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diff --git a/28617.txt b/28617.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a453e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/28617.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12903 @@ +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: ASCII + +*** 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 + + + + + + + + + + [Transcriber's Note: Initial ads moved below main text. + The Beetle Horde concludes a story begun in the Jan, 1930 edition. + Minor spelling and typographical errors corrected. + Variable Spelling and Hyphenations standardized. + Full list of changes at end of text. + Passages in italics indicated by underscore _italics_. + Passages in bold indicated by equals =bold=.] + + + + + ASTOUNDING STORIES OF SUPER-SCIENCE + + _On Sale the First Thursday of Each Month_ + + W. M. CLAYTON, Publisher + HARRY BATES, Editor + DOUGLAS M. DOLD, Consulting Editor + + +The Clayton Standard on a Magazine Guarantees: + +_That_ the stories therein are clean, interesting, vivid; by leading +writers of the day and purchased under conditions approved by the +Authors' League of America; + +_That_ such magazines are manufactured in Union shops by American +workmen; + +_That_ each newsdealer and agent is insured a fair profit; + +_That_ an intelligent censorship guards their advertising pages. + +_The other Clayton magazines are_: + +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, +_and_ FOREST AND STREAM + +_More Than Two Million Copies Required to Supply the Monthly Demand for +Clayton Magazines._ + + + VOL. I, No. 2 CONTENTS FEBRUARY, 1930 + + COVER DESIGN H. W. WESSOLOWSKI + _Painted in Water-colors from a Scene in "Spawn of the Stars."_ + + OLD CROMPTON'S SECRET HARL VINCENT 153 + _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._ + + SPAWN OF THE STARS CHARLES WILLARD DIFFIN 166 + _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._ + + THE CORPSE ON THE GRATING HUGH B. CAVE 187 + _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!_ + + CREATURES OF THE LIGHT SOPHIE WENZEL ELLIS 196 + _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._ + + INTO SPACE STERNER ST. PAUL 221 + _What Was the Extraordinary Connection Between Dr. Livermore's + Sudden Disappearance and the Coming of a New Satellite to the + Earth?_ + + THE BEETLE HORDE VICTOR ROUSSEAU 229 + _Bullets, Shrapnel, Shell--Nothing Can Stop the Trillions of + Famished, Man-sized Beetles Which, Led by a Madman, Sweep Down + Over the Human Race._ + + MAD MUSIC ANTHONY PELCHER 248 + _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?_ + + THE THIEF OF TIME CAPTAIN S. P. MEEK 259 + _The Teller Turned to the Stacked Pile of Bills. They Were Gone! + And No One Had Been Near!_ + + * * * * * + + Single Copies, 20 Cents (In Canada, 25 Cents) + Yearly Subscription, $2.00 + +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. + + * * * * * + + + + +Old Crompton's Secret + +_By Harl Vincent_ + + + 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. + +[Illustration: _Tom tripped on a wire and fell, with his ferocious +adversary on top._] + + +Two 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. + +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. + +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 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. + +It was no wonder Old Crompton was looked at askance by the simple-living +and deeply religious natives of the small Pennsylvania town. + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +So the building was completed and Tom Forsythe moved in, bag and +baggage. + +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. + + * * * * * + +It 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. + +Seeing that he was discovered, the old man wrinkled his face into a +toothless grin of conciliation. + +"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?" + +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. + +"Why--I guess so, Crompton," he hesitated: "I have nothing against you, +but I came here for seclusion and I'll not have anyone bothering me in +my work." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"You mean that you cut them up--kill them, perhaps?" + +"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." + +"Don't they suffer?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Old Crompton regarded him dubiously. "You are trying to find?" he +interrogated. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Then 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. + +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 the sight 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. + +"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." + +"It's all right, Forsythe," smirked the old man. "Glad I was able to do +it." + +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. + + * * * * * + +A few 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. + +"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. + +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. + +"What is it?" he asked, as he drew the bolt and emerged into the +brilliant light of the moon. + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"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." + +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 adjacent 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. + +"Keep an eye on Mr. Rabbit now," admonished Tom. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Tom Forsythe 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." + +"But--but, Tom," stammered the old man, "this is wonderful. How do you +accomplish it?" + +"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." + +He took from a large glass jar the body of a guinea pig, a body that was +rigid in death. + +"This guinea pig," he explained, "was suffocated twenty-four hours ago +and is stone dead." + +"Suffocated?" + +"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." + +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. + + * * * * * + +Tom 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. + +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. + +"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!" + +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. + +"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?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"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." + +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. + +"Hold him, Crompton," directed Tom as he pulled the starting lever of +his apparatus. + +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. + +"Why--why, Forsythe," stammered the hermit, "it's absolutely incredible. +Tell me--tell me--what is this remarkable force?" + + * * * * * + +His 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." + +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." + +He sat on the edge of the gleaming table and made as if to lie down on +its gleaming surface. But his young host only stared at him in open +amusement. + +"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." + +"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 forefinger in Tom's face. + +"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!" + +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. + +"My God! I've killed him!" gasped the old man. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Hours 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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +There 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. + +"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. + +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 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. + +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! + + * * * * * + +Had 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. + +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. + +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. + +"What can I do for you, sir?" he asked, removing his feet from the +battered desk top. + +"You may be able to help me a great deal, Judge," was the unexpected +reply. "I came to Laketon to give myself up." + +"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. + + * * * * * + +"I wish 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." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"A murder in Laketon? Twelve years ago?" Again the aged attorney shook +his head. "But--proceed." + +"Yes. I killed Thomas Forsythe." + +The stranger looked for an expression of horror in the features of his +listener, but there was none. Instead 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. + +"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?" + +"Yes. He disappeared all right. But continue." + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +The visitor's voice had risen to the point of hysteria. But his listener +remained calm and unmoved. + +"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?" + +"Yes! Yes! And the sooner the better. I can stand it no longer. I am the +most miserable man in the world!" + +"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--" + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +There 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. + +"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?" + +"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!" + +"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 right, Alton. We'll pick you up at your office in five minutes." + +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." + +"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. + + * * * * * + +Seated 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. + +"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. + +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. + +"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!" + + * * * * * + +He stretched forth trembling fingers to touch the body of the young man +to assure himself that it was not all a dream. + +"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?" + +"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!" + +Tom Forsythe advanced on this remarkable visitor with clenched fists. +Staring him in the eyes with cold appraisal, his wrath was all too +apparent. 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! + +"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." + +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." + + * * * * * + +Somewhat mollified, Tom Forsythe shrugged his assent. + +"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?" + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"You are right, Asa." And, his aristocratic pride forgotten, Alton +Forsythe rushed to the side of his son and embraced him. + +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." + +"Better? Better?" croaked Old Crompton. "It is wonderful, Judge. I have +never been so happy in my life!" + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"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 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 successful 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!" + + * * * * * + +He 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?" + +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. + +"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?" + +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. + + * * * * * + + _COMING, NEXT MONTH_ + BRIGANDS OF THE MOON + By RAY CUMMINGS + + * * * * * + + + + +Spawn of the Stars + +_By Charles Willard Diffin_ + + + 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. + +[Illustration: _The sky was alive with winged shapes, and high in the +air shone the glittering menace, trailing five plumes of gas._] + + +When 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. + +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. + +They were roaring through the starlit, calm night, three thousand feet +above a sage sprinkled desert, when the trip ended. Slim Riley had 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?" + +[Illustration] + +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. + +"Let off a flare," he ordered, "when I give the word." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"'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. + +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.... + +"I saw something moving," said Thurston slowly. "On the ground I saw.... +Oh, good Lord, Slim, it isn't real!" + +Slim Riley made no reply. His eyes were riveted 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. + +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. + +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.... + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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.... + +And with its going came a rushing roar of sound. + +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. + +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. + +"It--it...." Thurston gasped--and slumped helpless upon the floor. + + * * * * * + +It 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! + +"'Twas the blast from the thing," guessed the pilot; "though never did +I see an engine with an exhaust like that." He was pounding himself with +his arms to force up the chilled circulation. + +"But the beast--the--the _thing_!" exclaimed Thurston. "It's monstrous; +indecent! It thought--no question of that--but no body! Horrible! Just a +raw, naked, thinking protoplasm!" + +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. + +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.... + +"The damned thing," said Riley, and paused vainly for adequate words. +"The damned thing was eating.... Like a jelly-fish, it was!" + +"Exactly," Thurston agreed. He pointed about. There were other heaps +scattered among the low sage. + +"Smothered," guessed Thurston, "with that frozen exhaust. Then the +filthy thing landed and came out to eat." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +They 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. + +"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 +_not_ there, it was _never_ there--not _that_...." He was lost in +unpleasant recollections. "There are other records of hallucinations." + +"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. + +"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. + +"Pilot Killed by Mysterious Airship. Silvery Bubble Hangs Over New York. +Downs Army Plane in Burst of Flame. Vanishes at Terrific Speed." + +"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." + +"Where to?" Slim inquired. + +"Headquarters," Thurston told him. "Washington--let's go!" + + * * * * * + +From 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." + +"What you have told me is incredible," 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." + +"It's true," said Thurston, simply. "It's damnable, but it's true. Now +what does it mean?" + +"Heaven knows," was the response. "That's where it came from--out of the +heavens." + +"Not what we saw," Slim Riley broke in. "That thing came straight out of +Hell." And in his voice was no suggestion of levity. + +"You left Los Angeles early yesterday; have you seen the papers?" + +Thurston shook his head. + +"They are back," said the Secretary. "Reported over London--Paris--the +West Coast. Even China has seen them. Shanghai cabled an hour ago." + +"Them? How many are there?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Thurston 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...." + +"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." + +"And cold," stated Thurston. + +"Hot as a Bunsen burner," the General contradicted. "Davis' plane almost +melted." + +"Before it ignited," said the other. He told of the cold in their plane. + +"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!" + +"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?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"No," 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. + +"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." + +"Your order was anticipated, sir." The General permitted himself a +slight smile. "The air force is ready." + +"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." + +"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.... + +"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 _thing_ conceive?" + +"If I got the sights of a Lewis gun on it," said Riley vindictively, +"I'd make it think." + +"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 would be +quite impossible to find a vital spot in that big homogeneous mass." + +The pilot dispensed with theories: his was a more literal mind. "Where +on earth did they come from, do you suppose, Mr. Thurston?" + + * * * * * + +They 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. + +"Nowhere on earth," Thurston stated softly, "nowhere on earth." + +"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. + +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.... + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +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?" + +The question was unanswered, unless the quick ringing of the phone was a +reply. + +"War Department," said a voice. "Hold the wire." The voice of the +Secretary of War came on immediately. + +"Thurston?" he asked. "Come over at once on the jump, old man. Hell's +popping." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +"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 Vancouver and little damage done--" A message was laid before +him. + +"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. + +"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. + +"Where have they come from? What does it mean--what is their mission? +Only God knows. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +He waited for no comment. "General," he ordered, "will you kindly +arrange for a plane? Take an escort or not as you think best. + +"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. + +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, propellers 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. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +The 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! + +"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!" + +Over the city a cluster of meteors 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. + +The cloud billowed slowly. It struck the hills of the city, then lifted +and vanished. + +"Land at once," requested the Secretary. A flash of silver countermanded +the order. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Then: "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. + +"He's watching us," said Riley, "giving us the once over, the slimy +devil. Ain't there a gun on this ship?" + +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!" + +The big bulb shot upward. It slanted above them, and hovered there. + +"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." + +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. + +"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. + + * * * * * + +They 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. + +And then--then the city was gone.... + +A white cloud-bank billowed and mushroomed. Slowly, it seemed to the +watcher--so slowly. + +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. + +"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. + +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. + +"Bully boy," he said dazedly, "he's cutting the motors...." The thought +ended in blackness. + +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. + + * * * * * + +He 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.... + +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. + +"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. + +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. + +Thurston never remembered that landing. He was trying to drag Riley from +the battered plane when the first man got to him. + +"Secretary of War?" he gasped. "In there.... Take Riley; I can walk." + +"We'll get them," an officer assured him. "Knew you were coming. They +sure gave you hell! But look at the city!" + +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. + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"Well, I wanted to see them up close," he said. "They say you saved us, +old man." + +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. + +"Fast little devils!" the ambulance man observed. "Here come the big +boys." + +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. + +"That's the Navy," was the explanation. The surgeon straightened the +Secretary's arm. "See them come off the big airplane carriers!" + +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. + + * * * * * + +Above 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. + +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. + +"Look!" said Thurston. "They got one!" + +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. + +The following blast swept the airdrome. Planes yet on the ground went +like dry autumn leaves. The hangars were flattened. + +Thurston cowered in awe. They were sheltered, he saw, by a slope of the +ground. No ridicule now for the bombs! + +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. + +MacGregor had roused from his stupor; he raised to a sitting position. + +"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!" + +"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. + +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." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + +And again came the thunder. The men on the ground forced their gaze to +the clouds, though they knew some fresh horror awaited. + +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 area swept in silence +to the earth, whose impact alone could give kindly concealment to their +flame-stricken burden. + +Thurston's last control snapped. He flung himself flat to bury his face +in the sheltering earth. + + * * * * * + +Only 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. + +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. + +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. + +"Sit down," said MacGregor quietly; "we must think...." + +"Think!" Thurston's voice had an hysterical note. "I can't think! I +mustn't think! I'll go raving crazy...." + +"Yes, think," said the scientist. "Had it occurred to you that that is +our only weapon left? + +"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." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +The door burst open to admit a wild-eyed figure that snatched up their +candles and dashed them to the floor. + +"Lights out!" he screamed at them. "There's one of 'em coming back." He +was gone from the room. + +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. + +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. + +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! + +Gone was the swift certainty of control. 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. + + * * * * * + +Thurston 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. + +"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. + +"Wait," MacGregor commanded. "Would you hunt elephants with a pop-gun? +Or these things?" + +"Yes," the other told him, "or my bare hands! Are you coming, or aren't +you?" + +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." + +He turned again to the officer. "We need lights," he explained, "bright +lights. What is there? Magnesium? Lights of any kind?" + +"Wait." The man rushed off into the dark. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Thurston 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. + +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. + +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. + +MacGregor was persisting in his theory. "Keep the lights on it!" he +shouted. "It can't stand the light." + +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. + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"Come back!" shouted MacGregor. "Come back! Have you gone mad?" He was +jerking at the door of the car. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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.... + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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.... + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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." + +"Thank Heaven," said MacGregor with emphasis, "it was your legs that +were paralyzed, Riley, not your brain." + +Thurston found his voice. "Let me have that Very pistol. If light hurts +that damn thing, I am going to put a blaze of magnesium into the middle +of it if I die for it." + +"They're all gone," said Riley. + +"Then let's get out of here. I've had enough. We can come back later +on." + +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.... + + * * * * * + +The phosphorescence grew brighter. The thing was approaching. Thurston +let in his clutch, but the scientist checked him. + +"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. + +"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!" + +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.... + +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. + +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. + +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 halfway to the high bank when the first bright +shaft of direct sunlight shot through. + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +The sun struck hot, and before the eyes of the watching, speechless men +was a sickening, horrible sight--a festering mass of corruption. + +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. + +The tide was coming in when they returned. Gone was the vile +putrescence. The waves were lapping at the base of the gleaming machine. + +"We'll have to work fast," said MacGregor. "I must know, I must learn." +He drew himself up and into the shattered shell. + +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 himself upon it, Thurston was +beside him. They went down into the dim bowels of the deadly instrument. + +"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!" + + * * * * * + +Close 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. + +"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!" + +"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." + +"It's the agent," said MacGregor, "the activator--the catalyst! What +does it strike upon? I must know--I must!" + +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 propellers. 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. + +"Here they are," he said. "Look! Here are the shells. Here's what blew +us up!" + + * * * * * + +He pointed to the slim shafts with their little propellerlike 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." + +There were others without the propellers; they had fins to hold them +nose downward. On each nose was a small rounded cap. + +"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. + +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. + +"Lots to learn," Thurston answered grimly. "We've yet to learn how to +fight off the other four." + +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." + +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. + +"Dare we do it?" he asked. "Slide one of them out?" + +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.... + +"The boys in the planes risked it," 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." + +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. + + * * * * * + +There 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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +An orderly rushed Thurston to the telephone. "You are wanted at once; +Los Angeles calling." + +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." + +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. + +"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." + +"In less than two hours," Thurston assured him. + + * * * * * + +A plane was at his disposal. Riley's legs were functioning again, after +a fashion. They kept the appointment with minutes to spare. + +"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. + +"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 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: + +"How long was it from the time when you saw the first monster until we +heard from them again?" + + * * * * * + +Thurston forced his mind back to those days that seemed so far in the +past. He tried to remember. + +"Four days," broke in Riley. "It was the fourth day after we found the +devil feeding." + +"Feeding!" interrupted the scientist. "That's the point I am making. +Four days. Remember that! + +"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. + +"And--mark this--that was four days before they appeared over Berlin. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + + * * * * * + +"Our 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. + +"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. + +"Then the light strikes it. These dense solids become instantly a +gas--miles of it held in that small space. + +"There you have it: the gas, the explosion, the entire absence of +heat--which is to say, its terrific cold--when it expands." + +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?" + +"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...." + + * * * * * + +The car had stopped beside a grove of eucalyptus. A barren, sun-baked +hillside stretched beyond. MacGregor motioned them to alight. + +Riley was afire with optimism. "And do you believe it?" he asked +eagerly. "Do you believe that we've got 'em licked?" + +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. + +"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...." + +He was not looking at them. His gaze was far off in space. + +"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...." + +He straightened his shoulders. "But we can die fighting," he added, and +pointed over the hill. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + +"Why, sure," said Cyrus Thurston. + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +Slim Riley shoved him firmly aside to stand facing MacGregor. + +"Sure, hell!" he said. "I'm your man, Mr. MacGregor. + +"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. + +"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!" + +He grinned happily at Thurston. "Besides," he said, "what do you know +about dog-fights?" + +MacGregor gripped him by the hand. "You win," he said. "Report to +Washington. The Secretary of War has all the dope." + + * * * * * + +He 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 +their feeding, and you can count on four days. Keep Riley +informed--that's your job. + +"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. + +"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!" + +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. + +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. + +"Exit, MacGregor!" said Cyrus Thurston softly. He held tight to the +struggling figure of Slim Riley. + +"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." + +Slowly the gas retreated, lifted to permit their passage down the slope. + + * * * * * + +MacGregor was a good prophet. Thurston admitted that when, four days +later, he stood on the roof of the Equitable Building in lower New York. + +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. + +In Washington was Riley. Thurston had been in touch with him frequently. + +"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. + +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. + +There were other cities waiting for destruction. If not this +time--later! The horror hung over them all. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"Send your planes," he begged. "Here's where we will get it next. Send +Riley. Let's make a last stand--win or lose." + +"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. + +"Good-by Cy, old man!" The click of the receiver sounded in Thurston's +ear. He returned to the roof for his vigil. + +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!" + +There were airplanes roaring overhead. It meant.... Thurston abruptly +was cold; a chill gripped at his heart. + +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.... + +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!" + +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. + +The planes gathered in climbing circles. Far on the horizon were four +tiny glinting specks.... + + * * * * * + +Thurston 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.... + +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.... + +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. + +The bulbs came slantingly down. They were separating. Thurston wondered +vaguely. + +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.... + + * * * * * + +Thurston 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. + +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. + +More clouds, and another blast thundering at the city. There were +specks, Thurston saw, falling into the water. + +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. + +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. + +"Now!" said Cyrus Thurston aloud. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +"Go back, you fool!"--he was screaming at the top of his +voice--"Back--back--you poor, damned, decent Irishman!" + +Tears were streaming down his face. "His buddies," Riley had said. And +this was Riley, driving swiftly in, alone, to avenge them.... + +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. + +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!" + +Thurston's mind was solely on the fate of the lone voyager--until the +impossible was borne in upon him. + +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. + +"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 +plane, 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.... + + * * * * * + +The 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! + +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. + +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. + +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.... + +"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...." + +His mind was fumbling with the miracle of it. "Clever pilot, Riley, in a +dog-fight...." And then he realized. + +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.... + +He sobbed weakly, brokenly. Through his dazed brain flashed a sudden, +mind-saving thought. He laughed foolishly through his sobs. + +"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. + + * * * * * + + + + +The Corpse on the Grating + +_By Hugh B. Cave_ + + + 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! + +[Illustration: _It was a corpse, standing before me like some propped-up +thing from the grave._] + + +It 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! + +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 +sympathize with radicals. + +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. + +"I've summoned you, gentlemen," he said quietly, "because you two, of +all London, are the only persons who know the nature of my recent +experiments. I should like to acquaint you with the results!" + +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. + +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. + +I turned to the Professor with a quiet stare of bewilderment. He smiled. + +"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!" + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"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! + +"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. + +"I say 'if a man be not truly dead.' But what if that man _is_ 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. + +"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--" + +Daimler leaned over the table and took up a cigarette. Lighting it, he +dropped the match and resumed his monologue. + +"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." + +The Professor stared at us quietly, waiting for comment. I answered him, +as carelessly as I could, with a shrug of my shoulders. + +"Professor, have you ever played with the dead body of a frog?" I said +softly. + + * * * * * + +He shook his head silently. + +"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 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." + +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. + +"You are cynical, Dale," said M. S. coldly, "because you do not +understand!" + +"Understand? I am a doctor--not a ghost!" + +But M. S. had turned eagerly to the Professor. + +"Where is this body--this experiment?" he demanded. + +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! + +"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 _still_ my belief!" + + * * * * * + +That 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. + +"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...." + +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. + + * * * * * + +We 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. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +This much I saw as my intent gaze 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! + + * * * * * + +He 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--_dead_. + +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. + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +I remember 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. + +"What, in God's name," I cried, "could have brought such horror to a +strong man? What--" + +"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." + +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. + +"Dale," he said at length, turning slowly to face me, "you ask for an +explanation of this horror? There _is_ 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!" + +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. + +"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--_alive_!" + + * * * * * + +M. S. turned slowly and pointed with upraised hand to the corpse on the +grating. + +"That is why," he said simply, "this fellow died from horror." + +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. + +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. + +"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!" + +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. + +"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--_and remain in that room +until dawn_!" + + * * * * * + +There 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. + +"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!" + +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. + +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. + +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.... + + * * * * * + +It 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: + + WAREHOUSE RULES + + 1. No light shall be permitted in any room or corridor, as a + prevention against fire. + + 2. No person shall be admitted to rooms or corridors unless + accompanied by an employee. + + 3. 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. + + 4. Rooms are located by their numbers: the first figure in the + room number indicating its floor location. + +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. + +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.... + + * * * * * + +Escape! The mockery of it caused me to stop suddenly in my ascent and +stand rigid, my whole body trembling violently. + +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 _unknown_ danger would send me cringing back +to the man who was waiting so bitterly for me to return. + +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. + + * * * * * + +So, 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. + +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. + +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 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! + + * * * * * + +The light of the match died, plunging me into a pit of gloom. 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! + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +It 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! + +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. + +But the grin was not long in duration. A six-hour siege awaited me +before I could hear the sound of human 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! + + * * * * * + +I turned 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. + +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! + +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--" + +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. + +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. + +"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!" + + * * * * * + +This 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--_the slow tread of dragging +footsteps, approaching along the black corridor without_! + +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.... + +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. + +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. + +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 than a room of grotesque shadows and silence. Even a +printed page is better than grim reality! + + * * * * * + +And 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. + +"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--" + +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. + + * * * * * + +It 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +I felt strong hands lifting me up. A dash of cool air, and then the +refreshing patter of falling rain. + + * * * * * + +It 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. + +"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?" + +"That he can bring a dead man to life?" I smiled, a bit doubtfully. + +"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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + + + + +Creatures of the Light + +_By Sophie Wenzel Ellis_ + + + 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. + +[Illustration] + + +In 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. + +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 at the deformed, almost hideous +man. + +[Illustration: _The projector, belching forth its stinking breath of +corruption, swung in a mad arc over the ceiling, over the walls._] + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Northwood 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. + +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. + +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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Wait!" he shouted as the hunchback stepped into the waiting taxi. + +But the man did not falter. In a moment, Northwood lost sight of him as +the taxi moved away. + + * * * * * + +He debated with himself whether or not he should attempt to follow. And +while he stood thus in indecision, the handsome stranger approached him. + +"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. + +"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 cafe. 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. + +"I want what you picked up," went on the stranger. + +"It isn't yours!" Northwood flashed back. Ah! that effluvium of hatred +which seemed to weave a tangible net around him! + +"Nor is it yours. Give it to me!" + +"You're insolent, aren't you?" + +"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." + +"But you can't intimidate me." + +"No?" For a long moment, the cold blue eyes held his contemptuously. +"No? I can't frighten you--you worm of the Black Age?" + +Before Northwood's horrified sight, he vanished; vanished as though he +had turned suddenly to air and floated away. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +Suddenly, close to Northwood's ear, grated a derisive laugh. "I can't +frighten you?" From nowhere came that singularly young-old voice. + +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. + +"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." + +The words fell from empty air. + +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. + +But when he looked at his handkerchief, he muttered: + +"Well, I'll be jiggered!" + +The handkerchief bore not the slightest trace of blood. + + * * * * * + +Under 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. + +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. + +Northwood turned his head abruptly and groaned, "Good Heavens!" + +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. + +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 fiancee looked. + +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." + +"Some lucky fellow is headed for a life of bliss," was his jealous +thought. + +He frowned at the beautiful face. What was this girl to that hideous +hunchback? Why did the handsome stranger warn him, "_The thing inside +never will be yours_?" + +Again he turned eagerly to the wallet. + +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. + + Emil Mundson, Ph. D., + 44-1/2 Indian Court + +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. + +Now Northwood knew why the hunchback's intelligent, ugly face was +familiar 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. + + * * * * * + +Even 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: + +"Did you read this, John, this article by Emil Mundson?" His shaking, +gnarled old fingers tapped the open magazine. + +Northwood seized the magazine and looked avidly at the title of the +article, "Creatures of the Light." + +"No, I haven't read it," he admitted. "My magazine hasn't come yet." + +"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. + +Northwood read: + + 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. + + It is this yearning for perfection which sets man apart from all + other life, which made him _man_ 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. + +Professor Michael, looking over Northwood's shoulder, interrupted the +reading: + +"_Man always has been man_," 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." + +Northwood continued: + + 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. + +Northwood looked questioningly at the professor. "Queer, fantastic +thing, isn't it?" + + * * * * * + +Professor Michael 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 and live forever." He punctuated the last words with blows +on the table. + +Northwood laughed dryly. "How many thousands of years are you looking +forward, Professor?" + +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." + +"But what sane man can believe that even perfectly developed beings, +through mental control, could overcome Nature's fixed laws?" + +"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." + +"But Dr. Mundson is an electrical wizard. He would not be delving +seriously into the mysteries of evolution, would he?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Northwood 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. + +"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." + +Northwood blushed hotly. "You'll have to arrange a meeting between us." + +"I have." The professor's thin, dry lips pursed comically. "He'll drop +in to see you within a few days." + +And now John Northwood sat holding Dr. Mundson's card and the wallet +which the scientist had so mysteriously dropped at his feet. + + * * * * * + +Here 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. + +"It's a challenge," he said softly. "It won't hurt to see what it's all +about." + +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. + +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. + +Indian Court was little more than an alley, dark and evil smelling. + +The chauffeur stopped at the entrance and said: + +"If I drive in, I'll have to back out, sir. Number forty-four and a half +is the end house, facing the entrance." + +"You've been here before?" asked Northwood. + +"Last week I drove the queerest bird here--a fellow as good-looking as +you, who had me follow the taxi occupied 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." + +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. + +Dr. Mundson faced him. + +"I knew you'd come!" he said with a slight Teutonic accent. "Often I'm +not wrong in sizing up my man. Come in." + +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." + +He offered the wallet, but the hunchback waved it aside. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Northwood 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. + +Dr. Mundson's intense eyes swept over Northwood's tall, slim body. + +"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." + +"Why?" + +"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." + +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." + +A warm flush crept over the young man's face. + +"I can easily understand," he said, "how a man could love her, but for +me she comes too late." + +"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." + +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: "_The thing inside never will be yours._" + +"Where to," he said eagerly; "and when do we start?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Northwood followed Dr. Mundson to the street and walked with him a few +blocks to a garage where the scientist's motor car waited. + +"The apartment in Indian Court is 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." + +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. + +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. + +"It looks almost like a little world ready to fly off into space," he +commented. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Northwood 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. + +Dr. Mundson also paused at the door, puzzled, hesitant. + +"Someone has been here!" he exclaimed. "Look, Northwood! The bunk has +been occupied--the one in this cabin I had set aside for you." + +He pointed to the disarranged bunk, where the impression of a head could +still be seen on a pillow. + +"A tramp, perhaps." + +"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." + +Northwood shivered. "Maybe someone is concealed about the ship." + +"Impossible. Me, I thought so, too. But I looked and looked, and there +was nothing." + +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. + +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. + +"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?" + +"I shouldn't be surprised. An electrical genius would seek for a less +obsolete source of power." + + * * * * * + +In 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." + +"Are you telling me that this airship is operated with power from the +sun?" + +"Yes. And I cannot take the credit for its invention." He sighed. "The +dream was mine, but a greater brain developed it--a brain that may be +greater than I suspect." His face grew suddenly graver. + +A little later Northwood said: "It seems that we must be making fabulous +speed." + +"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." + +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. + +"That can't be a lighthouse!" he cried. + +The scientist glanced out. "It is. We're approaching the Florida Keys." + +"Impossible! We've been traveling less than an hour." + +"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?" + +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. + +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 sun-ship, Northwood, going into the cabin for fur coats, +discovered why his mind and body shrank in horror from the cabin. + + * * * * * + +After 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. + +"Cad!" he ground out between his teeth. "Forgetting her so soon!" + +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. + +Athalia's picture was gone. + +He searched for it everywhere in the room, in his own pockets, under the +furniture. It was nowhere to be found. + +In sudden, overpowering horror, he seized the fur coats and returned to +the control room. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Mundson was changing the speed. + +"Look out the window!" he called to Northwood. + +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 focused it +below. A typical polar scene met his eyes: penguins strutted about on +cakes of ice, a whale blowing in the icy water. + +"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 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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"What's that?" exclaimed the scientist suddenly. + +Out of the white silence shrilled a low whistle, a familiar whistle. +Both men wheeled toward the sun-ship. + +Before their horrified eyes, the great sphere jerked and glided up, and +swerved into the heavens. + + * * * * * + +Up 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. + +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. + +"Stranded in the coldest spot on earth!" groaned the scientist. + +"Why did it start itself, Dr. Mundson!" Northwood narrowed his eyes as +he spoke. + +"It didn't!" The scientist's huge face, red from cold, quivered with +helpless rage. "Human hands started it." + +"What! Whose hands?" + +"_Ach!_ 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. +_Ach, Gott!_ Don't let me think!" + +His great head sank between his shoulders, giving him, in his fur suit, +the grotesque appearance of a friendly brown bear. + +"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?" + +"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." + +"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? + +"Then, what? Speak up!" + + * * * * * + +Northwood laughed nervously. "It sounds foolish, but I saw him vanish +like that." He snapped his fingers. + +"_Ach, Gott!_" All the ruddy color drained from the scientist's face. As +though talking to himself, he continued: + +"Then it is true, as he said. He has crossed the bridge. He has reached +the Light. And now he comes to see the world he will conquer--came +unseen when I refused my permission." + +He was silent for a long time, pondering. Then he turned passionately to +Northwood. + +"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. + +"What do you mean, Dr. Mundson: that this Adam has arrived at a point in +evolution beyond this age?" + +"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." + +"Are there more like him?" Northwood struggled with a smile of unbelief. + +"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." + +Northwood looked at the scientist closely. The man was surely mad--mad +in this desert of white death. + +"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?" + +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. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Mundson 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. + +"Look!" he shouted. "The sun-ship!" + +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. + +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. + +"Adam!" shouted Dr. Mundson. "What does this mean? How dare you!" + +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!" + +Northwood shuddered. He had heard those strange words addressed to +himself scarcely more than twelve hours ago. + +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. + +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. + +"Just what is your game?" demanded Northwood. + +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. + +"Adam!" Dr. Mundson's face was dark with anger. "What of Eve?" + +"Who are you to question my actions? 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." + +He vanished. + + * * * * * + +Before the startled men could recover from the shock of it, the vibrant, +too-new voice went on: + +"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!" + +Unseen hands cuffed and pushed them into the sun-ship. + +Inside, Dr. Mundson stumbled to the control room, white and drawn of +face, his great brain seemingly paralyzed by the catastrophe. + +"You needn't attempt tricks," went on the voice. "I am watching you +both. You cannot even hide your thoughts from me." + +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. + +Once the scientist whispered: "Don't cross him; it is useless. John +Northwood, you'll have to fight a demigod for your woman!" + +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 _aurora australis_. + +"Behind those mountains," he said, "is our destination." + + * * * * * + +Almost 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. + +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. + +"Do I guess right," said Northwood, "that the light is responsible for +this oasis in the ice?" + +"Yes," said Dr. Mundson. "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." + +"But could stored sunshine alone give enough warmth for the luxuriant +growth of those jungles?" + +"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." + +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 Eden, where supermen are younger than babes and--" + +"Come, worms; let's land." + +It was Adam's voice. Suddenly he materialized, a blond god, whose eyes +and flesh were too new. + + * * * * * + +They 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. + +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. + +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. + +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." + +"Four fine specimens, two of them being your sister's twins." + +"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." + +He strode over the emerald grass on the heels of the woman. + +Northwood asked: "Why does he call that girl grandmother?" + +"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." + +"My God!" muttered Northwood. + +"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!" + + * * * * * + +Northwood 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 girlhood, her skin and eyes did not have the horrible newness of +Adam's. + +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. + +She went to Dr. Mundson and, placing her hands on his thick shoulders, +kissed him affectionately. + +"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." + +"And you pleaded with him to return for us?" + +"Yes." Her eyes drooped and a hot flush swept over her face. + +Dr. Mundson smiled. "But I'm back now, Athalia, and I've brought some +one whom I hope you will be glad to know." + +Reaching for her hand, he placed it simply in Northwood's. + +"This is John, Athalia. Isn't he handsomer than the pictures of him +which I televisioned to you? God bless both of you." + +He walked ahead and turned his back. + + * * * * * + +A magical 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. + +"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." + +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: + +"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." + +Athalia, her face suddenly tender, came closer to him. + +"John Northwood, I love you." + +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 iciness 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. + +"Fast work, Athalia!" The new vibrant voice was strained. "I was hoping +you would be disappointed in him, 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. + +Athalia flushed vividly and looked at him almost compassionately. "I am +not great enough for you, Adam. I dare not love you." + + * * * * * + +Adam 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. + +"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." + +He drew her hand to his bosom. + +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? + +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. + +"So! I cannot get you in the ancient manner. Now I'll use my own." + +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. + +There was a blinding flash of blue electric sparks--and nothing else. +Both Adam and Athalia had vanished. + + * * * * * + +Adam's 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." + +White-lipped and trembling, Northwood groaned: "What has he done now?" + +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." + +"But Athalia...." + +"She is safe; he loves her." + +"Loves her!" Northwood shivered. "I cannot believe that those freezing +eyes could ever look with love on a woman." + +"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." + +"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." + +"Well said! Now come to the laboratory for chemical nourishment and rest +under the Life Ray." + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +They 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. + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +Northwood leaped up joyously. His handsome eyes sparkled, his skin +glowed. "I feel great! Never felt so good since I was a kid." + +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." + + * * * * * + +He stretched out on the bed contentedly. "Some day, when my work is +nearly done, I shall permit the Life Ray to cure my hump." + +"Why not now?" + +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. + +A few minutes later, he jumped up, alert as a boy. "_Ach!_ That's fine. +Now I'll show you how the Life Ray speeds up development and produces +four generations of humans a year." + +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. + +Before Dr. Mundson opened the massive bronze door at the end of the +corridor, he said: + +"Don't be surprised or shocked over anything you see here, John +Northwood. This is the Baby Laboratory." + +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. + +"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!" + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"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." + +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 violent 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. + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"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." + +"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!" + +"Speak, Northwood!" The scientist's voice was impatient. + +"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." + +"_Ach Gott!_" 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." + +Close to Northwood's ear fell a faint, triumphant whisper: "Yes, he can +do anything. How did you guess, worm?" + +It was Adam's voice. + + * * * * * + +"Now come and see the Leyden jar mothers," said Dr. Mundson. "We do not +wait for the child to be born to start our work." + +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. + +"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." + +A wave of sudden disgust passed over Northwood. + +"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." + +"But wait until you see all the wonders of the laboratory! That is why I +am showing you all this." + +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." + +"Nonsense! Can you say that all life--all matter--is not the result of +scientific 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!" + +The woman whom they had met on the field came forward. + +"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?" + +"In five more minutes," said the woman. "Come see." + + * * * * * + +She 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. + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +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!" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +He led Northwood to a magnificent building whose facade 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." + +Dr. Mundson whispered to him: "If you do not believe that Ruth here is +getting her Euclid, which she probably never saw before to-day, examine +her from the book; that is, if you are a good enough Latin scholar." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Mundson 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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"No?" His dark eyes glowed. "Come see!" + +Before they entered another wing of the building, they heard a violin +being played masterfully. + +Dr. Mundson paused at the door. + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +Northwood gave the woman an appraising look. "Who wants a perfect woman? +I don't blame Adam for preferring Athalia. But how is she teaching her +pupil?" + +"Through thought vibration, which these perfect people have developed +until they can record permanently the radioactive waves of the brains of +others." + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Her 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. + +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. + +"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!" + +Northwood started and blushed furiously. Smile dimples broke around her +red, humid lips. + +"Ah, you're old-fashioned!" + +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 +delight that your Athalia never could offer in her few years of youth. +And I'll never grow old, John Northwood." + +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. + +"But I am pledged to Athalia!" tumbled from him. "It is all a dreadful +mistake, Eve. You and Adam were created for each other." + +"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?" + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"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!" + +Northwood gasped and turned his head. "Don't, Eve!" + +"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." + +Her hair had partly fallen from its ribbon bandage and poured its +fragrant gold against his shoulder. + +"For God's sake, don't tempt me!" he groaned. "What do you mean?" + +"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." + +White-lipped and trembling, he demanded: "Explain!" + +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." + +"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?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Her 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!" + +Northwood had seen Athalia vanish under Adam's kiss. Suddenly, in one +mad burst of understanding, he leaned over to his magnificent temptress. + +For a split second he felt the sweet pressure of baby-soft lips, and +then the atoms of his body seemed to fly asunder. Black chaos held him +for a frightful moment before he felt sanity return. + +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. + +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." + +They went back to the room beyond the terrace. Dr. Mundson was not +present. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +They 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. + +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. + +A look of fear leaped to Eve's face. She clutched Northwood's arm, +trembling. + +"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." + +She raised her humid lips to his. "Come, beloved." + +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. + +Adam stooped and lifted her gently and continued on his way, supporting +her against his side. + + * * * * * + +Eve dug her fingers into Northwood's arm. Horror contorted her face, +horror mixed with rage. + +"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." + +Striding forward like an avenging goddess, she pulled Northwood after +her. + +"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!" + +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? + + * * * * * + +They 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, 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. + +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. + +Faint with the reek of ancient mustiness, Northwood retreated to the +door, dizzy and staggering. + +"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 prey 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!" + +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." + +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. + + * * * * * + +Eve went to a machine standing in a corner of the room. + +"Come here and get behind me, John Northwood. I want to test it before +he enters." + +Northwood stood behind her shoulder. + +"Now watch!" she ordered. "I shall turn it on one of those cages of +guinea pigs over there." + +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. + +Eve cut off the frightful power, and the black cone disappeared, leaving +the room putrid with its defilement. + +"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. + +"Listen!" She raised her hand warningly. "He comes! The destroyer +comes!" + + * * * * * + +A hand was at the door. Eve reached for the lever, and, the same moment, +Northwood leaned over her imploringly. + +"If Athalia is with him!" he gasped. "You will not harm her?" + +A wild shriek at the door, a slight scuffle, and then the doorknob was +wrenched as though two were fighting over it. + +"For God's sake, Eve!" implored Northwood. "Wait! Wait!" + +"No! She shall die, too. You love her!" + +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!" + +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 laboratory and all it contained +would be but a shadow, and where he would be helpless to interfere with +her terrible will. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Northwood 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. + +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. + +Athalia lay on the floor, apparently untouched. + +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. + +"And you're not hurt!" He gathered her close. + +"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." + +Northwood looked over the pile of putrid ruins which a few minutes ago +had been a building. There was not a wall left intact. + +"His intention is accomplished, Athalia," he said sadly. "Let's get out +before more stones fall." + + * * * * * + +In 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. + +"How dark it is, John!" cried Athalia. "Dark and cold!" + +"The sunshine projector!" gasped Northwood. "It must have been +destroyed. Look, dearest! The golden light has disappeared." + +"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." + +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." + +Even a cursory examination of the mouldy piles of stone and dust +convinced them that there could be no survivors. 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 debris, staggering back and faint +and shocked when he came upon dust that was once human. + +"God!" he groaned, hands over eyes. "We're alone, Athalia! Alone in a +charnal house. The laboratory housed the entire population, didn't it?" + +"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." + +"Let's go to the sun-ship, dearest." + +"But Daddy Mundson was in the library," sobbed Athalia. "Let's look for +him a little longer." + + * * * * * + +Sudden 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." + +"Then he might be safe!" Her eyes danced. "He might have gone to the +sun-ship." + +Shivering, she slumped against him. "Oh, John! I'm cold." + +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. + +"Come, girl," said Northwood gravely. "Hurry! It's snowing." + +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 debris, 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? + +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. + +The sun-ship was gone. + + * * * * * + +It 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. + +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. + +"It won't be long," said Athalia faintly. "Freezing doesn't hurt, John, +dear." + +"It isn't fair, Athalia! There never would have been such a marriage as +ours. Dr. Mundson searched the world to bring us together." + +"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. + +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. + +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!" + +"Yes. Perfection is the only hopeless state, John. That is why Adam +wanted to destroy, so that he might build again." + +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. + +"That sounds almost like the sun-ship," said Athalia drowsily. + +"It's only the wind. Hold your face down so it won't strike your flesh +so cruelly." + +"I'm not suffering. I'm getting warm again." She smiled at him sleepily. + + * * * * * + +Little icicles began to form on their clothing, and the powdery snow +frosted their uncovered hair. + +Suddenly came a familiar voice: "_Ach Gott!_" + +Dr. Mundson stood before them, covered with snow until he looked like a +polar bear. + +"Get up!" he shouted. "Quick! To the sun-ship!" + +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. + +"You're not dead?" + +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. + +While they sipped greedily, he talked, between working the sun-ship's +controls. + +"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!" + +"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. + +"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. + +"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!" + +Dr. Mundson nodded his huge, shaggy head gravely. + +"The true instinct of a Creature of the Light," he declared. + + * * * * * + + _Remember_ + ASTOUNDING STORIES + _Appears on Newsstands_ + THE FIRST THURSDAY IN EACH MONTH + + * * * * * + + + + +Into Space + +_By Sterner St. Paul_ + + + What was the extraordinary connection between Dr. Livermore's + sudden disappearance and the coming of a new satellite to the + Earth? + +[Illustration: _A loud hum filled the air, and suddenly the projectile +rose, gaining speed rapidly._] + + +Many 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. + +The fact that the messages were on a lower wave length than any receiver +then in existence could receive with any degree of clarity, and the +additional fact that they appeared to come from an immense distance lent +a certain air of plausibility to these ebullitions 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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Livermore 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 everyone 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 go about 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. + +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. + +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 _Graphic_ 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. + + * * * * * + +The morning of the twenty-second the City Editor called me in and asked +me if I knew "Old Liverpills." + +"He says that he has a good story ready to break but he won't talk to +anyone but you," went on Barnes. "I offered 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 rewrite your drivel when you get back." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"So you're going up to Doc Livermore's, are you?" asked the Postmaster, +my informant. "Have you got an invitation?" + +I assured him that I had. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Naturally 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. + +"What kind of junk?" I asked him. + +"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." + +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. + +"My business is with Dr. Livermore," I said tartly. + +"You got letter?" he inquired. + +"No," I answered. + +"No ketchum letter, no ketchum Doctor," he replied, and walked stolidly +back to his post. + +"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. + +"No ketchum letter, no ketchum Doctor," said the Indian laconically as +he pumped another shell into his gun. + + * * * * * + +I was 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. + +"Is that a telephone to the house?" I demanded. + +The Indian grunted an assent. + +"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?" + +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. + +"This is Tom Faber, Doctor," I said. "The _Graphic_ 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." + +"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." + +The Indian took the telephone at my bidding and listened for a minute. + +"You go in," he agreed when he hung up the receiver. + +He took down the chain and I drove on up to the house, to find the +Doctor waiting for me on the veranda. + +"Hello, Tom," he greeted me heartily. "So you had trouble with my guard, +did you?" + +"I nearly got murdered," I said ruefully. + +"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 to-day. 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?" + +"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." + +The Doctor chuckled. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +I followed him into the house, and he showed me a room fitted with a +crude bunk, a washstand, a bowl and a pitcher. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"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." + +I reflected for a moment. The _Graphic_ 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. + +"All right," I assented, "I'll promise." + +"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?" + +"Why, not at all," I stammered. In point of fact, I had often harbored +such a suspicion. + +"Oh, that's all right," he went on cheerfully. "I _am_ 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." + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"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." + +I joined with him in his laughter. + +"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?" + +I nodded. + +"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." + +"But there the similarity between the two forces ends," I interrupted. + +"But there the similarity does _not_ 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." + +"I can prove the fallacy of that in a moment," I retorted. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"If 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." + +"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." + +"But in that case the magnetism of the electromagnet was so large that +the polarity of the small magnet was reversed!" I cried. + +"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." + +I nodded. His explanation was too logical for me to pick a flaw in it. + +"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?" + +"Perfectly," I assented. + +"That, then, paves the way for what I have to tell you. I have +developed 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." + + * * * * * + +I nodded calmly. + +"Do you realize what this means?" he cried. + +"No," I replied, puzzled by his great excitement. + +"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, _absolutely nothing_! 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." + +"Air resistance would--" + +"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 decelerate 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." + +"Have you constructed such a device?" I cried. + +"My space ship is finished and ready for your inspection," he replied. +"If you will come with me, I will show it to you." + + * * * * * + +Hardly 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 first 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. + +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. + +"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?" + + * * * * * + +I nodded an assent. + +"In that case there is no use in going over the details of the air +purifying 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?" + +"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?" + +"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. To-day 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. + +"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." + +A short calculation verified the figures the Doctor had given me, and I +stood convinced. + +"Are you really going?" I asked. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +A few minutes was enough for me to grasp the simple manipulations which +I would have to perform, and I followed him again to the space flier. + +"How are you going to get it out?" I asked. + +"Watch," he said. + +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. + +"When I shut the door, go back to the house and test the radio," he +directed. + +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. + +"I have passed beyond the range of the atmosphere, Tom," came his voice +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." + + * * * * * + +For 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. + +"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. + +"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!" + +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. + +The next morning Professor Montescue announced his discovery of the +world's new satellite. + + * * * * * + + _Coming_-- + MURDER MADNESS + _An Extraordinary Four-Part Novel_ + + _By_ MURRAY LEINSTER + + * * * * * + + + + +The Beetle Horde + +_By Victor Rousseau_ + + + Bullets, shrapnel, shell--nothing can stop the trillions of + famished, man-sized beetles which, led by a madman, sweep down + over the human race. + +[Illustration: _The hideous monsters leaped into the cockpits and began +their abominable meal._] + + +CONCLUSION + +Tommy Travers 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. + +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. + +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! + + +CHAPTER VII + +_Through the Inferno_ + +Fortunately, 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. + +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. + +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. + +"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!" + +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. + + * * * * * + +Bram 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. + +"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--'" + +"You go to hell!" yelled Dodd, nearly upsetting his shell as he shook +his fist at his enemy. + +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. + +It was the call to slaughter. + +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. + +Suddenly Tommy remembered Bram's cigarette-lighter. He pulled it from +his pocket and ignited it. + +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 broken into a confused buzzing +as the terrified, blinded beetles plopped into the stream. + +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. + +"Get clear!" Tommy yelled to Dodd, trying to help the shell along with +his hands. + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +"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!" + +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. + +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. + +Bram saw and yelled derision. The beetle-cloud was thickening. Tommy, +now abreast of his companions on the widening stream, saw the imminent +end. + + * * * * * + +And 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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Days 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. + +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. + +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, eight feet in length, that +had sprung at her from its lurking place behind a pear shrub. + + * * * * * + +Dodd 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. + + * * * * * + +Something 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. + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +"Tommy, we're going round!" shouted Dodd in front of him. + +There was no longer any doubt of it. The shells were revolving in a +vortex of rushing, foaming water. + +"Haidia!" they shouted. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Then 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. + +"What's the matter?" he heard Dodd demanding. + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +"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--" + +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 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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"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." + +"Come on," Haidia said in her quiet voice, stretching out her hand +through the darkness. And for very shame they had to follow her. + +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. + +Suddenly Haidia uttered a fearful cry. Her ears had caught what became +apparent to Dodd and Jimmy several seconds later. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +It 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. + +"What is it, Jim?" Tommy panted, as Dodd, leaving Haidia for a moment, +came back to him. + +"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." + +"But where are there volcanoes in the south polar regions?" inquired +Tommy. + +"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." + +"But we won't turn back," said Tommy. "I'm damned if we do." + +"We're damned if we don't," said Dodd. + +"Come along please!" sang Haidia's voice high up the slope. + +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! + +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. + +"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! + +They were almost at the earth's surface! + +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. + + +CHAPTER VIII + +_Recaptured_ + +"Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out. + +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. + +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. + +"Water!" gasped Dodd. + +They looked all about them. They could see no signs of a spring +anywhere, and both were parched with thirst after their terrific climb. + +"We must find water, Haidia," said Tommy. "Why, what's the matter?" + +Haidia was pointing upward at the starry heaven, and shivering with +fear. "Eyes!" she cried. "Big beetles waiting for us up there!" + +"No, no, Haidia," Dodd explained. "Those are stars. They are +worlds--places where people live." + +"Will you take me up there?" asked Haidia. + +"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." + +"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. + +"There we'd better hurry," said Tommy, "because I can't hold out much +longer." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + +But she was not chattering about the water. She was pointing toward the +scrub. "Men there!" she cried. "Men like you and Tommy, Jimmydodd." + +Tommy and Dodd looked at each other, the water already forgotten in +their excitement at Haidia's information, which neither of them doubted. + +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. + +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. + +"Where do you think we are?" asked Tommy. + + * * * * * + +Dodd 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." + +"Yes?" + +"We're somewhere in the interior regions of the Australian +continent--and that's not going to help us much." + +"Over there--over there," panted Haidia. "Hold me, Jimmydodd. I can't +see. Ah, this terrible light!" + +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. + +"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." + +But Haidia, her arm extended, persisted, "Over there! Over there!" + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +But 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. + +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. + +"Water!" said Tommy, pointing to his throat, and then to the pool, with +a frown of disgust. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Much to their surprise, Haidia seemed to enjoy it too. The three +squatted in the scrub among the friendly blacks, discussing their +situation. + +"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 laughed 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 to-day. And, speaking of that, we must get those blacks to carry +those shells for us. I tell you, nobody will believe--" + +"What's that?" cried Tommy sharply, as a rasping sound rose above the +cries of the frightened blacks. + +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. + +Fully seven feet in length, they were circling about each other, +apparently engaged in a vicious battle. + +The fearful beaks stabbed at the flesh beneath the shells, and they +alternately stabbed and drew back, all the while approaching the party, +which watched them, petrified with terror. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +"I don't 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." + +"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." + +"Righto!" answered Tommy with alacrity. "You bet I will, Jim." + +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. + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +They 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. + +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. + +"Moon," said Dodd. "That's all right, girl. She watches over the night, +as the sun does over the day." + +"Haidia likes the moon better than the sun," said the girl wistfully. +"But the moon not strong enough to keep away the beetles." + +"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." + +And, as he spoke, they heard a familiar rasping sound far in the +distance. + +"How the wind blows," said Tommy, desperately resolved not to believe +his ears. "I think a storm's coming up." + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Then 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. + +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. + +Then suddenly the cloud spread upward and covered the face of the moon. + +"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. + +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. + +"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!" + +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. + + * * * * * + +Circling 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. + +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! + +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. + +"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!" + + * * * * * + +He grinned more malevolently as he looked from one man to the other. + +"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." + +"Go ahead, go ahead, Bram," Dodd grinned back at him. "Just a few +million years ago, and you were a speck of protoplasm--in that +pre-pleistocene age--swimming among the invertebrate crustaceans that +characterized that epoch." + +"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. + +"Not even the marsupial lion, Bram," grinned Dodd, undismayed. "Go +ahead, go ahead, but I'll not die with a lie upon my lips!" + + +CHAPTER IX + +_The Trail of Death_ + +"There's sure some sort of hoodoo on these Antarctic expeditions, +Wilson," said the city editor of _The Daily Record_ 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!" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +He beckoned to the boy who was hurrying toward his desk, a flimsy in his +hand, glanced through it, and tossed it toward Wilson. + +"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!" + +"Why, to-morrow is the first of April!" exclaimed Wilson, tossing back +the cable dispatch with a contemptuous laugh. + +"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...." + +That was how _The Daily Record_ 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: + + 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. + +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." + + * * * * * + +It 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +On 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. + +That night the swarm was on the borders of New South Wales and Victoria, +and moving in two divisions toward Melbourne and Sydney. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Soon 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Not 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. + +The gunners stayed at their posts till the last moment, firing round +after round of shell and shrapnel, with insignificant results. Their +skeletons were found not twenty paces from their guns--where the +Gunners' Monument now stands. + +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 _Eustis_, +the _All Australia_, the _Sepphoris_, 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. + +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! + + * * * * * + +A hundred 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. + +They were digging in! + +Twenty-four miles from Sydney, eighteen outside Melbourne, the advance +was stayed. + +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. + +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. + +And then the cry went up, not only from Australia, but from all the +world, "Get Travers!" + + +CHAPTER X + +_At Bay_ + +Bram 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. + +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. + +Tommy was not familiar with the geography of Australia, but he knew this +must be the transcontinental line. + +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. + +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. + +And now Tommy saw evidences of Bram's devilish control of the swarm. +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. + + * * * * * + +But 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. + +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. + +He looked about him. Not far away stood Dodd and Haidia, with their +shells on their backs. They recognized Tommy and ran toward him. + +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. + +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. + +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 super-human 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. + + * * * * * + +Dodd 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. + +"Good," said Haidia. "That will hold them." + +The two men looked at her doubtfully. Did Haidia know what she was +talking about? + +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. + +"Look!" he shouted, pointing to a corner which had been in gloom a +moment before. + +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. + +Dot-dash-dot-dash! Then suddenly outside a furious hum, and the impact +of beetle bodies against the front door. + + * * * * * + +Tommy got up, grinning. That was the first, interrupted message from +Tommy that was received. + +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 construction which rendered them powerless against brick or +stone. + +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. + +"Watch them, Jim," said Tom. "I'll go see if the rear's secure." + +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. + +"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. + +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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"Dodd! Travers! For the last time--let's talk!" + +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. + +"Nothing to say to you, Bram," called Dodd. "We've finished our +discussion on the monotremes." + +"I want you fellows to stand in with me," came Bram's plaintive tones. +"It's so lonesome all by one's self, Dodd." + +"Ah, you're beginning to find that out, are you?" Dodd could not resist +answering. "You'll be lonelier yet before you're through." + +"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. + +"And listen, old man. About those monotremes--sensible men don't quarrel +over things like that. Why can't we agree to differ?" + +"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." + +"Damn you," shrieked Bram. "I'll batter down this house. I'll--" + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Bram'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. + +All through the darkness Dodd could hear the unhurried clicking of the +key. + +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. + +Bram's voice once more: "I'm leaving 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." + +"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!" + +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. + + * * * * * + +Bram 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. + +"We'll just have to hold out," said Dodd, breaking one of the long +periods of silence. + +Tommy did not answer; he did not hear him, for he was busy at the key. +Suddenly he leaped to his feet. + +"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!" + +He sank into a chair. For the first time the strain of the awful past +seemed to grip him. Haidia came to his side. + +"The beetles are finish," she said in her soft voice. + +"How d'you know, Haidia?" demanded Dodd. + +"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. + +"The swarm's halfway to Adelaide," he said. "They want to know if I can +help them. Help them!" He burst into hysterical laughter. + +Toward evening he came back after an hour at the key. "Line must be +broken," he said. "I'm getting nothing." + + * * * * * + +In 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. + +"Tommy, there must be water in the station," said Dodd. "I'm going to +get a pitcher from the kitchen and risk it, Tommy. Take care of Haidia +if--" he added. + +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." + +"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. + +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. + +Then dawn came stealing over the desert, and the two shook themselves +free from sleep. And now the eyes were gone. + +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. + +"Why, they're digging trenches!" Tommy shouted. "That's horrible, Jimmy! +Are they intending to conduct sapping operations against us like +engineers, or what?" + +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. + + * * * * * + +Within 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. + +"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." + +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. + +Growing bolder, they advanced a few steps; then, shamed by Haidia's +courage, they followed her, still cautiously to the station. + +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. + +Then they turned back. There had been no movement in that line of shells +that glinted in the morning sunlight. + +"Come, I shall show you," said Haidia confidently, advancing toward the +trench. + +Dodd would have stopped her, but the girl moved forward quickly, eluded +him with a graceful, mirthful gesture, and stooped down over the trench. + +She rose up, raising in her arms an empty beetle-shell! + +Dodd, who had reached the trench before Tommy, turned round and yelled +to him excitedly. Tommy ran forward--and then he understood. + +The shells were empty. The swarm, whose life cycle Bram had admitted he +did not understand, had just moulted! + +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. + +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. + +A sudden madness came over Tommy and Dodd. "Dynamite--there must be +dynamite!" Dodd shouted, as he ran back to the station. + +"Something better than dynamite," shouted Tommy, holding up one of a +score of drums of petrol! + + +CHAPTER XI + +_The World Set Free_ + +They 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. + +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. + +"Has any one been out on reconnaissance?" asked Tommy. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Tommy and Dodd led him to the piles of smoking, stinking debris and told +him. + +That was where the aviator fainted from sheer relief. + +"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." + +"How are you going to bring us three back in your plane?" asked Tommy. + +"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." + +"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!" + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +He 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Day 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. + +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. + +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. + +The only thing lacking was Bram. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +Dodd 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"I guess that's been a pretty thorough job," said Tommy. "Let's get +back, Jim." + +"What's that?" cried Dodd, pointing. Then, "My God, Tommy, it's one of +our men!" + + * * * * * + +It 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. + +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. + +"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--" + +Bram was going, but he pulled himself together with a supreme effort. + +"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!" + +Bram died, an outburst of bitter laughter on his lips. Dodd stood silent +for a while; then reverently he removed his hat. + +"He was a madman and a devil, but he had the potentialities of a god, +Tommy," he said. + + * * * * * + + SUCH WELL-KNOW WRITERS AS + + Murray Leinster, Ray Cummings, Victor Rousseau, R. F. Starzl, A. + T. Locke, Capt. S. P. Meek and Arthur J. Burks + + Write for + + =ASTOUNDING STORIES= + + * * * * * + + + + +Mad Music + +_By Anthony Pelcher_ + + + 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? + +[Illustration: _In an inner room they found a diabolical machine._] + + +To 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. + +No one knew how many lives were snuffed out in the avalanche. + +As the collapse occurred in the 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +When 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. + +The police sergeant jumped to his feet as the bedraggled man entered and +stumbled to a bench. + +"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." + +"I'll let you phone your boss," said the sergeant, "but first tell me +just what happened." + +"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." + +"How many got caught in the building?" + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Throughout 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. + +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. + +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. + +Muller finally looked up, rather hopelessly, at Linane. + +"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. + +"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." + +"If there was some flaw?" questioned Muller, although he knew the +answer. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"Where is Jenks?" + +"He will be here as soon as his car can drive down from Tarrytown. He +should be here now." + + * * * * * + +As 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. + +"This is a hell of a time for you to begin getting around," exploded +Muller. "What were you doing, cabareting all night?" + +"It sure is terrible--awful," said Jenks, half to himself. + +"Answer me," thundered Muller. + +"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. + +"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: + +"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 building was as strong as Gibraltar +itself!" + +"You were the last to inspect it," accused Muller, with a break in his +voice. + +"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--" + +"Must have been what?" + +"I'll be damned if I know." + +"That's like him," said Linane, who, while really kindly intentioned, +had always rather enjoyed prodding the young engineer. + +"Like me, like the devil," shouted Jenks, glaring at Linane. "I suppose +you know all about it, you're so blamed wise." + +"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--" + +"That's just what I'm doing," said Jenks, and he dived for his plans on +the floor. + +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. + +"We had better let them in," he said, "it looks bad to crawl for cover." + +"What are you going to tell them?" asked Linane. + +"God only knows," said Muller. + +"Let me handle them," said Jenks, looking up confidently. + + * * * * * + +The newspapermen had rushed the office. They came in like a wild wave. +Questions flew like feathers at a cock-fight. + +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. + +"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--" + +"All but one," said a young Irishman. + +"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." + +Jenks arose, brushed some dust from his knees. + +"You look like you'd been praying," bandied the Irishman. + +"Maybe I have. Now let me talk. Don't broadside me with questions. I +know what you want to know. Let me talk." + +The newspapermen were silent. + +"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." + +"How about the ground under the Colossus?" said the Irishman. + +"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, that building was perfection plus, like all our +buildings. That covers the entire situation." + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + +"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." + +The next day Jenks approached Linane in conference and said: + +"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." + +"What?" said Linane. + +"I'm betting fifty that sound can travel a mile quicker than it can +travel a quarter of a mile." + +"Oh no--it can't," insisted Linane. + +"Oh yes--it can!" decided Jenks. + +"I'll take some of that fool money myself," said Linane. + +"How much?" asked Jenks. + +"As much as you want." + +"All right--five hundred dollars." + +"How you going to prove your contention?" + +"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." + +"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." + +"Hot or cold," breezed Jenks, "I am betting you five hundred dollars +that sound can travel two miles quicker than a quarter-mile." + +"You're on, you damned idiot!" shouted the completely exasperated +Linane. + + * * * * * + +Jenks let Linane's friends hold the watches and his friend held the +money. Jenks was to fire the shot. + +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. + +All hands agreed that Jenks had won the bet fairly. Linane never exactly +liked Jenks after that. + +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. + +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. + +And so it was that Linane and Jenks, their heads together, worked all +night in an attempt to find some cause that would tie responsibility +for the disaster on mother nature. + +They failed to find it and, sleepy-eyed, they were forced to admit +failure, so far. + +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. + +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. + +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." + +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. + +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. + +Night after night Jenks courted sleep, but it would not come. He began +to grow wan and haggard. + + * * * * * + +Jenks took to walking the streets at night, mile after mile, thinking, +always thinking, and searching his mind for a solution of the mystery. + +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: + + TOWN HALL + + _Munsterbergen, the Mad Musician_ + Concert Here To-night. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Jenks was aware that he was saying something, but was not at all +interested. What he said was this: + +"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." + +Jenks' attention was drawn to him. He noted his wild appearance. + +"He sure looks mad enough," mused Jenks. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The hands of the boy and girl gripped tensely. They could not help +shuddering. + +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. + +The whole performance was as if someone had taken a heaven and plunged +it into a hell. + +The musician bowed jerkily, and was gone. + + * * * * * + +There was no applause, only wild exclamations. Half the house was on its +feet. The other half sat as if glued to chairs. + +The boy and the girl were standing, their hands still gripping tensely. + +"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. + +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. + +"My goodness!" burst from the girl. + +"It can't be helped now," said Jenks decisively. + +"What can't be helped?" asked the girl, although she knew in her heart. + +"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." + +The girl's eyes flared. "You have no right to presume on that +situation," she said. + +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?" + +"You may," said the girl simply, and she led the way to her own car. + +They drove north. + +Their bodies seemed like magnets. They were again shoulder to shoulder, +holding hands. + +"Will you tell me your name?" pleaded Jenks. + +"Surely," replied the girl. "I am Elaine Linane." + +"What?" exploded Jenks. "Why, I work with a Linane, an engineer with the +Muller Construction Company." + +"He is my father," she said. + +"Why, we are great friends," said the boy. "I am Jenks, his +assistant--at least we work together." + +"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. She chuckled. She had +heard the way Jenks had "sounded" her father out. + +Jenks was speechless. The girl continued: + +"I don't know whether to like you or to hate you. My father is an old +dear. You were cruel to him." + +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." + +"Oh!" said the girl. + +"I am sorry--so sorry." + +"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." + +"I know that," said Jenks. + + * * * * * + +Every 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Then Jenks, the engineer who knew his mathematics, put two and two +together. It made four, of course. + +"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?" + +"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." + +Both jumped for their coats and hats. As they fared forth, Jenks cinched +his argument: + +"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?" + +"Wild, but unanswerable," said Linane. + + * * * * * + +Jenks 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." + +"Musicians are great union men," said Linane. "Phone the union." + +Teddy Jenks did, but the union gave the last known town address as the +Colossus. + +"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." + +"Fair enough," said Linane, who was too busy with the problem at hand to +choose his words. + +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. + +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. + +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." + +"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. + +"Not yet," said Linane. "You see, we are not sure: we have just been +putting two and two together." + +"We'll get the building detective, anyway," insisted the manager. + +"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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +The entire machine was enclosed 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. + +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. + +"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. + +"Tell the police that the Acme Theater building may crash at any +moment," he instructed. + +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. + +Jenks rushed to the man, trying to still his wild hysteria. + +The building continued to sway dangerously. + + * * * * * + +Jenks 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 with +thousands of workers, for all floors above the third were offices. + +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. + +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. + +The corridors were beginning to fill with screaming men and wailing +girls. It was a sight never to be forgotten. + +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. + +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. + +The madman tried to throw Teddy Jenks to the street below. Teddy clung +to him. The two battled desperately as the building swayed. + +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. + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +This 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. + +Teddy dragged himself through a window and passed his hand over his +forehead, which was aching miserably. 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. + +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. + +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: + +"Why, you look like you have been to a funeral!" + +"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." + +It proved that he was dead. + +No engineering firm is responsible for the actions of a madman. So the +Muller Construction Company was given a clean bill of health. + + * * * * * + +Jenks and Elaine Linane were with the girl's father in his study. They +were asking for the paternal blessing. + +Linane was pretending to be hard to convince. + +"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--" + +"Daddy, dear, don't be like that!" said Elaine, who was on the arm of +his chair with her own arms around him. + +"I tell you, Elaine, this dates back to the fall of 1927." + +"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." + +"Well, all right then. Kiss me," said Linane as he turned towards his +radio set. + +"One and one makes one," said Teddy Jenks. + +Every engineer knows his mathematics. + + * * * * * + + _Have you written in to_ + + ASTOUNDING STORIES + + _Yet, to Tell the Editors Just What Kind of Stories You Would + Like Them to Secure for You?_ + + * * * * * + + + + +The Thief of Time + +_By Captain S. P. Meek_ + + + The teller turned to the stacked pile of bills. They were gone! + And no one had been near! + +[Illustration: "_That man never entered and stole that money as the +picture shows, unless he managed to make himself invisible._"] + + +Harvey Winston, 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. + +"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. + +"You got those twenties, Mr. Trier?" he asked. + +"Got them? Of course not, how could I?" replied the paymaster. "There +they are...." + +His voice trailed off into nothingness as he looked at the empty +counter. + +"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. + +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. + +"What is it, Mr. Winston?" he cried. + +"I've been robbed!" gasped the teller. + +"Who by? How?" demanded the cashier. + +"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." + +"Where had they gone?" asked the cashier. + +"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." + +The cashier turned to the paymaster. + +"Is this a practical joke, Mr. Trier?" he demanded sharply. + +"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." + +"But someone must have taken it," said the bewildered cashier. "Money +doesn't walk off of its own accord or vanish into thin air--" + +A bell interrupted his speech. + +"There are the police," he said with an air of relief. "I'll let them +in." + + * * * * * + +The 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 +inconspicuousness of his voice and manner, yet there was a glint of +steel in his gray eyes that told of enormous force in him. + +"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." + +"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." + +"Suit yourself," replied the little man with a shrug of his shoulders. +"I merely offered my advice." + +"Will you take charge, Mr. Carnes?" asked the cashier. + +"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 admitted. +If the patrolmen are allowed to wipe their hands over Mr. Winston's +counter they may destroy valuable evidence." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +As 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. + +"Do you agree with my advice, Dr. Bird?" asked Carnes deferentially. + +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. + +"It didn't do any harm," he said, "but it is rather a waste of time. The +thief wore gloves." + +"How in thunder do you know that?" demanded Carnes. + +"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." + +Carnes stepped a little closer to the doctor. + +"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." + +"He's a good many miles away by now," replied Dr. Bird with a shrug of +his shoulders. + + * * * * * + +Carnes' eyes opened widely. "Why?--how?--who?" he stammered. "Have you +any idea of who did it, or how it was done?" + +"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." + +"At that, we don't want the police crossing our trail at every turn," +protested Carnes. + +"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." + +"Will there be another attempt?" asked Carnes. + +"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." + +The cashier hastened up to them. + +"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?" + +"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." + +"I didn't know that you had an assistant with you," answered the +cashier. + +Carnes indicated Dr. Bird. + +"This gentleman is Mr. Berger, my assistant," he said. "Do you +understand?" + +"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. + + * * * * * + +A few minutes later Detective-Captain Sturtevant of the Chicago police +was announced. He acknowledged the introductions gruffly and got down to +business at once. + +"What were the circumstances of the robbery?" he asked. + +Winston told his story, Trier and the guard confirming it. + +"Pretty thin!" snorted the detective when they had finished. He whirled +suddenly on Winston. + +"Where did you hide the loot?" he thundered. + +"Why--uh--er--what do you mean?" gulped the teller. + +"Just what I said," replied the detective. "Where did you hide the +loot?" + +"I didn't hide it anywhere," said the teller. "It was stolen." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"That's right," replied the paymaster. "He turned his back on me for a +moment, and when he turned back, it was gone." + +"So you're in on it too, are you?" said Sturtevant. + +"What do you mean?" demanded the paymaster hotly. + +"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 _you_ see anything?" he +demanded of the guard. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +Dr. Bird sat forward suddenly. "What did this shadow look like?" he +asked. + +"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 _see_ +anything." + +"Did you notice anything of the sort?" demanded the doctor of Trier. + +"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." + +"Was this shadow opaque enough to even momentarily obscure your vision?" +went on the doctor. + +"Not that I am conscious of. It was just a breath of air such as a +person might cause by passing very rapidly." + +"What made you ask Trier if he had the money when you turned around?" +asked the doctor of Winston. + +"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?" + +Carnes tossed a leather wallet on the table. + +"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." + +Sturtevant examined Carnes' credentials carefully and returned them. + +"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." + +"You have had more experience with robberies than with apprehending +robbers if the papers tell the truth," said Dr. Bird with a chuckle. + + * * * * * + +The detective's face flushed. + +"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." + +"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?" + +Sturtevant sprang to his feet with an oath, but the sight of the gold +badge which Carnes displayed stopped him. + +"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." + +"That is your privilege," replied Carnes quietly. "Mr. Winston, will you +answer Mr. Berger's question?" + +"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--" + +He hesitated for a moment and Dr. Bird smiled encouragingly. + +"What else?" he asked. + +"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." + +"Did you see or hear anything like a shadow or a person moving?" + +"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." + +"How long after that did you ring the alarm gongs?" + +"Not over a second or two." + +"That's all," said Dr. Bird. + +"If your high and mightiness has no further questions to ask, perhaps +you will let me ask a few," said Sturtevant. + + * * * * * + +"Go 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." + +"If you find any strange finger-prints on Winston's counter, I'll be +glad to have them compared with our files," said Carnes. + +"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 to-day. 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." + +"Are you going to arrest me?" demanded Trier in surprise. + +"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." + +"I demand to see my lawyer and to communicate with my firm," said the +paymaster. + +"Time enough for that when I am through with you," replied the +detective. + +He turned to Carnes. + +"Have I your gracious permission to arrest these three criminals?" he +asked. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"By 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." + +"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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +"What am I to do?" asked Carnes. + +"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 which adorn the steps. +Artistic contemplations may well improve your culture." + +"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." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +A huge 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. + +"Have you got that truck I wired you to have ready?" demanded the +doctor. + +"Waiting at the entrance; but say, I've got some news for you." + +"It can wait. Get a detail of men and help us to unload this ship. Some +of the cases are pretty heavy." + +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. + +"Where do they go, Doctor?" he asked when the last of them had been +loaded onto the waiting truck. + +"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." + +"Shall I go along too?" asked Carnes as he acknowledged the +introduction. + +"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." + +"All right, Doctor," replied Casey as he mounted the truck beside the +driver. + +"Where do we go, Doctor?" asked Carnes as the truck rolled off. + +"To the Blackstone Hotel for a bath and some clean clothes," replied the +doctor. "And now, what is the news you have for me?" + +"The news is this, Doctor. I carried out your instructions diligently +and, during the daylight hours, the lions have not moved." + + * * * * * + +Dr. Bird looked contrite. + +"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." + +"I have usually been able to maintain silence when asked to," replied +Carnes stiffly. + +"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?" + +"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?" + +"One trouble with you, Carnes," replied the doctor with a judicial 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." + +"Are we going to waste the whole afternoon just to watch a man run?" +demanded Carnes in disgust. + +"We will see many men run, my dear fellow, but there is only one in +whom I have a deep abiding interest, and that is Mr. Ladd. Have you +your binoculars with you?" + +"No." + +"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?" + +"Yes. The big demand was for seats near the finish line." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"On your mark!" cried the starter. "Get set!" + +"Ah!" cried Dr. Bird. "Did you see that Carnes?" + +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. + +"Another thirty yards and he would have been beaten," said Carnes as he +lowered his glasses. + +"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?" + +"They seemed to clench and then he swallowed, but most of them did some +thing like that." + +"Watch him carefully for the next heat and see if he puts anything into +his mouth. That is the important thing." + +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. + +"There, Carnes!" he cried suddenly. "Did you see?" + +"I saw him wipe his mouth," said Carnes doubtfully. + +"All right, now watch his jaws just before the gun goes." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"He crunched and swallowed all right, Doctor," said Carnes. + +"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." + +"Where are you going, Doctor?" + +"I'm going down and congratulate Mr. Ladd. An old track man like me +can't let such an opportunity pass." + +"I don't know what this is all about, 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." + +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. + +"Maywood airdrome," the doctor told the driver. + + * * * * * + +Two 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. + +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. + +"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." + +"I'll have it ready to turn on the power at four A.M.," replied Casey. + +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. + +"What are you setting up?" he asked at length. + +"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." + +"What is special about it?" + +"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." + +"I didn't know that a film would register with that short an exposure." + + * * * * * + +"That's 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." + +"At that speed, it must take a million miles of film before you get up +steam." + +"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." + +"Where is your switch?" + + * * * * * + +"That 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." + +"You said that you had to get plenty of light. How are you managing +that?" + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"Well, Carnes, did you have an instructive night?" asked Dr. Bird +cheerfully as he entered the First National Bank at eight-thirty the +next morning. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"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?" + +"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." + +"What do you mean?" + +"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." + +"Was the warning written?" + +"No. It was telephoned from a pay station in the loop district, and by +the 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." + +"Aren't you taking any special precautions?" + +"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." + +"Why not close the cage for the day?" + +"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." + +"Did he say at what time he would operate?" + +"No, he didn't, so we'll have to stand by all day. Oh, hello, Casey, is +everything all right?" + +"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." + +"Good work, Casey. Keep the bearings oiled and pray that the film +doesn't break." + + * * * * * + +The 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. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"Easy, Doctor," replied Casey as he turned to the magnetic brake. + +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. + +"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!" + +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. + +"Now!" he cried suddenly. + +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. + +"All right, Casey," called the doctor. + + * * * * * + +The 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 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. + +"Again, please!" called Dr. Bird. "And stop when he faces us full." + +The picture was repeated and stopped at the point indicated. + +"Lights, please!" cried the doctor. + +The lights flashed on and Dr. Bird rose to his feet, pulling up after +him the wilted figure of a middle-aged man. + +"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." + +Detective-Captain Sturtevant jumped to his feet and cast a searching +glance at the captive. + +"He's the man all right," he cried. "Hang on to him until I get a wagon +here!" + +"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." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"You're 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." + +"What kind of cats?" asked the cashier. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"That is very interesting, Doctor, but I fail to see what bearing it has +on the robbery." + +"Mr. Rogers, how, on a dark day and in the absence of a timepiece, would +you judge the passage of time?" + +"Why, by my stomach, I guess." + +"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?" + +"Certainly." + +"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?" + +"I expect so." + +"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." + +"What advantage would there be in that?" + +"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." + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"Agreed, 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." + +"I don't know how you got that picture, but what you have said is about +right," replied the prisoner. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +"I reckoned 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." + +"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 ambidextrous." + +"What about Winston's confession?" asked Rogers suddenly. + +"Detective-Captain Sturtevant can explain that to a court when Mr. +Winston brings suit against him for false arrest and brutal treatment," +replied Carnes. + +"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." + + * * * * * + +IN THE NEXT ISSUE + + BRIGANDS OF THE MOON + _Beginning an Amazing Four-part Interplanetary Novel_ + By RAY CUMMINGS + + THE SOUL MASTER + _A Thrilling Novelette of the Substitution of Personality_ + By WILL SMITH and R. J. ROBBINS + + COLD LIGHT + _An Extraordinary Scientific Mystery_ + By CAPT. S. P. MEEK + +--_AND MANY OTHER STORIES, OF COURSE_ + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: "_She is Yours, Master!_"] + +Sick 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? + + Here is an _extraordinary situation_. What was to be the fate of + this beautiful girl? Who was this strange emissary whom no one + really knew? + +_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._ + + Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery + 11 Superb Volumes by SAX ROHMER + Written with his uncanny knowledge of things Oriental + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: _New!_ _Patented_] + +Just A Twist Of The Wrist + +Banishes Old-Style Can Openers to the Scrap Heap and BRINGS AGENTS $5 to +$12 IN AN HOUR + +Women 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. + + +End This Waste and Danger + +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! + +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! + + +New "Million Dollar" Can Opening Machine + +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. + + +Generous Free Test Offer + +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. + +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 2c stamp--so grab your pencil and shoot me the coupon +right now. + + +AGENTS! + +Full Time $265 in a Week + +"Here is my record for first 50 days with Speedo: + + June 13, 60 Speedos; + June 20, 84 Speedos; + June 30, 192 Speedos; + July 6, 288 Speedos. + +Speedo sells to 9 out of 10 prospects." + +M. Ornoff, Va. + + PART TIME + 14 sales in 2 hours + +J. J. Corwin, Ariz., says: "Send more order books. I sold first 14 +orders in 2 hours." + + SPARE TIME + Big Money Spare Time + +Bart, W. Va. says: + +"Was only out a few evenings, and got 20 orders." + + + CENTRAL STATES MFG. CO., Dept. B-2403 + 4500 Mary Ave. (Est. over 20 years) St. Louis, Mo. + + * * * * * + + SPEEDO + + Central States Mfg. Co., + 4500 Mary Ave. Dept. B-2403 + St. Louis, Mo. + +Yes, rush me the facts and details of your FREE OFFER. + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + City ...................... State ........... + [ ] Check here if interested only in one for your home. + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Half a Million People + +_have learned music this easy way_ + +[Illustration] + +You, too, Can Learn to Play Your Favorite Instrument Without a Teacher + +_Easy as_ A-B-C + +Yes, half a million delighted men and women all over the world have +learned music this quick, easy way. + +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. + +Surely this is convincing proof of the success of the _new, modern +method_ perfected by the U.S. School of Music! And what these people +have done, YOU, too, can do! + +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 +_amazingly_ easy. No monotonous hours of exercises--no tedious +scales--no expensive teachers. This simplified method made learning +music as easy as A-B-C! + +It is like a fascinating game. From the very start you are playing +_real_ tunes, perfectly, by _note_. 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 _told_ how to do a thing, then a picture _shows_ +you how, then you do it yourself and _hear_ 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--_three times as fast_ as those who study +old-fashioned, plodding methods. + +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. + +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! + + +Free Booklet and Demonstration Lesson + +If you are in earnest about wanting to join the crowd of entertainers +and be a "big hit" at any party--if you really _do_ 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 _Automatic Finger Control_. Instruments are supplied when +needed--cash or credit, U.S. School of Music 3692 Brunswick Bldg., New +York City. + + WHAT INSTRUMENT FOR YOU? + Piano + Organ + Violin + Clarinet + Flute + Harp + Coronet + 'Cello + Guitar + Ukulele + Saxophone + Banjo, (Plectrum 5-String or Tenor) + Piccolo + Hawaiian Steel Guitar + Drums and Traps + Mandolin + Sight Singing + Trombone + Piano + Accordion + Voice and Speech Culture + Harmony and Composition + Automatic Finger Control + Italian and German Accordion + + * * * * * + + U.S. SCHOOL OF MUSIC, + 3692 Brunswick Bldg., New York City. + +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: + + Have you an instrument: ......... + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + City ...................... State ........... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Only 28 years old and earning $15,000 a year + +[Illustration: _Works in Shoe Factory_] + +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. + +[Illustration: _Starts Studying at Home_] + +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. + +[Illustration: _Now Owns Big Business_] + +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! + +[Illustration: _Lectures at College_] + +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. + +[Illustration: _How to Earn More Money_] + +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. + +[Illustration: _The Boss is Watching You_] + +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. + +=INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS. Box 2124-E, Scranton, Penns.= + +Without cost or obligation, please send me a copy of your booklet, "=Who +Wins and Why=," and full particulars about the course _before_ which I +have marked X in the list below: + + +BUSINESS TRAINING COURSES + + [ ] Business Management + [ ] Industrial Management + [ ] Personnel Management + [ ] Traffic Management + [ ] Accounting and C.P.A. Coaching + [ ] Cost Accounting + [ ] Bookkeeping + [ ] Secretarial Work + [ ] Spanish + [ ] French + [ ] Salesmanship + [ ] Advertising + [ ] Business Correspondence + [ ] Show Card and Sign Lettering + [ ] Stenography and Typing + [ ] English + [ ] Civil Service + [ ] Railway Mail Clerk + [ ] Mail Carrier + [ ] Grade School Subjects + [ ] High School Subjects + [ ] Cartooning + [ ] Illustrating + [ ] Lumber Dealer + + +TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL COURSES + + [ ] Architect + [ ] Architectural Draftsman + [ ] Building Foreman + [ ] Concrete Builder + [ ] Contractor and Builder + [ ] Structural Draftsman + [ ] Structural Engineer + [ ] Electrical Engineer + [ ] Electrical Contractor + [ ] Electric Wiring + [ ] Electric Lighting + [ ] Electric Car Running + [ ] Telegraph Engineer + [ ] Telephone Work + [ ] Mechanical Engineer + [ ] Mechanical Draftsman + [ ] Machine Shop Practice + [ ] Toolmaker + [ ] Patternmaker + [ ] Civil Engineer + [ ] Surveying and Mapping + [ ] Bridge Engineer + [ ] Gas Engine Operating + [ ] Automobile Work + [ ] Aviation Engines + [ ] Plumber and Steam Fitter + [ ] Plumbing Inspector + [ ] Foreman Plumber + [ ] Heating and Ventilation + [ ] Sheet-Metal Worker + [ ] Steam Engineer + [ ] Marine Engineer + [ ] Refrigeration Engineer + [ ] R.R. Positions + [ ] Highway Engineer + [ ] Chemistry + [ ] Pharmacy + [ ] Mining Engineer + [ ] Navigation + [ ] Assayer + [ ] Iron and Steel Worker + [ ] Textile Overseer or Supt. + [ ] Cotton Manufacturing + [ ] Woolen Manufacturing + [ ] Agriculture + [ ] Fruit Growing + [ ] Poultry Farming + [ ] Mathematics + [ ] Radio + + Name ................. Address .............. + + City ...................... State ........... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +LET RCA INSTITUTES START YOU ON THE ROAD TO ... SUCCESS IN RADIO + +[Illustration: Radio-Mechanic and Inspector $1800 to $4000 a Year.] + +[Illustration: Broadcast Station Mechanic $1800 to $3600 a Year.] + +[Illustration: Land Station Operator $1800 to $4000 a Year.] + +[Illustration: Broadcast Operators $1800 to $4800 a Year.] + +_Radio needs you_.... 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! + + +_This is the Only Course Sponsored by Radio Corporation of America_ + +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. + +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. + +For the added convenience of students who prefer a Resident +Study Course, RCA Institutes, Inc., has established Resident Schools in +the following cities: + + New York 326 Broadway + Boston, Mass. 899 Boylston St. + Philadelphia, Pa. 1211 Chestnut St. + Baltimore, Md. 1215 N. Charles St. + Newark, N.J. 560 Broad St. + +Home Study graduates may also attend any one of our resident schools for +post-graduate instruction at no extra charge. + + +_Graduates of RCA Institutes Find It Easier to Get Good Jobs_ + +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! + + +_Study Radio at the Oldest and Largest Commercial Training Organization +in the World_ + +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. + +=SEND FOR IT TODAY!= + + +Clip this Coupon _NOW_! + + SPONSORED BY + RCA INSTITUTES, INC. + + Formerly + Radio Institute of America + +[Illustration: RCA] + + * * * * * + + RCA INSTITUTES, Inc. + Dept. NS-2, 326 Broadway, + New York, N.Y. + +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! + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +"INTO THE AFRICAN BLUE" + +_High Spots in the Life of a Big Game Photographer_ + +_By_ MARTIN JOHNSON + +[Illustration] + +"Into the African Blue" is Africa--the land of romance--of adventure. + +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." + +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. + +=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 adventures=-- + + Forest and Stream + 80 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. + + +SPECIAL OFFER + +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. + +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. + +Send in the coupon--"_DO IT NOW!_" + + * * * * * + +Department C + +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. + +............................................... + +............................................... + +............................................... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +I Will Train You at Home to Fill a Big-Pay Radio Job + +_Here's the_ PROOF + +=$375 One Month In Spare Time= + +"Recently I made $375 in one month in my spare time installing, +servicing, selling Radio Sets." + + Earle Cummings, + 18 Webster St., + Haverhill, Mass. + +=$450 a Month= + +"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." + + Frank M. Jones, + 922 Guadalupe St., + San Angelo, Tex. + +[Illustration] + +You can build 100 circuits with the six big outfits of +Radio parts I give you + +_3 of the 100 you can build_ + +_Find out quick about this practical way to big pay_ + +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. + + +Salaries of $50 to $250 a Week Not Unusual + +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. + + +You Can Learn Quickly and Easily in Spare Time + +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. + + +Many Earn $15, $20, $30 Weekly On the Side While Learning + +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." + + +Your Money Back If Not Satisfied + +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. + + +Act NOW--NEW 64-Page Book is FREE + +[Illustration: RADIO NEEDS TRAINED MEN!] + +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. + + J. E. Smith, President, Dept. OBM + National Radio Institute + Washington, D.C. + + +Employment Service to all Graduates + +Originators of Radio Home Study Training + + * * * * * + +Mail This FREE COUPON Today + + J. E. Smith, President, + Dept. OBM, National Radio Institute, + Washington, D.C. + +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. + + Name ......................... Age .......... + + Address ..................................... + + City ...................... State ........... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +_A Year's Protection Against_ SICKNESS + +Less than 3c a Day! + +_A Year's Protection Against_ ACCIDENT + +[Illustration: CASH _or sympathy_?] + + +_Which do you want?_ + +Suppose you met with an accident or sickness to-night--salary +stopped--which would you prefer, + +$25 Weekly ... or Sympathy? + +_Which will your family want?_ + +In case of your accidental death, which would you rather give your +family + + +$10,000 Cash ... or Sympathy? + +_Which would you Pay?_ + +Would you rather pay bills and household expenses out of a slim savings +account or a + +=$10 bill= + + +_For a Whole Year's Protection Against_ + +SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT + +_Get Cash instead of Sympathy_ + +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. + +_Get Cash instead of Sympathy_ + +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. + +_Get Cash instead of Sympathy_ + +=Don't Wait for Misfortune to Overtake You= + +_Mail the Coupon today!_ + +Mail the Coupon before it's too late to protect yourself against the +chances of fate picking you out as its next victim. + + =NO MEDICAL EXAMINATION= + + $10 A Year Entire Costs. No Dues. No Assessments. + + =MEN AND WOMEN= + 16 to 70 Years Accepted. + + =$10,000= + Principal Sum. + + =$10,000= + Loss of hands, feet or eyesight. + + =$25 Weekly Benefits= + for stated accidents or sicknesses. + +Doctor's Bills, Hospital Benefit, Emergency Benefit and other liberal +features to help in time of need--all clearly shown in policy. + +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. + +=Largest and Oldest Exclusive Health and Accident Insurance Company in +America.= + +_Under Supervision of All State Insurance Departments_ + +=ESTABLISHED OVER 40 YEARS= + + * * * * * + + North American Accident Insurance Co., [of Chicago] + 388 Wallach Building, Newark, New Jersey. + +Gentlemen: At no cost to me send details of New $10,000 Premier $10 +Policy. + + _Name_ ............................ + + _Address_ ......................... + + _City_ ............................ + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration] + +Pledge to the Public on Used Car Sales + +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. + +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. + +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.) + +(C) 1929 The Studebaker Corporation of America. + + +You can save money and get a better motor car + +_if you buy according to the Studebaker Pledge plan_ + +OVER 150,000 THRIFTY AMERICAN CITIZENS DID LAST YEAR! + +A well 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. + +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 +new 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. + +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. + +_Invest 2c--you may save $200_ + +Mail the coupon below for the free booklet.--The 2c stamp is an +investment which may save you as much as $200 in buying a motorcar! + +[Illustration: How to judge a used car] + + +STUDEBAKER + +_Builder of Champions_ + + The Studebaker Corporation of America + Dept. 232, South Bend, Indiana + + Please send me copy of "How to Judge a Used Car" + + _Name_ .......................................... + + _Street_ ........................................ + + _City_ ...................... _State_ ........... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: Amazingly Easy Way to Get Into ELECTRICITY] + +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 =right here in the great Coyne Shops= that makes you a +practical expert in 90 days! Getting into electricity is far easier than +you imagine! + + +LEARN WITHOUT BOOKS--In 90 Days _By Actual Work--in the Great Coyne +Shops_ + +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. + + +_Earn While Learning_ + +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, =in the great roaring shops of Coyne=, +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! + + +_No Books--No Lessons_ + +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. + +=GET THE FACTS= 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. + + +BIG BOOK _FREE_! + +Send for my big book containing 150 photographs telling complete +story--absolutely FREE + + COYNE ELECTRICAL SCHOOL + 500 S. Paulina St., Dept. 20-66, Chicago, Ill. + + * * * * * + + COYNE ELECTRICAL SCHOOL, H. C. Lewis, Pres. + 500 S. Paulina Street, + Dept. 20-66, + Chicago, Illinois + +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." + + _Name_ .......................................... + + _Street_ ........................................ + + _City_ ...................... _State_ ........... + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: Buy a Watch the Modern Way] + +This 21 Jewel--Santa Fe Special Sent You On-Approval Wear 30 Days +=Free=! + +Thank you for making it possible for me to own a 21-jewel Santa Fe +Special, write thousands of our customers. + + +Buy Direct + +Our catalogue is our showroom. Any watch will be sent for you to see +without one penny down. No obligation to buy. + + +Save 1/3 to 1/2 + +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. + + +Railroad Accuracy Beauty Unsurpassed Life-long Dependability + +--all are combined in the highest degree in the famous "Santa Fe +Special" Watch. + +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. + + +Just Out! + +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. + + SANTA FE WATCH CO. + Dept. 255 + Thomas Bldg. + Topeka, Kans. + + * * * * * + +SANTA FE WATCH CO., Dept. 255, Thomas Bldg., Topeka, Kansas. + +Please send me absolutely Free your New Watch Book [ ] Diamond Book [ ]. + + Name ........................................ + + Address ...................... State ........ + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: COOLS while you shave and the coolness lingers! Listerine +Shaving Cream] + + +"Pardon me, gentlemen!" + +_Business men gargle daily to check colds and sore throat_ + +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? + +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. + +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. + +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. + + +LISTERINE _for_ SORE THROAT + +_Kills 200,000,000 germs in 15 seconds_ + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Go to School at Home! + +[Illustration: High School Course in Two Years!] + + +You Want to Earn Big Money! + +=And you will not be satisfied unless you earn steady promotion.= 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. + +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. + + +Can You Qualify for a Better Position + +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. + +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. + + +American School + + Dept. H-237 + Drexel Ave. and 58th St., Chicago + + * * * * * + + =American School= + Dept. H-237 + Drexel Ave. and 58th St., Chicago + +Send me full information on the subject checked and how you will help me +win success. + + ....Architect + ....Building Contractor + ....Automobile Engineer + ....Automobile Repairman + ....Civil Engineer + ....Structural Engineer + ....Business Manager + ....Cert. Public Accountant + ....Accountant and Auditor + ....Bookkeeper + ....Draftsman and Designer + ....Electrical Engineer + ....Electric Light & Power + ....General Education + ....Vocational Guidance + ....Business Law + ....Lawyer + ....Machine Shop Practice + ....Mechanical Engineer + ....Shop Superintendent + ....Employment Manager + ....Steam Engineer + ....Foremanship + ....Sanitary Engineer + ....Surveyor (& Mapping) + ....Telephone Engineer + ....Telegraph Engineer + ....High School Graduate + ....Wireless Radio + ....Undecided + + Name ..................................... + + Address .................................. + + * * * * * + + +EXTRA STRONG IMPROVED MODEL COPPER BOILER + +Catalog Free + +[Illustration: + SOLID CAST + NO SCREW TOP] + + HEAVY COPPER + + 5 Gallon $6.50 + 7 8.85 + 10 11.90 + 15 14.20 + 20 18.50 + 25 22.50 + 30 27.50 + + +SAVE 20% _NOW_! + +Most Practical Boiler & Cooker + +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. + + +Easily Cleaned + +Cap removed in a second; no burning of hands. An ideal low +pressure-boiler and pasteurizer for home and farm. + +=Save 20%= 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. + + HOME MANUFACTURING CO. + Dept. 5850 + 18 E. Kinzie St. + Chicago, Illinois + + * * * * * + + +Agents! Sell Shirts + +[Illustration: Bostonian] + +Start =without investment= in a profitable shirt business of your own. +Take orders in your district for nationally known Bostonian Shirts. +=$1.50 commission= for you on sale of 3 shirts for $6.95--=Postage +Paid=. $9 value, guaranteed fast colors. No experience needed. Complete +selling equipment =FREE=! + + +=Good Pay for Honest Workers= + +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. =Write TODAY! SURE!= + +BOSTONIAN MFG. CO., B-300, 89 Bickford St., Boston, Mass. + + * * * * * + +DEAFNESS IS MISERY + +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. + +=A. O. LEONARD, Inc., Suite 683, 70 5th Ave., New York= + + * * * * * + +Denison's Plays + +_54 Years of Hits_ + +We supply all entertainment needs for dramatic clubs, schools, lodges, +etc., and for every occasion. + + Songs + Minstrels + Musical Comedies + Revues + Vaudeville Acts + Blackface Skits + +_Catalogue Free_ + +=T. S. Denison & Co. 623 S. Wabash, Dept. 130 Chicago= + + * * * * * + +Don't Stop Tobacco + +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. + +Eureka Chemical Co., B-26 Columbus, Ohio + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Easy, Quick Way To Get Into Aviation + +[Illustration] + +_Let_ Major Rockwell Train You AT HOME + +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. + + +=I'll Help You Get Your Job= + +[Illustration: FREE BOOK WRITE!] + +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. + + =MAJOR R. L. ROCKWELL= + + _The Dayton School of Aviation_ + =Desk B-6= + =Dayton, Ohio= + + * * * * * + + +SAXOPHONE + + Easy to Play + Easy To Pay + +Simplified Key Arrangement + +Fingers fall naturally into playing position. Makes it extremely easy to +play rapidly on the Buescher. + +[Illustration] + +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. + +=FREE TRIAL=--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. + + BUESCHER BAND INSTRUMENT CO. + 2980 Buescher Block (553) + ELKHART, INDIANA + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: =MEN WANTED FOR RAILROADS=] + +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. + + * * * * * + + +BIG MONEY _IN POULTRY_! + +[Illustration: How to RAISE POULTRY for PROFIT] + +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." + +=National Poultry Institute, Dept. 415-F, Washington, D.C.= + + * * * * * + +SPORT OF A THOUSAND THRILLS + +[Illustration: _Model shown is the popular "45" Twin_] + +EAGER 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. + + 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. + + +_Mail the Coupon!_ + +_for literature showing our full line of Singles, Twins, and Sidecars. +Motorcycle prices range from $235 f. o. b. factory_. + +RIDE A HARLEY-DAVIDSON + + * * * * * + + HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY + Dept. N. S. G., Milwaukee, Wis. + + Interested in your motorcycles. Send literature. + + Name ..................................... + + Address .................................. + + My age is [ ] 16-19 years, [ ] 20-30 years, [ ] 31 years and + up, [ ] under 16 years. Check your age group. + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +"How I Licked Wretched Old Age at 63" + + I Quit Getting up Nights--Banished Foot and Leg Pains ... Got + Rid of Rheumatic Pains and Constipation ... Improved My Health + Generally ... Found Renewed Strength. + +"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." + + +_Forty_--The Danger Age + +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. + +[Illustration] + + +PROSTATE TROUBLE + +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. + + +A National Institution for Men Past 40 + +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. + +Quick as is the 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. + + =THE ELECTRO THERMAL COMPANY= + 4826 Morris Avenue + Steubenville, Ohio + + 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. + + THE ELECTRO THERMAL CO., + 4826 Morris Ave., Steubenville, Ohio. + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + City ...................... State ........... + + * * * * * + + +How To Secure A Government Position + +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. + + +NOW FREE + +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. + + * * * * * + + +Photos ENLARGED + +Size 16x20 inches + +98c + +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. + + SPECIAL + FREE OFFER + +=SEND NO MONEY= 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 98c 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. + + =UNITED PORTRAIT COMPANY= + 1652 Ogden Ave. Dept. B-590, Chicago, Ill. + + * * * * * + + +BLANK CARTRIDGE PISTOL + +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 =ONLY $1.50=. Shipped by express +only. Cannot go by parcel post. Extra Blank Cartridges =50c per 100=. +Remember it is quite harmless, as it will not accommodate loaded +cartridges. Special Holster (Cowboy Type) for pistol 50c. No C.O.D. +Shipments. + +=Special Offer= + +1 Blank Cartridge Pistol, 100 Blank Cartridges, 1 550-page Novelty +Catalog =ONLY $1.50= + +The Lot Shipped by Express Only Cash with Order Only + +=JOHNSON SMITH & COMPANY.= Dept 212, Racine, Wisconsin + + * * * * * + + +BE A RAILWAY TRAFFIC INSPECTOR + +EARN UP TO $250 Per Month Expenses Paid + +[Illustration: No Hunting For a Position] + +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. + + =Standard Business Training Institute= + =DIV. 13= + =Buffalo, N.Y.= + + * * * * * + + +Sleep Disturbed? + +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 60c. Use all of +it. See how it works. Money back if it doesn't satisfy you completely. + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +NEW WAY TO MAKE MONEY + + +Easy Cash--Sure and Quick + +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. =We Show You How=--you don't need to +know anything about tailoring--simply follow our directions--we make it +easy. + + +FREE SUIT OFFER + +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. + + =FREE + New, Big Sample + OUTFIT= + +New style convenient carrying outfit, large all-wool samples--all +supplies necessary to start at once--furnished =FREE=. =Write at once.= + +=PROGRESS TAILORING CO., Dept. P-204, Chicago= + + * * * * * + + +MORE PAY with QUAKER FREE OUTFIT + + FREE SHIRTS TIES + CASH BONUS GIVEN + +_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._ + + QUAKER SHIRT CORPORATION + Dept. K-2 + 1107 Broadway, N.Y. + + * * * * * + + +FRENCH LOVE DROPS + +An enchanting exotic perfume of irresistible charm, clinging for hours +like lovers loath to part. Just a few drops are enough. Full size bottle +98c prepaid or $1.39 C.O.D. plus postage. Directions with every order. +FREE: 1 full size bottle if you order 2 vials. + + =D'ORO CO.= + =Box 90, Varick Station, New York= + =Dept NSG 2= + + * * * * * + + + NO JOKE TO BE DEAF + --EVERY DEAF PERSON KNOWS THAT + +[Illustration: Medicated Ear Drum] + +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 + + GEO. P. WAY, Artificial Ear Drum Co. (Inc.) + 300 Hoffman Bldg. + Detroit, Mich. + + * * * * * + + +Be A Detective + +_Make Secret Investigations_ + +Earn Big Money. Work home or travel. Fascinating work. Experience +unnecessary. =DETECTIVE= Particulars FREE, Write NOW to =GEO. N. WAGNER, +2190 Broadway, New York= + + * * * * * + + +TOBACCO + +Habit Overcome Or No Pay + +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. + + * * * * * + + +Get Strong WITH + +These Improved Muscle Builders + +_All for $5.00_ + +[Illustration: Save $20.00 with this OFFER] + +_Send no money_ + +GUARANTEE SATISFACTION OR MONEY BACK + +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. + +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. + + +SEND NO MONEY + +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.) + + +GUARANTEE + +All Crusader products are guaranteed to give entire satisfaction or +money back. + + + CRUSADER APPARATUS CO., + Dept. 2002, 44 Parker Ave., Maplewood, N.J. + +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. + +Note:--No C.O.D. Orders to Foreign Countries or Canada. + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + City ...................... State ........... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Win $3,500.00 + +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. + + +FIND THE TWIN FLYERS + +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. + + +=$7160.00 IN PRIZES GIVEN THIS TIME= + +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. + + +=$625.00 ADDITIONAL FOR PROMPTNESS= + +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! + +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. + +=J. D. SNYDER, Dept. 36, 54 W. Illinois St., Chicago, Ill.= + + * * * * * + + +TRAIN FOR AVIATION AT HOME + +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; _Aviation from A to Z_. 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! + +[Illustration] + + =SEND FOR FREE BOOK= + =MAIL NOW!= + + WALTER HINTON, President, 316-D + Aviation Institute of U.S.A. + 1115 Conn. Ave., Washington, D.C. + + Name .......................... Age ......... + (Must be 18) + Address ..................................... + + City ...................... State ........... + + * * * * * + + +$8 often made in one day by many of our sales Agents + +[Illustrations] + +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. + + +NEW FORD CAR + +We offer our agents a =new Ford Car= when earned under our plan. Your +commission daily. Credit given. Extra bonus. We deliver or you +deliver--suit yourself. + + +FINE SILK HOSE + +Our new plan gives you =fine silk hosiery= 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. + + =WILKNIT HOSIERY CO.= + =No. 2807 Greenfield, Ohio= + + * * * * * + + +NEW SCIENTIFIC WONDER + +="X-RAY" CURIO= + +[Illustration: Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.] + +=PRICE 10c 3-25c no stamps= + +BIG FUN + +=BOYS= 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 25c order.) + +=MARVEL MFG. CO. Dept. 86, NEW HAVEN, CONN.= + + * * * * * + + +TRAVEL--for 'UNCLE SAM' + +=RAILWAY POSTAL CLERKS= + +=MAIL CARRIERS--POSTOFFICE CLERKS GENERAL CLERKS--CUSTOMS INSPECTORS= + +$1700 to $3400 a Year for Life + +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. + + +STEADY WORK + +Cut coupon and mail it before turning the page + +=MEN--BOYS 18 to 45= + +=Use Coupon Before You Lose It= + + * * * * * + +COUPON + +FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, Dept. E267, Rochester, N.Y. + +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. + + [ ] Railway Postal Clerk ($1900 to $2700) + [ ] Postoffice Clerk ($1700 to $2300) + [ ] City Mail Carrier ($1700 to $2100) + [ ] General Clerk ($1200 to $2100) + [ ] Customs Inspector ($2100 up) + [ ] Rural Mail Carrier ($2100 to $3300) + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Get Strong QUICKLY + +Giant Chest Expander + +ONLY $2.00 + +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. + +Get rid of those aches and pains, indigestion, constipation, headaches, +etc. Build up your body and look like a real He-man. + + +SEND NO MONEY! + +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. +_Money back in five days if dissatisfied._ + + Progressive Exerciser Co. + Dept. 5002, Langdon Building + Duane Street and Broadway + New York City + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + + +LAW + +STUDY AT HOME + +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 + +=$5,000 to $10,000 Annually= + +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. + + LaSalle Extension University, Dept. 275-L, Chicago + The World's Largest Business Training Institution + + * * * * * + +HOW SHARP IS YOUR RAZOR? + +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. + + NO-HONE COMPANY + 3124 California St. + Omaha, Nebraska + + * * * * * + + +PATENTS + +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. + + * * * * * + + +STOP Tobacco + +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. + +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. + + =Anti-Tobacco League= + P.O. Box H-2 + OMAHA, NEBR. + + * * * * * + + +SONG WRITERS! + +[Illustration] + +SUBSTANTIAL ADVANCE ROYALTIES are paid on work found acceptable for +publication. Anyone wishing to write _either the words_ or music for +songs may submit work for free examination and advice. _Past experience +unnecessary_. New demand created by "Talking Pictures" fully described +in our free book. Write for it Today. + + NEWCOMER ASSOCIATES + 723 Earle Building, New York + + * * * * * + + +Learn to PAINT SIGNS and SHOW CARDS + +We quickly teach you by mail, or at school. In spare time. Enormous +demand. Big future. Interesting work. Oldest and foremost school. + + +EARN $50 TO $200 WEEKLY + +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. + + DETROIT SCHOOL OF LETTERING + Est. 1889 + 180 Stimson Ave. + DETROIT, MICH. + + * * * * * + + +STOP WORRYING about Money + +[Illustration: _Here's a New, Easy Way to Make_ $15 a Day] + +YES--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. +=And I'll prove it.= + + +Van Allen Makes $100 a Week + +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. + + +Start Right In + +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. + + +SEND NO MONEY + +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_ 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. + + +FREE! + +[Illustration: New Ford Tudor Sedan] + +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. + + * * * * * + +MAIL THIS NOW! + + =ALBERT MILLS, Pres., American Products Co.,= + =5441 Monmouth Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.= + +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. + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + ............................................. + (C) A. P. Co. (Print or Write Plainly) + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +What's Wrong With This Picture? + +See If You Can Find the Mistakes in This Picture + +[Illustration] + +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. + + +$7,346 In Prizes Given in This One Offer + +Seven Big New 6-Cylinder Sedans and Other Valuable Prizes + +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. + + +Anyone Who Answers This Puzzle Correctly May Receive Prizes or Cash! + +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. + + +=Additional $500.00 for Promptness= $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. + + * * * * * + + +AGENTS--Represent THE Carlton LINE--_America's Best Paying Proposition_! + +SAMPLES FREE + + +SELL FROM A MILLION DOLLAR STOCK + + +Shirts, Neckwear and Underwear. + +No substitutions. 4 Hour Shipping Service. Highest Commissions Bonuses. +Profit Sharing. Biggest Company. Mail Coupon. + + + CARLTON MILLS, 114 FIFTH AVE., N.Y.C. + _Send me your Famous Sample Outfit_ + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + 100-G + + + CARLTON MILLS INC. + 114 FIFTH AVE. + NEW YORK + =Dept. 186-6= + +MAIL COUPON + +$1000 LIFE Insurance Policy Free + + * * * * * + + +BE A JAZZ MUSIC MASTER + +Play Piano By Ear + +[Illustration: Niagara School Free Book] + +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. + + +At Home in Your Spare Time + +Send for FREE BOOK. Learn many styles of bass and syncopation--trick +endings. If 10c (coin or stamps) is enclosed, you also receive wonderful +booklet "_How to Entertain at Piano_"--and many new tricks, stunts, etc. + + _Niagara School of Music_ + Dept. 350 Niagara Falls, N.Y. + +Send for this Free Book + + * * * * * + + +Learn How to BOX + +=$2.98= brings you the famous boxing course by mail of Jimmy DeForest, +=World's Greatest Trainer=, 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. + +[Illustration] + + =Jimmy DeForest Boxing Course= + =347 Madison Ave., Box 42, New York City= + + * * * * * + + +Radium Is Restoring Health to Thousands + +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. + + * * * * * + + +HYPNOTIZE + +[Illustration] + + +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. =Educator Press, 19 Park Row, New +York. Dept. H-41= + + * * * * * + + +AVIATION Information FREE + +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, _Opportunities in the Airplane industry_ +also sent free if you answer at once. + + AMERICAN SCHOOL OF AVIATION + Dept. 1182 3601 Michigan Ave. CHICAGO + + * * * * * + + +Charming--Captivating--Irresistible + + DESIR D'AMOUR + [Love's Desire] + +[Illustration] + +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. + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: On your feet--_In a good Paying Business_] + +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. + + 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. + +=Send for free book "Getting Ahead" and full particulars.= No +obligation. + + TANNERS SHOE CO. + 892 C Street, Boston, Mass. + + * * * * * + + +=Play the Hawaiian Guitar like the Hawaiians!= + +=Only 4 Motions= used in playing this fascinating instrument Our native +Hawaiian instructors teach you to master them quickly. Pictures show +how. Everything explained clearly. + +[Illustration] + + +Play in Half Hour + +After you get the four easy motions you play harmonious chords with very +little practice. No previous musical knowledge needed. + + +Easy Lessons + +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. + + +GIVEN _when you enroll_--a sweet toned HAWAIIAN GUITAR, Carrying Case +and Playing Outfit--Value $18 to $20 + +_No extras--everything included_ + +=WRITE AT ONCE= for attractive offer and easy terms. You have +everything to gain. A postcard will do. =ACT!= + + +OTHER COURSES + +Tenor Banjo, Violin, Tiple, Tenor Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo Ukulele. Under +well known instructors. + + FIRST HAWAIIAN CONSERVATORY of MUSIC, Inc. + 9th Floor, Woolworth Bldg, Dept. 269 New York, N.Y. + +_Approved as a Correspondence School Under the Laws of the State of New +York--Member National Home Study Council_ + + * * * * * + + +SELL ROSECLIFF SHIRTS + +_Make Steady Money_ + + +YOUR OWN SHIRTS and TIES + +Showing Samples + +Men's Shirts 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! + + ROSECLIFF SHIRT CORP. + Dept. J-2 + 1237 Broadway, N.Y. + +_Outfit Free_ + + * * * * * + + +GOV'T. POSITIONS + + $35 TO $75 WEEKLY + MEN--WOMEN + AGE 18 to 55 + + ( ) By. Mail Clerk + ( ) P. O. Laborer + ( ) R. F. D. Carrier + ( ) Special Agent (investigator) + ( ) City Mail Carrier + ( ) Meat Inspector + ( ) P. O. Clerk + ( ) File Clerk + ( ) General Clerk + ( ) Matron + ( ) Steno-Typist + ( ) Immigrant Inspector + ( ) Seamstress + ( ) Auditor + ( ) Steno-Secretary + ( ) U.S. Border Patrol + ( ) Chauffeur-Carrier + ( ) Watchman + ( ) Skilled Laborer + ( ) Postmaster + ( ) Typist + +INSTRUCTION BUREAU, 112-B, St. Louis, Mo. + +Send me FREE particulars How To Qualify for positions marked "X." +Salaries, locations, opportunities, etc. ALL SENT FREE. + + Name ............................................ + + Address ......................................... + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: FREE! Body Chart] + +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. + + +Where Is That PAIN? + +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. + + +Stop that Pain + + _By Relieving the Cause with_ + Violet Ray--Vibration + Ozone--Medical Electricity + _The Four Greatest Curative Powers Generated by This_ + =Great New Invention!= + +[Illustration] + +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--_write_! 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! + + + _Elco_ + Electric Health Generators + +Here's What Elco Users Say-- + + "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." + +Free Trial + +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! + + +MAIL COUPON for FREE BOOK + +[Illustration: Health Power Beauty] + +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. + + * * * * * + + Lindstrom & Co. + _Makers of Therapeutic Apparatus since 1892_. + 2322 Indiana Avenue + Dept. 15-62 + Chicago + +Please send me your free book, "Heal--Power--Beauty" and full +information of your 10-day Free Trial Offer. + + _Name_ ........................................ + + _Address_ ..................................... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Who Wants an Auto FREE? + +STUDEBAKER--BUICK--NASH! Your choice! OR $2000.00 CASH + +[Illustration: MARK YOUR STAR + +MAIL THE CIRCLE] + +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. + + +Pick Your Lucky Star! + +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. + + +BE PROMPT--WIN $650.00 EXTRA + +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. + +Address GEO. WILSON, DEPT. 27, AUGUSTA, MAINE + + * * * * * + + +RUPTURE IS NOT A TEAR + +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 + + =WHEN=-- + + The weakened muscles recover their strength and elasticity, + and-- + + The unsightly, unnatural protrusion disappears, and-- + + 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 difference,-- + + =THEN=-- + + You'll know your rupture is gone, and + + 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. + + +SEND NO MONEY + +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. + + * * * * * + +=FREE TEST COUPON= + +Plapao Laboratories, 692 Stuart Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. + +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. + + Name ........................................ + + Address ..................................... + + * * * * * + + +NEW AND SIMPLE DISCOVERY + +CLEARS-THE-SKIN + +We prove it to you, =FREE=. =SEND NO MONEY.= Write today for =PROOF= +and full details of our liberal prepaid FULL SIZE TRIAL PACKAGE. + + +GUARANTEED FOR ALL SKIN TROUBLES + +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. =Just send us your name and address.= + +ANDRE & CO., 751 E. 42nd St., Suite 77, Chicago + + * * * * * + + +HAVE YOU READ? + + "ONE WOMAN'S WAR" + _By_ Helene Reynolds Moffatt + + "BROADWAY'S CHILDREN" + _By_ Achmed Abdullah and Faith Baldwin + + "THE LOST DREAM" + _By_ Hector Hawton + + "THE LIFE HE STOLE" + _By_ Roy Vickers + + "FOOLISH FIRE" + _By_ Virginia Swain + + "LIFE'S COMEBACKS" + _By_ Jan Cruze + + "THE WHIRL OF YOUTH" + _By_ Evelyn Campbell + + "FLAME OF FIRE WEED" + _By_ James French Dorrance + + "A PRAIRIE PRINCESS" + _By_ Frank C. Robertson + + +These complete novels, each one a story of unusual significance, are now +being offered to you at the special price of + + 25 cents each + or five for $1.00, postpaid + + THE READERS' GUILD, + 80 LAFAYETTE STREET, 12th FLOOR, + NEW YORK CITY + + * * * * * + + +TYPEWRITER 1/2 Price + +[Illustration: Free Trial] + +World's best makes--Underwood, Remington, Royal--also portables--prices +smashed to below half. (_Easy terms._) + + +SEND NO MONEY! + +All late models completely rebuilt and refinished brand new. _Guaranteed +for ten years._ Send no money--big _Free_ 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. + + International Typewriter Exch., + 231 W. Monroe St. + Dept. 272, Chicago + + * * * * * + + +PANTS MATCHED + +TO ANY SUIT--FREE SAMPLE + +[Illustration] + +=DON'T DISCARD YOUR OLD SUIT.= 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 _FREE_ best match +obtainable. + + AMERICAN MATCH PANTS CO. + Dept D. N. 6 W. Randolph St., Chicago, Ill. + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +QUIT TOBACCO + +[Illustration] + +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. + + +KEELEY + + Treatment For + _Tobacco Habit_ + Successful For + Over 50 Years + +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. + + THE KEELEY INSTITUTE + Dept. E-211 + Dwight, Illinois + + * * * * * + + +_Styled On Fifth Avenue._ + +TIES & SHIRTS PAY BIG + +MAKE STEADY MONEY + +weekly selling this combined line. Public Service offers the best +money-maker in the country for full time or spare time workers. + +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. + + PUBLIC SERVICE MILLS, Inc. + 517-J Thirtieth Street, North Bergen, N.J. + Canadian Office, 110 Dundas St., London, Ontario, Canada + + * * * * * + + +MONEY FOR YOU + +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. + + The MENHENITT COMPANY Limited + 245 Dominion Bldg., Toronto, Can. + + * * * * * + + + DIRECT FROM MOVIELAND + THRILLING LOVE LETTERS + LOVE'S PSYCHOLOGY + BEAUTY PSYCHOLOGY + +[Illustration] + + LOVE DROPS + PERFUME + SECRET EXTRACT + +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 + + +THRILLING LOVE LETTERS + +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. + + Wons Co., Dept. N-15 + Box 1250, Hollywood, Calif. + + * * * * * + + +BECOME AN EXPERT ACCOUNTANT + +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." + + =La Salle Extension University, Dept. 275-H Chicago= + =The World's Largest Business Training Institution= + + * * * * * + + +LEARN TO Mount Birds + +[Illustration] + +We teach you =At Home by Mail= to mount _Birds_, _Animals_, _Heads_, +_Tan Furs and Make Rugs_. Be a taxidermy artist. Easily, quickly learned +by men, women and boys. Tremendously interesting and fascinating. +Decorate home and den with beautiful art. _Make Big Profits from Spare +Time Selling Specimens and Mounting for Others._ + +=Free Book=--Yes absolutely Free--beautiful book telling all about how +to learn taxidermy. Send =Today=. You will be delighted. Don't Delay! + + Northwestern School of Taxidermy + 1032 Elwood Bldg. + OMAHA, NEB. + + * * * * * + + +FREE + +[Illustration: My Pay-Raising Plan] + +send you these Genuine high quality, Imported Drawing Instruments, 14 +Other Tools and a Drafting Table--All included in my Home Training +Course. + +"My Pay-Raising Plan" + +It Shows You How I Prepare You at Home For + + +EMPLOYMENT + +_In These and Other Great Industries_ + +Automobile--Electricity--Motor Bus--Aviation--Building Construction. + +There are jobs for Draftsmen in all of these industries and in hundreds +of others. + +Aviation is expanding to enormous proportions. + +Electricity is getting bigger every day. Motor Bus building is becoming +a leading world industry. + +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. + + +Earn As You Learn + +I tell you how to start earning extra money a few weeks after beginning +my training. + +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. + + +Employment Service + +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. + + +No Experience Necessary + +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. + +If you are now earning less than + + +$70.00 a WEEK + +[Illustration: _I train you at home!_] + +_Write For My FREE "Pay-Raising Plan"_ + +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. + + * * * * * + + =Engineer Dobe= + =1951 Lawrence Ave., Div. 15-62= + =Chicago= + +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. + + _Name_.................................. _Age_......... + + _Address_............................................... + + _Post Office_......................... _State_......... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +Clear-Tone Clears the Skin + +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. + + * * * * * + + + SELL PIONEER All Wool Tailoring + + _Full or Part Time_ + + $4.50 to $7.00 (WITH BONUS) + PROFIT Per SUIT + +Cash Paid Daily + +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. +=Chance for own clothes at no cost.= 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. + + =PIONEER TAILORING CO.= + =Congress and Throop Sts., Dept. P-1184, Chicago= + + * * * * * + + +Ruptured? + +[Illustration: Trade Mark + +C. K. Brooks, Inventor] + +Be Comfortable-- + +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. + +=BROOKS APPLIANCE CO., 173-B State Street, Marshall, Mich.= + + * * * * * + + +CORRECT Your NOSE! + +[Illustration] + +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. + +=ANITA INSTITUTE, 242 Anita Building, Newark, N.J.= + + * * * * * + + +WHAT EVERY ELECTRICIAN WANTS TO _KNOW_! + +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. + +Questions, answers, diagrams, calculations, underwriter's code; design, +construction, operation and maintenance of modern electrical machines +and appliances FULLY COVERED. + +All available at small cost, easy terms. BOOK-A-MONTH service puts this +NEW information in your hands for 6c a day. + +Write TODAY for Electrical Folder and FREE TRIAL offer. + +Theo. Audel & Co. 65 W. 23rd St. New York, Dept. 20 + + * * * * * + + +Ever Get Nervous When You're Reading? + +--_You might see a doctor_, + +--_But if you are a girl, and wise_, + +--_You'll try reading_ + +=MISS 1930= + +_instead_ + + +--IT'S A TONIC + +--A Chance To See your picture in a magazine. + +--Real laughs. + +--Choosing a Career + +--The Fate of Your Name + +--Youthful Styles + +--And the Best Fiction in any + +MAGAZINE FOR THE MODERN GIRL + + MISS 1930 + 80 Lafayette Street, New York City + + 25c. AT YOUR NEWSDEALER + SUBSCRIPTION $3.00 PER YEAR + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: FOR THOUSANDS OF MEN] + +Tobacco Habit Banished + +Let Us Help You + +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 _you_. 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. + + +Not a Substitute + +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. 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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. + +[Illustration: =EARLE LIEDERMAN, The Muscle Builder=] + +_Author of "Muscle Building," "Science of Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu," +"Secrets of Strength," "Here's Health," "Endurance," Etc._ + + +I WANT LIVE ONES + +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." + +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. + +Follow me closely now and I'll tell you a few things I'm going to do for +you. + + +HERE'S WHAT I GUARANTEE + +In just 30 days I'm going to increase your arm one full inch. 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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. + + +Send for my new 64-page book "_Muscular Development_" + +IT IS FREE + +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. + + EARLE LIEDERMAN + DEPT. 1702 + 305 BROADWAY, N.Y. CITY + + * * * * * + + =EARLE LIEDERMAN= + =Dept. 1702, 305 Broadway, New York City= + +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.) + + Name ......................... Age .......... + + Address ..................................... + + City ...................... State ........... + + * * * * * + +Please mention NEWSSTAND GROUP--MEN'S LIST, when answering +advertisements + + * * * * * + + + change to + OLD GOLD + in kindness to your + THROAT + +THE SMOKE SCREEN THAT KEEPS OUT THROAT-SCRATCH + + +"COLD" WEATHER IS OLD GOLD WEATHER + +[Illustration: Old Gold Cigarettes] + +In raw, damp, or cold weather, change to OLD GOLD. Its naturally good +tobaccos are smooth and kind to your throat. + +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. + +=Better tobaccos make them smoother and better ... with "not a cough in +a carload"= + + * * * * * + + +WHEN CRITICAL SMOKERS GET TOGETHER + +[Illustration: Camel] + +Their experience recognizes that Camel is indeed "a better cigarette": + + Better in its quality of mellow, fragrant tobacco. + + Better in the mildness and satisfying taste of the Camel blend. + +When they learn the difference they flock to Camels. + +CAMEL _CIGARETTES_ + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber Corrections: + +He turned quickly and was astonished at the sight of [added 'the'] + +shook a skinny forefinger [standardized 'fore-finger'] in Tom's face. + +I was successful [was 'successsful'] in business + +His eyes were riveted [standardized 'rivetted'] to an undulating, + +One is that it would be [was 'would me'] + +propellers [standardized 'propellors'] ripping into the summer night + +The thing was halfway [standardized 'half-way'] to the high bank + +On some were propellers [standardized 'propellors']. + +the slim shafts with their little propellerlike [standardized +'propellorlike'] fans. + +There were others without the propellers; [standardized 'propellors'] + +He saw from below the swift plane, [added comma] the streaming, +intangible ray + +does not sympathize [was 'symphathize'] with radicals. + +and took up a cigarette. Lighting [was 'Lightning'] it + +The light of the match died, plunging me into a pit of gloom. [was ,] + +more comfort than [was 'that'] a room of grotesque shadows + +familiar [was 'familar'] to him. He had seen it pictured + +throughout the sun-ship, [standardized 'sun ship'] Northwood, going +into the cabin for fur coats, + +Athalia's [was 'Athania's'] picture was gone. + +He seized a telescope and focused [was 'focusd'] it + +Northwood [was 'Norwood'] narrowed his eyes as + +"Do I guess right," said Northwood, [was ;] "that the light is + +"Yes," said Dr. Mundson. [was 'Munson'] "In your American slang, + +New Eden, [was 'Elden'] where supermen are younger than babes + +while she possessed the freshness of young girlhood, [changed from ;] +her skin and eyes + +the iciness [was 'icyness'] was gone from his blue eyes + +you would be disappointed in him, [added ,] especially after having + +which she probably never saw before to-day, [standardized 'today'] + +I don't blame Adam for preferring [was 'prefering'] Athalia. + +the atoms of his body seemed to fly asunder. [was 'assunder'] + +Every grave that has yawned to receive its prey hides [was 'pray'] + +thrust him into Future Time, where the laboratory [was hyphenated +between lines as 'labor-ratory'] + +there could be no survivors. [standardized 'survivers'] + +could receive with any [was 'and'] degree of clarity, + +always passed everyone [standardized 'every one'] who took his +courses + +that he was allowed to go [was 'do'] about as he pleased. + +I can have a good man rewrite [standardized 're-write'] your drivel + +isn't to-day [standardized 'today'] to that Indian. + +would be necessary to decelerate [was 'decellerate'] + +what looked at first [was 'fist'] glance to be a huge artillery shell + +To-day [standardized 'Today'] the human body stands a speed + +A few minutes was enough for [removed duplicate 'for'] me to grasp + +Suppose I was laughed [was 'to laughed'] at when I get back, + +in the chairs of science to-day. [standardized 'today'] + +pre-pleistocene [was 'pre-pleistocence'] age--swimming among the +invertebrate + +and, with almost super-human [standardized 'superhuman'] efforts, + +"The swarm's halfway [standardized 'half-way'] to Adelaide," he said. + +"Tommy, there must be water in the station," said [was 'and'] Dodd. + +The entire machine was enclosed [standardized 'inclosed'] in a + +inconspicuousness [was 'inconspicuous'] of his voice and manner + +replied the detective. "Where did you hide the loot?" [was ,] + +a person might [was 'mighty'] cause by passing very rapidly. + +more experience with robberies than [was 'that'] with apprehending + +is closed for to-day. [standardized 'today'] + +replied the doctor with a judicial [was 'judical'] air, + +"Are we going to waste the whole afternoon [was 'afternon'] + +showed you to be ambidextrous." [was 'ambidexterous'] + +SUBSCRIPTION [was 'SUBSCSRIPTION'] $3.00 PER YEAR + + + + + +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.txt or 28617.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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