></p> + +<p>The +Lot +Shipped by +Express +Only +Cash +with +Order +Only</p></div> + +<p>This well +made and +effective +pistol is +modelled on +the pattern +of the latest +type of Revolver, +the +appearance +of which +alone is +enough to scare a burglar, whilst, when +loaded, it will probably prove just as +effective as a revolver with real bullets +without the danger to life. It +takes the standard .22 Calibre Blank +Cartridges, that are obtainable most +everywhere. Special cash with order offer: 1 superior quality +Blank Cartridge Pistol. 100 Blank Cartridges, and our +new 550-page DeLuxe Catalog of latest novelties all for <b>ONLY +$1.50</b>. Shipped by express only. Cannot go by parcel post. +Extra Blank Cartridges <b>50¢ per 100</b>. Remember it is quite +harmless, as it will not accommodate loaded cartridges. Special +Holster (Cowboy Type) for pistol 50¢. No C.O.D. Shipments.</p> + +<p class="center"><b>JOHNSON SMITH & COMPANY.</b> Dept 212, Racine, Wisconsin</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">BE +A RAILWAY +TRAFFIC INSPECTOR</p> + +<p class="ad2">EARN UP TO $250 +Per Month +Expenses Paid</p> + +<p class="center">No Hunting +For a Position</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/278e.png" width="250" height="179" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Unusual opportunities for men 19 to 55 in this uncrowded +profession. Travel or remain near home. +Pleasant, fascinating work. Advancement rapid. +Prepare in 3 months' spare time, home instruction. +We assist you to a position upon completion, paying +$120 to $135 per month, plus expenses or refund your +tuition. Learn about Traffic Inspection now. Our +free booklet shows how it can make your future a +certainty. Write for it today.</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +Standard Business Training Institute<br /> +DIV. 13<br /> +Buffalo, N.Y. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Sleep Disturbed?</p> + +<p>If irritating kidney excretions frequently disturb your +sleep or cause backache, leg pains and make you feel +tired, achy, depressed and discouraged, why not try +the Cystex 48 Hour Test? No dopes or habit-forming +drugs. List of pure ingredients in each package. +Get Cystex (pronounced Siss-tex) at your drug +store for only 60¢. Use all of it. See how it works. +Money back if it doesn't satisfy you completely.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">NEW WAY TO MAKE MONEY</p> + +<p class="ad3">Easy Cash—Sure +and Quick</p> + +<p>An opportunity +to earn $15 a day +or more taking orders from your friends +and neighbors for our fine tailoring. +Orders come easy when you show our +swell samples and smart styles. <b>We +Show You How</b>—you don't need to +know anything about tailoring—simply +follow our directions—we make it easy.</p> + +<p class="ad3">FREE SUIT OFFER</p> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"><b>FREE<br /> +New, Big<br /> +Sample<br /> +OUTFIT</b></div> + +<p>Make a few sales to your friends and get it +finely tailored to your order suit, in any style, +absolutely FREE, in addition to your cash profits.</p> + +<p>New style convenient +carrying outfit, +large all-wool samples—all +supplies necessary to start at once—furnished +<b>FREE</b>. <b>Write at once.</b></p> + +<p class="ad3">PROGRESS TAILORING CO., Dept. P-204, Chicago</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"> +<p class="ad3">FREE</p> + +<ul> +<li>SHIRTS</li> +<li>TIES</li> +<li>CASH</li> +<li>BONUS</li> +<li>GIVEN</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">MORE PAY with<br /> +QUAKER FREE OUTFIT</p> + +<p><i>Earn big money right from the +start. Let Quaker help you. Wonderful +free Sample outfit gets +orders everywhere. Men's Shirts, +Ties, Underwear, Hosiery. Unmatchable +values. Unique Selling +features. Ironclad guarantee. You +can't fail with Quaker. Write for +your Free outfit NOW.</i></p> + +<p class="center clearit"> +QUAKER SHIRT CORPORATION<br /> +Dept. K-2<br /> +1107 Broadway, N.Y.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/279a.png" width="193" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">FRENCH +LOVE DROPS</p> + +<p>An enchanting exotic perfume of irresistible +charm, clinging for hours like +lovers loath to part. Just a few +drops are enough. Full size bottle +98¢ prepaid or $1.39 C.O.D. plus +postage. Directions with every order. +FREE: 1 full size bottle if you +order 2 vials.</p> + +<p class="clearit ad3"> +D'ORO CO.<br /> +Box 90, Varick Station, New York<br /> +Dept NSG 2 +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1"> +NO JOKE TO BE DEAF<br /> +—EVERY DEAF PERSON KNOWS THAT +</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/279c.png" width="100" height="59" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">Medicated Ear Drum</p> +</div> + +<p>I make myself hear, after being deaf for 25 years, with +these Artificial Ear Drums. I wear +them day and night. They stop +head noises and ringing ears. They +are perfectly comfortable. No one +sees them. Write me and I will tell +you a true story, how I got deaf and +how I make you hear. Address</p> + +<p> +GEO. P. WAY, Artificial Ear Drum Co. (Inc.)<br /> +300 Hoffman Bldg.<br /> +Detroit, Mich.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">Be A Detective</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>Make Secret Investigations</i></p> + +<p class="center">Earn Big Money. Work home or travel. +Fascinating work. Experience unnecessary.<br /> +<b>DETECTIVE</b> Particulars FREE, Write NOW to<br /> +<b>GEO. N. WAGNER, 2190 Broadway, New York</b></p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">TOBACCO</p> + +<p class="ad1">Habit Overcome Or No Pay</p> + +<p>Over 500,000 men and women used Superba Remedy to help stop +Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipe, Chewing or Snuff. Write for full treatment +on trial. Contains no dope or habit forming drugs. Costs $2.00 if +successful, nothing if not. SUPERBA CO., A-11, Baltimore, Md.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Get Strong<br /> +WITH</p> + +<p class="ad2">These Improved +Muscle Builders</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>All for $5.00</i></p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/279d.png" width="300" height="217" alt="Save $20.00 with this OFFER" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/279e.png" width="127" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Why pay an extravagant price for +strength—here's an opportunity to get +all the equipment you require along +with an excellent course of instructions +for only $5.00. Realize your ambition +and develop muscles of a super-man. +Get strong and amaze your friends. We +show you how to easily master feats +which now seem difficult—or if you +just want physical culture for your +health's sake, this equipment is just +what you need. With this special offer +you save at least $20.00. We furnish a +ten cable chest expander which is adjustable +to give resistance up to 200 +lbs. It is made of new live extra +strength, springy rubber so as to ensure +long wear and give the resistance you +need for real muscle development. You +also get a pair of patented hand grips +for developing powerful grip and forearms.</p> + +<p>We include wall exercising parts +which permit you to develop your back, +arms and legs—a real muscle necessity. You +know that business men and athletes, too, first +show their age in their legs. Develop your leg +muscles with the foot strap which we furnish. +This will give you speed and endurance—but +that isn't all that you get. In addition we include +a specially written course which contains pictures +and diagrams showing you how to develop +any part of your body so that you will quickly +get on with these exercises and gain the greatest +advantage from their use. Act now while +you can get in on this special offer. It might be +withdrawn, so rush the coupon.</p> + +<div class="couponright width50"> +<p> +CRUSADER APPARATUS CO.,<br /> +Dept. 2002, 44 Parker Ave., Maplewood, N.J.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I accept your offer. Send me everything described in your +advertisement by return mail. I will pay postman $5.00 plus +postage on arrival. It is understood if I am not entirely +satisfied after examination I can return the goods and you +will refund my money.</p> + +<p>Note:—No C.O.D. Orders to Foreign Countries or Canada.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">SEND NO MONEY</p> + +<p>All of the items pictured on this page are included +in this big special reduction offer. Sign +your name and address to the coupon below and +rush it to us. We will send your ten cable chest +developer, the wall parts, a pair of hand grips, +foot strap and the course by return mail. Pay +the postman only $5.00, plus the few cents +postage on arrival. (If you desire to send +check or money order in advance, we pay +postage.)</p> + +<p class="ad3">GUARANTEE</p> + +<p>All Crusader products are guaranteed to +give entire satisfaction or money back.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="advert" width="100%"> + <col width="58px" /> + <col width="385px" /> + <col width="57px" /> + <tr> + <td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/280a1.png" width="58" height="197" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +</td> +<td> +<p class="adtop">Win $3,500.00</p> + +<p>Prizes from $1800.00 to $4245.00 each have been won through our unique advertising plan. In our +last, an old man of 69, out of work, won over $5000.00. A boy, only 15, won $900.00. In next 3 or 4 +months thousands of dollars will be awarded to fortunate persons who solve our puzzles and win our prizes.</p> +</td> +<td> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/280a2.png" width="57" height="197" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="3"> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/280a3.png" width="500" height="103" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">FIND THE TWIN FLYERS</p> + +<p>Watch out! These twelve pictures of a famous woman flyer all look alike—BUT—two, and only +two, are exactly alike. Find these twin flyers! Some pictures are different in the collar, helmet, +goggles, or tie. Remember, only two of the twelve are exactly alike. Find them, and send the numbers of +the twin flyers on a post card or letter today. If correct, your answer will qualify you for this opportunity.</p> + +<p class="ad3">$7160.00 IN PRIZES GIVEN THIS TIME</p> + +<p>Over 25 prizes, and duplicate prizes in case of ties. It's up to the winner whether he or she +chooses $2875.00 in cash or a new Waco airplane, a big automobile, or a new home. A gorgeous prize +list! ANYONE WHO ANSWERS THIS PUZZLE CORRECTLY MAY RECEIVE PRIZES OR CASH.</p> + +<p class="ad3">$625.00 ADDITIONAL FOR PROMPTNESS</p> + +<p>Be prompt! It pays. Find the real twin flyers, and I will send Certificate which will be good +for $625.00 if you are prompt and win first prize. Imagine, a first prize of $3500.00!</p> + +<p>NO MORE PUZZLES TO SOLVE. Any man, woman, boy, or girl in the U.S.A.—anyone at all, except residents of +Chicago, Illinois, and former major prize winners. 25 of the people who take up this offer are going to win these wonderful +prizes. Be one of them. Send the numbers of +the twin flyers. Send no money, but be prompt.</p> + +<p class="ad3">J. D. SNYDER, Dept. 36, 54 W. Illinois St., Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/280b.png" width="500" height="88" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">TRAIN FOR AVIATION AT HOME</p> + +<div class="couponright width50"> +<p class="ad3"> +SEND FOR FREE BOOK<br /> +MAIL NOW!</p> + +<p>WALTER HINTON, President, 316-D<br /> +Aviation Institute of U.S.A.<br /> +1115 Conn. Ave., Washington, D.C.</p> +<p class="center">(must be 18)</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">Age</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p>Hundreds of men are already training for big-pay Aviation +jobs through Lt. Hinton's practical home-study course. +This thorough training is just the foundation you need +to enter Aviation in any of its many branches, for the +course covers Terms and Definitions, Principles of Flight, +Rigging, Repairing, Construction, Instruments, Aerology, +Engines, Ignition, Carburetion, Airports; <i>Aviation from +A to Z</i>. After graduation Hinton's Employment Department +puts you in touch with real jobs, or, if you want +to be a pilot, Hinton arranges special flying rates at an +accredited Air College near your home. Hinton-trained +men are in demand and they are making +good. His Big Free Book explains +everything. Send for your copy at +once!</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">$8 often made in one day +by many of our sales Agents</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/280c.png" width="154" height="300" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Sell finest line new +guaranteed hosiery +you ever saw, for men, women, children. +Written guarantee to wear and +satisfy or replaced. 126 styles, colors. +Finest silks. All at lowest prices.</p> + +<p class="ad3">NEW FORD CAR</p> + +<p>We offer our agents a <b>new Ford Car</b> +when earned under our plan. Your +commission daily. Credit given. Extra +bonus. We deliver or you deliver—suit +yourself.</p> + +<p class="ad3">FINE SILK HOSE</p> + +<p>Our new plan gives you <b>fine silk +hosiery</b> for your own use. I want +men and women to act as Local Sales +Agents. Spare time is satisfactory. +Write quick. A post card will do.</p> + +<p> +<b>WILKNIT HOSIERY CO.<br /> +No. 2807 Greenfield, Ohio</b><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">NEW SCIENTIFIC WONDER</p> + +<p class="ad2">"X-RAY" CURIO</p> + +<p class="ad2">BIG FUN</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/280d.png" width="200" height="82" alt="Reg. U.S. Pat. Off." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"> +<p class="center"><b>PRICE<br /> +10¢<br /> +3-25¢<br /></b> +no stamps</p> +</div> + +<p class="lalign"><b>BOYS</b> You apparently see thru Clothes, Wood, +Stone, any object. See Bones in Flesh. +FREE Pkg. radio picture films, takes pictures without +camera. You'll like 'em. (1 pkg. with each 25¢ order.)</p> + +<p class="ad3">MARVEL MFG. CO. Dept. 86, NEW HAVEN, CONN.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">TRAVEL—for 'UNCLE SAM'</p> + +<div class="couponright width50"> +<p class="ad1">COUPON</p> + +<p class="center">FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, Dept. E267, Rochester, N.Y.</p> + +<p>Rush to me, free of charge. (1) A full description of the positions checked +below. (2) 32-page book with list of positions obtainable. (3) Tell me +how to get the positions checked.</p> + +<ul><li>[ ] Railway Postal Clerk ($1900 to $2700)</li> +<li>[ ] Postoffice Clerk ($1700 to $2300)</li> +<li>[ ] City Mail Carrier ($1700 to $2100)</li> +<li>[ ] General Clerk ($1200 to $2100)</li> +<li>[ ] Customs Inspector ($2100 up)</li> +<li>[ ] Rural Mail Carrier ($2100 to $3300)</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">RAILWAY POSTAL CLERKS</p> + +<p class="ad2">MAIL CARRIERS—POSTOFFICE CLERKS<br /> +GENERAL CLERKS—CUSTOMS INSPECTORS</p> + +<p class="ad3">$1700 to $3400 a Year for Life</p> + +<p>No "layoffs" because of strikes, poor business, etc.—sure pay—rapid +advancement. Many other U.S. Government Jobs. City +and country residents stand same chance. Common sense education +usually sufficient.</p> + +<p class="ad2">STEADY WORK</p> + +<p class="center">Cut coupon and mail it before turning the page</p> + +<p class="adtop">MEN—BOYS<br /> +18 to 45</p> + +<p class="ad3">Use Coupon Before You Lose It</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">Get +Strong +QUICKLY</p> + +<p class="ad2">Giant Chest Expander</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"><p class="ad3">ONLY $2.00</p></div> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/281a.png" width="300" height="144" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="lalign">Here's an opportunity +for everyone +to develop +big muscles and +obtain great strength by +using this heavy-tensioned +PROGRESSIVE EXERCISER, +adjustable from 20 +to 200 lbs. resistance. Complete +instructions with each exerciser.</p> + +<p>Get rid of those aches and pains, indigestion, +constipation, headaches, etc. Build up your body +and look like a real He-man.</p> + +<p class="ad3">SEND NO MONEY!</p> + +<p>Simply pay the postman $2.00, +plus a few cents postage, for +five-cabled exerciser or $4.00 +plus a few cents postage, for ten-cabled +exerciser. <i>Money back in +five days if dissatisfied.</i></p> + +<p> +Progressive Exerciser Co.<br /> +Dept. 5002, Langdon Building<br /> +Duane Street and Broadway<br /> +New York City</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">LAW</p> + +<p class="ad2">STUDY AT HOME</p> + +<p>Become a lawyer. Legally trained +men win high positions and big success +in business and public life. Be +independent. Greater opportunities +now than ever before. Big corporations +are headed by men with legal +training. Earn</p> + +<p class="ad3">$5,000 to $10,000 Annually</p> + +<p>We guide you step by step. You can train at home +during spare time. Degree of LL. B. conferred. +LaSalle students found among practicing attorneys of every +state. We furnish all text material, including fourteen-volume +Law Library. Low cost, easy terms. Get our valuable 64-page "Law +Guide" and "Evidence" books FREE. Send for them NOW.</p> + +<p class="center"> +LaSalle Extension University, Dept. 275-L, Chicago<br /> +The World's Largest Business Training Institution +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad2">HOW SHARP IS YOUR RAZOR?</p> + +<p>Did you have trouble shaving this morning? If your +razor blade scraped and pulled you will appreciate this remarkable +new discovery.... Gold Nugget Strop Dressing +... can be used satisfactorily on all stropping devices +... puts keen cutting edge on any razor blade.... +Easy to apply ... results assured. Makes you feel like +singing when you shave. $1 postpaid.</p> + +<p class="center"> +NO-HONE COMPANY<br /> +3124 California St.<br /> +Omaha, Nebraska</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">PATENTS</p> + +<p>Time counts in applying for patents. Don't risk delay in +protecting your ideas. Send sketch or model for instructions +or write for FREE book. "How to Obtain a Patent" +and "Record of Invention" form. No charge for information +on how to proceed. Communications strictly confidential. +Prompt, careful, efficient service. Clarence A. +O'Brien, Registered Patent Attorney, 1876 Security Savings +and Comm'l Bank Building (directly across street +from Patent Office) Washington, D.C.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">STOP Tobacco</p> + +<p>No human being can escape the harmful effects of tobacco. +Don't try to quit without assistance. Let our simple inexpensive +remedy help you. A complete treatment costs but $2.00. Every +penny promptly refunded if you do not get desired results.</p> + +<p>Ours is a harmless preparation, carefully compounded to overcome +the condition, that will make quitting of tobacco pleasant, +and easy. It comes with a money back guarantee.</p> + +<p class="ad2">Anti-Tobacco League</p> +<p class="center"> +P.O. Box H-2<br /> +OMAHA, NEBR.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">SONG WRITERS!</p> + +<p>SUBSTANTIAL ADVANCE ROYALTIES +are paid on work found acceptable for publication. +Anyone wishing to write <i>either the words</i> or +music for songs may submit work for free examination +and advice. <i>Past experience unnecessary</i>. +New demand created by "Talking Pictures" +fully described in our free book. Write for it +Today.</p> + +<p class="center"> +NEWCOMER ASSOCIATES<br /> +723 Earle Building, New York</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Learn to PAINT +SIGNS and SHOW CARDS</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/281c.png" width="75" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>We quickly +teach you by mail, or at +school. In spare time. Enormous +demand. Big future. Interesting +work. Oldest and foremost school.</p> + +<p class="ad3">EARN $50 TO $200 WEEKLY</p> + +<p>Otto Wiegand, Md., home-study graduate, made +$12,000 from his business in one year. John +Vassoe, N.Y., gets $25 for a show card. Crawford, +B.C., writes: "Earned $200 while taking +course." Write for complete information.</p> + +<p class="center"> +DETROIT SCHOOL OF LETTERING<br /> +Est. 1889<br /> +180 Stimson Ave.<br /> +DETROIT, MICH. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">STOP WORRYING +about Money</p> + +<p class="ad1"><i>Here's a New, Easy +Way to Make</i><br /> +$15 a Day</p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Yes</span>—here's a wonderful opportunity to start right +in making $15 in a day. You can have plenty of +money to pay your bills, to spend for new clothes, +furniture, radio, pleasure trips, or whatever you want. +No more pinching pennies or counting the nickels and +dimes. No more saying "We can't afford it." That's +the biggest mistake any man or woman ever made. <b>And +I'll prove it.</b></p> + +<div class="sidebarleft width30"> +<p class="ad2">FREE!</p> + +<p class="ad3">New Ford +Tudor Sedan</p> + +<p>NOT a contest. I offer +a brand-new car free to +producers as an extra reward +or bonus—in addition +to their large cash +profits. Mail coupon for +particulars.</p> +</div> + +<div class="figleft clearit"> +<img src="images/281e.png" width="350" height="186" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">Van Allen Makes $100 a Week</p> + +<p>Just send me your name and address and I'll give you some facts +that will open your eyes. I'll show you how L. C. Van Allen, of +Illinois, quit a $23-a-week job, took hold of my proposition, and +made better than $100 a week! Then there's Gustav Karnath, of +Minnesota, who cleared $20.35 the first five hours, and Mrs. B. L. +Hodges, of New York, who says she never fails to make a profit +of $18 to $20 a day. I have letters from men and women everywhere +that tell about profits of $10, $15, $20 and as high as $25 +and $30 in a single day.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Start Right In</p> + +<p>You don't need any experience or capital to make big money my +way. No course of training is necessary. You simply act as +my Representative in your locality and look after my business +there. All you have to do is call on your friends and my established +customers and take care of their orders for my fast selling +line of Groceries, Toilet Articles and other Household Necessities. +I have thousands of customers in every section of every State. They +must order from you because I never sell through stores. Last +year my Representatives made nearly two million dollars. When +I get the coupon from you I send full details by return mail. +You can quickly be making money just like I said. I will also +supply you with Groceries and +other Household Necessities at lowest, +wholesale prices.</p> + +<div class="couponright width40"> +<p class="ad1">MAIL THIS NOW!</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +ALBERT MILLS, Pres., American Products Co.,<br /> +5441 Monmouth Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. +</p> + +<p>Send me, without cost or obligation, all the facts about your +new proposition that offers a wonderful opportunity to make +quick profits of $15 or more a day and Groceries at wholesale.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"> </span></li> +</ul> +<p>© A. P. Co. (Print or Write Plainly) +</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad3" style="clear:left">SEND NO MONEY</p> + +<p>If you want ready cash—a chance +to make $15 or more a day starting +at once—and Groceries at wholesale—just +send me your name and +address on the coupon. It costs +you nothing to investigate. Keep +your present job and start in spare +time if you want to. Oscar Stuart, +of W. Virginia, reports $18 profit +in 2-1/2 hours' spare time. So you +see there's everything to gain. Simply +mail the coupon. <i>I</i> will give +you full details of my plan without +cost or obligation to you. +I'll give you the big +opportunity you've been +waiting for. So don't +lose a moment. Mail +the coupon NOW.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">What's Wrong With This Picture?</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/282a.png" width="500" height="425" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad2"><span class="nowrap">See If You Can</span> Find the Mistakes +in This Picture</p> + +<p>We will spend over $167,000.00 this year for the purpose of conducting +free prize offers to advertise and expand our business. Thousands of +persons are going to receive valuable prizes or cash awards and compensations +this year through our offers. The sky is the limit! Anyone living +in the United States outside of Chicago, except employees of this company, +members of their families, or our previous auto or first prize winners, or +members of their families, may enter an answer to this puzzle.</p> + +<p class="ad1">$7,346 In Prizes Given in +This One Offer</p> + +<p class="center">Seven Big New 6-Cylinder Sedans and Other Valuable Prizes</p> + +<p>Try your skill—it costs you nothing. Study the picture shown here, +but look carefully. The artist has purposely made many mistakes. Can +you find four or more of them? These mistakes can be found in various +objects is the picture—that's all the hint we can give you. If you think +you can find four or more mistakes, answer at once. Just mark the mistakes +in pencil on the picture, or tell me what they are in a letter or on a post +card. Only four mistakes are required for a perfect answer.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Anyone Who Answers This Puzzle Correctly May Receive Prizes or Cash!</p> + +<p>Man, woman, boy, or girl—it doesn't matter who or what you are. Seven of the people who take up this offer are going to win +wonderful automobiles. You can be among them. Answer today! Duplicate prizes awarded in case of ties.</p> + +<p><b>Additional $500.00 for Promptness</b> $500.00 extra will be awarded in addition to first prize if you +are prompt. If your answer is judged to be perfect, I will tell +you without delay about winning the prizes. Hurry now! Address your answer to G. W. ALDERTON, Advertising Manager, +Dept. 143, 510 North Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">AGENTS—Represent <span class="smcap">the</span> Carlton <span class="smcap">line</span>—<i>America's +Best Paying Proposition</i>!</p> + +<p class="ad3">SAMPLES FREE</p> + +<p class="ad2">SELL FROM A +MILLION DOLLAR STOCK</p> +<p class="ad3">Shirts, Neckwear and Underwear.</p> + +<div class="couponright width30"> +<p class="center"> +CARLTON MILLS, 114 FIFTH AVE., N.Y.C.<br /> +<i>Send me your Famous Sample Outfit</i></p> +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +<p class="ralign">100-G</p> +</div> + +<p>No substitutions. 4 Hour Shipping +Service. Highest Commissions +Bonuses. Profit Sharing. +Biggest Company. +Mail Coupon.</p> + +<p class="center"> +CARLTON MILLS INC.<br /> +114 FIFTH AVE.<br /> +NEW YORK<br /> +<b>Dept. 186-6</b> +</p> + +<p class="ad3 clearit">MAIL +COUPON</p> + +<p class="ad2">$1000 LIFE Insurance Policy Free</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">BE A JAZZ MUSIC MASTER</p> + +<p class="ad2">Play Piano By Ear</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"> +<p>Niagara<br /> +School<br /> +Free<br /> +Book</p> +</div> + +<p>Play popular song hits perfectly. Name +the tune, play it by ear. No teacher—self-instruction. +No tedious ding-dong +daily practice—just 20 brief, entertaining +lessons, easily mastered.</p> + +<p class="ad3">At Home in Your Spare Time</p> + +<p>Send for FREE BOOK. Learn many styles +of bass and syncopation—trick endings. +If 10¢ (coin or stamps) +is enclosed, you also receive +wonderful booklet "<i>How to +Entertain at Piano</i>"—and +many new tricks, stunts, etc.</p> + +<p class="center"> +<i>Niagara School of Music</i><br /> +Dept. 350 Niagara Falls, N.Y. +</p> + +<p class="ad2">Send for this Free Book</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Learn How to BOX</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/282c.png" width="150" height="189" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p><b>$2.98</b> brings you the famous boxing course by mail +of Jimmy DeForest, <b>World's Greatest +Trainer</b>, the system that trained Dempsey and great +champions. Covers everything in scientific boxing from +fundamentals to ring generalship. Twenty weeks makes +you a finished DeForest trained boxer. Hundreds of DeForest +trained men are making good in the ring today. +Complete course sent in one mailing. Send $2.98 or +C.O.D order paying postman $2.98 plus actual postage.</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +Jimmy DeForest Boxing Course<br /> +347 Madison Ave., Box 42, New York City +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Radium Is Restoring +Health to Thousands</p> + +<p>No medicine, drugs or dieting. Just a light, small, +comfortable inexpensive Radio-Active Pad, worn on the +back by day and over the stomach at night. Sold on +trial. You can be sure it is helping you before you +buy it. Over 150,000 sold on this plan. Thousands have +written us that it healed them of Neuritis, Rheumatism, +High Blood Pressure, Constipation, Nervous Prostration, +Heart, Lungs, Liver, Kidney and Bladder trouble, etc. +No matter what you have tried, or what your trouble +may be, try Degnen's Radio-Active Solar Pad at our +risk. Write today for Trial offer and descriptive literature. +Radium Appliance Co., 2833 Bradbury Bldg., Los +Angeles, Cal.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">HYPNOTIZE</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/282d.png" width="100" height="112" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>25 Lessons in Hypnotism, Mind Reading and +Magnetic Healing. Tells how experts hypnotize +at a glance, make others obey their commands. +How to overcome bad habits, how to give a home +performance, get on the stage, etc. Helpful to every +man and woman, executives, salesmen, doctors, mothers, +etc. Simple, easy. Learn at home. Only $1.10, including +the "Hypnotic Eye," a new aid for amateurs. Send +stamps or M.O. (or pay C.O.D. plus postage). Guaranteed. +<b>Educator Press, 19 Park Row, New York. Dept. H-41</b></p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">AVIATION +Information FREE</p> + +<p>Send us your name and address for full information regarding the +Aviation and Airplane business. Find out about the many great +opportunities now open and how we prepare you at home, during +spare time, to qualify. Our new book, <i>Opportunities in the +Airplane industry</i> also sent free if you answer at once.</p> + +<p class="center"> +AMERICAN SCHOOL OF AVIATION<br /> +Dept. 1182<br /> +3601 Michigan Ave.<br /> +CHICAGO +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad3">Charming—Captivating—Irresistible</p> + +<p class="ad1"> +DESIR D'AMOUR</p> +<p class="ad3"> +[Love's Desire]</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/282e.png" width="100" height="103" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>This exotic perfume goes straight to the +heart like Cupid's arrows. Its strength and +mystic aroma thrills and delights young and +old. Triple strength full size vial 98 cents +prepaid or $1.32 C.O.D. plus shipping +charges. Directions free. One bottle GRATIS +if you order three vials. MAGNUS WORKS, +Box 12, Varick Sta., New York, N.Y., +Dept. NSG-2.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">On your feet—<br /> +<i>In a good Paying Business</i></p> + +<p>We start you in the shoe and +hosiery business. Inexperienced +workers earn Big Money yearly. +Direct-to-Wearer plan. Just show +Tanners Famous Line of Footwear.</p> + +<blockquote><p>We tell how and where to sell. Perfect +fit through Patented System. Collect your +pay daily. We furnish $40.00 Sample Outfit +of actual shoes and hosiery. 83 styles.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="center"><b>Send for free book "Getting Ahead" +and full particulars.</b> No obligation.</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +TANNERS SHOE CO.<br /> +892 C Street, Boston, Mass. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Play the Hawaiian Guitar +like the Hawaiians!</p> + +<p><b>Only 4 Motions</b> used in playing this fascinating instrument +Our native Hawaiian instructors teach you to +master them quickly. Pictures show how. Everything +explained clearly.</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/283b.png" width="120" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">Play in Half Hour</p> + +<p>After you get the four +easy motions you play +harmonious chords with +very little practice. No +previous musical knowledge +needed.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Easy Lessons</p> + +<p>Even if you don't know +one note from another, +the 52 printed lessons +and clear pictures make +it easy to learn quickly. +Pay as you play.</p> + +<p class="ad2">GIVEN <i>when you enroll</i></p> +<p class="ad3">—a sweet toned<br /> +HAWAIIAN GUITAR, Carrying Case and +Playing Outfit—Value $18 to $20</p> + +<p class="center"><i>No extras—everything included</i></p> + +<div class="sidebarleft width25"><b>WRITE AT ONCE</b> for attractive offer +and easy terms. You have everything +to gain. A postcard will do. <b>ACT!</b></div> + +<div class="center"> +<p class="ad3">OTHER COURSES</p> + +<p>Tenor Banjo, Violin, Tiple, Tenor Guitar, Ukulele, +Banjo Ukulele. Under well known instructors.</p> + +<p> +FIRST HAWAIIAN CONSERVATORY of MUSIC, Inc.<br /> +9th Floor, Woolworth Bldg, Dept. 269 New York, N.Y.<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>Approved as a Correspondence School Under the Laws of the State of +New York—Member National Home Study Council</i></p> +</div> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad2">SELL ROSECLIFF SHIRTS</p> + +<p class="ad1"><i>Make Steady Money</i></p> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"><p>YOUR<br /> +OWN<br /> +SHIRTS<br /> +and<br /> +TIES</p></div> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"><p class="ad1"><i>Outfit Free</i></p> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">Showing Samples Men's Shirts</p> + +<p>Ties, Underwear brings you big cash +commissions. One Year Guarantee. +No substitutions. Free silk initials. +More exclusive Rosecliff features establish +leadership. Write for your +FREE Outfit NOW!</p> + +<p class="center"> +ROSECLIFF SHIRT CORP.<br /> +Dept. J-2<br /> +1237 Broadway, N.Y. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">GOV'T. POSITIONS</p> + +<p class="ad2"> +$35 TO $75 WEEKLY<br /> +MEN—WOMEN<br /> +AGE 18 to 55<br /> +</p> + +<div class="coupon"> +<ul class="multicolumn"> +<li>( ) By. Mail Clerk</li> +<li>( ) P. O. Laborer</li> +<li>( ) R. F. D. Carrier</li> +<li>( ) Special Agent (investigator)</li> +<li>( ) City Mail Carrier</li> +<li>( ) Meat Inspector</li> +<li>( ) P. O. Clerk</li> +<li>( ) File Clerk</li> +<li>( ) General Clerk</li> +<li>( ) Matron</li> +<li>( ) Steno-Typist</li> +<li>( ) Immigrant Inspector</li> +<li>( ) Seamstress</li> +<li>( ) Auditor</li> +<li>( ) Steno-Secretary</li> +<li>( ) U.S. Border Patrol</li> +<li>( ) Chauffeur-Carrier</li> +<li>( ) Watchman</li> +<li>( ) Skilled Laborer</li> +<li>( ) Postmaster</li> +<li>( ) Typist</li> +</ul> + +<p class="center">INSTRUCTION BUREAU, 112-B, St. Louis, Mo.</p> + +<p>Send me FREE particulars How To Qualify for positions +marked "X." Salaries, locations, opportunities, +etc. ALL SENT FREE.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">FREE!<br /> +Body Chart</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/283c.png" width="98" height="300" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>If you will mail the coupon below, this +Anatomical and Physiological Chart will +be mailed to you without one cent of expense. +It shows the location of the Organs, +Bones of the Body, Muscles of the +Body, Head and Vertebra Column and +tells you how the nerves radiate from +your spinal cord to all organs of the body. +This chart should be in every home.</p> + +<p class="ad2">Where Is That +PAIN?</p> + +<p>It may be in the neck, back, hips, stomach, +liver, legs or arms. Wherever it is, the chart +will help to show you the location and cause +of your ailment. For instance, this chart will +help you locate vermiform appendix pains. +Hundreds of lives might have been saved if +people had known the location and character +of the pain and had received proper attention.</p> + +<p class="ad1">Stop that Pain</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +<i>By Relieving the Cause with</i><br /> +Violet Ray—Vibration<br /> +Ozone—Medical Electricity<br /> +<i>The Four Greatest Curative Powers Generated by This</i></p> + +<p class="ad2">Great New Invention!</p> + +<p>Elco Health Generators at last +are ready for you! If you want +more health—greater power to enjoy +the pleasures and delights +about you, or if more beauty is your +desire—<i>write</i>! Ask for the book +on these inventions which has just +been prepared. It will be sent to +you without cost. It tells you +how Elco Health Generators aid +you in leaving the lethargy and +hopelessness of bad health and +weakness behind forever. Re-vitalize yourself. +Bring back energy. Be wholly alive. +Write today!</p> + +<p class="ad3">Here's What Elco Users Say—</p> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"> +<p class="ad2"><i>Elco</i></p> + +<p class="center">Electric Health<br /> +Generators</p> +</div> + +<blockquote><p>"Wouldn't +Take $1000 +for my +Elco." +"Has done +me more +good in 2 +weeks than +doctors did +in three +years." "Cured my Rheumatism." "My Eczema gone." "Cured my stomach +trouble." "Cured my weakness." "Now I sleep soundly all night." "Thanks to +Elco my strength and vigor are back." "No more pain." "Colds never bother me +now." "Chronic Constipation banished."</p></blockquote> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto" style="border:none"> +<p class="ad2">Free Trial</p></div> + +<p>These great new inventions generate Violet Ray, Vibration, Electricity +and Ozone—combined or separate. They operate on the +electric light in your home or on their own motive power at less than 50 cents per year. +Elco Health Generators are positively the only instruments +which can give you in one outfit Electricity, Violet Ray—Vibration +and Ozone—the four greatest curative agents. +Send the coupon below. Get the Free Book NOW!</p> + +<div class="couponleft width50"> +<p class="ad3"> +Lindstrom & Co.<br /> +<i>Makers of Therapeutic Apparatus since 1892</i>.<br /> +2322 Indiana Avenue<br /> +Dept. 15-62<br /> +Chicago +</p> + +<p>Please send me your free book, "Heal—Power—Beauty" and +full information of your 10-day Free Trial Offer.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Name</i></span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Address</i></span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad2">MAIL COUPON +for FREE BOOK</p> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"> +<p class="ad3">Health<br /> +Power<br /> +Beauty</p> +</div> + +<p>Do not put this paper down without sending +the coupon. Don't go on as you are with pains +and with almost no life and energy. You owe +it to yourself to be a better man or woman. You were put +here to enjoy life—not just to drag through it. So do not +rest another day until you have put your name on the +coupon here. That will bring the whole story of these great +new inventions. Do it today—now.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Who Wants an Auto FREE?</p> + +<p class="ad2">STUDEBAKER—BUICK—NASH! Your choice! +OR $2000.00 CASH</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/284a.png" width="291" height="300" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="ad3">MARK +YOUR STAR</p> +<p class="ad3">MAIL +THE +CIRCLE</p> +</div> + +<p>Thousands of dollars in new autos and grand prizes will positively be given +free to advertise and make new friends for my firm. Choice of Studebaker or +Buick or Nash new 4-door sedan delivered free, or $2000.00 cash. Also Oldsmobile, +Pontiac, Chevrolet, Fords, diamonds, other fine prizes and cash will be +given free. No problems to do. No fine writing required. No words to +make. No figures to add. Bank guarantees all prizes.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Pick Your Lucky Star!</p> + +<p>All the stars in the circle are exactly alike except one. That star is different to all the +others and it may be a lucky star for you. Can you pick it out? If you can, mark the +different star and send the circle to me at once along with your name and address. A +prompt answer can start you on the way to win the great $2000.00 free prize.</p> + +<p class="ad3">BE PROMPT—WIN $650.00 EXTRA</p> + +<p>Someone like you who will write me at once can get $650.00 cash fast for being prompt, +so you may thank your lucky stars if you send your answer right off. No risk. Nothing +to buy. Nothing hard to do. Over $7000.00 in valuable prizes will be given free of cost. +Send today and I will show you just how you can get your free choice of these splendid +new sedans or $2000.00 cash, without cost or obligation of any kind. All win plan! A +reward for everybody! SEND NO MONEY. Answer AT ONCE.</p> + +<p class="center">Address GEO. WILSON, DEPT. 27, AUGUSTA, MAINE</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">RUPTURE IS +NOT A TEAR</p> + +<p>Your physician will tell you that hernia (rupture) is a muscular +weakness in the abdominal wall.—Do not be satisfied with merely +bracing these weakened muscles, with your condition probably +growing worse every day!—Strike at the real cause of the trouble, +and</p> + +<blockquote><p><b>WHEN</b>—</p> + +<p>The weakened muscles recover their strength and elasticity, +<span class="nowrap">and—</span></p> + +<p>The unsightly, unnatural protrusion disappears, <span class="nowrap">and—</span></p> + +<p>You recover your vim, vigor and vitality,—your strength and +energy,—and you look and feel better in every way,—and your +friends notice the <span class="nowrap">difference,—</span></p> + +<p><b>THEN</b>—</p> + +<p>You'll know your rupture is gone, and</p> + +<p>You'll know why for almost a quarter of a century numerous +sworn statements report complete recovery and freedom +from uncomfortable mechanical supports, without delay from +work.</p></blockquote> + +<div class="couponright width50"> +<p class="ad2">FREE TEST COUPON</p> + +<p class="ad3">Plapao Laboratories, 692 Stuart Bldg., St. Louis, Mo.</p> + +<p>Send me a Free 10-day test supply of the remedial factor +Plapao and 48 page illustrated book on Rupture; no charge +for this now or later.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">SEND NO MONEY</p> + +<p>A Test of the scientific self-treatment mentioned in coupon +below is now available to you, whether you are young or old, +man or woman. It costs you nothing to make this test.—For +your own good mail the coupon NOW—TODAY.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad2">NEW AND SIMPLE DISCOVERY</p> + +<p class="adtop">CLEARS-THE-SKIN</p> + +<p>We prove it to you, <b>FREE</b>. <b>SEND NO MONEY.</b> +Write today for <b>PROOF</b> and full details of our liberal +prepaid FULL SIZE TRIAL PACKAGE.</p> + +<p class="ad3">GUARANTEED FOR ALL SKIN TROUBLES</p> + +<p>Quickly ends Pimples, Blackheads, Whiteheads, Coarse +Pores, Wrinkles, Oily Shiny Skin, Freckles, Chronic +Eczema, Stubborn Psoriasis, Scales, Crusts, Pustules, +Barbers Itch, Itching Skin, Scabbies, softens and whitens +the skin. <b>Just send us your name and address.</b></p> + +<p class="ad3">ANDRE & CO., 751 E. 42nd St., Suite 77, Chicago</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">HAVE YOU READ?</p> + +<p class="center"> +"ONE WOMAN'S WAR"<br /> +<i>By</i> Helene Reynolds Moffatt<br /> +<br /> +"BROADWAY'S CHILDREN"<br /> +<i>By</i> Achmed Abdullah and Faith Baldwin<br /> +<br /> +"THE LOST DREAM"<br /> +<i>By</i> Hector Hawton<br /> +<br /> +"THE LIFE HE STOLE"<br /> +<i>By</i> Roy Vickers<br /> +<br /> +"FOOLISH FIRE"<br /> +<i>By</i> Virginia Swain<br /> +<br /> +"LIFE'S COMEBACKS"<br /> +<i>By</i> Jan Cruze<br /> +<br /> +"THE WHIRL OF YOUTH"<br /> +<i>By</i> Evelyn Campbell<br /> +<br /> +"FLAME OF FIRE WEED"<br /> +<i>By</i> James French Dorrance<br /> +<br /> +"A PRAIRIE PRINCESS"<br /> +<i>By</i> Frank C. Robertson +</p> + +<p class="center">These complete novels, each one a story of unusual +significance, are now being offered to you at the special +price of</p> + +<p class="center"> +25 cents each<br /> +or five for $1.00, postpaid<br /> +<br /> +THE READERS' GUILD,<br /> +80 LAFAYETTE STREET, 12th FLOOR,<br /> +NEW YORK CITY<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">TYPEWRITER 1/2 Price</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/284b.png" width="191" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">Free Trial</p> +</div> + +<p class="lalign">World's +best makes—Underwood, +Remington, +Royal—also portables—prices +smashed to below half. (<i>Easy terms.</i>)</p> + +<p class="ad3">SEND NO MONEY!</p> + +<p>All late models completely rebuilt +and refinished brand new. <i>Guaranteed +for ten years.</i> Send no money—big +<i>Free</i> catalog shows actual machines +in full colors. Get our direct-to-you +easy payment plan and 10 day free trial +offer. Amazing values—send at once.</p> + +<p class="center clearit"> +International Typewriter Exch.,<br /> +231 W. Monroe St.<br /> +Dept. 272, Chicago<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">PANTS MATCHED</p> + +<p class="ad2">TO ANY SUIT—FREE SAMPLE</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/284c.png" width="112" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p><b>DON'T DISCARD YOUR +OLD SUIT.</b> Wear the coat and +vest another year by getting new trousers +to match. Tailored to your measure. With +over 100,000 patterns to select from we can +match almost any pattern. Send vest or sample +of cloth today, and we will submit <i>FREE</i> +best match obtainable.</p> + +<p class="center"> +AMERICAN MATCH PANTS CO.<br /> +Dept D. N. 6 W. Randolph St., Chicago, Ill.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">QUIT +TOBACCO</p> + +<p>No man or woman can escape +the harmful effects of tobacco. +Don't try to banish unaided +the hold tobacco has upon you. +Join the thousands of inveterate +tobacco users that have +found it easy to quit with the aid of the Keeley Treatment.</p> + +<p class="adtop">KEELEY</p> + +<p class="center"> +Treatment For<br /> +<i>Tobacco Habit</i><br /> +Successful For +Over 50 Years +</p> + +<p>Quickly banishes all craving for tobacco. Write today +for Free Book telling how to quickly Free yourself from +the tobacco habit and our Money Back Guarantee.</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +THE KEELEY INSTITUTE<br /> +Dept. E-211<br /> +Dwight, Illinois<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad3"><i>Styled On Fifth Avenue.</i></p> + +<p class="ad1">TIES & SHIRTS PAY BIG</p> + +<p class="ad2">MAKE STEADY MONEY</p> + +<p>weekly selling this combined line. Public Service offers +the best money-maker in the country for full time or +spare time workers.</p> + +<p>Splendid Fifth Ave. Styled shirts. Beautiful fabrics to +satisfy every taste. Sell on sight to men and women at +factory prices. Biggest assortment in the business. Collect +your commissions in advance. Finest new Spring Outfit +FREE. Start earning more money at once. Write TODAY.</p> + +<p class="center"> +PUBLIC SERVICE MILLS, Inc.<br /> +517-J Thirtieth Street, North Bergen, N.J.<br /> +Canadian Office, 110 Dundas St., London, Ontario, Canada +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">MONEY FOR YOU</p> + +<p>Men or women can earn $15 to $25 weekly +in spare time at home making display cards. +Light, pleasant work. No canvassing. We +instruct you and supply you with work. +Write today for full particulars.</p> + +<p class="center"> +The MENHENITT COMPANY Limited<br /> +245 Dominion Bldg., Toronto, Can.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad3"> +DIRECT FROM MOVIELAND<br /> +THRILLING LOVE LETTERS<br /> +LOVE'S PSYCHOLOGY<br /> +BEAUTY PSYCHOLOGY<br /> +</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/285c.png" width="147" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">LOVE DROPS</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +PERFUME<br /> +SECRET EXTRACT +</p> + +<p>A New Creation, an Enchanting, powerful +aroma, with that alluring blend that stirs the +soul of rich and poor, old and young to surrender +to its charms. $2.50 value, $1.00 post +paid or $1.27 C.O.D. with instructions for +use. Also Free our 2 new books totaling 120 +pages including</p> + +<p class="ad3">THRILLING LOVE LETTERS</p> + +<p>burning love epistles of many of history's famous +characters, also secrets of Love's Psychology and Art of winning +the One You Love with the original 7 Psychological and Successful +plans for winning and holding the love of the one you love.</p> + +<p class="center"> +Wons Co., Dept. N-15<br /> +Box 1250, Hollywood, Calif. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad2">BECOME AN EXPERT</p> +<p class="adtop">ACCOUNTANT</p> + +<p>Executive Accountants and C.P.A.'s earn $8,000 to $10,000 a year. +Thousands of firms need them. Only 9,000 Certified Public Accountants +in the Unites States. We train you thoroughly at home in spare time +for C.P.A. examinations or executive accounting positions. Previous +experience unnecessary. Training under the personal supervision of +William B. Castenholz, A.M., C.P.A., and a large staff of C.P.A.'s +including members of the American Institute of Accountants. +Write for free book, "Accountancy, the Profession that Pays."</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +La Salle Extension University, Dept. 275-H Chicago<br /> +The World's Largest Business Training Institution +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">LEARN TO Mount Birds</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/285d.png" width="75" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>We teach you <b>At Home by Mail</b> to mount <i>Birds</i>, <i>Animals</i>, +<i>Heads</i>, <i>Tan Furs and Make Rugs</i>. Be a taxidermy +artist. Easily, quickly learned by men, women and +boys. Tremendously interesting and fascinating. Decorate +home and den with beautiful art. <i>Make Big Profits from +Spare Time Selling Specimens and Mounting for Others.</i></p> + +<p><b>Free Book</b>—Yes absolutely Free—beautiful book +telling all about how to learn taxidermy. +Send <b>Today</b>. You will be delighted. Don't Delay!</p> + +<p class="center"> +Northwestern School of Taxidermy<br /> +1032 Elwood Bldg.<br /> +OMAHA, NEB.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">FREE</p> + +<p class="ad2">My +Pay-Raising +Plan</p> + +<p class="center">send +you these Genuine +high quality, Imported +Drawing Instruments, 14 Other +Tools and a Drafting Table—All included +in my Home Training Course.</p> + +<p class="ad3">"My Pay-Raising Plan"<br /> +It Shows You +How I Prepare +You at Home For</p> + +<p class="ad1">EMPLOYMENT</p> + +<p class="ad3"><i>In These and Other Great Industries</i></p> + +<p class="lalign">Automobile—Electricity—Motor Bus—Aviation—Building +Construction.</p> + +<p>There are jobs for Draftsmen in all of these industries +and in hundreds of others.</p> + +<p>Aviation is expanding to enormous proportions.</p> + +<p>Electricity is getting bigger every day. Motor Bus +building is becoming a leading world industry.</p> + +<p>Building of stores, homes, factories and office buildings +is going on all the time. No structure can be erected +without plans drawn by a draftsman. No machinery +can be built without plans drawn by a draftsman. +I train you at home, in Drafting. Keep the job you have +now while learning.</p> + +<p class="ad2">Earn As You Learn</p> + +<p>I tell you how to start earning extra money a few weeks +after beginning my training.</p> + +<p>I will train you in drafting right where you are in your +spare time. I have trained men who are making $3,500.00 +to $9,000.00 a year. Get started now toward a better position, +paying a good, straight salary, the year around. +Comfortable surroundings. Inside work.</p> + +<p class="ad2">Employment Service</p> + +<p>After training you I help you to get a job without charging +you a cent for this service. Employers of Draftsmen +come to me for men. Employers know they are not +taking chances on men trained by me.</p> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"> +<p><i>I train you<br /> +at home!</i></p> +</div> + +<p class="ad2">No Experience Necessary</p> + +<p>You do not need to be a college man nor high school +graduate to learn by this method. No previous experience +necessary. I make a positive money back guarantee +with you before I begin to train you.</p> + +<p class="center">If you are now earning less than</p> + +<p class="ad1">$70.00 a WEEK</p> + +<div class="couponright width50"> +<p class="center"> +<b>Engineer Dobe<br /> +1951 Lawrence Ave., Div. 15-62<br /> +Chicago</b><br /> +</p> + +<p>Send me Free of all cost, "My Pay-Raising Plan". Also plan +to earn money while learning to be a draftsman and proof of +big money paying positions in great industries.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Name</i></span> <span class="dotsmiddle"><i>Age</i></span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Address</i></span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Post Office</i></span> <span class="dotsmiddle"><i>State</i></span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad2"><i>Write For My FREE +"Pay-Raising Plan"</i></p> + +<p>Mail this coupon at once. Get "My Pay-Raising +Plan". It certainly points the way to success. You +owe it to yourself to send for this book. Find out +how I help you find big opportunities in practically +all big industries. The book will come to you post +paid and FREE. Mail the coupon for it today.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Clear-Tone<br /> +Clears the Skin</p> + +<p>Clear-Tone is a penetrating, purifying lotion, +used at night with astounding success to clear the +skin of pimples, blotches, black-heads and other +annoying, unsightly skin irritations due to external +causes. More than one-half million persons +have cleared their skins with Clear-Tone in +the last 12 years. "Complexion Tragedies with +Happy Endings", filled with facts supplied by +Clear-Tone users sent Free on request. Clear-Tone +can be had at your druggist—or direct +from us. GIVENS CHEMICAL CO., 2557 +Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"> +<p>$4.50 to $7.00<br /> +(WITH BONUS)<br /> +PROFIT<br /> +Per +SUIT</p> +</div> + +<div class="sidebarleft widthauto"><p>Cash<br /> +Paid<br /> +Daily</p></div> + +<p class="ad1">SELL PIONEER<br /> +All Wool +Tailoring</p> + +<p class="ad2"><i>Full or Part Time</i></p> + +<p>An opportunity to make $12 a day +from the start, selling famous +Pioneer tailored-to-measure, +all-wool suits at $25. Commissions +paid in advance. <b>Chance +for own clothes at no cost.</b> +Striking Big Outfit of over +100 large swatches furnished +free—other equally remarkable values +at $30 and $35. We train the inexperienced. +Men willing to work for success +will write for this big money-making +opportunity, today.</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +PIONEER TAILORING CO.<br /> +Congress and Throop Sts., Dept. P-1184, Chicago +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Ruptured?</p> + +<p class="ad2">Be Comfortable—</p> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"> +<p>Trade Mark</p> + +<p>C. K. Brooks,<br /> +Inventor</p> +</div> + +<p>Three million of these comfortable +sanitary appliances sold. No obnoxious +springs or pads. Automatic +Air Cushion gently assists nature in +drawing together the broken parts. +Durable. Cheap. Sent on 10-day trial +to prove its worth. Beware of imitations. Every appliance +made to individual measurements and sent direct +from Marshall. Full information and Rupture booklet +sent free in plain, sealed envelope. Write for all the +facts today.</p> + +<p class="ad3">BROOKS APPLIANCE CO., 173-B State Street, Marshall, Mich.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/286c.png" width="140" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad1">CORRECT +Your NOSE!</p> + +<p>Thousands have used the Anita Nose Adjuster +to improve their appearance. Shapes flesh and +cartilage of the nose—safely, painlessly, while +you sleep. Results are lasting. Doctors approve +it. Money back guarantee. Gold Medal +winner. Write for 30-Day TRIAL OFFER and +FREE BOOKLET.</p> + +<p class="ad3">ANITA INSTITUTE, 242 Anita Building, Newark, N.J.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">WHAT EVERY<br /> +ELECTRICIAN<br /> +WANTS TO <i>KNOW</i>!</p> + +<p>Is easily found in AUDELS NEW ELECTRIC LIBRARY. Electricity +made simple as ABC. Up-to-date, trade dope for the expert +and ALL electrical workers.</p> + +<p>Questions, answers, diagrams, calculations, underwriter's +code; design, construction, operation and maintenance of +modern electrical machines and appliances FULLY COVERED.</p> + +<p>All available at small cost, easy terms. BOOK-A-MONTH +service puts this NEW information in your hands for 6¢ a day.</p> + +<p class="center">Write TODAY for Electrical Folder and FREE TRIAL offer.</p> + +<p class="center">Theo. Audel & Co. 65 W. 23rd St. New York, Dept. 20</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">Ever Get Nervous<br /> +When You're<br /> +Reading?</p> + +<div class="larger"> +<p>—<i>You might see a doctor</i>,</p> + +<p>—<i>But if you are a girl, and wise</i>,</p> + +<p>—<i>You'll try reading</i></p> + +<p class="ad2">MISS 1930</p> + +<p class="ralign"><i>instead</i></p> + +<p>—IT'S A TONIC</p> + +<p>—A Chance To See your picture in a magazine.</p> + +<p>—Real laughs.</p> + +<p>—Choosing a Career</p> + +<p>—The Fate of Your Name</p> + +<p>—Youthful Styles</p> + +<p>—And the Best Fiction in any</p> + +<p class="center">MAGAZINE FOR<br /> +THE MODERN GIRL</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad2"> +MISS 1930</p> + +<p class="center">80 Lafayette Street, New York City<br /> +<br /> +25¢. AT YOUR NEWSDEALER<br /> +<ins class="correction" title="Original was 'SUBSCSRIPTION'">SUBSCRIPTION</ins> $3.00 PER YEAR +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/287a.png" width="400" height="258" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="ad2">FOR THOUSANDS OF MEN</p> + +<p class="ad1">Tobacco Habit +Banished</p> + +<p class="ad3">Let Us Help You</p> + +<p>Stop craving tobacco in any form. Tobacco +Redeemer in most cases relieves +all craving for it in a few days' time. Don't +try to quit the tobacco habit unaided. It's +often a losing fight against heavy odds, and +may mean a distressing shock to the nervous +system. Let Tobacco Redeemer help the +habit to quit <i>you</i>. Tobacco users usually can +depend upon this help by simply using +Tobacco Redeemer according to simple directions. +It is pleasant to use, acts quickly, +and is thoroughly reliable.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Not a Substitute</p> + +<p>Tobacco Redeemer contains no habit-forming +drugs of any kind. It is in no sense a +substitute for tobacco. After finishing the +treatment, there should be no desire to use +tobacco again or to continue the use of the +remedy. In case the treatment is not perfectly +satisfactory, we will gladly refund +any money paid. It makes not a particle of +difference how long tobacco has been used, +or in what form—whether it is cigars, cigarettes, +pipe, plug, fine cut or snuff. In most +cases Tobacco Redeemer removes all craving +for tobacco in any form in a very few days. +And remember, it is offered with a positive +money-back guarantee. Write today for our free +booklet showing the injurious effect of tobacco +upon the human system and convincing evidence +that TOBACCO REDEEMER does quickly relieve +the craving for tobacco in most cases.</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +NEWELL PHARMACAL COMPANY<br /> +Dept. 793<br /> +Clayton Station<br /> +St. Louis, Mo. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">10 Inches Off<br /> +Waistline In<br /> +35 Days</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/287b.png" width="141" height="350" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<blockquote><p>"I reduced from 48 inches to 38 +inches in 35 days," says R. E. +Johnson, of Akron, O., "just by +wearing a Director Belt. Stomach +now firm, doesn't sag and I +feel fine."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Director Belt gets at the +<i>cause</i> of fat and quickly removes +it by its gentle, kneading, +massaging action on the abdomen, +which causes the fat to be +dissolved and absorbed. Thousands +have proved it and doctors +recommend it as the natural way +to reduce. Stop drugs, exercises +and dieting. Try this easy way.</p> + +<div class="couponleft width40"> +<p class="center">Landon & Warner, Dept. C-71, 332 S. LaSalle, Chicago</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: Without cost or obligation on my part +please send me details of your trial offer.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Address</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="ad2 nowrap">Sent on Trial</p> + +<p>Let us prove our claims. +We'll send a Director for trial. +If you don't get results you owe +nothing. You don't risk a penny. +Write for trial offer, doctors' endorsements +and letters from +users. Mail the coupon NOW!</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +LANDON & WARNER<br /> +332 S. La Salle St., Chicago, Ill. +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/287c.png" width="300" height="223" alt="WANTED—for murder!" title="" /> +<p class="adtop">$1,000 +Reward!</p> +</div> + +<p>In a dirty, forelorn shack by the river's edge they +found the mutilated body of Genevieve Martin. Her +pretty face was swollen and distorted. Marks on the +slender throat showed that she had been brutally choked +to death. Who had committed this ghastly crime?</p> + +<p>Crimes like this are being solved every day by Finger Print +Experts. We read in the papers of their exploits, hear of the +mysteries they solve, the rewards they win. Finger Print +Experts are the heroes of the hour.</p> + +<p class="ad3">More Trained Men Needed</p> + +<p>The demand for trained men by governments, states, +cities, detective agencies, corporations, and private +bureaus is becoming greater every day. Here is a real +opportunity for YOU. Can you imagine a more fascinating +line of work than this? Often life and death depend +on finger print evidence—and big rewards go to +the expert. Many experts earn regularly from $3,000 +to $10,000 per year.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Learn At Home in Spare Time</p> + +<p>Now, through this amazing new, simple course, you +can learn the secrets of this science easily and quickly +at home in your spare time. Any man with common +school education and average ability can become a Finger +Print Detective in surprisingly short time.</p> + +<p class="ad3">FREE—The Confidential Reports +No. 38 Made to His Chief!</p> + +<div class="couponright width50"> + +<p> +<b>INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCE,<br /> +Dept. 15-62 1920 Sunnyside Avenue, Chicago, Ill.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: Without any obligation whatever, send me your +new, fully illustrated FREE book on Finger Prints and the +free copy of the Confidential Reports of Operator No. 38 made +to His Chief.</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Name</i></span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft"><i>Address</i></span></li> + <li><span class="dotsmiddle"><i>Age</i></span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p>IF YOU ACT QUICK—We will send you free and with no +obligation whatsoever, a copy of the gripping, fascinating, +confidential report Secret Service Operator No. 38 made to +His Chief. Mail coupon NOW!</p> + +<p>Write quickly for fully illustrated free book on Finger Prints +which explains this wonderful training in detail. Don't wait. +You may never see this announcement again! You assume no +obligation. Mail coupon NOW—while this offer lasts!</p> + +<p class="ad2">Institute of Applied Science</p> +<p class="ad3"> +Dept. 15-62<br /> +1920 Sunnyside Avenue, Chicago +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="adtop">Muscles 5¢ apiece!</p> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="dcap">Wouldn't</span> it be great if we could buy muscles by the bag—take them home and paste them on our +shoulders? Then our rich friends with money to buy them, sure would be socking us all over the +lots. But they don't come that easy, fellows. If you want muscle you have to work for it. That's +the reason why the lazy fellow never can +hope to be strong. So if you're lazy and +don't want to work—you had better quit +right here. This talk was never meant for +you.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 279px"> +<img src="images/288.png" width="279" height="400" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">EARLE LIEDERMAN, The Muscle Builder + +Author of "Muscle Building," "Science of Wrestling and Jiu +Jitsu," "Secrets of Strength," "Here's Health," "Endurance," Etc.</p> +</div> + +<p class="ad3">I WANT LIVE ONES</p> + +<p>I've been making big men out of little ones +for over fifteen years. I've made pretty near +as many strong men as Heinz has made +pickles. My system never fails. That's +why I guarantee my works to do the trick. +That's why they gave me the name of "The +Muscle Builder."</p> + +<p>I have the surest bet that you ever heard +of. Eugen Sandow himself said that my +system is the shortest and surest that America +ever had to offer.</p> + +<p>Follow me closely now and I'll tell you a +few things I'm going to do for you.</p> + +<p class="ad3">HERE'S WHAT I GUARANTEE</p> + +<p>In just 30 days I'm going to increase your arm +one full inch. Yes, and add two inches to your +chest in the same length of time. But that's nothing. +I've only started; get this—I'm going to put +knobs of muscles on your shoulders like baseballs. +I'm going to deepen your chest so that you will +double your lung capacity. Each breath you take +will flood every crevice of your pulmonary cavity +with oxygen. This will load your blood with red +corpuscles, shooting life and vitality throughout +your entire system. I'm going to give you arms +and legs like pillars. I'm going to work on every +inner muscle as well, toning up your liver, your +heart, etc. You'll have a snap to your step and a +flash to your eye. You'll feel the real pep shooting +up and down your old backbone. You'll +stretch out your big brawny arms and crave for a +chance to crush everything before you. You'll +just bubble over with vim and animation.</p> + +<p>Sounds pretty good, what? You can bet your +old ukulele it's good. It's wonderful. And don't +forget, fellow—I'm not just promising all this—I +guarantee it. Well, let's get busy, I want action—So +do you.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Send for my +new 64-page +book</p> +<p class="ad1">"<i>Muscular Development</i>"</p> + +<p class="ad3">IT IS +FREE</p> + +<div class="couponleft width50"> +<p class="ad3"> +EARLE LIEDERMAN<br /> +Dept. 1702, 305 Broadway, New York City +</p> + +<p class="lalign">Dear Sir:—Please send me without any obligation +on my part whatever, a copy of your +latest book "Muscular Development." (Please +write or print plainly.)</p> + +<ul class="dots"> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Name</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">Age</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">Street</span></li> + <li><span class="dotsleft">City</span> <span class="dotsmiddle">State</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p style="clear:right">It contains forty-eight full-page photographs of myself and +some of the many prize-winning pupils I have trained. Some +of these came to me as pitiful weaklings, imploring me to +help them. Look them over now, and you will marvel at +their present physiques. This book will prove an impetus and +a real inspiration to you. It will thrill you through and +through. This will not obligate you at all, but for the sake +of your future health and happiness, do not put it off. Send +today—right now, before you turn this page.</p> + +<p class="ad3"> +EARLE LIEDERMAN<br /> +DEPT. 1702<br /> +305 BROADWAY, N.Y. CITY +</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad4">Please mention <span class="smcap">Newsstand Group—Men's List</span>, when answering advertisements</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">change to</p> +<p class="adtop">OLD GOLD</p> +<p class="ad1">in kindness to your</p> +<p class="adtop">THROAT</p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/289.png" width="292" height="350" alt="Old Gold Cigarettes" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="sidebarright widthauto"><p class="lalign">THE SMOKE SCREEN THAT<br /> +KEEPS OUT THROAT-SCRATCH</p></div> + +<p class="ad3">"COLD" WEATHER IS<br /> +OLD GOLD WEATHER</p> + +<p>In raw, damp, or cold weather, change +to OLD GOLD. Its naturally good tobaccos +are smooth and kind to your throat.</p> + +<p>Just clean, ripe tobacco, blended to +honey-smoothness. And a flavor that has +won more than 100,000 taste tests. No +artificial treatment ... just better tobacco, +that's all. And it has put OLD GOLD +among the leaders in THREE years! +Take a carton home. Do it today. For +this is the weather for mild OLD +GOLD.</p> + +<p class="ad3">Better tobaccos make them smoother and better ... with "not a cough in a carload"</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="ad1">WHEN CRITICAL SMOKERS<br /> +GET TOGETHER</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/290.png" width="384" height="500" alt="Camel" title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class="nowrap">Their experience</span> recognizes that +Camel is indeed "a better +cigarette":</p> + +<blockquote><p>Better in its quality of mellow, +fragrant tobacco.</p> + +<p>Better in the mildness and +satisfying taste of the Camel +blend.</p></blockquote> + +<p>When they learn the difference +they flock to Camels.</p> + +<p class="adtop">CAMEL</p> +<p class="ad2"><i>CIGARETTES</i></p> + +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Astounding Stories of Super-Science +February 1930, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ASTOUNDING STORIES--SUPER SCIENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 28617-h.htm or 28617-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/6/1/28617/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Katherine Ward and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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