diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29487-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 197540 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29487-h/29487-h.htm | 1265 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29487-h/images/001.png | bin | 0 -> 54235 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29487-h/images/002-1.jpg | bin | 0 -> 18915 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29487-h/images/002-2.jpg | bin | 0 -> 107389 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29487.txt | 909 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29487.zip | bin | 0 -> 15755 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
10 files changed, 2190 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/29487-h.zip b/29487-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..49c9f58 --- /dev/null +++ b/29487-h.zip diff --git a/29487-h/29487-h.htm b/29487-h/29487-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2423994 --- /dev/null +++ b/29487-h/29487-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1265 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Forever, by Ned Lang + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + h1 {letter-spacing: .5em; padding-left: .5em;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto; visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .rgt {text-align: right;} + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0; width: 372px;} + img {border: none;} + a:link,a:visited {text-decoration: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em; width: auto;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .figt {float: left; clear: left; margin: 15px; padding: 0; width: 154px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; min-height: 230px;} + .trn p {margin: 15px;} + .bk1 {margin: 2em auto; width: 20em;} + .hd1 {margin-bottom: 4em; text-align: center;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Forever, by Robert Sheckley + +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: Forever + +Author: Robert Sheckley + +Illustrator: Dick Francis + +Release Date: July 22, 2009 [EBook #29487] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOREVER *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1><big>FOREVER</big></h1> + +<h2><small>By NED LANG</small></h2> + +<div class="bk1"><p><i><big><b>Of all the irksome, frustrating, +maddening discoveries—was there +no way of keeping it discovered?</b></big></i></p></div> + +<p class="hd1"><big><b>Illustrated by DICK FRANCIS</b></big></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">With</span> so much at stake, +Charles Dennison should +not have been careless. +An inventor cannot afford carelessness, +particularly when his invention +is extremely valuable and +obviously patentable. There are +too many grasping hands ready to +seize what belongs to someone +else, too many men who feast upon +the creativity of the innocent.</p> + +<p>A touch of paranoia would have +served Dennison well; but he was +lacking in that vital characteristic +of inventors. And he didn't even +realize the full extent of his carelessness +until a bullet, fired from +a silenced weapon, chipped a +granite wall not three inches from +his head.</p> + +<p>Then he knew. But by then it +was too late.</p> + +<p>Charles Dennison had been left +a more than adequate income by +his father. He had gone to Harvard, +served a hitch in the Navy, +then continued his education at +M.I.T. Since the age of thirty-two, +he had been engaged in +private research, working in his +own small laboratory in Riverdale, +New York. Plant biology was +his field. He published several +noteworthy papers, and sold a new +insecticide to a development corporation. +The royalties helped him +to expand his facilities.</p> + +<p>Dennison enjoyed working +alone. It suited his temperament, +which was austere but not unfriendly. +Two or three times a +year, he would come to New York, +see some plays and movies, and +do a little serious drinking. He +would then return gratefully to his +seclusion. He was a bachelor and +seemed destined to remain that +way.</p> + +<p>Not long after his fortieth birthday, +Dennison stumbled across an +intriguing clue which led him into +a different branch of biology. He +pursued his clue, developed it, +extended it slowly into a hypothesis. +After three more years, a +lucky accident put the final proofs +into his hands.</p> + +<p>He had invented a most effective +longevity drug. It was not +proof against violence; aside from +that, however, it could fairly be +called an immortality serum.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Now</span> was the time for caution. +But years of seclusion had +made Dennison unwary of people +and their motives. He was more or +less heedless of the world around +him; it never occurred to him that +the world was not equally heedless +of him.</p> + +<p>He thought only about his +serum. It was valuable and patentable. +But was it the sort of thing +that should be revealed? Was the +world ready for an immortality +drug?</p> + +<p>He had never enjoyed speculation +of this sort. But since the +atom bomb, many scientists had +been forced to look at the ethics +of their profession. Dennison +looked at his and decided that +immortality was inevitable.</p> + +<p>Mankind had, throughout its +existence, poked and probed into +the recesses of nature, trying to +figure out how things worked. If +one man didn't discover fire, or +the use of the lever, or gunpowder, +or the atom bomb, or immortality, +another would. Man willed to +know all nature's secrets, and there +was no way of keeping them +hidden.</p> + +<p>Armed with this bleak but +comforting philosophy, Dennison +packed his formulas and proofs +into a briefcase, slipped a two-ounce +bottle of the product into a +jacket pocket, and left his Riverdale +laboratory. It was already +evening. He planned to spend the +night in a good midtown hotel, +see a movie, and proceed to the +Patent Office in Washington the +following day.</p> + +<p>On the subway, Dennison was +absorbed in a newspaper. He was +barely conscious of the men sitting +on either side of him. He became +aware of them only when the man +on his right poked him firmly in +the ribs.</p> + +<p>Dennison glanced over and saw +the snub nose of a small automatic, +concealed from the rest of +the car by a newspaper, resting +against his side.</p> + +<p>"What is this?" Dennison asked.</p> + +<p>"Hand it over," the man said.</p> + +<p>Dennison was stunned. How +could anyone have known about +his discovery? And how could they +dare try to rob him in a public +subway car?</p> + +<p>Then he realized that they were +probably just after his money.</p> + +<p>"I don't have much on me," +Dennison said hoarsely, reaching +for his wallet.</p> + +<p>The man on his left leaned over +and slapped the briefcase. "Not +money," he said. "The immortality +stuff."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">In</span> some unaccountable fashion, +they knew. What if he refused +to give up his briefcase? Would +they dare fire the automatic in +the subway? It was a very small +caliber weapon. Its noise might +not even be heard above the subway's +roar. And probably they felt +justified in taking the risk for a +prize as great as the one Dennison +carried.</p> + +<p>He looked at them quickly. +They were mild-looking men, +quietly, almost somberly dressed. +Something about their clothing +jogged Dennison's memory unpleasantly, +but he didn't have time +to place the recollection. The automatic +was digging painfully into +his ribs.</p> + +<p>The subway was coming to a +station. Dennison glanced at the +man on his left and caught the +glint of light on a tiny hypodermic.</p> + +<p>Many inventors, involved only +in their own thoughts, are slow +of reaction. But Dennison had +been a gunnery officer in the Navy +and had seen his share of action. +He was damned if he was going to +give up his invention so easily.</p> + +<p>He jumped from his seat and +the hypo passed through the sleeve +of his coat, just missing his arm. +He swung the briefcase at the +man with the automatic, catching +him across the forehead with the +metal edge. As the doors opened, +he ran past a popeyed subway +guard, up the stairs and into the +street.</p> + +<p>The two men followed, one of +them streaming blood from his +forehead. Dennison ran, looking +wildly around for a policeman.</p> + +<p>The men behind him were +screaming, "Stop, thief! Police! +Police! Stop that man!"</p> + +<p>Apparently they were also prepared +to face the police and to +claim the briefcase and bottle as +their own. Ridiculous! Yet the +complete and indignant confidence +in their shrill voices unnerved +Dennison. He hated a scene.</p> + +<p>Still, a policeman would be best. +The briefcase was filled with proof +of who he was. Even his name was +initialed on the outside of the briefcase. +One glance would tell anyone ...</p> + +<p>He caught a flash of metal from +his briefcase, and, still running, +looked at it. He was shocked to +see a metal plate fixed to the cowhide, +over the place where his +initials had been. The man on his +left must have done that when he +slapped the briefcase.</p> + +<p>Dennison dug at the plate with +his fingertips, but it would not +come off.</p> + +<p>It read, <i>Property of Edward +James Flaherty, Smithfield Institute</i>.</p> + +<p>Perhaps a policeman wouldn't +be so much help, after all.</p> + +<p>But the problem was academic, +for Dennison saw no policeman +along the crowded Bronx street. +People stood aside as he ran past, +staring open-mouthed, offering +neither assistance nor interference. +But the men behind him were +still screaming, "Stop the thief! +Stop the thief!"</p> + +<p>The entire long block was +alerted. The people, like some +sluggish beast goaded reluctantly +into action, began to make tentative +movements toward Dennison, +impelled by the outraged cries of +his pursuers.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Unless</span> he balanced the scales +of public opinion, some do-gooder +was going to interfere +soon. Dennison conquered his shyness +and pride, and called out, +"Help me! They're trying to rob +me! Stop them!"</p> + +<p>But his voice lacked the moral +indignation, the absolute conviction +of his two shrill-voiced pursuers. +A burly young man stepped +forward to block Dennison's way, +but at the last moment a woman +pulled him back.</p> + +<p>"Don't get into trouble, Charley."</p> + +<p>"Why don't someone call a +cop?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah, where are the cops?"</p> + +<p>"Over at a big fire on 178th +Street, I hear."</p> + +<p>"We oughta stop that guy."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing if you're willing."</p> + +<p>Dennison's way was suddenly +blocked by four grinning youths, +teen-agers in black motorcycle +jackets and boots, excited by the +chance for a little action, delighted +at the opportunity to hit someone +in the name of law and order.</p> + +<div class="figright"><img src="images/001.png" width="372" height="550" alt="" title="" /></div> + +<p>Dennison saw them, swerved +suddenly and sprinted across the +street. A bus loomed in front of +him.</p> + +<p>He hurled himself out of its +way, fell, got up again and ran on.</p> + +<p>His pursuers were delayed by +the dense flow of traffic. Their +high-pitched cries faded as Dennison +turned into a side street, ran +down its length, then down another.</p> + +<p>He was in a section of massive +apartment buildings. His lungs felt +like a blast furnace and his left +side seemed to be sewed together +with red-hot wire. There was no +help for it, he had to rest.</p> + +<p>It was then that the first bullet, +fired from a silenced weapon, +chipped a granite wall not three +inches from his head. That was +when Dennison realized the full +extent of his carelessness.</p> + +<p>He pulled the bottle out of his +pocket. He had hoped to carry out +more experiments on the serum +before trying it on human beings. +Now there was no choice.</p> + +<p>Dennison yanked out the stopper +and drained the contents.</p> + +<p>Immediately he was running +again, as a second bullet scored +the granite wall. The great blocks +of apartments loomed endlessly +ahead of him, silent and alien. +There were no walkers upon the +streets. There was only Dennison, +running more slowly now past the +immense, blank-faced apartments.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">A long</span> black car came up +behind him, its searchlight +probing into doors and alleys. Was +it the police?</p> + +<p>"That's him!" cried the shrill, +unnerving voice of one of Dennison's +pursuers.</p> + +<p>Dennison ducked into a narrow +alley between buildings, raced +down it and into the next street.</p> + +<p>There were two cars on that +street, at either end of the block, +their headlights shining toward +each other, moving slowly to trap +him in the middle. The alley +gleamed with light now, from the +first car's headlights shining down +it. He was surrounded.</p> + +<p>Dennison raced to the nearest +apartment building and yanked at +the door. It was locked. The two +cars were almost even with him. +And, looking at them, Dennison remembered +the unpleasant jog his +memory had given him earlier.</p> + +<p>The two cars were hearses.</p> + +<p>The men in the subway, with +their solemn faces, solemn clothing, +subdued neckties, shrill, indignant +voices—they had reminded +him of undertakers. They +<i>had</i> been undertakers!</p> + +<p>Of course! Of course! Oil companies +might want to block the invention +of a cheap new fuel which +could put them out of business; +steel corporations might try to +stop the development of an +inexpensive, stronger-than-steel +plastic ...</p> + +<p>And the production of an immortality +serum would put the undertakers +out of business.</p> + +<p>His progress, and the progress +of thousands of other researchers +in biology, must have been +watched. And when he made his +discovery, they had been ready.</p> + +<p>The hearses stopped, and somber-faced, +respectable-looking men +in black suits and pearl-gray neckties +poured out and seized him. +The briefcase was yanked out of +his hand. He felt the prick of a +needle in his shoulder. Then, with +no transitional dizziness, he passed +out.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">He</span> came to sitting in an armchair. +There were armed men +on either side of him. In front of +him stood a small, plump, undistinguished-looking +man in sedate +clothing.</p> + +<p>"My name is Mr. Bennet," the +plump man said. "I wish to beg +your forgiveness, Mr. Dennison, +for the violence to which you were +subjected. We found out about +your invention only at the last +moment and therefore had to improvise. +The bullets were meant +only to frighten and delay you. +Murder was not our intention."</p> + +<p>"You merely wanted to steal +my discovery," Dennison said.</p> + +<p>"Not at all," Mr. Bennet told +him. "The secret of immortality +has been in our possession for +quite some time."</p> + +<p>"I see. Then you want to keep +immortality from the public in +order to safeguard your damned +undertaking business!"</p> + +<p>"Isn't that rather a naive view?" +Mr. Bennet asked, smiling. "As it +happens, my associates and I are +<i>not</i> undertakers. We took on the +disguise in order to present an understandable +motive if our plan to +capture you had misfired. In that +event, others would have believed +exactly—and only—what you +thought: that our purpose was to +safeguard our business."</p> + +<p>Dennison frowned and watchfully +waited.</p> + +<p>"Disguises come easily to us," +Mr. Bennet said, still smiling. "Perhaps +you have heard rumors about +a new carburetor suppressed by +the gasoline companies, or a new +food source concealed by the great +food suppliers, or a new synthetic +hastily destroyed by the cotton-owning +interests. That was us. +And the inventions ended up here."</p> + +<p>"You're trying to impress me," +Dennison said.</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"Why did you stop me from +patenting my immortality serum?"</p> + +<p>"The world is not ready for it +yet," said Mr. Bennet.</p> + +<p>"It isn't ready for a lot of +things," Dennison said. "Why +didn't you block the atom bomb?"</p> + +<p>"We tried, disguised as mercenary +coal and oil interests. But +we failed. However, we have succeeded +with a surprising number +of things."</p> + +<p>"But what's the purpose behind +it all?"</p> + +<p>"Earth's welfare," Mr. Bennet +said promptly. "Consider what +would happen if the people were +given your veritable immortality +serum. The problems of birth rate, +food production, living space all +would be aggravated. Tensions +would mount, war would be imminent—"</p> + +<p>"So what?" Dennison challenged. +"That's how things are +right now, <i>without</i> immortality. +Besides, there have been cries of +doom about every new invention +or discovery. Gunpowder, the +printing press, nitroglycerin, the +atom bomb, they were all supposed +to destroy the race. But +mankind has learned how to +handle them. It had to! You can't +turn back the clock, and you can't +un-discover something. If it's there, +mankind must deal with it!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in a bumbling, bloody, inefficient +fashion," said Mr. Bennet, +with an expression of distaste.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's how Man is."</p> + +<p>"Not if he's properly led," Mr. +Bennet said.</p> + +<p>"No?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">"Certainly</span> not," said Mr. +Bennet. "You see, the immortality +serum provides a solution +to the problem of political +power. Rule by a permanent and +enlightened elite is by far the best +form of government; infinitely better +than the blundering inefficiencies +of democratic rule. But +throughout history, this elite, +whether monarchy, oligarchy, dictatorship +or junta, has been unable +to perpetuate itself. Leaders +die, the followers squabble for +power, and chaos is close behind. +With immortality, this last flaw +would be corrected. There would +be no discontinuity of leadership, +for the leaders would always be +there."</p> + +<p>"A permanent dictatorship," +Dennison said.</p> + +<p>"Yes. A permanent, benevolent +rule by small, carefully chosen +elite corps, based upon the sole +and exclusive possession of immortality. +It's historically inevitable. +The only question is, who is +going to get control first?"</p> + +<p>"And you think you are?" Dennison +demanded.</p> + +<p>"Of course. Our organization is +still small, but absolutely solid. It +is bolstered by every new invention +that comes into our hands and +by every scientist who joins our +ranks. Our time will come, Dennison! +We'd like to have you with +us, among the elite."</p> + +<p>"You want <i>me</i> to join you?" +Dennison asked, bewildered.</p> + +<p>"We do. Our organization needs +creative scientific minds to help us +in our work, to help us save mankind +from itself."</p> + +<p>"Count me out," Dennison said, +his heart beating fast.</p> + +<p>"You won't join us?"</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see you all hanged."</p> + +<p>Mr. Bennet nodded thoughtfully +and pursed his small lips. "You +have taken your own serum, have +you not?"</p> + +<p>Dennison nodded. "I suppose +that means you kill me now?"</p> + +<p>"We don't kill," Mr. Bennet +said. "We merely wait. I think you +are a reasonable man, and I think +you'll come to see things our way. +We'll be around a long time. So +will you. Take him away."</p> + +<p>Dennison was led to an elevator +that dropped deep into the Earth. +He was marched down a long passageway +lined with armed men. +They went through four massive +doors. At the fifth, Dennison was +pushed inside alone, and the door +was locked behind him.</p> + +<p>He was in a large, well-furnished +apartment. There were perhaps +twenty people in the room, +and they came forward to meet +him.</p> + +<p>One of them, a stocky, bearded +man, was an old college acquaintance +of Dennison's.</p> + +<p>"Jim Ferris?"</p> + +<p>"That's right," Ferris said. "Welcome +to the Immortality Club, +Dennison."</p> + +<p>"I read you were killed in an +air crash last year."</p> + +<p>"I merely—disappeared," Ferris +said, with a rueful smile, "after inventing +the immortality serum. +Just like the others."</p> + +<p>"All of them?"</p> + +<p>"Fifteen of the men here invented +the serum independently. +The rest are successful inventors +in other fields. Our oldest member +is Doctor Li, a serum discoverer, +who disappeared from San +Francisco in 1911. You are our +latest acquisition. Our clubhouse +is probably the most carefully +guarded place on Earth."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Dennison</span> said, "Nineteen-eleven!" +Despair flooded him +and he sat down heavily in a +chair. "Then there's no possibility +of rescue?"</p> + +<p>"None. There are only four +choices available to us," Ferris +said. "Some have left us and joined +the Undertakers. Others have suicided. +A few have gone insane. +The rest of us have formed the +Immortality Club."</p> + +<p>"What for?" Dennison bewilderedly +asked.</p> + +<p>"To get out of this place!" said +Ferris. "To escape and give our +discoveries to the world. To stop +those hopeful little dictators upstairs."</p> + +<p>"They must know what you're +planning."</p> + +<p>"Of course. But they let us live +because, every so often, one of us +gives up and joins them. And they +don't think we can ever break +out. They're much too smug. It's +the basic defect of all power-elites, +and their eventual undoing."</p> + +<p>"You said this was the most +closely guarded place on Earth?"</p> + +<p>"It is," Ferris said.</p> + +<p>"And some of you have been +trying to break out for fifty years? +Why, it'll take forever to escape!"</p> + +<p>"Forever is exactly how long +we have," said Ferris. "But we +hope it won't take quite that long. +Every new man brings new ideas, +plans. One of them is bound to +work."</p> + +<p>"<i>Forever</i>," Dennison said, his +face buried in his hands.</p> + +<p>"You can go back upstairs and +join them," Ferris said, with a +hard note to his voice, "or you can +suicide, or just sit in a corner and +go quietly mad. Take your pick."</p> + +<p>Dennison looked up. "I must be +honest with you and with myself. +I don't think we can escape. Furthermore, +I don't think any of you +really believe we can."</p> + +<p>Ferris shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Aside from that," Dennison +said, "I think it's a damned good +idea. If you'll bring me up to date, +I'll contribute whatever I can to +the Forever Project. And let's +hope their complacency lasts."</p> + +<p>"It will," Ferris said.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">The</span> escape did not take forever, +of course. In one hundred +and thirty-seven years, Dennison +and his colleagues made their successful +breakout and revealed the +Undertakers' Plot. The Undertakers +were tried before the High +Court on charges of kidnapping, +conspiracy to overthrow the government, +and illegal possession of +immortality. They were found +guilty on all counts and summarily +executed.</p> + +<p>Dennison and his colleagues +were also in illegal possession of +immortality, which is the privilege +only of our governmental elite. +But the death penalty was waived +in view of the Immortality Club's +service to the State.</p> + +<p>This mercy was premature, +however. After some months the +members of the Immortality Club +went into hiding, with the avowed +purpose of overthrowing the Elite +Rule and disseminating immortality +among the masses. Project +Forever, as they termed it, has +received some support from dissidents, +who have not yet been apprehended. +It cannot be considered +a serious threat.</p> + +<p>But this deviationist action in +no way detracts from the glory of +the Club's escape from the Undertakers. +The ingenious way in which +Dennison and his colleagues broke +out of their seemingly impregnable +prison, using only a steel belt +buckle, a tungsten filament, three +hens' eggs, and twelve chemicals +that can be readily obtained from +the human body, is too well known +to be repeated here.</p> + +<p class="rgt"><b>—NED LANG</b></p> + +<div class="trn"><div class="figt"><a href="images/002-2.jpg"><img src="images/002-1.jpg" width="154" height="200" alt="" title="" /></a></div> + +<p><big><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></big></p> + +<p>This etext was produced from <i>Galaxy Science Fiction</i> February 1959. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Forever, by Robert Sheckley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOREVER *** + +***** This file should be named 29487-h.htm or 29487-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/4/8/29487/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/29487-h/images/001.png b/29487-h/images/001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..891395f --- /dev/null +++ b/29487-h/images/001.png diff --git a/29487-h/images/002-1.jpg b/29487-h/images/002-1.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e5b3c0e --- /dev/null +++ b/29487-h/images/002-1.jpg diff --git a/29487-h/images/002-2.jpg b/29487-h/images/002-2.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4a48718 --- /dev/null +++ b/29487-h/images/002-2.jpg diff --git a/29487.txt b/29487.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9affa7c --- /dev/null +++ b/29487.txt @@ -0,0 +1,909 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Forever, by Robert Sheckley + +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: Forever + +Author: Robert Sheckley + +Illustrator: Dick Francis + +Release Date: July 22, 2009 [EBook #29487] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOREVER *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +FOREVER + +By NED LANG + + + _Of all the irksome, frustrating, + maddening discoveries--was there + no way of keeping it discovered?_ + + +Illustrated by DICK FRANCIS + + +With so much at stake, Charles Dennison should not have been careless. +An inventor cannot afford carelessness, particularly when his invention +is extremely valuable and obviously patentable. There are too many +grasping hands ready to seize what belongs to someone else, too many men +who feast upon the creativity of the innocent. + +A touch of paranoia would have served Dennison well; but he was lacking +in that vital characteristic of inventors. And he didn't even realize +the full extent of his carelessness until a bullet, fired from a +silenced weapon, chipped a granite wall not three inches from his head. + +Then he knew. But by then it was too late. + +Charles Dennison had been left a more than adequate income by his +father. He had gone to Harvard, served a hitch in the Navy, then +continued his education at M.I.T. Since the age of thirty-two, he had +been engaged in private research, working in his own small laboratory in +Riverdale, New York. Plant biology was his field. He published several +noteworthy papers, and sold a new insecticide to a development +corporation. The royalties helped him to expand his facilities. + +Dennison enjoyed working alone. It suited his temperament, which was +austere but not unfriendly. Two or three times a year, he would come to +New York, see some plays and movies, and do a little serious drinking. +He would then return gratefully to his seclusion. He was a bachelor and +seemed destined to remain that way. + +Not long after his fortieth birthday, Dennison stumbled across an +intriguing clue which led him into a different branch of biology. He +pursued his clue, developed it, extended it slowly into a hypothesis. +After three more years, a lucky accident put the final proofs into his +hands. + +He had invented a most effective longevity drug. It was not proof +against violence; aside from that, however, it could fairly be called an +immortality serum. + + * * * * * + +Now was the time for caution. But years of seclusion had made Dennison +unwary of people and their motives. He was more or less heedless of the +world around him; it never occurred to him that the world was not +equally heedless of him. + +He thought only about his serum. It was valuable and patentable. But was +it the sort of thing that should be revealed? Was the world ready for an +immortality drug? + +He had never enjoyed speculation of this sort. But since the atom bomb, +many scientists had been forced to look at the ethics of their +profession. Dennison looked at his and decided that immortality was +inevitable. + +Mankind had, throughout its existence, poked and probed into the +recesses of nature, trying to figure out how things worked. If one man +didn't discover fire, or the use of the lever, or gunpowder, or the atom +bomb, or immortality, another would. Man willed to know all nature's +secrets, and there was no way of keeping them hidden. + +Armed with this bleak but comforting philosophy, Dennison packed his +formulas and proofs into a briefcase, slipped a two-ounce bottle of the +product into a jacket pocket, and left his Riverdale laboratory. It was +already evening. He planned to spend the night in a good midtown hotel, +see a movie, and proceed to the Patent Office in Washington the +following day. + +On the subway, Dennison was absorbed in a newspaper. He was barely +conscious of the men sitting on either side of him. He became aware of +them only when the man on his right poked him firmly in the ribs. + +Dennison glanced over and saw the snub nose of a small automatic, +concealed from the rest of the car by a newspaper, resting against his +side. + +"What is this?" Dennison asked. + +"Hand it over," the man said. + +Dennison was stunned. How could anyone have known about his discovery? +And how could they dare try to rob him in a public subway car? + +Then he realized that they were probably just after his money. + +"I don't have much on me," Dennison said hoarsely, reaching for his +wallet. + +The man on his left leaned over and slapped the briefcase. "Not money," +he said. "The immortality stuff." + + * * * * * + +In some unaccountable fashion, they knew. What if he refused to give up +his briefcase? Would they dare fire the automatic in the subway? It was +a very small caliber weapon. Its noise might not even be heard above the +subway's roar. And probably they felt justified in taking the risk for a +prize as great as the one Dennison carried. + +He looked at them quickly. They were mild-looking men, quietly, almost +somberly dressed. Something about their clothing jogged Dennison's +memory unpleasantly, but he didn't have time to place the recollection. +The automatic was digging painfully into his ribs. + +The subway was coming to a station. Dennison glanced at the man on his +left and caught the glint of light on a tiny hypodermic. + +Many inventors, involved only in their own thoughts, are slow of +reaction. But Dennison had been a gunnery officer in the Navy and had +seen his share of action. He was damned if he was going to give up his +invention so easily. + +He jumped from his seat and the hypo passed through the sleeve of his +coat, just missing his arm. He swung the briefcase at the man with the +automatic, catching him across the forehead with the metal edge. As the +doors opened, he ran past a popeyed subway guard, up the stairs and into +the street. + +The two men followed, one of them streaming blood from his forehead. +Dennison ran, looking wildly around for a policeman. + +The men behind him were screaming, "Stop, thief! Police! Police! Stop +that man!" + +Apparently they were also prepared to face the police and to claim the +briefcase and bottle as their own. Ridiculous! Yet the complete and +indignant confidence in their shrill voices unnerved Dennison. He hated +a scene. + +Still, a policeman would be best. The briefcase was filled with proof of +who he was. Even his name was initialed on the outside of the briefcase. +One glance would tell anyone ... + +He caught a flash of metal from his briefcase, and, still running, +looked at it. He was shocked to see a metal plate fixed to the cowhide, +over the place where his initials had been. The man on his left must +have done that when he slapped the briefcase. + +Dennison dug at the plate with his fingertips, but it would not come +off. + +It read, _Property of Edward James Flaherty, Smithfield Institute_. + +Perhaps a policeman wouldn't be so much help, after all. + +But the problem was academic, for Dennison saw no policeman along the +crowded Bronx street. People stood aside as he ran past, staring +open-mouthed, offering neither assistance nor interference. But the men +behind him were still screaming, "Stop the thief! Stop the thief!" + +The entire long block was alerted. The people, like some sluggish beast +goaded reluctantly into action, began to make tentative movements toward +Dennison, impelled by the outraged cries of his pursuers. + + * * * * * + +Unless he balanced the scales of public opinion, some do-gooder was +going to interfere soon. Dennison conquered his shyness and pride, and +called out, "Help me! They're trying to rob me! Stop them!" + +But his voice lacked the moral indignation, the absolute conviction of +his two shrill-voiced pursuers. A burly young man stepped forward to +block Dennison's way, but at the last moment a woman pulled him back. + +"Don't get into trouble, Charley." + +"Why don't someone call a cop?" + +"Yeah, where are the cops?" + +"Over at a big fire on 178th Street, I hear." + +"We oughta stop that guy." + +"I'm willing if you're willing." + +Dennison's way was suddenly blocked by four grinning youths, teen-agers +in black motorcycle jackets and boots, excited by the chance for a +little action, delighted at the opportunity to hit someone in the name +of law and order. + +[Illustration] + +Dennison saw them, swerved suddenly and sprinted across the street. A +bus loomed in front of him. + +He hurled himself out of its way, fell, got up again and ran on. + +His pursuers were delayed by the dense flow of traffic. Their +high-pitched cries faded as Dennison turned into a side street, ran down +its length, then down another. + +He was in a section of massive apartment buildings. His lungs felt like +a blast furnace and his left side seemed to be sewed together with +red-hot wire. There was no help for it, he had to rest. + +It was then that the first bullet, fired from a silenced weapon, chipped +a granite wall not three inches from his head. That was when Dennison +realized the full extent of his carelessness. + +He pulled the bottle out of his pocket. He had hoped to carry out more +experiments on the serum before trying it on human beings. Now there was +no choice. + +Dennison yanked out the stopper and drained the contents. + +Immediately he was running again, as a second bullet scored the granite +wall. The great blocks of apartments loomed endlessly ahead of him, +silent and alien. There were no walkers upon the streets. There was only +Dennison, running more slowly now past the immense, blank-faced +apartments. + + * * * * * + +A long black car came up behind him, its searchlight probing into doors +and alleys. Was it the police? + +"That's him!" cried the shrill, unnerving voice of one of Dennison's +pursuers. + +Dennison ducked into a narrow alley between buildings, raced down it and +into the next street. + +There were two cars on that street, at either end of the block, their +headlights shining toward each other, moving slowly to trap him in the +middle. The alley gleamed with light now, from the first car's +headlights shining down it. He was surrounded. + +Dennison raced to the nearest apartment building and yanked at the door. +It was locked. The two cars were almost even with him. And, looking at +them, Dennison remembered the unpleasant jog his memory had given him +earlier. + +The two cars were hearses. + +The men in the subway, with their solemn faces, solemn clothing, subdued +neckties, shrill, indignant voices--they had reminded him of +undertakers. They _had_ been undertakers! + +Of course! Of course! Oil companies might want to block the invention of +a cheap new fuel which could put them out of business; steel +corporations might try to stop the development of an inexpensive, +stronger-than-steel plastic ... + +And the production of an immortality serum would put the undertakers out +of business. + +His progress, and the progress of thousands of other researchers in +biology, must have been watched. And when he made his discovery, they +had been ready. + +The hearses stopped, and somber-faced, respectable-looking men in black +suits and pearl-gray neckties poured out and seized him. The briefcase +was yanked out of his hand. He felt the prick of a needle in his +shoulder. Then, with no transitional dizziness, he passed out. + + * * * * * + +He came to sitting in an armchair. There were armed men on either side +of him. In front of him stood a small, plump, undistinguished-looking +man in sedate clothing. + +"My name is Mr. Bennet," the plump man said. "I wish to beg your +forgiveness, Mr. Dennison, for the violence to which you were subjected. +We found out about your invention only at the last moment and therefore +had to improvise. The bullets were meant only to frighten and delay you. +Murder was not our intention." + +"You merely wanted to steal my discovery," Dennison said. + +"Not at all," Mr. Bennet told him. "The secret of immortality has been +in our possession for quite some time." + +"I see. Then you want to keep immortality from the public in order to +safeguard your damned undertaking business!" + +"Isn't that rather a naive view?" Mr. Bennet asked, smiling. "As it +happens, my associates and I are _not_ undertakers. We took on the +disguise in order to present an understandable motive if our plan to +capture you had misfired. In that event, others would have believed +exactly--and only--what you thought: that our purpose was to safeguard +our business." + +Dennison frowned and watchfully waited. + +"Disguises come easily to us," Mr. Bennet said, still smiling. "Perhaps +you have heard rumors about a new carburetor suppressed by the gasoline +companies, or a new food source concealed by the great food suppliers, +or a new synthetic hastily destroyed by the cotton-owning interests. +That was us. And the inventions ended up here." + +"You're trying to impress me," Dennison said. + +"Certainly." + +"Why did you stop me from patenting my immortality serum?" + +"The world is not ready for it yet," said Mr. Bennet. + +"It isn't ready for a lot of things," Dennison said. "Why didn't you +block the atom bomb?" + +"We tried, disguised as mercenary coal and oil interests. But we failed. +However, we have succeeded with a surprising number of things." + +"But what's the purpose behind it all?" + +"Earth's welfare," Mr. Bennet said promptly. "Consider what would happen +if the people were given your veritable immortality serum. The problems +of birth rate, food production, living space all would be aggravated. +Tensions would mount, war would be imminent--" + +"So what?" Dennison challenged. "That's how things are right now, +_without_ immortality. Besides, there have been cries of doom about +every new invention or discovery. Gunpowder, the printing press, +nitroglycerin, the atom bomb, they were all supposed to destroy the +race. But mankind has learned how to handle them. It had to! You can't +turn back the clock, and you can't un-discover something. If it's there, +mankind must deal with it!" + +"Yes, in a bumbling, bloody, inefficient fashion," said Mr. Bennet, with +an expression of distaste. + +"Well, that's how Man is." + +"Not if he's properly led," Mr. Bennet said. + +"No?" + + * * * * * + +"Certainly not," said Mr. Bennet. "You see, the immortality serum +provides a solution to the problem of political power. Rule by a +permanent and enlightened elite is by far the best form of government; +infinitely better than the blundering inefficiencies of democratic rule. +But throughout history, this elite, whether monarchy, oligarchy, +dictatorship or junta, has been unable to perpetuate itself. Leaders +die, the followers squabble for power, and chaos is close behind. With +immortality, this last flaw would be corrected. There would be no +discontinuity of leadership, for the leaders would always be there." + +"A permanent dictatorship," Dennison said. + +"Yes. A permanent, benevolent rule by small, carefully chosen elite +corps, based upon the sole and exclusive possession of immortality. It's +historically inevitable. The only question is, who is going to get +control first?" + +"And you think you are?" Dennison demanded. + +"Of course. Our organization is still small, but absolutely solid. It is +bolstered by every new invention that comes into our hands and by every +scientist who joins our ranks. Our time will come, Dennison! We'd like +to have you with us, among the elite." + +"You want _me_ to join you?" Dennison asked, bewildered. + +"We do. Our organization needs creative scientific minds to help us in +our work, to help us save mankind from itself." + +"Count me out," Dennison said, his heart beating fast. + +"You won't join us?" + +"I'd like to see you all hanged." + +Mr. Bennet nodded thoughtfully and pursed his small lips. "You have +taken your own serum, have you not?" + +Dennison nodded. "I suppose that means you kill me now?" + +"We don't kill," Mr. Bennet said. "We merely wait. I think you are a +reasonable man, and I think you'll come to see things our way. We'll be +around a long time. So will you. Take him away." + +Dennison was led to an elevator that dropped deep into the Earth. He was +marched down a long passageway lined with armed men. They went through +four massive doors. At the fifth, Dennison was pushed inside alone, and +the door was locked behind him. + +He was in a large, well-furnished apartment. There were perhaps twenty +people in the room, and they came forward to meet him. + +One of them, a stocky, bearded man, was an old college acquaintance of +Dennison's. + +"Jim Ferris?" + +"That's right," Ferris said. "Welcome to the Immortality Club, +Dennison." + +"I read you were killed in an air crash last year." + +"I merely--disappeared," Ferris said, with a rueful smile, "after +inventing the immortality serum. Just like the others." + +"All of them?" + +"Fifteen of the men here invented the serum independently. The rest are +successful inventors in other fields. Our oldest member is Doctor Li, a +serum discoverer, who disappeared from San Francisco in 1911. You are +our latest acquisition. Our clubhouse is probably the most carefully +guarded place on Earth." + + * * * * * + +Dennison said, "Nineteen-eleven!" Despair flooded him and he sat down +heavily in a chair. "Then there's no possibility of rescue?" + +"None. There are only four choices available to us," Ferris said. "Some +have left us and joined the Undertakers. Others have suicided. A few +have gone insane. The rest of us have formed the Immortality Club." + +"What for?" Dennison bewilderedly asked. + +"To get out of this place!" said Ferris. "To escape and give our +discoveries to the world. To stop those hopeful little dictators +upstairs." + +"They must know what you're planning." + +"Of course. But they let us live because, every so often, one of us +gives up and joins them. And they don't think we can ever break out. +They're much too smug. It's the basic defect of all power-elites, and +their eventual undoing." + +"You said this was the most closely guarded place on Earth?" + +"It is," Ferris said. + +"And some of you have been trying to break out for fifty years? Why, +it'll take forever to escape!" + +"Forever is exactly how long we have," said Ferris. "But we hope it +won't take quite that long. Every new man brings new ideas, plans. One +of them is bound to work." + +"_Forever_," Dennison said, his face buried in his hands. + +"You can go back upstairs and join them," Ferris said, with a hard note +to his voice, "or you can suicide, or just sit in a corner and go +quietly mad. Take your pick." + +Dennison looked up. "I must be honest with you and with myself. I don't +think we can escape. Furthermore, I don't think any of you really +believe we can." + +Ferris shrugged his shoulders. + +"Aside from that," Dennison said, "I think it's a damned good idea. If +you'll bring me up to date, I'll contribute whatever I can to the +Forever Project. And let's hope their complacency lasts." + +"It will," Ferris said. + + * * * * * + +The escape did not take forever, of course. In one hundred and +thirty-seven years, Dennison and his colleagues made their successful +breakout and revealed the Undertakers' Plot. The Undertakers were tried +before the High Court on charges of kidnapping, conspiracy to overthrow +the government, and illegal possession of immortality. They were found +guilty on all counts and summarily executed. + +Dennison and his colleagues were also in illegal possession of +immortality, which is the privilege only of our governmental elite. But +the death penalty was waived in view of the Immortality Club's service +to the State. + +This mercy was premature, however. After some months the members of the +Immortality Club went into hiding, with the avowed purpose of +overthrowing the Elite Rule and disseminating immortality among the +masses. Project Forever, as they termed it, has received some support +from dissidents, who have not yet been apprehended. It cannot be +considered a serious threat. + +But this deviationist action in no way detracts from the glory of the +Club's escape from the Undertakers. The ingenious way in which Dennison +and his colleagues broke out of their seemingly impregnable prison, +using only a steel belt buckle, a tungsten filament, three hens' eggs, +and twelve chemicals that can be readily obtained from the human body, +is too well known to be repeated here. + + --NED LANG + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _Galaxy Science Fiction_ February 1959. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and + typographical errors have been corrected without note. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Forever, by Robert Sheckley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOREVER *** + +***** This file should be named 29487.txt or 29487.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/4/8/29487/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/29487.zip b/29487.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea9019d --- /dev/null +++ b/29487.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..11a0d6d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #29487 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29487) |
