Professional Documents
Culture Documents
i
AUGUST
TORIE
25
OF THE
Keller,
m
VELOCITY OF ESCAPE
By Joe W. Skidmore
IN THE FOOTSTEPS
WASP
Stanton A. Coblenti
Concluding
LIFE
EVERLASTING
M. D.
By David H.
Whiter Teeth
QUICKl
that's
Paste, you'll
discover
why
so
many people
prefer
it.
We use a modern
and
stains off
little
It gets film
brushing.
after only a
few days'
and gentle,
Then this
give teeth a handsome lustre and polish. particularly Again and again, people
the way
it
makes
Also
gums in
it,
oughly "washed"
Begin your
this
assurance
test
soon. Results are what count! If you find tooth paste better than the one you are
it
business man of Albany, N. Y. Curtis s W. Scoville is now likes Listerine Tooth Paste because "it gets the stain* off leeth quickly."
<
below)
new 40^
size
containing
twice as
St.
much.
: reputation of Edward Linden, their chief c added t matographer. "I have used Listerine Tooth Paste in my travels
and
at
me
because
it
Louis,
Mo.
cleans quick."
REGULAR SIZE
NEW double
s,ze
* e
udisb
_
*/** to Ignorance wd fttf, Don't be Hnjoy the rapturous delight* of the pec
feet physical love:
ifc*
Hcbiw
Ji-iMi
NtedMi alS*Mm#t*
eiam*f
blaring through 576 |gi erf straightforward facts. love is the most magnificent talsey in the world ... know how to hold pur loved one... don t glean half-truth* from
TRUTH,
ftSSSti&m
J. IPfhct Mg-i
j"*!
1
TS.W-SE.5&.
ofid
w J * ^^.
,
<*
~
Lost love . . . scandal .. drroree ... can Only I* prevented by the ignorant pay toe awful pinattut 01
.
k.owUd
told
study these
1 . . .
illojtta*
<
Ti.S.
{SI'
^tClMri
The 106 illustration, iesv. nothing to the taajtn.,,00 ._. k(uw bow to come phj^ical mbmating . . . knowto do on yonr wedding night to avoid the torturing result* of Ignorance. Ettrytbiwg pertaining to sex Is discussed In daring language. All the things yoti have wanted to know about your sex life,
information about which other boobs only Vaguely hint, is yours at last. > Some will be offended by the amazing
trations,
eV tfJ^^'?:L^i "esses: of
shin their C r S "y unbelievable to the normal mind yet yoa yo" should understand them.
know etwry/iirfrgabout sex. Sex i* no longer a tin ... a mystery ... it b-your greatest power for happiness -You owe it to yourself ...to the one you love, to tear aside the curtain of hypocrisy and learn the nmhtd rrtubJ
i m
Monty beck
at
once
If
satisfied
ence* that are your birthright . . how to attract the opposite sex .
know
.
bow
CO hold lore. There is no longer any need to par tfee mwfui prist for one moment of bliss. Read
the scientific pathological facts told 10 bravely by Dr. Rubin. The chapter* on venereal disease are alone worth die price of the book.
franknesi of this book and its vivid illusbut the world hai no longer any
raise
modesty.
EpEEl KB** r
NEW BOOK
"WRY
tllTH CONTROl?"
lift
PUBLISHING CO.
Am. New York, N.Y.
t
,
ftease *end re*. "Sex Harmony *o<J Eucenle*" In plait 1 will pirtht poBtmui J3.?! (win patttm l ea -'= faViTiry, If 1 tin nee B the bat* and the entire p.urehSBriea will berttandet OF CHAEuE. JOUI
wrapp*.
"^
N****-
.i
1.
..
fU
e tan*.
Amazing Stories
Science Fiction
Vol. 9
AUGUST,
Papyrus
1934
No. 4
CONTENTS
Editorial
Old-Time Writing
Serials
Life Everlasting
(Serial in
6
10
David H.
Keller,
M.D.
Four Parts
Conclusion)
Jules Verne
42
Stories
The
Complete
Joe W. Skid more Stanton A. Coblentx Henry J. Kostkos Isaac R. Natkanson Bernard Brown, B.Sc.
55
91 99
111 121
Science Questionnaire.
98
John W. Campbell,
Jr.
110 136
Our Cover
illustrates the spirit of Dr Keller's beautiful narration concluded have never published a story with a more in this issue. enlightened view of the real needs and longings of human nature.
We
Drawn by Morey
Published Monthly by
New
York, N. Y.
Copyright, 1934, by Teck Publications, Inc., in United States and Canada. Registered in U. S. Pat Office All rights reserved. Entered as 8cond-elas matter Sept. S, 1933, at the postoffice at Chicago, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. 25c a copy, $2.50 a year. $J.OO ia Canada. $3.50 in foreign countries. Subscribers are notified that change of address must reach us five weeks in advance of the next date of issue.
""^~
Printed
In
U.S. A.
"
'
-^
^^_
or phisIIt
II
daor
47.
yon
trill
re-etTB your
fi dO Nli Uarua.t
as. -d
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Ti
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iteh
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EWFWTOKS
1b tpptrtaf far patents.
ourse
ram
idem.
2 Years^
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fat to
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la
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for lafor-
No ebtm
serried
cmJan on bow
frieMUl.
A,
proceed.
c ireful,
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efficient
strict!;
mo-
Pretnpt.
CLARIHCE
187-8
Adims
ISSMSjfeM
61th, Chitag*
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rt,
uvunuil
INI 'TrrUTf
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H. Y.
Please mention
ex
For hundreds of years men and women have talked with hushed voices about
wn
THE THIRD
any
SEX.
Is
it
booklets, which wiQ be sen in plain wrapper* I intimately die* erne many Important subjects relating to
my two
FREE
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goes
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en among the
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Do you know that their ..... of the Shadow World? number is constantly increasing? The strange power they wield over normal people is almost unbelievable. Dr. Potter
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the ahnormal ties and the unnatural desires and actions of these twilight men and women! There are records that actually prove that men have been INTO SEXFor the first time a Doctor reveals the facts about abnormalities; what they are how they may be corrected information of abaorbirif, vital interest.
UAL ABNORMALS.
MADE
In Silence Forever?
Fearlessly, openly, the real meaning of many misttnder.=tocd Necrophilia Phallic subjects is daringly revealed. Sadism
Worship Uranism
Sodomy Pederasty Tribadism Ssphism the norma! man and woman refuse believe
will
to
and are
practiced-
Clayton Statio n
St. Louie,
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Address
,
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f 1
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reserve the right to return all orders alter thli edition (Canadian and Foreign orders roust be accomI li exhausted.) panted by remittance for $2.25.)
Town (We
State
Bgcsiuucd hartuietshoiDe twoiment Can be f w drink to nyuwwl dnoka w in>n lim. HEW?!1' mfimd wlawWhakej,, Horn* b ah Your ream*
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Education usually
MENWOMEN
Chicago
FRANKLIN (NSTrTUTE
Boot. riS5
RociMtef, W. V.
Please mention
THE MAGAZINE OF
SCIENCE FICTION
T.
Augmt, 1934
No. 4
O'CONOR SLOANE,
West
N. V.
O'CONOR SLOANE,
first
Ph.D.
IT
may
and
ing.
is
fair to
maa
too,
each one resembling the cross-section of a wedge and each one of the same size
as its neighbor;
terial
used
writing
stone.
was
Clay
smooth surface of
to be subsequently
they
various
ways and
the
hardened by
fir-
them
individual
values
wax on
alphabetical characters.
them were employed for more or less temporary inscriptions and memoranda. Then came papyrus, vellum and paper.
The tendency
tions.
to
an
alphabet
can
be
The most
known
were
as
traced to Egyptian
and Asian
inscrip-
acters suggesting
ideographic
nation
is
as
the
ob-
Egyptian
little
concerned.
of
These
beings,
pictures
human
and
the
it
Champollion,
ence,
founder
of
the
sci-
much
and developed
low.
In Asia Minor there originated another type of writing, which seems purely
arbitrary in
its
had a very obscure path to folHis first deciphering goes back to 1821, so we have a little more than a
characters, as
much
This
of
so
The Egyptian
that
class
would seem
tried
to
marks
the archaeologist
who
de-
AMAZING STORIES
cipher them would have had an insoluble
slab,
with a
hour from a single complicated machine. It would seem that the cylindrical seal
of
was
found
be modified so
The
ef-
was
in
Greek.
setta stone,
this ancient
monument gave
was
in
the clew to
some
the
One
of the inscriptions
demotic character,
outlived
would be on such a small element of the cylinder at a time that a very excellent impression could be looked for. Rubber stamp printing is relief printingthe old Egypfective as the pressure
tian
seals
probably
may
be
called
in-
or
the
pictorial
taglio printers.
Other such monuments have been found, which have helped in the difficult work.
One
reed
feet
of Egypt
the papyrus.
This
is
a large
of
subject,
and whose
interior
consists
a
it
one of the most famous physicists of old work on the undulatory theory of light and on the in-
Centuries before
occurred to anybody to
make
paper, this
The develophad
very thin
true,
slices,
to-
in physics has
Yet in
his archaeological
letters.
work he
use
of
seals,
great
out of stone,
often
the
was two layers thick. How they were made to adhere is not perfectly clear whether there was some mucilaginous or
other
adhesive
natural
sap
in
them.
These
were
hieroglyphs.
which held them together, or whether some additional adhesive was used, is not known.
to-
The stems
the
base,
shell or bark.
is
as thick as a
man's arm
at
may
be taken as the
first
it
print-
outer
with
Within
is
the pith.
It
This
can be cut
seal
The Egyptians had another type of which was engraved on the surface
a
small
in
So
with
strong
it.
of
cylinder
one-half
inch
or
built
more
in
was used by
rolling
it
slaughter of
is it that boats can be Moses' mother, Jochebcd, legally imposed male children of the
on the surface to be inscribed after the cylinder had been coated with a coloring Here the Egyptians really pigment.
Hebrews, put the infant Moses into what has been called an "arc of bulrushes," which was a little box made of
papyrus, and set the
little
seemed
say
to be
ahead of
is
us, as
first
it is
fair to at cyl-
creature adrift
that
this
the
attempt
on the Nile.
built craft,
We
printing
from a
cylinder,
and to-day
but this
vessel carried
a more
them.
impressive
load
than
any of
many thousands
per
AMAZING STORIES
them on account of what they thought was the pleasant odor which they produced, and of the entire roll one was
fortunately saved.
The area where it was cultivated was much larger than the region it now grows
in.
Its
"cuHvation"
the
may have
of
better
deserved
name
"conservation."
The manufacture of papyrus for literary work was carried on for many centuries. It is said that it is still made in Syracuse. The material is so strong and amenable
to
The
is
now
be-
shaping that
cases.
mummy
treatment
and
The rather primitive insome of the regions, where excavations are being made, have awakorganizations.
habitants of
we
have been recovered. Papyrus has also been found in Herculaneum, as rolled-up
documents, charred
the city,
in the destruction of
bing the grave" in a sense, by carrying on private excavations of their own in competition with the
governmental and
university investigators.
preserved.
The world
mania for
are
developing
collecting.
Fabulous prices
objects
and see the condition to which the paper on which newspapers are printed reverts
after a
paid
for
different
virtuoso's fashion
of
the
few years, he
will
acquire
it
may
or
be an almost
unique
tion of
postage
stamp
first
edi-
Therefore,
when we read
it
of
Moses
and
the
bulrushes,
is
papyrus we
value and
if
of the "fads"
the
sad
part of
all this.
during,
far
ground
in
and made into a little boat carrying the infant who was to be the writer and exAnd ponent of the law for mankind. the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, were probably written on papyrus. The last sixty years have brought to
light a quantity of papyrus manuscripts, which have been buried for centuries, showing the great endurance of the paper of the ancient world as we may call
were quantities of papyrus manuscripts, which were well worth the attention of
the world.
it
It
is
was not
until the
abouts
class
that
collectors
the
highest
and the good quality of the ink with which the words were written. The anit
ancient
Latin,
including
the
fact
Greek and
that
cient
little
literature
literary
thus
far
If
recovered
the
lost
has
awoke
to
there
value.
books
were quantities of papyri still to be had in a good state of preservation although centuries old. They were perhaps buried
a building and after preservation for twenty centuries or more were rapidly disappearing, not by the
in the ruins of
of
Livys
history
could
In
connection
directly
cloth
with paper
tapa
made
be
al-
most
bark
tioned.
from
is
vegetable
matter,
or
should
menbark
This
kinds
made from
trees,
the bark of
man. Thus we are told of one instance where a number of papyri were found by the ignorant Arabs in a compact roll, and they amused themselves by burning
several
of
the outer
being
removed
and
the
inner
bark
This
is
done
AMAZING STORIES
cific
results
are at-
felt
as a rival to papyrus.
One
The
great
color
tained.
effort
was never used for writing because the people who made it had no written language. Very interesting ornamental patterns were painted upon it, one of the many examples of the fondness of mankind for decoration. Parchment is made from the skin of very young animals, sheep, goats, and calves. The name vellum applies to the finest kind of parchment, for some of the latter is far from smooth and is somewhat dark in color. The manufacture of vellum starts with the skin of
fine quality
of the
was two
to
make
it
thin.
from the
other, so the
inner
next
to
and
facing
each other.
noted.
Papyrus was a definite width before being made up in wide or narrow pieces. Parchment was completely sheeted and in
;
pieces from the beginning. But modern man when he makes paper first
single
and
thin.
dehairing, scraping
together to an
enormous
into
rolls
area.
also,
of
A. D. parchment began
make
itself
EGYPTIAN
FORM
HIERATIC
ORIGINAL
hieroglyphic
-+.
& MEAN?
FOAM
TRANSCRIPTION
Awf PHARAOH")
y&.
tftfJPM
4fA
Perro tnk
ttt,
tub
"father"
of hieroglyphics into simplified characters are shown above, of Egypt end the word "father" are inscribed in the original right), which were gradually changed to the demotic characters
is
The philologist, W. D. Whitney, gives this statement concerning demotic characters: "The demotic has lost all relics of a pictorial character, being composed of a limited, though large end unwieldy, number of arbitrary signs, chiefly phonetic."
If
<'TF
10
Life Everlasting
By
DAVID
H. KELLER, M.D.
Conclusion
The second
Part of the story promises to hold the reader's interest to the
it
would be
good
interesting to
is to
be.
psychology, and
human
never
lets his
readers be disappointed in
He
is
by
MOREY
who was
cured
conto
Before:
are told of an altruistic scientist who has discovered a serum which seems to be a cure
for "the thousand natural shocks that the flesh
sidered
be
completely
thirty
not only removes bodily infirmities, but jives a new cast to the mind as poor rooming well as new life to the body. house affords him admirable subjects for his experiments, and the owner of a tabloid paper, who lias a crippled son, is deeply interested in his work and has his son also treated. The result is amazing, a cripple is cured of his infirmities, the morale of others is changed. The tabloid expects to make a great hit when permitted to publish the story, but which for the present The inventor, dead secret. is to be kept a who is the hero of the story, after all these results, which include the curing of some fourteen hundred prisoners in Farview Prison in Ohio, meets the President of the United States now will read of the and his cabinet. results of the discussion at this important meeting, what was done, and the second and concluding instalment will tell us the rest. It bids fair to hold us in suspense to the very end.
is
heir to."
The serum
"You
ing
is
are all sick men. I am not askyou to give the diagnosis. This
cold-blooded
what
are benefited.
cer and I
to
give
going to
of
far
all
will know if you I am suffering from canam going to ask Mr. Biddle me the first injection. I am have him give it to me in front
of you.
There
will
not be, as
secrecy.
to have
We
as
I
After
a
dose
my
dear
friend,
the
Vice President. After that the line forms on the left. You can take it or leave
it.
G
cancer.
ENTLEMEN,
you a
secret
is
am
giving
unless
Think
it
over, All
talk
I
it
over,
come
is
wliich,
to a decision.
ask of you
It
something
will
no longer be a
Grant
know
that
have been
for
have cancer and that the Vice President has angina pectoris and may die
at
any moment.
Mr.
Biddle,
will
you
has
been
discouraging
advisers
die in
proceed?
group.
Which arm?"
year.
told
A
me
six months.
most At Farview
I I
will
saw a case
There was an air of resistance in the Whisperings of disapproval and negativism. Ignorance of medical mat-
LIFE EVERLASTING
11
On
the
little
till
granite,
at last, a
steamer chugged between high, precipitous cliffs of Laurentian thousand feet above them, to the left, they saw a Madonna holding in her arms the Christ Child.
12
ters
AMAZING STORIES
"Nothing!"
said
procedure.
made the average man fear the The thought of allowing an unknown drug to be introduced into the
Biddle
Biddle.
"If
the
serum
give
it
is
of any value, I
am
willing to
to the nation."
"Why
had given the serum to the President and Vice President and no one stepped
forward to be the third patient. Sudlittle dog walked slowly up to the table leading a blind man. The dog
denly a
"Have you given him the serum ? Have you taken it yourself?"
"The
answer
to
both
questions
is
was
a seeing friend
NO." "Why?"
"I do not care to discuss that.
It is
"Was
there a blind
man among
those
personal."
convicts?" he asked.
"What happened
President.
to
him?"
I
"I will answer that," interrupted the "I saw the man.
talked
"Are you sure you know what the serum will do?" "No." "What do you mean by that?"
"I
do.
mean
I
that I
am
not sure of
its
all it
will
who
studied his
only
know
a part of
us.
power."
it
He
You
say
makes
honest
of twenty days."
blind
it
see,
the
criminal
an
"That
"This
man,
that.
little
every disease
If
it
man
can have.
all
You
admit
else
me
I
to move.
can do
that,
what
guided
me and
can
it
be asked to do?
What
other pow-
was born
blind.
would
die.
like
to see
ers do
you think
it
might have?"
Give
me
the
suspicions?"
New
from
half
are.
Senator
only
"I
I
have been
man
since
"Yes but I will not say what they Anything else?" "No. You have said enough." "Just one word more, gentlemen,"
;
had my stroke. I want to be the man after Goresome." That started a general movement. At end only six men remained untreated. the
next
Silent,
critical,
session,
passes
cool,
determined,
they
at
that
time ex-
ment.
"Come back
of
thirty
Washington
gentlemen,"
let
at the
end
days,
concluded
us at that time
determine what
is
"/"\NE
^S
ed
one
of
the
untreated
six.
"What does Mr. Biddle get out of this?" "You answer that. Mr. Biddle," whispered the President.
and physicians. He tells me that and cheaply made. He asthat he wishes to make a gift of it to the nation. But he feels that its general use must be safeguarded by wise and effective laws. I want to thank those of you who have helped me by personally giving Mr. Biddle a chance
entists
it
is
easily
sures
me
am
not in any
way blaming
the six
LIFE EVERLASTING
gentlemen
with
13
who
refused
drug.
to
experiment
ever}'
close.
college
an
unknown
Good
night
to all of you."
money
to
pay the
I
professors.
am
CHAPTER X
The
Six Conspirators
am
going to ask
Serum
life
will
THE
the
ing, if
it
six
who had
refused to take
insur-
timore hotel.
who
ask
"And
here
is
politicians, that
you to think about. What two departments of every university are the best
attended,
after
or B.S.
groups?
cine.
The answer
Why do our young men study law and medicine? Because they expect
to
The
table,
make a
way
living.
ques-
tion.
considered
political
office
simply as
the
inventor
will ?
They
some-
What
will
happen to the
practice
of
in
but the
nesses of men's
ufacturing,
One
of
of us.
a large university.
too
the meeting
was not
dred and twenty-five million persons in the United States and every day millions of
in the experiments of
They saw,
men
of
sat
his
in America, what the general use They serum would result in. around a table with their coats off shirt
and have
to
appeal
to
the
medical profession.
I tell
you
that thirty
is
given to
They
think.
The
sion:
university
man
two professions will cease and the lawyers and doctors will be on the streets selling apples and holding out the tincups
for sweet charity.
No
one
will
want
to
Our
their
The income
will close
Who
will
want
to
study medi-
money
is
invested mainly
insurance
companies
and
rail-
thousand
roads.
The
companies collapse,
dollars, when any disease can be cured by a single injection of a simple serum that can be made by the
14
barrel
AMAZING STORIES
by
millions
The
course,
am
every
go out
will
There
be
It
and
sociologists
who
sold.
Take
remained
last
spell
The
other
five
in
stolid,
boiled
Warden.
of these
stodgy silence.
At
he
gave to the
many
men
tfiat
Since the
He
He
would
I
trust
any of
was
said
in
to be
them
in
any way.
am
the
seriously con-
men
America.
is all
sidering
true.
approaching
Governor of
that these
At
least,
the
MR
There
is
another thing
than the
tot-
that
is
disturbing
me more
from prison and given one more chance to rehabilitate themselves.' Does it not seem that in some way this serum enables men to think more clearly, to live more cleanly, to follow more accurately
the
"/"\UR
Government
i3
is
essentially
one
for
teaching
of
the
Golden
^S
since
that
Rule?
Ever It is highly political. was founded the Common People have supported it in taxes and the At rulers have lived on those taxes.
the Masses.
it
of
leading
step
politicians
in
the
that
United
serum.
States
I
up and
men.
take
know
those
little
laborer, the
Outside
of
man
an emotional, idealistic, asinine sort of a person, I would not trust one of that
bunch with a
five-cent piece.
They would
no
If
great
and
outstanding
leadership.
they would tear the present political machinery to pieces and out of the ruins they would build a government that was sympathetic with the under man, the forgotten man. who does little except work like a dog, live as best he can and
and rob a starving infant of his bottle They have had charge of the of milk.
Government Cow
for
years
and they
They know
And
as
in
their
way they
of
are as criminal
the
men
pay taxes.
For the time forget the cases of cancer and blindness and kidney disease that are said to have been cured by the Biddle Serum. Think what it has done to the souls of the people who have taken that serum
"Keep
that
mind.
caught.
"They took the serum. The President was smart. He wants to come up for
another
term.
He
thinks
that
if
he
vote
to
for him.
He
think
of
the
changes
it
has
made
in
those
men
their personality.
Take
but he
taxi
dancer
in
New York
Of
them him
LIFE EVERLASTING
with their gratitude.
15
was
does
Perhaps they
will.
He may
have
overlooked
what
the
damned drug would do to their souls. But I tell you this. If the serum works on those politicians in the same way it
worked on those criminals, they will come back to Congress representing the common people and having the interests of the forgotten man at heart and at the
next election both the Democratic and
the Republican party will be killed, and the country will cease to have a political
rule but will be governed solely in the
interests
Even suppose
that
death
His serum robs the world of and I cannot see how the Church would function were it not for sin. I
come.
sin
understand
his
subconscious
thought,
of the people.
And
that will
mean
tion
America.
Laugh about
that if
you can." Again the sextette remained silent. At last a Bishop broke the silence. He was a combination of Priest and Politician, and once had swayed a national election by an appeal to religious prejudice.
one I have had to combat for is no sin, only and that all crimes are simply symptoms of an abnormal body or mind that if the disease could be discovered and cured, the symptoms would disappear and the patient would cease to be a criminal. I have had an army physician argue that a cocaine fiend was simply a sick man, just like a victim of
it is
;
and
years
disease,
typhoid fever.
Now,
if
all
wickedness
in the world can be done away with just by giving every person a dose of the Biddle Serum, what is going to be the
future of
my
church?
And
every other
church ?"
telling," the
clergyman whisfall
"TT
We
the
is
growing
men.
get
late,"
growled one of
is
"You have
is is
*- the
"What
the
answer?
talking
of universities and
parties,
cannot
anywhere
of
by
but
there
something
the
more
of
serious.
Suppose he
able
to
crime
to
and
religion.
cure
What
How
if
people going
do about it?" "We have to see Biddle and buy the secret of the serum from him !" dethe Bishop.
sell?"
we going
to die?
What
die?
manded
going to happen
they don't
is
"Suppose he won't
Every
world
based on
fear
"He
will if
we
the fear
and hope of
eternity, the
But
is
how
if
there
university
professor.
"We
"Our
churches
religious
close,
life
will
smash,
our
will talk to him kindly. We will show him where he is wrong. We will persuade him that the best thing is to form a company for the manufacture and dis-
"You
take
it
too seriously,
Bishop,"
We
will tell
him
he
pany.
He
so and
anything he asks.
utation,
no one
"I
him anything. Pay him Money, power, repa trip to Europe to demonstrate
know he
the drug.
16
AMAZING STORIES
will
"We
take
do that
little
thing.
will
If he
we
have to
him out
for a ride!"
"Why
itician.
discovery.
We
believe in you,
and the
are not
But we
is
"Congress
can
see,
then
The
blind
Goresome may
our
To
beloved President
cancer.
may
be cured of his
but they will
eral objections.
As
rich
understand
it,
you
They
will
wait,
propose to
make
this
medicine available
to every one,
ignorant,
right ?"
irrespective
Am
may
serum.
There
will
be a
lot
of talk, and
call
it
laugh and
"I
really
do not know.
It
be
some
restrictions.
That
Barnum
up
to Congress."
it
"Would
least
an educational limit?
You
are giv;
And
that
was
would
it
six conspirators.
be wise to give
it
to all?
Should
who
CHAPTER XI
Fate Intervenes
"You
who have
little
shall
shall
who have
THE
six lost
It
no time
making
best to
contact.
was thought
have the
the Bishop.
located Biddle
negotiations
opened
by
laboratory.
society
office
He went to Philadelphia, and called on him in his His name, his position in
the door to the scientist's
easily, in spite of the
"Not exactly." "Then what do you think ?" The man who receives "Just this. your serum will be endowed with wonderful
health.
He
will
have a great
made
Now,
to use
open rather
fact that the man and every move he made was carefully guarded by Secret
Service
Men.
The
to
President did
not
the
want anything
of the serum.
was
right
as
an
experi-
ment, but
we cannot approve
of
it
as
man.
routine practice.
Do you
intend to re-
He
underworld?
the best policy; at least sufficient honesty to convince his listener that he
was
turn them loose on society to continue to be a burden, and an additional one because of their vigorous bodies?"
honest.
So,
"Mr. Biddle.
men
ing
besides
mysel f
When
that
name
is
"T HOPED
*
"That
is
that
there
would be
everything
tra-
Can a leopard
ditionally great in
America.
They stand
LIFE EVERLASTING
"Perhaps
not.
17
felt
it
At
least,
even with
if
liis
President
He
was important. So
to the
he
a healthy one."
pow-
"All right
Asia?
even
to
But how about Europe? Those nations owe us millions, Are you going I feel give them universal health?
billions of dollars.
"I know a man," said the politician, "who can do this little thing for us.
He
abilities.
Of
that
Biddle would be
you
the
The
of
personage.
But
this
man would
do
it
for a million."
to
making
I
the
serum
at once."
"Put him
our
"Oh!
country!
the
admit
That night a
sleek, little
man, nicely
Would
them the
you do not want to profit, let a corporation be formed with a large percentage of profits going to the Govdrug?
ernment.
at the
He
listened to the
is
man's story.
"A
last
million
a lot of cash," he at
this
commented, "and
it,
guy Biddle
It
all
is
worth
can be
the
as a
done, but
grief.
national
Would
you
do
Who
that?"
know?"
feel
"No."
"Will you
to us?"
want to
sure that
"No."
me.
is
not
be
talked
"What
your price?"
about.
know most of
have a
give
I
er?
and
then, after I
will
you
"I
you go in with us." "I do not want anything." "One more question. Why did you want to make a serum like this?"
"I have a son."
"Then
"Better
quiet
am
sure
won't do
it."
make
place,
the
I
serum?"
that
Now
Bishop,
feel
we
My
time
is val-
me?"
have to
at 'Tony's Place' down on Avenue? He is a friend of mine and knows how to keep him mouth shut. Ten to-night, and the six of you had
about meeting
the
"Five
hundred
If
million?"
not, I will
better be there."
"Go.
you do
left.
Seven men
at
sat
'Tony's
ate
little
Place'
little
Six of
The Bishop
them
sleek
man
BIDDLE
entire
sat
down
rest.
and talked less. The ate and talked for the he wiped his mouth.
to take tm's
man
Bid-
and sent
it
to
the
dle for
18
"Something
politician.
like
AMAZING STORIES
that,"
whispered the
"How
**We
compliment.
said
In refusing to take the serum themselves they paid you a high They evidently wanted to
represented.
limit in blocking
pay
it
in
coin,"
the
go the
to
University President.
"No bank
publicity."
notes
Have you
"I
days.
have not
I
seen a paper
for
four
two
my
lot
of metal.
it
You
to give
to
me
in
Suppose
I
me
I'll
here to-morrow
them?
be going now.
"Oh!
it? I
That?
that
Yes,
heard about
to
it."
want
I
do with
you.
know
is
He went
utes
later
Ten min'Tony's
you
to answer, but I
men
left
antagonism to
my
Place.'
On
sidewalk
they
were
known, and
a
raised
the
all
New York
speakeasy
has
I
already
feel
that
Administration
weather
the
the
with
the
closed
curtains
was a
know
block away.
giving them to
CHAPTER
Biddle
XII
me?" "You do
"No.
gangster
killed
them?"
Has
a Caller
this
You do
not impress
me
as a
TWO
He came
days after
Biddle had a
of a murder.
visitor.
None
of
the
other
than
the
feel
sure they
President
United
States.
harm
to you.
Probably
As
but,
soon as
received your
for
made arrangements
evidently
it
your
not
protection,
was
ton.
He
necessary."
"No.
It
was
all
was done?
last
"In a way
was not
surprised.
Who
hours. the
did it?"
Those
their
six
men have
to
been persistent in
every effort of
passed
that
"Yes,
but In
just
I
within
the
two
about
efforts
block
fact,
just said
good-bye to
mine
to
in
have
legislation
source
of
my
information
would
people.
any way be of
benefit to the
thirty
visitor
My
Sin-
They were
intelligent
and
felt
Silent
and that
Inter-
cox.
was
ests.
the preservation
of
Special
He
is
They
felt
that in
some way
the
various rackets of
to see me. "Life,
New
York.
He came
a
general use of your serum would be injurious to the various corporations they
Mr.
President,
is
rather
LIFE EVERLASTING
peculiar thing.
19
Millions
that
way and
are
who way by
why
are
swayed
this
life,
cox used to go and visit him. He was Death was dying from tuberculosis. He was one just around the corner.
of the convicts
injection.
the tides of
who
received the
that.
first
He
going or
they
are
going or
my
why they
his business to
told
do something
first
"Something of
this
happened
in
He
buy
me
a
that his
When
they
me
diamond
of
ring.
incidence,
number two.
all
me.
"Now,
these
six
am
not sure
tliat
little
men had
go to
a
this
man
was
lit-
careful in the
least they
They were a
they went at
kill
person by the
there
it;
at
name
of Biddle.
He knew
so,
man
to double-cross a
he did a
was
sister
man
to
for a ride.
his
He was
and cured
ters,
He
arranged mat-
have absolutely
pin
single
met the
six
murder on him. Of all the killers in America they could not have selected one who was more to be trusted in a matter
like that.
speak-easy ahead of them, gave the signal to his helpers, and that
was all there was to it. There was no way at all to show that he was at all connected with
"But
Italy.
come from
the murder.
He
paid
all
it
the expenses
are
He came from
his
Shamokin, Pa.,
now on
name was Peter Casey. he loved dearly. Her name was Mary. He tried to make her behave, but he made a failure of it. She came to New York, changed her name to Valencia Moore and was one of my first cases. The serum made a rather remarkable change in her morals. The case was one of those detailed in the Purple Flash, but the name was changed. Of course, the brother knew of the change. He knew that in some way I was the one who was responsible for it.
and
right
way
it.
He
had a
sister
"But he
about
that
ought to know
to kill
If
He
wanted
me
to be on
my
guard.
the
So, he called on
story.
me
He
will
another man."
"How
fore
do you know?"
he
left."
CHAPTER
The
President's
Senate
XIII
Message
was
filled
it
not?"
"yOU
*
would think that was enough. was not the only odd feature of this story. Silent Sincox had a friend, boy he had known since childhood. a
But
it
THE
were
ters
Chamber
and
the
visitors'
with
tatives.
Senators
Representagalleries
The
jammed with
from
foreign
filled
aristocracy
of
The
friend
committed
murder,
was
life
The
press-
boxes were
overflowing.
The
imprisonment
in
Farview Prison.
Sin-
President personally
was going
to open
20
AMAZING STORIES
and read
been increasingly burdened with the
care of the abnormal.
The
care of
the
insane,
the
mentally
deficient,
and Governors
from
over
three-
When
the ap-
away
to silence he began, to
read:
in-
"To
and Representatives
creasing
demand
cancer
that
the
states
of the Congress of the United States. "I have Asked you to Meet in Special
the
cases,
and other
Session
to
Consider a Matter of
to
forms of incurable
all this
disease.
Add
to
Vital
Importance
of
the
Interests
and
This
Welfare
Country.
Every
Citizen
of
service
is
men and
to
loaded
the
saturation
its
point,
respondisabled
to
its
sick
and
when
spite
the deficit
is
growing
rap-
citizens.
and in
idly
of
all
our efforts to
is
in
bankruptcy and no
"Crime also adds to the cost of government. Remove crime and you lessen the work of our judiciary to a minus point and also empty our
prisons.
new hope
discovery
is
given us by a scientific
that
it
may
make
be
of
such
value that
will revive
our entire
again
The
general
use
of
the
Biddle
economy
"I
and
as
us
serum promises
our nation.
it
you probably know, to the discovery of a serum by a This serum scientist named Biddle.
refer,
we
can
will be wisely
and
properly used.
He
five
persons in
New York
Ohio, and,
City,
to in
over fourteen
over one hunofficials
country,
irrespective
of
race,
hundred convicts
Farview Prison,
of this
lastly, to
known as
the
Serum
this
BiU.
including
your
President
am
law with
fit.
If
attended
;
with
the
patient
feel
that
the
you can assure Mr. Biddle that the main features of the law as we have framed them will be preserved, he has promised to address you at once and give to the representatives
of the medical profession,
experts
that
a new
who have
the
full
met with us
formula
as to just
will
at
my
invitation
human
of his serum,
direc-
and
his opinion
"For
several
decades
monwealths
of
our
comcountry have
the
LIFE EVERLASTING
His message delivered, the President sat down. Instead of apmight cause
ing.
die.
21
my
little
friend
much
suffer-
turned and
He
is
will
soon
I
plause there
tion.
For the
while he lives
am
Just
The Vice
rapped
for
going to pretend
to
am
still
blind.
"I
am
going to
call
on Senator Gore-
make a little dog happy. "Mr. Biddle, a man who was once
but
some of Montana." Down the crowded center aisle walked little dog, leading a man. The sight was For years the blind a familiar one.
Senator had been led by his
dog.
faithful
sat
blind
see
wishes to
thank you
he
sight
The world
same
now
sees appears to
be a very beau-
tiful one.
When
blind
of
every
I
person
down and looked up at his master and friend. The man turned, bent over and The patted the animal on the head.
dog wagged
his
tail.
States
der.
am
filled
Sir,
is
"Ty
lY
friends,"
will receive
due
will
iVl
Senator.
"We
Bill,
have
all
re-
Your name
go down
one of
take
Nation as
Serum
it
its
greatest benefactors.
I
But
we
see
wish to
the
to
make
a law.
We
it.
opportunity
of
voicing
bill
and approve of
and
awakened to the
gift
Democratic
parties,
will
and be
with
woman
sick
they
assure
me
that
is
action
and
child,
every
one
who
If, at
is
or
taken as rapidly as
consistent
afflicted, I
thank you.
any future
Mr.
do anything
sup-
Mr. Biddle, all you have to do is to come to this chamber and ask it for help. Again a blind man who can see thanks you for the blessing of that
for you,
sight."
"Now,
is
purely personal.
was born
blind.
For
this
He
the
seat,
my
little
dog has
of
little
There may
the
me through
the
dangers
safely.
murmur when
The
me
We
have
now
become inseparable
if
friends.
I think that
legisla-
necessity in
grief.
my
life,
he would die of
I
received an
I
that
the
Senate Chamber
his
little
injection
re-
had ever
seen.
Goresome and
covered
vision.
my
It
sight,
dog and
the
had touched
flight
human
heart
of
au-
but
The
thing I
was sure
gaining
never have.
But
in
my
saw
that I
AMAZING STORIES
adding their tribute to the great leader
lease
of
it.
this
energy,
and had
finally
who
could, in his
moment
of happiness,
little
solved
Even
in the solution he
was
dog.
re-
very
much
in the dark.
He
simply
knew
extra
in
serum or
an
the
solution
of
chemicals
gave
cell
cheering throng. He went over to Goresome and took his hand. Just that, and not a word from either of them. Just
and enwith
to
release
it
this
energy just as
when
was
it
in combination
a handshake.
human
isolated
body, as
could
when
all
was
and de-
CHAPTER XIV
Biddle Explains
tached from
others
AN hour later the scientist met twelve /A physicians in the President's * -** office at the White House. The
President
or giving
it
new
solulife.
He
tion
this
was
there, a stenographer,
and
In
It
all
had been carefully American Medical Association. Each was a specialist, and one was, in addition to being a physician, a
physicians
selected by the
The
made
with sick
ous diseases.
noted chemist.
dle
He
began his explanation of the serum. talked at length concerning the one
animal,
he had
sults
felt
justified
in
beginning his
work with
had seen
life.
the
human
animal.
The
re-
celled
showed
of to
had been
in
identical
with those he
simply a collection
called
He
that
their
attention
fact
under
isolated
favorable
cell
circumstances
live
the
It
clear to him,
could
indefinitely,
he explained, that
selfish
and
anti-social
man, they rapidly died, could not reproduce, starved from lack of proper nourishment and .ultimately produced
of a
result of sickness.
He
work with
were
make
fact.
this
thought a definite
true, then all
If
it
sin
and
evil in the
mass
died.
world could be
wiped out,
and man,
He
ago,
in
such a
way
cell
would
live longer.
upward toward the stars. In his work with am'rnals he felt that he had been able to prolong life. That
would have
to be considered. At preswas that the life would be increased. would be added to the span of human existence would have to be determined by years of observation. The
within the
could be liberated.
;
He was
not sure
expectancy of
what this energy was it might be some form of radiant vibration, it might be energy obtained from the splitting qf the hydrogen atom. He had worked for some years on
the problem of the re-
How much
would also
Person-
LIFE EVERLASTING
ally,
23
at
all,
he
felt
that
the
maximum
result
"Anything
eat less
would be obtained
and
less
He
more water. He may use the hydrogen atom in the water. I am not sure."
"I think,"
said
provement
nation.
the
intelligence
of
the
the
I
President
of
the
He
A. M. A., "that
some advance.
had shown a remarkable increase in their intellectual quotient. That result also
sure
time,
of that knowledge.
it
At
to
same
is
not
necessary
would have
But, even
to be studied.
if
know how the drug works we are sure of the fact that
feel that
It
is
so long as
it
does.
his share.
would be worth
while.
in at
now our
most
members
work
of the
He
made
greatest,
self-sacrificing profession
least
that will
free to
He
ultimately
make us
all
Serum
Bill
would
You are
life
how much
Certainly
provide for pensioning the medical profession in return for their services. They would need some pension as, when the entire population was treated, there would be little or no work for either
will be
prolonged?"
"I
cannot
answer
that.
may
of the
"Have any
out an operation.
ended by giving the compostion of serum and the manner of its preparation. It was not a true serum, but,
the
rather,
He
died
a natural a
Of
course,
killed
number
a watery compond of
chemicals.
certain well
it
the
great
inis
known
He
laity.
had called
best
apfin-
by
the
When
chemist
he
if
"Yes,
but I
it.
ished
he
asked
the
he
it.
worry about
healthy
"Understand?
chemist.
Make
it
it?"
asked
the
that
man
be
will
'Why,
It is
is
so
simple
socialization.
In
a
addition
this
there
rate."
will
decrease
the
birth
make
it.
too
simple.
wonder
of
it
before?"
the
COLUMBUS
marked
tions to ask
and
egg,"
Per-
re-
the President.
"And now,
haps
man
will be wiser."
to
dis-
Mr. Biddle?
He
is
very
Why
know
not ?"
little
"Because
so
about
us?
it."
"How
to tell
To
the doctors.
24
AMAZING STORIES
I
"V^ES.
would
first
concentrate on
Biddle smiled;
frightened smile.
"I
sary.
it
was a rather
will
tell
timid,
1
inite
who
are def-
charges
hospitals
on the
State.
Emptying
it
be neces-
the
that
think
it
we
should
them how
to give
it
to
make
dose.
You
will
have to be
If the
serum
They
is
will
think
it
will
work, there
There
one
go on record.
In regard
feel
the
prisoners,
we should
that
an
was a
sick
treaties. After all war is simply nainsanity and a form of sickness. The serum ought to help. I believe it will. Of course, it is a big idea, Mr. President, and it is so big I am afraid of it, but I would advise you to talk
no
tional
You know my
profession,
it.
argument.
penologists
The
legal
frankly with the various ambassadors and give them the formula without restrictions.
the
I
must accept
In
fact,
had
it
Serum
law,
like to give
And, now, I must be going." "Won't you stay for supper? I should some of my friends a chance
meet you."
to
"No.
a son.
I
My
work here
to
And, with
the room.
he prepared to leave
want
He
CHAPTER XV
it
How
The School
for
Unusual Children
is
your throat?"
least,
that
is
what
my
THE Mary
of
its
usual Children
first
me."
is
"Good!
Just then
taries
That
fine."
rich
in
the
endowed
had even
ily
museums,
built
financed
founda-
came
and
fam-
is
monuments
the
to their
fame
But
in
form of
left
wide roads
Mary Gregory,
by her
family
more
she
to
mil-
he wants, Biddle?"
lions
than
or any
other
do
He
it
wants
the
formula
In
He
the
is
hundred unusual children, and after it was built and completely furnished she
will be
employed the best personnel in the country to go there and work, and set aside an
"I
How
if
endowment
sufficient to
provide a thou-
would Tell them they can have the secret, they promise to disarm and sign
be
to
effect
compromise?
a
sand dollars income for each child per year. Then, and only then, she gave
the entire school to the State of Maine.
When
it
to
LIFE EVERLASTING
Maine
rather
25
work
to
than to
New
York, she
that the
have a
I
little
little
felt
then
intend to go to Canada.
man who
Maine needed it. At the head of the schood she placed for years had worked with
believe
safe
from reporters."
are
"Up
Bonchield,"
we
he
backwaters of
the
life.
newspapers;
been
He was
have
talking
it
trying
Is
it
to
great man,
lieved
his
simplicity,
be-
decide what
all
means.
your
that
thought
that
the
serum
will
actually
of study he
would begin
how
"Happiness First."
if
He
be-
do not what it
I
believe that
will
anyone knows
do,"
was
the
scien-
serious reply.
"We
the
the
other
essentials
would be
of
intelli-
to
it.
take twenty-five
final
supplied
course,
them
there
easily,
provided,
years
at
least
before
results
was
money and
can be analyzed.
that
it
gence.
will
But there is no doubt improve the health of the narate, and, I hope, in-
Slowly
mentally
fifteen
admitted to this
tion,
deficient,
grades,
from
in-
Mary Gregory
sighed,
"We
have
course,
received
it
your
serious
letter
and
But each
tellectual
child,
irrespective
of his
given
thought.
we Of
quotient,
was
to be given an
we
impossible
that
They were
to be given aca-
we
feel
we
demic
education,
occupational
therapy,
moral instruction,
emotional
outlet.
athletic diversion
and
these
feel
children
than
that
we
should
of
be
overconfident
When
Biddle
left
the results.
at
it,
You
explain
how we
look
Doctor Bonchield."
Doctor, converthat
by appointment. Mary Gregory and Dr. Bonchield. Both of them knew him,
as
' '
he
made
was
occasional
visits
to
the
school.
old, but
sation,
you
is
should
not
a
realize
alert mentally.
mental deficiency
a condition
basket.
It
;
disease,
but
"that you
from
many
causes.
feeble-
Some
The
"It
scientist smiled.
seems
that
I
the
last
thing
conditions.
is
In
many
instances
the
my
I
doing
was.
brain
is
so
damaged
be
to find out
who
completely destroyed.
We
feel
that
Now
that
it
is all
over, I
want nothing
into
there
may
an improvement
of
the children,
in
the
more than
to
sink back
obscurity.
general
health
follow-
26
ing
the injection
AMAZING STORIES
of
"Certainly
interested."
You
should be very
much
deficiency.
They
will
remain
"I am.
feeble minded."
You
realize
if
it
what
is
this
will
I
do to the
shall
scientist.
School
to find
successful?
have
deal
fect
some other use for it. Of some of the children will have
course,
to
be
periment with
life.
the
lower forms
of
Some
But if these children are given normal minds by your serum, the Mary Gregory School for Unusual Children will be
simply a historical memory."
be a
sible.
and wait
know
that the
"will
maximum
time.
I
sure your
own
physicians
will be able to
do the work.
secure
There has
help.
"I will take care of you," said Mary Gregory, "if you will let me do it. Are you going to give us the serum, Mr.
Biddle ?"
"If you want
you to
additional
me
to.
it
thought
we
Of course, there was another reason." "You mean the boy ?" asked Mary
Gregory.
"Yes.
to
my
nique."
You
see,
to take
care of your
The
enI
boy yourself?"
I I
in mind.
"No.
for him.
patients
have
rather
definite
all
plans
want yoa
serum.
to give
of your
thirty
much
as possible.
Now,
I
that I can
the
Then wait
if
be a
to
little selfish
days.
feel
If,
at the
it
my
personal problems,
the
sip.
matter
a
is
How
that
is
you
are
my
to
boy.
as
can be expected.
You
up
I
to
Canada
rest
those
am
him.
"You have no
Mongolianisra ?"
idea
of the cause of
How
old
is
he now, Doctor?"
"Nearly twelve."
It
"No.
pens."
Nothing new.
just
hap-
on a walking
Forest.
trip
through
started.
the
Black
Let's get
You know
days
Biddle
stood
up,
placed
it.
suitcase
my
then,
plan.
if
Just
wait
thirty
and
the other
little
are helped as
be,
much
as
Some
of
my own make
it.
sure of
If
give
"Why
not give
you call in the staff, explain matters to them and start with the injections."
"Because he
sure.
my
son.
have to be
to restore
"May
All this
LIFE EVERLASTING
him
it
27
I saw him as was too late."
to
If I give
him and there are no results, life I will not mean very much to me. promised his Mother before she died There that I would try to help him.
to
could, but
it
is
"Yes.
must be no
shall
failure.
must be
sure.
give
him
the
be able to pass the sixty days very I have a lot to work over in nicely.
serum ?"
"No.
You
see he
my
trust
mind.
know
give
had given
to
him anysurely do
"Will
you
I
will
your
address?"
way."
"But
didn't
know
You
"No. But I
am
be
giving that to
no
one.
thirty
not
mean
that the
back
in
exactly
don't
know.
Perhaps
it
would
Gregory
will
me
medicine T*
am
sorry."
is
all
SIXTY
office.
days
walked,
unannounced,
"Well, Doctor,
he,
into
Dr.
Bonehield's
how
asked
The specialist looked up. "Oh! It is you, Mr. Biddle. The The children? Why, they are all well.
In
fact, the children are
But I wish you had given it to him anyway, even if he was dead, even though it would not have helped him. Perkaps in some way he would have known about it known that I had not forgotten him; known that I wanted him to have his chance, like the
right.
;
"That
rest
of
the
children.
it
Perhaps
his
to him."
very well."
See
be
"Did the serum work?" "Something did. Our boys and girls are normal, physically and mentally.
"No."
see,
replied
Mr. Biddle.
lot
"I'll
going, back to
I
my
place in Canada.
You
think
have a
of
things
to
The
about now."
You
never saw
more
intelligent, lot
CHAPTER XVI
Life Is Different
young people." Hurry and get the boy fine. ready. I want to go right back to Quebec and take the next boat for France." "Your boy? Oh! I forgot. You see, we did not know where you were; no way' to so, there was nothing to do
"That's
;
THE
in the
Biddle Serum
Bill,
passed by
Congress
in record time,
provided
child
that every
man,
dose
to
woman and
of
so,
receive, free
of
charge,
the
serum.
let
Where
had
ar-
do
preference
"He
never received
it
it.
We
t
and
It
the
little
children.
After
for.
that
ranged to give
according
to
on the
thirtieth
day,
your orders. The night before he went into coma, and in a few
was
anticipated
that
there
would
28
AMAZING STORIES
asylums opened
that
difficult
and certain religious organizations. This opposition was provided for in the bill. No one had to take the serum but no one
could
refuse and continue residence
It
the
future
that
startling
change
there was,
of necessity, a rather
in
period of readjustment.
Those
to
was
believed that
who had
perfect
their
health
find
lost.
if
families
or
Men
ried to
becoming
insane,
or remaining
of servitude
found
their
wives remar-
menaces.
them.
inci-
dents;
fortunately,
rejuvenates
re-
Most of
poor
these
were good
In
citizeus
but
logicians.
addition,
large
number
of the underworld
made
every
YOUr
rather than,
ing drug.
across the
tried
They
the
who
badly.
fared
For the people of the United States were growing richer and happier every They were free from the need of
the
sick,
identified they
supporting
the
indigent,
the
were injected with the Biddle Serum and sent back to the States, better men, in For Canada, in spite of themselves.
close spiritual
States,
addiction.
The
her-
self of this
new
medical
gift.
decimated.
Clear-eyed,
steady-
THE done by
profession.
serum was
the medical
able
to
members of
willing to.
As
plied with the serum the one hundred and eighty thousand physicians and surin the country started their camOnce it was made universally paign. available, the demand for the drug in-
in the
There bad always been enough wealth United States. Now, with the
leaders
political
taking
every
opportu-
geons
the
necessities
of
life
to
every
one,
It cost less to
creased daijy.
Long
lines
of rich and
poor stood
physician.
well, not
fairly
in front
of the
office
of every
sick,
the miserable,
There was a gradual decrease in food consumption. Hunger became unknown. Work became joyous, amusements pleasurable and sleep a pleasant
pastime.
happy,
who wished
their
little
to stay happy.
Children
brought
aged
parents,
While
large
masses
of
industries
children.
No
IT
question,
WOULD
FOR
in
finding
WORK?
HOW
LONG?
To
sands
the questions,
HOW
thouhospitals,
The
dollar
working
day
easily
shortened.
The
was more
constantly
increased
of
hopeless
cases
in
do,
every-
LIFE EVERLASTING
one received a living wage for doing
it
29
and
had lots of time for recreation. Before the end of eighteen months the President was able to announce that
all
tinued to
their age.
make
in
the normal
died.
growth for
But no one
itself,
That
for
fact,
instant
alarm.
It
had been
percent to
their
injected.
serum.
friendly
enemy
of
the
human
but
second year,
it
was thought
that every-
human
organism
one
in the
THE a Committee
Biddle
to
Serum
Bill
provided for
of Scientists
who were
on
the
would wear out and man would die, maybe of no special disease, but simply from a weariness of life. But the thing that was startling and a little difficult to explain was the fact
that
make
constant
observations
the
birth
rate
was
as
rapidly
efficacy of the to
rate.
For
of
Cabinet
fewer of
them and
life
of the
people.
from the thirty-third to the thirty-sixth month of the experiment there was not
a
single
birth
reported
in
the
still
entire
lots of
serum had been given to everyThus, the first report was made
after
United States.
little
There were
growing
children,
up,
beautiful
little
serum
the
passage
of
the
and
no additional babies.
member
What
cessation
it
mean? Was
the cessation
appeared.
of
No one had the remotest idea Certain questions where he was. would have been asked him had it been
The
thinkers of the
new
life?
Had
Biddle
known The
terest
this?
third factor that was causing was the increasing efforts of
in-
possible to do so.
the
Other
human
some
race
to
entertain
itself.
The
in
were forcing
life
their
way
into the
filled
mental
way.
refused
Healthy,
to
vigorous,
idlers
active
serum, that no one had foreseen clearly during the months when the nation had
men
become
simply
Mankind began
to
cases
of
destructive
die.
accident
senile
had ceased to
The
had
SOCIAL
life
became
fuller
and physi-
cally richer.
With
the increase of
young appeared
to
grow no
older
and
came
30
greater opportunities
for
AMAZING STORIES
marriage.
It
CHAPTER XVII
Hiram Smith Takes
a Trip
was no longer necessary to wait till a man was thirty or more for him to marry. Fewer women worked and more
devoted themselves to the cultivation of
happiness.
child-care
THE
the
life
free
of
illness
and
changing
first,
social
made
it
marriage
an
entirely
From
of
its
the
under the
insistent
urging
the
human
all
secret owner,
Hiram Smith,
race than
years.
had been
in the
pre-serum
that
One
jobs
philosopher
said
one time- Wolf of Wall Street, it had been the leading proponent of the necessity of the world's rapidly adjusting
self to the
it-
had been amplified and elaborated and all of its sorrows and
of
its
new
order of
it
life.
As
tabloid,
had ceased to
exist.
was
experiencing
tabloid pub-
possible
the
the
fleeting
and
infantile,
of
now
a thing of the
should
Gone were
disappear
as
process.
To
of
the astonishment of
other diseases.
first
Of
all
pubthe
the
students
human
in
behavior,
this
to see
follow.
The
percentage
of
divorce increased
the
direct
propor-
tion to
now
new
called
and
Every-
body was burden -free, everybody was married, but nearly everyone divorced
his or her
mate and
tried again to
make
union.
a more
It
favorable
and
happier
make much
All
difference
to a
woman who
as
long
she
had one.
all
men were
industrious,
Smith saw, with ever increasing inand a growing concern, the changes in the emotional life of the
terest
much
alike,
healthy,
country. increasing
AH women
Most people simply felt the com fort and happiness and
for the profound
biological
were beautiful, intelligent and true to Everytheir husbands of the month. body acted in a gentlemanly and ladylike manner, but the opposite sexes just did not seem to be able to live together for any length of time. And the reason was not hard to find.
cared
little
Smith
that pat-
was interested. He was not sure all was well with the new cultural
tern of
life.
wanted to talk things over with Biddle. But Biddle was gone. Smith
thought
about
it
He
for
one
order.
day,
talked
as ever,
it
from the
was a
command
of three syllables,
In married
ing force.
life
there
was no cement-
As
that order
it
over a
LIFE EVERLASTING
hundred million dollars there could be no doubt that Hiram Smith was in
earnest.
31
Biddle!" called Smith.
as-
HELLO,
me?"
"Cost
"How
of
did you
find
Six
ing to
months
and
five
million
me
lot
it
time
and a
lot
show
for
it
except
failure.
of money, but
well spent.
was Sally Fanning, who, with her womanly intuition, supplied the necessary clue. She reminded Smith that at one time Biddle had used the name of Harry Ackerman. Was it possible that he had reverted to the use of that name? So, Smith issued another order, FIND HARRY ACKERMAN !!
Your
ing
place
the
is
well-earned
applause
of
the
nation."
"I
am
I
that.
But
bag-
gage ?
And
and
St.
Hiram took
the
first
my
friends.
How
they ?
Mrs.
boat
Chicoutimi.
He
Smith and the boy? and Harry Wild and Sally, and everybody?"
nay
of
On
"You would
be surprised.
And you
the
little
steamer
cliffs
at
last,
left,
would not be asking that question if you were back in the world. No one ever says, 'How Are You Feeling?' beThe cause the answer is too obvious.
nation is gloriously healthy, and wealthy and perhaps, wise, though I am not so sure about that. The Missus is fine we
;
in
her
of
feet
Made
out
painted
white
little
and
eighty
seemed
to
are
still
living together,
from the
river below.
finest
"Go on
left,"
saw.
ried,
I
me
living together.
off there."
guess
we
anyone
liv-
marriages.
I just
see you.
"Better go on to Chicoutimi."
"No.
know what
the
path,
am
doing."
"I
am
How
of
is
So, he got off at the next landing. the next hour the
rich
man
toiled
For up
at
"Has
paper
I
the
largest
circulation
any
mountain
arriving
finally
the top.
house, with a
it,
There he found a little stone little stone fence around and smoke pouring out of the chim-
and,
me,
it
is
mental
not
You would
Wolf
ney.
know
it
if
you saw
are
still
it."
Smith knew that he had come to the end of the trail. He knocked at the door, and, hearing no reply, opened it.
scope,
"And you
Street?"
the
of Wall
"In memory
disappeared.
Stabilization
only.
When
bill,
32
was
to it;
just
it
AMAZING STORIES
like
trading
pennies,
nothing
they do
it it
for
all
sport."
then try
"So
not
know
it
for the
same
place.
all
the time.
on back with
me
"How
"There
there
is
is
You
surely
must
be interested ?"
I realize
isn't
any.
Nobody
no
dies unless
acci-
that I should
some kind of a
see, there is
terrible
am working on
I
You
see,
have a
lot
of
dent
You
disease.
Tell
guess
was
How
long are
with
solved
ones.
If
I
the
feel
it
world
that
I
"Do you
think
it
is
going to be Life
Everlasting?''
should be satisfied to
leave
be
that
way.
I
tions if I
So, I just came away and left it. would have had too many interruphad remained."
You
thrill
see,
there
is
not
much excitement
some reason, the
it.
in life
nowadays.
For
"Of
own
reasons
"Certainly!
tell
Most hermits
do.
But
they
me
about things.
little
What
or the
are
doing in
old the
New York?"
men
women?"
much precision and not enough poker. Everybody has enough to eat, enough to wear, enough to amuse himself with, enough money to pay his simple expenses. There is nothing to worry about. In fact, some of
It
has too
"You mean
my
"Everybody."
"TTTTELL,
they
are
all
healthy
and
friends say that the young people just growing up when they received the serum cannot understand what we older ones mean when we say
who were
happy.
Work
that
a day, of
of
life.
the
kinds of
new ways.
life
struggle, birth
amusement would
old-fashioned
AH
the
with
the
adults
memory
natural,"
is
fast
cottage
industries
are
fading."
working.
being revived, like weaving and metalMost women are doing their
"I
guess
that
is
said
the
inventor.
Not own sewing and housekeeping. much cooking; you see, people do not eat the way they did, just drink lots of
water.
"Perhaps."
"What
are the
men doing
with their
spare time?"
"Everybody
as
to
is
married.
happy as they can be till they decide get a divorce and try somebody else.
a perfectly lovely arrangement,
"Oh! Various fads had their day. Jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, crosscountry walking, and all that sort
of thing.
It is all
Lately a good
many of
the
men
are whittling?"
have talked to lots of the I ousy. divorcees and they simply say they just
"What?"
"Just making things out of a piece of wood with a penknife. Did you ever
want to
live
with
somebody
else
so,
LIFE EVERLASTING
see a
33
man do
just If
that?
Take a
nice soft
"Oh!
have.
way
sexes
they always
are
rather
You
there
see,
the
;
and
ings?
make a lot of nice long shavyou want to, you can do it The men
things,
all
when
was so much
is
suppose
there
really
very
little
to
were making
little
kinds of
little
way
things are."
rings,
and
of
"Unpack your
die,
sort
"and then we
will
We
at that."
will
You
always have been
but
since
of art."
"V70U
*
sort
see,
women
clean
Two
chill
hours
of
creatures,
they are
duties
lot
free from disease and family and various cares, they have a
It
Smith looked
he suddenly
at the
seems
the
sur-
"By
the
is
way,"
asked
that
the
healthier
they
cleaner they
want
be.
their
"How
your boy?"
is fine."
roundings
to
So,
woman
of
It
New
would
comical
if
I mean? You said you were working on the serum for his sake." "Yes. I remember I said that."
were not so
there
is
serious.
"And
"Yes.
for
his
he
I
is
well
and happy?"
I
New
think so.
time.
York
to
some
You
he
is
with
Mother."
over the
into the river, a
sweep up the shavings when the man Often they even hold a gets through.
little
cliff
right
He
looked at the
into
on the
street.
"You
ing
in
but,
wherever he goes,
I
"That's odd
You must
woman
after
much.
But
all
the
hear there
Nineties
is
rest of us are
just
and
they
healthy
beauti f ul
it
brown.
effect
The
of
the
are
woman
as
will
enter to
Doctors said
serum.
was the
them or
so
their shavings."
You
way; you
"Well,
long
everybody
is
white."
happy
!"
What difference does it "Sure make! *Let the chips fall where they may,' I said in an editorial. What difference does it make, so long as they
are clean chips!
tainly
the wife and the boy away from me, somehow, I thought I would if I went without it." "But someday you will get sick, as we
"That
cold.
is
why
never took
it.
It
is
"How
do the
men
feel
about it?"
We
should go back."
34
AMAZING STORIES
animals and birds in
my
life,
outside of
CHAPTER
XVIII
a zoo.
One
natured skunk.
MARY GREGORY
to do.
"And
had nothing
for
little,
dolls!
China,
and
rag,
and
pretty
and
Her
unusual children.
School
Unusual
Every woman
her
is collecting dolls.
"Spending
clothes,
time
making
dollie
And
that is not
Some
of them preinstead
Her
idle
restless
mind,
her ability
as
a
all
little girls
Found one of
to
my
friends
till
She
felt
Waits
her
husband goes
starts
someway
nation.
in
tunity
welfare,
she
went to
New
'Pony!
I
Pony! Stepping
you bye and
high,
bye.'
York
cared
City.
There she
the
called
on Hiram
and had had
just
will ride
Smith.
"And
hour
way.
ever,
their
that
Gregory
estate,
from
He
to
Canada, and
of hard and
One
took
of
my
same how-
lot
me down
They
a
cellar.
home.
live
a house that
said that her
"I
said.
am
glad to see
you,
Mary,*'
he
in-
actually has
She
do with the
it
vesting of
is
not
there,
and at
come and
well,
last
You
well.
had
are
all
"I
since
am
guess
we
I
doing.
go down and see what he was The man had been whittling dolls,
we took
the serum.
came
to
New
visit
to see you,
found you
to
red ink, or
my
old friends
till
your return."
I
she thought.
silk
and made the mouth red with it might have been his blood, He had bought pieces of
tried
"How
pose ?"
to
make
little
Happy,
sup-
made
"Certainly!
I will say this.
Everybody
is
happy; but
in the old
developed
have
nobody
cries
spending
their
Of
fill
course,
that
now, because all are too happy. She never told him she knew what he was doing,
only after that,
she went
seems
now-
when he went
in the cellar
dolls.
to
work
in the leisure."
down
it
and played
said that in
"What
Mary?"
little
She
some way
closer to
pets.
made her feel that she was him. They were thinking of a
now, though they do not
never saw so
many
different
kinds of
divorce, but,
LIFE EVERLASTING
talk about the
feel that
35
to have
doUs
in
"I
want you
some made!"
his
hands
in
for a few
more months."
"QO.
that is the
way they
way.
I
are spending
mean?"
"Silly!
I
their time?'*
is
mean robot
to
babies.
Start
"That
the
it
thought
I
and
your inventors
out of rubber.
thought about
and
finally
decided
what
and
just a sub-
Put machinery inside of them so they will cry and move their arms and legs. I just have the general idea, but any clever inventor will supply the details.
selves, for
want
is
some-
Make
Make
answered Smith.
"It
will
when
the time
they
to
comes for them to grow older. Put tonsils in them to be taken out, and adenoids
to
know how
make them
snuffle
and
intestine* to
make twenty
keeps up, there will be milnever held a arms and would not
lions of
little
to
lot
do
if
them as fast as you can. Sell them to the women who can pay and give them away to the women who cannot pay and send the bill to my estate. Do you
see
You
care
see,
is
my
idea?
transmitted by
in it
Have
and
Have
such
actual practice
talks as this,
is
'What
to
of
women
to the younger.
we
wait
sick
fifty
years before a
new
lot
of babies are
was
available.
understand what
"Biddle
is
up
Canada.
have just
know how. There won't be any nurses anyway and not many doctors.
"So,
I
have an
idea.
want you
to take
some of
my
millions
and
start a school
for Mothers.
"What
did he say?"
Buy
nurses you can hire to prepare lectures. a broadcasting station that will reach
"Not much.
ent ages,
I
I suppose he thought that the absence of death was paid for by the absence of birth, or some-
am
woman
will
be glad
about children.
and
on
He did not want to talk Do you know about his me the boy was do-
her baby."
"But
trouble
the
woman
1
will not
is
Mary Gregory
is.
That
"He
said that?"
like that.
"Something
stand it?"
Do you
under-
36
"I do. That was just his they were both dead."
AMAZING STORIES
way
of saying
till
little
children, pitiful,
arms.
she
to be a mother, recog-
Women
She
told
Smith
"You have
Factories
men
put to
about
Every
He
cannot do.
was masculine. Men almost fought for the right to work in those factories. Women were turned
in the factories
now
the
away in disdain. This work, said the men of the nation, was a purely masculine one.
Meantime, the
being prepared.
perts
series of lectures
was
American women can have children, we It seems that we are going to live a long time and we can if there is hope during the waiting and babies at the other end of the long years. You have to see him and tell him
will be satisfied.
all
wait
Only the
greatest ex-
how we
in
feel.
See
if
he cannot help us
in
were employed.
Experiences were
America
women were
two
hundred lectures were written, covering every possible situation up to the age of six years. Then men and women were
carefully tested for their ability to broad-
What good
is
that
knowledge
is
What good
let
See him.
If you
me
end of a year everything was ready for the start of a six hour daily programme. By that time six million women had infant robots and
cast those lectures.
At
the
number of representative women up to Canada and state our case to him." "I'll go," agreed Smith. "But I am afraid that he will not see this the way
it."
more were being fabricated at the rate of a hundred thousand a week. And from the station the lectures went to the waiting women in America. The seven o'clock bedtime lecture was instantly popular.
you see
"He
claimed
will
have to see
Gregory.
it
Mary
Women
how
best,
to care
for babies.
simply
GREGORY MARYwomen
of
led
a company
into Canada.
They
could be
At
Smith refused
the
to
last
moment Hiram
He
felt,
could
not
love.
the
somehow,
ness.
that
it
was none of
scientist
his busi-
women
lives
of America realized that their were empty and would remain empty
He was
to
tell
where the
LIFE EVERLASTING
of refuge from the world.
talking
it
37
But, after
ful?
am
not sure.
My
it
opinion
is
that
serum
is
future of the human race. So, he told Mary Gregory where Biddle lived and how to get there.
did
was
to liberate
evidently capable
Biddle
was accustomed
surprised
to
more power.
somewhat
"If
it
Consequently,
it
life,
was
when twenty-one women suddenly came up to his stone home and knocked at the door. He did
his best to
acts the
way
But
for
it
dose.
Of course,
may
be wrong.
had twenty-one tea cups unless he had a mania for collecting them, and not many
isolates
at
little
cakes
He would by drowning, or by being cut in two by an accident, but, unless something terrible happened to him, he would live a
grown, healthy vigorous adult.
die
one time.
But
at
last
tea
sit
"Why
come
"I
have the
women
of America be-
women asked
Biddle to
childless?"
down and listen to me reason for their visit Mary Gregory acted as the spokes-
am
know
is
that
all
the animals
sterile.
experimented on became
it is
man
Perhaps
a provision of na-
"We represent the Federated Women's Quhs of North America," the rich woman explained. "These women stand for the best of womanhood in every walk of life. We feel that we know what the American woman thinks, how she feels, what she wants. Our requests to you come from fifty million mature women; any action we take will be satisfactory to Now, that you all of our sisterhood. know who we are, may we ask you some
questions?"
Perhaps there
that acts.
is
But
I
knew
it
to be true in
like
the animals
mice.
I
experimented with,
would not be true was one of the things to gamble on." "Do you believe that some time, twenty-five years from now, or fifty years, the conditions will change and
hoped that
race in the
human we had
that
world ?"
"Probably not
I
haw
twelve mice
who
am
not sure I
five years.
That
that,"
is
"We
Gregory.
understand
said
Miss
"We know
least,
that
some questions
that
ones."
in
regard to
may
will
answer, but, at
tell
we know
you
the truth.
First.
How
long will
re-
"TT
-1
looks as though
it
was
a kind of ar-
Will
it
have to be
way
things
cooW
happen.
38
serum, the average
AMAZING STORIES
man and woman
lives
Suppose that
birth
woman gave
any babies. Two months ago I gave her an injection of the antiserum. She produced a little family, raised them to independence, started to grow the cancer and
died.
Gloriously
healthy herself,
her,
all
serum as soon
all
In no time at
nation, as
"Could you give the antiserum to the you gave the serum?"
"Yes,
if it
became the
right thing to
Now we
and
only
do."
grow any
will
it
larger,
very
slowly
grow
to the
child-
"And it is your opinion that if a woman received the antiserum, she would
have children
"Yes.
smaller."
V
course,
it
Of
would be necesI
years,
those
barren
centuries
of
serum
but
I
also.
Perhaps
not.
am
if
not sure,
existence ?"
think so."
us
"Perhaps.
As much so
as a lone
man
we
talked
women have
everything else
over privately?"
your husbands,
CERTAINLY.
the
there.
It is
will
walk over
to
You have
life
here."
should be happy."
"Is there anything you can do for us
that will enable us to have families?"
One hour
to
women walked
in
over
the
am
not sure.
is
"We
Mary
Gregory.
strength and
weakness,
men
cold.
We
used to
"No. But we
wife
tears-,
happiness and
who
really
want
to
should be allowed to
make
and
sin.
And we
I
have
After
discov-
can
did
it,
"We
"It
are."
there
cannot
be,"
declared
Biddle.
"Did you
At least, this is what I did. I found a mouse with cancer, and gave her the serum. The cancer disappeared
"I think so.
"Never, in the history of the human race, have women been as free as they are
go, free
from
Their
home and
family.
lived
on,
far
past
I
the
love life
is
be-
came
rather
guess
You
are happy,
she liked
me
little.
m every way
LIFE EVERLASTING
on equal terms with the male.
Every-
39
"Here
it.
is
chemist can
what you are asking for. Any make it any physician give
;
me
here?
to give
it
up?
Deliber?"
want
to be alone
all left
once more."
except
Mary Gregory.
"We want
women.
"But
:
our
cried
the
"Why
she asked.
in
"Because that
feel.
Woman
it
:nmortality.
You will become sick, diseased, crippled. Some of you will die in childbirth. Some of your children will
are eternal.
die
;
"Why
become
will
defectives,
Sidney Biddle?"
"Because
I
epileptics,
Some
of the ones
who
inals.
live
to
maturity
will
shame; they
ever," he replied.
You
your wish
'
CHAPTER XX
New
two more
first
arms.
they
In years to
come you
will
had died while they were sweet come, suffering, sorwtll leave
will
BIDDLE
secret
rich
bands
per-
You
ken
die
That
is
man was
for. Do you mean to tell me that you, knowing what the old biological urge for offspring meant to womankind, want to
again.
"You
older,
fit.
a few more
I
very
guess that
"We
cried the
How
I
are
"XTOU
-I
life
was.
"Slightly.
fall
Sickness,
breaking
in love.
all
were
first
The
Mary Gregory
stepped forward.
thing
we knew,
"Give us the formula, Sidney Biddle. have decided. Nothing you can say will make us change our minds. You have not told us a thing we do not know.
We
We
That
We
know
that
we
least for
hood.
die.
mean
it all for the wife and me. had been making plans to live at a thousand years but that would that we would see our children and
Tremblingj the scientist took out a notebook and wrote slowly on a blank page. At last he tore the page out and handed
it
our grandchildren grow old and die while we were still m the vigorous golden maturity of the Biddle
we do
to the rich
woman.
but go and get some of the antiserum ourselves Now, when the grand!
40
children
AMAZING STORIES
come
to visit us, they will have
when
am
too busy to
amuse
her, just
who
a baby?"
can try to
live their
children's children."
newsboy.
Glad
it
known what
"Looks just like her Mother. was a girl, we should not have to do with a boy."
disappointed," explained
grandchild ?"
"We
You would think it was me with an atthink
Sally.
"That's
sacrifice if
it.
we were
"We
the
knows
be sure to say
when she
learns to talk.
We
the way.
want her
to be sure
we
loved her."
an old
old
fool.
By
Where
are
my
friends,
Harry
Wild ,and
Sally
Fanning ?"
old
"They are married. He is back at the news stand, and they have a little
They insisted that he come and see the baby, They made him say that he had never seen a finer baby and they fed him coffee and sandwiches, and made him promise he would come often to see them. When he left, Harry went down to the
;
Makes me worry
"Give
me
the address."
AS
looked at the
man
curiously.
"Sure; but I do not think I would go and see them. You remember how they were the time you saw them on the lawn in front of my home? Well, when you remember them, just think of them the
"You
"Have
you hurt yourself?" "No. But my old trouble came back, my bad leg is short again and my back is
slowly growing crooked."
way
are
"Well, well
That
is
too bad.
But you
way
they
to
keep on smiling?"
"Sure.
J
"I have
He
that
called at the
apartment
late
ness.
Why
is
night.
his
"That
ing."
Harry.
Keep on
smil-
Ackerman!
it's
Ackerman,
our old friend, and more than welcome. Come right in, and sit down. Let me have
your
hat, Sir.
This
is
an honor to have
us."
"And how
Biddle.
are
all
Mr. Biddle. Bye the way, do you know of a good remedy for asthma ? Sally has had some real bad spells since the baby came and I do wish someone knew what to do for her." "I am sorry. I'll send her some stramonium leaves. Burn them and inhale the smoke. That will help her. Asthma is a
"I will,
difficult
thing to cure.
"You should
Harry,
baby."
my
boy.
am
Dozens of them, into everything, but I will say this, that the Baby is fond of them. Keeps quiet for an hour at a time
Mr. Biddle, and thanks for looking us up. Send me your address.
night,
"Good
LIFE EVERLASTING
Next week the old Purple Flash is going come back on the stands and I want to send you some of the first copies. I bet that the Wolf of Wall Street will
to
41
his
He put down
Madonna.
Under the shadow a woman sat. As he came near she walked over to meet him.
make it a real tabloid. It ought to go big. The people are getting hungry for that
kind of a paper."
It
"Mary Gregory!" he
are you doing here?"
"I
sighed,
"What
wanted
to
"You
was
all
too
much
for Biddle.
He
the
took the
first
train for
Quebec and
first
He
as he
walked slowly up the mountain path. It was a hard climb. He was not as young had been. He found the house
fire
you had a woman in the house with you, you might do. something worth while, invent something that would be of real help to mankind." "But I am an old man, Mary," he cried. "An old man, growing older.
need a woman.
"I
open and a
burning
in the fireplace.
said.
Mo one
there.
The End.
IN
one
is
other
is
many
There
will be
42
^Measuring a Meridian
By JULES
The story
of the
VERNE
Conclusion
of a meridian of the earth is concluded in this issue. Less of the science of the story appears here, as the earlier portions have given a most interesting detail of the meaning of these measurements.
measurement
So now we see more of the wild life in Africa and and breaks up.
Illustrated
by
MOREY
vigil
CHAPTER XXI
Let There Be Light
Mokoum
first
per-
Makthat
WE
;
camp.
He
thought at
are no
worse
off,"
remarked the Colonel in the course of the day to his assembled companions,
some contemplation, he discovered were evidently hosand that they would probably asmountain
in the course of the
sault the
night.
and Rodriguez were when they were measuring the arc from Dunkirk to they were uniting the Spanish Ivica coast and the island by a triangle of which the sides were more than eighty Rodriguez was installed on miles long.
and kept up lighted lamps at night, while the French astronomers lived in tents a hundred miles away in the desert of Las
Toward six o'clock, when the night was coining on with its tropical celerity,
the engineer descended the mountian, and
fire
of the
was
still
an
isloated
peak,
extremity
was advanced,
self
Palmas.
the
last
chance
of
observing the
Biot watched
signal,
and,
to
dis-
signal
The
sail-
couraged
at
were
about
re-
nounce
first
their labor,
which
a
it
was
star.
to the last.
impossible
to
confound
if
with
the
armed with
the
am-
Surely, gentlemen,
in store,
spread
tronomers
nights
in
could
the
watch
sixty-one
formidable
mouth across
hours
the
the
emand
interests
of
science,
we
brasure.
For
several
Colonel
end of nine."
Colonel's companions most heartthe
The
ily
Strux, posted in the narrow donjon, kept a constant watch on the peak of Volquiria.
approved
sentiment
but
they
finest of the
There was no
MEASURING A MERIDIAN
43
It
was probable
that the natives were about to make a last attack on the fortress before retirini finally to Maketo.
44
AMAZING STORIES
fell,
The bushman,
sounds
distinct.
be overpowered.
tives
more
He was
not
mistaken
swarm up
commencdid
also hes-
Until
ten
o'clock
fires
the
assailants
were extinguished, and camp and plain were alike wrapped Suddenly Mokoum saw in obscurity.
not move; their
The
scene re-
till
to
make them
and the Europeans saw enough fully aware that they could
"Now, then, quick and ready!" cried Mokoum. The garrison immediately advanced to
the south side of the fort, and opened a
At
The running fire on the assailants. Makololos answered by a war cry, and,
in spite of the firing, continued to ad-
vance.
of the guns, the Europeans perceived such swarms of natives that any resisBut still they
had reached the plateau. The besieged, who were still uninjured (the natives not yet having employed their bows and assegais), were thoroughly conscious they were impotent to carry on a combat hand to hand. The Colonel in a calm,
clear
voice
that
the
tumult,
With a last discharge the little band withdrew behind the walls. Loud cries
greeted
their
retreat,
and
the
natives
in
were
tain.
rolling
down
mounar-
Hitherto,
however,
nothing
cries
rested
them.
With savage
they
a single
and subsequently repeated at intervals of but a few minutes, there was a growling
reverberation as of rolling thunder.
sinister
troop,
who seconded
The
him admirably, not excepting Palander, who probably was handling a gun for almost the
kneeling,
first
time.
Sir John,
now on
one rock now on another, sometimes sometimes lying, did wonders, and his gun, heated with the rapidity of the repeated loading, began to burn his
hands.
bold,
Sir John mitrailleuse, which had been prepared to employ, and now worked with all his energy. Its twentyfive muzzles spread over a wide range,
ploding
and the
balls,
continually supplied by a
fell
self-feeding
arrangement,
like
hail
Mokoum,
as ever,
was
patient,
undaunted
could
in his confidence.
among the assailants. The natives, swept down at each discharge, responded at
first
less
torrent of numbers.
Where one
native
MEASURING A MERIDIAN
approaching Sir John.
played your tune,
let
45
rushed toward the
the
intrepid
col-
shout of donjon,
league.
rejoicing,
followed
by
to
But there was no need for Sir John be relieved; the mitrailleuse was soon
his eye to
silent.
struck with
shelter
with the
consternation,
sought
long delayed
pected.
It
these
was truly a marvelous sight to see two astronomers work during the
conflict.
tumult of the
The
natives had
by
their
and
there,
Strux
regained
the
donjon,
in
and
collecting themselves
if
compos-
ure as complete as
the
and Sir John and the bushman were The Europeans fought with their balls and hatchcontending for every step.
ets,
dome
their
When,
in-
tently continued
and
than
the
Makalolos
the combat
severed in
solved
that
to
made them aware that was renewed, they only pertheir determination, and rethey
down
More
would alternately
re-
main
ment.
But
signal,
their eye was ever fixed on the and reading the indications of the
The combat, in truth, had been reThe range of the mitrailleuse newed.
was inadequate to reach all the natives, who, uttering their cries of mortal vengeance, rallied again, and swarmed up
every opening.
vernier,
they
incessantly
verified
each
other's calculations.
said
Strux,
slid-
telescope
along the
later,
graduated
An
instant
The
besieged, protected
late for
by their firearms, defended the breaches foot by foot; they had only received a
the
minutest
of
segais,
few scratches from the points of the asand were able to continue the fight for half an hour with unabated
second
mous
stone, hurled
register
ardor.
Toward
while
the
in
order to save
at
the
The
na-
his
;
side.
His
an arrow had
had already penetrated the easemate, and might be at any moment appear in the donjon.
his colleagues caught
The
up
Colonel and
their guns,
and
all
"The
The
colonel
was
incredulous,
but as-
through
one of
the
breaches.
slightly
welcome
rifle
for
re-
time,
and
with
an
exuberant
46
AMAZING STORIES
CHAPTER XXII
Palaader's Last Escapade
failed
In
fact,
it
for the
WHEN
vessel
daylight
reappeared
the
doubtless
expecting
the
an-
no trace of
Colonel and
natives,
his
swering
companions,
who had
The
necessity
one more
effort,
and
bay
in the
rocky shore.
The bushsailors
This donjon
was formed of an
intricate
frame work
borhood.
They could
perceive no sign
The
Col-
game
ter
in
from
the thickets,
and a number of
returned
In a few mobefore
aquatic birds
ments,
rolling
their
mitrailleuse
the
lake.
The
with
arrows and
various
missies,
were dereached
supply of which
fail
them
again.
The
engineer, according
willows
near
the
lake,
on
the
banks of a small
river.
The Colonel
to
and
Strux had
arranged
meet
on
little
They were
and the rest afforded by the few days of expectation was gratefully enjoyed by all. Palander employed himself
light
would be
discerned
in rectifying
re-
from
resound-
sults
of
the
latest
while
Mokoum
and
Sir
John
fertile,
hunted
most
well-watered
cause
the
lighted,
on the 8th of March, some gun-shots announced the arrival of the remainder
of
the
party
for
whom
they
tarried.
Mount Scorzef. The triangle was closed. The work was completed at the last
moment.
Emery. Zorn. the two sailors, and the pioneer, were all in perfect health. Their
theodolite, the only instrument remaining
MEASURING A MERIDIAN
to the Commission,
47
some means
of
was
safe.
The young
we ought
still
to adopt
Let us
find
with
joyous
congratulations.
we
for
the
direct
measure-
diffi-
ment of
a base.
lost their
way
moun-
of
the
curacy
we ought
attribute
to
our
never
if
it
have
reached
Mount
Volquiria,
in-
observations."
Strux's
proposition
It
telligence
The
ascent
adopted.
as
much
impatience as
it
had their
col-
leagues on
carefully,
Mount
Scorzef.
They had
fluents of the
af-
the
by barometrical observations,
travelers
Falls.
little
summit of Volquiria
sea.
was 3,200
feet
four
The
was
4th ;
light,
first
sailors
Some
east
thus
the
on
Mount
it
had been
angles
chosen
to
the
as soon as
and the
to
measured,
and,
along
easily
easily
hoped
caused by the
The
made
bushman had
"And
ery;
The journey
proceeded rapidly.
The
points
many
it
is
ended.
We
fine,
and
was not
more than
results,
eight
observations.
ly
The
degrees
rigidly
in
length; and
corrected
know
of the globe."
heat was not insufferable, some vapors arose from the pools and streams which tempered the sun's rays. Every want was supplied by the
besides,
since
who
Lake
"we
is it
descend
Zambesi in
seemed Ngami.
to be
more
Strux
to the south of
Matthew
seemed
to
and
the
all
Colonel
their per-
have forgotten
think
sonal
rivalry,
48
no
close
AMAZING STORIES
intimacy
since Strux
and
Mokoum had
The
little
seen any-
thing of Palander.
troop were
trees hori-
Day
three
after
day,
during a period of
observations
steadily
weeks, the
zon.
It
was important
difficult
to keep together,
proceeded.
For
should
the
measurement of a
level
as
it
would be
to discover the
But
that
be
for
several
seeing
and
fearing
nothing,
Palander,
who had
the
soil that
register
the
ment of points of
the
northeast,
were unfavorable
to
left
dis-
They proceeded
appearing.
sometimes
following the
When, toward
his
right
tributaries
Upper Zambesi,
in
settle-
His
former
their
aberra-
were
and
fresh in
rememthe ab-
every reason to anticipate that their return would be happily accomplished, and
that
brance,
was
probably
whom
they
had been
forgotten.
occur,
culties
their
diffi-
stopped, and
they
all
at an end.
The country
com-
the sailors
trampling
through
Zam-
which Livingstone had lately visited. Thus they thought with reason that all the most arduous part of their task was
over,
guns,
yet
without
They
became
an
more uneasy,
to
irritation
thew Strux,
extreme
when an
incident,
of
which the
of
against
his
unfirst
consequences might
almost
lucky colleague.
compromised the
the
whole expedition.
Nicholas
rather
Palander was the hero, or was near being the victim, of the
thoughtless
his escape
time that Palander had served them thus, and if the Colonel had laid any blame on him, Strux would not have known
what
the
to say.
Under
the circumstances,
adventure.
The
lator,
intrepid
but
calcu-
camp
the wood,
unwarned by
had
still
from the
of with-
careful search.
crocodiles,
the habit
his
companions had
drawing himself
danger in
abstraction
from
companions.
but in
woods Palander's
some distance
Almost imspeed,
sequences.
mediately,
running
ap-
him
many
and
at
Palander,
peared Palander.
his hair disheveled,
in
what he considered an excess of prudence, promised to conform to their wishes. hours had passed 27th, some On the
some
companions
but the
His plied him with questions unhappy man, with haggard and
parts,
almost
MEASURING A MERIDIAN
distended eye, whose compressed nostrils
still
49
Europeans?" asked Sir
stifled
"Well, John.
then,
wandered away?
he
ap-
"Who
pear so terrified?
to their real-
"They were
most
unintelligible
accents,
something
men
It
ander at
;
the reg-
was a
unhappy man
if
sult
on which was inscribed every reof their operations, and which the
consequences
of
the
incident
had
calculator
his
been
possession, even
isters
when
Mokoum
Many
were missing.
lost
No
matter whether
Palander had
gone, and
was
times,
of
to
frequent
his
occurrence.
they were
in vain!
terri-
their labor
was
been
a
rifled
While
fied,
his
companions, mutely
species
in
Matthew
his anger. in-
The
calculator
plundered
by these animals,
He
all
manner of
vective
against
the
miserable
creature,
though not without a struggle, as his ragged garments testified. Still, in the
threatening
the
that
him with
the displeasure of
Russian
if
government,
and
adding,
judgment of his companions, there was no excuse to be made; if he had remained in his proper place this irreparable loss would not have occurred.
Siberia.
To
all
this
"We
did
and
gan Colonel Everest, "to measure an arc of meridian in South Africa for a blunderer like you
"
He
to
did
con-
scious that
was
useless
to
continue
"What
himself
;
abuse the unhappy man, whom Strux had not ceased to load with every variety
away
from
after
our
continual
warning?"
"True,"
replied
Sir
emotion;
John, he has
but
less
"but
lost
we
the
ought to
know whether
Has
said,
"some-
anyone robbed you, Palander?" continued he, turning to the poor man, who
may
perplexity.
fatigue.
and
if
we
and
of
we
"W ho ?"
r
continued
Sir
John.
"Na-
with him.
But time
lost."
precious,
tives? Makololos?"
none must be
ray
50
hope.
AMAZING STORIES
Palander revived at the sugges-
whose
by
jacket
of
ally
whose
them.
Not one of
espied the
the animals
had as yet
all
companions
hunters,
but
they
con-
venture.
They
as though they
dogs.
The important
of
All
the
for
deter-
result.
In
mination was,
loiner
there.
many
places,
by
traces
on the ground
documents
out
was
and the bark of the trees, the busbman and the pioneer recognized unmistakable
vestiges of the baboons, of
the
pioneer
in
chacma
wrapped
Sir
rag
that
of
Palander's coat.
creature
but
John
secured
felt
this
must
The
be
at
any
price,
he
was
firming that he could only count on success in his search by taking the
chacmas
be
ap-
by surprise,
animals,
since
Mokoum
I will
to the pio-
such
as
return to our
companions and
sight
set
about surrounding
of them."
front,
perceived,
not
the
actual
The
while
pioneer
Sir
to
remained
the
at
his
post,
thief,
yet
one
of
his
associates.
He
troop,
John and
prudently
returned
to
the
little
turned
Colonel Everest.
who came at once to a halt. The Europeans, who had resolved to obey Mokoum in everything, awaited his instructions. The bushman begged them to
remain in quietness where they were,
and,
means of securing the suspected culprit was to surround the whole troop. To
accomplish
this,
the Europeans
;
divided
into separate
of Strux,
ors,
wood
al-
detachments one composed Emery, Zorn, and three sailjoin the pioneer, and to form a semicircle behind him; and the
was
to
ready
visited
by
the
sailor,
carefully
Mokoum,
left,
bushwood.
In a short time the bushman and his
made a detour
fall
to
the
in
order to
two
companions
caught
sight
of
one
chacma, and almost immediately of nine or ten more, gamboling among the
bushes.
the
bushman's
advice, they
Crouching behind a
tree,
they
most caution.
attentively
Their
and
the
shot.
it
Their guns were ready was agreed that the chacma with
should be the aim for every
kept
short
their
tails
rags
and
Mokoum
watchful
eye
upon
These chac-
MEASURING A MERIDIAN
ing dose to himself,
edness
should
betray
lest
51
bis
unguard-
fresh folly.
a ques-
there concealed, and fearing lest the chacma should escape across the trees, he calmly aimed and fired. The animal, wounded in the leg, fell from branch
to branch.
After
halts
marching with the frequent which the policy of being unobfor half
verge
back.
In one of its fore-claws it was seen it had taken from the fork of the tree. At the sight, Palander, with a leap
that
He and
his
companions,
each
about
like
of
a chamois,
darted
at
the
The
in
cries of both
man and
beast
avoiding
even
the
mingled
Suddenly
the
bushman stopped;
fingers
and the hunters dared not take aim at the chacma for fear of wounding their
comrade.
should
Strux,
beside
himself
with
on the
triggers
of
their
rage, shouted
fire,
that they
and
furious agitation
The band
of
chacmas
was
sight, they were already sensible of some danger, and seemed on the lookThe great animal which had stolen out. the registers had, to their fancy, an
he would probably have done so, if it had not been that he was accidentally
without a cartridge for his gun, which
Pal-
was up-
permost.
lacerated
to
like
an
The chacma
ing signs to
males,
was makfe-
its
companions; some
strangle his adversary. At last the bushman, seizing a favorable moment, made a sudden dash, and killed the ape with one blow of his hatchet.
and
insensible,
was picked up by
his
The hunters
still
drew
on,
one and
all
All at once, by
an
in-
tured his registers, which he was found unconsciously grasping to his bosom.
voluntary
movement,
Palander's
Sir
gun
The
carcass of the
went
John broke
out into an exclamation of disgust, and Ten reports instantly afterward fired.
followed, three chacmas lay dead on the
veyed with glee to the camp. At the evening repast it furnished a delicious meal to the hunters. To all of them,
but especially to Palander, not only had the excitement of the chase quickened
their appetite for the palatable dish, but
ground, and the rest, with a prodigious bound, passed over the hunters' heads.
The
it
robber
babooij
alone
remained;
the
which
relish was heightened by the gratifying knowledge that vengeance was sat-
isfied
and
disappeared
among
the
branches.
52
AMAZING STORIES
CHAPTER
XXIII
sire to
at
visit
PALANDER'S
serious;
the
With these mutual agreements they made their plans for future astronomical
researches,
that the
ever
reiterating
their
hopes
worthy
astronomer,
by
his
Any
and England
in
be at peace
before
I have no trust any reconciliation of theirs." For themselves, they could only re-
He
only
now
retained
it
isters,
because
had
been
thought
chacmas,
the
the
little
troop,
not
far
at
from
Zambesi
Falls,
arrived
level plain
a and
perfectly adapted
The
the
of a base.
On
a
April, the
a native
village,
containing
itants,
small
number of inhabthe
to these
who
received
Europeans
spread a pestilential odor; but, by forming larger triangles, Colonel Everest and
his
companions
soon
escaped
the
un-
healthy region.
The whole
spirits.
party
were
in
excellent
would occupy a month, and being without wagons, or any material for an encampment, he would have had no resource but to pass
the time in the open air, with no other
shelter than that afforded
gratulated
by the
foliage.
hope to his
when
they returned to
Eu-
priated
pants.
new
were
occu-
Their
their
requirements
but
small;
they
might
remain
as
good
towards verifying their calculations by measuring the last side of their last
triangle.
Emery
tirely
is
in
the hope;
in
seldom
all
long
protracted
might
their work.
hope
would be terminated by
already
it
the date
rods were
that
the
care
of their return.
Zorn had
understood
Cape,
from
and
all
the conditions
Emery
return
that
was not
to
his intention to
immediately
the
thermometer,
were
taken
into
ac-
duce him to the observatory at Kiew. This proposal Emery expressed his de-
upon
MEASURING A MERIDIAN
The work, which lasted for five weeks, was completed on the 15th of May. When the lengths obtained had been
estimated and reduced to the
The
value
was
to be the 1/10,000,000 of
mean
level
of the sea
Fahrenheit,
at
the
temperature of 61
Palander
and
Emery
pre-
following
meters.
Whether
labors
this
was
the
correct
the
numbers
Toises.
subsequent
would have to
*****
of
decide.
their
task,
Commission
New
5075 25
.
entirely fin-
The same
series
and
it
only remained
nometrically
from
the entire
them
to
reach
the
north
of
the
5075.11
in
to
1864.
,14
On
the 25th of
May,
after a some-
difference of
is
than 1-6 of a
toise,
;
that
to say,
yet the
first
base
their
native
name, which
Sheets
sig-
and the
apart.
"sounding
smoke."
rushed
Niagara.
of
water
the
mile
wide,
crowned
When
France
was
double
twice
rainbow,
that
measured from Dunkirk to Perpignan, the difference between the base at Melun and that at Perpignan was eleven inches.
of
Across
the
produced a roar
thunder.
like peal
after peal of
The agreement obtained by the AngloRussian Commission was still more remarkable, and thus made the work
accomplished in the deserts of Africa,
Below the
regained
its
cataract,
calmness,
steamboat.
kind,
more
per-
who soon
left
took
result
behind.
stood on the
English
were
friend.
was 57,037
Cape
a
the
This was
one
Sir
whom
might
call
thus, with
the
interval
of
century,
the
French
of
the
John was especially sorry to part from him, and had offered to take Him to Europe, and there entertain him as
long
as
astronomer
and
members
he
Mokoum
To
they
deduce
value
of
the
mfaer,
fact, he was to accompany Livingstone on the second voyage which the brave
erations
traveler
was about
to undertake
up the
Zambesi, and
Mokoum was
not a
man
54
to depart
AMAZING STORIES
from
a
his word.
He
was pre-
sented
with
substantial
still
recompense,
months they had together experienced many trials, and how they had been rewarded by accomplishing a work which would call forth the admiration of all
scientific
who acknowledged how much they owed As the steamer left the shore
middle of the
river,
Europe.
He
they
the
from giving expression to his trust that would feel themselves bound in
Sir
John's
last
gesture
was
to
common
fellowship of a true
alli-
wave an adieu
to his associate.
ance.
The
lages,
tives,
Strux bowed
slightly,
who
of
proceeded to
The
na-
the continuation
of warfare.
When
he referred to the
of
ation the
moved by
expected
capitulation
Sebastopol,
possibility
union of
On
his
France
and
England,
he
maintained,
companions
Quilimane,
that
tion,
it
Their first thought was news of the war. They found had not yet come to a terminastill
on
all
sians
The
neces-
hold-
This
was
now
lence,
were thus clearly and imder these conditions they embarked in company on board La Novara. In a few days they arrived at Suez.
defined,
and prepared to
merchant- vessel,
start.
An
Aus-
At
the
moment
are
of
separation
Emery
trian
La Novara, was
passage.
"We
always
friends,
Michael!"
Three days
after, as they
were on the
"Always and everywhere, William !" ejaculated Zorn; and with this senti-
point of embarking, the Colonel assembled his colleagues, and in a calm voice
first
eighteen
ment of mutual devotion they parted. The Commission was dissolved. The great work was complete.
The toise is a French unit of length no longer in general use, being supplanted by the meter. Its length is 2J315 yards, or 63948 feet, or 1S49 meter.
The End
55
The
We
stories.
Velocity of Escape
By JOE W.
SKIDMORE
have found by long experience that our readers like interplanetary They give a scope for most exciting episodes, and some of our best authors have really, in a sense, made a reputation by this class of work, Mr, Skidmore not only gives us a very good story of the adventures of men on contending space ships, but by introducing plenty of the personal element makes it a truly exciting narration.
Illustrated
by
MOREY
His had
fine figure
CHAPTER
ing.
and handsome
fea-
tures
many
a fair
maid.
aspired to be a
Don
Juan.
Unlimited
AVERY
of
secret
wealth and early scientific training from a father famed in research had vested
Millstein
famous
were
The
best scientific
hastily
had been
tant conference.
and physical training. called him before and intrigues against the Many times he had thundered on flashing wing to distant
usual
education
to destroy plots
safety of civilization.
and space cars had been utilised to gather the great group of the world's keenest
intellects.
adventures,
some weird
plot
"I
voice
tell
you,
Gentlemen,"
Millstein's
Had
a mighty problem that concerned the very existence of the world itself, it would have been highly important for one reason alone the presence of Donald Mill-
rang out clear and strong, "this looks like the work of the Falcon to me."
A
ion.
murmur
around the
table.
stein,
famous
scientist
and adventurer,
The
latter's
had been requested by none other than the President of the United States. Just now Millstein was speaking, and the
erudite and bearded gentlemen around the
may sound
and
atten-
He
"
"Who
voice.
is
the
Falcon?" interrupted a
was not of the usual type of scientist. He was not aged and bearded neither was he bespectacled. Quite the contrary, he was young, virile and upstandMillstein
knew about
story.
a strange, tragic
56
AMAZING STORIES
Millstein fulled a group of levers while his eyes watched the reflectoscope. In an instant ten small space cars flashed away on their Ions journey toward
earth.
57
his
when
the mone-
He
is tall,
went
to nothing, be-
of an aesthetic type
a dreamer.
Some
to this
came
when
it
influence of
country with a great plan for new laboraAt tories and scientific development.
that time he
was an
altruist,
"You perhaps
destroying them.
recollect that I
in-
body became overworked. He had trouble with our own Internal Revenue Departmade a heavy income tax Hen against the Russian, Verensky. The tax
ment, that
At
that
time
was
wounded
was
shot
in a duel
He He me
in his fast
fight at
monoplane.
We had quite
feet.
a dog
twenty thousand
supreme courts. To make Verensky lost. Stubbornly he refused to pay the amount involved, and the Revenue Department filed a lien against his immense holdings.
lingered in our
the story short,
me
in the shoulder
and brought
down. About twice a year I receive a message signed 'The Falcon.' Here, let
me
ago."
Finally a part of
the
Russian's
brain
a maniac, obsessed with the idea of overthrowing all forms of government; wedded to the idea of desnapped.
stroying
peared.
all
He became
The
group knew
only
the
that Millstein
truth.
was speaking
simple
They waited
Millstein
organized society.
last ten
He
disap-
For the
years no one
has
known
and machinations have been full well his handiwork in the poison fogs that spread over Europe some years ago. I had a part in overcoming that terror. You will remember that the United States air forces coevil influence
felt.
"To
my
enemy,
Donald
Millstein.
in
You know
me
my
at-
The Falcon
is
swooping again.
Beware!"
"Millstein,
operated with
that
me
fogs.
Falcon
yERENSKY,
*
or the Falcon, as
he
to
smugly
calls himself, is a
menace
will
the world.
never
beyond the stratascope. There his evil mind plans his schemes of revenge, and he must have a marvelous laboratory and
trained assistants"
world,
or has been
destroyed himself.
too, the great
"But
all
Each one
when
is numbered and well known," broke in the stubborn voice again. "Quite true," agreed Donald, "but re-
up
peculiar,
member
genius.
the
Falcon
too,
is
resourceful
in
Then,
perhaps he lives
He
built
many
of
some
with
Lately I
these machines and placed them in the great financial centers of the world. You
58
locate his sending stations.
tist
AMAZING STORIES
Such a
scien-
is
about
say this to
degrees
Fahrenheit.
Rather
you, Gentlemen;
the Falcon
is
The
we
are
now
An
and
This, however,
is
all
Many atoms
times greater.
up, that speed
young
oxygen
strike,
"Now, Gentlemen,
calamity that
is
as to this terrible
us.
many
room
before
We
have
dis-
we would
heat this
It's
would
all
increase.
becoming
diffused,
or shall
we
and
In other
when
the
same
water
degree.
words, something
oxygen,
happening to our
life
Oxygen,
which, as
nitrogen
I
and
vapor,
human
cannot
In
exist
many
behave
On
will
Even
now
in this
room,
all
of us are breathing
heavily
cannon
ball
goes up in the
It leaves the
tremendous
force.
"'T*HE
and water vapor. The atoms of oxygen and nitrogen have plenty of elbow room in which to dart about. Although they freJ- phere
are
oxygen,
nitrogen
turns to earth.
But
if
were
it
an
initial
would never
return.
it
For countless
We
know
that
millions of years
The
we
my
theory.
If a
cannon
ball
of swiftly moving protons and electrons. Let us imagine air one hundred degrees
of
below zero, Fahrenheit. In this condition the atomic motions would be very
true of a
much more sluggish than they are in the Stretch our air we are now breathing.
imaginations a bit further and imagine
the air so cold that electrons did not re-
cannon ball is also true of an atom. If after thousand and millions of collisions,
an atom
may
is
finds itself in the upper air, it be going at 90 great a speed that the
it.
Earth
volve at
all.
This complete
so large that no atom can bounce away unless it has a speed of more than seven miles a second. Our most valuable gases,
59
an d
seldom
at
the
exceed
that
c ritical
is
"Even
temperature at which
from the earth?" what I mean," insisted Millstein. "Perhaps it's been going on for a year or more, and, as you know, we
flying
away
"That
is
exactly
feel
the horrible
many hydro-
To
illustrate
more
A
Up
tall
cannon
ball witfi
two miles per second would leave that planet forever. This state of affairs is due to the smallness of Mercury. Its gravity force is so slight that a body would fall only four feet durthe velocity of only
swept over the gathering. "Donald Millstein, I have listened and believe in your theory. Before, in emergencies, the
ing the
first
second.
The
blinding sun-
government has
called
and
light of Mercury would make an oxygen excitable Its nature atom nervous. would cause billions of its comrades to dart about, collide and bounce at a speed much in excess of two miles per second. Thus it was that Mercury lost its pre-
government
depended upon you. I ask you to take The full charge of this investigation. is behind you. I am remem-
moment your past services, and pledge you unlimited support. What can the government do to help you ?'*
bering at this
It was typical of Millstein that he igfine compliment and from the greatest man in the land. His whole mind was concentrated to the task of solving the mighty problem. Peo-
Even
to
vol-
praise
cano s.
"On
of
the planet
Mars an atom of
air
ple
all
more than three miles per second to away and never return. On
is
were breathing
hopeful prayer.
ap-
"Mr. President, I thank you, and I will call upon your Department of Chemistry and Science for their best man and if an
;
"what
this has
to
do
idea
shall
"TT means just this," continued MillA stein. "Verensky is a most dangerous criminal, an insane man obsessed with the idea of wiping out the earth. You
"It
is
CHAPTER
II
must not underrate his powers. In some manner this insane genius has developed
a process, perhaps a machine, that emits exciting rays that increase the speed of
the atoms of oxygen, causing them to act
as the hypothetical cannon ball.
DON MILLSTEIN
nearest flying
special plane.
field,
left the
meetfast
the
Already
my
a
operator
who
tooled
powerful at-
60
AMAZING STORIES
cussed and arranged that the diminutive
solar system of an atom of oxygen was thrown on the screen. The projection machine was then slowed down so that it barely revolved. During the taking of the pictures, the camera had been operated at a fearful velocity. A most remarkable miniature solar system was projected on the screen. Worlds planets revolving
mored car through Washington traffic Don many a thrill. A few moments at the airport, and Millstera was thundering through the air at three hundred miles
gave
per hour.
Three hours
derful
later
laboratory,
hidden Jack
among
bleak
trusted
Vermont
hills.
Cromwell,
flights
assistant,
"Glad
to
see
you, Millstein.
We're
many thousand
the screen.
been repeated
is
several times,
"There you
are,
Cromwell.
Look
itself.
at
sending it?"
by
"The Falcon?"
"Yes, Chief, and here's what he says."
how
the electrons
Much
"Never mind what he says, Jack. Go back to the radio and see f you can find if the message is coming from near-by Wait a minute. What or from space. does the message say?" Jack Cromwell flashed an amused grin as he read aloud from a slip of paper. "To Donald Millstein. Beware, my
i
oxygen.
Some kind
of ray or a magnetic
is
or electrical
influence
increasing the
humor
"Well," mused Jack, who always saw in every situation, "perhaps the
Falcon has done something to set them on a spree." "Whatever it is, Jack, it's most serious.
enemy.
plans.
Do
From
my
The world
is
about to be deprived
will
of
Millstein.
is
its
oxygen and
is
soon become a
"That
settles
stated
it.
As yon perhaps
Its
"There's no doubt of
The Falcon
know, oxygen
weight
cleus of
is
atomic number
eight,
and
its
atomic
to
sixteen.
You and
I are
going to
his
oxygen has eight free or orbital electrons and eight bound electrons. "There are only a few of the known
elements that are so exactly and evenly divided as to free electrons and bound
electrons.
it is
Involved
experiments
Perhaps
lenses.
From
time
to
time
Millstein,
inin-
whose eyes were fairly glued to his strument, would call out details and
structions to his assistants.
"Come
stein, after
here,
at these films
you
A
tion
discover the make-up of any element, the full number of the atomic
machine was
fitted
up and so
fo-
weight.
61
Millstein's
"Yes,
it
is."
face
was
are
slightly pale.
them.
is
Now the
number of
free electrons
government
that
thousands
one hundred
dying in the regions of high altitudes. Urges me to speed up investigation. The message is more of a prayer than a com-
and ninety-seven protons. Of the electrons within an atom of gold, seventynine would be free or orbital electrons, while one hundred and eighteen would be
mand.
perate.
is
tell
I'm certain
all
back of
his
of
this.
when
message came
on the radio,
bound
electrons."
at Millstein's direc-
Trained assistants
tion next placed
an atom of oxygen so that it could be bombarded with high voltage. This device, called an "Alpha Ray"
machine,
projected
must have been from a great distance, for the reception wavered, and was very faint until I amplified it, and it had
"It
charges
of
several
si-
oxygen nucleus.
sighed at the
Then
Millstein,
result.
worn and
It's
tired,
"It's
no
use.
is
"Do you know, Jack, I believe that if we could find the Falcon and net him, this problem might be solved. By Jove!
I'm sure he's sending those messages
That
little
was exploded
rise
a normal
that's
from space. Ill bet he has a space car of immense size and practically lives in it.
That's
not
of
temperature
Let* s try
why
a magbut
it
test,
to say that
revealed nothing.
The
orbital electrons
lick the
an excited
"Do you
a
in
COSMOS. Why
mos'?
studied tone,
and
"Cosmic
some
scientists to
my
theory that
be the signals sent out through the ether, announcing the continuous creation of the
heavier metals out of the lighter.
Many
bombardment.
No
it's
not that."
interruption
years ago
it
was thought
was an
from a trusted assistant. "Mr. Millstein, here is a very important message that just came from govern-
gas by the exploding atoms that provide its boundless energy. Later it was found,
however, when machines called electroscopes were lowered into deep lakes, that
the cosmic rays
still
had
their effect.
This
62
AMAZING STORIES
structure of their electrons within each of
their atoms, that the cosmic rays,
machine was originally designed by the famous Dr. Robert A. Millikan. His apparatus was composed of delicate quartz
fibers so
due to
their
atom building, are included in the oxygen cosmic rays. So you see, Cromwell,
it
were charged with one kind of they would repel and remain
as
may
apart, but
and carbon
mystery.
wfll help
them, penetrating the shell of the electroscope, the electrical charge of the fibers
"TXTE
*
was knocked
effect
off
in
proportion to the
of
the
rays,
fibers to
come
close together.
Then, by
They are
all
measuring the
fibers
construction.
is
atom The
and the discharge of the electricity from them, the great Millikan was able
prove the strength of cosmic rays
.
elements
hydrogen gas,
to
at
any moment
effect
at
He made
the astounding
Sun and
the
Mercury.
same
from the mighty energy of the sun. "Millikan also found out in his experi-
and
orbits.
ments that some rays were more penetrating than others, which proved that
cosmic rays had different characteristics.
Tests showed that could
lead.
"But
to
make
this short,
scientists
some
of
these
rays of
pass
through
seventeen
feet
and
Owing
magspace.
erated plexes
the
nificent scientist,
was decided
still
that cos-
interstellar
Way but
the
astronomical
solar system
laboring at his
ances in the
unknown space
at
MiDstem
dis-
during the
technical
trum.
Then
was proven
that each of
course.
He
suddenly spoke.
I
"Chief,
it.
"The Falcon
rays."
released
definite
band of cosmic
is
going to
dis-
The generation
of silicon and
"Yes," muttered Millstein, his mind with a thousand details. "We're fly back to Washington at once. Then we're taking my space ship, 'Nemesis,' out into space. We're going to
filled
"Now
to
and that
is
causing
all
of
the
oxygen
their
63
Millstein gave out
In the control
room
with
was
care.
Trail
being
checked
painstaking
Millstein
was
in a studious
mood.
out
JACK
was an exceland while they were flying back to the government port for space ships, Millstein managed to get two
lent pilot,
CROMWELL
"You know
quite
after
all,
Jack," he said
dubiously,
"we're going
It's
on
just a
hunch."
needed hours of
sleep.
Cromwell was
sturdy
little
a skilled
"Somehow
the
right
fail."
I feel.
on
track.
Word came
that the
making proper
scouts were ready to take off any second. Millstein, connected to the two government space ships by radio telephone, gave them detailed instructions as to their flight and course. Then he turned his
Great
steel
These
derricks
levers,
and gauges,
Millstein
as
a
the
These elongated
skilled artist at
a piano.
in
While
flying
from
their
pulled a lever.
The top of
steel
;
the great
guide
slid
requesting that
two of
a guide such
fastest
assigned to Millstein.
The government
two ships and
Millstein
initial
its
another lever.
felt
"Power!" snapped Millstein, pulling For a moment the two as though some relentless force was
Acceleration
The
soon
and
his
assistant
were
degree.
was taking
beyond the
it
its toll.
in
the great
strata-
'Nemdefastest
scope. as
Do you
realize that
Millstein
had
spent
ship,
years
the
much power
It
as
usual
to
leave the
veloping
the
space
atmosphere?
rapidly."
man-made
and
thing
that
ever
rocketed
through space.
strange,
The
craft possessed
new
that
in
"What
powerful
weapons,
the Falcon
is
to Millstein
and a few
some way
Many
was a
he
from
tell
mark of
ernment
distinction
and favor
that
you what I'm going to do. I'm going to start making circles around the earth at about one thousand miles from its surface.
Our
first
circle we'll
make
at a
64
AMAZING STORIES
"Do you know, Cromwell,"
a mysterious
love
there
was
"I
the
to
an addi-
my
'Nemesis.'
believe she
built
is
was ever
by man.
Next time
we'll
Some day
tile
you
see,
Jack, that
if
we keep
"But no one
at the
the globe
speed of
you know
that
lived
who
that
in
many
years ago,
was
the
first
to discover
This way
the
we
in
cannot miss
the forward
tele-
"How
lookouts
high-powered
argued Millstein.
scopes, and
them
no
ens at
all
times.
Keep our
if
men
at
lo-
You and
our
size
they can
know
we're
now
traveling at a velocity
cate
any
ship.
ship
we
meet.
have
full
government
effect,
and not
realize
"Chief,
it's
his
whole universe."
"That fiend
is
some
place in our
own
"You're
Chief.
talking
too
for
me,
to find
him."
want
to
But say, there's one thing I do know. You've been working for
this
months on
ship,
secretly
installing
HOURS
earth,
passed, and the "Nemesis" was many thousand miles from the
Tell
me
about them.
which now glowed like a moon. Both Jack and Millstein had obtained a
needed
rest,
armament
Here's a
in the
universe."
that,
CromIt
to spring a surprise
on the Falcon.
old,
When
these levers
is
Number
seven-H-five
is
a hundred
merely
aligning
the
pointer
on
this
the left.
We
are at
all
times in constant
smoked
They
report
"Vyy
"Well,
ingenious,"
it
agreed
Cromwell,
powerful
engine
this
wonderfull
do i"
to
running at
connected
power of
with
less
us.
keep up
un-
in the
rooms of our
ship.
When
you pull
we want
65
45, "it
structure
is
it
might be
"But
lead
and
others,"
argued
in their
Cromwell.
those
steel,
in
any
inele-
composition."
all
caresses.
It
will
disintegrate
fastened
to
up a "discontented"
the electrons
Think
of
the
and
"You're
right.
The expansion
ray
is
would
too,
it
be greatly speeded.
Naturally,
going to be tough for the enemy. Have you any other nice little things up your
sleeve?"
of
instantly
burning
out
all
the
enemy's
radios
electrical circuits
and motors
equipment. I
its
pro-
am
anxious to try
on the
shoots
out vibrations
light.
which
this
Falcon, Cromwell.
on a beam of
When
effect
on earth I could make a safe test without damaging too much surface."
strikes a
on
I
it.
"Well !" exclaimed Cromwell, wideeyed, "you have got a surprise for the Falcon I don't know what earth would
!
elements.
don't
know
just
how
discovered
without your
practically
Stumbled on it quite by accident, but this ray, combined with the vibration, instantly stops the orbits of electrons
in
You've
developed
any element.
the bouquets.
this
you about
want weapon
I
overcome these
instantly."
rays, they
would be frozen
lately.
working
keeping
Why
things
"This operates
in
practically the
call
it
you
been
these
that I
its
my
secret?"
When
fearful energy
it
any element,
causes
them
first."
within that
"let's find
What's the
many
same
an explobut
of
will pene-
trate
many
feet
or living creature.
project
it
have managed to
light,
I
its
composition.
on a beam of
all
So
we
can produce
and explode
all
66
the vibrations
AMAZING STORIES
weaken very rapidly as
This device
is
the great
me
sight!
Let
card to play.
What
a magnificent
we
to
an enemy, and flooded them with these vibrations. I calculate that this weapon
will be active up to a ten mile radius around our ship."
From earth these thousands and thousands of stars that make up the clustre of
The
light,
stars at this
mo-
"I've
stuff,"
my How far
brain
Magnon
to
race entered
his
are
draw
and horses
in the
The
and
starting
on
its
Let's
earth, will
the
observation
clear.
room.
The
No
bit
cosmic
perhaps
we can do a
of adven-
I wonwhat kind of a wonderful race those light beams from Hercules will
find."
The two
ful glasses.
"I suppose
it's
you to
things,"
sighed
Cromwell.
"I'd
rather
Cromwell knew
Croniscientific
smaller group of
analyz-
Those
billions of
hundred thousand
earth.
light years
their tra-
away from
little
the
,
They appear as a away from Milky Way. Once I was on an expecloud that had blown
way
of working together on a
dition at the
problem. Cromwell had learned by long experience to fall into Millstein's mood. It seemed to stimulate the scientist's
naked eye. If
were concentrated in one point, they would be about as bright as the North
Star.
What
are
photons ?"
"Well, Cromwell,
I
Their faintness
is
mous
me
cornered at
last.
I've said
enough
to
that cloud of
two
you about cosmic rays for one time, but photons are closely associated with cosmic
rays, light
still
and
color.
We
scientists are
brightness,
The
sim-
and
all
on
it
might be vaporized."
Cromwell,
way
to put
it
would be
to say that
"Very
"Oh,
interesting," snorted
know
you're
anxious
for a
of energy.
Laboratory experiments
67
Millstein!
GREAT
is
SCOTT,
What
and red color is in the number of microscopic waves of light, which enter
violet
that great,
right
It
looks like
hundred and
violently."
some
time.
my embryo
has
scientist,
number
"That group of stars, Jack, is the great Nebula of Andromeda. It's barely visible from the earth, and considering our
rainbow
been
counted.
Fifty-five
own
planetary system,
it's
incomprehenThat Nebula is
diam-
Forty-eight thousand
forty-four
thousand
green
thousand,
eter
and a million
from the
yellow
When
we
earth.
about
thirty-three
thousand
occur,
meda and
Venatici,
would be unable
ple, alcohol
to see them.
For exam-
are vast
whirlpools or
mael-
stroms of
stars, planets,
that can
make any
of uncountable numbers.
ultra-violet,
comes at the other extreme, the where the waves are so short
and crowded together they don't give our eyes any sensation at all. You can compare this to the piercing shrieks of some
laboratory apparatus, or
Observations of
many
years indicate
some
shrill
insects that
nucleus.
produce vibrations so
that
they
don't affect our eardrums at all. If the waves of color are so short it takes over sixty-six thousand of them to make an
inch, they are totally invisible to our eyes,
phone buzzed
intently;
"W ell,
r
Jack,
and are
called ultra-violet.
it
"Thus
has
been
that
scientists,
Lookout Number seven, in the port bow, states he has sighted an immense object about five hundred miles
come
true.
have been able to tell from the various colors of the spectrum out in space just
straight
Let's
go
back
to the control
Number seven
how
apparently a space
what particular element is being bom in the cold spaces. Temperatures of the sun
its
That's
md
for
stars
are
thus
readily determined,
would
many
have."
They repaired quickly to the complicated control room with its thousands of
reflectoscopes,
gauges and
instruments,
at their respective
Suddenly
his
body
room was
68
swift
little
AMAZING STORIES
space fighter.
Millstein
was
effi-
Cromwell
always
in direct
knew
his
tant news.
could restrain
no longer.
He
was
must
" **
HAT
is {t
'
Chie
? -
What
you
getting?"
say
it's
It
be the Falcon.
Who
the Falcon.
The
and
is
is
so vast in proportions?"
Millstein did not hear, or at least he
He
stay
warning
me
to
was phoning
to the
away."
radio room,
"What
ship.
well.
Give the customary salute. Ask their name and from what planet, and their
destination.
Millstein.
Make
it
plain that
we
are on
We may
mo-
was
slip-
Cromwell, "The
:
'I've lo-
another receiver. This time he was connected with the power rooms of the ship.
you just
I've
five
minutes to leave
Here were
located
the
apparatus
that
existence.
out.'
enormous power. Converted electrons were discharged through the impellant tubes in the rear and nose of the fighter.
now
ready for
Just
fight.
then
its
the
'Nemesis'
shuddered
The converted
through
vibrated,
The
air
space through the tubes with vast energy, forcing the space ship in any desired direction.
odor of
!"
At
least they
would have
But
in
"Treachery
I is
thought
trying
us.
snapped Millstein.
"He
five
out
some
on
Didn't
"Slow down the ship to barely cruising Circle the stranger at five hundred Radio the two government scouts of our discovery. Tell them
speed.
miles distance.
to at
to keep circling
till
was
to
With
levers
agile fingers
his
Millstein arranged
that
The
leading gov-
and
phone connection so
ernment space
the
fighter that
was next
he was receiving direct a message coming from the ether. A taut but amused grin
'Nemesis'
had
suddenly
exploded
69
through
in
all
directions
It
is
difficult
to describe a battle of
the
fragments
space ships. Such encounters are strangely unlike the dog-fights of airplanes, that
circle
would
come
"It's
a fight
the
death,"
snarled
will not
Millstein.
guns spewing out lead and death. Space ships in combat circle and dart about each
other a thousand miles apart, testing the
other's protective screens with destructive
Think of all those poor devils in the government scout. Jack, radio the
escape.
,
They
like
circle
power of
"Xo
says
use, Chief,"
muttered Cromwell,
doesn't
after a busy
the
other
answer.
of
Look!" Cromwell's
ernment ship
is
darting tor-
ward out of
control!"
"V^ES,"
muttered Millstein anxiously, * "by some devilish means, the Falcon has paralyzed or killed every human life on the fighter. Thank Heavens we have
better types of protective screens
craft."
In his wisdom and experience he also knew his immense enemy had more power. In other words, more ergs
quickly.
on
this
light
rapier,
armed
"Yes, but our power rooms report that all dynamos and machines are being badly
affected.
Millstein and
fly off
element.
few thousand miles and reconnoiter." This was Cromwell's way of taunting Millstein to start the combat.
"Retreat!" grated Millstein.
"I'll
sense
task
was concentrated on
to
great
annihilate
the
cell
Falcon.
Every
of their brains
say
we
won't.
Let's go.
Here's where
we
CHAPTER IV
The
Battle of Space
were constantly and adroitly turned by Cromwell to reflect that portion of space occupied by the Falcon. "Give them a shot from one of our
that
BUT
retreat.
away a
thou-
sand miles from the other ship, where he knew the vibrations and
rays of the "Avenger's" weapons would be lessened in power; but it was not a
moment my
Merely a
strategic
move
to gain
"No, not yet. They're using lots of power now. Did you feel that? For a senses fairly reeled. I wonder what strange weapon the Falcon is trying out on us. Look! It even affects
See
enemy
how
into
they vi-
Then
one of the
70
AMAZING STORIES
would not have realized, except for the tense and slightly excited mood of the two men, that a terrific battle of incredible
phones connected to the power room, "Bill, throw on every atom of power
got on all protective screens. We're being bombarded." Then to Cromwell's supreme disgust Millstein ordered the ship into a maneuver that flung it away from the scene of conflict a full five hundred miles; at such a speed the acceleration was very
painful.
-'Say,
you've
energies
commands
of Mill-
what the
for breath,
"
switchboard.
had
almost
pushed
their
bodies
table.
Then quick
in space so
flat-
turned
screens.
aside
by
protective
vibration
The
ancient
tened
the
master
pilot,
ical tradition,
was
lightning,
conflict.
with
full speed,
and the
maximum
endur-
able rate
ing to
jack.
"Are we going to ram him?" "No!" shot out Millstein, "but I'm goshow you some action. Get ready, We're going to give him a taste of
ray
ordered
Millstein.
them
my new
Number
one."
flashing ten thousand miles hour toward the "Avenger." Not much time had elapsed since Millstein had
They were
an
pon.
credible speed,
would reverse the direction of electricity in its energy flow in any metal
that
that
"Wait
his
!"
and vibrations of the enemy's weapons, shrewdly waited until there was slight
pause in the power registered on the
instruments.
geniuses in
moments
"Now,
flash
Jack, give
fifty
it
to
them!
We'll
so he
screen.
by within
miles!"
the sighting
Number
keeping
it
It was but the work of a second for Cromwell to align the tubes of the dis-
enemy
casual
ship.
it
pointing,
to
show-
observer,
image of the
enemy
well,
An
room of
marvelous
space
fighter
71
his ray
in spite of the
infinite
and
crackled with some The gauges registered crazily, and some showed no reading whatever. With a great mental struggle
fairly
fierce
about them
energy.
plished by Cromwell.
He was
the best
Millstein
roused
himself
and
hastily
ray-pointer of space.
eyes held the light of some religious devotee, as his agile fingers
tor
moved
I
indica-
"Snap
into
it,
Cromwell.
We
didn't
and
levers.
He
just
gave us
"Good
ing the
tering
work,
Cromwell.
believe
Do you know
power of
nothing.
I
their
my
Maybe we've
know, though.
all
disabled
a stream of light.
I'm
still
tingling."
them.
don't
We're up
the uni-
"T'M Okay
-*-
may
be a trick."
intuitive sense oE
me."
Millstein noted with great relief that
warning came to Millstein, and in a sudden decision he turned the ship and shot
the
instruments
were now
registering
away with a
even the
skill
rocketed
swoop toward the Falcon. They had away from the enemy a full two
last
maneuver.
his attack
On
had dashed
toward them
It
"Keep
screens.
power on
the
all
protective
"Great
muttered
Millstein,
Have
The govRadio
sig-
tire ship
ernment ship
is
running amuck.
each
man
body
the
our
prepared
against
unusual
'Avenger'
nals.
The
stresses."
As
they
neared
the
an idea.
sort of
some
that lias
made
of the ship insane. Perhaps he has gained control of their minds by some hypnosis or mental projection, and caused the government commander to think we're his
"Well,
something,
Cromwell,
The energy
are depleting
We
enemy.
in
You know
the Falcon
is
an adept
Of
course
mental
Cromwell.
tried to
fight
control. Watch carefully, The government space ship ram us. We have two ships to
may
be a trick."
now.
We
have
"
"Careful !" shouted Cromwell. "There comes the government Scout again, approaching us from the rear, twenty-five
degrees to the starboard."
72
Again
trained
it
AMAZING STORIES
took
all
more card
to
flying
instinct
speed.
miles,
As
I'll
come
to within
one hundred
orbit
no question about
it.
The
start to
make a swooping
Falcon has obtained mental control of the government scout. Our disintegration ray is a failure. Apparently the Falcon has
around
well.
his ship."
We
in
"
a screen. Wait, here comes a message from Number ten power room. Great Scott, Cromwell! Engineer Kelly
some
sort of
"We
left
our
My
three
new weapons have failed, even the beam of rays, that slow up the electronic speed
within atoms to produce absolute zero.
I
gone crazy, and he has had to knock them out with a paralyzing ray pistol. Don't you
see, Jack, the
vised
Chief? The
reason
sound vibrations?"
"That's the
In some mys-
terious
evil
way the Falcon can project his mind and dominate that of a weaker
Millstein
want
to
Falcon
has
thought of
With that
self,
became a
fiend
him-
weapon."
madman
The
cuted,
sturdy
little
craft
The
fast space
and shot out deadly rays at its larger enemy. Many times it barely avoided the
plunging rushes of the government scout.
Millstein
was
it
literally
circled at
spoke no
It
was
characteristic of Millstein
when
speed
he looked up, after shooting away to a safer distance, although his last weapon
had
was no discourageFalcon
has
the
ment on
"Well,
Jack,
of
that.
the
had
even
thought
He
a protective
was
of
risky,
government scout
Cromwell.
ship, Mill-
stein glanced at
There was a
face,
"Chief,
strained expression
on
Millstein's
silent,
con-
sidering mightily.
"No, Jack.
idea.
That won't
in
I
do.
I've
an
termination.
defeated.
Don
Millstein
You know
my
past encounters
mean
is
his egotistical
He
is
physical valour.
He
a mighty
man
in
coldness
and
73
by
Millstein,
human with
are
primitive weapons.
and
allowed
to
escape
"What
Cromwell
in an
The
this
message.
To
the Falcon.
but
Donald
Millstein, challenge
you to a
Its composition
My
I
ship is unharmed.
aluminum
alloys of
many
am
going to ram
years past.
lined
The
you.
Thus both of us and all our men I dare you to don your space and meet me. Bring- no weapon but
I will
with
gold-beaters
my
to be an
leakage.
to
control
We
"
the outer
membrane of the
with
small
out in space.
May
the best
man
Mill-
win.
stein.'
(Signed)
The
suit
was
provided
Cromwell choked a bit, but his voice rang strong and steady as he sent the message. In a few moments came the reply, short and tense. "Terms accepted. Get ready, my enemy. I am coming gladly. ( Signed) The
Falcon."
warmed.
of
his
was with
in
spite
extraordinary
strength,
moved
suit.
about
when he had
made
place,
donned the
the
helmet,
Cromwell
in
another
CHAPTER V
earnest plea.
"Let
me go
your
Chief.
life in
Strange Duel
that
to lose
your
"T KNEW
I
"*-
ruse would
work,"
is
the difference.
guise me, Let
The Falcon won't know The space suit will disout and cross swords
I
exulted Millstein.
"The Falcon
skill
me go
with the
think he will
swords.
reputation as a duelist.
said that
dozen
men
died
before
his
deadly
blades.
That challenge to
weak
point."
talking, he
was
be-
"No, Jack. This is my affair. I believe I can overcome the Falcon. Your duty is here at the ship, and don't you worry about the Falcon coming himself. My hunch about his sensitive pride is a good
one."
The heavy
suit,
made
of pres-
With
into a
ship.
that Millstein
clumped forward
sigh,
a huge diving
outfit.
The
material
round airlock
was of
With a
in
resigned
Cromwell
with
placed
Millstein's
awkward-looking
gloved
a heavy old-
Also
it
was
hand,
that
was
clumsily
fashioned
army
cutlass.
74
AMAZING STORIES
I've
till
"f HIEF,
^-** knife
sharpened
like
that
meat
Don't
stantly
was
several
It
it's
a razor.
his
'Nemesis.'
Try and
out.
and
let
oxygen
"Nemesis"
"standing
and
still."
all
"Avenger"
reality
were
whole
In
the
is
Millstein,
mass, in fact
in
the universe
moving
satanic majesty.
but
be in
Jack,
full
the best
I'm coming back. But if I don't come back, do you can with the ship. You'll
pens to
He
slowly
arm
The
enemy
extremely heavy,
like a
You know
the
that trick
figure
over,
emergency
ruse.
screen.
knew
his life
skill
and quickness
There he adjusted
instantly streamed
his
from
and he
off, realizing it
was
weapon. The movement of arm caused his body to turn over out of balance, so that his face was away from the enemy ship. That would
not do.
He
violently in
now, for the helmet was tight over his head, but through its clear quartz lens he
succeeded in
In
winked insultingly
well.
at the anxious
Crom-
move
forever at the
is
With a nod of
This
because
of the complete
resistance.
vacuum, no
air
and no
lever,
and a
steel,
two
of
in
front
Cromwell,
wall.
perfectly
smooth
fiery
In space acceleration and its rate are affected only by the mass of the body to be accelerated. This effect is due to what is termed inertia. Etymologically
the
human
life laziness
resis-
tance.
main
as instructed,
MOW
*>
that
Millstein
mination depicted upon his countenance, he pushed another lever. This he knew
opened the outer steel door of the lock, and Millstein was free to push out into
the vast void of endless space.
Millstein, wise to the
too quickly.
that
humans could
of
hundred and
second
fifty miles
an hour in one
without
in
inj ury,
uncanny condi-
acceleration
perfect phys-
The
75
keenly aware of the
He was
and
ship,
from one
and
and
the
learned
all
skilled
scientist
But was
"That's positive proof," muttered Mill"that the government scout-ship Commander's brain is under the control
stein,
aware of
these hazards.
off the condition
of the Falcon."
Glancing again toward the rapidly approaching figure of his opponent, Millstein could see the other
warily, circling as
if
Then
his eyes
For and
concentrated his
mind on
of
from
his
belt
and fired it in a direction exactly opposite from that portion of space occupied by
the Falcon. Instantly Millstein's body shot
his
ergies.
He made
negative as far as
moment
his
breath
concerned.
his
his mind a complete all other problems were For the moment he forgot
came
painfully.
Clumsily,
like
man
own
well hind.
moments of
great emergencies
the pistol by
means of
a large-handled
pistol.
"Charges are too strong," he muttered. The propulsion pistols were not weapons of offense or defense.
though his
incredible
It
intellect
amount of
well
that
on
his
mind.
They were
was
Millstein
suddenly
opened
fic
which discharged a very small burst of atomic energy rays, its recoil pushed Millstein in the desired direction. Inasmuch as he would move
firing the pistol,
By
toward him at
terri-
velocity
came
of the
Falcon.
Millstein
awaited the
charge.
initial
inertia,
Then
tol,
by
was necessary
to stop
by
firing a
charge
and noted
it
could be termed a
"That was close !" muttered Millstein. Like two grotesque crustaceans,
weighed down with the vast pressure of
a mighty but transparent water, the two fighters maneuvered. Their attacks and dodges were surprisingly quick, yet their
now
very
much
closer.
He
realized
full
76
AMAZING STORIES
sudden charge, he immediately twisted
protect his rear.
to
arms moved with painful slowness moved like Sisyphus toiling up the eternal
mountain.
To
Time
Falcon was directly behind him and forcing hts acceleration at a dangerous rate.
It
who
slips aside
was then
when
it
seems he
will be
impaled upon
and bravery.
Shrewdly noting
was employing a very clever plan of attack. He was saving his strength. The effort of moving heavily protected arms and legs took a tremenMillstein
several atomic blasts against the direction of his travel, holding the pistol to
meet
his foe.
He was
infuriated.
dous
lot
It was Humanity
of nothing.
the Falcon
pistol
was using up
his propulsion
It
would be well served if Millstein could die and wipe out the dangerous Falcon.
charges
very rapidly.
was
THEY were
his chance,
together
Millstein found
all,
own
and risking
he
re-
and with
too close
hand grasped
They were
and
now
sudden
blast,
ward
con's
the Falcon.
moment
he
For a moment it looked as though they would collide, and the Falcon be pierced through and through, for Millstein held his heavy blade directly in front of him.
clumsy
He
it
it,
for
arm and
in
tear
body, and he
Like a
man
a dream,
point.
his
in
a position where
It
was a
the
raise the
sword
moment
for Millstein,
who had
The
The
clever Russian
was maneuvering
waited
shorter
Millstein
suddenly
felt
as
though a
that
Stub-
ment
strength,
knew
was
Up
now
movements of
like
move about
two
in a
move upward, a
ocean.
physical strength
As
enemy
knew
that he
77
for him.
his
muscular
effort
brother of sleep
was clutching
and energy
into
one mighty
hilt
effort,
he
of his sword
It
was a des-
perate
mind slipped into unconsciousness, he saw a tiny space fighter shoot from the 'Avenger's" stern, and he realized with a last hopeless conJust as Millstein's
sciousness that, through treachery, he had
seemed to travel with infinite slowness, yet the heavy heel of the cutlass struck
the Russian's arm with stunning force long before the point of the deadly sword crept upward to Millstein's body. With
CHAPTER
The Falcon
VI
Gloats
struggled pain-
grasping hand, and soon the sharp weapon was many feet away from them.
Millstein
DON MILLSTEIN
sciousness. that had carried
The uncanny
instinct
him
safely through
many
fog.
of
the
distorted
still
mind.
As
holding his
Slowly memory returned to him. The weird battle of swords in space bow he
space
suit.
The Falcon
into
glared
had overpowered the Falcon; a realization of the trickery and treachery used to overcome him. He was lying on some
soft substance, probably a couch,
with
eyes.
malicious
hatred
Millstein's
and now
knew he was a
while
his
still
captive
on board the
his eyes closed,
a
'
powerful,
could
Millstein's
sword
be
slipped
through
the
brain
recovered
normality.
He
BUT were
the
evil
returned.
He
not expended.
grinning
from
his
with a horrible hate, he raised his right hand sluggishly above his head. It was
He
wondered
if
some sort of a
broke
signal
terrific tingling
He
cruel,
out over Millstein's body. His mind became numbed. His muscles would
not function.
mo-
ments.
hit
The
They were sending out a powerful, paralyzing ray from the "AvenTreachery!
ger" upon seeing that the Falcon had
him
severely.
had."
been defeated.
Millstein
and
a
desperate
strike the
Falcon
down
as he heard
made
mental
the
foul
treachery disclosed in
cool,
hard voice.
He
he was slipping into a dark abyss of obslipping with clutching fingers livion
schemingplanning every sense alert. The harsh voice of the Falcon again
grated loudly giving technical instructions to some member of his crew.
that
precipice.
at
an
icy,
slippery
78 "And
AMAZING STORIES
see that the lenses that convert
Millstein felt that although the Falcon
are
was cruel and remorseless, his own life was safe at least for the time being. He reasoned Cromwell would not attack with
;
the
"That path
City, Chicago,
changed rays
He
could
and Boston. If only Millstein had not discovered what I am doing. Another six months, and the
world
will
New York
be mine
all life
a dead,
lifeless globe.
I
Then
dren,
after
has ceased,
will re-
sneering tone.
store the
oxygen
will
strata.
Then,
my
chil-
"The great
fore
I
we
am
finished
you
will
wish you
supreme
zation."
ruler.
new
civili-
could die."
Millstein planned to again attack the
weak
spot
in
the
Falcon's
armor
his
but succeeded,
when
the
im-
egotism.
came
from the
nerves
lips
of the Falcon.
for an ordeal
Millstein's
as
he
glanced
tensed
when he
little
room.
He
tried
a daring
thrust.
he could
feel
some ap-
eyelid
down
for examination.
shrewd,
required
all
of Millstein's courage
face as he placed
stein's
two
fingers
upon Mill-
and fortitude
the
to
remain unflinching as
forward,
wrist.
Millstein
made a strong
Falcon
sprang
drawing
from
sion.
On
the
simulation of
unconsciousness
was
discovered.
!"
"Ah, so
"The
'poslittle
unconsciousness
like
cowardly
I
and for a moment he lost his composure and caution. "So !" he snarled, "you think you have discovered what I am doing? Well, you
will never profit
sum.
Come,
my
enemy.
want a
by
it.
You
!
can't stop
me.
talk with
you!"
that his subterfuge
have you in
my
power.
REALIZING
discovered,
sitting
was
a
more
terrible
have a fate in store for you than even your clever imagI
Millstein
rose
to
am
going to rule
the world!"
The
and coolly he executed a great, gaping yawn, like a man awakened from a long and hearty sleep. He was dealing with
an insane
a berserk scream.
"
A FTER
man and
decided
he would
/i
Come
will
humor him
with me!
will
show you
the de-
79
"My
will-
no
risk in
showing you.
You
!"
will live,
power
is
He had
taunted
and ap-
enemy's voice.
strong.
Ypur
will is mighty.
That's
how
want them." Insane chuckles came from the corded throat of the giant
the reason I
was constructed.
"Verensky,
Cleverly he fanned
my
in
fine, heroic
you are
bluffing.
the world
you who pose as the savior of you who bask the warm
Don't you want your brain because it
see,
is
My
was but
is
a ruse.
As
far as
my
personal safety
like.
fool?
would not
fine brain.
could resist
my
hypnotic influence
for
By
some
own.
ence.
time,
my
the blades.
Why
not give
me
the satis-
my
influ-
you right
face,
See the
dull,
meaningless stare in
I I
now
in this
room?"
his
the
own
their souls!
do
their thinking.
am
their brains.
and
his
usual
cunning
re-
With
"I
turned.
if
You
my
enemy. Oh,
I
am
the Falcon
!'
no!
with you.
You
are going to be
|\yff
ILLSTEIN
tently
at
one of
my
lieutenants."
Millstein.
****
"I
three
strong
men
"What!" exclaimed
with you
in
all
work
who
drawn
the
the universe?
ray guns. They were like mechanical men, yet depicted upon their countenances
death, Verensky,
in
your power,
Millstein
me
kill
was a tense watchfulness. Millstein knew the slightest movement on his part to
attack the Falcon
me."
would mean
his
his instant
was
trying to lead
death.
He
who was
Millstein
tion
wild oration.
"But
am
not going to
kill
you,"
"I
am
in the
and continued to taunt the Russian hope he might see the apparatus
information,
"Well,
why
try to hypnotize
me?" goaded
Millstein.
The Falcon
for
"You
my mind
by
miser counting
bu
"Not
will
yet,
AMAZING STORIES
my
enemy, not
yet.
There
is
You
hundred
feet in diameter.
In this
go without food for many days. When the body weakens, eventually the will-power weakens. Then, too, you shall
have a very
Venus.
after a
special treatment.
I
intricate
ma-
You
shall
discovered on
and
week you
to claim
have will-power
soul.
It wiil
an
idol.
His
drooled an
enough
It
your
own
be mine."
his
from
their sockets,
that he
slightest
fear at
he glared at Millstein.
He knew
of that
"There
chines
it
is,
my
enemy.
at
For years up
atoms
my
!"
marvelous ma-
them
mult
to
be subservient to a stronger
young
scientist laughed.
He
bly large
dynamo with
would have
enemies.
I
to resort to a
is
This dynamo
Where
was connected
formers.
to a long series of
ma-
am
amused."
Then
bolder play.
The
filled
room was
large
form
like
"You
will be confined
cloud that weaved and contorted about the room, twisting and whirling in
a mighty whirlpool of energy.
It
and
start
would
dict."
the
expand and assume grotesque shapes, usually rounded like some protoplasm. Millstein
some strange language, and the mechanical men instantly formed behind Millstein. The group progressed through a long corridor and passed many
rooms
filled
knew he could not analyze the apparatus without a close and lengthy examination, and he
felt
active operators.
Millstein
the
magbuilt.
among
the machines.
He
yearned to ask
""^TICE
-*
to
construct
in
such a craft
affect the
cosmic rays.
It's
ridiculous
!"
many
devices
must be
careful.
tell
You
are clever,
it's
dor, they
came
to a
you how
done.
81
hastened
his
won't!"
tell
desperate,
and he
steps
scream.
"I'll
is
you
much.
five
This
apparatus
built in
the center of
is
my
space ship.
feet across.
This room
It
hundred
great
for
The
them
the
bodyguard
treatment.
fracted
lenses
in
Then
and
transmitted
through
the
The
I
room.
He was
young
fixing in his
mind
do queer
tricks
The
resourceful
scientist
had
do
oxygen. But I
you are
fine
it,
none so hopeless as the present. In each room or compartment he could see robot men working on intricate machinery. The
'Avenger'
mind.
When
was
without
question
have a
you are going to be my assistant. You lot of knowledge I can use. Come
Millstein.
cell
mighty space
possible
fighter
now,
You
are
going to be
An
officer
who appeared
to be of
locked in a
"There
is
just
On
the
set
same vacant,
instruction with
my
space ship to
attack in
to
two hours
if
anything happened
and
it
me."
"Is that so ?" sneered the Russian, "and
sessed
more
initiative
hopeless expression in
He
laughed
my
enemy.
You
!
don't
and crew
takes no
You have
He
made no
reply,
but in his
rapid steps
more determined
expression.
might hear what the officer was conveying to the Falcon. Whatever the message was Millstein never knew, for
the conversation was in a strange tongue
CHAPTER
VII
but whatever
it
Mental Duel
THE
the
way back
Millstein
along
my enemy.
some
the corridor
knew
My
hours there has been no message coming from your ship. Just for your informa-
82
tion
I'll
AMAZING STORIES
say
we have
I
used before
an
incredibly
simple,
yet
one of
my
know
The
was gladdened
gorilla.
"No one
it.
but the
It took
most clever
it
bit of
To
the Falcon
me two
years to perfect
it.
have pro-
was making an
effort to
chalant
not
to
show he was
perturbed.
human within the radius of Your men will be unmany hours. The weaker ones will die. Some brains
active range.
"Ah ha I"
to interfere
"That
with
my plans. Now
Your
fine
my
is
disintegrate
from the
terrific
vibrations.
I
space fighter
I
I killed a hundred
it.
men
before
life
I,
perfected
to
men
paralyzed.
have
But what
compared
who
will rule
the world
and
all
the planets."
mander's brains
Now
I
in
do
am
going to do?
am
the
and
quick-witted
going
to
order the
"
commander
to
dash
his craft
A sudden partial
Falcon.
He knew
sound vibration
self perfected.
a wild hope.
his lips
do.
work-
That
foolish
the
in
not, Millstein?
my
warfare against
to
seemingly hopeless
shall take
them back
"Of
Millstein had been listening intently eagerly for he had gained important in-
Falcon, having discovered the sound vibration ray, has no doubt built up a protective screen
He had
for the
same ray
if
used
"
ship was under his mental control and had nearly told Millstein where his vast
my weapon
workshop was
located.
Millstein
now
into
knew
his mind.
and
vibrations.
Perhaps
the Falcon's mighty factories were on some dead or unknown planet far beyond the solar planetary system some uncanny place in the endless realms of si-
lent space,
where the
fantastical plans of
Again
him
in
any
detail.
He
suddenly
lieutenant
felt confident that his young was trying the ruse they had
By some uncanny
instinct
83
re-
wits
were
keener,
his
will
more
factor to
sources.
tations
powerful.
He tried another
Its
rare strategy.
to operate the
mankind with your skill and Why, you could change the of the earth at will and make
fit
rocli-
controls are
to
is
mates to
man's need.
You
could put
known only
lieutenant,
to myself
and
my
now
brave
para-
Cromwell, who
warm
those that
lyzed."
With
that Millstein
managed
to look
"You
will
Verensky, for
to operate
compart-
are too cold. There is no limit to the good you could accomplish. Why, you could be next to the Master Mind. There are none so powerful as you. If you will give up your mad idea of universal destruction, I, Donald Millstein, will work
at
your
side.
Together
I
we
will
do
in
all
would
blast
it
into
these things.
the
the impassioned
"T THINK
*-
con.
glowed
mad Rus-
Think as you like," taunted Millstein, "but you will never use Why don't you go over the 'Nemesis.' and try to operate the ship ?"
"Oh, very
to be strug-
This
a responsive cord
"That
stein.
is
just
You and
There
I,
of
my
esis.'
what we will do, Milland of course a group 'Nemdrug you and keep
your weakened mind
Russian beat on his breast till it sounded Incoherent words puled a drum.
from
thousand deaths,
you prisoner
gives
until
enemy of
!
me
The
trick
you."
in a
fit
of
my
'Nemesis' against
the world!"
"/"*
^-*
ET
ready a squad of
fifty
of
my
Then
istry
best engineers.
We
I will
are going to
wring from
secrets
of his ship.
I
We
ing
will torture
him with
until I
my
greatest
sess the
tific
You
pos-
am
as
his master."
and
bowed
ized
though
that
broken.
He could He real-
You
joyously
power and
You
could be
a-
bene-
madman.
84
They were going
esis
!'
AMAZING STORIES
to
glowed
energy.
with
some
strong
and
static
At
the
moment
CHAPTER
On Board
the
VIII
he put the thought out of his mind. The steel door of the space projectile was
closed.
"Nemesis"
by
of
commands
THE
Falcon,
accompanied
Millstein
Verensky uttered sharp, gutteral in that weird tongue, and knew they were floating in
felt
greatly increased
cers,
number
ship.
offi-
space.
Soon he
moved with
Millstein to the
Millstein
own
He knew
carrier tubes.
man
as
he
walked
His heart
his
thrilled,
mind was
the
He
bent
all his
mental
He
observed
keenly
capacities
test.
He was
pushed
through the
little
They
finally
own
ship.
"Open
tones.
As
Millstein
hard,, dangerous
None
but
he in the group knew how to operate the strong steel doors that would admit them
directly into the 'Nemesis.'
The
cleverly
own
ship.
constructed
doors of
incredibly
tough
Millstein in the
the
little
carrier
ship.
Millstein noted
that each
man was
;
heavily
armed with
He
Slumped over
colors.
were
all
on the
floor
were
guns of
tants. Then Millstein acted the part of a madman, and he turned like an infuriated
To
tall
figure of the
little
craft
"My
You
worlds
good men
!"
at
the
crazy
fiend!
enemy with
care.
dead,
my
enemy.
live.
madman appeared
that
Some
clever
weapon,
my new
Perhaps
I'll
paralyzing
try
it
sound vibration.
out
85
"Good "Our
old
trick
mild
way
it
to help
weaken your
his
assistant's
shoulder.
Knowing
pleased the
mad
Fal-
worked
beautifully."
When they
we
turned
fortunately
I
me
just before
you
left.
down over a radio table. "And you have killed Jack Cromwell,
We
we were
fighter's
my
best assistant!"
Millstein
frothed,
"Just
an
old
western
shot
gun
out
Like
"Great
Scott!"
Cromwell.
"Look
at the
Falcon!"
Millstein,
at
SHACKLE
ister
Millstein,"
I will
he ordered. admin-
his defeated enemy glanced carefully about the room to note that each of the enemy was safely subdued. Then he di-
to his
There was a
He
had decided to
spring
cardhe would
intently,
countenance.
he appeared to be in a trance.
a queer
"Keep
I
on him,"
trap.
snapped Millstein.
think he
With a
Well,
stein's
"For Earth!" most amazing thing occurred. Millmen, who had seemingly been unor dead,
Cromwell,
over.
conscious
suddenly leaped to
Subdue him with paralyzing rays. Give him drugs to keep him asleep until we reach earth.
Iron him securely.
by one spring!
Of
course
we
Each brave and trained assistant held in hand a deadly ray gun. Like a swiftly moving and intricate mechanism, each man jumped to an invader and covered him with the ray pistols they had held
his
first.
The crazed
He
began
to creep
on
his
towards Millstein,
of the advancing
who
gun
But
in the eyes
The
invaders,
who
possessed no
madman
there was a
wills of their
Mill stein's
mal.
been equal.
directly
in
now
en
his
defeated
beloved chief.
mouth
the
arm over
86
the
AMAZING STORIES
young
scientist,
CHAPTER IX
Heroism and Tragedy
"Wait, Millstein
Wait
Don't drag
!"
me.
Don't take
me
to earth
Then even Millstein was astounded, and for a moment greatly disconcerted as
the
MILLSTEIN,
but
greatly
worried,
crazed
his
Russian
suddenly
snatched
from
tache.
face a
false beard
and musMillstein
more determined than ever was at the control board of the 'Nemesis.' The fast space fighter had been rocketed away
to destroy the Falcon,
to tech-
"Don't you
beaten figure.
see, Millstein?"
"The Falcon is uncanny in his wisdom. It was the Falcon you talked to on the 'Avenger.' But I am not
the Falcon
!
nical information coming from various compartments of the space car. The fearless
young
scientist
was
in his element at
am
escaped
tool.
outwitted
One
of his
many
He
moment.
drugs us
He
and
just
efficient
hand.
Only he knows
I
moment
or I will die.
drug he gives us. Even must have the antidote That is the
come
all
in
that
the crew
died.
Even
that
way
he keeps us in submission.
He
takes
He was
amazed, as
the
"He knew the men wouldn't live to talk much if they were captured. A clever fiend to trick me as he did. But
Millstein.
The
after all I
was lucky
to get
back to the
more than
'Nemesis.'
sent
me
to
my
death.
this
He knew
visit to
in
his
uncanny wisdom
"Shall
"What we
He
cannot be defeated.
"I
want
to plan a I
sure attack
antidote
am
"I
am
can has a
defensive
screen
for
every
Becoming
jerk.
Millstein turned to
Cromwell and
all
weapon we have. The 'Avenger' is a most amazing ship. That crazed Russian is
the smartest scientist in the universe."
full
energy on
pro-
for five
full
speed
"EXCEPT
-C-'
yourself," hastened
Cromship
well.
"We may
at
"If
the
remaining
government
on."
is
Then more
death
It
!"
grimly,
"The Falcon
we wear down
power storage of
it's
a battle to the
the 'Avenger'. Jack, we've got to destroy the Falcon and his super-craft in order to
was
at last to he decided.
The commander of
the
87
wondering men
riers in the
esis.'
bow and
There's
one thing
left
to do."
It
training that
"You
going
to
"Yes,
Jack,"
to
interrupted
Millstein.
at full
"I'm going
will
be a big kick.
"
Millstein
reached
out
and
grasped
Cromwell,
Shall
I
gulping
the
bit.
"Let's
go.
tell
crew?
We
are
all
ready
to die if
we
GOODBYE,
earth.
Cromwell.
Get
out
"Good old chap," praised Millstein. "I knew you would do it, but you see, Jack,
you and the crew are not going"
the crew to
"
the
crew are to
all
I'll
Cromwell's voice broke into a sob, and last despairing, pleading look, he
leaped away.
As soon
right."
as you are
clear a
ihousand miles,
job
I will
well
do the
break
up
There was a
slight
"All
set,
Jack?
Okay!
I'm releasing
in Millstein's
you
all
from
flooded him.
Millstein pulled a
his eyes
away
and
earth.
there's
weapons.
no time to develop new The oxygen is rapidly leaving I've made up my mind. Get the
let's
on
their long
were grouped
geese.
formation
like
homing
Millstein
get
it
over."
With
a
well.
quick
to
adjustments
Cromwell
started
to
protest,
but
tuned a radio
In
a
make
contact with
Cromthe
trice
he had
attuned
face told
him words
wave.
were
futile.
"High
tail
for
home, Cromwell.
You
With swimming eyes, the courageous young Cromwell managed a sickly, liptrembling grin.
may
that
take
effects.
mushy
be too busy."
away
dis-
from
tance
the
'Avenger.'
He
wanted
five
!
thousand miles
to gather full
velocity
feel-
He was
in
a machine
now
nerveless, unfeeling
one idea
mind.
He was
orders
utterly de-
that scurried
void of fear.
88
AMAZING STORIES
locked
and the reflectoscopes. He noted with a start that the government space ship was
flashing along with his craft.
it
They
lost,
I'm
Millstein.
Very
close
'Avenger' I
came
the
too
close.
The
it
risky proximity
set
The
voice
in
the
of
government ship
Millstein
Millstein
thinking.
He
watched
carefully.
Per-
anxious eyes.
startling speed
Suddenly
it
to defeat his
did
not
fear
the
His
better
equipped
other,
[
ship could easily evade the and the protective rays and screens
down." mused Millstein sorrowfully, as he bent every energy and faculty to the task at hand his last flight. Turning the "Nemesis" in a wide,
of
the
Nemesis'
swinging
circle, Millstein
fiectoscope
to
show
full
the
huge
reflected
Then
that
He
power
to the atomic
again to him.
He
propulsion tubes.
knew
the government
was now
him
the
larger
before
Millstein's
something important.
It did!
gleaming eyes.
A
instantly the radio
Almost
Millstein's
phone near
believer
moved
On
his grey,
ear
began to operate.
the
The
space
commander of
fighter
government
Suddenly he tensed
screen
the reflecting
stein, realizing
officer
now
commander had suddenly gone under some mental influence at the start of the battle. The officer did not know what had happened,
learned
the
was far
in front of
his
and he was deeply grieved to hear of the loss of the' other government fighter and
the result of the attack
Millstein did not intention to
tell
He
on the 'Avenger.'
the officer of his
saw unfolded a most horrible tragedy. With a vast explosion the two ships ahead of him suddenly became a revolving mass of hurtling, mangled parts!
told
ram
enemy.
Un-
miles
of
the
void
steel
were
instantly
"AT Y
I'-l
board."
crew are
the
all
dead or mad.
filled
with broken
and fabric
to
am
only
normal
soul
on
The government
officer's
voice
The
the
gallant
officer
sinister
Falcon and
his hell-ship,
was a
stein ?
prayer.
My
now
trying to
''What shall I do, Millcrew are madmen. They are They are observed kill me.
mental influence. I have
'Avenger,'
was destroyed!
Many
men had perished, and a brave had carved deeply his name in the
But Earth was saved!
by some
terrible
halls of fame.
89
Cromwell,
I
MLLLSTEIN
perils for hini
tal
was badly shaken and But new now required his full menHis terrimc speed had
" QTRANGE,
that
you
thinkStar,
was
ing of that
Sirius, the
it."
Dog
hurtling
fragments
A
a
would mean
disaster.
Cromwell grinned he knew Millstein would give out information and thus stimulate his thoughts. Sure enough. Millstein began in a far-away voice.
"The ancients
tured Sirius, the
built temples,
and
pic-
Dog
Star, rising
from
the
few hours cleared the void of the large and dangerous fragments. With a fervent prayer for the heroes of the govern-
They thought
happiness
affected
their
weather."
cally
Millstein
in
ment fighters, he flashed away from the harrowing scene. Already he had radio connection with the frantically happy Cromwell, who
and
an absent-minded tone.
Bessel, discovered in
fifty
"The astronomer,
was moving among
path.
for
its
that
Sirius
would soon be
the stars in a
is
wobbly
"Cut out that raving, Cromwell. I'm Slow up and get ready to come all right.
on board.
I'm tired."
Millstein's voice
extremely heavy
It's
"
seemed
a strange
light
face.
He had
seen a
The
!
Falcon's fac-
man
die grandly
on that
star
In a few weeks
Sirius
We'll
we
and look
around."
you!"
with
Millstein,
was happy.
is
Cromwell was not heeding. His ears were fastened to phones connected to a
powerful receiving radio.
face.
waiting to fete
last
look of in-
By
radio
from
the
is
already becom-
What
a relief to
know
ment.
"Listen, Chief,
Falcon
is
dead."
reply.
He had
been thinking
re-
intently studying
some mighty problem. He spoke slowly. "Jack, I wonder about the Falcon.
Millstein.
You
me
dead.
Why did
him.
It
got back
to our ship?
uncanny.
a bit."
Not
like
You
It is
fool.
Do
The
worries
me
not think
am
finished.
Falcon
death
!"
will
swoop
again.
Beware! war
to the
Signed,
The
Falcon.
tom
High
in the
The mighty
star Sirius."
The Falcon
is alive
!"
The End
90
AMAZING STORIES
every side of them, in orderly receptacles, long rows of coffin-shaped boxes were resting on shelves so many that it made one dizzy merely to look at them.
On
91
In the Footsteps of
the
By
Mr. Coblentz
JVasp
A.
STANTON
COBLENTZ
is one of the best liked authors with whose works we have been favored. In the present story he appears in the role of a short story teller and very ingeniously brings everything to a happy conclusion where a wkole nation is rescued from tyranny and almost extinction. We are sure that our readers will enjoy it.
Illustrated
by
MOREY
lentless use that
HAD
versity
it not been for the example of the hunting wasp, the whole extraordinary episode would never have oc-
was
to be
made
of his
and the
curred.
As
professor
of
formula into the ocean. In any land other than South America
of the twenty-first century, however, the
Andres Mandano, had given prolonged study to those wasps which, as everyone knows, are able to paralyze their victims and leave them in a state of suspended animation, so that they may eventually form succulent livthe hymenoptera, Dr.
But
it
home country
that
had
been
established
and
there
still
By what
from
of applying
is a quesanswered
which made the so-called Mandana Man- Preserver a logical development. It will be recalled how public
ordination
liberties
rise
but at
all
events
we know
of research, he had solved the secret of the insect poison, and was able to brew
it it
of the revolutionary government of Rodrigo Querzal; how free speech had been eradicated, how labor unions had
been
destroyed,
and to apply
non-conforming
been persecuted,
groups
had
way
to
mankind.
how
military
demands
In the beginning, it appears, Dr. Mandano's motives were wholly laudable; for it had been his hope to develop a new anaesthetic
make
it
without inconvenience or danger to the patient. Could he have foreseen the re-
and organizations had been strengthened, and how, finally, a compulsory sterilization decree had been adopted to cut off the progeny of undesirable elements of the population in a word, elements opposed to Querzal. What was more natural, accordingly,
92
than that the
AMAZING STORIES
Mandano Man-Preserver be
check upon the
precisely
store
as
one
would
preserve
or
and
dill
so
many hams,
herrings
masses?
pickles.
Why
he argued, where
excess
human
beings
refer-
BUT
perhaps
ture.
plies
It
filed
away for
actual
I
use of
the
new
invention,
its
ence ?
vaga-
na-
was
the means
of preserving men,
pended animation
better
the
seize
dawn
all
of a
day?
Why
not
unem-
them
to
become a burcom-
keeping the
men
themselves in a state
quietly paralyze
registered
An
injection of
Dr.
when
Mandano's paralyzing fluid, based on the formula learned from the wasps, would
cause a
awakened?
And why
same
irresistible
man
army?
Why
not train as
many
soldiers
seeming
lif elessness
he would cease to
as possible, and then, instead of continuing to feed and quarter them, put them
into a state of inexpensive paralysis until
breathe, there
action, his face
which would show no sign of change during the course of days, weeks or even
lor
the
them
years
and
yet, at
minimum
of cost.
be revived, feeling a
drowsy,
like
It is needless to
The
a word, had been mastered But having, been mastered, it was not employed, as it might have been, for humanitarian and
stead, as the
is
it is
now
ers,
who
in
surgical
this
purposes.
In-
world in
it
tenced to the noose, had been guilty of nothing beyond some inadvertent suggestions
well aware,
new
the
project.
Browbeaten and
docile
as
Peravian people had long been, there was no reason to suppose that they would
countenance
this
un-heard-of,
;
latest
compulsion of the Querzal dictatorship, he bent reluctantly to the will of the gov-
a few medieal
ernment and delivered over the paralyzing fluid into hands less scrupulous than his own. In any case, the result is in no
doubt at all. Some evil genius, in an unlucky hour, conceived of the idea of preserving and storing the nation's excess
and Dr. Mandano himself, had any suspicion of what was in contemplation.
ists
it
E VEN
when
IN
lute
93
and then their suspicions were aroused, would find that a word, indiscreetly uttered, would send them to a Concentration
The
only public
Camp
if
pronouncement was
directly misleading:
Meanwhile, in
restraints
the ferocious
of
the
Censorship
Bureau,
all
citizens
way
the
was
to
particular date.
made
stand on
oaths
to
appear
duly
end;
tales
various
times
before
constituted Boards,
who were
to compile
many an indignant lip, and that caused many eyes to stare in amazement or incredulity. One heard reports
and curses
of
like
ever
known
to history.
un-
intricately
winding
galleries
which,
suspecting
common man
to
he
innumerable bodies
that
that these
In a majority of cases,
is true,
to spring; merely
men, but of
One heard
wild stories
men were
ical
examination.
But
in
in
hundreds of
in
thousands of instances
millions
the
and eventually
his
citizen,
ignorance,
over
like
men
And
by means of
system,
the
Hence it would occasionally happen some man more often than not an unemployed artizan or laborer would
that
appropriate
designation
for
example,
summoned
for ex-
"1964
XW
2/17/34,
automobile
me-
Or some stout and brawny youth, who had been undergoing military training in a private or public corps, would
if
suspended
activities"
or,
"4456
VT
vanish as
a
or
whole family
always
"TYU
1154,
1155 and
at
of
the poorer
its
and often previously dependent upon charity would fail to return from appointed examination, and neighbors
classes,
time of
A."
would inquire
abouts.
THERE
Officials,
when
;
questioned, would
was still another report which, more ghastly than the others,
merely shake their heads with a "knowthe police would nothing" expression prove either unwilling or unable to be of help the public press, being dominated
;
was heard now and then in secluded quarters safe from the ears of government
eavesdroppers.
incinerating
chamber,
by the Querzal
party,
would never so
if
scores of unfortunates
much
cremation.
For
of the populace,
now
where each day were brought for Mandano's Man- Prewere to be believed,
94
did not always accomplish
AMAZING STORIES
its
purpose.
Now
cause of a
go beyond the stage of mere suspended animation, and the remains, consequently, would have to be disposed of as quietly
But such cases, it was said, were exceptional, and caused the officials little worry; in fact, they were scarcely
as possible.
in excess of
is
rea-
re-
ceeded
had
it
not been
unex-
although
to
pected factor.
mysterious
disappearances continued
in the
The record
curious one,
War
nearly thirty
he
new
to
disarmament.
of
consequences
of
an
Querzal to power, he was condemned to a Concentration Camp, from which he escaped after harrowing adventures,
refuge in the United States, where he remained for several years. But
seeking
feeling that his native country needed him,
And
slipped by
to
Man- Preserver.
a
he smuggled himself back over the border, and, living the existence of
But
a hunted
series of events
creature, carried
IT
its
was
he gradually
made
Querzal
War
Department contemplated
of
It was in July that Man-Preserving was
it
Great Offensive.
usefulness
the
was
they
was
in
vowed
to
July that Peravia, picking an excuse for war simultaneously with the neighboring
lands of Argenzela and Bolador, was to
revive millions of soldiers
strangely
group
now
waiting in
women
IN
95
it is
though they were so motley a crowd; though they seemed to have undertaken
a hopeless task, and met with discourage-
more than
five
hundred
in all
when,
ment
after discouragement
though many
members were seized by the police and summarily executed, they were held
of their
together by the force of their convictions
Capital
building
which,
covering
many
acres
with
its
were able to
realize.
But
it
was Captain Cardenzos that was their guiding spirit, and he it was that set off the spark which precipitated the explosion.
were parading before the entrance, but on this occasion they were conspicuously
lacking; indeed, the gate itself, by what
EVER since
indeed,
it
its
lessness,
swung
when
Cardenzos and
was probably through members of the League that most of the rumors started. But at first its efforts had borne little fruit other than in the martyrdom of League members by the executioner's noose. It was not until 2043 that any decisive action became possible; for
several
his band strode in there was no one to restrain them. But mumbled passwords were quickly
and
the
newcomers,
the
as
they
cast
surged
casual
through
passageway,
them
in
state
of
insensibility,
and
the
pressed
hastily
on
to
accomplish
was not until that year that Cardenzos was in possession of the now-celebrated "Devil's Secrets." How the knowledge came to him whether through spies of
it
night's mission.
GUIDED
ously
lighted
pas-
government by
its
;
own
servants
has
he
but, in
any
case,
not
only
filled
the
building
but
was moved to passionate word of the impending war with Argenzela and Bolador. And, at the same time, his secret agents acindignation by
suffused
with
vile-smelling
On
made
it
tacles,
him to plan
way
to block
scores of them,
the war, and incidentally to accomplish the avowed purpose of the League by
many
that
it
made one
dizzy merely
to look at them.
And
The
never-to-be-forgotten thirtieth of
July, 2043, was the date set for launching the League Revolution. One gasps even in recollection to think by what means and against what seemingly insuperable odds Cardenzos and his fol-
human
to
face, silent
and
still
as
if
in slumber.
Working
plan,
according
filled
prearranged
and yet
lowers
began
the
revolt.
Their exact
Several of their
number
96
were posted
AMAZING STORIES
at various entrances as sen-
at all re-
life! Then we will all join march upon the oppressors !"
forces
and
mote that
their intrusion
would be
to
dis-
imprisoned,
and
sentenced
death.
So
they
some such words the League mem"ber would appeal to each reviving man. Sometimes the individual would be immediately convinced, and would enthusiastically join his saviors sometimes he could be persuaded only with diffi;
TN
and,
firm
in
this
conviction,
and set to work over the corpse-like forms lying bewith a black
fluid,
coffin-like
boxes
on
Strange beyond
sults.
all
re-
was enough
to
fill
A single drop
and
would proInstantly
effect.
would be shaken with a convulsive shudder, his Hps would draw apart in a yawn, his eyes would slowly open, and he would look up with a drowsy, bewildered expression, from which he would revive gradually into full consciousness. "Where am I?" would be his first astonished exclamation and then, after an effort, his mind would go back
;
ers
to revive a
great
many thousands
of sleepers.
Yet,
downexpanded from a small nucleus until all things were swept before them. Each awakened slumberer wa3
like the proverbial snowball rolling
hill,
their efforts
fluid,
by
to the
moment
of his
official
examination,
means of which he restored dozens of his fellows to life; and each of these, in turn,
resurrected
others,
:
who
resurrected
many more
hyperdermic
ness.
halls and corridors of the whole vast building and its underground annexes were black with great surging masses of
"Who
.
are
men.
am
I?
What
has
And
all
"You are with friends," the League member would rapidly explain. "For
years you have been sleeping, betrayed
were loudly uttering the war-cry of the League: "Down with the oppressors!
Down
Onward
for
by your
rulers.
Now
come
We
ment; have discovered how to make the drug that overcame you, and the antidote
that has revived you.
See!
it
is
here in
these
little vials
!
Now
join us!
We
will
the
epoch-making
is
first
of
have enough of the medicine to restore a million men. You must help us bring your fellows back to
We
One
an avowed
pacifist,
arms
though
it
is
IN
difficult
97
the
national
to see
how
multitudes while
across
frontiers;
other
multitudes were
Another
is
down
an
unparalleled
is
easily
first: for it
more was
Cardenzos curbed
all
violence and
bloodshed,
traint rare
among
victorious rebels.
all
But
was his enemies that recruited it It must be remembered that more than half the men had been trained as soldiers and intended by the Government for use in the war against Argenzela and Bolador; it must be remembered, also, that abundant weapons and uniforms
it
army;
captives be scrupu-
and the sentence that he upon them was not only unique
one of the rar-
which
we
No
established at the
ar-
hostilities.
And
men,
when
it is
whelming majority, than he proposed and carried out the punishment of "Scientific
Incarceration" upon
feated party,
dustrialists
all
by virtue of their very numbers, could easily batter down the doors of the armories
no
and take possession, one should have difficulty in understanding how CapCardenzos, on the fateful
first
tain
of
who had
July,
was able
Ti UT
less
War
a generation before,
well.
was now
*-* Incarceration"?
to serve
him
And
was hardly a matter of military skill. Wherever he went, he was hailed, urged on and supported by crowds of people,
long groaning beneath the Querzal despotism, and long powerless to defend
themselves.
thousand
con-
And wherever
he went, the
demned to this novel penalty; and all of them, undergoing a sentence of indefinite
duration,
enemy
holes by terriers.
were stored
in
those
undervic-
and army strongholds did they dare to defend themselves, and even there they
could
fury;
regular
reliance.
And
not for
long they
withstand
the
popular
of them,
said,
ally checked,
tell
organized,
what particular box and alcove to find Senor de Mattas, one-time baron of the armament makers; or General Fernandez
de Leon,
who planned
the never-to-be-
98
AMAZING STORIES
to
And
it is
believed
that they
may
be
left
man"
or
was sentenced
to
taste
the
effects of his
own
invention.
the
sons
who know
too
much
of
its
dread
secrets.
The
End.
of
Amazing
more
a text-book.
possible for
actual knowledge to be gained through reading Moreover, most of the stories are written in anyone to grasp important facts.
Stories have frequently commented upon the fact that there its pages than from irany a popular vein, making it
The questions which we give below are all answered on the pages as listed at the end of the questions. Please see if you can answer the questions without looking for the answer, and see how well you check up on your general knowledge of science.
1.
What
(See page
13.)
2.
How
would the absence of crime and of sickness affect professional life and business related to it? (See pages 13-14.)
give a theory about the connection of conduct and sickness?
3.
Can you
4. 5. 6.
How
How
is
war defined by
long were the sides of the southern triangle uniting Spain with the Balearic Island in the work of Arago, Eiot and Rodriguez in measuring the arc from Dunkirk to Ivica? (See page 42.)
7.
long did the French observers watch for the light on a peak one hundred miles away? (See page 42.)
How How
8.
fast
tation? the
9-
would a vertical moving body have to go to escape from the same for Mercury? (See page 58.)
its
earth's gravi-
Can you
atmosphere?
(See page
10.
are the electrons disposed in the oxygen atom? (See page 60.) 11. What are the rates of vibration of different light rays? (See page 67.)
12. 13.
How
What
is
goldbeater's skin?
14.
How does the wasp provide living food for its young to be kept intact for long periods? (See page 91.) What is the operation of the poison injected by the wasp into its victims? (See
page 91.)
What is the function of the magnetograph ? (See page 101.) What are the characteristics of the magnetic north pole? (See page 109.) Where is it nuw located? (See page 109.) What suggestion is made for increasing braking power on automobiles?
page 125.)
(See
19. 20.
What human
How
factor affects rapidity of action? (See page 130.) do the huinau eyes realize and estimate distance? (See page 131.)
99
HENRY
J.
KOSTKOS
This is distinctively a story of the cosmic order; not only that, but the composition of a planet this side of Jupiter is brought in, making us think of the asteroids or planetoids as they are properly called. Those who like tales of true adventure and of amazing happenings on this earth of ours, will specially enjoy this tale. Magnetism plays an important role in its plot. We have sciences devoted to the small and to microscopic organisms, while sometimes the very earth itself is taken as the basis of a narration, and here
it is
mother earth
Illustrated
by
MOREY
followed
it
OUT
mopolitan
of
call,
and
It
to
its
arctic
source.
was on a
quiet
Sunday afternoon
of
a lovely
the
June
day
one
was
of
those
mind of Professor Darius Norton it penetrated as he bent low over a specially designed magnetograph in his laboratory
at
rare days
when
the
restless
body and
in
mind of
professor
tune
off
He
dozed
the Cos-
For many days he had been tantalized by the undecipherable impulses that came from the instrument to agitate his brain
of
Museum
New
York.
momentarily on his laboratory stool, then awoke with a jar to find himself
sprawled on the
floor.
he upset
librium
became
seething
cells
with
weird
bits
of
intelligence.
Then, as if his nervous system had become attuned to the flashes or waves emanating from the device, his senses
suddenly grasped the message, and, having once learned
rest.
its
rising and
it
fading spasmodithese
as
conveyed
enigmatic
thoughts
"We
planet
of the Magnetic
God
hurled
from a
. .
far
It
gripped him in
power with
we were
.
.
penetrated
entrance in
Tana Fiord
the ocean
.
into
an ocean under
is
Could he believe his senses? Yes! mind of Darius Norton there was no doubt of the authenticity of that message. It came straight from the far north, from the base of the magnetic And it would not give him pole.
In the
peace, not until he obeyed
its
our race
of
dying
fast
...
God
It
in
the
Temple
the
the
Magnetic
"
wasn't
message alone,
which
into
came as a
pitched
foreign group of
command
understandable
thought
waves,
but
100
AMAZING STORIES
Just as his fumbling hands finally focused his binoculars, a geyser of water shot up into the air for what must have been a height of a hundred feet, completely enveloping the boat.
101
same
toes
by sub-
understood regions of
ton
Now
he
had to gain
their
support
in these
depressed
to shreds.
Into the
poured a reagent
trol of
stantial
him.
From
that day
life
thought
and do so
He
at once.
fuge.
HE
map
of the Arctic
and
boomed: "This
was
the
of the north magnetic pole during the Archaeozoic Era two thou-
A
first
he must
reach
moved between
the orbits of
An
with-
Mars and
That was
it.
And
we now
their
the asteroids."
in
silence
for
about to do something
that,
under ordi-
director to continue.
observations and
He summoned
ence
countless
millions
of
room.
First
and
in
Raymond
man
particles
whom
were violently hurled into space, and their path was such that many of them were carried within the orbit of
the earth.
They struck our planet at some heretofore unknown spot, but now,
since
my
calculations and
magnetograph
observations have definitely fixed the location of the shifting magnetic pole during that period as the northernmost part of Norway on the shores of the Arctic
it
Sea,
it
is
there
that
expect to
find
As
Mu-
fragments of that once great planet." "But what has the magnetic pole to
do
with
these
meteorites?"
Raymond
Cullen puzzled.
their
respective
fields.
PROFESSOR NORTON
*
bristling red beard
tioner.
pointed his
Yet
that
it
the
way
to
further
develop
"The
meteorites,
you
call
good men was to constantly keep them on their toes, and, in fact, to tread none
them, are composed of highly magnetic metals that were once a part of this
102
disintegrated planet." His
AMAZING STORIES
booming voice
that the lure of
many
fascinating discoveries.
was
as
tinged
with
sarcasm
never
"And
other
peculiar
magnetic substances, as a simple experiment will convince you." Cullen reddened, but he did not appear offended
to themselves.
;
***** THE
for silence.
"We
boomed.
So long
as
Norton hadn't
sallies
directed his
shaft of
sarcasm at them,
at
who had
witty
irritated
himself
into
they
could
enjoy
bis
else.
the
black gloom,
his
own
flashes
irony
served
to
moment when
elevate him,
tractable
and,
the
used in
He had taken Ray Cullen and four other associates from the museum,
sight.
the
cause of
some un-
and,
in
addition,
Dr.
Zuggler
of
the
pleasant
phenomenon
University
the
roof
of
any museum?
of Copenhagen had joined expedition at Stavanger, Norway. There was also a group of technicians and artisans, as well as laborers, who were to attend to the mechanical deof the heavy excavation work that Norton anticipated. In spite of the director's dour manner and his ever-ready sarcasm, he had
tails
But you
will
I
undoubtedly be glad to
will
know
rely
that
not
be compelled to
rearch the
epoch-making ideas All we will site of our excavations. need there is some brawn. Here, here!
Don't look at
when we
endeared himself to
me
you guys I'll make it pressions. will have to spit on your hands and
dig!"
They
all
noticed
how
fanatic he
was
in his eagerness to
For a moment there was no sound except the sharp intaking of breaths by Then the eight men around the table.
a
out
mouth of Tana Fiord his geologist's tools and instruments were packed in a
the
How
many
they
How
Would
locked
bag
and on deck,
ready
to
be
taken
them were
finished
in
its
to
go?
winter
ashore.
be
before
icy
"Cullen"
the
his voice
rumbled loudly
in
the northland
hold ?
They
silence
and
re-
alive
echoed
"there's
it,
from
shore
line
thusiasm of youth for adventure in far There was not an individual lands.
who had
not
forth
something here that's big I feel can't keep my mind thinking rationally; it wanders to all sorts of im-
many
formance of
tion
his
was a
and crazy notions. "I feel" he pitched his voice low until it was no louder than a hoarse whisper "that
possible
NORTH
there
is
GOD'S TEMPLE
rail
103 The
pro-
something pulling
me
to these "
the
limits
of
safety,
and even as he
BEFORE
Norton
could
finish,
he
men
in-
was hurled
legs
The
headway
as effectively as if a giant
hand
There was no had clutched its keel. impact, as would have been the case
if
a subterranean reef
that
It was some dreadful fascinasome unknown and terrible force had almost drawn him into the
or even the soft drag offered by groundInstead, the a bank of mud. was sucked down until her rails were awash, then released to bob up like a cork, while the propellers churned Slowly the unseen the water futilely.
seething
white
waters.
Toward what,
ing on
vessel
Cullen
wondered.
They hurried him to his cabin, withmake head or tail of his mutterings. Even after he had
out being able to
been given a
stiff
jolt
of
Scotch, he
force
swung
with
bow
she
had
all
stopped,
she
churned
that
ahead
"Go
call the
again.
It
Cullen
happened so
fast
drew Gregg
better
"and
to
then
that
no cry
we had
take turns
see
we
get ashore."
board.
to the
Now
the
men on
of
deck rushed
seething
maelstrom
in the
vessel
WHEN on
camp,
the expedition
disembarked
the
rocky coast
Professor
"What
that
name of
normal
in his actions.
He
directed the
work of
his
Only by
Gregg shook
head in bewilderment,
recurring
fits
of
moodiness' did he
mind.
And on
frequent
occasions
he stole
his
away from
magnetograph,
and
made
for
the
was indeed the professor. But the man had been transformed into a strange creature; his huge frame had dwarfed into the malformed body of a hunchIt
had been held fast by that mysterious force. It was during these pethe ship
riods that
Ray
to
back,
his
like
defiantly
flowing
red
beard
he invariably
hung
tattered
curtain
from a
stalked
him
of
the
sight,
bluff,
managing
staying
to
keep
out
yet
close
enough to be able
to
whiteness of
Cullen
the
snow on
the
distant
mountain peaks.
and
Whether
taff-
by
design
or
coincidence,
104
on the
ers
to
AMAZING STORIES
bleak
northern
shore,
Norton
helpless,
work at a some distance inland. As Gregg was also assigned to the group, there was no one to whom
start
the
exca\ation
point
he designated
JUST
water
as
his
fumbling hands
into
finally
up
the
air
for
what
boat.
So
it
way with
his
completely
enveloping
the
No
When
red-bearded
"Good Lord!" Cullen exclaimed, then mad toward the camp for help
far
He
over
water.
the
in launching the
down
the the
was lying
entire
rock-strewn
beach
into
population
camp rushed
gleam-
many
this
days.
In his eagerlocation
of water
where Cullen
object
reach
mysterious
he timed
booming
could
they
which
bleak north.
two
..."
camp
of
to
mourn
Cullen stopped
leader.
*
the
*
mysterious
*
loss
their
Back beyond
to listen.
"Hear
"It's gist cried
that,
Gregg?"
WHEN
the
mouth of
mind
with conviction.
glanced
at
The
Cullen
cantly.
the
man
there
off
;
signifi-
"I'm going
back
some-
numbed
formed
his his
thing's up."
And
he was
on a run
mind
to
into a thing of
blind
Gregg
power
that
had
drawn him
nating spot,
this
horrible,
yet
fasci-
now
left
him.
At once he
spot-
down
as
it
was too late to do anything. With a hiss like the bursting of a hundred water mains, a geyser of spray
it
There was no doubt in his mind that it was the rowboat with Norton in' it, as there was no other human being in that vicinity, who could have been out upon the water. And the fact that the
and water shot up all around him, as an irresistible whirpool caught his boat in its vortex and twirled it around with
the speed of a swift
moving
centrifuge.
The cry
Norton's
was drowned
in
the cres-
105
down
graph he fished out of the locker, along with a box of crackers, with which he
The
pit of
scientist's
had
secretly
stocked the
row boat
for
just such
an adventure.
stronger
When
still
he came to
in the metal
his senses,
Norton was
but
row
In
boat,
Proves always
jugglery
doesn't
were
it
number of
himself,
cracker,
rabbits out of
the hat."
that
he had landed in
He amused
crunching
search-light
while
leisurely
cellar at midnight.
He
the
around
the the
From
forward seat
he pulled out a dish shaped object with wires dangling from it, then felt around
in
There was no fear that the light would be extinguished for lack of power, as he had provided an ingenious
passage.
the
dark
until
his
fingers
it,
touched
shot
when
the swift-
a switch.
As he snapped
reflector
beam
moving
tunnel.
field
coils
in
the
from the
white
Green,
slime-covered
jutting
dripping
that
with
moisture,
rocks
was a broad body of inky water, black and foreboding. As he swung the searchlight, the beams played upon rocky walls and a high vaulted ceiling. Professor Norton was in a subterranean sea, moving along at a tremendous rate of speed, the walls flashing past him like the sides of a tunnel through which an express train was
etrate
surface,
then
all
disappeared
into
the
inky water
these
would
have
un-
nerved a
sively
istic
man made
passing character-
on
speeding!
warm
"It's
to
his
touch.
He
board.
hind
and
were
lost
to
it,
sight.
There
fore
his
vessel
was
But in
ily,
he was mistaken.
The
temperature of the water dropped steadthe air in the passage became chilly,
finally frost
rent
he
was
and
traveling.
ledges.
gang
that I expected
in
all
this
its
comforting warmth.
ice
floating
appeared,
strait-
as
finished
my
Then he consulted a
portable magneto-
him
106
AMAZING STORIES
ice
and
sailing
beyond
into
open water.
was only a matter of seconds before he would be hurled at express speed against this sheet of ice which would surely crumple the thin metal He had hull as if it were an egg shell. to act quickly no time to lose now.
It
;
The frozen sheet had terminated, and his course now lay through water once again. But a new element entered to disturb his equilibrium. The hours of friction over the ice had worn the keel of the boat down until it traveled along
on the unprotected plates of the bottom,
Just
solid
as
ice,
the
little
vessel
reached
the
he threw his weight into the and the bow of the craft shot high into the air. The bottom struck with a sickening thud that threw Norstern,
wearing the metal so thin that the water squirted into the boat in a heavy spray.
to
furiously, not
ton's head
it
forward until he thought that had parted company with his spine;
at
How
had
how
far he
then,
way
of determining.
It
rise
smooth frozen surface, over which it fairly zoomed like a swift flying bird. The powerful force had converted the metal craft into an ice-boat that slid along on its keel strips. Norton took
a deep breath of
in the
relief,
boat
and
the
speed
with
which
after
he
Hour
hour
fight.
it
was a losing
first
then huddled
Slowly
the
water
rose,
to
his
close to his
he had
failed to inclose in
HE
in
consulted
black
note
book.
enty-five
direction he
in
westerly
was his pocket flashlight, but he must conserve the precious batteries for
future emergencies, for only
his destination
about
fifty
when he would
be able to
Gulf of Boothia.
But
fifty
hours
desto
XI7TTH
**
head bent low and his mind on the immediate task of bailing,
contemplate,
such a staunch-
had
confidence
Norton did not see the dark solid mass that loomed up ahead. Steadily the boat bore down upon this obstruction. collision was inevitable. As the bow of the vessel crashed into an unyielding
around and
late.
tried to
jump. But
it
was too
twisted
But now it was too late. The song of the runners over the ice made him drowsy he dozed off, and
;
With
scoped
steel
itself
into
buckled and
finally
fell
into a
deep
!'*
sleep.
"Crunch,
splash
His slumber was brought to an abrupt end by the boat breaking through the
man.
107
When
dozen cuts and scratches; one arm hung immobile and useless, with a broken collar-bone
flesh.
protruding
through
the
torn
and pulled frantically, but to no avail. Then he grinned sheepishly and reached around for an object in his hip pocket.
Looking around with dazed eyes, Norton found himself on a narrow plateau
above the reach of the water.
The heavy automatic pistol he pulled out immediately flew from his grasp, crashed
solidly against the wall,
It
What
re-
mained of the boat had probably sunk from sight when he was hurled clear
of the wreckage.
was the
held him.
free.
He was now
although
leg,
"Magnetite;
times
thousand
They, at
least,
were
is
attempts, he
on his
wall.
was able to raise his body shaky legs, and hold himself erect
cold,
found on
our earth.
structure
planet."
am
hard
was hurled
from
some
it
far
Now
he
became curious.
The
And
he whispered in an awed
right,
scientist
taken control
voice
must
mental
fatigue.
He
up
Working
the
way
cautiously
base
of
the
structure,
around which he
It
With
his
he came
to the entrance
he was seeking.
circular
doorway,
inside
pistol
He
gloomy and uninviting led to the of the temple. He had left his
him was an
ing
ebony!
fear, light
he boldly entered
around.
The
next
its smooth surface, while at the crowning the summit, was a huge
moment he
studded
with
crystal
in
windows
that
AS
a cascade of
*V
And
strewn
about
within
the
Here was
his researches
been misdirected!
The
the
platform on which he
then disappeared
inky water.
the
from
sight
chamber were hundreds of other skulls and bones of the creatures who had worshipped and died here. The air was dank with the odor of death and decay, the walls were festooned with rotted
How much
he
of
it
from the ebb and flow of the water that had flooded
draperies, the floor slimy
knowing,
stably
judged that at
He
re-
seventy-five
feet
support
the
mains more
der
at
closely. The bones were green with mould and crumbled to pow-
tower.
his touch.
It
was evident
at a
108
glance that the creatures
the temple for worship
AMAZING STORIES
who had used
word
as ap-
down
measuring
revealing
The
was
massive,
more than a
high
foot across
it,
and taking a
projected
released
had a
the
lever
that
denoting
from
the
its
At once
into the air
like
it
the
vehicle shot
up
and entered
of
a
to
short,
and
opening
the
plunger
it
the
thigh
solenoid.
Up
went, until
came
into
believably
but
two
arms,
in-
terminating
delicate
phalanges
with strange
instruments.
looking
machinery
shop,
and
skilled in
With
a
toy
the eagerness
of a small boy in
scientist
the
red-bearded
Glancing up
feet,
his
Professor
riveted
middle
of
the
vaulted
roof.
The
Some of them he understood, but there was much more that puzzled him. The problem of descending in the
elevator
was undoubtedly
large
enough
chambers
worked.
detect
where they had lived and The shaft was as smooth as and he could no means of reaching it to gain
ladders," he
by gravity.
On
trical
an operative
the
condition.
Fortunately
metals
rosive,
possessing
the
preservation
equipment.
of these
surely
employed a more
efficient
system
He
threw a switch, and at once the room, and in fact the entire tower, lit up
with a soft sea-green light that illuminated
eyes.
He
in
perfectly
without
dazzling
light
the
to
Now
his
he had
search
sufficient
"Whizz
into
It
was
continue
for
the
thing that
whisked
aloft
straight
the
shaft.
a magnetic ele-
Now,
kicked
He
bones
away
had lured him into making this perilous journey the Records of the Magnetic God which he instinctively felt must be hidden somewhere in this very tower.
and
discovered
trap
first
At
TT
*-
led to the
basement
now
realized that
in a sealed
the temple.
was three days before his search was rewarded by finding the records chamber at the summit of The records consisted of a
109
a motion picture
film.
like
once
ran
orbits of
composed of
end.
coils of
vanced people who chose for their god that father of all power, Magnetism.
And
near by was
Then came
its
the catastrophe
the fierce
. . .
Mag-
Judging by the condition body it must have been alive not many months ago.
of
its
cleavage
into
million
fragments,
. . .
landing
earth
of
in
the
temple
upon
the
"This
thought
operated
device
that
planet
called
Tana
Fiord.
Deep
the bowels of
waves,
recently
and by
was
this
apparently
creature
I
to
way, carrying
its
was able
load of creatures.
the
its
During
swift
museum
. .
passage,
highly
magnetized temple
again
."
magnetism into the body of iron ore through which it passed, and it
induced
This, however,
Day
body
was
this
in its grip
For on
the earth
was not until three weeks that the tape gave up its secret. But in his weakened condition His Norton felt but scant triumph. wounds pained excruciatingly and the
piece
of
apparatus.
It
coming of the Temple of the Magnetic God this was the beginning, the origin
;
to the
strange
istence
and managed
They
location
This
of
was
the
explained
by
the
tendency
magnetic
it
drag,
At
a
first
station-
stoical
but
the
pangs
of
around and
away from
it
on
it
its
axis.
it
The drag
apparently
the
whereupon
served to retard
so that
circle
he discovered that they contained all the nourishment he would need for many
days.
made
north
years.*
complete
of
the
around
every
axis
globe
480
Now
scientist
the
story
"Exactly the same period as the secular change of declination of the magnetic pole!"
Norton exclaimed.
"I won-
der
"
mind the
ultimate
the
triumphs,
will
the
that
always
be
the lot of
The
* It has been lonjf known that the magnetic north pole does not coincide, with the true north pole, or the end of the earth's axis. This affects the course of ships at sea. and is called declination or variation. Not only does this variation differ in various parts of the earth, but it in constantly shifting in a westerly direction at the rate ot one complete cycle in 4S5 ye*rs. At present the north magnetic pole is on Boothia Penimula in Canada, approximately 70 nc-rth latitude and 96 west longitude.
p
110
AMAZING STORIES
maelstrom to disappear with a horrifying scream
. . .
L_T IS musings were interrupted by an awesome swirling sound. He looked down from the window at the
**
surging
upwards
in
at
rate.
CULLEN the
Peninsula.
Down
the
the
lower
re-
steamed into
mains of
magnetic
the
Now
It
read
went
the
out.
me
as by
the time
dome
many
chance.
miles
this
will
be dead or
is
here.
at
There
one
projecting
good
arm.
Leave here
With
black,
blood-shot
he watched the
through the
the translator
inky
fluid
rush in
Norton."
elevator shaft,
wash away
Now
God and
him
reach relentlessly
in
its
upward
to gather
clutches.
his breath
it!
and
Or
far
The
was
off
it
a delusion?
Coming from
the "Seahorse's"
whistle
The Temple
struggled
the
Magnetic God
into the
maintain
his
precarious hold.
for
Then the water reached him and sucked him into the seething
him forever
The End
interesting
Jr.
letter
from
we spoke of an "error'' in mewas perpetrated by von Guericke having one team of horses pull against another in demonstrating the Magdeburg hemispheres. Eight horses would have done as well as sixteen, if he had tied his hemispheres to a
an
editorial
chanics which
"And here is an interesting point on the old 'phlogiston' theory that I read recently. Remember that 'phlogiston' didn't really flourish after the weight experiments, so the futile attempts made to carry it over aren't true criteria
of
its
worth.
"But
right.
for
'phlogiston'
substitute
the phrase
'potential energy'
tree.
interested me, as usual, but / disagree with your point on von Guericke's hemispheres. I always felt the old boy was a darned good showman as well as a scientist. Hitching sixteen horses, against each other, is
editorial
"Your
carbon dioxide.
Carbon
potential
carbon dioxide.
was
In potential energy
a tree. If I hai been in his place, I would do the same. There is more energy in a pint of gasoline than in a stick of dynamite but most people don"t believe it.
"As a hobby, mainly, I'm working on a fuel battery. I have one made up in a water glass that wilt give as high as 8 watts per cell, and
three cells run a flashlight bulb. It polarizes nevertheless it is a fuel battery."
thoughbut
John W.
Campbeu.,
Jk.
Ill
NATHANSON
This is a very interesting story of what might happen in the future to a highspeed rocket plane. A runaway horse is really a pretty serious thing in many cases, but he covers his mile at a mere fraction of the rate of a rocket plane, and this story tells us the adventures of some brave men who were rocketed
off into space.
Illustrated
by
MOREY
some huge bird ready
legend,
for flight
on
A vast
<
new
rocketto
"Europe
in three hours."
all sides
From
they came
on
foot
and
"America to Europe in Near the entrance stood the two men who were about to make history: Joshua Malcolm, inventor and pilot of the Meteor, and his aid and cofident
Three Hours."
by motor, by
train,
;
pilot,
crowding the highways and byways and every approach to the famous landing-field, eager and curious
other conveyance
to be on
hand
hand for the epochal event. An army of guards were heroically battling from overkept at a
entrance to the
faint
The
hum
of
field.
Itching fingers,
the
air-conditioning
machinery
inside
difficulty
Three hours
Europe!
under
Combina-
strange silence
fell
on the
tion rocket-plane
was
to cleave
immense multitude. At the signal, the propellers began to spin. The Meteor moved forward, gathered
unheard of speed
tried before.
momentum, took
and,
off lightly
as a
sailed
Could
feather;
engines
roaring,
they do it?
Would
away.
Would
the
On
every hand
steadily,
excitement
attaining
high
shot, leav-
pitch, as the
moment
off
field,
carefully
cleared
obstructions,
rested
the
Fifty miles
the
powerful liquid
112
AMAZING STOKIES
Slowly he backed away and stood in the corner of the cabin, cowed into furious submission by the levelled automatic in the hands oj his companion.
113
as
from
in
with explosive
vessel
at
force,
was driving
the
ludicrous
the
toward
its
sideways on the
knees grotesquely
him
from
over.
floor.
pool
of
blood
trickled
on the
on and
and faster than any human being had ever gone before. They had been on the way half an
on, higher
felt
himself
fell
swayed
dizzily
and
Ed
King, as they
Everything was
swimming
and
rest,
cess so
far.
comfortable;
the
where.
and temperature necessary to withstand the conditions which obtain at such extreme heights were operating perfectly.
He
moments;
a
some giant hand had all at once picked them up, they felt themselves hurled forward like a shot. The two men were thrown headlong,
the machine.
if
As
And
yet
more
and
this puzzled
him
on
brilliant
FOR
Had
a long time
all
they
were
totally
Otherwise, outside
oblivious to
that
was
transpiring.
machinery,
everything was
quiet
as
by
to
tomb.
Still
first
to
come
he was
spirit,
he made his
way
unsteadily, with
where
bump showed on
his
forehead.
companion
lay.
Ed was
breathing.
From
He
found
it
re-
and strove
groan.
and
fright.
Presently
they
still
membered.
self
He
him-
Both were
they
unsteadily
and
looked
around.
loss
Heaven, what had happened! Everything inside the Meteor seemed as before. His
eyes roved to where
all
otherwise
suffered
Ed King was
lying
Upon
in a heap,
still
unconscious
or dead.
beheld an
amazing
sight.
Aft of the
To
114
a
brilliant globe,
AMAZING STORIES
many
times larger than
the full
moon;
its
dwarfed and paled into and brilliancy of the larger globe. In unbelieving amazeside
insignificance by the size
orb by
Ed
the
won-
"We
miles
are
now about
earth,"
thirty
thousand
dawn on
from the
explained Josh
still
"it looks as if
to his terrified
companion, "and
re-
initial
As
A STRANGE
earth.
plosion of an enormous
liquid propellant,
amount
as
of the
coming just
we were
already moving through the vacuous atmosphere at twelve hundred miles an hour
clip,
shot
up far out
into space.
Lucky
untrifle
Methe
we
perhaps
"A
away from
lucky,"
he added gloomily.
second, and
miles per
left
we
should have
leaving
the
air-tight
forever
off
vital parts.
either way.
now a
satellite
Experienced
that he was,
it
scientist
and
navigator
and
a time." some way we may guide her back to the earth?" came croak ingly from Ed, who seemed to shrink
of the earth
at least for
"But
isn't
there
within himself.
"Well?" questioningly from Ed King, who stood near, as the other pushed
back the sheets of paper on which he
series of
math-
"How
do
we
stand
r"
and leave the earth present I can see no way line of movement."
faster,
altogether.
to
At
change our
The
away.
in
his
Ed
"Wait, Ed; go slow," Josh cried, jumping up excitedly ; the effort bouncing
clear to the ceiling,
we on
the
to Heaven, or
way
him
fell
?"
from which he
it. I'm you where we are going; but we're not bound for our world. In fact,
loth to
motions.
supply
just going."
serve, or
115
size,
give a
it
damn
the
sooner
shrinking in
hung
over with
the better.
Besides I'm
seemed.
terribly thirsty
and
I've got to
have a
drink."
He
changing outlines on
ing, disappearing;
surface appearsharp,
companion.
'Well, you
I realize
now becoming
know what
mean, Ed.
ration
The
and
moon seemed
pale
blood; and so
am
I.
But we must
" with
Josh with some difficulty got between Ed and the all too mournfully
small
container.
Carefully he drew a
But the two doomed pioneers now had no eye nor thought for the magnificent spectacle thus vouchsafed to no other living men. Hunger and thirst were tearing at their
vitals.
handed
himself.
it
to
drew an
Then they
extended
all
Of
Not counting on an
In
fact,
men
do.
of stronger
was holdmind
He took
the dread-
Ed
had
thought
it
The
other,
But
who was
of an extremely provident
it
him with
its
indelible
mark.
ra-
nature,
had decided
prudent, in the
Carefully and
meticulously Josh
possibility of
careful analysis
companion watched
jealous eyes.
his every
move with
re-
extreme hus-
drop;
the
tiniest
crumb
carefully
water for only about a week, and, providing nothing went wrong with the airconditioning machinery, enough air and
reserve oxygen to last twelve days at the
drop.
any longer," Ed
very outside
forcibly
had to
FARTHER
men
an
of space.
man from
still
two unfortunate
little
world
on hand.
blows.
literally
to
Josh
For days it had now been going on; the same cramped life, the same dreadful
More than
awaken-
doom
To
the
despairing aviators
were besieged
the
The
to strike the
end.
on the face
ball of the earth, gradually
last time he was forced maddened man a sharp blow to cause him to desist; and
The huge
fight
was narrowly
averted.
116
AMAZING STORIES
might as well eat and drink what Ed said, "and end it all the
I can't
"We
is
false hopes,
left/*
find that
sooner.
stand
it."
not equal
To
these
now
be-
back to
It
it
fear too
He
his companion.
By
be
Would
...
true.
I don't think
we
shall
come?
was
At
first
imperceptibly,
THREE
had
last
crumb
then at an accelerating
rate, the
Meteor
to
been
consumed.
They were
was drawing
earth.
closer
initial
and
closer
the
its
A
. .
few
Allast
The
momentum
of
remained to
.
radial
tion
The air inside was none too pure. Every plan of forcing their living tomb earthward was futile; in fact there was no way for them to do so. They had no
equipment even for going outside no such contingency had been counted on by
the inventor. far off.
component was exhausted. Gravitawas now forcing it earthward; at first slowly, then faster and faster; until it would approach the planet with the same velocity of 6.95 miles per second with which it departed.
Josh took careful stock of their remain-
of
air.
"Only enough
days
could not be
food
but
We may We
without
.
.
Not
is
are doomed!"
Josh
tions,
"You meanour
just
present
that
supply
He
enough
for
for
one could
found that the radial velocity of the Meteor was gradually diminishing to zero by this time having receded to about
;
survive ?"
The
orbit of
the
moon.
day, as days were counted by
Then one
his
Silently he turned to one of the ports and stood staring long and hopelessly at the pitiless emptiness without He heard a movement behind him, and
wheeled around.
"Ed, he shouted joyfully, "we are drawing closer to the earth." Ed stirred himself from his torpor;
advanced eagerly toward Josh. "Are you sure, are you sure?" His hands opened
"T'VE
water."
yet,
"Not time
"But
I tell
Ed;
I
in three hours."
you
two
And
dejection.
"I'm
sorry
to
have
raised
"Well then,
let's
toss
up
it's
either
you
117
each other's arms; their
There is not enough air and water two; that would give one of us at
that, locked in
quickest
motions
ridiculously
slow.
It
was
like
some
silly
mad cunning
himself
out
playing on
his
features.
trol or effectiveness.
struggles
Ed happened
bounce clear to
with
your
automatic.
I'd
and Josh
re-
where
there
Ed
"I'll
not commit
shot,
murder or
suicide.
It's
drop and the last breath." "You're a fool and a coward," hissed Josh refrained from answering, and
Ed.
turned to look out of the
who was
him with
set
jaw and
glinting eye.
window
port.
Suddenly
Ed threw
"Stand still and don't move, Ed; or, by Heaven, so long as you are determined
that one of us shall pass out
and snatched
at his automatic,
you
will
firearm in their possession, which Josh had been guarding carefully. They grappled and, both being etherially light and
be the one.
a
treacherous
unsteady of foot,
struggle
fell to
the
floor.
In the
to
Ed cowered
somewhat brought
;
the automatic
it
fell like
his senses. "Oh, all right have it your way. Soon we'll see each other in hell anyway." "Yes, I will have my way. The least
Weak
with
about
we
is
frenzied
to
And
At
They were
weight
now
let
evenly
matched
for
and Ed,
on your part
who dodged
ineffective
was absurdly
weight,
slip to
due
to their lack of
TT^ROM
contest,
siege.
then on
it
one knee. Tn a
almost
the
two men
rolled,
Ed would
The none too fresh air made them gasp for breath. Their struggle was
a tragi-comedy- farce, ludicrous in the extreme; for at their distance from the
earth
greedily look
his
own
they
much
as at
its
The lack of sufficient food and water was telling heavily. Their mouths and throats were leathery and burning dry. To speak even was an effort. Faces were
118
AMAZING STORIES
he done to deserve such a horrible fate!
All his hopes and ambitions,
freall
thirst.
the
won-
with increasing
felt that
something
He
looked
down
him must snap. Often he caught himself slipping into momentary lapses
of consciousness, only to arouse himself
he studied
hands;
what precious
with a jerk.
the
man
before him.
was showing
itself
his
EDmumbling
Josh, too,
sit
sat sullenly
on the opposite
to
to
side,
and cursing
for
himself.
his
man
and
hope
put to the
test.
Perhaps he was a
fool.
now
last
al-
knew only
or in
too well.
Had
a stupor, the half insane man watched Josh's every move, never taking
his eyes off him, although pretending to
ways heard
is
it
the
first
moment
!
if
the
?
knew
to
Why
not
he did agree by
the other
lot as
last
other,
by
his
very act of
he, himself
who
their
of
water and
air,
would not
win the
right to live ?
Was
it
wrong un-
As
was ab-
solutely hopeless.
had pro-
der the circumstance? what would the world have to say about it? what would anybody else do if he were in his place?
Or was he a
lose his life!
and
more days supply foolish if there would have been strong hope for both of them. But now, a horrible death for the two was inescapable, days ere their craft crashed to the earth with no one alive
to control
its
Confusedly his tortured mind spun round and round the treadmill of his
thoughts; his soul bitter as
full
gall, his
heart
No! He
could not do
it.
downward plunge
other.
.
.
unless
The
instinct
Horrible thought!
He
man
great, setting
beasts.
His
fibre
Countless
of
forebears,
long
since
and the wolf. He would not purchase his life at the expense of another's He would die like a man
instincts of the tiger
!
many
He
tired.
He
In
the recupsleep.
now.
powers of undisturbed
And
young.
yet, life
was sweet.
He
He
much worse off than his companion who perforce slept more than
that
he was
119
down and
fell
into a
deal.
ALONE
tionless
his lifeless
mo-
the
upper part of
He
dreamed he was at home. Through the open windows, looking out on their beautiful
garden,
delightful
breezes
blew,
body and his face covered, was moving with the Meteor, Poor Ed. From the sunward side, the fierce rays of the sun illumined every nook and cranny of the interior; oddly enough it
outside,
wafting to his nostrils the sweet smell of green and growing things. In front of
him, piled high, was a table full of food,
the huge pile on his
against the
own
plate seemingly
Inside,
the air
was
close
and
fetid,
growing bigger
his wife urging
as he
him
He
was
air
was
tall
plenty more.
And
was a
on
his
last
reserve of
compressed
and oxygen.
Two
lips
drop
knew
self,
Something made him open his eyes, he not what. He had forgotten him-
had fallen asleep. Over him, looming huge and gigantic to his startled senses, stood King, hand upraised, clutching a large wrench, ready to strike.
Not a bit of food had passed mouth for over a week. Yet this he mind so much. But that dreadful Sometimes he was tempted to open the outer exit and let the innishing
did not
thirst
!
cold end
ousness.
it
all
in merciful
instantane-
days yet ere the Meteor would reach the outermost molecules of the
earth's
his
Two
atmosphere.
He
must husband
felt
fast-ebbing strength;
if
he could
last that
Arms wound
;
hold out
long.
around each other, they began to enact the same tragi -farcical dance Ed struggling to free his right
He knew
when
arm which
held the
gan rushing through the outer confines of the vacuous atmosphere, he must have
sufficient
strength
to
start
the motors,
zied
Josh fought desperately with the frenhalf-mad King, who kicked and
must guide the craft safely to solid land must not allow too swift a rush through
In their clawed and gouged and bit. struggles the automatic was discharged; a stream of bullets pierced the madman's
body.
ing up like a meteor. His great velocity must be retarded slowly, gradually, while
still
He
husbanded
every
quite
ness.
Josh tore himself loose. His enemy lay He never regained consciousstill.
still
Now
for his
Exhausted from the desperate struggle life, and weak from lack of nour-
and then he continued his observations. The Meteor was now approaching the earth on a fast in-running spiral. The
120
huge body of the planet now
than a quarter of the sky.
AMAZING STORIES
filled
more
velocity,
Soon, soon,
would tax
knowledge and
still
skill.
Slowly he settled; still going at five thousand miles an hour three thousand
WHILE
preme
effort
two
now
near.
thousand
cloudless
steadily
decreasing.
a
;
su-
Lower and
lone
and wasted
the
beneath
drawing
strength.
Thank God
;
propellers spinning.
He made
time.
The very sound and feel of the bing motors was like sweet music
throbto his
was over land too weak and dizzy anywhere so it was a safe place to land. Green fields, trees,
to
He
care where;
Not a drop of water for nearly four days. He was gasping for the air, which was now almost unbreathable. Any unlooked
fatal.
and swimming before his eyes. His knees sagged. Ah, a large open field. He must land land. . .
.
for
delay
in
landing
would be
As if in a dream he Meteor bump along the ground and come to rest blessed land
heavy thud.
felt
the
Summoning
all
He
felt
himself going.
With
his last
Underneath, the surface of the earth loomed welcomingly, immense and wide, bathed
he stood tense at the controls.
in brilliant sunshine.
With
he
. .
shouts, voices
.
the
He
could
make
out
toward him.
no
details
STRANGE face was bending over him; two faces no, several. Who were these people? What was he doing
in that
bed?
He
with
silence
speed.
Any moment
of
the
he
heard murmuring voices. Funny he could not understand a word; such odd
words.
around.
He
would begin
sure
He
of
the
outposts
planet's
. .
.
atmosphere.
careful
.
.
He
must be careful
where
in the devil
resistance
shall
wings
terrific velocity to
was
leaning over
own
ing place
life
words
in a strange language.
He
At
last
Mov-
smelling
sheets.
He
at
opened
his
his
eyes
ing as he
velocity,
sufficient
was
at the residual
enormous
the
a glass tube
lipscooling
empty
descent.
space,
control
his
rate
of
As
The End.
121
Thoto Control
By
BERNARD BROWN,
B.Sc.
from abroad.
is
It is so interesting to
see
how
world
treated by those
whom we
by
MOREY
the
streets
SLOWLY
which
the
the
bent
old
man
of
when
of
the
cities
of
the
the Strand
bore
the
name
that inadequate
and
of
some,
the
still
connected
it
with
traffic-glutted
thoroughfare
and
have
silent,
paused to
nineteenth and twentieth centuries. But the rows of shops had long since vanished and in their place one found boulevard refreshment gardens and rest
assembled
throng.
Many
but
must
been,
and not a
though in
few bowed
sorrow.
their
heads
as
rooms.
station
used to rear
entrance
to
now
the
No
em-
a park,
all
streams and
blem of the
middle
of
Instead, a circular
In the
islet,
Nature could
offer.
pool
was a
tiny
Down
trees
the middle of
softly in the
the avenue
tall
and
tall
waved
summer
breeze,
and here and there a bird chirped. For London was changed. Gone were the narrow roadways, gone the noisome
food palaces where hundreds clamored
for their
but,
pillar of green, rising to a great overshadowing the buildings. For towering skyscrapers had long since passed away and the sun of heaven
height,
by
stood
yet
group
hushed.
of
most of
of
excited
young Someone
and
ing roar
traffic,
harshly applied
whispered
"A
minute
to the hour,"
They were
betokening that
young; they did not remember. A tremor shook his frame and he would have
stumbled but for the help of a stranger
But the old man, whom we will Call Williams, saw none of these things. Each painful step brought him nearer For each of the sixty years he had made
the
who
all
looked
is
all
at
him
curiously.
"It
right,"
he mumbled; "quite
right,
man
journey
ever
since
the
first
year
in that instant
122
AMAZING STORIES
Violent braking, violent acceleration, sudden swerve, spin round a corner, stopping, starting, all were carried out with utter precision. And there were no accidents.
PHOTO CONTROL
mad
laugh
of
123
slender
fingers
robot for every job, and at a price which every household could efford. No
longer would the rich alone be able to
to perdition.
Suddenly a curious
the multitude.
silence
fell
upon
enjoy the
ing
It lasted
filled
but a moment
with a clarion
ized brains.
They beat into the brain and woke wonder and fear and slowly died away while the slender pillar
of green in the center of the
to a
islet
In short,
infallible service of mechanHuge factories were pourthem out in thousands a day. Bob Williams rejoiced in
"Nonsense,
art;
my
pulsed
Wood
yet
it
red.
Silence
to the old
And
*
vivid than
While still at college Bob Williams had met Vera Stewart and, like most
others,
her.
But Bob was too young to bow to knowledge, and argued. "The robot or mechanical man is an absurdity," pronounced Stewart. "If you have a dish-washing machine operated by a handle, do you buy a robot
superior
to
turn
the
handle?
Of
course
for
not,
elec-
immediately
It
fell
in
love
that
with
seemed,
however,
Bob
an
was to be the lucky one. Soon she took him home and there he met her father, Jason Stewart, even then famous as an electric light engiIt so happened that Bob was speneer. cializing in light and electricity, and
he found
applies everywhere.
No;
automatics.
"A
robot
as
people
know
it
it
is
much
of interest in Stewart's
redundant device.
obsolete machine,
Certainly
makes an
conversation.
As
justment,
free
is
from
its
disadvantage.
But that
cannot
just
robot
manufacturing, and
last.
it
When
new
anything
enthusiastic
production.
up!"
to be definite periods
when production
held the
field.
mechan-
line
servant could
be
The
first
mobile; then of radio, though he could never really understand how people could
formed
ization
only
one
function.
artists
they could
was the
greatest
the
dency.
And
so
they
But between each boom was a lull, when huge factories lay silent awaiting a
fresh advance of civilization.
a fitting revenge.
at the
end they
ended
in
became
fast
friends,
which
Now
sky-sign
bots.
Bob
advertisements
for
ro-
124
AMAZING STORIES
may
increase to almost any figure, the
factors
The work was interesting and he showed such promise that within a year he became Stewart's chief assistant. Besides carrying out
limiting
for
safe
driving
are
braking
starting
distance
and
brain
reaction,
from
they
the
instant
of
danger.
Stewart was
a steady income
on photoelectric
especial forte.
relays,
as
could in
1930,
but
their
The
best
is
vehicle
Bob found life increasingly good. During the day he was absorbed in his work, and in the evenings enjoyed the company and friendship of Vera. Naturally their acquaintance had developed, and one evening, after a jaunt to Brittany
in
matter of fact
maximum
relative
braking effort,
coefficient
of
between
the
wheels
actual
and
the
road,
peaks
just before
locking
takes place."
Bob nodded.
Stewart's
rocket
plane,
they
"A
tion,"
fric-
made
father,
he
suggested.
I can't think
"Exactly.
thorities
why
the au-
much
of her
have taken no hand in the matter, which has been growing worse
tion
having
fields
and worse for the past decade. Speeds have grown out of all proportion to
braking power and
In the
old
individual
reaction.
had to turn to
Lately
the
fresh
of
endeavor.
days
the
average
person
and cars along the lesser roads. Every day scores of accidents occurred/ and often the injured remained beneath the wreckage for hours, since the regular ambulance authorities were far too busy with the troubles of the highways to be able to tend the
lance depots
of his
Now
so
speed
safety becomes
matter
of
prob-
ability.
Of
and automatic police signs help a lot. But accidents do not happen at cross
roads.
It's
only on the
flats
that auto-
at eighty
miles
maximum
the
velocity.
In
is
fact
'catch-
Her
in
father
did
not approve of
this
ing at the
all
word/
that
the cause of
casualties.
What
used
to
be
into
is
At dinner one evening he was expounding to Bob his ideas on the subject.
to her deands.
degenerated
velocity
because
there
no time to deviate.
"If
fools
treat
the
roads
as
racing
"Vera
is
late
this
evening."
Bob
For years engine performance and chasSpeed sis design has been improving.
has crept up until a hundred miles an hour along the mamways is considered quite normal. But the fools seem to
forget
that,
"Yes"
"she
Stewart
me
seemed to ponder
infernal
club
tells
her
has
although
maximum
speed
her Lady Guardian of the Northern Byways." "Ah, well," laughed Bob, "I expect appointed
PHOTO CONTROL
she won't be long, for we've arranged
to slip over to the
125
Yarmouth
coast
to
Literally
eter tests
plotted.
phone
of
But Vera did not come home that it was late before the visaShe and two told the tragic tale.
her
friends
best adhesion they could obtain gave results only seven or eight per cent
very
had been tending the injured at a corner ambulance one of when a huge car the transportable type
One
work,
day, after
many hours
protracted
flung
Jason
his
Stewart
suddenly
driven
apparently
by
at
madman had
its
down
"It's
slide-rule.
bitterly.
two-
no use," he cried
impossible."
"The
weight
girls
full
the
little
caravan.
thing
is
Two
"Impossible?"
Bob
stared;
it
was so
friction
Bob heard
"The maximum
unity,
coefficient of
of the servants, for Jason Stewart had locked himself in his room. "It was
terrible,
sir,"
the
white-faced
butler
and in practice it cannot, of I had thought by course, be attained. suitable preparation of materials and
surfaces
to
stammered.
"I
cause
extra
it
adherence
is
He
through suction.
sible."
But, no;
impos-
And
call
daren't
him,
sir."
Bob Williams
his pleasant
world spin into utter space. His mind seemed broken from its anmoment he thought
Jason Stewart turned and stared out the window and then spoke in a
voice.
metallic
"I intend to
first
make
that
traffic
safe.
The
factor
is
of
more
efficient
braking.
the
To
of
obtain
I
himself to work, wrestled with his probtill he was too tired even to think, and then often fell asleep at the lab-
road surface
lems
efficient
friction
Under favor-
oratory bench.
we have managed
I
must have been three weeks after the terrible accident before he saw Jason Stewart again. He seemed to have grown ten years older. His face was white and drawn with suffering, but his eyes shone curiously bright. Not a word did he say to Bob, only patted him on the shoulder.
It
my
purpose.
stop in
one-tenth
present dis-
tance.
Not only did Stewart appear to have changed physically his whole outlook had been refocused. He spoke little,
Metal on metal has a coefficient of .3. Leather on metal is about Ordinary tires on road surface give .4. .6. We have raised it to .7. Use" less^ His voice trailed off almost
about
in
despair.
but
of
Boh soon discovered that the nature experiments was undergoing change. Stewart had grown greatly
their
friction,
interested in
and
especially
its
Bob Williams stared at him. Not that the idea was new, hut because he had never before heard Stewart speak He had in so unscientific a manner. touched only one factor of the problem
126
AMAZING STORIES
gripped the
rails
and despaired because he had been foredoomed to failure by a physical law. Stewart was not good to argue with in these days, so it was with decided nervousness that
"Surely,
of the
Couldn't
Bob gave
there
his
opinion.
it
"Rubber being
is
practically
nonmagnetic
even
if
sir,
are
other aspects
out of the
question,
we
problem?"
Stewart smiled
"Yes"
tonelessly.
sourly.
surfaces
Bob thought
"If
it
for a
moment
to
then.
of friction
force
were possible
an
its
add to the
without
in-
with
weight
creasing
of
automobile
tliat
inertia,
would
solve
metallically:
approximately independent of
and decreases
its
"Yes."
And
Stewart turned
slowly
away.
All that night
culminat-
maximum
the
pose,
I
question
It
am
Bob
my
boy."
flushed but
still
jective.
Even
that
itself
"So
far
was bound
all
to
fruitless.
without inertia
of
almost
as
bad as mass
"If
you
increase
the
weight
Stewart,
without weight.
Eventually he rose from his bed, and,
slipping on a dressing gown, strode out
to the veranda.
moving
vehicle,"
stated
"you
increase the
braking
effect,
but at the
same time the inertia of the whole moving body increases to a like degree and one factor nullifies the other. Were
this
fierce
wind howled
to
not
the
case,
heavy
automobiles
dis-
clear
Transatlantic
majestically
As
it
is,
there
sweeping
along
the
west.
Wind
practically
due to decrease
had no terrors for that monster of the skies, which held steadfast in the teeth
of the fiercest hurricane.
mere three or four per cent." "But to increase the pressure without
adding to the weight," persisted Bob.
Man
had conearth.
quered the
air,
lems of
his
natural
medium, the
A
the
fresh gust of
Stewart.
"You would
tractor, I
gravity
at-
Helicopter
held
way,
with
am
afraid," he replied,
"and
with-
Gravita-
Of
it
course,
it
which held
once
steady
gyroscopic
out mass."
"But the
old-time
electric
rail
cars
employed
in
ocean-going
ships.
PHOTO CONTROL
Suddenly Bob gripped The gyroscope
the railings hard.
speed.
I
127,
forgot that.
About
it
100,000
using
revs per
feverishly
;
Back
until he
in his
room he worked
mercury
Stewart
"We'll
Besides,
would
car."
was
then,
made
it,
haste to Stew-
nodded.
get
work on
is
a
first
design
step." *
sir,"
he greeted
immediately. * *
This
*
the
*
"What?"
"Weight
wrong."
Stewart raised his brows.
without
inertia
was
all
elementary tests
ticability
had
idea,
of
the
full-
sized
"We
for
An
In
ordinary
type
of
for
road
the
idea
at
What we do
automobile
purpose.
want is something, some pivot to use as a fulcrum for a lever to force down
place
the
The weight of the car does not matter if we can get a rigid Wait a minute, sir," he pleaded; pivot. "I'm not mad. The gyroscope will do
the
wheels.
Ex-
it!"
middle
of
the
to
chasis,
levers
could
be
to
arranged
transmit
alike.
the
pressure
"The gyroscope?"
ered
"I
in
thought,
!"
see,
once
it
you
set
small
foot
brake,
earlier
much
after
strongly re-
the
style
of
the
automobile.
a change in
its
plane of rotation.
fast
Both Stewart and Williams were fully aware that this arrangement would have
to
Couple one
side
of
its
cradle
as
and
then,
you
be
it
be modified before the design could put to commercial application, but would serve for the time being.
arm by any
refuses
so
sort
of
toggle.
its
From
the main
oil
pressure cylinder,
The gyroscope
plane,
to
change
are
and
the
wheels
forced
other pipe
down by the toggle lever and you get much friction as the tires will stand I"
Stewart's eyes were blazing.
as
another
cylinder.
One
plunger
itself
would do
car,
sir,"
it,
lad."
it out for an waving a sheaf of "An 18-inch wheel
gles to the
purpose.
On
average
papers
lever
besides the
excitedly.
brakes
acting
in
the
ordinary manner,
terrific
on the
angularly
rigid
to
squash
car
inch.
flat
the to
from
its
plane of
revolution.
Due
to
tires
of
any
ordinary
inflated
Oh, the
retained
its
plane,
high
degree
of
128
AMAZING STORIES
diately
by the
shrill
scream of harshly
upon the four wheels, which therefore were driven down hard on the road. The completed machine was wheeled out of the workshops, and Stewart and
gles
applied brakes.
A
of
terrific
it
speculatively.
satis-
Bob and flung him forcibly against the dash. At the same time something ripped away at the back, flinging their
car broadside on.
Dynamic
about
its
friction
tests
had been
Bob
rear
like
struggled
back to his
seat
and
road performance.
'phone over
his wrists.
The
car
Stewart shook his head vigorously. "Certainly not; the machine is all right, and I see no reason why we should not
roadster behind.
"What
glared
happened?"
the
Bob
driver,
furiously
at
at
other
make
place
Come
along."
driver's
who
sat
the
wheel,
dazed
ex-
With
As
Stewart gripped
"It
and
Bob
his
after
into
him.
op-
arm
excitedly.
the magnetic
came
forward with
Bob
nonplussed.
bility
Stewart
doing
the
driving.
level-
see
what's
Normally
headed
devil
Jason
Stewart
but
was
the
and calm,
now
very
of
the
him,
hold
to
I put 'em on immediately, same as the rest of the drivers when they heard the crash ahead. We
winds, he swung round a turning and headed for the Great North Main Way
leading to the Metropolis.
It
who
that
is
has done us a
doesn't
idea's
bit
of damage.
matter.
all
The
great
thing
the
right."
was about 9
o'clock in the
morning
But the driver behind had a different opinion on the subject, and it was some
considerable time before the usual
malities
and the real traffic crush of the day Nevertheless had not yet commenced. they rarely had more than 40 or 50 feet Hundreds of cars clear before them.
and shapes roared their way towards London.
of
all
for-
they
stream of
sizes
had grown to much greater dimensions. After the first misadventure Stewart
"Speed's
rather
high this
morning,"
was more
very a space.
found
it
remarked Bob, glancing at the meter, which hovered between 80 and 90 miles
an hour.
Stewart
pressing
difficult
this
man-
made no answer,
the
throttle
but,
de-
ner, they
drew away
to the South.
further,
passed
between two cars with a bare inch or They had so to spare at the sides.
proceeded in this dizzy manner for some minutes when suddenly a metallic crash
"We'll take to some of the country ways," remarked Stewart, "so that we can carry out a few trials without further mishap."
smote their
ears,
was
delightful, the
PHOTO CONTROL
comparatively free of
traffic.
129
is
They drove
cm down
sign."
minimum
down
jerked
hill
at a
which after
is
out
quickly
"Hold
tight;
Bob
clung on for
he was worth,
felt
Again he
if
that
Bob nodded. "We shall have to make many changes before we try out Have you any that old bus again.
a good
'definite ideas?"
unpleasant sensation, as
someone had
"Yes.
We
we
down
I
of
the
car.
work on an
afraid
chassis.
entirely
new model.
am
"Not bad," murmured Stewart, clambering out. From his pocket he drew a large roll of tape and between them
they measured
shall
We
is
Stewart
they
there
eration
should
be
no
doubt
about
the
I thought you were complaining that acceleration was far away in advance of the rest of de-
\7y 2
feet,"
he announced.
sign."
"What was
of
1
"Yes,
"but
it
curtly,
let's
but
we must check
this
again."
Back
ter
backed up the
hill
over
Bob
Bob
sustained a
was
who was
on
a
to
thrown against the windshield, and one of the rear tires burst. Stewart, however, was delighted, though he spoke
little
(1) In the
the tires
examination of
as
way
away
As soon
down
they
flattened
to
so
that
the
rim
itself
the
metalled
roads.
reason
it
why a
so as to determine how much wear had taken place, and whether anything had been severely strained.
"It's
was
inflate tires to a
score of comfort a
to
no
use
lad,"
relying
said
too
much on
catch-
be tried.
By
driving
theory,
my
Stewart,
"We
have done
in
lot
in the last
few yuars
the
bringing
of
made Under
clear
design
down
certain
to
standard
pure
normal conditions
nary driving.
this
was
as
just
of the
factor of
safety.
So soon
the
brakes
130
AMAZING STORIES
other side of the problem but gave no
indication of the direction which his en-
down
this
wheels served
for
braking
By
Bob
that
it
felt
atti-
remembering
was
little
his
own
necessary.
also
Stewart
postulated
they
What
would have
resistant
to develop a material
more
how Stewart
trouble
of
to abrasion
than the
common
proposed
to
rule
out
the
brain reaction.
eral
demonstrations
robot
newly dewhich
had
extended
rather
fully
veloped
ever,
chauffeurs,
how-
(2)
It
was found
fused.
the
not impress
the
places
him
very
much,
for,
although
mechanical
men seemed
it
capable enough
would have
capable
to
be
replaced
by
something
of
standing
up to
cumstances,
seemed
very
to
doubtful
have
to
be adopted.
Stewart proposed
Metropolis.
the
The
greatest problem of
all
was the
of
elimination
of
the
human element
its
inevitable time
think
the
problem
is
pretty
well
was
all
cleared,
my
develop super-efficient
they would be of very
even
tense voice.
use in pre-
venting accidents
trol
it
of any
Tom, Dick
who
spent
Smithson
get
busy
with
in
these drawings
the
Bob
most
of
his
time
in
the
workshops,
new model, and see how it works." With this Bob had to be content. Days new machine grew. came the day when it was comresembled the ordinary road
possibly
sturdier
its
new
its strengthened brakes and Experiments on the had been entirely satisand they had decided on a material composed of the usual elastic bonding agent and floculated asbestos which gave astonishing results on dynamometer
machine with
chassis
members.
At
car,
last
synthetic rubber
pleted.
It
factory
except
construction
seemed a
trifle
To
two
tests.
extremities on
a compli-
Bob noted
further that these apparent lamps were twisted slightly inwards and instead of
He was
PHOTO CONTROL
pointing
131
were
di-
He was
of
the car
along.
on the pedal.
Good braking
the
explanation,
make
whole ques-
think."
more dangerous,
His
"Well, to
gun
tell
to
much
worked havoc
me."
his
Stewart
sorry,
"I'm
away from
course,
the subject.
my
how we
suppose
and very worried, but that's past now. Let's have a look at the *bus." "What's the idea of these head
lamps?" asked Bob. "They're not headlamps, of course,"
rejoined the other.
carefully
tance ?"
"I
because
we
have
two
"Exactly.
so
Our
prepared
and
focussed
teleis
which
I'd
away.
Not
exactly,
On
But perhaps
my
arrangement,
ditions
Bob nodded.
"Well, art
it
lamps.
it's
like this,"
proceeded Stew-
"From the first it was clear that was out of the question to leave the
new
Actually their pending on the speed. mountings are coupled indirectly to the
human
driver.
between
further
the
two
is
sets
of
lenses.
In
was then
by something mechanical
away
somewhat
This distance
is
on
little
particular
consideration
that each car
of
the
question
showed
in
than the
minimum
when
a
driven at a particular
speed
required
it
zone
of
safety
Immediately
we
are afforded a
means
front of
of
the
car
and to a distance
slightly
speed
at
at that
particular
moment.
see with
By some means
or
and the rear of the I had is safe. thought in the first place to build an apparatus after this style giving an audible
the front of our car
vehicle
in
front
of us
or
visible
indication,
but,
after
all,
it
You
your gyroscope we
15 feet.
Good enough,
is
would have been practically useless, for the brain-lag would come into the question again when the brakes had to be
applied immediately.
but the time taken in braking and bringing the car to a standstill
less
very
much
"As
tric
now
photo-elec-
cells
placed
132
and as soon as any body
the zone of
safety
the
affected and, operating
AMAZING STORIES
falls
within are
This
photo-cells
relay,
on a
apply
conditions
sufficient to
counteract the
mass
Bob thought
"but does
it
for a
moment.
seems
last,
of the car.
Later on,
we
can probably
is
increased
What
mean
to
to-
supposing
trained
wards a building,
your
brakes
all
However,
that all
can
tell
you
road
straight
away
factors
of
supposing instead of
it
being a building
in the opposite
You
same as
the
safety
zone
Besides
it
yours.
You might pull up in time, but what about the other fellow?" "Oh! of course," he laughed uncomfortably,
also
agine the
traffic
of the
"I
forgot
that
all
the
cars
Still,"
would be fitted in this manner. he went on, "I'm not sure that
yet."
er
than
they
to-day
all
cars
see
it
As
car
"Steady,
steady,
you're
quite
right,"
other
within
already.
When
said
that
the
As soon
as the object
is
ject
any obwas As a only stating the action roughly. matter of fact, although they do operate in that manner, they are also sensitive to infra-red beams, which you have probaphoto-cells operated as soon as
accelerates to
ject does not to the left
their field, I
and then
to the
right
seek-
ing out
driver
its
own
his
path.
At corners
and
the
the
flips
switch
zone
As
is
it
"I see,"
right.
I
Bob nodded.
it it
suppose
all
pressure
"Of course
and we
shall
down
"No?"
"This has been replaced by a simple When the right and left key switch. driver wishes to take a turn to the
right he throws over the switch just be-
the
cities, all
No
danger,
Immediately
dependent on
The human
crushed.
PHOTO CONTROL
safety with
133
tear of traffic for
maximum
speed.
The
traffic
My
before
God,
if
an
respond
quickly
anni-
we had done
this
before
enough
hilation.
avoid
almost
instant
."
The
since
three
their
years
test
which
him.
first
Bob
Bob
House.
paratus.
felt older,
Williams
stood
alone
in
the
Now
at his
fires
day of triumph
of
life
it
were
thin,
almost
He
eye
had
Much
of
it
was known
it
to him,
grown
clining
physical
had
needed a
special-
grown
ever,
lapses.
more
alert than
there
had
he
been
strange
each
great
He moved
and
its
towards
the the
He had grown
Sometimes
fond of his
own
windows
stared
down
company.
no
one.
Strand with
It
turmoil of
traffic.
himself in his
room
for days
haps
years.
all
day
a hundred
traffic
Jason Stewart.
it,
Bob
felt
it,
was sure of
At 12
o'clock that
morning
sort of barrier
They were
friends
there.
still
the
best
of
Synchronize dbrought
Bob
stared again at the
into
time
ever,
but
the
barrier
was
tur-
Bob was
mind.
afraid
still
that the
loss
of his he
daughter was
preying on Stewart's
in his throat as
chanised science.
sand vehicles
at
lump rose
girl
thought of the
his wife.
"This day
memory.
her name.
were
danger of crashing.
violent
acceleration,
braking,
sudden
stopping,
utter
still
lips of
Jason Stewart.
precision.
And
there
were no accidents.
nearly
An
official
entered the
room an
en-
New
of the world,
"No," Bob shook his head. "He said would probably be late. He has much work on his hands as you are
he
probably aware."
gyrobrakes were to be
for
made compulsory
face
of
the
"Yes
sir,
but he
will
be here half-
earth.
Heavy
of
penalties,
brought to the
manslaughter,
You
see,"
he
equivalent
attempted
went on,
"it
is
not
world tele-broadcast
manually-controlled
machines.
It
from
little
the
requires a
Not
that
adjustment
beforehand,
although
134
AMAZING STORIES
combined with
been too much,
his brooding
we have made tests for the past week or Most of them have been satisfactory, but they have had some trouble
so.
sorrow had
minute.
Two
The
minutes
to
go.
One
silence indicator
layer
Jason
Stewart
scrambled
at
up
to
the
Bob nodded.
He
was not
greatly inlayer.
the all-seeing
Heavyside
Ten
his
million people
were watching
indicator
from
lips.
The
second
The
sir,"
official
came
closer.
"I suppose,
will
clicked
be using
"Apparatus?
What
apparatus?"
sir.
know what
it
means.
"Oh,
next
In the
can do.
Therefore
rate.
Instead I wish to tell you a story." His voice shook a little. "Three years
ago,
I
new
He
had a daughter,
killed, killed
to-day."
have daughters.
Bob shook his head. "I'm afraid I I know anything about that. haven't seen Mr. Stewart much lately."
She was
at
the
Stewart
traffic
man-driven
as many of you She was all I had. by some sportsman was tending the injured wayside. She was killed by
traffic.
entered.
He
shook
hands
with
Bob
and the
son.
We
made
and night,
The whine
disap-
make traffic safe. At this instant a million new cars are on the road, controlled
of the room,
peared as
frequency.
utes
it
power
are
Ten
and
minutes,
the
twenty minindicator
of
mathematics.
safe.
They
passed
five
crystal
to
safe,
.
.
My
God
showed
minutes
the
hour.
."
and of staring
five
eye.
I shall I
"Five minutes. In
speak to the world.
shall
tell
minutes
five
"Take
whisper.
it
In
minutes
them the story of Vera. All the world will know." His lips twitched. Ah! and "All the world will know. His voice rose to they'll never forget."
a scream.
Stewart
glanced
at
him
the
and
made
table.
What
a
Bob Williams
small,
stared.
switch,
in
bakelite.
"Steady,
sir,
steady!"
Bob
did
not
Probably only a
Mechanically,
the switch
thing
Williams'
throne.
The
ef-
wire passing along the side of the room. It was simple enough, it must be some
sort of indicator.
PHOTO CONTROL
Stewart went on
of the world, but
:
135
seized
first
Again Williams
am an
I
old
man. ToSuddenI
day
ly
feel it
more than
"If
ever."
he laughed.
had a daughter
head.
Before
uncon-
might
feel better,
switch and
from me.
in return
!
Look what
daughters.
for your
Driven
controlled
at a dizzy
speed
all
the photo
fool,
yes,
an old
He
grew
cars
rigid.
"The
pends on
length
of
my
You
photo-zones.
The wave
in
of a second, where
all
66.3
it.
The
cities
streets
microns-
not
understand
New
York, the
of
all
You
moment converted
the
traffic, traffic.
mad
traffic,
for
murderous
Listen,
shambles.
Literally
pave-
whether
in ten
safe or not.
I
Safe!
seconds
all
shall blot
revenge.
zones
You
to act.
can hear
In ten
zones.
*****
the
bugles
and
cut
off
those
safety
crimson
faded
pillar
in
Remembrance
a
peaceful
You
live
shall
remember
my
daughter.
The
Square
green.
gradually to
traffic
!"
The
and then
to
Suddenly truth burst upon Bob Williams and he flung himself at the old
stragged
their
away homes or
in
awkward groups
occupations.
Only the
this, his last
old
man
remained behind on
thrust
him
away.
They
closed.
pilgrimage.
The End
S$^l
136
AMAZINC STORIES
August, 1934
USSIONS
Th* ndltore In* it* *o/rtpndne* on all In thl* department c ihslt dittim v*ry nanth tnplei f Interctt to In a special perianal antwtr I* lubleett directly or Indirectly related to th* itorltt appearing Id tnii maifljln*. required, a iwiniaal Ire at 25* to cover time and floitap* li required.
mim.
mm
Sense vs. Optimism A Letter of Excellent Criticism Editor, Amazing Stories: Tlianks for "squashing" Mr. Rawson, whose letter appeared in the May issue of Amazing His remarks about Poe, Wells, etc. Stories.
Common
thoioughly enjoyed "The Lost City," but was a shameful trick of the author's to break off just when "Things Began to Happen." TalkI
it
indignant, and it did me good to see your opinion was the same as mine. Although the so eloquent Mr. Rawson may have already read what he terms "a waste of valuable space," myself and all the newer readers have not. As A. S. is becoming more popular every month, it is probable that the majority of the present If readers have not read "those old stories." many letters like the one I have mentioned come in, with hs talk of nightmares and phony excuses, you certainly have a lot to put up with. more, theu once sympathize with you sh"all I It really is too start criticizing your magazine. bad that you cannot express your thoughts about space-flying without being so severely criticized. My common sense agrees with you about such stories as "Triplanetary," but my optimism is up in arms. The cover on the May issue is, however, much better than any yet, so much better thai The presI scarcely recognized the magazine. ent size is convenient and makes the magazine might sugI easier to hold while reading. After all, gest smooth edges to the pages. what does the format matter, anyway? Having defended the reprints, I should praise "The Diamond Lens" was fine and so them.
made me
ing of breaking off, the piece pulled out of the middle of "Dr. Grimshaw's Sanitarium" prevented an excellent story from becoming wellnigh perfect. In spite of the preponderance of those old spoilers 'ultra, super, sub, wave and ray,' the Jameson stories have me cheering for them. Even if they have their faults, they are So unusual and interesting in plot that they simply refuse to be ruined. "The Lost Language" was a wonderful story. Mr. Wolheim's letter on the subject was also interesting. "The Regenerative Wonder" and "The Death Protozoan" were two very good stories. I think that the time travelling idea is getting somewhat outworn, unless it is used simply as the instrument for telling a more interesting narration. This was done in "The Mentanicals" and in "Time's Mausoleum" to a certain extent. "The Theft of the Washington Monument" and "The Time Jumpers" were just undiluted time- travelling and as a result were not nearly as good as the first two. There was one humorous time-travelling
story
that
I
believe
was
called
"The
and
Island."
That
found
very
interesting
amusing. Why not get the author to write a sequel to it? "The Supermen" might have been fairly good when the author first got the idea, but he completely ruined it for me by writing it in diary form. Two other stories that were
outstandingly
ers."
was the
the
story (I forgot what the title was) of clockmaker that thought he could create
much better. I liked seeing the "Gold life Bug" in our magazine, although I had read it before; it was like meeting an old friend. Continue the reprints, they rest one's mind after
the stress
inertia-less
might
I
well written and interesting were "Cat's Eye" and "Peril Among the DrivReaders interested in the latter story find the hook "Insect Behaviour" by
excellent
Cheeseman
reading.
offer.
(I
know that you must be tired of suggestions, but how are you to know what we readers want and don't want unless we tell you?) Amazing
be made more interesting to can only get it occasionally if only one serial were given each month and the rest of the fiction space were devoted to short stories. In this way there would be more variety in each copy of A. S. Well, I have gassed long enough, so 111 close with a request for letters to me from any readers of that wonderful magazine Amazing Stories.
rays,
phants.
but
blue disintegration rays and pink eleAt one time I liked interplanetary stories,
there
is
Stories
could
people
who
now
ray, wave,
new
So little story and so much kinds of ether and vile forms same impression:
of
confusion.
fine,
"Terror Out
but in the end it deteriorated until it followed the same old formula as all the others. By this time, the indignant reader will have gathered that I did not particularly like "Tri* planetary" or "When the Universe Shrank." In spite of my aversion to waves and rays, I
liked
Donald . Bunyan.
Box
1072.
Nelson B. C,
Canada.
only
"The Ultra-Gamma Wave," because it had one wave and the reader did not get
mixed up.
(We sometimes feel as if the short letters require the longest acknowledgements. Such a
August, 1934
letter
AMAZING STORIES
medicine, as there
is
137
a
lot
the present one indicates throughout and a refreshing optimism. The two reprints which you mention, the latter one by Jules Verne, deserve all the praise you give them. could not pretend to say how many times your Editor has read the "Gold
as
of enjoyment in
its
careful
thought
study. Editor.)
The
Editor,
the
Jules Verne
We
Cover
Notes
Bug."
It
was
as fresh as ever
when we were
pre-
Just a line to
received
paring it for the magazine. In first class work there is an indefinable something, that makes it possible for one to read it over and over
Amazing
I
wish to
new
publication of the
magazines of the day has from its inception been quite deWe do not voted to reprints of old favorites. ask authors to write sequels because our presagain.
One
May
issue.
The
Verne's immortality
certainly a masterpiece.
is
not
Reprints of Verne and Poe Objected To Good Tribute to "The Lost City"
seem quite different from what they used to be a few years ago, but, however, one must be content and take life as it comes. I shall not comment on any of the stories, as, if one has a mind and uses it, in a manner, one can learn and know how to like all stories that are published in your Amazing Stories Maga-
The
stories
Editor,
This
zine.
to the
reprint controversy. Old stories are okay as a rule; I say "as a rule" because of my antagonisim for those Verne and Poe classics which every so often appear between your covers. Cannot the Editor see that neither Verne nor Poe are wanted ; they are good but out-of-date What we reprint advocates wants are rare old tales, such as "The Blind Spot" and not stories
like to read and re-read your magazine I over and over again, then one seems to live with the story, actually to be part of it, to become engrossed in it is my ideal. "The Metal
of two years ago was a story that all nations should have read, as it may sound like fiction, but one day it will be an actual happening.
Doom"
Yes
"The
which are known and studied by children at school. Practically every book shelf contains Poe's works; and Verne, while not so popular, is still encountered at every turn. So, I beg of you, please cease such useless reprinting and devote the valuable space thus wasted to worth-
comes whether good or bad, and to be content with little as "what shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Some day I'll write an article for
as
it
The June
issue.
Canada.
(Jules Verne was born in Nantes. There monument, shown on the cover of our May
sue, is erected.
Amazing,
all
considered,
was a good
his
is-
Milton R. Peril furnished many thrills and gave us much science in "The Lost City". That's
what
it
like
about science
fiction
He
eventually
for
its
made
his
home
in
it
gives dry,
makes
easy to understand; it's remarkably like taking sugar-coated medicine. What do your readers expect Morey to be a Rembrant? He's doing his best. Well ... To Amazinc Stories; Long may she "wave"! Earl Perry,
wonderful Gothic cathedral, and there is his tomb with his monument. You speak of re-reading our magazine. We hear from many correspondents that they read the same story over and over again, so you are really in line with many others. You promise us an article for the Discussions. This letter is really a very nice little article in itself. Editor.)
celebrated
Amiens,
Box
(There
at
is
265,
a point
in
Sorry to Lose
Editor,
1
the
present
time.
twenty-fifth
anniversary
celebrated
timely.
birthday
has
been
that
recently
stories very
the
haven't time nor inclination to enter into merits of your reprinting policy but it seemed unfair to me that you used your
they
will
stand
several
readings.
You
speak of every book shelf containing the works of Jules Verne. One of our correspondents
says that he cannot get them, that he thinks Jules Verne's works are out of print. Your comparison is a little hard on natural science. If we only get deep enough into it, our knowledge and understanding of it will be the best sugar-coating, but don't call natural science
columnar comeback to criticise the literary judgment of one of your critics, who like myself, has a library card and can use it, and who was merely audacious enough to say that he was buying the A. S. for new stories. One more crack like tliat from you and I'm off A. S. for life.
Russell E. Farrell,
Box
650,
Bremerton, Wash.
138
AMAZING STORIES
August, 1934
(This letter needs no answer. The author is perfectly well able to take care of himself. We are sure that he will reconsider his threat of not looking at Amazing Stories again for the remainder of his life. Editor.)
Delightful and Well-Put Letter from ao Eleven-Year-Old Girl Amazing Stories: Congratulations on the May issue The from cover to cover were wonderful Maybe I shouldn't speak out that way, being only eleven years old, and a girl at that, but I couldn't restrain a prolonged shout of joy, beginning with the blue and cream cover (which was swell) and lasting to the very advertisements. The story "Dr. Grimshaw's Sanitarium"
Editor,
stories
I although your new covers are improving. also like the old print and type. I saw in another magazine a discussion on the color of space. One person maintained that it was black, but another said that it was dark purple. Can you tell us which is correct? Lately there have been articles in various magazines and papers about the new telescope which is being constructed for the California Institute of Technology. The mirror will be 200 inches in diameter. How large would a body need to be, if it was absolutely black or nearly so, to be seen on the moon with this
new
telescope?
was the cream of the crop, but the cream was not confined to one story. "The Lost City" was all I could wish for. Hope it keeps up as
good.
If anyone would like to correspond with me by mail on science and science-fiction, I will be glad to discuss anything which I can by letter. Mr. Editor, I have a terrible statement to make. Since I started reading Amazing
Stories in 1930,
general
Wave" in short a perfect issue (as far as I'm concerned). To more scientific-minded people, who are always looking for flaws, it may not
have been. I have a word to be so profuse
for the "kickers" which seem in the Discussions columns. kickers never try to better the issue you
;
"The
White
Dwarf,"
"Ultra-Gamma
You
yell
about
I
this
and
that,
but do
we
hear any
helpful
No
You
comments? I mean really helpful ones? Do that want the edges cut even. to think that you have a perfectly
scissors
is getting worse. Not Amazing Stories in particular; I think that Amazing Stories is still the best magazine published. But some others are getting worse each month. If it weren't for the few veteran authors who contribute stories, it would be a low grade science-fiction magazine. But I hope that they will cease having new and amateur authors that don't compare with the veterans. Of course, if a new author's stories are good, then I approve of printing them. Let us hope that this slump in the value of s. f. stories will soon be over
Well,
bats, I
now
will
that
purpose? I'm afraid I use too much authority but they give me a pain in that part of the body which connects the head with
say
Amazing Stories
good work.
have stopped slinging brickthat good old (8 years) tops them all. Keep up the
the rest!
Harold Garrett,
1320 East 7th Street, Sedalia, Missouri.
Here's hoping I can see my name in print the next time Dad buys a swell, all around magazine. (He never misses an issue.)
(We
Eleaoor Jones,
362334 W.,
Seattle, Washington. (This letter gives us special pleasure as it the composition of a girl eleven years old, which is a charming period in the life of that The interesting being whom we term woman. work of the Editor of such a magazine as ours extremely interesting, but we could let it is attack the editorial nerves if we took the "kickers" you speak of, too seriously. A little appreciation is most welcome, especially when it comes from such as you are, we mean in age and sex. It is quite a triumph to have both old and young in the one family appreciate Amazing Stories. Editor.)
is
its 200-inch mirror will 9how. Science-fiction should not run down, because science proper is always developing something new, while topics of the authors of purely fictional stories would seem to have been exhausted years ago. Space is black. thank you for your concluding sentence. Editor.)
We
Amazing
Editor,
Stories
New
Plea for
Format of Well-Known
Authors
Remarks on Serial Stories Jules Verne's Stories Our Best Authors Considered Amazing Stories It's rather hard for me to make up my mind whether I like the new format of the magazine or not It was rather a blow to me when I first saw the reduced size. I always liked the receding title; and, too, the larger magazine seemed to possess more wordage. However,
Interesting
Editor,
Amazing
I
Stories:
again.
I
when
don't
Well, here
am
mean
to use
I
up so much space in your Discussions, but have some criticisms and questions to offer.
First, I
much
have been 100% perfect, in contrast to many of the older magazine covers, and the magazine itself much better bound, I think the new format is almost as good. Particularly I like the idea
August, 1934
of
AMAZING STORIES
A
139
story more than one serial in a magazine. written up to book length always seems to me
to be better written
than the short story, possibly because there is always the chance that a iong story will be made into a book, while the short story lives only a short while; consequently the author spends more time and art on
the longer one.
serials,
remarked in Discussions. What you've got to do is to print unpublished stories that will rival Poe's(what's more, sometimes you've done it
perhaps
as
thing'.)
Now
1 see that
of all of Verne's
and with me that registers o. k. I I had either read or knew the titles fanlastics, but "Measuring a It's good. is one I never heard of. if you couldn't reprint "Hector Servadac, or The Chase of the Golden Meteor."
thought
"No More Tomorrows," "Omega the Man," "The Mentanicals," and even "Dr. Grimshaw's Sanitarium" which I liked very well I shouldn't have mentioned this last it doesn't quite leave the land of harumscarum for the land of 'that indefinable somewitness
Meridian"
I
wonder
One
lu's
it
was probably
to
work
it
in that line.
Contrary
many
opinions,
is
practically
I
impossible to secure
For many years I had pronounced the name Jules Verne the way it was spelt, but then I discovered Jules was pronounced 'Jool'. Perhaps many of your readers have been fooled similarly.
In spite of all my criticisms, I'm with you to the end. With the advent of three serials and a good story like "Terror Out of Space," my enthusiasm is running almost on the top line of our enthusiasm chart, only at infrequent, but sudden, intervals sagging all the way to the zero line, only to pop right up again. Get more from E. E. Smith right away! Get Keller busy! Make Stephen Hale, author of "The Laughing Death" and "Worlds Adrift" a staff writer! Keep three serials! Get more Charles
Tanner am waiting impatiently for his serial. With Forest Ackerman keep Discussions up-
And
while on the subject of pronunciation, have been pronouncing 'Martian' the way it
spelt,
I
is
to-date
but on reflection discovered that it probably is pronounced 'Marshian'. I right in both these counts? Whether right or wrong, I
Am
(We
really thank
have a hard time breaking my habit of mis-pronouncing in both cases. Your best author, and I am in accordance with most of your reader*, is Dr. Edward Elmer Smith. "Triplanetary" was fine, but somehow did not hit the level set by "Spacehounds". It is strange about Dr. Smith. No, no, don't
will
We
can assure you that a great deal of thought is expended on them and the artist has evenmotive to make them good with a view to his
progress in art in the future. Serials are a bone of contention. Some like them and some do not, but we really think that you put the
thing
about
righr
in
taking
the
ground
thai
rather terrible
with only three It is doubly he is the only real literateur. strange you do not print more of his stories, as I have a fancy that Amazing Stories editorial chair also favors Keller above the others. Is it true stories of his have been translated into
may be disappointed. It is the way you treat Dr. Keller, stories in a year. Of the bunch,
I
of literature than
is apt to be a more solid piece the short one. The second pronunciations which you give are correct.
We
countenance so we will
imagination.
foreign languages? Many years ago, Dr. Breuer, author of another story that >!i<nld have had more applause than it got, namely "Paradise and Iron," wrote a letter to Discussions mentioning a scraphook of outstanding stories culled from Amazing Stories. Wouldn't it be a good idea to let him name them for our perusal? He also puts In the literary touch to some of his stories. fact, I used to class Keller and Breuer together. Think it over. Breuer is a good judge of In Sometimes you disappoint me. stories. past years you have continually remarked on supplied too over with the fact that you were many good stories to even consider reprints.
in addition to giving us a host of many very poor stories, you had to follow it up with I can get them, reprints of Edgar Allan Pee. "iihom exception, at the public library. Besides, reprinting stories with a literary taste
As you may imagine, he is quite an impressive looking personality. We have many real literateurs. We are giving now one of Dr. Keller's best stories which puts him high in that class. We are rather amused a: your wanting three serials, when a number of
our correspondents object to any.
Editor.)
A
Editor,
I
Amazing
am
writing to
last
you know
my
ideas
upon
the
subject of
reprints.
During the
giving
us
reprints,
Now,
guments against reprints was that they were obtainable in public libraries. This is incorrect at least so far as the section in which I
is concerned. I have never found any science fiction except one or two stories by Verne. Bui of all the science fiction that you could reprint, Poe's are the only ones which are pre practically every library. And also, I do not consider Poe's tales, although they are very
Then
live
to them will not bring our magazine anywhere near the Atlantic Monthly, as you half jokingly
fine,
as science fiction,
140
You
This
are
it,
AMAZING STORIES
now running a
right,
is all
August, 1934
reading
but
serial by Jules Verne. and I believe. I will enjoy think that in publishing it
We
we hope
to hear
Editor.)
you are more or less evading the issue. I do not think the reprints you are giving us are the ones that are wanted by those who desired this class of stories. In my opinion they wanted stories like "Treasures of Tantalus,"
More Would
Do
Editor,
It,
If
They Do
as
Well as This
Correspondent Does)
Amazing
Stories:
"The Skylark
could
list
many more
Jules Verne's monument looks good on the cover, thanks to Morey's masterful touch.
tents
Roy
F. Phillips,
the way you are making up the ConPage now. "Terror Out of Space" ends good and the
I like
new
serial
starts
J.
Wednesdays
you ever read Poe's story called "Three in a Week" you would find it a
fiction story
F. Pratt and
tributions
in
this
model of a science
with a definitely humorous touch in Poe's inimitable manner. The story entitled "Measuring a Meridian" is one which will stand very careful reading. However, we will have to let the subject of reprints go for the present. have some very good stories awaiting publication, which are not reprints. Editor.)
putting
two
serials
out good. Winstead, M.D., Lewis Burtt have good conissue too. Why are you in now? I think one is
enough.
to have gotten the Editor into no of trouble over his answer to a quesmine regarding the possibility of a trip moon. But the Editor should be quite to all kinds of brickbatz and slams by this time. Anyway, I'm glad we all don't feel the way he does about it. It's too bad we can't live long enough to find he's been wrong.
I
little bit
seem
tion of
to the
We
immune
The
Jules Verne Monument Cover Reprints Not Favored A Letter from a Lady
Anyway,
number.
Stories: I have been a constant reader of Stories for years, in fact since its inception, I have never written in before. I am writing now mainly for two reasons. First, let me congratulate you on your May cover it is absolutely the best looking cover I've ever seen on any Sf. magazine, and should be the answer to every Science Fiction reader's prayers. Why not print some with no printing on to be framed? I'll buy one. Second, I want to register my protest against reprints, and such reprints as Poe and Verne. Any one at all interested in S.i has probably read them. I know I read them years ago, and if I felt like reading them again, all I would have to do is walk a couple of blocks to
Editor,
Amazing
him
Although
Amazing
Olon F. Wiggins,
2418 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado.
people think that two serials are corsome even like three. The Editor, as you suggest, is somewhat immune to attack, but not perfectly so, and when attacked it is a great
rect,
(Many
pleasure to be able to confute the attacker as he has done this very day out of Webster's
trips to the
Unabridged. also fail to see anything personal or offensive in conflicting views about moon. Editor.)
We
Letter of
the nearest public library. If you must have reprints, why not some that aren't so well
Editor,
from a
known?
make. much.
I
sions" if ye
would be so kind.
have a knock, or two, to thrust down thine honorable throat. It seems passing strange to me that an Editor should be so persistently against the thought of interplanetary travel, especially in the light of past and present discovery. I wonder if it could be professional jealousy of some sort.
I have noticed, that in a great many cases, learned men have denounced strenuously the strange and new as false and impossible. Why is this trait so pronounced in mankind? Let us hear from the editor and see what he has to say. David H. Keller should have a chance at this, as a psychologist, to express his opinion on the subject of "Doubt."
We
of a science fiction magazine on account of its information about the measurement, has been read by very few of our readers. We have had one letter, which you will probably see,
The story "The Terror Out of Space," in one way, could be considered excellent; but in another, very dull. It is good as far as charac-
August, 1934
AMAZING STORIES
weak
Flint
141
when
new.
it
comes
something
"The Lost City" is fair ; but the author must have a sadistic mind, at one point anyway, when he remarks on the humor of Cheops. Maybe there were a couple of Cheops and I'm thinking of another. If it was the one that built the great pyramid in Egypt, then his humor was very touching ... on a lot of people, if yon understand what I mean. I'll let it pass without any further remarks. Hope Peril doesn't
feel hurt.
& Hall, "Out of the Moon," by Flint, "Ship of Ishtar" and "Seven Footprints to Satan," by Merritt, and "On the Brink of 2000," by Garret Smith. These are now practically unobtainable, and I'm sure we readers
would
like
them.
What
stories
have you
it
se-
Is
Below, I've
Cut down on the number of serials to two at the most in one issue. If there are a lot of them en hand, why not print them in a Quarterly.
You
in
a year in
this
The Monthly
could get rid of eight short novels manner; two in each Quarterly. could handle about seven others
Fifteen in all to hear from anyone
1926 Second Deluge 1927 Moon Pool 1928 Skylark of Space 1929 Into the Green Prism 1930 Skylark Three 1931 Stone from the Green Star 1932 Swordsman of Sarvon 1933 Into the Hydrosphere
during a year.
Would
like
who
is
inclined to write;
and
if
anyone
is
interested
a line and I'll see what I can do. by this time, the Editor feels I have let him down, I will say I have a complete file of all Amazing Stories since the first, and am looking forward to the tenth birthday of this patriarch of Science Fiction with no little drop
If,
me
1928 Sunken World 1929After 12,000 Years 1930 Paradise & Iron 1931 Islands of Space 1932 Voice Across the Years 1933 Man from To-morrow Where are: Williamson, Hamilton, Meek, The Harris, Starlz, Cloukey and Schachner. last named is, in my opinion, one of the best
anticipation,
How
Kenneth E. Pritchard, 82 Second Street,
at the
Pittsfield, Mass. not be afraid of knocking an Editor, that poor individual spends his life You speak of in an atmosphere of knocks.
(You need
end of the stories, or on the last page? Would some reader please oblige on how to bind issues ? I would appreciate this, as I have now about 85 A. S., making up about all you have published, which I would like to bind.
I notice a letter from John Russell Fearn in Discussions; have you any stories by him on
something seeming "passing strange" to you. Man's efforts to rise from the surface of the earth become very messy when he reaches ten miles of elevation and the moon is, in round numbers, twenty-four hundred times as far away as this. Such figures as this should take out any element of personality which curiously enough some correspondents put into their judgment of our views on space. Editor.)
hand?
On
a
new
you
set in 1932.
There
is
one
fault,
however,
With
these, the
this as I think
readers want them cut even. I realize that this is rather a lengthy letter, but I hope you will print it, as I enjoy seeing
Editor,
I just
Valuable Letter from a Young Reader Amazing Stories: The minute my copy of the May A- S. came, had to sit down and write you a letter.
is
my name
in print.
William H. Kennedy,
Jr.,
The cover
superb;
I'll
bet
it
will
double
your circulation.
The
editorial
is
excellent,
and
of special interest to me now, as I am reading Eddington's "Expanding Universe." The stories I'll have to give up classifying them. They're
all
so good that
"The
White Dwarf," by
Lewis Burtt
31 Wellesley Park, Dorchester, Mass. of stories is most interesting for give a us back so many years. forecast of the next month's stories when we can find room for it. have two stories by certainly appreciate your Fearn on hand. flattering judgement of the success of our efforts. Editor.)
(Your
list
us, taking
We
We
We
In your blurb for "The Lost City" you say Mr. Peril is a new author. If I remember rightly, he wrote "Dynasty of Blue-Black Rays" Are you going to run three serials in 1930. regularly ? I notice one is a reprint. Keep this
up.
to
Select
letter
Them
you've I say
Now, when
could publish are "Explorers Into Infinity," "Fire People," and "Man on the Meteor," by Ray Cummings, "Blind Spot," by
Some you
the moth-eaten archaic stories by Poe, Verne and Wells that you've been dishing up to us lately (one can almost
mean
142
AMAZING STORIES
August, 1934
smell the odor of mothballs about them) but the interesting, really entertaining stories taken from early issues of 'Argosy,' 'Science and Invention'
does good work he will be displeased within himself, yet he runs the chance of not pleasing
his
readers.
So you
fires
see the
Editor
is
really
and our own magazine. Certainly it would be just as easy and convenient to use
these as the ones
the
between two
lish
in
you are now using. Some of I think would make good reprints are "The Blind Spot," "The Nth Man," "The Moon of Doom," "The Mad Planet," "The Red Dust," "The Runaway Skyscraper," "The Green Splotches'* and "The Ark of the Covenant." To my mind the above represent some of the finest science fiction ever printed and beat Poe's and Verne's stuff all hollow. I
old
favorites
don't suppose you'd ever think of doing it, but if you wanted a way to increase circulation
figures,
his readers will like. You are a too hasty in your criticism of such distinguished authors as the ones you name. H. G.
what
little
Wells is a very live writer to-day. Edgar Allan Poe is world-famous. It is curious that while you object to the reprint, "A Decent Into the Malestrom", you say it has been reprinted about fifteen times already. Does not
this indicate that at least fifteen
It
is
why
story,
rially
in
"The Metal Emperor," which ran seScience and Invention You know,
!
published a story by Wells. In 1927 and 1928 a number of them and we consider that they were well received. None has been published in recent years. Within a few weeks
we gave
George
Bernard
Now
of A. S.
is
for a few
comments on recent
serial by
issues
The new
Doctor E. E. Smith
opinion it's better than average, but in I guess pretty far below his usual standard.
my
the greatest American author. are glad to publish your request about back issues. You might address our Circulation Manager who may be able to supply your needs. Editor.)
We
pace he set in the Skylark stories and Spacehounds was a bit too hot to keep up. Siill I got a tremendous kick out of the battle between earth's superspaceship and the Nevian vessel as described in the third installment of
the
Editor,
This
Letter of Complaint But Others Like What You Object To Amazing Stories: is for the Discussions Columns. Anylets
way
is
"Triplanetary". They say Hamilton is without a peer as a writer of space battles, but take my word for it, he can't hold a candle to
Smith in this department. "Peril Among the Drivers" was an excellent adventure novelette by Bob Olsen. I thoroughly enjoyed every line of it. I suppose it was a sort of sequel to "The Ant with a Human Soul". Victor Endersby's story, "A Job of Blending" was pretty good but was much, much too short as was "The Man Who Stopped the Earth". The new serial by H. Haverstock Hill, who is really J, M. Walsh, an English novelist, is just fair. Rather mediocre, run-of-the-mill stock. I'd call it. "A Descent into the Maelstrom", by Edgar Allen Poe was terrible. It was only about the fifteenth time I'd come across it in different books and magazines. In closing let me say that I am in the market for back issues of Amazing Stories from
formalities of letter openings. This is a letter of protest so there no use beating around the bush. First of all I wish to protest loudly about the printing of
get
away from
Edgar Allen Poe's stories in our mag. There is nothing worth while in the way of science m them. You are always commenting upon the your readers that you are over-stocked with stories. Do you mean Poe's stories? If you insist on his stories why not publish another magazine containing his complete works. Oh well, maybe by the time this letter is printed (if it is) you will have gotten over your mania
fact to
for Poe stories. I would like to see in the Discussions Columns the opinion of some of the other readers of your magazine on this subject.
I heartily agree with another reader when he says that since you have joined the why not raise the price a little and then maybe we could have smooth edges. By the way the other reader I refer to lives in this same town.
NRA
Anyone having 1930 back to the beginning. such to sell at a fair price please get in touch with me.
Robert Tufts, 61 Rathbun Ave., White Plains, N. Y. numbers in some cases.
I shall
troversy on this subject of reprints. I think you told some of your readers that you were thinking favorably of giving us some of your former
I notice I have not seen any yet. around this town that a good many of the people have very little interest in science. Whenever I try to tell my friends anything scientific they class me as an idiot or something. However there is one fellow that will listen to me without laughing. I try to interest some
stories.
about the contents of Amazing Stories that we do not know what to do to please everybody, and this is a task The proverb says, "Please for a Napoleon. yourself and you will please one person." The trouble with an Editor is that he has to please a multitude of people, yet has to please himself in a sense. This is because unless he
receive so
letters
We
many
of the rest of them but they just don't like By the way what has happened it I guess.
August, 1934
to
AMAZING STORIES
I
143
John W. Campbell, Jr. He is a fine writer, Maybe I am but I don't see him anymore. wrong but it seems to me that the magazine See if you is declining in the last two issues.
can't
as
come up a
does
bit.
it take the letters so long to get Columns. Because there are Why not have one issue devoted or perhaps one half an issue would be enough. G. Hunter, 604 Preston Road, Morgantown, W. Va.
Why
have a number of much wanted issues such a complete set of Edward E. Smith's stories, "Spacehounds.of I. P. C." and "Skylark Three," not to mention plenty of others, as I have been reading your "mag." for three and a half years, both the Monthly and Quarterly. Unfortunately
circumstances necessitate my disposing of quite Some of your a sizeable pile of magazines. stories have been of such high merit that I have read a number of them as many as four
or five times.
the
Infinite"
in the Discussion
so
to
many?
letters
Some
from
Wade and
(This letter is a good example of what we may almost call scolding. You speak of us taking a long while sometimes to get in letters. Many of them however, are published in very good time. You suggest that we should What we are working raise the price a little.
for is to increase the circulation so that
feel
Morey yarns. "When the Dark Star Passed," "The Stone from the Green Star," "A Modern
Prometheus," "Television Hill" and so on ad infinitum. I just went upstairs to look up the name of a story and I came across "Invaders from the Infinite" and "Skylark Three." Well so long while I bury ray nose in the doings of Hoping to see this Arcot, Wade and Morey. letter in your magazine, I am Robert Wilde, 3821 N. Darien Street,
Philadelphia, Pa.
we
will
authorized to introduce various improvements. You are mistaken if you have any idea that the magazine is declining for it definitely are certain also that our readers is not. would not like having an issue of the magazine devoted to letters or even half an issue devoted
We
thereto. Editor.)
Amazing Stories
(Your list of good stories is quite interesting and is enlightening for us in letting us know what authors do the work which pleases our readers. There are quite a number of letters in which correspondents tell of having issues for sale and some of these will certainty meet with customers and we hope the same will come
to
From time to time there have been letters from foreign readers asking where they could I obtain back copies of Amazing Stories. have quite a number of back issues extending as far back as 1926 and 1927. I would be willing to exchange these for postage stamps of Although foreign their respective countries. readers are in a better position than readers in the U. S. A., I will answer all letters, regardless of their origin.
you. Editor.)
Canadian Correspondent Asks About the
"Ways
Editor,
of
the
:
Moon"
Amazing Stories
Edwin Rothouse,
4713 N. 9th Street. Philadelphia, Pa.
stories have always appealed to me and you may imagine my surprise and pleasure I saw Amazing Stories reappear in December on Canadian newsstands. I have not missed a copy since. The two serials were both great stories and well written, but "The Lost
Your
so
when
The
short stories are very interesting and cover a great deal of ground.
Copies of Amazing Stories for Sale, with Covers Editor, Amazing Stories: I wish to offer for sale, the following issues With covers January, of Amazing Stories. February, March, May, October and NovemPrice January and April, 1934. ber, 1933. Without coversJuly and twenty-five cents. December, 1932. April, June, July and AugustSeptember, 1933. Price fifteen cents.
In "The Man Who Stopped the Earth" by Henry Kostkos, the moon streaked off from the earth at a tangent when the earth was stopped. If the earth was stopped would it still not retain its influence on the moon and stil! cause it
to circle
tail in
around it? However, it is only a dea good story. Wishing you all the success John O'Connell, Glanford Avenue,
Victoria, B.
C,
Canada
Canada.
is
published
in
Amazing
Editor,
the
Last
chasing
have no trouble hereafter in purwill leave your question about the story by Mr. Kostkos to be answered by him. Canada is not very far away from this
We
letters
am
sending
it
hopes that
you
will publish
part of the world, but it is another country and we are glad to get a little touch of the cosmic effect, meaning readers all over the world in our magazine. Editor.)
144
AMAZING STORIES
The
Fall
1934
AMAZING STORIES
QUARTERLY
On
Sale July 10th
with
$2.00 Novel?
Of course you would! And, that's exactly what you do, every time you buy a copy of
which later appears in $2.00 book-form. But, the magazine sells for 1 5c!
issue of COMPLETE DETECTIVE NOVEL MAGAZINE, now on
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by Otis A. Klein And Other Worth-While
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it's
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1934
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