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AMAZING STORIES 3

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"I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" (Short Novel— 36,100) By Richard S. Shaver . 12 illustrated by Robert Fuqua The curse of an aging sun broughf death and madness fo Wu; and the Aflsns and Titans fled into space. THE MARTIAN'S MASTERPIECE (Short—4,000) By Sgt. Morris J. Steele 72 Illustrated ty Virgil Rnlay The artist on Mats secured his model from another planet—and that planet happened to be the tarth! MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE

(Novelet— 1 1 ,000) By A. R. Steber 82 Illustrated by Malcolm Smith if one of the babblings of a madman turns out to be true, does that mean all the rest must be so? IS THIS THE NIGHT? (Short— 1,500) By Alexander Blade 102 j Illustrated by Brady The old man had made his prediction before, And he had made a mistake in timing. Was he right now? COMET FROM YESTERDAY (Novelet— 15,000) By Lee Francis 106 Illustrated by J. Alien St. John Here was a comet in reverse order: it was born in a volcano and was destined for the dr.pfhs of spszr. THE LYING LIE DETECTOR (Novelet— 10,000) By Leroy Yerxa 132 Illustrated by Robert Fuqua

What chance is there for justice when the mechanical lie detector develops an evil soul of its own 7 VALLEY OF DELIRIUM (Novelet— 15,000) By Richard Casey 150 Illustrated by Ned Hadley and L. Raymond Jonas

Certainly here was a valley where only madmen should go! There wasn't a s<*>ie thing anywhere in it. TWIRL MY TURBINE, MAN ALIVE! (Short— 1,120) By Omar Gecr 180 Illustrated by Julian S. Krupa

There were a few basic laws of physics this giant — . . governing dynamo snd it became something els* . DR. MACDONOUGH'S ENCEPHALOSEMANTICOMMUNICATOR (Short— 2,950) By Leo A. Schmidt . 1 88 Illustrated by Julian S. Krupa

There was only one thing wrong with MacDseiQugh's radio: if was "lubac"—loused up beyond ail con/r©/.'

Copyright 1"M4, 7IFF-0AV1S PUBLISHING COMPANY Member nt the Audit Bureau of Circulations William 2i«, Publish*-! Davi,, C. , B. S. Editor; Raymond A. Palmer. Managing Editor; Howard Pm--r.=. A^Unf Editor; Herman ft. Boiiirt, Art Director; Malcolm 5mrfh, Assistant Art Director; H. G. Strong, Circulation Dirs;-?'; H. J. Morganroth, Production Director We do not accept responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. To facilitate han- dling, the author should enclose a self-addressed envelops with the requisite postage attached, and ar- tists should enclose or forward return postage. Accepted material is subject to whatever revision is nec- , essary to meet requirements. Payment covers all authors', contributor-/ and co,.r.?<.^ar>t5 riqhtv titla, ond interest in a "d to the materia! accepted and w!!S be made at our o.ir<*iU rales m on an -pianr«. AH photos an.) drawing! will be co^sidtiFtl ,<>s port of materia! pun !).-;'«•.!. tire n.iiiss* atl di.irs i.-

name that is the same as that of any living person , s coincidental.

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS MARCH 1945

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1

M FEATURES &mtfihte„ .

THE OBSERVATORY By The Editor 6 MANTONG, THE LANGUAGE OF LEMURIA By Richard S. Shaver and The Editor 71 AN AMAZING BACK COVER COMING TRUE? By Acme Newspictures, Inc. 81 OUR AIR-MINDED ANIMAL FRIENDS By Al Herman 101 SCIENCE FREEZES GERMS By A. Morris 105

THE DEATHLESS PARAMECIUM , .By Pete Bogg 131

OUR BROTHERS, THE COTTON RATS By J. Nelson 148 AMAZING FACTS By A. Morris 149

VIGNETTES OF FAMOUS SCIENTISTS By Alexander Blade 1 78 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS YOU GET NOWHERE By Constance R. Dowd 184

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK? By Carter T. Wainwright 187 ARMY MEN HOVER IN MID-AIR! By Reginald 0- Pettibone 195

SCIENTIFIC MYSTERIES By L. Taylor Hansen 196

MEET THE AUTHORS By A. R. Steber 199 DISCUSSIONS By The Readers 200 STORIES OF THE STARS By Henry Gade 208

Front cover painting by Robert Gibson Jones illustrating a scene from "I Remember Lemuria!"

Back cover painting by Frank R. Paul illustrating "Stories of the Stars"

DAVIS' PITJSLTSHTiNn

1045 HUGO GERNSBACK, known today as the leon had had just one lank. Authors have taken "father of science fiction," launched the fact and woven fantasy into it—in other words, a magazine you are now reading Way back turnabout of the methods used in stories of the in 1926, nineteen years ago. He had conceived of future. a magazine dedicated to fiction based on science, and containing stories of what that science might DEGINNING with this issue we are introducing lead to in the future. He told stories of tomor- something, new in stories of the past. We are , row, of rocket trips to other planets, of strange taking the strange things that have always made new inventions and their effects upon civilization, Man wonder, those weird things that happen to of other dimensions, of time-travel, of evolution. him which he cannot understand, yet which dis- His new magazine was the magazine of the future. turb him greatly, and are projecting them into a field of logic in an effort to arrive at truth by be- OUT now, on the threshold of 1945, we have ginning with what is accepted as fantasy. Science finally realized that the future has caught up has placed its stamp of recognition on one of the with us. Today rockets are no fantasy of the weird things in the mind of Man, that faculty mind; the super civilizations dreamed of in the known as "racial memory." Such a thing does past are with us. Travel to the planets has not exist, science says— without being able to explain been accomplished, but already pulp magazines just what it is. You know many instances of the carry advertisements of rocket societies. Many feeling that "this place is familiar, yet I have groups have plans for ships that are to be built in never been here before !" or "I know a thing is !" the more-or-less near future. The way is open, so, yet I have never learned it In this issue we say only work remains be done. The present a story (?) called "I Remember Lemuria!'' they ; the to other worlds of space are awaiting the exploring by Richard S. Shaver. This is the first of the feet of Man. It has become increasingly evident stories of the past, based on actual racial memory. that Hugo Gernsback's magazine is becoming the We have begun to tap one of the most mysterious magazine of today, is being outstripped in its fic- corners of Man's mind, and with truly amazing tion by fact. results, as you will discover when you read this first story. Something new in science fiction is here} PRIMARILY, the concept of Amazing Stories was that of a stimulus to imagination, a seek- t>UT before we tell you more about this story ing out of unknown mysteries that may some day and its hack ground, let's discuss a few points become fact, and perhaps all the sooner because about the other stories m this issue, and get a few of the mental pioneering of its authors. It if this news items off our desk. First, the stories: concept that all of us want to retain. Therefore, it becomes evident that something new must be COME years back a writer named A. R. Stcbcr added. ^ ran a story called "Black World," It was very well received, and for a long time demands for T70R several years we have been wonderm;; as more from this writer were insistent. Then your * much as you what that new evolution in science editor's face became very red with the revelation fiction would be. Now. with this issue, we believe that the "author'' was really the editor. He'd been we have the answer. Stories of the future, we unable to resist the urge to write a slnry of his own, and had palmed it off under a petinarne, not have always maintained, were I rue. in the fcnse that they were based on fact. Our authors merely expecting it to bounce up in his face. After the .pointed to the logical ultimate development of truth was out, readers had a good chuckle, but some fact that already existed. That type of they continued to ask for more. Frankly, an ed- science fiction will always be with us. However, itor of four pulp magazines has little time for we have, upon occasion run stories of the past. writing. Well, a year ago we began a little short For instance, cave-man stories, or stories of Cleo- story, and at long last it is finished. We have patra, or of what might have happened if Napo- ( Continued on page 8) AMAZING STORIES T

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8 AMAZING STORIES

which the lid was taken off the logical develop- ment of a science fiction theme. We said it might

lay an egg, or it might be terrific. We are pub- lishing the story in this issue, and we still don't know whether it's an egg or terrific. It made us chuckle, and sometimes even whoop. And we

aren't so sure that it isn't more logical than the (Continued from page 6) author thinks! Anyway, read "Valley of Delir- ium"' It's exactly that! donated it to this issue, and we hope you like it. It's tailed "Moon of Double Trouble" and is IS said that Harvard Professors are the straight interplanetary adventure. At the very TT A collars too-toos. least it should forever quiet your demands for starched of the very-very more Steber— for which we will be thankful. Run- (Whatever that means.) Anyway, Leo A. Schmidt ning along with the Shaver story, and others in is one of those (and a finer guy we never met— especially it to mixing a hot this issue, it should run a very laggard last. Which when comes rum his enough's Ence- is out way of committing literary suicide. Gall it toddy) and story "Dr. MacD our "bowing out" appearance. And to you read- phalosemanti" — nuts, you pronounce it! — is starch of starch- ers who have written all those nice letters about enough to take: the out even the "Black World," thanks a million. It makes your iest of the anti-pugriose caste! editor feel like one of the gang '""pHE LYING LIE DETECTOR" lives up to * I^ROM the African war theater comes a little its title, and it's by Leroy Yerxa. There are ^ short called "The Martian's Masterpiece," writ- quite a few unusual twists in this one, and it ought to keep you reading until the last line. ten by Sgt. Morris J. Steele. We think you'll like it. But a more amazing story came along with it, Morris has a brother in the air force, and one day V/"OU Finlay fans will be delighted to note an- in Italy a voice said "Your mother should see you other fine illustration by your favorite artist now!" and there stood brother Bill! It's a small in this issue. Finlay leads a parade of eleven art- wOrld! Morris didn't tell us what he was doing ists this time. Robert Gibson Jones returns with that "mother should see," but knowing Morris as a cover for "1 Remember Lemuria !" (first of a series of at least four covers illustrating the "racial we do, we have a few ideas 1

memory" stories) ; Frank R. Paul comes back with

II7HEN an engineer writes a story, it ought to another of his "Stories of the Stars" covers; Rob- be about something akin to a turbine—and ert Fuqua contributes heavily to this issue; Julian that's exactly what "Twirl My Turbine, Man S. Krupa appears twice with illustrations wc know you'll list near the top; Allen St. gives us Alive !" is. Omar Geer, the author, sent it in Cold, J. John his fine work; Smith dresses your ed- and it struck US hot. We think you'll find this Malcolm up itor's stinker; Ned Hadley and L. Raymond little gem a very unusual "gag" story. It has a Jones collaborate on "Valley of Delirium"; Brady gives bit of very gentle satirical humor in it. us a full page; and lastly, Brad Pendleton give's just, the proper touch to Constance R. Dowd's ONCE in a while something different comes in. hilarious article. Our "different" item this issue is an article. It's "The First 100 Years You Get Nowhere," of the month were Eando Binder, written by Constance R. Dowd, and don't say a VISITORS * creator Link; Al Magarlan, male half lady cant be clever! This article is, and it'll have of Adam of the Magarian team (he's doing comics now)-; a you rolling on the floor ! It's funny. bunch of Michigan fans from Slanshack in Battle

XTQT so long ago a volcano was born in Mexico, Creek; Walter Dunkelberger from South Dakota ™ (he seems to be responsible for a lot of Science * and an idea was born in Lee Francis* mind. fiction fan activity and he hooked us for a $1.00 The result is "Comet From Yesterday," which will — membership in some darn thing or other) ; and hit you as a cdrking good science fiction story. It Hutchinson of a Chicago daily, who did a story has some nice characterization too, which doesn't on our ''"racial memory" author, Richard S. Shaver hurt Si a bit. Our writers certainly get ideas from - -which brings us back to the Subject with which strange places, don't they? we opened this column.

SOMETIMES a very short story can have a ter- \ S AN aftermath of this newspaper story,, we ^ rific punch in it. This is true of Alexander * received quite a few letters that more or less Blade's "Is This The Night?" We can't tell you hit us in a vulnerable spot. We had expected the anything about it without spoiling it for you— public to get a chuckle out of the article, and per- which should be enough to tell you there's some- haps pick up the magazine to see ust what it was thing to spoil! j all about—in which case we'd have them hooked, but good. However, there doesn't seem to have D ICHARD CASEY asked your editor one day what would happen if we got a story in (Continued on page 10) —

AMAZING STORIES

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glowing stories of its great riches—gold so great in quantity that it took a thousand elephants to

transport it. One night they loaded those thou- sand elephants and vanished, millions of people gone into nowhere. Where? How were the pyra- mids built? What were the glories of Babylon? What truth is there in the Chinese legend of being the people of the Moon, and of coming to Earth (Continued from page 8) in rocket ships? What was the mystery metal of been any chuckling. We got some very serious the Lemurians, orichalcum? What was the secret letters upholding Mr. Shaver, and not only that, of their airships that walked on beams of light? claiming the same ability at remembering Le- What is the secret locked in the monster statues all peoples have super- muria 1 on Easter Island? Why do stitions of "little people"? What about the DEKHAPS one of the most interesting of (be "giants" of the Bible? What about the "Garden bridge that led from * «d«ntlfic theories culled from 12,000 years ago of Eden"? And the rainbow Earth to the city of the Norse Rods, Hel? ! by this weird process la the theory of gravity being really to unlock these a push, rather than a pull. One of the letters we racial memory the means got was from a Cbicagoan named Kayne, who has secrets? worked many years on that premise, and has com- sending us five pleted a 500-page book(I) on the subject. He TVyfR. SHAVER, in addition to sent us a 32-page mimeographed brochure on it, ^* manuscripts which he insists are true stories which we've had some opportunity to study, and of Lemuria and of the Elder and Lesser Gods, we have found that he has worked the theory out with the added flavor of fiction to make them mathematically to a high degree. We are now acceptable to our magazine, has written us a series more convinced than ever that "racial memory" is of letters which we have bound into a colossally a fact. thick book. These letters contain so many star- tling things that your editor has spent hour upon "FROM another reader we received a very sur- hour studying them. prising letter, relating his memory of Lemuria that amazing "alphabet" oi the 30,000 years agot He even remembers his name T70R instance, "Jhettong ko Tal" and that he was a mechanic in Lemurian language (see page 71) which we thirteen different lan- Lemuria. So sincere is he that he has been using have found to fit at least stationery for years bearing the printed heading, guages to date. Is it really the mother tongue? "Jhettong ko Tal Research Foundation ," and has If so, we have here the most important discovery dedicated a great part of his time to research into since the Rosetta Stone. the subjects of Lemuria and racial memory. AND the theory of the sun -being the cause of npHE strange fact of the matter seems to be that old age, and the practical means to prolonft filters and centrifuges for * all over the world there are more people than our lives by means of we might imagine who have a firm faith in a our food and water and air intake. memory of past civilizations, and who remember he* such vital things as Mr. Shaver, in his story in DLL'S the baffling (and way ovpr our head * this issue and In issues to follow. It is these peo- cause of our ignorance of mathematics) theory ple who, we believe, will supply us with contribu- of reversed gravity, and the true nature of what tors to our stories of the past history of the Earth. science has chosen to call the "ether.''

V17E ARE hoping that many of our readers have A ND most startling of all, the existence of the * " evidences of such racial memories, and that Lemurian descendants (now reduced to idi- we can gather together a mass of corroborative ots) still living in abandoned cities far beneath the evidence that may lead to the answer to many surface of Earth, still possessing the ancient ma- mysteries of the past that have been hidden from chines that arc the cause of many unwplainablo the eye of research up to now. phenomena on f be surface. (For all of these, see the footnotes to the story in this fssue.) •*T*HERE are many mysteries of the past that •* have intrigued investigators to an almost un- IT COULD be a hoax! TF MR. SHAVER 1 CLEVEREST bearable point. For instance, ' what became of WERE THE MAN THE Cro-Magnon man? How did he disappear from WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN! But we can't the face of the Earth almost overnight? What believe this is so. The alphabet alone is too much about the millions of inhabitants of Angkor Wat to explain away in such a manner. We confess in Cambodia who actually did disappear over- we are bewildered, impressed, and excited. And night, leaving the evening meal still in dishes on at the very least, we are delighted at the series of their tables? Chinese historians and travelers ac- stories from the typewriter of Mr. Shaver. These, tually visited this teeming civilization, and told readers of Amazing Stories, are amanng stories AMAZING STORIES par excellence! We feel most sure of the fact that their inner world through secret openings. Artist you will enjoy (hem than of anything else. We MaeCauley, unknowingly, gave us a direct paral- visited his (dace them oft a level with the best works of lel in "a story of kn old woman who Merrltt (whom Mr. Shaver greatly admires, and office, told mad stories of how her brother, Hitler, whom Mr. Shaver gives credit for having more came nightly to .give her rides in his airplane, and truth in, his stories than even Merritt himself Of how she "was engaged to marry .Robert Taylor. would have admitted), and the most popular of This old woman told one story of how: she was modem science fiction writer*. defrauded of $40,000 by a mysterious stranger to whom she simply "gave" the money when asked DVT Mr. Shaver has not been the only source of ipr it. (Shaver says hypnosis fl»d mental tam- pering, with rays.) This story she proved by news- a great deal of material 00; l.emuria since we paper clippings. However, MacCauley dt'eredited published his first letter. We have been deluged ail thb, being interfeted solely in photographing by a storm: of corroboration from all over the staged it, so that when country. We've already named several instances. her. She refused, so he she emerged ffom a doorway, he would snap her. Hut most intriuuine comes frorri our old friend. succeeded, but when he developed the him. lit I.. Taylor Hansen, who authors: the scientific- mys- He found only an empty doorway. Which was ex- teries in this magazine (all factual scientific mate- artly what the maddened hag screamed would rial). He is at present visit ir.K the Sioux Indians, happen When she found he'd tricked her, Upon and he has just written uS of a legend they have: hearing this Stor^*, your editor asked MacCauiey, of having mice lived in a vast- underground city it he ever saw her again, to ask her this mysterious and even mote startling, of a sreai war that raged question: "What do you know of the caves?'' against an evil god who was finally overcome by Whereupon MacCauley'* jaw dropped- "How,did the good gods and 'their warriors from outer space. detail with you know that?*' he asked. "That's exactly what This story is identical in almost, every she confided to me One day in a secretive whis- Mr. Stover's story of the battle with the evil god, per T* Then we told hiM the story of Mr. Shaver. 1 Mr, Hansen could Ztil , in the story in this issue Mr. MacCauley, however, has an explanation: be get nothing from the Sious Indians, because It says the old lady jumped out of the doorway and means death to any tribesman who- reveals an an- back into it between the click oi the shutter and cient secret- but be did tell them the story as he tile flash of the Hash bulb. We repeat, Mac has had learned it from other sources (other legends an explanation—but. to date he hasn't trifct to re- of other Indian races, us widely separated as South objec- peat his picture-taking performanei I America and Kgypl '} and they found no tion to admitting he knew some of their secrets EGAHDING the termtrlan. alphabet, we are He tells of ih.tir excitement, and of how he wound O ^ frank to admit, that it is not yet complete, up by telling them more than lie learned. His and especially is it so in regard to key "words'' major aceompli»l::v. :u \va* a positive identification rather than letters. Our modern language is made of an Andean city as one of their owfi cities the Up o.f combinations of these key letters and key location ot which: hid been lost to their memories words, which serves as a stumbling block in many thioiiid; the agts- instances. However, in a future issue. We will publish & list of key words when it is fully com* \ I ORE intriguing to your editor is Our gradual piled from .what: we have already unearthed. As discovery that all the legends of the various .for the stories of Mr. Shaver, if for no otfceii rea- races seem to have stemmed from Lemuria, and son, we present them: M you just ai we present Mr. Shaver's stories fell us how. in our next all other stories—we believe them to be super en- issue, Mr. Shaver tells the story oi the city of Hel. tertainment, and very finely: written. JUjP in Norse legend, and shows how it ties up With Lemuria. By using the l.cmuriari alphabet on the names of character? in legends of the various peo- ples, we have been flabbergasted to discover that the: names (when translated) give the identical meaning to the character involved. For instance: Trior's name comes out as the organizer of men, or organizer of humans of value, Trior is known to the Norse as the God of War, the commander of the army. Certainly the army is a collection of humans of value.

FROM our own popular artist, H, W. Mac- Cauley, creator of the Mac girl-, came a very interesting sMc%hl 10 the Shaver stories. In his letters Mr. Shaver has spoken of the existing l.tnmrian idiots, called deros, who actually con- tart surface people and defraud them of money

1 and po^ssions which they wish to transport to "Junior! What'i happened to baby?'

"

"I Remember IiEMURIA!" By RICHARD S. SHAVER

12,000 years ago our ancestors, the Allans and Titans, left Lemuria, the earth, for a new home on a dark world in space

FOREWORD pERHAPS my parents never realized people believe in me, Invariably I get the puns that would be made on my that oh-so-funny remark, "Sharp- ! name when they christened me Rich- shaver, eh ? A regular cut-up, eh, kid ard Sharpe Shaver. Under ordinary cir- accompanied by a sly dig in the ribs and cumstances the puns would have been a very stupid, "Get it?" How can a that ? of little consequence, but because of man get a serious audience after the amazing fact of my amazing mem- And yet, there it is for all who wish ory of the life of another person, long —to pun and pun again. If I achieve laugh, dead, it has been incredibly hard for nothing else at least you may me to speak convincingly and to make and to laugh is to be physically and 11 AMAZING STORIES

mentally healthy. For those of you shaver"? I can only hope that when I who will read on and carefully weigh have told the story of Mutan Mion as what I am about to tell you I am con- I remember it you will believe—not be- vinced there will be no thought of puns. cause I sound convincing or tell my Instead, when you consider the real story in a convincing manner, but be- truths behind what I say—and even cause you will see the truth in what I better, experiment say, and will realize, and study to cor- as you must, that roborate them — it many of the things seems to me to be I tell you are not a inevitable that you matter of present will forget that I am day scientific knowl- Richard S h a r p e edge and yet are Shaver, and in- true! stead, am what sci- I fervently hope ence chooses to very that such great vaguely define as minds as Einstein, the racial memory Carrel, and the late receptacle of a man Crile check the

(or should 1 say a things that I . re- being?) named Mu- member. I am no tan Mion, who lived mathematician; I many thousands of am no scientist. I years ago in Sub At- have studied all the lan, one of the great RICHARD S. SHAVER scientific books I cities of ancient Lemuria! can get—only to b :ome more and more I myself cannot explain it. I know convinced that I remember true things. only that I remember Lemuria! Re- But surely someone can definitely say

member it with a faithfulness that I ac- that I am wrong or that I am right, cept with the absolute conviction of a especially in such things as the true fanatic. And yet, I am not a fanatic; nature of gravity, of matter, of light, I am a simple man, a worker in metal, of the cause of age and many other employed in a steel mill in Pennsyl- things that the memory of Mutan Mion vania. I have sent the editor of this has expressed to me so definitely as to magazine a picture of myself which he be conviction itself. tells me he will reproduce along with I intend to put down these things, and this foreword, so that you may see for I invite—challenge! —any of you to yourself what I look like, and that 1 am work on them; to prove or disprove, as just an ordinary man, as normal as any you like. Whatever your goal, I do not of you who read this and gifted with care. I care only that you believe me or much less imagination than most of disbelieve me with enough fervor to do you! some real work on those things I will

What I tell you is not fiction ! How propound. The final result may well can I impress that on you as forcibly as stagger the science of the world. I feel it must be impressed? But then, I want to thank editor Ray Palmer what good to impress it upon those who for his open mind and for the way he will crack wise about me being a ''sharp- has received the things I have told him —

15 I REMEMBER LEMURIA!" in addition to what I have written in But surely there must be tremendous this story of Mutan Mion of ancient significance in the fact that the alpha- Lemuria. It began when he published bet fits into every language to which it 1 my ancient alphabet in "Discussions" has been applied, to the amazing percen- r and requested the readers to carry out tage of 75% in the German to 94 /o in checks of their own. I myself did not the ancient Egyptian! Even in Chinese realize the extent of the alphabetic and Japanese it ranked consistent nine (more properly phonetic) language. out of ten times. To me it is tragic that the only way 1 issue of Amazing Stories, Some of January I can tell my story is in the guise of the reports by oar readers were subsequently pub- fiction. And yet, I am thankful for the lished, but the great majority were not. These re- ports proved to be the most amazing your editor opportunity to do even this; and to ed- has ever received on anything published in this itor Ray Palmer I express my un* "magazine. They would seem to indicate beyond all bounded gratitude. I know that if even doubt that the "ancient language" of Mr. Shavet is part of an original "mother tongue" from which a few of you go to the lengths he has all Earthly languages have sprung. For example, gone to check many of the things I re- the name Mutan Mion, broken down into the let- member, a beginning will have been ters and sounds of this ancient language becomes MTJ—"man"; T—"integration," "growth"; AiSf made to something, the ending of which "manchild seed." the "animal." MIOX means So (if ending there is) awes me beyond name means "man spore cultured to new forms by poor power to express my feelinga. integration growth forces." In other words, a syn- my thetic mutation by the use of force or rays.—Ed. —RICHARD S. SHAVER.

CHAPTER 1

City ©f the Titans

WAS working in the studio of Artan laughing because he wanted to tell me I Gro when I heard a great laugh be- frankly what he thought of my ability hind me. If ever there was derision as an artist, It is bad enough when in a laugh, there was derision in this your friends mock your work (and they one. I flung down my gaudy brushes had), but when the master is convulsed and my palette and turned about in a with laughter it is high time to wake up rage—to find the master himself, his to the truth. red cave of a mouth wide open in his "It is true, great Artan Gro," I said black beard. I cooled my temper with humbly. "I want to paint but I cannot. an effort; for great indeed is Artan Gro, I haven't the ability." master artist of Sub Atlan. Artan Gro's expression softened. He "I am sorry, Mutan Mion," he smiled, and as he smiled it was as gasped, "but I can't control my laugh- though he had turned on the sunlight. ter. No one ever has conceived, much "Go," he said, "go; to the deeper

. less executed, anything worse than what caverns at Mu's center. Once there

you have put upon canvas! What do study science ; learn to mix the potions you call it, 'Proteus in a Convulsive that give the brain greater awareness, a Nightmare'?" better rate of growth." He patted my

- But Artan Gro could control himself, shoulder and added a last bit of advice. I was sums. It is one of the things I "Once you have mixed the potions, take have learned of the really great in the them. Drink them—and grow!" He arts; they make no pretenses. He was passed on, still chuckling. '

16 AMA2INS STORIES

Why is the truth always so brutal? which grew through the centuries to vast Or does it just seem brutal when it size, but none so great as Tean City. com.es from those wiser than you? 1 Some are abandoned, but all are inde- slunk from the studio; but I had al- structible; their cavern walls too dense ready determined to take his advice. I to penetrate or to collapse. would go to Tean City, at Mu's center. Since Tean City is located near the I would go to the science schools of the center of Mother Mu, gravity neutra-

Titans. lizes itself by opposition. It is very Never before had I considered leav- comfortable. Many of the Titans live ing Sub Atlan, my birthplace, or as I there, and in fact, it is almost a Titan should express it, my growth place, for city. There also are the mighty ones, I am a culture man, a product of the the Elders of the Atlan race's govern- laboratories. In fact, I remember no ment. Huge they are, like great trees,

other place on Mu, although it is a fact many centuries old and still growing. I that during the process of my develop- had long wished to see them, and now ment to culture manhood, I roamed the that I had decided to go, the thrill was 2 culture forests of Atlantis, which is the greater than any I had ever experi- name for Surface Atlan. Sub Atlan is enced. I was going down into the city just below Atlantis, while Tean City is of many wonders! located at the center of Mu, at a great depth below Sub Atlan. The walls of ^JUT on the street I took one of the the great cavern in which Tean City is many vehicles that are provided located are hardened to untellable for travel about the city. These vehicles, strength by treatment with ray-flows their weight reduced by a gravity de- which feed its growth until it is of great flection device, are powered by motors density. There are many other cities whose energy is derived from a gravity focusing magnetic field, by which one 2 According to Plato, Atlantis was a continent side of a flywheel becomes much heav- located some four hundred miles west of the Pillars of Hercules (Gibralter). In the Timaeus, he de- ier than the other. This is accomplished 8 scribes it as an island larger than Asia Minor com- by bending gravity fall in the same bined with Libya. Beyond it, he says, were an way that a lens bends a light ray. archipelago of lesser islands. Atlantis bad been a 4 powerful kingdom nine thousand years before the The topless buildings of Sub Atlan birth of Solon (from whom Plato heard of At- fled by me; and soon I neared the squat lantis reputedly as told to Solon by Egyptian entrance to the shafts that fell from priests), and its armies had overrun the Medi- terranean lands, when Athens alone had resisted. Sub Atlan to Center Mu, to Tean City, (It has been a point ot difference between students 2 as to whether Plato referred to the "Mediterranean The reader will note the curious use of the lands" as lands now inundated by the Mediter- word "fall" in connection with gravity. Later in ranean Sea, or the lands surrounding the sea.) the story, the author elaborates on the subject of Finally the sea overwhelmed Atlantis an ! shoals gravity in a very amazing manner, propounding a marked the spot. In the Crilias Plato gives a his- theory which your editor has examined in detail tory of the commonwealth of Atlantis. and by which he has been utterly confounded. This There are many other traditions of lands located glib "focusing" and "deflecting" of gravity your west of Gibralter: The Greek Isles of the Blest or editor cautions you to accept in the literal sense Fortunate Isles; the Welsh Av-alon; the Portuguese until Mutan Mion's story gives us more on the Antilia or Isle of Seven Cities; and St. Brendan's subject of gravity. At present your editor is en- island. All except Avalon were marked on maps of gaged in making an exhaustive survey of Mutan the 14th and 15th centuries. Mion's references to the nature of gravity in this The legends of the Sargasso Sea are said to have and two other stories, and from many personal let- sprung from encounters with the sea of weeds ters written by Mr. Shaver. When completed, this which periodically grew over the shallowly sunken survey will be presented to leading scientists for an continent.—Ed. expert examination.—Ed. "I REMEMBER LEMURIA!" 17 home of the Titans." I knew that swift one of the elevators, having talked with elevators dropped down these shafts; him often of Tean City and the wonders but I had never traveled in one of them. he had seen in it, I went to his shaft for Because I knew the control-Man of my descent. He Was glad to see me,, and very much surprised to learn that 4 word Curious as to the literal meaning of the I was going to Tean City. "topless" we wrote to Mr. Shaver for a better de- "You will never regret it!" he de- scription of the buildings of Sub Atlan. He re- vealed that (as Mutan Mion's memory told him) clared. they were topless in the sense that they were roof- The car dropped sickeningly, so less. Sub Atlan is located in one of the giant near- swiftly that a great fear grew in me surface caverns that underlie Surface Atlan, or

Atlantis, which is mostly forest with scattered large that I would be crushed by decelera- buildings. Since the elements are not a factor, al- tion when we finally stopped. In panic most all buildings are constructed without roofs to I watched an indicator's two hands admit a maximum of light. Sub Atlan must have presented a strange appearance, for no two build- move slowly toward each other as ings were architecturally alike ; some of them huge though to cover its face in shame. Then, spheres, or multi-sided geometric shapes, tall spires, with little sensation, the' car stopped. or merely rambling structures of no apparent in- tentional design. The reason for this was to pro- Here at the center of Mu I had become vide variety to interest the eye, which would other- nearly weightless and the ceasing of wise be jaded by constant contemptation of the even such swift motion did not have ill unending sameness of gray cavern walls and roof of stone.—Ed. effects upon my weightless body. I knew that I would not have that fear

r ' When asked to describe the Titans Mr. Shaver again. sent us the following notation, which is perhaps the Two fat Atlans stepped out of the car oddest of all his fommunicatiohs. When queried about its oddity, he merely replied that he had ahead of me, sighing with relief at their "answered your question" and gave no further ex- renewed weightlessness, which they had planation. We quote: obviously been anticipating. As I was "Our great race, the Allans, together with tbe Wans, our allies and often our fellow ritizens, about to follow them from the car, the swarm through all known space and watch ever for control-man drew rne aside. the birth of new suns. Then, too, there are the "Fear rides the ways down here," he rsortans; but the Nor-men shun all suns and can only be found where the sun rays shine not. whispered, his sharp-pointed, cat-like "When our Atlan sciencons hear of or see a new ears quivering an alert. "Fear is a sun born, our ships flash swiftly through the void, smell down here that is ever in the lo lest the rays for poisonous emanations. When fhey find clean heat from a surface shell of pure nose—a bad smell, too. Try to figurp trail come the first great carbon, fast upon their it out while you are down here; and colonization ships. For our race is fecund beyond tell me,.too, if you get an answer." imagination and has little death from any cause."

Obviously this is nothing from the "racial" I did not understand what he meant, memory of Mutan Mion, but seemingly something but I promised anyway. The smell of from an Atlan himself! Here and there, through fear, in Tean City? Fear of what? Mr. Shaver's correspondence with the editors, such departures from the identity of Mutan Mlon oc- Certainly he could not mean that silly cur, and we can only suggest that Mr. Shaver's fear of the elevator . . . racial memory contacts extend not only to the He gave me a number disc, and I culture man, but to other beings as well. Mr. Shaver himself cannot explain, and in many in- passed on out of the cage. I walked stances, is unaware that such extensions exist. out into Tean City! The reader will here, again, note several inex- Immediately I was immersed in the plicable references, such as "poisonous emanations'' and "a surface shell of pure carbon." Later in the sensually shocking appeal of a variform story Mutan Mion tells of these things in great de- crowd, mostly at this hour, a shopping tail, and in them gives still another of the amazing rush of female variforms. While there scientific theories that stagger the imagination. -Ed. were many of my own type, and of the 18 AMAZING STORIES

elevator control-man's type, there were growth is more important than the false a greater number of creatures of every growth of an untrue image upon a shape the mind could grasp and some canvas." I wondered what the master that it could not. All were citizens; all would have said to hear me. were animate and intelligent—hybrids "You are right," she boomed back, of every race that space crossing had her six arms engaged in complex and ever brought into contact, from planets mysterious movements, picking up and whose very names are now lost in time. laying down instruments and tools in The technicons may have been wrong bewildering rapidity, her attention else- in the opinion of some when they de- where yet enough remaining on me to veloped variform breeding; but they hold me bound in an attraction as strong have certainly given life variety. I had as a towing cable. She was a forty never seen so many variforms6 before. foot Titan, her age unknowable. As I thought upon this and tried not to think ATA corner of the vastly vaulted way of the immense beauty and life force of where many rollat platforms 7 her, I suddenly realized she was hiding crossed and recrossed each other, I fear. I have a peculiar faculty for stepped to a telescreen and dialed the sensing hidden emotions. That bluff student center. The image of a tre- greeting had been a hidden wish to drive mendous six-armed Sybyl female filled me from some danger. But I did not the screen and the electrically augment- speak of it, for I read that caution in ed body appeal of the mighty life within her; a very strong mental flow that her seized the youth in me and wrung it fairly screamed DON'T. as no embrace from lesser female ever This kind of fear was a wonder and had. a new thing to me, for danger was a "And what" her voice shook me as a thing long banished from our life. Then leaf in an organ pipe "might a pale and she spoke, reluctantly it seemed. puny male like you want in Tean City? "Go to the center of the Hall of

You look as if you never had enough Symbols. There you can ask a student to eat, as if love had passed you by. or an instructor who will tell you all Did you come down here because no one you need to know." wanted you elsewhere?" The grip of the woman life in her I grinned self-consciously back at her left my mind and she was gone from my image, my voice a feeble piping in com- vision. As I turned from the telescreen parison to hers. my mind insisted on visualizing that "I have come to learn something be- six-armed embrace and its probable ef- side drawing lines around dreams. I fect upon a man in love. I shivered in am a painter from the subsurface who spite of the warmth, but not from fear. has decided that knowledge of actual The blood of the Titans was alive, I thought; strangely and wonderfully 6 Obviously variforms are not natives of other alive! planets, but hybrids developed from many inter- planetary life forms mated with Titans and Atlans bv deliberate applications of mutative rays in the T STEPPED into a rollat at the curb, laboratories of Mu's technicons. It is extremely inspected the directory, then insert- interesting to note that all have the status of citi- zens. —Ed. ed a coin and dialed the number of the building that housed the Hall of Sym- * Moving connected vehicles on the ways and bols. I leaned back while the automatic walks which carried the bulk of pedestrian travel. -Ed. drive of the rollat directed the car 'I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" 19

through the speeding traffic, its electric About was the bustle attendant to any eye more efficient than my own. rollat way station; bearers rushing; Yes, much more efficient than my travelers gazing about lost in wonder at own at the moment, which were wander- the vaulting glitter of sculptured pillars ing over the figure of a variform female and painted walls, done by men of a 9 on the walk whose upper part was the calibre whose work ro like myself can- perfect torso of a woman and whose not grasp entirely. lower part was a sinuously gliding thirty Paintings and sculpture here ham- feet of brilliantly mottled snake. You mered into the brain a message of the could never have escaped her embrace richness of life that immense mutual of your own will once she had wrapped effort can give the life unit, the pro. those life-generating coils around you! This richness of life was pictured in 111 I thought upon it. The gen of these a terrible clash with evil, its opposite. variforms was certainly more vital; pos- The hot fecundity of life and health sibly because the Titan technicons who growth was a sensuous blow upon the lived here kept the people healthier. eyes, the soul leaped to take a hand and Perhaps the hybrids were naturally make life yet more worthwhile. I could more fecund of micro-spore. It had not cease gazing at the leaping vault of indeed been a day of brainstorms, I pictured busy figures whose movements mused, when some old technicon had culminated in that offer to the spirit of realized that not only would a strong in- man to join them in moulding life to a 8 tegrative field with a rich exd supply fit shape. cause all matter to grow at an increased rate, but would also cause even the most TV^Y RAPT study of the paintings was dissimilar life-gens to unite. It had interrupted by the sound of a pair been the realization that had resulted in of hooves that clicked daintily to a stop various form life. Most of the crosses by this method had resulted in an in- 8 Here again we had to appeal to Mr. Shaver for amplification. We certainly got it, and along with creased strength and fertility. They it some amazing thoughts. Ro (he says) is a thing now were more numerous than four- of simple repetitive life pattern easy to understand limbed men, and often superior in men- and control. To ro you is to make you do things against your will. A large generator of thought tal ability. impulse can be set up to ro a whole group of peo- associated Automatically my mind ple. Row the boat is modern and the meaning has the embrace of the snake woman with become physical force and not mental force. Ro the people was an ancient method of government. the six arms of the giant Sybyl of Info; Romantic was the name of such a government. and I decided that I understood why Ro-man-tic (science of man life patterning by con- Artan Gro had driven me here with trol). It is the same concept as used by some scientists when they say "hypnotically condi- his scorn. If I didn't learn about life tioned." It is not necessarily an evil government That here I never would anywhere. method, but is one that was necessary. Any per- mental impulses had been what he had reasoned. son is ro who is weaker than the about him. Men are ro today because they are not Soon I was striding between the pil- self-determining, though they think they are. We laring fangs of the great beast's mouth are parts of a huge juggernaut, and we are ro in that was the door of the Hall of Symbols consequence. The determining forces that make thought what it is are from outside when we where the school ways converged. our are ro, from inside when we are men or gods.—Ed.

a Exd is Allan for ex-disinlegrance or energy 10 strange comparison. Evil is ash. It was the principle content of the beneficial This is indeed a live, inference being that to be vibrants. It is the space dust from which all mat- the opposite of the significantly evil is ter grows into being. Mutan Mion amplifies the evil is to die. Oddly (or ?) Btd theory later on in the story—Ed. live spelled backward.—Ed. " ;1

20 AMAZINS STORIES

beside me. I glanced at the newcomer, On her arm and breast I saw the who had stopped to stare up at the medical school insignia; a man's figure paintings also in that curious way that struggling with a great snake, disease. 1 people have when they see another It took brains to study medicine. This cranning his neck—and my glance be- exquisite young thing, so full of gen came a stare. force, so powerfully attractive, was What was the use of aspiring to be smart too. And almost instantly she an artist, my reason said, if those great proved herself to be extremely friendly masters who had placed that mighty and companionable. She went on talk- picture book on the vaulting walls above ing, describing, theorizing in a gush of were so easily outdone by the life force amiable conversation that left me dizzy, itselfl gasping, and admiringly breathless. She She was but a girl, younger than my- told me everything about the paintings,

self, but what a girl I Her body was the statues.

encased in a transparent glitter; her And before I realized it, we were skin a rosy pale purple; her legs, mot- walking on together. She was full of

tled with white, ended in a pair of all sorts of information, and it seemed cloven hooves. And as my brain strug- she had taken it upon herself to be my gled to grasp her colof fill young perfec- guide, to inform me the meaning of tion—she wagged her tail! everything we saw. Her cheerful chat- It was all too much. Speculating ter soon informed me all about herself, about the life-generating force possible her studies, the schools, the great doors in the variform creatures was one thing; that led to each one from the central but having it materialize beside you was gathering place of the school rollaf another thing entirely. Such a beauti- ways. ful tail it was. Of the softest, most The Hall was justly famous for these beautiful fur. doors. Before us now was the door to "What were you staring at?" she the medical school, formed of pillaring asked. "The paintings?" figures struggling with the coils of

I stuttered, then answered. "The snakes. Next to it was the marine paintings ... I guess . . . yes, the school door, formed of a crab whose

paintings. . I'm a . . painter . . . was huge claws met to form the arch. A a painter ..." I gave up. I couldn't planetron, a pendulum device to tell of talk, I had to look. the nearness of bodies in space, formed "They are marvelaus, aren't they," the entrance to the school of space nav- she declared enthusiastically. "I al- igation. All the ages of science of im- ways look at them when I come down mortal growth had combined here in to the school. I am studying medicine. the symbols that formed the many Now take that painting up there— doors.

"This insignia lives in the legend of today was variously called god of prophecy ; god of agri- Apollol According to the Greeks, Apollo was a culture; ruler of seasons; keeper of flocks; rearer son of Zens himself. Disease is typified in the of boys; sponsor of gymnastics; the helper; healer legend by the python, which Apollo killed. Ety- and seer; averter of evil; god of song and music; mc-logieally his name signifies one who "drives leader of the muses; embarker and disembarker; away disease." Rpscher's derivation names Mm as god of streets and ways; one who stands before the "Sun god." Using Mr. Shaver's ancient lan- ths house (as protector from violence and disease) guage, he is "authority, energizer, power source of originator and protector of civil order; founder of man's growth," This is startling when we dis- cities and legislation. Apolln, says Mutan Mkm, cover, upon studying the legends of Aprllo, tnat he was a son of one of the Titans of Mu ' —Ed. "I REMEMBER LEMURIA!" 21

CHAPTER II et, swinging ponderously around a dy- ing sun that it had never seen, being From Art to Embryology covered with clouds. Then that sun had 12 gone out, and the deadly ter stiffened pocketed a P'ROM the moment that I the surface life into glittering death. disc that bore the faun-legged girl's "The planet's forests, which had lived name and address, I was no longer an in dense, dripping fog, had, in their aspiring artist; I wanted to know what many ages of life, deposited coal beds she knew, wanted to learn what she was untold miles in depth—clear down to learning. the stony core of the planet. No fire Arl was her name, a short, sweet had ever touched these forests, because name for a girl and hard to forget, too. the dense fog had never allowed fire to You can't forget a girl who wags her burn. tail at you just like that anyway. "Venus, our nearest neighbor in

And so, she took me into the medical space, is such a planet now, although school and directed me to her own much smaller. As it is on Venus, so it teacher. I became a member of the was on the unknown planet. class immediately and discovered that "Hanging in space the dead immens- I had entered upon the opening dis- ity of this ball was largely potential course. heat, for its tremendously thick shell The class was dominated by the im- was mostly pure carbon. mense presence of the teacher, a son of "Such once was the sun, your sun the Titans, bearded and horned, ex- and mine; the sun of which Mu is a pounding in the exact syllogism of the daughter. technicon training. As he spoke, I be- "Then a blazing meteor, spewed vi- came certain that this dynamo of human olently from some sun in space, came small force should soon charge such a flaming toward this cold ball. Deep it battery as myself with everything in plunged into the beds of carbon. The the of assim- way knowledge I could fire spread swiftly—an ever-fire of dis- ilate. integrance, not the passing-fire of com- There was only one slight disturbing bustion—and our sun was born into factor. Just as I had sensed a strange, life-giving flame! deeply buried and secret fear in the "A carbon fire is a clean fire and con- Sybyl, I knew that in the mind of this tains no dense metals like radium, titan- great son of the Titans there was a ium, uranium, polonium—whose ema- gnawing something that a part of his nations in disintegrate in suns cause brain dwelt on continually. Fear was old age and death because minute parti- a smell that was ever in the nose down cles given off accumulate and convey here in Tean City! The realization dis- the ever-fire into the body, there to kill turbed me so much that I failed to ab- it in time. sorb a portion of the teacher's discourse. "Then sun heat was clean, and life My absorption must have caught his sprang furiously into being on its attention, too, for I saw him staring daughter, Mu's surface. Nor did this disapprovingly at me. With a start, I life die—death came only by being re-concentrated my mind on what he eaten. Then life suffered old age not at was saying. all, for there was no cause." "... a great cold ball hung in space.

Once it had been a mighty, living plan- 12 Ter—the Lemurian word for cold.—Ed. "

AMAZING STORIES

'j^HE voice of the teacher paused a radioactive metals are the poison that moment, and now indeed I knew causes the aging of tissue. These par- that there was much for me to learn. ticles are thrown out by all old suns Here was something that struck deep whose shell of carbon has been partly into me with an instantly vital interest. or altogether burned away, permitting Most provoking of all was his peculiar the disintegrating fire to reach and seize emphasis on the word "then." I could upon the heavy metals at the sun's core. not help the question that sprang to my Our sun has begun to throw out great lips. masses of these poisonous particles. "Why do you say 'Then life suffered They fall upon Mu in a continual flood, old age not at all, for there was no entering into living tissue and infecting cause.'? Is there cause now?" it with the radioactive disease we call It was as though I had placed a age. torch beneath the hidden fear in the "Through the years, the centuries,

Titan's eyes, for it flamed forth sud- these poisons accumulate in the soil of denly for all to see; but it was as the planet, and are continually being quickly quelled. AH in the class looked washed out of it by the rains with the at me with that shocked expression result that all the water on Mu is which plainly said I had overstepped becoming increasingly contaminated. my bounds; but in the eyes of Arl I When these waters are drunk, the thought I saw the gleam of approval, poisons accumulate in the body, finally and I found a dam to hold back my becoming numerous enough to com- ebbing courage. pletely halt all growth and still worse, The teacher looked at me, and I saw to prevent any effectual Use of exd, kindliness in his eyes. which is the food of all integration. "You are new here, Mutan Mion. "The technlcons, of course, have de-

Therefore it is easy to understand that vised means to protect us from the you have not heard of the projected accumulation of the age poisons, but it migration of all Atlans to a new world has become evident that their efforts under a beneficial sun . . . are not entirely foolproof. We have "Yes, young ro, there is cause." He discovered that we are living on a world was answering my question witJh deter- that circles a sun that is growing old mination now, but he was not speaking and is therefore deadly. We are living to me alone; he was making his answer in the shadow of death, a shadow that a part of his discourse. "I have spoken will grow greater as the years pass un- of the carbon fire as a clean fire. By til finally death will strike us all. We this I mean that the atoms of carbon, would, if we remained, not even begin when disintegrated, send forth the ben- to live out our lives. Centuries and eficial energy ash called exd which can centuries would be lost to us, and ul- be assimilated by our bodies and used timately, we might not even attain the to promote life-growth. However, the initial growth of maturity ! source of this ash is not carbon alone, I ventured another question. but all other elements excepting the "What methods have the technicons heavy metals such as I mentioned be- devised?" fore. It is when these heavy elements "They are simple ones. Multiple dis- begin to disintegrate in the ever-fire tillation of the water in which we drinl; that we come to the cause of age. and bathe; treatment of the water in a "The particles of radium and other centrifuge to remove the very finely "I REMEMBER LEMURIA1" 23 divided age poisons that cannot be re- encouraging me, protecting me, caution- moved by distillation; ben generators to ing me. It was the same feeling I had create a magnetic field of ben energies; gotten from the Sybyl, air centrifuges to remove poisons from "Come, students," he said gently. lab- the air. But I must impress upon you "We will go now to the embryo that it is impossible to shield us from oratory." all of the age poison; from that small amount that actually falls upon our T>EFORE we entered the laboratory own bodies and accumulates there as we were given nutrient potions pre- it does in the water. Eventually, if we scribed by the Titan for his students to 13 remain on Mu, we will grow old, and make them more receptive and hence finally die." his work easier. We were told that we I looked him squarely in the eyes, would receive these potions regularly. respectful in a degree equal to the kind- Even as I took the first draught my ly interest that shone in his as he re- brain throbbed with a new growth of turned my look. ideas and strange new images. I was

"It is not the age poisons you fear/' exhilarated beyond all imagining, and T accused. my enthusiasm knew no bounds. I He looked at me silently; and a flood took Arl's hand in mine as we trooped of force seemed to flow through me, into the laboratory.

13 Impressed with the implications contained in of the poison to the seed. The simple filtration this portion of the story of Mutan Mion, we wrote processes of birth and seeding CAN BE COPIED .Mr. Shaver for additional information oh this by man, thus putting off old age. theory of: the cause of age. This information is ''Here are a few verbatim quotations from curious, because some of the theories seem to he Madame Curie's notes: 'Finally, the radiation of modern (by Mr. Shaver) and others those of radium was contagious. Contagious like a disease Mutan Mion, with no particular designation as to and like persistent scent. It was impossible for an left which is which. However, we present the whole object, a plant, an animal or a person to be for your judgment, near a table of radium without it immediately—ac- "The sun itself seems to be the mother source of quiring radioactivity — becoming radioactive a all radioactivity, infecting all the earth's surface notable activity which a sensitive apparatus could and all the life oh its surface. The sun projects detect; A later page : 'Thus the radio elements minute disintegrances down upon us in a steady, formed strange and cruel families in which each numerous rain whose effects we call age. In water member was created by degeneration from the the poison is heavily present in suspension, espe- mother substance—radium was created by degen- cially so in thermal springs. In the air the poison eration from uranium—polonium from radium, floats forever with the tiny thistledowns of dust it etc' And from a later page: 'When one studies has infected and to which it clings. It settles on strongly radioactive substances special precautions the leaves of plants. So we take the poison in must be taken if one wishes to be able to take deli- with every breath, with every bite of food, with cate measurements. The various objects used'in a every drink of water; thus we age a3 the poison chemical laboratory and those used in physics ex- accumulates, periments all become radioactive in a short time, "But we do iiot have to let in that poison; we and effect photo paper through black paper. Dust, can protect ourselves and grow through a longer the air of the room, one's clothes all become radio- youth to a much greater age, with superior mental active. The evil has reached an acute stage in our powers, It is very plain that a mother's body- laboratory.' cells, although replaced every four to seven years, "Note the word mother. The sun is the mother are not young because they remain in contact with source of radioactives. the poison retaining fabric of the body and so age "It is a matter of common knowledge that; cer- formerly allowed workers swiftly. Yet, the baby is young. Young because tain watch factories to tongue-tip the brushes it. gets filtered blood, filtered through the placenta (young girls of twenty) —and would remain young if the poisons were to with which they painted the radioactive dials. be continued to be filtered out by a duplication They died of OLD AGE at twenty and twenty- of the placenta filter. The stalk of a plant is old, five years! Not of a disease, but of age poison; origination is the yet its seed is young, capable of reproducing itself radioactive particles, whose from without passing on the poisons of age. It is be- disintegration of the heavy metals of which ra- cause the stalk contains a filter to prevent passage dium is a member !"-*Ed„ 24 AMAZING STORIES

It was truly a wonderful place, the sibilities of growth—such as no mere most amazing I had ever seen. I felt painter ever had. The delicate handling like a mite admitted to the treasure- of those ultra-minute products of dis- house of a giant. Here were things that integrance from which primary integra- were beyond my intelligence to create tions are formed; the mixing of these of my own mind power; and yet I was integrations into the atoms of elements; being given free and welcome access to the chemistry of combining these atoms all of them, to learn from them, and to into the molecules of the substances use the knowledge if I wished in my used in the manufacture of the synthetic future life and work. blood, Icor—all these steps were sheer Many strange machines filled the artistry, yet were made as simple as laboratory, all performing tasks that child thought by the genius of the Titan. I could only guess at. But these ma- chines were subordinate to the real QNCE more the Titan commented science of this great room, being de- on the proposed emigration from signed only to chemically and electron- Mu, weaving it into his lecture. There ically nourish and develop the many hu- seemed to me to be an undercurrent man embryos that moved and grew in of double meaning in his motive for synthetically duplicated mother-blood repeating it; a double meaning that I in sealed bottles. strove to, and succeeded, associate The older ones kicked and tugged mentally with the fear-thing that was healthily at the grafted umbilical tube something else and also something so which supplied the life fluid—called secret it must not be mentioned. It was Icor, the "blood of the gods." And it as though even the fact that there was was this blood that was the subject of fear of that "something" must be kept the lecture the Titan now gave us. secret.

He told us of the upkeep and prep- Our aging sun (he said) threw off in- aration of this fluid, both in the em- creasingly large amounts of these sun's bryo and the adult; the difficult and seeds, small but dense and active dis- important part being (he now stressed integrative particles, and I learned that, his words with greater emphasis with keeping Atlan's peoples young was an his attention bent especially toward increasingly difficult job for the techni- me) the process of detecting and re- cans, I learned that the coordinators moving the slightest trace of the radio- and rodite14 were preparing the plans active poisons that cause age. and ships for our migration to a young, new-born where I studied and I learned ! These were sun, the force setup the processes which had given the plan- of life conditions left a greater margin et Mu its health and enabled us to live of exd for intake of power, where in- under more aging suns than other races. tegrance went on at a faster pace, and These were the life methods that had where the infection that caused the oc- given us our fecundity; which had pop- casional trouble with detrimental ener- 1 ulated space for thousands of centuries gy robotism or detrimental err " in the with the seed of Atlan. I wanted to human did not occur. know all there was to learn about them. When the lecture in the embryo lab- The Titan, an old master at this oratory was finished we filed back to most basic process of Atlan life, had im- the classroom, and there the Titan bued me with an enthusiasm for the flipped the switch that controlled the true creation of life in its infinite pos- 14 Rodite—Life pattern synchronizers.—Ed. "I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" 25 teleyes that supplied the home telesets have been too forward; I meant brash of many with the course. We had not in the sense that you have exposed your- been dismissed, and I could see from self to a greater danger than that of my the puzzled looks on the faces of the wrath." His eyes twinkled at the word other students that this was not in ac- wrath, and I knew that such would cordance with the regular schedule. never be much of a danger ! "I meant For a long moment the Titan looked the menace that has caused the fear at us. and especially at me. Then he you have somehow seen in me. Per- spoke: haps you have sensed this in other "Today things have been said and places in Tean City, among others of seen and discussed in this class that the Titans; so it must be, for you to had no direct bearing on the course have been so certain of it as to chal- you came here to take. You, Mutan lenge me. Mion, have been the most brash—" my "Yes, there was, and is, fear in me. face grew red, and he hastened to add, And it is a fear that we all try to keep "No, Mutan, I do not mean that you secret because those of us who show fear also show suspicion if not knowl-

15 to This is mainly due (explains Mr. Shaver) to edge, and either has been equivalent depolarization of the matter of the brain; it is no the signing of a death warrant. There longer earth polared, it is sun polared—and hence are spying rays on us . . . at the mo- inducts the disintegrant flows from the sun into the brain by simple dynamic induction. I think a ment we are screened . . . that seek magnet could be« sun polared and point to the out our knowledge and destroy Us be- poles of the sun just as an ordinary compass points fore we can coordinate it into an effec- to the poles of the earth. This is what happens to parts of the brain; they become Sim polared. In tive counteraction to the thing that is become the desert this is known as "cafard," to going on; to the thing we fear." crazed and kill until killed. Others are just stupid, "What is that thing?" I breathed depending on what parts of the brain are affected. The Malay "amok" and the Norse "berserk" are aloud, so intense was my interest. the same phenomena. When it Ties in the part of memory, the result is absent the brain devoted to ^HE Titan drew a deep breath. "It mindcdness. When it lies in the nervous system and ego recognition or activating centefii, the vic- has come to me that certain groups tim is a killer or a repressive reactionary. It is of Atlan are against the projected mi- simply true that man is an electrical machine which gration, and the recent disappearance functions well when his energy flows are of his own creating, but functions especially ill when the of several men important to our work energy flows are from the sun. lends color to the story. Of course we The sun is quite a dynamo; it always gives off, all know that the only units able to do from the surface; while earth always takes in, from the surface. Much of this intake is "snap- anything of the kind would be the key back"; that is, it is returning to a state of matter. rodite of Sub Atlan and Center Mu. Gravity is merely the disintegrant energy of suns Some of these may have accidentally returning to material form. Much of it, however, is like radium, a persistent disintegrant seed of a suffered a severe flashback of detrimen- sun. Radioactivity is the seed of disintegration. tal ion flow, so that their will has be- mind powered by stm particle energy Hence, a come one under detrimental hypnosis. flows of a detrimental nature becomes robot. The result is robotism, or the inability to think con- What rodite area has become so cor- structively. Victims of detrimental err have but rupt as to allow such a condition to go one basic thought, to kill, in keeping with the unchecked I cannot understand; but natural elemental instinct of the disintegrant metals. (The reader has been presented here with that we are all in danger until the two sensational theories which appear in complete thing is checked is most certainly true. form later in the manuscript; the nature of grav- "Therefore, since you here have ity, and the interrelation of energy and matter in an endless circle.—Ed. gained an inkling of something wrong, it ;

26 AMAZINS STORIES

is only your right to be aware of it, so stimulus by male and female. The

•«. that inadvertent words may not cause male spores grow in the female and you great harm. Also, we must fight vice versa, just as pollen between flow- this thing; and all of us must fight So ers. This cell pollen and the sensation

you may consider yourselves deputized of its growing presence is love. I could by the ruling life of Mu to seek out imagine the immense fecundity given the information that will clear the way this process by the strength of the Atlan for the migration. Until that is done race, whose growth and youth" 1 never we suffer fear, not new to me, but new cease. to most of you. We arrived at the place where the "You may go." dance was to be held, and I found a Looking back at his gigantic form great room, tastefully draped, and dec- as I left the classroom, I saw him mus- orated by paintings that depicted such ing deeply; and the concern on his face scenes of love and joy and health as I told me that things must be even more have never before seen. Just as the fearful of consequence than he had paintings at the Hall of Symbols held made us believe. Reason told me, too, forth that invitation to join in the ele- that it must be so—for great indeed vation of the race, so did these paint- must be the evil that can bring fear ings show the way to participation in to the heart of a Titan, the super being love and joy, of all Mu and of the universe. The dance had already begun and we joined the throng on the floor. Almost CHAPTER (It instantly I was aware ol the influence of stimulating electromagnetic frequen- Terror in Te*n City cies. I felt the flow of exd of appro- priate atlunemenfs; my nerve cells re- evening Arl took to a ^HAT me sponded in a thrilling fashion. I dance. Never had known that The stimulating rays strongly ionized there could be such pleasure! And as

a part of it all I discovered that my 1B The Atlans, Mr. Shaver reveals, were ever education was to continue through youthful, ami never ceased growing. There was no such thine: as "maturity" in the sense that every waking hour, whether in sched- growth stopped. Thus, an Atlan 's age could be uled class or not, There was so much determined to a certain extent by his size. Many to be learned from actual living! And of them reached tremendous stature, sometimes as much as 30O feet, and heights of 40 feet and niore Arl, it seemed, was determined that were rather common. Mr. Shaver refers to "an nothing should be lacking in my edu- cieni" books which have been destroyed, which cation. Nor did I object, for nothing contained a great deal of Atlan knowledge and his- tory, but points to references in the Bible such as suited me better than to have her, beau- "Irt those days there were giants jn the Earth" a.-, tiful tail and all, showing her friendship actual truth, recorded memory of the Titans. Es- and interest. pecially significant is the definite statement "in the Earth" and not on it! The Allans, by the use of The dance, she told me on the way their wonderful machines, kept their bodies con- to the hall in a rollat car, was very stantly supplied with a sufficient amount of exd scientifically handled by trained techni- (ihe energy ash from which all matter is formed by condensation) so that their "rewtfi never cons. The stimulation of human at- stopped, but their bodies grew ever hireer and traction between male and female, she heavier. Health itself was determined by weight

told me, was due to the generation of a healthy person was heavy. If he became ili, he lost weight. Illness is the inability of the body to many kinds of tiny and fecund spores fully utilize the available exd, or is the reiult of which grow and are released upon an insufficient quantity of exit—Ed. "I REMEMBER LEMURIA!" 27

the air of the hall; making it extremely black, his legs buckled, he fell, and conductive to the electric pressure of rolled over on his back, tongue protrud- the body aura, so that the dancers were ing and eyes staring. He was dead. intensely aware of each other. The His friends rushed to him, but the consequently augmented vital aura of deadly ray had not ceased. It played the cell pollen permeated the hall. It first on one figure and then on another; was absorbed by my body, and by that each victim rolling in turn to the floor, of lovely, faun-legged Arl snuggled in face black with death. my arms, and by all the young, ecstatic "By the Elder Gods!" I swore to bodies of those who danced about us. myself at the realization that no guard Under the stimulus, we wove intricate ray was going to protect us. "It is is not so patterns on the gleaming floor ; and the true; our perfect government odor music of the Atlans wove into perfect after all!" the sound music many scent accompani- I stood as though oblivious to the ments. These scents are of the most fact that death might strike my way penetrative and nutrient of all the food too. I could only look and rage within chemicals, feeding the nerves as they me at the death that played about the are driven into the body by strong recently joy-filled hall. Within me the sound waves of a penetrative frequency. stimulating rays still caused an elation, In the enhanced delight of the dance but it was submerged beneath the surge I was oblivious of all but the bundle of wrath that made my blood hot. of vitality to which my pulse and soul Arl was tugging at my elbow, the were synchronized, and my arms held canny will to live of the female evi- Arl as a treasure beyond value. dent on her face in an expression of Then, as I lost myself in pleasure, it anxiety and calculation. Together we happened. The madness of the fear left the hall, taking a route along which that was upon Tean City struck; and her clicking hooves led me. We kept for the first time in my life I knew the with a group of young Atlans who true meaning of terror! walked, without panic or the impulse to run, toward the parked rollats. I A RL screamed, and pushing me from knew why; they feared to attract a her, pointed to the edge of the spy-ray to themselves. dance floor. There the great shoulders Arl's fingers pressed warningly on of a horned son of a Titan hunched, one my arm, and I heard her whisper, her big hand clutching in desperate agony voice low, casual. An excited tone at the folds of a drape, the other point- might have attracted the curiosity of ing up and out to indicate the path of the mad mind behind the black deaths, the ray that played upon him. Even who must even now be surveying the in the face of death his only thought scene of his mad acts of killing in was fo tell what he knew of the fear; grisly satisfaction. and lo point oul its direction so that "Listen to that man just behind the technicons might answer with a ray of their own. But nothing checked the ray; and I T LISTENED. His voice was also realized that contrary to all the usual casual—held no excited note. In rules there was no guard ray on duty. his voice was the cultured note that No wonder there was fear in Atlan! was evidence of one who has absorbed Slowly the huge youth's face turned much of the vast education obtain- 28 AMAZING STORIES

" able in Tean City. —also heard intelligent, then why do they act so that what lies behind the fear and detrimentally? It must occur to them death here is the mad wish of certain soon, or it will be too late." rodite to appropriate the whole fleet "Unless they are all mad," said the of ships prepared for the migration and first speaker. "The sane unit of such a go to the new sun leaving nothing be- project will see that the basic unit right

hind alive with brains enough to build is inherent to their own success, and and fly ships in pursuit. Thus they realize that destroying those rights will would have the new sun's clean light wreck their own plans. The only thing entirely for themselves and their future it can be is the explanation a Titan seed." growth technicon offered—that some A selfish thing, indeed! But more rodite have been detrimentally charged mad than selfish. Such could only ." a view by disintegrant coil leaks . . be the result of detrimental err. The speaker went on. "We, the COULD not help breaking J into the mediocro, know how fecund life can conversation.

be, but we also know the madness of "That is right! The thing has been refusing all of the normal units of life's explained to me that way; as a detri- fabric the right to existence and growth. mental hypnosis in which the ego—or No social fabric can be built of dull and self-will—the self recognition of the lifeless robots which are so besotted mind centers confuses its self-originated with detrimental energy that they re- impulses with the exterior-originated fuse the least of the units of the fabric detrimental impulses to destroy. Such 17 their right to growth and intelligence. a condition is called dero, or detri- Therein lies the strength of the social 17 Pressed for a more complete explanation, Mr. Shaver fabric—the unit's realization of its own has defined 'dero' for us: "Long ago it happened that certain (under- self and its place in the whole. The ground) cilies were abandoned and into those cities whole basis of a fuller life is the ac- stole many wild mortals to live. At first they quisition by mutual effort, the backing were normal people, though on a lower intelligence

plane ; and ignorant due to lack of proper educa- on which is woven the social pattern of tion. It was inevitable that certain inhabitants of the fabric itself." the culture forests lose themselves and escape I heard another voice, answering in proper development; and some of them are of faulty development. But due to their improper agreement, yet with a troubled note evi- handling of the life-force and ray apparatus in the dent in its tones, as if the speaker felt abandoned cities, these apparatii became harmful that agreement alone was not enough; in effect. They simply did not realize that the ray filters of the ray mechanisms must be changed and that simply denouncing a thing that much of the conductive metal renewed regularly. was as evil as this would not be enough. If such renewals are not made, the apparatus col- "Yes, this murderous effort is doomed lects in itself—in its metal—a disintegrant particle which gradually turns its beneficial qualities into to failure. The intelligent members of strangely harmful ones. the guilty rodite must realize that such "These ignorant people learned to play with murder of the normal life unit is the these things, but not to renew them; so gradually they were mentally impregnated with the persist- refusal of their own right to share in ently disintegrative particles. This habituates the the fruits of the social project. They creature's mind, its mental movements, to being must realize that such men as the Titan overwhelmed by detrimental, evil force flows which in time produce a creature whose every re- youth they killed have a potential value action in thought is dominated by a detrimental as great as their own." will. So it is that these wild people, living in the same rooms with degenerating force generators, in Another voice chimed in. "Then why time become dero, which is short for detrimental is it refused recognition? If they are energy robot. (Concluded on next page) —

'I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" 29 mental energy robotism. The thing is selves selected and could therefore simple enough, but I cannot understand trust. I fear that the migration has how it could happen here in Tean City, been too long delayed—the old sun's where perfection in romantics is so disintegrant pressure upon the unseen old. Such an occurrence is guarded base of our life is now too great for against by many battle ro, by great anything else to happen than what hap- organic battery brains raised for just pened tonight. Can we help to strive that purpose. How could it happen?" against this immense err, deep-seated The two Titans looked at me and in the control minds about us as it must shook their heads. They knew as little be ; or must we flee at once, before they as I how it could be. make impossible our flight, thinking of

"Well, it couldn't, but it did!" Arl it as a danger of tale bearing?" said with feminine logic, and taking But Arl's lips were on mine as the me by the arm, led the way to a rollat. rollat slowed before her home, an effec- In a moment we were speeding away tive quietus to my dangerous words, and from the dangerous area. Beside me my mind no longer dwelt on the fear Arl relaxed with a sigh, and I felt her nor imagined the embrace of a six- trembling with reaction. armed giant Sybyl female or the crush- I put an arm around her. "Brave ing coils of a snake woman about mel— girl," I whispered. for it was too busy recording the ec- We were soon nearing Arl's apart- static sensations of the intense vital ment, and looking down at her fresh, charge the faun-legged girl threw into young face, I felt a wave of worry pass her embrace. My mind gave up its through me. worry in Arl's soft contact. "I wish we were under that new sun right now; on those fresh-born ^HE next day I entered the class- planets of life with clean new coordi- room and found it empty. I went nating mechanisms under rodite we our- to the incubation laboratory and found several other early students standing "When this process has gone on long enough, a' race of dero is produced whose every thought there in silent consternation, the fear movement is concluded with the decision to kill. welling up almost to openness in their They will instantly kill or torture anyone whom eyes. The Titan was not present, nor they contact unless they are extremely familiar with them and fear them. That is why they do were any of his attendants. Some of not instantly kill each other—because being raised the embryos were dead, others half- together, the part of their brain that functions has smothered; because no attendant had learned very early to recognize as friend or heart-

ily to fear the members of their own group. They turned on the filtered, enriched air recognize no other living thing as friend; to a dero tanks which kept their nutrient fluid all new things are enemy. supply aerated. I started toward them, 'To define: A dero is a man who responds mentally to dis impulse more readily than to his but a young son of a Titan stopped me. own impulses. When a dero has used old, defec- "I turned them on," he said in low, tive apparatus full of dis particle accumulations, evenly-measured tones. they become so degenerate that, they are able to think only when a machine is operating and they "Where is the Titan?" I asked. are using it; otherwise they are idiot. When they "No one knows," was the answer I reach this stage they are known as 'ray' (A Le- got from all. murian word not to be confused with ray' as it is used in English). Translated, ray means 'danger- Other students came in now, among ous or detrimental energy animal.' Ray is also them Arl. She came to my side, but used to mean a soldier— one of those who bandies remained silent, troubled. beam weapons (note how the ancient meaning has come into our modern word)."—Ed. We waited a short time. Then a so AMAZING STORIES student called tutor center, to inquire chorused their delighted approval, a de- He turned to us with a peculiar look light that Arl and I feigned too. All in his eyes. fell in with the project, the unspoken They say he is ill!" desire to flee the city strong in our "111?" The exclaimed question burst breasts, our anticipation of being to- from all of us. In Atlan this was star- gether among the trees, which subter- tling. Illness is almost unheard of; a ranean dwellers seldom see, strong too. rarity existant only on the space fron- I raced ahead with Arl, shouting gay- tiers where new varieties of germs were ly, ''Let me lead you to the elevators." sometimes troublesome. There was meaning in my voice, and The news brought Arl close to me, intent in my mind. I was not forget- her silky-furred tail trembling as shud- ting my promise to my friend, the con- ders shook her slim body. "Mutan, I trol-man. am afraid," she whispered. We reached the shaft that led to Her fear transmitted itself to me, and Sub Atlan, from which we would take the thought came into my mind that this another lift to surface Mu. There, as room was not safe. The same thought we shot upward, I whispered the news obviously had come to the others, be- to the control-man. "The terror is cause our movement toward the exit loose in Tean City," I concluded. "Es- was as though by mutual accord. There cape as soon as you can. If at all was obviously some awful connection possible, beg off from another descent between the black deaths and the Ti- and be away. There is great danger for tan's strange non-appearance. Yester- all whom they suspect are aware of day the Titan had said a guard ray them." was on while he spoke to us so gravely He retained a straight face, but I of the fear—Had that guard ray been could see the concern in his eyes, and no guard at all? Had those evil ro- the determination to make good his dite penetrated the guard ray, heard escape also. his words, known the Titan as a menace As we lolled in apparent ease on the to their plan? soft sod of the culture forest, the tra- The class was dismissed—this time ditional empty glass made its appear- by fear! ance in the circle. No one spoke of it, And somehow I knew that the but its significant reminder of death's thought in my mind was in the mind of clutch was a constant thing in my mind. all. We had the same knowledge the Never had fear and death been a part Titan had. We were in the same dan- of my thought before; but that empty ger. We were marked for disappear- goblet with its sweetly spiraling stem ance, illness, or the black death! We uppermost was no longer just tradition, must flee, now or never! but now had a meaning almost im- mense. What to do to avoid that damn- pROOF of the thoughts of the others able mechanical play of detrimental came almost instantly. As we force from the mind of some unknown trooped in assumed light-heartedness rodite, staring through the viewplates down the tunnel toward the rollat ways of his defective, detrimentally hypnotic one of the accompanying youths pro- mechanism, seeking to destroy the best 8 posed a picnic in the forest to celebrate first?' If they thought we were es- the unexpected holiday. He said it caping they would seek us out and loudly in a gay voice, and the others snatch us back. !

"I REMEMBER UMURIAI' 31

I sat and mused. "Simple mag- his mate, a girl of Mu except that some netics; yet such mighty minds as the forebear had given the line four arms, Atlans fall before it. We must be probably under the stimulus of muta- clever ..." I went on thinking of it; tion rays because the family pursuit of but again recurred the regret of last making instruments was one where night. If only the migration had taken twice the number of fingers could well place a few years ago! But perhaps it be used; Horton, a young fellow of had been so planned; and delayed? De- mixed bloods, older than the rest of layed by the black death, which had us, quiet, but long-eared and sharp- thus far struck so secretly and silently. nosed—a listening fox; his girl, a thin, The plan of the rodite must be near gray, transparent-skinned maid of completion or their secrecy would have Mars, fragile and lovely, her large, leaf- been maintained. green eyes lighting devoted friendship And then, as I sat there, an idea wherever they rested; two young Titan presented itself. I knew a way to es- sisters, their horns just sprouting from cape, and I spoke quickly before my under their curls, their great bodies thoughts were clear enough for any un- new-budding into womanhood; their

seen listener to read - -.- two escorts, of the Elder's special cre-

"Let us all charter a space ship and ation, large-headed youths of tremen- take a look at Mother Mu from above dous intelligence, their hands double- There is no greater thrill than that to length, their necks and shoulders by cap the day!" far stronger than normal to carry their As one we leaped to our feet. I knew great heads easily, and* finally a young then that our thoughts had been very Titan male, accompanied by his friend similar; I had only been the first to who was a distant cousin of my own express the next step in spoken words. Arl and whose sprightly, colorful femi- "We will have to take a shuttle ship ninity hinted that Arl's family must be first," said a young Titan quickly. especially noted for their beauty. "Come, I know the way." Together we made up a company of twelve life-forms of great diversity; and CHAPTER IV yet all of us citizens of Atlan; citizens apparently on an outing, now bound for Escape Into Space a gay adventure to end a holiday's fes- tivities in the supreme thrill, a sight- ^CCUSTOMED as I had become to seeing trip into space. variform life, we presented a We dared not think of our true pur- strange, almost fearsome appearing pose; and I knew that at least the two company to my eyes as we made our Elder escorts were aware of what had way toward the shuttle ship station. brewed in my mind and would back me There was young Halftan, of Venusian up when the time came. We thought blood, long-legged, web-footed and only of our coming adventure, and tried

-fingered, his eyes huge And faceted; to feel the delight of it so that even our emotions would register true to 18 Just as lightning strikes the highest point, so any spying teleray that sought us does detrimental force seek the most active and the out healthiest fruit first—they are most attractive. The to check on our motives. detrimental is only a film over an integrative ion, The shuttle ship we boarded was a which is attracted first to the most integrant bodies small, bullet-shaped plane containing near. This holds true in thought movements also —thus a dero strikes at the best first —Ed. little but a cabin, air-making equip- 32 AMAZING STORIES

ment and a small fuel compartment in all of us knew was that we never in- the rear. This plane was not a space tended to return to earth. The black- ship, but only a sort of bullet to be shot ened face of that son of the Titans, the from the surface of Mu to the large noblest blood in Tean City, as he lay station ship of great weight which cir- dying on the dance floor rose before cled in its own orbit, just as the moon me to tell me flight was not only best, circles the earth forever. but the only course for us. To get the shuttle ship on its way In spite of myself my eyes roved gravity was neutralized by an upward over the black dome of space, search- beam of semi-penetrative force travel- ing for the lights that might indicate ing at light speed which was turned on a pursuing craft. It seemed almost im- gradually until the car just floated in possible that we were fooling the mad its cradle under the effect of the re- rodite and their spying telepath rays. verse friction to gravity of the force In spite of all self-imposed mental blast passing through the car.19 guards, my mind seemed intent on shrieking "Escape! Escape!" through r V\/ HEN the weight of the car was every possible loophole in my concen- thus reduced to less than a pound, tration. I turned on the rocket blasts very I engaged the gnome-like moon-men gradually and traveled up the reverse in conversation in an attempt to still gravity beam by instrument. In thirty further blanket my turbulent mind. Arl minutes we were circling the huge sta- caught my eye and wagged her tail in tion ship as though we were in our turn cheerful encouragement, seeming to di- its satellite just as it was a satellite of vine what was on my mind. How ex- earth. With vernier rocket blasts, pressive that beautiful tail of hers was;

about the size of toy pistol explosions, how much it could say; and with no the nearly weightless plane approached dangerous thought waves to betray its a landing. Above us spread the world meaning to those who must not receive we had just left, making an imposing register on their sensitive instruments. sight as we settled into a cradle atop With that tail, no language, no thought- the space station. transference was needed! When we stepped from the shuttle But even if pursuit developed, I had ship at the edge of the oval landing one trick up my sleeve. I dared not area, we saw several globe-bodied think of it, or some watching rodite moon-men bustling about their own informer might advise any pursuers of type of shuttle plane, a long, wingless my plans and a way to circumvent them splinter constructed of a very fragile would be devised. and glass-like substance. Although I It struck me that not all of the rodite

feared to think upon it, the moon was might know of recent conditions and my next destination. One thing that developments in Tean City. Nothing

19 had been announced on the tele-screen Mutan Mion explains that gravity is the fric- tion of condensing exd, ex-disintegrance, failing news. Thus, while we were escaping, through matter into earth. By using a beam of others ought to know the truth, and cer- similarly condensing particles of ex-disintegrance a tainly not all the rodite were dis-in- harmless beam of upward gravity is obtained which can levitate matter slowly or drive it up- fected. They would not report what ward at immense speed. All space is filled with they read in my mind, and the rodite the ash from disintegrance of the suns of the uni- who knew would not attach special verse. This, condensing again into matter, is inte- grance or gravity.—Ed. significance to others who knew; and "I REMEMBER LEMURIA!' 33

the very fact that it was thought about true purpose was still veiled. in an unguarded way might cause them I switched on the electrically magni- to dismiss us as of immediate danger, fying scope screen to the rear to look and thus blanket our intent to escape. for possible pursuit. The scope had a I thought of the dance, of the sudden screen of microscopic photo-cells which striking of the black death on the dance turned the tiniest light ray into an elec- floor, of my puzzlement as to what it trical impulse which was greatly aug- might mean. I thought of the disap- mented by vacuum tubes and the result- pearance of our tutor technicon, won- ing impulse made a much larger cell on dered if he too were murdered. Any a viewplate glow strongly, giving a sub-rodite, getting a register of my vivid image in half-tone. thoughts, would certainly ponder the par behind us a craft sped along.

meaning of the unbelievable existence Was it in pursuit? I watched it for in center Mu of murder; murder whose long minutes, but there was no way of actuality he could not doubt, because telling. It maintained its distance and it would come to him as the unguarded its course. In a very short time their and therefore true thought of a ro such instruments could check our course, and as I was. if they were pursuing us, they would be unable to correlate it with my mental JN double-quick time, still acting out image of the moon as our destination; our enthusiasm for an unexpected and they would be after us instantly. holiday, we chartered a fast space ship If they were merely harmless travelers for an hour's time. An attendant led to Venus, there would be no questioning

us to a cradle on the landing stage ; and of our own course. we entered the ship gaily. I gave them time to check us with in- The speedster rose slowly up the struments, then I set the course pointer lifter beam under my control and when on Mercury, a planet almost never it was clear of the station ship I sent visited, and watched closely. The

•it hurtling outward. strange craft veered. When we were well out of sight of "They are on our trail," I said. The the station ship and picking up speed words broke a silence that had become toward the moon I gave up thinking of almost intense. our trip as a sight-seeing outing which Arl's cousin looked shocked. "Then was to proceed only a little way into we can't escape," she said. "They have space and then return, but began to a mechanical advantage over us." think of the moon as our destination, meanwhile setting the auto-pilot desti- QNE of the big-heads was eyeing me nation needle on Venus. Then I pulled shrewdly. "You have a plan," he the throttle back to full on. said. It was a plain statement of fact,

II what we had heard of I he black not a question. Tt was though he did death were true, it might well be that not ask what was my plan, but ex- no space ships were allowed to leave pected me to put one into operation now the vicinity of Mu at all. Just the mere that the crucial moment had come. fact that we were hurtling straight away "Yes," I agreed. "Now is the time might have placed even more suspicion to play my one card. I hope that it will on our purpose if we maintained our be an ace." original thought- fabrication. With the "We have not asked nor even won- moon now our revealed destination, our dered about your plan once we ob- Si AMAZING STORIES served that you had one," said the other had in me; a confidence that she her- big-head. "But now the time for se- self felt was justified.

! crecy is at an end. It is unnecessary. "Your plan " she reminded me. "Now If we cannot escape, our intent to do so we know you have a definite one, for if will be useless to hide; if we can es- you are aware of the fact we have no cape, our intent will not need to be food, you must also be aware of a way hidden." to reach Quanto without it." "True enough. And I will be more "Such great faith must be well than glad to relieve my mind of the placed," murmured one of the Titan strain of withholding what is in it," I maids. "I, too, can have no fear now said. "I am but a ro youth, and the that you have a plan." task has been hard." I proceeded now about the thing I "But one that you have done, well," had in mind, taking care not to think of observed the young Titan gravely. what I was doing, but think, rather of I accepted the compliment with a the appearance of my hands as they thrill of pride. Praise from a Titan worked, of the movements of my knuck- was something to which I was not ac- les, of the muscles that caused those customed—indeed, old Artan Gro had movements, of the nerves that carried many times given me exactly the op- the messages to the muscles. . . . posite. It was a good thing for me now that "It is a matter of mechanics," I ex- I had listened so worshipfully to space plained. "And the one thing I will be pilots when I was younger; some of forced to blank out of your mind as I their adventures were going to stand me do it. I warn you all not to think on in good use. Auto-pilot mechanisms on the matter when you see it performed. these space ships were adjusted to a As to my plan of escape—I have an fool-proof speed, so that no speed-mad even greater one. I will explain fully citizen could wreck a shipload of people. in a very short while—we will go to one There was a stiff spring on the throttle, of the sunless Elder stations on a cold just a little stronger than a man's arm, planet. The nearest of these is Quanto, which held the fuel flow to a safe maxi- on the very rim of this solar system." mum. "A good choice," approved the big- I found the case of the auto pilot heads. "But one that rouses our curios- locked and the key was naturally not ity in your 'mechanical trick' to a high aboard the ship, but kept by the at- pitch. Obviously you know that Quanto tendant back at the satellite ship. But is seventeen and one-third billion miles I found a way around that. I took away."20 the belts from several of my compan- I could almost read their minds. ions in spite of their puzzled faces and "Yes. Weeks away at the speed of this fastened them into one strong line. One ship—and we have no food." end went around the throttle bar and Even Arl's tail stopped wagging at with another I took a turn around a that—but only momentarily. In her seat arm. eyes I read that confidence I knew she A dozen strong Atlan arms pulled the belt line taut at my bidding, and I took

20 Mutan Mion says this is the eleventh and last in all the slack at the seat arm. Back planet of the solar system. The tenth (and yet came the throttle bar. The acceleration undiscovered, though predicted by astronomers) is of the ship spilled them all in a heap at two billion miles beyon'd Pluto, which is itself nearly four billion miles from the sun.—Ed. the rear, but I held fast to the line and " "

•I REMEMBER LEMURIA1" the bar stayed back. one would have read our minds as sure- ly as Venus loves us. We have lived in ^^OW our safety depended on wheth- dread and indecision for many moons. er the pursuing crew knew this The black death has struck day after simple trick—for many of the pleasure day and no official word of it. No one craft, which our pursuer plainly was, can tell who is dead; there is no way were as well powered as the police craft, to tell if anything is being done about although their autopilots restricted the danger or not, for anyone who them to a much lower speed. If the made the slightest effort to do so disap- pursuing craft's pilot did not think of peared at once just as our loved teacher adding other men's power to the strength did. We all know that he was not ill; of his own hand on the throttle bar, he and we also all know that the day he would never overtake me. Even police made that announcement to us he had craft were set to less than maximum signed his own death warrant—but he motive power, as the tubes burned out had evidently decided he must, as no too quickly at full blast. one else seemed to move. It has been I watched the dark speck on the rear terrible, and if you had planned this screen anxiously and slowly it grew flight with us we would never have got- smaller and smaller. When it had van- ten away. We have been very lucky to ished the youthful Titan pounded me get this far. Now, if you will take my on the back until my ears rang and my advice, you will go at once far beyond knees buckled. any influence from Mother Mu's rodite, "You're » sly fellow, and your whole under another space-group of planets, plan of escape is right. It's high time and there we will learn how to live we ran away from the black death. I've where such things as the black death worried and waited for it to strike me do not exist." long enough. The Elder station on the The smile she bestowed on me was cold planet are the best natured. men Martian magic. you can find in space. Haven't been near a sun in centuries, and don't know TT must have been the look on my face the meaning of the word evil! that prevented any further remarks He turned to the others and con- by my companions, and caused them fined speaking eagerly. "They'll take to look at me in new curiosity. If so, us in, give us entrance cards to any gov- my next words fanned the flame of that ernment in space. . . . Personally I curiosity. would choose some civilization that "I spoke of a greater plan, a few mo- warms its cities with its own fires, and ments ago," I said. "And I am afraid shuns all suns entirely. I've had enough it does not call for such conclusions as worry waiting for Atlan's rulers to get you two have made. I am sorry, but wise to the danger and move. I want neither of you have given me any ad- no more of these sun-bitten zany dero vice that I like, as sound as it may around me ! seem." The gray Martian maid spoke, her "Speak on," prodded one of the big- sensitive green eyes shining with ad- heads, his eyes alight with interest. miration, her voice the slow singing I checked our course briefly to make speech of Mars— sure we were headed for Quanto cor- "The best thing you did was not to rectly before I answered him. Then I tell us what you had in mind, for some- made myself comfortable in a cushioned "

AMAZING STORIES seat and faced them. the sun's evil have made utmost effort "What is it that we have been flee- to bring about the migration?" ing?" I asked. "True enough," said a Titan maid. "Basically, an aging sun," said the "No Titan has been unaware of the young Titan reflectively. "The black danger, and lately, even such ro as you death is merely a result of detrimental have been brought into the plan. Per- action on certain rodite who have be- haps it is fitting that the salvation of come dero and even ray. We have fled that plan come from the mind of a ro." from them, but the real cause of our flight is the sun." '"~pHEN here is the only salvation I "Do we flee as cowards, deserting our can see," I said. "We must go comrades?" I asked softly. "Or do we to the Elders of Quanto. Through them flee only that we may be able to make we must contact the mightiest of the a new plan to take the place of the one Titans and from them get advice and that has been interrupted by the rodite assistance. This thing may well be- dero?" come a space war before we are through There was a wry smile on the face of —and as I see it, it must be so, or all the big-head. "The day has come," he the Atlans of Mu will be lost! said, "when I have seen a ro put a Titan I looked at Arl, to see if she listened, to shame ! Of course, Mutan, we do not and she wagged her tail roguishly. Not flee for cowardice, but to gain time and only was she listening; she was think- life to put up a fight. It is only that ing in tempo with me. At my glance we have not thought it out as you have. her voice chimed in, doing things to Nor has inspiration as yet given us my spine. such a plan." "Yes, and we ourselves must devote "Then listen to mine," I said. "Just ourselves to the task, and go to a place as it is with you, my first thoughts at where the growth rate is unlimited by realization of the fear that lay in Tean law, so that we can become more equal City were those of escape to a place to the job. It will take great power where there was no fear. It is a nat- to displace the mad rodite. On Quanto ural reaction, especially if that possi- we must find some mighty and old and bility suddenly presents itself. wise technicon to go along and assure "Let us analyze the fear. First, the us of a hearing; otherwise the power top unit of the force behind the black will not be given to us. We need the death must be a man in a very strong very mightiest power the Elders of position, to stall off the whole migra- space can give us to save the people of tion as has obviously been done, and to Mu." control things so that no news leaks out "If you but wag that tail of yours at about the terror that is otherwise so them, Arl, they will give it to us!" I plain for many to see. So high and laughed because I could see in all those powerful must this man be that to fight around me the same conviction and de- against him on Mu itself must be to in- votion to my plan that was in her. The vite certain defeat. Perhaps even if we youthful company laughed too. "Of were to muster all clean-minded Atlans that there can be no doubt," they to the battle, we could meet only the agreed, whereupon Arl swished her tail same frustration as the migration plan before them and pirouetted about on has suffered—for is it not, true that all her clicking hooves. Atlans who are aware of the danger of In that instant the fear was gone E —

'! REMEMBER UMURIA!' 37

from our minds. Instead we were filled our cause. with gaiety and hope, and great deter- Our trip to Quanto consumed slightly mination to do all that lay in our power over twenty-four hours, the hunger of to end all fear. which we could easily endure; and on We circled Mercury, straightening the landing station we switched to a out on a direct path for Quanto, con- shuttle ship.

stantly accelerating until it was un- As we settled into the cradles of the necessary to explain why lack of food great cavern's entrance on tiny Quanto, did not worry me. The young Titan re- liquid air glistened over the view panes. marked: "We will be at Quanto within The ship rocked as the cradle connected

twenty-four hours. Already our speed with its conveyor and was drawn by it 21 is light. approaching that of , into the cave through the air locks. At On Quanto, we knew, a group of last we were ki the home of the kindly Elder technicons from sunless Nor, a men from sunless Nor! group of sunless planets 0.16 light years I leaned back with a sigh of thank- away, had lately established an observa- fulness, feeling that I had saved at least tory for the study of our planetary sys- some of the good life seed of ancient 22 tem. It was these Elders I wished to Atlan from the madness that was over- contact in my effort to enlist aid for taking all of its races under the aging

21 Mutan Mion, apparently, holds no brief for pages. the "limit velocity" of light; or that the speed of Matter in all the cosmoses constantly disinte-

light is the ultimate speed. According to Mr. grating and integrating. There is the natural paral- Shaver's letters on the subject: "Light speed is due lel as to whether the hen or the egg came first to 'escape velocity' on the sun, which is not large. did the integration come first, or .the disintegra-

This speed is a constant to our measurement be- tion? But that is the ene and only unanswerable cause the friction of exd, which fills all space, holds question in the whole theory. Exd is the ash down any increase unless there is more impetus. (matter so finely divided as to become energy The escape velocity of light from a vaster sun than rather than matter) of disintegrating suns. It ours is higher, but once again exd slows the light spreads out and fills all space. Then, perhaps be- speed down to its constant by friction, so that cause of the presence of an actual bit of matter (as when it reaches the vicinity of our sun, no appre- in the case of the salt grain in the salt solution ciable difference is to be noted. A body can travel that commences precipitation which does not end at many times the exd constant, under additional until all the salt is once more in its original forml, impetus, such as rocket explosions. A ship whose or under the influence of a magnetic field which weight is reduced to a very little by reverse grav- draws the exd together, integration commences and ity beam can attain a great speed with a very small the exd once more becomes matter. This fall of rocket. Once beyond the limits of matter gravity exd and its condensation is what causes gravity.

ceases and the ship becomes weightless. Speeds When Newton was hit on the head by an apple, it over that of exd constant must be under constant was by an apple that was pushed down upon his

impetus, for the friction slows them down quickly head, rather than pulled down; since gravity is the again, especially so in the case of solids. Sound, as friction caused by the fall through matter already an example, travels through air at a constant speed existent of condensing exd. Obviously a condensa-

—and yet the impetus is obviously different in each tion is a falling together of a finely divided element

case! The only conclusion is that the air itself is into a grosser state. the governing factor in the speed of sound, which There are many finer points, staggering in their always remains appreciably the same. So it is with implications, concerning this theory which are not light. Both depend for their velocity on an in- necessary to the reader's understanding of this itial impetus. Both remain constant because below manuscript; but they arc being prepared in a a certain speed, friction disappears." monograph which is to be submitted to scientific Your editors have been constantly amazed at the circles.— d. 22 interchangeability of Mr. Shavers (Mutan Quanto lies beyond the jurisdiction of Mu's physical Mion's?) phenomena, or rather, their government, which holds sway over all the planets adaptability to one great physical law which we of the solar system except this tiny world. Quanto have as yet hardly begun to comprehend in its is on the rim of Nor influence and is used by them entirety. However, this point at a brief definition as an observation station. Because of its small might aid the reader in understanding many things size, it is unimportant to the government of Mu. he has already read and will read in the following —Ed. 38 AMAZING STORIES sun. To save still more would be a Further, the race from Nor, who are collossal effort; but as Ad's arms drew called Nortans, are a straight race of about my shoulders, I knew that such men. There had been no intermingling effort was worthwhile. of races of other forms, not because it

The purpose of life was plainer now. was forbidden, but because their tech- Such beauty and tenderness did not live nicons had not made the variform tech- in words or in paintings. Only in under- nique of breeding available to the public standing and caring for the life seed, and without it all such intercourse is the bearers of future race growth, could sterile. Perhaps they are right, al- a man find the true meaning of life. though I see much beauty in variforms And in the mighty job that lay ahead —especially in my own lovely and com- in enlisting aid for the saving of our pletely desirable Arl with her beautiful, people from the black death of the mad expressive furry tail and her dainty, rodite I knew I would become a man clicking hooves; certainly their race is or die. beautiful and vital enough to please anyone.

CHAPTER V All about the city of the Nortans it was evidenced by many wholly un- The Princess Vanue familiar devices that the science of Nor had forged ahead of our own; and as I found the typical welcome looked about, I knew why. Here was WEthat all the great ones accord none of the fear that had pervaded to visitors. Our party was Tean City; nor was there any of the courteously received by the attendants, sun-poison to be a detriment to con- and we were directed to the administra- structive thinking in even the slight de- tive offices with swift efficiency. gree that evidently has long detered the For me, this first visit to a world technicons of Mu from full scientific peopled by other than Atlans or Titans advancement. was one of the most interesting of my The thought of the fear brought the life; but I did not find it half as ex- need for haste once more home to me citing as my first glimpse of Tean City as we' walked through the city toward had been. The men from sunless Nor the administrative buildings. It was were of an amazing blondness, for no better to continue our flight than to re- light but of their own making had ever main long even here, I knew. So, to im- struck their skins. Their size, as did prove time, I kept running over in my that of Titans and Atlans, varied with mind the desperate plight of center Mu; their age and with the age of the parent. the delaying of the migration to a new- Thus, a son of a man of a hundred years born sun; the fear of pursuit that was age would be three times the size of a still with us; for I knew that in that 23 son of a man of thirty. administrative building toward which

2:! Proportionately this would not be true. A reached, where growth ceases altogether. Tn the man of a hundred considering he did not stop time of Mutan Mion, however, growth was a con- growing at the usual age, would certainly not be stant thing, ended only by death. And the rate of three times as large as at thirty. A baby doubles growth could even be increased, jf desired. This is its weight in six months, doubles it again in eight- what Arl was referring to when she mentioned that een. Thus the rate decreases in proportion to total it would be necessary to "grow" to be able better mass, although the actual poundage increase is the to perform their mission. The reader will see the same (or a similar period of time. Later, however, methods of this stimulated growth demonstrated this poundage begins to lessen until maturity U further on in this manuscript.—Ed. "I REMEMBER LEMURIA1" 39 we were headed some watchful Elder of comes near one of these Elders, his will Nor was most certainly taking thought becomes their will automatically; for record of our minds, to see if there were it is overcome by the great, all-pervad- harm in us. ing force of the life within them. One So, when we reached our destina- hardly notices this when the Elder is tion, it instantly became evident that of the same sex, but when that life we would have little explaining left to force is of the opposite sex the attrac- do. And at the same time, another thing tion is so great as to be irresistible. So became evident to me that filled me true is this that seldom is a ro of one with terror. Fear, again, in the one sex allowed too near an Elder of the op- place where I had thought I would not posite sex; for never again would the find it! poor ro free himself of love for the Elder. A YOUNG lady of the snowskinned My spirit trembled when I knew the Nortan race glided toward me, her Elder to which we were being taken hand outstretched in greeting, her voice was a woman; a woman who for un- a soft bell of welcome for all of us. known centuries had absorbed all "We have read your thoughts and the essences of growth-promoting sub- understand what brings you here. Fol- stances. And too, Nor was a place low me now to the princess Vanue, chief where growth science must be far, far Elder, for an oral check; and forget ahead of our own sun-baked sciencon's your fear, for soon you will be going to achievements. Never would I be able where fear is not. Your message spells to free myself of the spell that woman- danger to us, as well as to your poor, force would cast upon me! helpless fellows in Mu."" I looked desperately at Arl's sweet It had been the words "princess face. Never again would I love her if Vanue, chief Elder" that had struck a this thing were true. In Art's eyes I new kind of fear into me. The chief read the same fear, and I knew then Elders had been described to me in that she surely loved me and I was torn Tean City. They are the oldest of the by the approaching loss. However, I race, and are given official power ac- dimly understood that it must be neces- cording to the value of their achieve- sary—for no man near an Elder woman ments to the race. They are of both can deny her the truth of love for her. sexes, and have learned all there is to We left the building and presently know of the secrets of growth; how to were ascending a long, transparent manufacture their own life-supporting boarding tube into the side of a space essences, nutrients and beneficial vi- liner that lay like a sleeping monster in brants. And on their ability to improve the launching cradles. This was one upon the standard nutrients of the ship that could land directly on a people often depends their success. planet! But then, Quanto was small. Thus, when a simple ro like myself We passed through a series of airlocks,

ai The Nortans, as did the Atlans and Titans, reached the inside of the ship. spoke the universal language of space; a language It was a long way into the center of originated by a Titan Elder of the far past. The the ship. As we progressed, I noted name of the language is Mantong. The original individual language of each race has fallen into that all the ro who passed were disuse as the three races have intermingled through maidens; beautiful white Nor maidens all space. This is the same language of which the with glittering white-yellow hair that alphabetical key was published in the January 1944 issue of Amazing Stories.—Ed. floated about their heads in a cloud, so Wo warq drawn as by a powerful magnet toward a hugs figure 40 "I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" 41

fine was it that it was air-borne. form. Soon I became aware of an aura ©f I yearned toward that vast beauty complementary forces that I knew came which was not hidden for in Nor it is from the Nor Chief Elder, Vanue, whom considered impolite to conceal the body we were undoubtedly now nearing. Her greatly, being an offense against art and force scent grew stronger as we ap- friendship to take beauty out of life. proached a mighty door set across a I was impelled madly toward her until corridor. In glowing letters of ham- I fell on my knees before her, my hands mered metal above this door was the outstretched to touch the gleaming, legend: ultra-living flesh of her feet. Beside me the other youths from VANUE center Mu were in the same condition Elder Princess Of Van Of Nor of ecstatic desire. Chief Of Nor On Quanto As our hands touched her flesh, a terrific charge of body electric flowed great door, I discovered was an The into us. We fell face downward in un- in ionized nu- airlock; to hold the and bearable pleasure on the floor. trient-saturated air of the chamber. She picked us up one by one and These chambers the Elders seldom placed us on the desk before her. leave, since all evil is restrained from Waist-high now were our burning eyes. entering. She bent to meet our gaze; and the mighty beauty of the eyes of the Elder AS we passed through the lock, the princess of Nor flashed a question into terrific stimulation of this conduc- our minds. As one man we chorused: tive electrified medium seized us in a "Yes, it is true! Evil has the upper mighty ecstasy. We were drawn as by hand in center Mu; in Tean City it- a powerful magnet toward a huge figure self!" which was an intense concentration of It was then that I realized how far all the vitally stimulating qualities that ahead of Mother Mu's Titan and Atlan make beauty the sought-for thing that technicons were the Nortans and, I sup- it is. posed, all other great ones of the dark Within me I could feel the compass worlds. For Vanue wasted no more time of my being swinging toward its new on us, but bending toward the banks of center of attraction. I was no longer instruments before her throne, pulled a myself. I was a part of that mighty lever and through ali the ship was heard being before me. My thought was her the warning signal of departure. As thought; I was her ro until she chose if they were my own, I knew her to release me. thoughts! Quanto was to be evacuated. Could she release me? I could not The Nortans were certainly not the even wish it, nor ever would. Within sun-spoiled sleepyheads our own race me I knew that, and I felt no resent- had proved to be. She understood the ment, no regret—only joy. awful danger that could lie in a planet's All of eighty feet tall she must have multitudes' might under the thumb of been. She towered over our heads as the madness of dero. she arose to greet us, a vast cloud of At her willed command we all ran the glittering hair of the Nor women to seats that circled the throne. They floating about her head, the sex aura a were mounted on acceleration ab- visible iridescence flashing about her sorbers. The great hand pressed the a

42 AMAZING STORIES bar that lifted the now weightless ship another friend, this time a great one up the force beam flowing out of the indeed. cavern. It was a strange passage. Most of it Even through the thick walls of the seemed more a dream than reality. Such ship we heard the huge airlocks scream things as the tremendous gait we built shut behind us. Then we were out in up—far more than light speed—and the space' headed toward Nor, the vast great distances we traveled were the cold planet where this Elder Goddess' realities, but I barely noticed them. daughter had been born centuries be- More real was the unreality of the thin, fore. I realized that our precipitate de- lovely forms of the Nor maids moving parture was sure evidence that our news about their mighty princess, the soft had meant much more than nothing to fires of their floating hair like seedling Vanue. She had enough Elder God flames from the vast fire of Vanue's sense in her to know that flight was im- god-life crowned by its floating cloud of perative. There were misgivings in my yellow; our own eyes burning like the breast as I wondered if any Atlan spotted wings of moths against the Elders or rodite had knowledge of screen of her will; the sad faces of our mighty Vanue's presence on Quanto. It own maids beside us, gazing first at the might make a great difference if they fierce white flame of her body and then didl at our own bemused selves ; the vaulting of the vast ship walls about us; the j^S the acceleration lessened toward unfamiliar instruments blinking and the midpoint of our takeoff, freeing whirring. us from our seats, the whelming voice It was a very real dream to me— of the great woman-being swept us. dream I knew I would never stop

"You children will remain with me dreaming. Strange passage. . . . Ever until your future is settled. I will thus the whisper of the feet of the Nor maids be sure that you are fully rewarded for on some swift errand; the soft rumble bringing us such vital information." of the voice of their living Goddess and The soft, singing voice of the gray the answering bright song of her wor- maid from Mars questioned her, and in shipping maidens. Yes, it was a strange its notes was gray also. passage, and every mile of it brought

"Will you . . . can you . . . then give home a fascinating realization. us back the love of our dear ones, I had embarked on the most amazing which has cleaved to you?" There was voyage of my whole life. The very a powerful pleading in her voice that thought of what now certainly lay be- penetrated even through the blanket- fore me was enough to stun my mind ing ecstasy that held me. into an apathy of thinking that was hard Infinite tenderness and compassion to overcome; yet my mind was so full seemed to flow from the eyes of the of excitement that it did strive to think, great one. to add to the realization of what the

"There is a way to do that." the future would hold. A new life was at master voice answered; and she bent hand; opening to wonders that stag- swiftly toward the Mars maid, her great gered me to think of them—and awed eyes flashing a strange thought I could me into all-engulfing reverence. not wholly read; a tender woman-lan- To live to become what this Nor prin- guage into the eyes of the Mars maid. cess had become; to have the love of That simple Martian magic had made people as she had the love of these Nor "I REMEMBER LEMURIAf" 43 maidi—that is the real dream. I knew would be more than one could well that I must gain the key to the door of stand. An overpowering, devastating full a way of living that will lead to the ecstasy. . . . value of the Nortan life. Well, it would be an interesting death.25 CO IT was, sitting in the thrall of that too-strong beauty of woman- CHAPTER V! life, we noted so little. How much time passed? I will never know. It is as if Conclave of trie Elder* all body functions ceased, as though food and drink were not needed—as T NEVER knew how much time the long as we were in the presence of voyage consumed; but it seemed Vanue of Nor. But I did know that very soon that the great vessel floated she was in continual communication down the landing beam into the white with the planet Nor over the space tele- and yawning face of a landing area on screens. Face after face appeared be- a station satellite of Nor while I and the fore her, murmured briefly and intense- other youths dreamed on almost oblivi- ly, and vanished; only to be replaced by ous in the quarters of Vanue. others, I knew vaguely that she was Still in that dazed dream of love we calling for a conference on the strength followed among her maidens into the of our information; and sensed also that tubes and aboard the special shuttle we would attend that conference at her ship awaiting her, and shot off to Nor side. looming not far away. We did not The thought dawned on me slowly. pause on Nor's dark surface, but de- Here was an honor few ro ever attain scended into the depths of a great cave in the first century of their growth. By toward the council place somewhere in old Mother Mu! To see those Elders center Nor. of Nor, the whole lot of them, male I had thought in the past that the size and female, all at once . . .1 That Titans were mighty of thought and

18 This reference to death from mere association we consider Mr. Shaver's constant insistence that with the Elders is singularly intriguing. According dark spare is full of Titans, Atlans and Nortans, to Mr. Shaver, the Titans, Atlans and Nortans had and that they do not visit our world because it is less sun's poisonous radioactives is I he ability to bestow beneficial forces upon plagued by the and favored mortals, such as Mutan Mion (a ro), and a cause of death. They shun their ancient home, also radiated a perpetual flow of life energy which Mu. We, says Shaver, are a quarantined people was beyond their control to cut off from any ro under an evil sun. We have no value to tbem. la who visited them. Hence, the animal magnetism their language we are errant (detrimental energy of Vanue was such as to cause Mutan Mion's animals: E—energy; R—dangerous dis force; AN whole being to be drawn to her body with a force —animal; T—force of growth. Literally erranti so great that it superceded any other love he might are animals whose force of growth is directed by have had. Her attraction commanded all of his a dangerous dis energy and is therefore evil). Can maleness, his ability and capacity for love of the we assume that he is incorrect in his assumption opposite sex. that these super beings never visit the earth, and Now we find him refering to the possibility of that such instances as the biblical references to dying from too much of this animal magnetism. angels, Christ, and other things are actual records Obviously in his mind a superstitition has been of such visits? Perhaps it is significant that the built up which has enhanced his imagination of thfr reference to these things always seem to include i.e. effects of meeting the Elders in a great group. He effusion of an energy of some sort : the radiance refers to meeting the Elders as being "a great of the angel who drove Adam and Eve from the light honor" for ro less than a century old. Therefore Garden ; the brilliant that blinded Saul as he we can discount his belief that it will be fatal to rode to destroy Christians; the radiance amidst him; because it is jomeinnes done to ro younger which Elija, and Christ himself, ascended into than a century as an "honor" and without fatal Heaven; the light that came from the burning result. The truly interesting factor here is when bush and the voice that spoke to Abraham.—Ed. 44 AMAZING STORIES

—bqt what I saw now eclipsed anything meaning and emotion of a kind too vast I had ever heard of the glories of our for ro to grasp. They danced in a own races. Big and vital as was Vanue, vortex of conductive rays which carried she was but a little child among the their thought and body essence, aug- tremendous Nortan Elders and Gods. mented by apparatus, to each watcher. There are no words to describe what the development of unchecked growth 'JpHE climax was the appearance of in man brings forth. These ancient the greatest beauty of the planet— Nortans, who had studied and purified a sorceress of the art of entertainment all the source-substances of growth and named Hypaytee—who wore on her combined them into an endless variety head a device which caused a vast aug- of nutrients which they introduced into mentation of the thought images of her their bodies by many means—borne in mind to play about her body in a tre- electric flows; on penetrative sound mendous revealment of the infinitely waves; by injections; by direct feeding developed soul of woman. I had loved —had been growing at a fierce rate for woman—but never before had I under- unknown centuries. Their inner beings stood even vaguely what development

had evolved in various ways, so that did to the greatest value of life. The they were evidently of a more complex rewards this woman could give a man atomic and molecular construction than by the use of her mind alone, coupled orofyiary flesh. There is no way to de- as it was to that mighty, sinuous dan- scribe the qualities of thought, of inner cer's body expressing all the things that strength of spirit seen on their faces and draw men to women, brought the con- in the aura that visibly coruscates al- course of Elders to their feet in an ways about such beings. earth-shaking applause and a mighty We trooped after Vanue as she en- vow to care for the race that produced tered the vasty reaches of the council her. This thought was also projected cavern and took her throne by the side from the control rays which took root of her father, a mighty bulk of man- in every heart. It came to me, too; flesh but only a lesser luminary in that and I was a Nor-man now, no matter gathering. what I had been before! Before the council came to the busi- Then Vanue's thought flashed out, ness at hand we were treated to a brief setthsg the thought cloud 2" areas into prelude of entertainment—psychologic- coruscation with an alarm, a command ally a reward for the effort of coming to attention. I was brought out of my to the council. It was a prelude of daze to see my »wn thought record pro- music and dancing, 3 review of the best jected in the thought clouds. I saw talent of the planet, calculated to bring once again, as real as the first time I the minds of the council into harmony on the subject of the welfare and glory 26 Three dimensional pictures were formed by of the race. Entertainment, yes; but projection of the image into a mass of gases held by electric pressure in a cloud whose particles the amusements of Elder Gods are noth- glowed in various colors according to the mental ing to pass over. wavelength of the vibration field in which they floated. Ordinarily the cloud is opaque white, and What it all meant was beybnd me; I when the thought-picture is projected into it by was aware only of awful the beauty and the Noxtan mind, it becomes transparent except for tremendously fecund strength of the the particles which form the image in full color. The command for attention causes the whole dancers—bred and fed by wizard tech- cloud to change color from milky white to flaming red. nicons of growth; trained to express 'I REMEMBER LEMUR1AI" 45

had seen it, the fear on the faces of the projections in the thought-cloud area. six-armed Sybyl of the Info screens; I saw that any thought, no matter how the striking of the black death at the abstract, could be projected in these dance; the hideous fear on the faces of clouds by thought augmentors.37 They the dancers; Arl's sweet face contorted used an image language instead of in a scream. . . . words, and their talk was to me but a A thought-record from the brain of whirlwind of changing forms, faces, each of our group from Tean City fol- geometrical figures, maps of space and lowed. It was evidence enough, thus figures on orbits and many other things gathered together, that evil had the " In ft letter from Mr. Shaver, this reference to upper hand in Mu. augmentors is explained in great detail. Says Mr.

Shaver : "I refer you to a picture printed in many My own efforts to conceal my thought high school books of ancient history. It is from as I planned our escape and the trick the 'Book of the Dead' a copy of which could bt of the belts on the throttle that had obtained in any large library from a book about the 'Book of the Dead.' This picture shows ft resulted in our success finished the rec- scene which is called a picture of the Gods, and is ord display. .in two sections. On the lower section the Gods I was mightily surprised to hear ap- are 'weighing the souls' our historians tell Uf. Actually it looks like a butcher buying a hybrid plause and a great thunder of voices hog: half hog and half deer ... the animal has calling for me—Mutan Mion of Atlan. a line around its middle as though it had been cut They called for me, the stupid artist! apart and sewn together again. Tt is evidence of the hybrid breeding of animals by the Atlans and those vast voices from hundreds of an- Titans of Mo. cient beings, some of them three hun- "Another picture shows a teacher seated before dred feet in height! an instrument, and before the teacher, facing him, is a group of students each holding a smaller in- Vanue held me out in her two hands strument. This is an actual pictographic represen- for all to see. And as I became the tation of the thought augmentor and the focusing center of their attention, my embarrass- device used to pick up Its waves. "Still another instrumtnt pictured in ancient ment exceeded any emotion of a similar Egyptian glyphs is the crook the Pharoahs always nature I had ever had. If I had known carry. Notice the bottom end has a clevis—with handles protruding from that they would think of an escape from holes. J have seen such the ancient weapon-beam apparatus. It acts as such a condition as so much of a feat a beam director, like the stick of an airplane; and it is probable I would never have tried if removed would have kept the apparatus from being used by anyone else. Why else the clevis it. I would have been hopeless of suc- on the bottom? The origin of scepters was this cess from the very inception of the fool- carrying of the control handle to keep others from hardy thought. using the dangerous apparatus while one was gone T was put down again, my face red, for a short time. "Certainly the use of this apparatus was very my thoughts flustered, my embarrass- general in ancient times among rulers for It gave ment a flood of discomfort in me—but them control of men's minds and its use was al- ways secret among them." a discomfort that held within it a Mr. Shaver's explanatory letters to us consist- strange glow of humility that was at the ently startle us with new mysteries. His calm as- same time a glow of pride. I was proud sertion that he "lias seen such handles protruding from the ancient weapon-beam apparatus" was with a just pride; and I felt somehow such a startler. Naturally your editor demanded that it was not my own pride, but the an explanation —which came in the form of a pride of Vanue, whose utter slave I had NEW MANUSCRIPT! This new story tells of Mr. Shaver's amazing search for the underground become. Vanue, Elder of Van of Nor, cities of Allan—and of his SUCCESS 1 was proud of her ro! Readers, as we edit this present manuscript for publication, we are constantly plagued by the presence on our desk of another which offers what 'JpHE actual conference of the God- purports to be PROOF of the truth of the storjt of heads took place now in thought MutinMionl—Ed. : — "

46 AMAZING STORIES incomprehensible to me and probably to tives. This may be a true vision, in most of the ro present. The powerful part or in whole—for we may not suc- minds of the Nortans functioned too ceed entirely in our mission. We may rapidly for us to grasp any but the sim- even fail! plest meaning in the ideographs unfold- "Therefore, we give to you the task ing in the cloud before us. But I did of preparing a message, ir^jveat dupli- gather that some action was to take cation, to these pitiful men of the fu- place at once to save the Atlans and ture—so that there may be some hope the Titans of Atlan from the derodite. that those among them who have the Now from the mists of the Elder mental power to fight against their cruel Gods' highest throne of all came a swift environment may make their lives in ray that lanced down and touched me some measure complete. This message delicately. An ecstasy of change came will be left on Mu, and in it, in many over me. What that ray did to me and places for future man to find." told me in the next brief instant I can The voice ceased. The conference never say in any words. Then a voice was over. spoke out "Mutan Mion of Mu, we have seen CHAPTER VII the great compassion and love for your fellow man that lives in your breast. A Wedding on Nor We admire such greatness in such a tiny ro; and because of the love of man AS WE passed from the misty vast- in you we have decided that it must not ness of the council cavern Vanue go without full satisfaction in deed. turned .to us of Atlan, trooping behind "You came here to gather together an her, and said in a serious voice. expedition and return to Mu for the "It is law among Nortans that no rescue of your comrades who are in service to the race goes unrewarded. deadly danger. Never could you carry Now there are certain things I plan for such a gigantic project as this would you which I cannot give you legally ex- require to its successful completion cept you swear to serve me always as and yet you have done it; for we of Nor my loyal followers. Is there anything have made a solemn vow to rescue the to keep you from that?" Her eyes men of Atlan on Mu and to destroy the searched us one by one. derodite who threaten to spread their The Mars maid answered, her eyes evil even into dark space. shining:

"However, because of your great de- "There is only our oath to the state sire, we have planned a place for you in of Atlan, and the present evil conditions this great mission. You shall have your render that oath void." part in it; and you shall have another Vanue went on: "I am only a young duty which is worthy of your capacity Elder you might do better than to fol- ; for compassion. We, the Nortans, have low me—my fortune in the future is not seen in your mind a vision of the far wholly assured. You might do better ! future—of a time on Mu when men "You have honored us, Vanue," said shall be slaves of the degenerate sun the Mars maid. "You have let us see around which it circles; of a time when your mind at work; we know there is they will be but mentally deficient sav- no evil in you. That your fortune ages living out a life span compressed should be our fortune is enough for me. to an irreducible minimum by radioac- You have said you will give the love of "I REMEMBER LEMURlAl' 47

our men back to us, and though I don't ing placed in pairs in tanks like our understand how you will or can, I know own. you will." Then Vanue's maids swarmed about One by one we swore loyalty to us, placing wires about our arms, our Vanue before all other greater beings. wrists, our hands and feet; fastening

Then Vanue looked at her Nor maids breathing cups over our mouths ; thrust- and said with a strange innuendo that ing needles into our veins and attach- made them laugh with delight and an- ing them to the ends of thin tubes; plac- ticipation: "Now we must send them to ing caps of metal with many wires con- school—in pairs ! " The laughter of the nected to generators and other ma- gold-topped lilys of Nor rang merrily. chines on our heads; covering our eyes What sort of. a school was this, I won- with strangely wired plates of crystal. dered, to make them laugh so? I heard the tank cover sealed and The tubes took Vanue's train to the more fluid gushed in until we were com- i doors of her own cavern palace. Huge pletely submerged. We floated in sus- air locks swung open to admit the whole pension within the tanks. procession into the under parts of the Then began a strange thing; for our palace. When we stepped out into the minds, Arl's and mine, were conscious special air of her home that tremendous of each other through the medium of acceleration of the life processes that I the interrelated wiring and the plates had noted in her chambers in the space over our eyes—an awareness that must liner again seized us—and life became a have been augmented a thousand times. thing to really fear to lose. Her breath was my breath, her thoughts But as yet I had no inkling of what took place in my head stronger than lay before me in the mystery of the wis- Vanue's ever had, and the woman-soul dom that had built that place to house of her was so augmented in my mind as their first borne, Elder princess Vanue, to eclipse all other woman's appeal that daughter of the Elder Gods of Nor. my memory had ever recorded. Flinging off her wraps, which she had A strange little voice (it must have worn to the council chamber because of been Vanue's speaking over a tele- their significance, Vanue said: "We will thought instrument) . whispered beside put the children in school, and then to me: "You will never escape Arl now. our own work. We have much to do to You are her slave forever." And as I make ready and the time is short." listened, I knew that Vanue spoke the "School" turned out to be a vast lab- truth. oratory—a replica on a much mightier Arl's face, laughing before me in the scale of our own Titan technicon's lab- eye plates, became larger and larger, en- oratory school where Arl and I had tered my brain, became the wellspring learned to know each other and the pos- of my being. I heard Arl's thought, a sibilities of life. Instead of embryos, vast river of force flowing in my mind, the nutrient tanks contained six foot ro saying: "Where I go, there will you and even much larger men and women. go also. The thing that is my desire is growing in you. My roots are your ^pAKING Arl and I in her hands she soul. You are my desire and the slave placed us in one of the big tanks. of my desire!" The liquids were warm and comforting And I heard my own thought make

and we splashed about playfully while answer in Arl's mind: "So it shall be, others of our Atlan group were also be- always, oh maiden of the clicking AMAZING STORIES

hooves and swift hands, of the beautiful Among the things that became a part tail, of the clean will and strong de- of my knowledge was the promise of

sire ! " And I knew that what I said was the future in such tanks as this: Some- true. time Arl and I were to build such a The fluids and forces that were puls- tank and apparatus and take a long ing through us made these things grow sleep in it and awake as Gods, full of within our beings, so that centuries of the strength and the beauty and the loving contact were replaced by min- pleasure of life and life's fulfilment.

utes of furious growth; and we fell So it was that Arl and I were married asleep, strangely within each other our by an actual mingling of the seeds of thoughts, growing and becoming an in- our being, and not by any foolish cere- tegrant part of our being. Through mony; blessed by the actual love of every fibre of my body I could feel Vanue, now our Lady, and not by any fecund growth swelling and expanding, meaningless words. patterned by thoughts which were mine Though we were in the growth tank and yet not mine. In my ears strange less than a week, we came out inches sounds beat mysterious meanings which bigger in every way; but the real were forces taking root within me. My growth that had taken place was an memory was a vast garden of new inner growth—for I was vastly heavier thoughts growing as my mind grew, and and my strength was aware of new remembering all the principles that limits. came over the wires from the Elder Mentally, too, I was vastly more Gods' own thought record. able; for when I looked about at the apparatus I knew the inner construc- ^LWAYS overhead I could feel the tion and use of every bit of it, and I Nor maids watching my mind pic- knew that from then on few things tures and correcting the growth mem- would mystify me other than the work ory so that everything took its rightful of the very oldest Gods. place. And within me I could hear Arl, I found that I had not lost my love sleeping and growing too, and she was for Vanue, but that I loved her now as very dear. one loves and is grateful to a leader. The thing that was me slept as a My love for Arl was the strongest thing 28 babe sleeps in the womb, and the seeds in me. of the Gods' thoughts took root in Arl 28 The "school" of growth to which Mutan Miort and I and grew. We were at once and Arl and their companions went for their children asleep in the womb of the God growth in both body and mind is the concrete manifestation in apparatus of the science of man- mother, and man and wife wrapped in growth as conceived by the three ancient god- each other's adoring arms. Time flowed races. It was based on simple laws of the integra- by like water; and we slept but were tion of matter. These simple laws are being set forth in a scientific monograph by Mr. Shaver and more awake and alive than ever before, your editor, who firmly believe that its publication and felt the pleasure of each the other's will throw a bombshell into all of present-day body and soul appeal, the very inner physics and chemistry. Naturally they cannot be dealt with in complete form here, but a slight ex- essence of man-life and woman-appeal planation of what was done to Mutan Mion seems to man. Life pulsed from each of us necessary. Part of this explanation is in the words into the other constantly. We had more of Mr. Shaver: Growth is an inflow of exd. Life itself is a flame pleasure of each other in the growth of integration, which like a fire must be fed, or it school tank than ever I have known of goes out. Exd is the fuel of that flame, and by in any pleasure. (Footnote concluded on next page)

50 AMAZING STORIES

All of us found out now that Vanue member, your part in the coming task was not the most foolish of the Elders is two-fold. In one phase of this you of Nor, despite her comparative youth, will accompany us to act with us in the but was looked up to everywhere as one great war that must be fought. We whose star was in the ascendant. Her have developed a plan in which your followers were more numerous than help as an advance and secret agent many much more prominent Elders. is necessary. Ycu will be told more Arl and I spent several days together about that later, when we have em- in our love, and in seeing the wonders barked. of Nor's civilization. Here was a vast "Now, however, your other mission series of underground cities, all heated begins, here on Nor. It is the mission and bathed in beneficial energies arti- of love for your fellow men. No mat- ficially created. No need for a sun's ter how successful we are in rescuing light to live. No danger of dis-integra- the men of Atlan, it cannot be that we

tives from a dangerous sun poisoning will rescue all of them. Many must not the soil and water of the planet, to be rescued! There is nothing we could cause slow death by age. do for them, poisoned as they are to the point of death. Nor must we allow any 'jpHEN one day Vanue called me to of this poison to escape to the dark

her. worlds where it can infect others. Too, "I speak now of the mission the El- the dero influence is dangerous, and ders of the council granted to you in madness must not spread over the uni- the conference chamber. As you re-, verse. its condensation into matter, adds to the flame, elimination, beneficial generators, and so on. But causing growth, Naturally this growth is a mate- some group feared Us influence and it was de- rial growth. What the Nortans did was to concen- stroyed, so completely that only the memory of trate the flow of exd so as to feed the flame of life that once infallible book remains, which memory- at a greater rate, and thus cause greater growth. was the father of the Bible and all its veneration, A technical simile might be drawn: a fire, when including the cross on its cover, the 'T' sign. supplied with finely divided carbon and a larger The direct need for a greater future for man is supply of oxygen becomes a greater, fiercer thing. strengthening of the general mind by T forces, the of brain. progress is truly It is the same with life. When supplied with a growth a better No brain greater quantity of exd, it grows, becomes stronger, progress unless man grows a better to grow more active. a better brain. That is the pattern of progress- The mechanical means is very similar to the to grow a growth to grow a growth to grow, etc. magnetic field lenses used in electron microscopes, What man needs is a conscious aim toward growth. which direct and focus a flow of particles called To leam how to grow into a man better able to electrons into a beam more revealing than light grow into a wiser man is a goal followed by hut because its particles are smaller. This same mag- a few men out of all the number who could be netic field principle can be used to focus exd and striving in that direction. The great ones called thus hasten integration. A magnetic field, lens- such a goal 'TIC and any energy not directed shaped, could focus falling exd by attunement just toward that goal was called 'ERR.' Alexis Car- as a radio collects certain waves. This attunement rel says much the same thing in 'Man, the Un- can be determined by constructing a coil in the known.' He is one of the few men on earth same shape as the coils of the electron microscope whose efforts are not err to self interest. That is, —but much larger. The focus can be determined he aims to understand his life process and make it by its light focus, which would be the same. A last longer. True self interest is seen in his efforts, plant, placed beneath this point of focus perks up as in few others. These others think of self interest its leaves, reaches out, is invigorated, exudes a dew, as an oppositional of other self interests— which is in a short time is twice the size it would ordinarily a de illusion (Atlan for disillusion), for opposi- have been. tionals neutralize. True self interest would there- Once there was a book called the T book (T fore always be a coincident, not an oppositional. for integration, for growth force, energy, etc.) Our most basic concepts have become err from which was in rather widespread use up to the time disintegrant force distortion of thought flows over al Christ. It contained the elemental frames of the long period of time since we were children of logic and simple what-to-dos like the age-poison the Gods of the past.—Ed. "I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" 51

"Thus it has been given to you to in- of such effort can be—in thousands of scribe on imperishable plates of tel- years of life's fullness—even on a planet onion, our eternal metal, a message to under a detrimental sun. We cannot future man which will be placed on and save those men yet unborn. We can in Mu so that those who have the in- only leave for them the heritage that telligence to find and read it may bene- is rightfully theirs, the heritage of ov.r fit by the truths of growth and defense sciencon knowledge. And you, Mutan, against a too-soon death by age. in your infinite love and pity for your "After the passing of Atlan science fellow men, shall perform this task with from Mu, men will begin to die at the all the energy that your love makes same age, and their sons will all be the possible!" same size at the same age. This will be caused by accumulations of sun-poi- LEFT the presence of mighty, J son in the water of Mu, which will stop Vanue, marveling at the under- all growth in mankind at almost the standing of the Elders and Gods of very beginning of their development. Nor. No wonder that their race is so They will scarcely get beyond child- great. To me, the humble artist of hood before they will begin to die. Sub Atlan, had been given a great mis- "These plates you will inscribe will sion; one that thrilled me to my depths.

contain a message that is a key and a I hurried to Arl to tell her all about it. path to the door that will open life value "The wonder of it!" I exclaimed, to these future men, whose fate we know having repeated what Vanue had told and pity, but cannot prevent. We can me, "In my hands—the simple, awk- only teach them what we know that will ward, unskilled artist's hands of Mutan enable them to get the most of their life Mion, culture man of Mu—has been out of Mu. The dero will not be able placed the hope of future man! Tome to read, and thus will die as they should. is given the honor to preserve for men Those whose minds are powerful yet unborn the knowledge of their heri- enough to escape complete dero-robot- tage of life! ism will read and profit. Arl held me to her, and her eyes were "You can tell them how to attain this shining. life growth by freeing their food and "Yes, I understand," she said. water intake of all the poisons that will "There is more!" I went on. "The be found in it in the natural state. The Nortans set out soon to rescue many age poisons can be removed by centri- thousands of Atlans and Titans and fuge and by still; their air can be made their variform offspring from the threat a nutrient by proper treatment and of death by a dying sun's radioactives, freed of all its detrimental ions by field and from the black death of the dero- sweeps of electric. The exd on which dite; but I, Mutan Mion, am to be the the basic integration of iife feeds can rescuer of untold numbers of future be concentrated (just as it was in your men down through the history of Mu, body in the growth school tank) in until the very planet is dead! Think ." energy flows which greatly increase the of it . . rate of growth and the solidity and Arl kissed me tenderly. "Go, Mutan, weight of the flesh. and busy yourself with the beginning "Tell future man to do these things, of the message. You have but little Mutan Mion, and their reward will be time, and I think you should begin by great. You have seen what the reward putting down the story of Mu—our " —

62 AMAZING STORIES

story! —and thus give body to the mes- I should have known that my loyal sage to future man. Perhaps he will Arl would never consent to remaining

not even remember Atlantis ! Nor Tean behind while I went into danger! City, nor all the other vast cities of "Your life is my life," she was whis- center Mu. Perhaps he will not even pering as she snuggled in my arms. remember that there ever was such a "Where you go, there also will I go. being as an Atlan or a Titan or a Nor- Your soul's nearness is my desire." tan. It will be your duty to tell him that, too, my loved one. For how can CHAPTER VIII

he believe and hope if he has no knowl- edge of the truth of life?" Return to Mu

"Most certainly must I tell them of TT HAD been but a short month since you!" I exclaimed. "Never in all Time was there such a woman! our arrival on Nor. Many had been the un- And kissing her again, I hurried off preparations, most of them I to to the sciencon laboratories to gather known to me. Only now as went the launching cradles did I see the full the materials necessary to begin scrib- extent of preparations. I found ing my imperishable plates of telonium those with the message of hope to Lemurians a fleet of mighty space vessels lifting unborn. from the frozen face of Nor, leaving to gather space. For many days I worked, putting at a rendezvous in down the truths and the knowledge to Vanue's own vast vessel was not the overcome the poison of age to the full- least among the fleet, nor I and Arl the

est possible extent, as it is now done in last aboard. On her viewscreens we Tean City and all Mu; and the means watched countless other ships lifting on to full life growth. I told the story of reverse gravity beams with what seemed our flight from Mu, and much of the to be almost utter ponderance until they history of Mu. I told of the Titans reached a point in space where they and the Atlans who live throughout all could take up normal flight. New-built dark space; who are searching ever for ships these were, wonderful in their en- new suns. I told of the Nortans; who gineering and armament. do not believe in living near any sun, We watched, also, many Nortans, old or new. mostly Nor war-maidens and Nor war- I brought my message up to date ro, embark on our own ship. Vanue and barely in time. For when I had herself was already aboard, together finished Arl came to me. with several other Elders of minor "Vanue's ship leaves for Mu in a few stature. They brought with them vast hours," she said. "You must be ready." quantities of material of unguessable At that moment it hit me—these .were use. Observing it I understood that my last hours with my loved Arl until their purpose was not wholly to save

I returned from the war in Mu ; if ever the people of my race from their sad I returned; Now, for the first time plight, but to nip in the bud the grow- since reaching Nor I knew sorrow. But ing power of Evil forces so near their Arl saw what was in my mind, and her own stead in space. That they were words brought joy back to me. wholly confident of their ability to do "I am to go along, as operator of jpie this, I knew, but I knew also of the of the telescreens on our own ship," mighty armaments and endless warrens she announced happily. of the Atlan armies. I had seen their "

"I REMEMBER LEMURIA1" 53

tremendous vessels maneuvering There was an idea— I would put around Mu on the viewscreens and the down the information necessary to di- news teles. I hoped the Nortans were rect such a search. It would be a sim- not overconfident. ple thing—for the great ones would But as we proceeded into space never be found near or under the rays toward Mu at greater speed, I found of a sun as old as this one will be by that I did not really know the Nortans. then. Aging suns would always be a I had underestimated them. They un- space horror to be shunned by all men. derstood concept, and I came to realize Only the action of the derodite on Mu that concept had become a frozen thing had kept our own Atlans so long un- on Mu by comparison. The Nortans der its rays. Only on or near dark used the truth, for it was the right con- worlds and new suns would the great ceptual attack. Evil has no concept; it ones be found. is a mad robot to detrimental force. When Evil has power and men must JT WAS while I stood at Art's side obey or die, then only is it to be feared. watching still more Atlan ships join But sometimes men fight for Evil un- us that a thought came to me. knowingly. "How can the Nortans so quickly As we passed an Atlan space station trust the ships of the Atlans as to allow a Nortan ship would land and presently a number of them near their own fleet?" take off again, followed by all the ships "Silly," chided Arl, flirting her tail of the station. They had just told them at my question, "they don't trust them. the truth. The Nortans had an an- It is not a question of trust. They just cient reputation that forbade any doubt place a very large female Elder aboard of their words. It was as simple, and each ship as it joins our fleet and there as powerful, as that. is no further question of trust or obedi- This went on so often, that as we ence. Supposedly she goes aboard 'to neared Mu the Atlan fleet with us was advise the commander as to our plans nearly as large as our own. The truth and to interpret our ways to him,' but can be a mighty friend and these space you know the real reason— warriors knew the Nor-men and trusted "Of course!" I interrupted her with them. a rueful grin. "I should certainly un- So impressed was I by the ships of derstand from my own recent experi- this vast battle fleet that I was tempted ence with Vanue!" to go to my quarters and describe them Atlan warriors are all male. Those as part of my message to future man; commanders and their men would be but I abandoned the idea. I reasoned unable to do anything else but obey, that if my message was a needful one with complete loyalty. They could not when it was found, its finders would do otherwise, for they could not find

have little use for, or need of, such the will or wish to do it. Not even the technical information as the construc- commanders of space ships are Elders tion of space weapons. by any means. Under the spell of that Perhaps when they learned again to vast woman-life, they would be helpless fight the aging power of the sun and the to her will in their ecstatic love for her. evil her disintegrant force can bring to There were maneuvers as we neared life, they could again learn such other Mu, but I saw little of them. Most of things as they would need by searching the time I was busy with my telonion space for friendly peoples. plates, inscribing further knowledge or —

54 AMAZING STORIES

duplicating them so that they might be a world of bafflement in it, a note of de- deposited in Mu in many places. feat that opened my eyes wide in dis- Another job I had which took up belief. much of my attention was the task of "Return to Nor," was what she said! making thought-record from the heads of men in Atlan vessels nearby, in an DETURN to Nor! Abandon our attempt to learn what had happened in mission? No! It could not be. Mu since our flight. They knew little, There must be a ruse in Vanue's mind. for the telenews had evidently been as Vanue was not the kind to give up, even uncommunicative of Atlans' true trou- though the odds seemed great. Then bles as before. Some whispers they had what picked up, but nothing of great value. Vanue's voice in my mind said a sin- I kept .on, but it was of little use. gle word: "Come." They knew just enough to make them I switched off my thought recorder ready to join us, but no more. There ray and bounded down the corridor was nothing that would help us in the toward the great doors of hammered coming battle. All we knew was that metal, a wild joy in my heart that at we were enroute to war upon an enemy last she had need of me, and that cer- who was undeniably powerful, but tainly this was a ruse. whose identity we would have no way Even before I reached the great doors of knowing—until he struck first ! And I knew one thing: Vanue's ship was not that first blow might be a terrible retreating toward Nor as the others one . . . seemed to be. Under cover of tlie Noting some agitation in the ship I swarm of retreating ships, our own ves- was watching, I focused on the com- sel had slipped into the moon's shadow mander's quarters just in time to hear as we passed her and had come to a the last of a general message from sur- halt hanging there invisibly in the face Atlan: moon's earth lee. " —and since we hold the population Once I arrived before that vast flame under our war rays; and since the safe- of beauty I sank to my knees, but she ty of that very population we know to reached out a great hand and raised me be your objective; let me warn you to my feet. From her desk she took a that the very first sign of an attack on tiny box and showed me its one projec- your part will be the signal for a gen- tion—a tiny stud; a switch. eral slaughter of the people on our part. "Take this and put it in your clothes. They are only in our way anyway. You It looks like a pocket reading machine, may kill us in time, but you will never and it will not be noticed with suspi- attain your objective!" cion. In the locks an Atlan ship and The horrible import of the message pilot is waiting for you. He has been stung me into inactivity for a moment, directed to take you to surface Atlan. then I recovered and with haste swung "Once there you will mask your my ray to hear Vanue's reaction to this thoughts in any way you please, for I problem-posing message. What would know your ability in that respect. Then she reply? Or had she a reply to this go to your old home in Sub Atlan. There development? Death for the very peo- tutn on your telenews and wait beside ple we had come to save rested in her it until you hear three clicks from it, hands . . . repeated at uneven intervals. Then take

Then came Vanue's voice; and it held out this box and press the metal stud a

"I REMEMBER LEMURIA!" full in. It will tell you what to do next. old place on the hat rack, embraced my That is all." . mother and kissed the tears from her I bowed low, kissed her foot's radiant dear face, slapped Dad on the back and flesh, and ran from her quarters. answered his grunted "Where in the The Atlan ship was waiting for me, whirling world of woolheads have you the pilot ready and silent. He pointed been wandering?" with "Just sewing a out my old Atlan student's outfit, which wild oat. I'll tell you about it at din- was already aboard, and indicated that ner," and bounded up the stairs to my I was to wear it. I jettisoned my Nortan old room where I switched on the tele- uniform and in a moment was once news and lay upon my bed, carefully more Mutan Mion, life-culture student masking my thoughts by thinking what of center Mu. tale I would make up to explain my out- When I had completed my trans- ing to Dad. formation I found that the ship was al- Three sharp clicks from the telenews ready rocketing down the regular pas- startled me. I had not expected the senger lane from moon to Mu. The signal so soon. Vanue must have been pilot, an Atlan, spoke a few words of watching. I leaped erect, drew the box explanation and lapsed into silence. from my pocket and pressed the switch. "I am a taxi driver and you're a pas- A voice came from the box. senger. Mind that—and luck!" "Put this box on your head and put It was all so simple. I could hardly your hat on tightly to keep the box in believe it would work. But it did. The place. Do not take your hat off for any ship settled on the public field, I reason from then on. Go outside and jostled my way into the tubes, and soon walk around the block. Soon you will was roaring along toward my home— notice a strange thing; after which you student returning from an outing. will get more directions." I did as directed, promising to return SWITCHED on the seat J telenews soon when I dashed past my astonished but apparently nothing was happen- mother and father. I stopped only long ing. enough to retrieve my hat. It recited the most inane occurences: Outside a strange drowsiness came a taxi motor failure had plunged two over me. It was hard to move. The fares and the driver into the sea, and lights of Sub Atlan flooded the ways, they had escaped with a ducking; a but I ignored them and walked slowly snakeman had caught his tail in a sub- around the block. I noticed the girl at way door, but would live; our adored the food tablet stand lolling fast asleep chief Elder was having a birthday, may over her open cash drawer. How very he have many more ... I switched careless of her, to sleep so. But then I the telenews off. Anything could hap- found the service ro at the rollat stand pen—and to Atlans nothing out of the also deep in slumber; and several of his way would even be whispered. Of the customers sprawled in slumber on the vast Nor fleet that had been so lately seats with the doors open, the hood up. above, not the slightest hint. Great was The voice in my hat explained the the control of the derodite in Mu! mystery. Not easy would be the task of the "By now everyone in Sub Atlan but Nortan invaders! yourself and certain others is asleep. Reaching Sub Atlan, I made my way So will you be if you remove your hat to my own home, threw my hat at the and the box, which gives off stimulat- 56 AMAZING STORIES' ing vibrants. the "whole city was watched, and could "Go at once to the administration at any time be wholly robotized in an 28 center and switch off the auto watch and emergency from this point. And here general attack alarms. Bind the chief we found them, the controllers of the Elder and anyone else who seems able city; but they were not the giant elders to frustrate a landing. Then, when I had expected to find. I broke into everything seems safe, put a communi- laughter at the sight of them. cation beam on our position and guide Clothed in rags and dirt, hung all us in." over with hand weapons, their hair long and matted, were the strangest, most ^JpHE Administration building in Sub disgusting creatures I had ever seen in Atlan is a great tower which reaches my life. They were dwarfs, some of not only to the roof of the cavern that them white-haired, from the Gods know houses Sub Atlan but through that roof what hidden hole iu Mu's endless war- and on up to surface Atlan, where it ren of caverns. looms as the tallest building on the sur "What in the name of mother Mu face also. Great rollat ways connected are these things?" I asked Halftan, who the surface building with the sub build- had been one of the Atlans arriving im- ing. mediately behind me, and who now in task of binding the I activated a rollat at the curb stand, helped me the dialed the administration center's num- hideous dwarfs in turn after turn of the walls. ber, and drove the rollat by hand di- heavy drapes from the rectly into the great hall and up to the "You already know of them," he said. caves doors of the council chamber. As I "They come from the abandoned cities the machinery arrived I was surprised to see four of and of Mu. When my comrades, Atlans from Vanue's became defective from age, many cen- of caverns ship, racing into the hall behind me turies ago, a vast number Fugitives hid in from rollats at the curb. were sealed up. them used the defective pleasure stimula- I nudged the great doors with the 30 tors, and as a result, their children rollat bumper. They held. Turning were these things. the thing I drove across the hall and came back at full speed, crashing into * B The telemechro center was in itself under out- the great valves and at last they gave. side control, the communications mechanics being ro to the central control which was ro to the mas- I plunged into the hall, brakes squeal- ter control in its turn. Thus, all the rodite super- ing. vising the city could be placed under one master control through the screens in the telemechro cen- whole city's inhabitants CHAPTER IX ter By this means, the could be placed under hypnotic condition, even in- cluding the rodite themselves. From this it can be The Abandondero seen the telemechro center is a vital ipot In the dero control which has been thrown m all Mu. —Ed. TNSTEAD of finding the old chief

Elder and his aides about the room, 30 Entirely aside from our questioning of Mr. there was nothing. We raced through Shaver, we received a letter from him in which he describes the pleasure stimulator mentioned here. the place toward the telemechro center Or rather, he describes the sensations concurrent where the rodite mechs of the whole with its use in a very peculiar manner—since his city were supervised by a concentration words seem to indicate that he himself went through the experience. Whether or not the fol- of screens which controlled them all lowing words are those of Mr. Shaver, or of when necessary. Upon these screens (Footnote concluded on nest pai>) —

"I REMEMBER LEMURIA1" 57

"They die of age, are stupid, can- these ugly dwarfs I They were dero, not even read or write, but they must children of dero, enslaved in some have a vicious, cunning leader who has manner by the derodite master who learned to use them. They are called sought the death of all Mu! And the 'abandondero' by the techs, who have very fact of it brought home to me captured some of them for study. the greatness of the menace we were "If you had been in Tean City years beginning to fight. For the first time ago, you would have heard them talked I felt some misgiving as to the out- about on the telenews. The ones come. shown then were so stupid no one paid any attention. There is nothing so care- FINISHED tying the filthy less as a swelled head, I guess. Those brutes and then turned our at- supremely intelligent Elders of ours tention to the immense central syn- who should be tending this center will chronizing screen where a multiplex probably be found in ashes in the in- view of every station in the city could cinerator!" be seen. At each screen slumped the His words wiped the laughter from particular wizened dwarf who had been my lips. No laughing matter now, operating it, and who was now fast

Mutan Mion, your editors have as yet been un- hands of evil degenerates it became a deadly at- able to determine. Certainly some of them are traction-—drawing shiploads of men to death and Mr. Shaver's (which only makes them more star- the ships to looting. tling in their implications) and certainly some of "The course of history, the battles, the decisions them are not. In either case, they give us some- of tyrants and kings—was almost invariably de- thing to pander upon. cided by interfering control from the caverns and "They played stim on me, a powerful augmenta- their hidden apparatus. This interference, this use tion of woman-love; to a hundred powers of nat- of the apparatus in a prankish, evil, destructive ural love. There are no words to describe what way, is the source of god worship, the thrill of this apparatus did for life. There were hundreds divinity, the sensing of the invisible, the prostra- of rays about, aiways pleasant, their messages like tion of the will before the stronger wiil of the ray conversation as though a thousand Scbeberazades gen (hidden and unknown as it was) were telling tales at once. It augmented every cell "The remarkable part ©f it all is that It still impulse to a power untold. It seemed that every goes on today. Emotional and mental stim—un- tree carried a beautiful face; every breeze was like suspected by such as you and the average citizen a bath in elixir; every sensation having the value used in mad prankishness, all come from the an- of a thousand nights of love. Little bells and cient apparatus. If you will remember your stage visions of indescribable beauty mantled my closed fright in the school play, the many other times lids to waft me into a sleep of dreams beyond when your emotions seem to have gone awry with- anything mortal mind could devise." (Nate the out sufficient reason—were these natural? difference between the foregoing paragraph and "The dero of the caves are the greatest menace the following.— Ed.) to our happiness and progress ; the cause of many "These mechs—rays—stim—have been used al- mad things that happen to us, even so far as mur- ways as the forbidden fruit of life, the last treas- der. Many people know something of it, but they ure in the temple of secrecy which has consumed say they do not. Th£y are lying. They fear to be the ancient science. The orgies which the uses of called mad, or to be held up to ridicule. Examine such stimulants inspire have been going on secretly your own memory carefully. You will find many since the earliest times—beneath the temples and evidences of outside stim, some good, some evil— in the secret pleasure palaces of the world. (Shaver but mostly evil." here seems to be talking of our modern world, not What Mr. Shaver hints here is the subject of of ancient Mu.—Ed.) These orgies still go on, and another story on our desk. He gives this informa- are more deadly than before—more filled with de tion in all seriousness. In the deserted (and not accumulated in the apparatus, the stim itself con- so completely sealed!) caverns of Mu, the dero cealing the deadly rays whose effect is explained descendants of the abandondero still exist, idioti- results as the sad of overindulgence ; which is un- cally tampering with our lives by senseless use of true—the stim is a beneficial of great virtue and the ancient stim mechanisms which actually were leaves one stronger and wiser after use. created to enhance man's life and not to plague it, "The legend of the sirens is an example of an- but now are detrimental through an accumulation cient mechs which no one could resist—in the of radioactives which impair their action.—Ed. 58 AMAZING STORIES asleep and secured by our makeshift ered." bonds on his limbs. "1 was not talking of these dwarfs," We activated the big space com- I said. "I am wondering about the rod- municator, swung the beam toward the ite and the big-heads themselves." approximate position of Vanue's ship, Halftan's face grew thoughtful, and sounded the 'ware' signal. he began a watchfuj survey of the multi- Instantly Vanue's face appeared on plex screens with a new tenseness evi- our screens—and we flashed the view dent in his body. beam on each of the bound dwarfs and on the big multiplex screen, showing J30TH of us saw it coming at the the sleeping dwarfs who had replaced same instant, and a shock of real the original Atlan Elder's rodite. She surprise swept through us. The dark nodded comprehension, not speaking. bulk of Vanue's great Nor ship showed Then she switched off her communica- on the screens shadowed over the great tor. We waited; it was up to her from surface tower of the administration cen- now on. Meanwhile it was up to us to ter. The lightless ship had drifted hold the fort here in the telemechro down the communicator beam! What center. power Vanue must have, not to need the "Thank Venus," said Halftan, his lifter ray for landing! What unknown eyes aglitter with excitement, "these science to use a communicator beam as creatures are stupid, or we would not a pilot beam I have overcome them so easily, nor It hovered for a brief time, then the would our job holding out here be as roar of its great jets became a madden- easy. Smarter operators would have ing thing; and the ship lifted again into managed to flash some signal when they the night sky. Why had it come, and sensed they were going to sleep." what had it done? Had it done any- I was inclined to agree that his analy- thing? sis was correct. But I also added men- Our wonder lasted only a brief time, tally that when no checking signals for soon we saw Vanue coming into the went out in the next few minutes, an center, dwarfing it, stooping low to clear investigation might be made from Tean the ceiling fittings. Swiftly after her City, or wherever the central control came her Nor maids, a hundred or more was located. of them; and a dizzying activity sprang "Do you suppose our enemies never into life about us. heard of a sleeper ray?" I asked Half- A tender from the Nor ship was ly- tan. ing before the doors of the hall, and in "Did you, before you met Vanue and and out we Atlans and Nor maids sped, the Nortans?" countered Halftan. "Be- trundling trucks of apparatus. Once sides, these dwarfs are sub-dero. not emptied the tender returned to the sur- thinkers! I remember from the old face. Under Vanue's eye the dwarfs tech report on them in the news. I won- were unbound and placed in their for- dered then why no one made a move to mer positions, while a rodite beam was clean them out, but concluded that it set up behind each screen. Now they was because they could not think co- were held in a ro beam from a Nor herently enough to be a menace. I maid's mind, the slaves of her aug- realize now, however, that our corrupt mented will. big-heads were using them even then The hangings were replaced ; the off by some means that they had discos'- space communicator switched ; even "I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" S9 the marks of binding were chafed from the background were the tremendous the dirt-encrusted wrists of the aband- figures of some of the great ones of ondero. Then we hid. To the view Atlan writhing in horrible torment screens all was as before our entrance. while about their bodies crackled the Vanue gave a signal, and somewhere blue flames of some pain-gening electric. in space the sleep ray switched off. The Drunken renegades from.Atlan's army city came to life. That sleep had not reeled across the screen, dragging pro- lasted more than thirty minutes. Would testing girls after them. It was evi- the freaks from the lost cavern realize dent that they were celebrating the what had happened? On that question frustration of the Nor fleet in a man- depended the lives of millions of peo- ner deemed to be appropriate! ple, all over Mu. Vanue had no doubt Then the Tean City screen went but that the derodite would carry out blank as the beam was switched off, and their murderous threat to kill the peo- the old hag, her face a toothless grin at ple if we attacked. Well, we had at- what she also had seen, reached out and tacked, but in a way Vanue hoped broke the contact on the screen. would not be realized. On the various units of the multiplex The telescreen from Tean City began screen from the sub-rodite stations of sounding a constant call. The nearest surface Atlan and sub-Atlan cities much dwarf, a hideous old woman, reached the same conversation took place. Each over and threw the circuit open. On abandonero explained apologetically the screen was the furious face of a fat that he had fallen asleep and begged Atlan. He was one whom I knew well not to be reported. Each was reproved from his appearance on telenews screens by the ro at the "plex" control. as a high official in Construction. We knew that they would never "Where have you been?" he screamed realize that all had fallen asleep. Many at her. "Don't you know how tough a even denied their sleep, claiming they spot we're in? Your orders are to stay had had no signals. All reported every- on duty until relieved." thing all right. The hag's hoarse voice answered, a "All right indeed!" I could hear groveling fear on her dirty old face. mighty Vanue's thought in her furious "We had a li'l trouble. One stray mind. She waved her hand—and from Elder came in with a private key, nearly- somewhere in space that big sleep beam bumped us all before we did away with went on again. him. Everything is all right, else. On the multiplex screen at the center Nothing to worry about. He didn't we could see Nor-men entering every- know what was doing—been away for where, setting up control apparatus a year. He's dead meat man now," without awakening the dwarfs. All over "Might have upset everything," the the sleeping city Nor-men were active, fat Atlan growled. But he seemed ap- setting up hidden controls, ships land- peased by the news. "The overgrown ing and taking off—the armies of Nor

fools. There aren't many of them left gathering and entering the caverns. . . alive in Mu. Let me know at once if Could they do it? Could they take anything else turns up." the planet without setting off the alarm which would bring death down on the TJEHIND him, on the rodite screen. helpless people? As I looked at the before he turned off the beam, we sleeping, hideous things whose fore- could see a scene of mad revelry. In bears had once been men, I felt they AMAZING STORIES could. And when they did, I would With the new knowledge the Nor not have wanted to be in the shoes of maid had picked up, a new plan of ac- the Atlan or Titan who had trained and tion came into being. Vanue relin- turned these things loose on the people quished her autharity in the telemechro of a whole planet! There would be a center to one of the many space officers grim reckoning when the Nortans who had been going in and out on er- caught him. rands mysterious to me. Then the hun- dred Nor maids and ourselves accom- "yANUE—Vanue!" called a Nor panied Vanue to the tender and we were

maid to her mistress. "I have it! soon flashing skyward up the rollat tun- I have been reading the mind of this nel and out into space. thing in its sleep. The center of this X whole mess is not in Tean City nor any CHAPTER city, but in the abandoned caverns. Into the Tunnels of the Dero Some ancient Elder, exiled long ago, re- turned secretly to Mu and entered those rpAR out in Mu's nightshadow lay the sealed cities. He has been chief of the silent fleet, dark and still as any lone- abandondero for all their life. All their some rock drifting through space. We orders come from him. They do every- reached it and boarded Vanue's ship. thing he says—nothing without his Once aboard Vanue called a conference word. If we took the whole planet, we of fleet commanders, but we ro were would still have his high and mighty excluded from it. Very obviously some- madness to reckon with, together with thing very special was being planned a horde of these creatures who do his that demanded no loopholes for a leak bidding—with Venus herself knows be left open. Not that we would con- what kind of antique junk to do it. sciously allow such a thing to escape our Some of those old war mech builders minds but after all, we were only ro were not fools, and their methods were — and far below the mental caliber of the lost in wars when they were killed. You Elders. know, like the one time we ran into When Vanue came from the con- antique war mech on Helbal, when the ference, her cheeks were flushed, she deros of those old burrows used that was beaming triumphantly, and her stuff on us. No one knew what it was. aura was pulsing madly. She went im- We had to blow it all to Hades to get mediately into the tech laboratory of them." the ship and ordered two of the hideous Vanue picked her up with delight and abandondero brought in for examina- kissed her. 'It was becoming increas- tion. ingly plain to me that this was not the They were placed in a telaug 81 and first time these warrior maids had seen examined exhaustively for details of the action. They worked too smoothly. lost caverns' entrances and exits and the With the hand weapons and war weapon location of the renegade Elder's power harness they wore, they were formida- plants. Also we got a more or less clear ble looking Amazons. Their strength history of what had been happening on was unbelievable, and I knew it came Mu for many years; although the pic- from the inner growth of the incubator which increased the solidity of the flesh. 31 Telaug—a machine which augmented and in the incubator had My own period strengthened telepathic signals so that even the demonstrated that on my own body. most secret thoughts could be read.—Ed. ;

"I REMEMBER LEMURIAI" 61 ture was about as clear as mud to the tle of the master organization beyond abandondero themselves. They had their own vicious experiences; but they minds like rabbits—like mean rabbits knew their ancient warrens well and we now suddenly discouraged in their could deduce approximately, from the meanness. ugly, half-formed images in their minds, For many years, most of their short where our objectives lay. lives, they had been stealing youths and maidens for torture and tormenting ^yTTH this information in our pos- thousands of the Atlans with rays right session, we went into action. In in the streets. When any Atlan had a very short time a host of tiny winged tried to do anything about it. it it had planes were dropping silently toward only resulted in his death by one means the vast culture forests, where the hid- or another. den degenerates had made tunnels to How this idiotic dominance of theirs the surface to gather fruit. had been kept a secret for so long a These planes were sealed-cabin heli- time, while it grew stronger and copters, equipped for short flights in stronger was comprehensible only when space by auxiliary gas jets, silent and we understood that the centralizing of flareless. alj power by the rodite method of gov- Our primary objectives were certain ernment had allowed complete control tunnels which held cables running to once the central rodite synchronizer was Tean City as well as other tunnels which taken over, ft had meant the sudden held cables connecting the depths with and complete end of Atlan government the surface. without even a suspicion that such a I kissed Arl lingeringly before I turnover had taken place. stepped into one of the planes and took When the center had gone bad no one off for Mu's forest-covered surface and had known. Even the abandondero became just one of many dropping couldn't tell us, except that they knew motes that looked harmless enough but it had been long ago. Little by little, which carried more might than had ever after the important coup, normal Atlans before been gathered into such com- in charge of minor branches of the ro- pactness. dite government had been replaced by We landed and made our way into abandondero. The secret police had the tunnel nearby. It led down steeply, been killed off! By their strangle hold and was a very ancient thing once we on the telenews centers all knowledge of had gotten beyond the area constructed such deaths and disappearances were by the dero. It led soon into vast cav- kept from the Atlans. By continually erns housing long-abandoned cities. checking over people's minds for any These ancient ruins in the lost cav- who were becoming suspicious, any erns were impressively eerie things. breeding trouble could be checked be- They had been built, I knew, in the fore it started. early days of Mu, when under the new For Venus knows how long they had sun all growth had been furious and un- been picking off the best brains of At- dying, with a fecundity scarcely to be lan, the very flower of our race; doing imagined in present-day Mu. Most of them to death day by day, and no one the people who had once lived here had was ever the wiser. long ago become too big to stay in Mu Much of all this we had to guess, had gone to larger planets under other for the abandondero actually knew lit- suns, or to huge, cold, planet-cities that 62 AMAZING STORIES drift in dark space. From what they signal success. Next would come the had left behind I became more and more actual locating of and the attempt to convinced that Mu's youth was too reduce the cavern stronghold of the much of the past to have any more renegade dero Elder. Rolling behind future. The planet should have been us as we advanced came an endless line abandoned long ago. Just the contem- of burden rollats, bearing war rays plation of these mighty, long-gone glor- whose potency was incomprehensible ies in comparison with the lesser mar- to me. But I could guess from their vels of the best of modern Tean City complex construction that here were was enough to tell the story to even things that could loose terror itself. Be- the most thoughtless of Atlans. fore many hours I expected to see them

. Our lights played over the deserted, go into action, loosing that terror upon awful, death-like glory of the ancient the author of the fear that had ridden mansions and even the hue of them hag-like upon the back of Tean City gave off melancholy. However, to the and all Mu's Atlans for many years. warro and war maids accompanying me, It was then that I got a shock—for such thoughts as those were not in or- a big carry-all came riding by and in der. Instead they kept sharp eyes and it, among the warrior maids bearing the minds open for danger. What weapons crest of Vanue, was Arl . . . lovely, lay unused in these tremendous for- smiling, brave Arl of the cloven hoofs tresses from Mu's wild youth only the and defiantly flirting tail! oldest of Elders could guess. And She flashed her teeth at me gaily as which of them might suddenly prove though she were on a picnic! to. be manned by warriors of the rene- What is there about danger that ac- gade Elder was something we could centuates the man-life in a man? As not know. But from the portent of that smile played on me, the whole cos- their presence we realized that our mos whirled in my head. I felt even enemy might be a tougher nut to crack more powerfully than I had in the duo- than we dreamed. incubator the sensations of one-ness As we marched down the silent, dust- that existed between us. Comets buzzed laden ways, sleep rays and augmenta- in my head and I felt the urge for bat- tive detectors of several kinds played tle surge up in me; battle to preserve miles ahead of us. Now and then we for myself and all others happiness such came upon a modern rollat, wrecked as was Arl's and mine. against the wall of a building, a dero Then, as we skirted a vast city bowl asleep in its seat. They had crashed lit vaguely by a kind of marsh light because the auto drive would not work that glimmers in these old warrens, here—check rays at corners and build- action came! A dis ray raved out at ing entrances not being activated. us suddenly from a dark pile in the bowl several miles away. It cut great TT WAS not many hours before our gashes in our columns before the swift, communications beams told us that silent answer from the ray rollats had :he enemy cables had been cut; and so reduced the whole pile to silence. far as could be determined all dero com- Gray dust rose in a cloud over the munication beams had been tapped with bowl city as we swarmed into that false answer equipment and ro placed huge old city-center building; and the in attendance. So far our march into horror that we found inside cured me the depths had been accompanied by forever of all sun lit planets. These "I REMEMBER LEMURIAI"

devilish abandondero had a meat 3iiar- all matter under an aging sun ; and per- ket in the lower floors, filled with human haps we, too, in this moment of horror, flesh; and a pile of choice cuts I saw felt within us the effects of the sun was composed mainly of Atlan girl poisons. breasts I These dero things were can- The children of the abandondero lay nibals and lived off immortal Atlan about naked or with a few rags draped flesh! on them, usually with a human bone So much for our illusion of benev- they had gnawing upon or playing with olent government! How long had it clutched in their hands. Vanue had all been composed of hidden, grinning can- of the children gathered up and sent nibals, the whole of our race unaware back to the ship "to treat them and use of its ultimate fate? I realized now that them to people a small planet as an ex- it takes more than patriotism and fine periment." words over a telescreen from a ro face "Let that planet be far away I" was to make a state a safe place in which my thought. to live. We had learned from our searching Because of a degenerating sun, all of the minds of the abandondero that our apparent tremendous scientific ad- the old Exile's stronghold lay far in, vance had been set at naught by a few nearly at center Mu. Yes, the rot had madmen . . . with these dero crea- progressed far in Mother Mu. Always tures eager to do anything the madmen in my mind the most amazing fact of said in return for a little fresh human this rot will be the extent of its influ- meat. I saw now the fatal weakness in ence in the energy pattern of Mu's life- centralized government. One silent grab supporting energy flows. This dictat- at that neck of power lines had resulted ing pattern had been so effective that in death for the whole cream of the their plight was not known nor hardly race. The awful power in telaug rodite whispered of by any of the Atlans. Yet methods of rule had only served to place they were slaughtered indiscriminately, the total wealth of the planet in mad sold as meat to the abandondero, and criminal hands. the gods know what else they had put Yes, Halftan is right! There is "no up with for how many years with the thing so careless as a swelled head." To sickening realization that to appeal to see sweet Atlan girl breasts displayed as higher-ups for help would spell death.

a butcher's merchandise set a fury to All these years . . . without managing raging within me that will not cease so to make their plight public knowledge! long as de makes dero! The telaug records told us that many of the dero had been torturing and tor- 'pHOUSANDS of the ragged, filthy menting Atlans all their life, and eating abandondero lay about the huge them too. Yet the news systems had building, unconscious from our rays, managed to ignore all such tales, partly and we put them rapidly under telaugs from individual fear of consequences, to get a complete picture of their and partly from a dread of being con- strength and the location of their other sidered mad for harboring such sus- forces. Once we had gained our in- picions. There is no cloak for corrup- formation they did not live long! We tion like the average citizen's supreme could not think of them as human faith that all is well as long as the pa- things, these slaves to the disintegrant per is delivered, the telcnews functions impulse to destroy that courses through without saying anything alarming, and —

64 AMAZING STORIES the dignitaries strut their pompous but all life outside such chambers will fronts regularly as upholders of right- be destructive, if not by actual fierce eousness. blows, then by stupid interference and I could see what had made them so destructive disapproval. supremely blind now. It was the effects These are the truths I, Mutan Mion, from which the migration had been in- culture-man of Mu, realized even more tended to save them. Yes, that migra- forcibly now, must pass on to future tion had been delayed too long by a few man, written on tablets that will be de- centuries, it appeared. posited in likely places so that they may be found in some future time. These TT WAS another thing for me to stress truths—in addition to a history of the in my message to future man; to in- great war I am now observing; a war scribe on my timeless plates of telonion. which would save all future men, but Those who will people this planet again which cannot, because of those lost ones with children from the seed of the few of the forest whom we will never be able we will not be able to find and rescue to search out—must reach future 32 must be warned that there can be no man! peace nor beauty in life under this sun, except that they build special chambers CHAPTER XI which exclude detrimental forces as well Battle to the Death as the radioactives that cause age. Just so long as Mother Mu spins un- AT DISTANCES of a hundred miles der this sun, just so long will her energy and more the battle was joined at fields induct disintegrant charges from 3 " last. We surrounded the old fire-head, her destructive force, and these charges ex-Elder Zeit, of Atlan in his center-Mu will work out into neutralization of lair and succeeded in cutting him off man-matter growth through destructive without alarming Tean City or any will in the units of the life pattern. so far as we could judge. We Without extraordinary precautions other post knew the dero would not use the de- these detrimental forces will result in structive machines to kill the people continual war and complete stalling of

all real racial, social and individual 32 Judging from the information recorded by growth. Plato, as received from Solon, it would seem that these metal plates so often mentioned by Mutan If one of future man's really healthy Mion (which this manuscript definitely states were of to his men creates a machine value deposited in many places both inside and upon the people, one of the destructive men will surface of this planet) were deposited about 12,000 years ago. Since such vast upheavals of nature as take the same machine and destroy that the sinking of Atlantis, the smashing down of the energy same gain with it. Disintegrant gates of the Pillars of Hercules and thus forming must be neutralized by an equal amount the Mediterranean Sea, have occurred, it would seem that the hiding places of these plates more of healthy integrant energy. If it is not, than likely have been destroyed and rendered im- will out this disintegrant energy work possible of discovery. At least, science has no rec- in continual social troubles, famines, ord of any such plates having been unearthed; nor is there any such record in legend or history be- diseases and death—if it does not actu- yond the possibility of the plates of the Ten Com- ally take the form of a war. mandments given (found?) by Moses upon the This need not be the fate of future mount. However this seems unlikely, since they are described as being of stone, which seems true man! The life which grows in integra- since they were smashed by Moses in his anger. tive source material concentrating Apparently the message over which Mutan Mion chambers can be safe, immortal life labored so mightily has never been found.—Ed. 'I REMEMBER LEMURIA!' 65 without word from the old master of ancient generators. Zeit's hideout wu murder. And they would not get that a super arsenal! word; for our ro sat astride every sin- Now our own needle rays concen- gle cable of communication and held trated on a single spot in the old fortress' damper beams over every channel of metal walls. That metal, we knew, had telebeams. been hardened in the past by subjecting 5 But the old idiot himself was actively it to exd flows of great strength.* It alarmed! Every weapon that one-time would resist most rays, but it was just Atlan stronghold held was throwing fire a matter of throwing enough dis at a and death through every boring we small enough opening point till the could approach him by. Nor-men died metal began to blaze and flow in a by the thousands (and they are not stream. enamored of death for they have much The opening grew larger, but the de- to live for!) before we finally brought fenses of old Zeit were a long way from 84 up enough shorter ray to ground those being pierced. Our own forces were tremendous flows of hell-fire from the protected both by conductive fans of rays which grounded any ray that 11 The word "fire-head" used here does not mean threatened us and by flows of energy that Zeit was a hothead, or impetuous, or any which were so strong that any ray that other similar modem meaning of the word. It has a deeper significance, denoting his mental condi- struck them was repelled or swept out tion. For a complete definition the reader is re- of existence by the out-massing kinetic ferred to footnote 17. Old Zeit's head, his brain, of the cone of force. But since these was infected by the ever-fire of the sun, and the infection was so derogatory to his thinking proc- rays coned out at Elder Zeit's dero esses that the only possible result was detrimental fortress on a level with its walls there thought culminating in murder, the most detri- was little overhead to protect us. It mental of all thoughts. The reader is here re- quested to note the word "derogatory," an ac- was an opening for Zeit and he took language, as cepted word of our English which has advantage of it I its root the ancient Leraurian word "dero." Note that the ancient meaning has come down un- the towers of black metal sud- changed I -Ed. pROM denly sprang whirling comets; elec- ** By the word "shorter" Mutan Mion does not trical vortices packed with howling en- mean the rays brought up were not as long, but circular that they were capable of "shorting" the energy ergy in motion, which can be flows from Zeit's generators. They must have been thrown in such a way that their circular ionizing rays which served in much the same ca- motion causes them to describe an arc, pacity as lightning rods, grounding the destructive beams hurled at the Nor-men before they were for the same reason that a pitched ball able to strike their target- Ed. curves. These arcing electronic can- nonballs curved over our outflung pro- * 5 This principle of "hardening" metal and stone tective wall and, striking our lines, so that they become unbreakable (used to prevent the roofs of the cavern cities from collapsing) has bounced and leaped unpredictably from been mentioned several times in this manuscript. one point to another, searing everything It is accomplished by forcing additional exd (which within a dozen feet of their erratic path. the reader will remember is the ash of disintegrated matter, or more properly, the basic energy from A few of these would not have mat- which matter is again integrated) Into the sub- tered, since their behavior was uncon- stance to be toughened until it reaches a state trollable, but they came flaming over wnose ultimate end would he what we today con- ceive of as neutronium. By adding more matter, by the thousands and set the whole packing it so to speak, into the interstices between army into confusion, dodging about, the particles of matter, a greater density and there- trying to guess where the howling, fore a greater collusiveness is obtained. This cohe- livenaas is actually the "in flow" of gravity.—Ed. whirling, pausing, leaping things would 66 AMAZING STORIES go next. to one point. Since many of our men had to leave All the time cutter needles gnawed their controls to dodge the rolling fire, steadily at the rock roof of the great their retreat almost became a rout when bowl, direcdy over the ancient black- old Zeit threw a hellishly dense concen- walled fortress. Chunks of the super- tration of dis on our protective fields, hardened rock rained down. It was breaking it down before our remaining tough stuff; tougher than steel. As men could swing enough counter-force soon as the artificially hardened surface into action to neutralize it, burning of the rock was cut away the soft body down our grounding conductive rays; of the rock above could be cut down in and boring a huge hole through our masses huge enough to cover the rene- center. gade Elder's hideout completely. As I watched in horror, my mind was The walls and roof of the metal fort unable to grasp this paradoxical truth. gave out great brazen clangings as the

How is it that mere mechanisms can so rocks fell from the height. rout intelligent men? The same intel- Still the fiery vortice spheres kept ligence built these machines, long ago. pouring from the black towers in steady

Now, seemingly, it confounds that in- streams, only to be caught by repeller telligence, seeks to and almost succeeds beams and flung aside.

in destroying its creator. Force needles cut doggedly at the But our Nor giants had a few tricks tower's sides and one by one they top- left up their sleeves. I suspected that pled with a great thunder of metal on they had not been used because it had metal and a fury of blazing-arc force been unthinkable that the old devil of from torn power cables. a dero Elder could have outreached us. Over the whole blazed a fiercely danc- Conductor rays soon dissipated the ing flare of blue and purple flames from

charges in the fireballs ; an out-massing the clash of dis rays with the neutraliz- bank of force ray generators replaced ing fields. It was more and more evi- the burned-out breach in our protective dent that the end was approaching for fields. the abandondero's feared master! A Now our men had time to carefully great exultance was growing in my heart fine down the focus of our needle rays as I foresaw the end which must soon to a more and more concentrated beam come. of dis force. Then simultaneously To corroborate my vision of nearing placing all the needles on a predeter- victory, interceptor ro of the false-an- mined point, usually at the base of the swer communicators sent us a message openings where Zeit's deros worked at that Zeit was calling wildly for help. their ray guns, they beat down the flash- "Nothing is so pleasant," went the ing black sweep of Zeit's counter-con- report, "as to sorrowfully tell him that

ductive concentration, . . and his deros we're unavoidably detained by pressing died at their controls. engagements." But in my mind now came a darker, 'T'HIS went on for hours as the dero sobering thought. It was the thought were replaced by others under the wave of Vanue, impinging on my brain. devilish Elder's will—only to be killed "What will his last effort be?" I again by the dancing, unpredictable heard her muse. needles of death which went through I had caught and repelled a couple anything when they suddenly all swung of vortice balls on my beam that might "I REMEMBER LEMURtAI" 6T

have approached her and had been once used in construction. This thing dreaming of what form her reward began lifting the masses of rock that might take—but now that thought left had fallen on the fort, lifting them and my mind. If Vanue had reason to dropping them from high in the air upon worry of what Zeit might have up his our lines. sleeve as a last desperate gamble, I too Our own lifters were not big enough had reason to be concerned. to handle the tremendous masses that kept dropping on our ranks and smash- T WATCHED the battle with more ing the protective force-beam gener- sober contemplation, peering ever ators. When several of the generators for signs of some final development that had been crushed, the old devil used might be dangerous. the master beam of the old fortress and Then as I watched for it came the bored through the openings, burning a

thing that is always feared in battle; path of destruction. Our whole enter- the unseen factor that suddenly upsets prise was endangered—even faced total al! calculation. From somewhere the defeat! dero had unearthed a tremendous levi- I could hear Vanue's mind racing 6 tator.* We ourselves had a few with madly, "What to do? What to do?" us to get the heavy stuff over tough And because of her confusion and an- going; but this one was a monster, xiety, I knew how desperate our situ- 38 A levitator is a portable lifter beam genera- ation was indeed. Never had so great a small, and be tot. Some of them are very can fear filled my heart as I watched with carried in the palm of a hand, or in the pocket. staring eyes the havoc old Zeit They were in common use for all tasks in Mu, was and from Mr. Shaver comes the amazing state- causing in our lines with his great su- ment that some of these portable levitators have per-ray. been found in modern times and their secret use As fast as our needle rays found has given rise to the belief in the ability of "medi- the ums" to use levitation of objects as one of their thing, new dero rushed in, moved it, Perhaps most noted of tricks in their seances. went on with its deadly work. How- these mediums was Mr. Daniel Dunglas Home, ever, concentration of wizard, whose seances were the sensation of the a conductor rays United States and of Europe, the incredible recount finally bored through to its base, shorted of which was recently presented in "Magazine its vast power down to our size. Now Digest." His feats of levitation are indisputable, we could handle it! being vouched for by such persons as Princess Pauline Metternich; Austrian Ambassador, Prince But our losses had mounted horribly. Joachim Murat; Mme. Jauvin d'Attainville. Home As I gazed upon the slaughter, I could was bom in Currie, near Edinburgh, on March 20, not help but think that with our superior 1883. Among his abilities was the power to see

events happening a great distance away ; the abil- mental equipment all this should have ity to "elongate" his body as much as a foot; and been avoided. I am afraid there was at one time he caused Ward Cheney, silk-manufac- criticism of our Nortan minds in turing titan, to be lifted three times into the air my

while he "palpitated from head to foot with con- thoughts at this moment. . . tending emotions of fear and ioy that choked his Vanue's thought came into strong utterances." (The reader should note the amazing being in head, answering similarity to many of the mechanisms of ancient my my un- Mu—the emotional stim; the levitator; the tele.) spoken denunciation. It was after he became the darling of such figures "Detrimental force has an automatic as Napoleon III, Eugenie of France, Alexander II electric play about it that of Russia, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning that he strangely developed his "body elongation" trick and a still serves for thought. It is hard, no, im- more sensational one wherein he placed his face possible, to predict; as ftur healthy among burning coals, bathing it as in water; with- minds neutralize detrimental force, out any sign of a burn. Is it possible that Home "discovered" his abilities in an ancient cave?—Ed. cannot therefore 'think' it. Too/ in a

63 AMAZING STORIES

these conditions, their telaugs read our they were evidently automatic watch minds and our own imagination works beams with no one awake behind them. against us. Healthy men are naturally Our own lifters now cleared a path for too optimistic to foresee trouble fully. our rollats to the doors. At last it was Then, beside that, no one knew or could time to enter and mop up. As we went know that the old fortress in here was forward, I heard Vanue's ever-cautious so heavily equipped. Old Zeit nor any mind warning me to "Watch out for of his retainers have been out of the the devil's joker" as our roUat-mounted place for nearly a century. He kept rays moved up to the wall's lee and the mech secret with very rigid care. started blasting away at the doors. We People have gone into bis fortress, but rolled over the blazing mass of their re- none have come out. The tunnels that mains and were inside. Atlan's leech lead down to this place are all too had been loosened! small to bring real war equipment down The place was three-deep in corpses. from the surface. We are really near Marry of them had been Atlan warriors; the center of Mu. And on top of that, whether captives driven by Zeit's or his we have been a little over-confident, due rodite's will or renegades I could not to the unintelligent appearance of the say. They lay at the white-hot pro- dero. Who would expect such things jectors, their hands burned free of flesh, 'to put up a fight?" the bones still clasping the red-hot con- Her voice ceased in my mind, and I trols. Powerful indeed had been Zeit's no longer fostered the thought that all ro compulsion. this death could have been prevented. We found the vast mountain of flesh I felt a deep shame for even harboring that was ex-Elder Zeit of old> Atlan. He the thought, and a deep gratitude for was snoring among a mass of synchro- the favor she had bestowed on me in nizing rodite apparatus as big as a city explaining so patiently even while she block. It was both antique and modern was in the midst of the greatest battle in construction, much of it evidently of her whole career. Such honor had salvaged from ancient ruins. Zeit was never before been bestowed on a simple a three-hundred-footer, and he was not ro, I was sure. only big, but amazingly fat from his soft life in his hideout. TsJOW, as I returned to my contem- It was going to be a real job to get plation of the battle, I saw that him to the surface alive. It would not our sleeper beams were following our be surprising if the soldiers found it dis rays' openings in Zeit's force shields, necessary to take him apart and reas- but they seemed not to have the desired semble him later on. effect. The old ogre must have had The realization that we were going to some means to jerk his harried dero move him to the surface was a surprise awake as fast as they dropped off. Pos- to me, because not to blast him into sibly some type of stimulator ray— nothingness the instant we found him clever use for stim, I thought; ordi- had seemed to me to be infinitely more narily they are for entertainment. than godlike emotional control in itself. Finally, however, we swept the whole But that that huge and evil head might place with a concentration of dis rays contain technical secrets of value I and sleeper beams and the boulder- realized when I thought of it. covered pile of horrors fell silent. A few We bound him with endless turns of beams still played from the heap, but steel cable, lifted him with a dozen of "I REMEMBER LEMURIA!" 69 our Ievitators, and started him floating revenge at leisure is to create a devil along toward the surface. Before he and give him leave to harm you. These arrived, I'll wager he scraped a few Elders he has been so lavishly enter- turns in a rather painful manner, and taining in so terrible a way are the very not by accident either! ones who sat at the council which ex- pelled him. Obviously they were a bit QTHER things we found in old Zeit's too gentle with a monster who sold his fortress—things that horrified us. own people as slaves and got caught He had had a couple of dozen Elder at it." captives. It is one thing to see a Vanue turned briefly to me, and once broken man of my size, but to see the again I discovered how close she kept living remains of a Goddess Elder track of me. broken by torture until she had become "Zeit's joker never materialized, Mu- a whimpering, cringing, babbling thing tan . . . and your reward for diverting to pity did not quiet the rage in my the vortice balls will not be forgotten. breast, rage that I could see and feel It is a good religion, the word 're- 37 burning in the Nor-men around me. ward'. Do not forget it."

There were many captives still living, There is a peace about being read by of all sizes, many women and girls—but an understanding mind. Vanue would most of them were in horrible shape always know my intent toward her. I from their treatment, and the others was her ro, until someday I would grad- nearly insane from waiting for the same uate into true self-determination. It torture. I saw the endless variations was enough. on the torture theme old Zeit had de- vised to amuse himself in the centuries '""TEAN CITY still to take," I was he had spent hiding in this place—as thinking aloud a few minutes later, we recorded it on the thought record and suddenly realized that Arl, some- from his ro's minds. where in the fortress, operating her I was placed as a guard over some of telescreen beam, had been secretly the antique equipment reserved by Va- watching me—for her Voice sounded nue for her research. As I stood there, in my ear in answer. I could read the thoughts of many of "They got wind of what happened the Elders who passed by after having some way. Missing messengers, false viewed the gibbering things Zeit had reports exposed, or something. Any- made of Atlan men, women and Elders. way, they loaded up some of the fin- I knew that if what they were thinking ished migration ships, destroyed the ever came to pass, Zeit would receive 37 This reference to the word "reward"' as a re- the equivalent of his tortures in Nor ligion is mystifying, and Mr. Shaver has never ex- before he died—if he were allowed to it plained it. However, our thought on is what die! might be termed the basis for all religions—the in- centive good because of the hope of reward Now that the battle was over, more to do a of some kind. This seems the correct view when important Nor Elders arrived. Vanue's we consider Vanue's insistence that a service of father was among them, and I heard him good is never left unrewarded. It is logical to be- lieve that loyalty would remain constant so long speak to a comrade. Vanue stood be- as the reward always certainly comes as a conse- side him as he spoke, listening as I did. quence of each demonstration of that loyalty. If "I see that exile for him was a large nothing else, Vanue was an excellent psychologist, and a brilliant leader. Also she protected, as well Atlan mistake. To humble the exalted as rewarded, as her reference to the "joker" dem- and to release them to work out their onstrates. —Ed. —

70 AMAZING STORIES

rest, and took off. But I would say A FEW days later and Mu had been the abandondero migration has been too cleaned up. The victorious Nortan long delayed just as was the Atlans' armies set up a temporary council of the Nor fleet will hunt them down like surviving Elders, who were few enough, rats." to act in place of the real government Hovering in the air before me her that had not existed on Mu for nearly face appeared, materialized by tele-pro- a century because of the coup of old jectio.i, and she bent forward and gave Zeit. This council decided to take Nor me a kiss with full augmentation. I advice and start building a home in a rseled from the vital charge and nearly cold planet, far from any sun's evil in- fell, but wound up on my knees asking fluence. for more. She went on speaking as if A planet with untouched coal de- the tremendous kiss she had given were posits located near the Nortan group of a nothing. planets was chosen as the Atlans of

"They just made it, t x>. They uied Mu's new home. Work ro were dis- to wipe out the Tean City population, patched to commence borings into the but our men were entering from the planet and to begin building the huge, lifts and from the tubes and laid dowa steam heated, ray-drenched greenhouses

a blanket of conductive till none of the in wnich Nor-men live and know so well police corrective ray about the city how to build. would function at all. With the excep- In a few short months the first ships tion of the rockets on the ships, none took off for New Mu, and the last of the of their mech would work. race of Atlan soon followed, abandon- "I think the Nor-men let them oper- ing Mu for their new home in space. Arl ate the lifter beams and the rockets to and I remained on Mu to the last. Dur- get them out into space where they ing this time I finished my telonion mes- can't hurt anyone." sage plates and distributed them in the And now Arl gave me the encore I most likely places both in and on the had been begging for—but while she surface of Mu. I pray that the descend- had been talking she had coupled on a ants of those few wild men I have seen f booster circuit and the resulting kiss in the culture orests but have been un- stretched me flat on the ground with a able to approach, may someday find bump on my head as big as a dodo's these plates and have the sense to read egg- them and heed their message. Some- I got to my feet to find her image day, I have a feeling, they will be a gone, and the faint echo of her laugh race of men again. It is good seed they

still in my ears. I wondered if the in- inherit, and they might be worth my fluence of the Nor maids hadn't made effort in spite of the sun.

her just a little bit independent . . . ? I pray that when they find the plates

But it was worth it! they will understand!

WATCH FOR THE NEXT STORY IN THIS LEMURIAN SERIES! The June issue of Amazing Stories depths where descendants of the ancient will contain the second manuscript of inhabitants still live! In addition, a Lerauria's past, from the strange "mem- second manuscript which is actually a ory" of Richard S. Shaver! In this corroborative story that came to him one he will give you the true story of from the underground city of Hel, in his descent into a city in the Earth's Norway, only months ago! — — MANTONG *7<4e jUatUfUatfe. o£

OUR January, 1944 issue we published an Note that the key revealed by Mr. Shaver uses INalphabet supposed to be that of the Lemurian both the basic "letters" and basic "words," in a language. Semantically inclined readers dis- phonetic sense. In this phonetic sense, any lan- covered that it had an amazing adaptability to guage can be examined even without great pro- many languages. Since then, further work has been ficiency in the language. If It can be correctly done and we believe we have something that may pronounced, its Lemurian meaning can be recon- prove of great value in advancing man's knowl- structed. It is pointed out that the Lemurian edge of his past and may even reveal many lost meanings in many instances are the same as the scientific secrets. actual language meaning—but that in many more This language came to us from Richard S. instances, a meaning at variance is obtained. It Shaver, author of the startling racial memory has been inevitable that; many words have be- story, "I Remember Lemuria !" in this issue, and come distorted, even unrecognizable, through the forms a part of his story. thousands of years since Lemuria. We have discovered that the alphabet is to be We may have the key to man's past here; help taken phonetically, rather than literally, and that us to unlock it. It may be that many ancient

it is probably incomplete. Also we have found writings can be re-translated, and an entirely that the letters are used in combination with sim- different meaning found in them. Translators of ple root words (phonetically the same in all lan- ancient writings have been too prone to "imagine" guages) in making up words of the Lemurian meanings to words in an old text which has made language. Through this process we have discov- sense, but has been entirely misleading as to the ered Lemurian words in thirteen different lan- point being made by the original writer. guages. Rap. We now make a plea to our readers who are Mr. Shaver's Lemurian Alphabet interested in semantics to do research work on A—Animal (used AN for short) their own, and report results to us, to aid in fur- B—Be (to exist—often command) ther compiling the dictionary of the Lemurian C—See language which Mr. Shaver has begun. Mr. D— (also used DE) Disintegrant energy; Detri- Shaver has used only the English language, and mental (most important symbol in lan- has listed some 400 words which seem to have a Lemurian derivation, judging from an application E—Energy (an all concept, including motion) of the alphabet and root words in an attempt to F—Fecund (use FE as in female—fecund man) reveal their ancient meaning. G—Generate (used GEN) On this page we will reproduce the original H—Human (some doubt on this one) selection of alphabet. Also, we will reproduce a I —Self ; Ego (same as our I) words from Mr. Shaver's dictionary to illustrate J— (see G) (same as generate) the means used in making such compilations. But K—Kinetic (force of motion) first we will give a few concrete examples and a L—Life few of the principles. M—Man Lemurian meanings can be discovered in words N—Child; Spore; Seed (as ninny) which are not modern or "coined." For instance, O—Orifice (a source concept)

"jive" is instantly rejected as having a possible P—Power Lemurian meaning for obvious reasons. But Q—Quest (as question) "acid" is a word that may be considered a "char- R— (used as AR) Horror (symbol of dangerous ter member" of the English language, having a quantity of dis force in the object) usage of many centuries. Applying the Lemurian S— (SIS) (an important symbol of the sun) alphabet and root words, we get: A.—animal; T— (used as TE) (the most important symbol; symbol) Integration; C see; I—/; D disintegrate. Animal see I dis- origin of the cross cause integrate. Which is perfectly descriptive of the Force of growth (the intake of T is force sci- word acid. It was a warning word, and meant of gravity; the is T; tic meant credit word) literally the same as the word poison. It warned ence of growth ; remains as animal life of its power to harm by disintegrating. V—You In the word "amass," the letter A means animal, V—Vital (used as VI) (the stuff Messmer calls and the word "mass" means just what it does in animal magnetism; sex appeal) English. So to amass is descriptive of an animal W—Will who gathers together a large quantity of anything. (Concluded on page 206) 71 THE MARTIAN'S MASTERPIECE By Sgt. MORRIS J. STEELE

NO ONE was going to push Ellen aronnd; if she wanted to be an artist's model, she would, no matterwho, or what, the artist was u f | 5 AKE your choice," he said warm, forgiving light in her brown eyes.

(I flatly, "me or the career!" She "Don't let's fight, Jackie," she said. -*- looked at him for one shocked "Come, kiss me, and admit my spending instant; then she blazed. "All right; the a few hours a day being a cover girl career, Jack Martin! If you think you won't interfere with our marriage at all. can order me around like (hat, just be- You'll be working at the time, any- ." ." cause I love you . . way . . "Do you, Ellen?" he questioned. "What about that Hollywood idea?" "Of course I ..." For one en- he demanded. "What if that should lightening moment she was looking at happen? I'd be the first to admit a him wide-eyed, then suddenly she scout might think you beautiful enough ." wormed her way into his arms and to put onto celluloid. What if . . "

74 AMAZING STORIES

to talk about that when and if it hap- He turned and surveyed the carpeted

pens." dais whereon his model sat, still hold- "Meaning you think it might hap- ing her pose, paying no attention to him. pen?" She was thinking; and momentarily a She shrugged. "Could be. But why frown knitted her brow into furrows. ." count our chickens . . The Artist observed it with disap- He kissed her at last, then turned, proval.

picked up his hat from the table and "No!" he said, amiost as though it walked toward the door. Once there he were an analytical criticism on a new

! paused to look back at her shocked face. phenomenon. "That is not right "They're your chickens, Ellen," he re- Her brow smoothed out again and minded firmly. "You'll have, to do the she went on posing with an nnmoving counting. Loving you is bad enough steadiness that brought admiration back without rushing into a marriage that to the face of The Artist. wouldn't pan out. I can't hold two "You are a wonderful thingl" he jobs, and neither could you. If, after breathed. "Yes, this will be my master- ." thinking it over, you agree . . piece, and all who sea it will sing my Abruptly he was gone. praises. I shall be a world's most ac- ." "Oh!"shesaid. "Oh!" With all the claimed artist . . fury she was capable of, she picked up She seemed unperturbed by the ego- a magazine and hurled it at the now tistic intonation in his voice, seemed closed door. It fell to the floor with a even to be unaware that he was speak- thud and slowly the front cover flut- ing. Modeling was so much easier just tered back into place. On it a repro- thinking of other things and keeping duction of her own lovely face looked mind and eyes and ears free of distrac- up her, back at provocatively, enticing- tions in tiie studio . . . ly, promisingly. The Artist moved around and did A moment she looked at It, then her mysterious things with mysterious lips tightened and stopped the quiver- lights. For long moments he studied ing that had begun to conquer them. the effects of one set of lights and She stepped to the phone to dial a num- shadows on the model's nude body,

ber . . . "Peter," she spoke into the then he changed the lights again. An- transmitter finally, "I think I'd like to other period of study and he seemed

pose again today . . . Rightie. In an satisfied. His face bore just a bit of ." hour . . calculation as though he considered yet another change, then abandoned the t-TE HELD the brush away from the idea beca»se he himself was unsure of canvas for a long moment, then the exact effect he wanted. with amazing and infinite delicacy made After all, this was no ordinary sub- several swift strokes. He uttered a ject. There were things here that were pleased murmur, put bis brush down new to the art of painting. . . . and moved back to survey his work with a critical eye that seemed indisposed to VTERY carefully Peter Van Zyle offer any criticism. It was perfectly ob- passed the tip of the brush over a vious that The Artist was delighted section of the canvas. Just an infinitesi-

with his work. mal daub of paint, but . . .

"It will be my masterpiece I" he ex- "Nuts!" he said. He said it so em- claimed. phatically that Ellen broke her pose for "

THE MARTIAN'S MASTERPIECE 75 once and stared at Mm from, her car- than anything even the vast deserts peted dais. produce! Ah, it is that I wish to cap- "What's the matter, Peter?" ture in those shadows! Color will help "It's those lights," he complained. much to make this the most beautiful "I'll swear you are just about the best painting I have ever done. My friends model I've ever had, and its the Eighth will not believe the model is real, but I Wonder of the World how you sit so eon prove it to them. Yes, it can be

still; yet, every time I get a shadow proved I painted in, it's changed the next time Perhaps she missed the implication in I look! I'm actually getting cockeyed his words, because she seemed not to be trying to put in one little brush stroke puzzled by what he meant; and then

that should be as simple as . . . Well, again perhaps she did because she

it should be simple, that's all!" turned her gaze toward the painting, "Why don't you change the lights a pretended to. study it with great in- bit?" she suggested. tensity. "I've changed them a dozen times," The Artist turned too, to study it. he said. "It isn't that. Maybe what I His eyes roved over the exotic curves ." figure, following need's a drink . . of her painted each Ellen got up from the dais, walked outline with what almost amounted to out of the light circle beneath the sky- gloating satisfaction. It was as though

light, and vanished in the shadows . . . they were lines that he had seen only rarely, if ever, before—which was 'T'HE Artist watched her go, then strange, because he was The Artist. Mil- reluctantly put his brush and palette lions had marveled at his paintings the down, and seated himself in reflective plaaet over. thought. He watched as she came baek True, he had not specialized in the out of the shadows, knotting the cord sort of thing he was now painting. Land- of her robe around her waist. He scapes had been his forte. Weird, un- frowned. canny landscapes that had graced many "Why do you do that?" he asked, al- a gallery. It was even said that some, most petulantly. so strongly effected were they by the She paid no attention to him; but it Hlusions created by his masterful brush, seemed she was disturbed by his eyes had killed themselves before the paint-

on her as she moved over to a dimly- ings . . . seen cupboard to the side and did some- thing with objects that flashed with re- DETER VAN ZYLE returned his flecteu light, for her cheeks were red gaze to Ellen as she sat, her cheeks with self-consciouness. less red now. He chuckled and came She same back, held out a small glass. over to the dais and sat down beside He didn't offer to take it, so for an her. instant she stood these, while her sheets "Oh, eome," he protested. "Only one flamed redly, then she turned back to drink? Have one yourself. It'll still the dais, put the glass on a little tea- the little gremlins that try to make you table and sat down facing The Artist. move when you are posing. I feel like a "Amazing," he said admiringly as he heel, making you pgse this long; but I ." observed the wonder of her flaming must g«t those shadows in right . . cheeks. "Such a delicate color—the Ellen looked at him, then she smiled. royal color of colors, but more delicate "Are all artists that way?" she asked. — " "

76 AMAZING STORIES

"What way?" "What else?" he asked, waving a "Well ... oh, maybe it's just me. hand expressively. Then he added: But really, sometimes I think you art- "How about calling it quits for today? ists never get used to seeing their models You've been very patient. Maybe to- in ." ... the . . morrow I can get that shadow in a mo- He looked at her slyly. "Isn't it you ment."

is . . who . er . . . after all, it was you She smiled agreement, got to her feet who scampered for cover after sitting and walked behind the screen to

here unperturbed for an hour." dress . . . "Oh, but that's different," she said quickly. ." "And besides, you said . . 'Y'HE painting was finished. The art- "Said what?" ist looked speculatively at the un- A peculiar look came into her eyes, suspecting faces of his friends, gathered and for an instant she was confused, as in his studio for the unveiling. Then if she couldn't remember exactly what he looked at the draped easel itself. As he had said. "You said I ... it was the he looked, the feeling of exultance and Eighth ." Wonder of the World . . anticipation he always felt when he was He frowned. What was it she thought about to expose a sensational painting he'd said? Obviously this "Eighth Won- to his admirers' inspection grew in him. der" stuff was a substitution to cover How their eyes would bulge out when up what she had originally intended to they saw this one I say. Or else she was acting coy. Well, "Is this another landscape?" asked there was only one reason a girl acted one. coy . . . The Artist snorted. Even his voice He put his arms around her and became egotistically tolerant. "No, my kissed her on the lips. friend, not a landscape this timel Sui- "You are the Eighth Wonder of the cides will make no news over this one ! World!" he breathed. The friend looked disappointed. It She struggled slightly and he released was obvious that he was one of those her. bloodthirsty individuals who love the "I meant no offense," he put in tact- macabre because of the odor of death fully. "After all; even an artist is that always surrounds it. "You mean human. I thought you wanted more you've deserted your favorite theme?" than words to . . . well, that kiss was "Yes. This time I have painted from a compliment as much as what I said Life, not Death." about your posing." Another of the group looked inter-

She seemed to be more thoughtful ested. "It will be a deadly sort of life, than offended, as though she were con- I'll wager," he offered. sidering something, weighing something "Wrong again! This time I have in her mind. He watched her carefully. painted the ultimate in Beauty. In fact, It was true. She was thinking— I will say that she is the most beautiful

about Jack Martin; and the thought thing in all creation I made her mad. "Thank you," she said A stir of excitement went over the at last. "But let's let it go at that assemblage. for now?" Her eyes dropped, and her "It sounds almost incredible!" ex- fingers traced their way along the de- claimed a third admirer, "You have sign in the carpet; while his eyebrows always painted the ugliest, most horror- lilted with interest. instilling paintings; the most chilling THE MARTIAN'S MASTERPIECE 77

this world has ever seen. I, for one, will you do produce her ... !" have to deliberate long to decide The Artist looked at his friend cal- whether you have accomplished the op- culatingly, then he grinned in anticipa- posite. If, as you say, you have painted tion. "This is one time 1 will watch from life, I probably know the female the talent of the Great Lover with in- personally—and frankly, I can remem- terest!" he declared. He motioned de- ber no such dazzling beauty as you im- cisively. "Come back, all of yOu, to- ply, unless your brush can work the morrow at the same time. I will have same magic complimentarily that it can the model here for you then—and I adversely." promise that I will introduce her to each The Artist chuckled. "Ever the of you!" egotist! You don't know as many fe- "Good!" chorused from the throats

! males as you would have us believe I I of all present. "We will be here " They will be much interested in the Great filed out of the studio with mixed ex- Lover's reaction to my painting I" pressions of anticipation and incre-

A clamor broke out. "Unveil, then! dulity . . . What are we waiting for?" r l The Artist gloated. He had aroused HE phone bell rang and Ellen an- J" their curiosity. The stage was set. How swered it. "Oh, hello Peter . . .

he loved these dramatic unveilings . . . you've unveiled the painting! How did

He drew back the drapery and moved they like . . . wonderjull Peter, I'm

aside, his gleaming eyes fixed on the so glad . . . Beautiful, they said? Finest

faces of his friends in leering anticipa- you've ever done . . . You want me to

tion. come over tomorrow afternoon . . . a He was not unrewarded. From the little surprise? Peter, what is it? Don't

lips of all assembled there came a gasp, keep me in suspense . . . Oh—all right, a choked exclamation, a long sigh—and I'll come—but I think it's mean of you

finally, utterances of incredulity. not to tell me what . . . Goodbye, "From life, you say!" breathed the Peter." Great Lover. "Impossible! She is a When Ellen hung up the receiver, figment of your imagination. Nothing thoughts were already thronging real could be as beautiful as she!" through her head. Thoughts of Holly- The Artist smiled. "Then you would wood, Powers models, a cover on Sat-

say that this is my masterpiece?" he evepost . . . What could Peter's sur- insinuated. prise be? A chorus of agreement arose from all, The hours passed slowly—but at last

but it was overridden almost instantly they measured out a rosy-dream filled by the beii'ef the Great Lover had ex- night and a day-dream filled morning pressed. "You didn't paint her from op into afternoon. life! She cannot exist!" Ellen reached the studio before Peter, "Do you challenge me to produce and had to wait, but she found the door her?" unlocked and walked in. Upstairs, in The Great Lover stared at The Artist. the studio, she stood for long moments "Yes," he breathed hoarsely. "I, for one, before the unveiled painting, admiring do challenge you! And even though I it. There was no doubt of it—Peter ." am sure you will not produce this . . had done something fine here. Perhaps he gasped, ". . . this model, I pray she had been wrong in the uncompli- fervently that I am wrong—because if mentary thoughts that had occasionally "

78 AMAZING STORIES

come into her head concerning Peter. laxer" from the cabinet in the shadows. This was proof, wasn't it, that those Ellen came from behind the screen, thoughts had been unjustified? Peter draping her robe about her. She ac- was a real artist. cepted the "little one" he gave her, He came in now; and there was a drank it with a grimace. He laughed, .triumphant smile on his face. He had a tossed down his own drink, then mo- large box under one arm, and waved a tioned toward the dais. telegram in the other hand. "I'm ready if you are," he said. "Look at this, kid!" he said. "Here's Ten minutes later Ellen was doing where we go to town. Stick to me, Ellen, her brave best to pose unflinchingly and you'll be the nation's most-loved while holding the bunch of roses in her ." cover darling . . He paused, and arms; but the thorns proved a problem ". added, . . my cover darling." she hadn't quite expected, and already Ellen' had already gotten the gist of she was wishing mightily that Peter the telegram, so she didn't hear his last would give her a rest. She kept glanc- words at all, or if she did, they meant ing at him hopefully as he painted, but nothing he seemed absorbed in his work. "Oh!" she squealed. "A year's con- Inwardly he was smiling in satisfac- tract, with . . . Peter!" tion to himself. Just a few more min- He jumped at the pitch of her voice. utes . . . "My God, what?" he gasped. The front door bell on the lower floor "/'// be on thousands oj billboards all tinkled. Peter looked up annoyed. Ellen over the country!" straightened up, dropped the roses

He looked less startled and more thankfully. "Better answer it, Peter," pleased with her enthusiasm now, and she suggested in relief. "I'll rest till a calculating gleam came into his eyes. you get back." "Sure, baby. You just cotton to me, He left the studio, lips tight with an- and we'll make bright colors together!" noyance, and went down the stairs. He He was busy opening the box now, didn't see the glowing radiance that and he was talking as he did it. "Let's grew about Ellen's nude body, still not waste any time. Let's get right to standing on the dais . . . Ellen scarcely work on that first billboard! Look, noticed it either, as she stretched luxuri- kid . . . roses!" ously, but her eyes snapped open quick- He piled a huge bunch of American ly when she felt a pair of arms steal Beauty roses in her arms. "But first, around her waist. Indignation flooded how about a drink of the stuff these through her and she turned swiftly, her roses, and you, are going to advertise?" palm open to administer a stinging slap. She hesitated a moment, then nodded. But she didn't slap anyone. Instead "Yes just little ... but a one. And she very quietly fainted . . . while you're getting it, I'll get ready to pose. ." Oh, I'm so excited . . ^HE Artist roared with laughter. Peter grinned slowly as he watched "So, that is how the Great Lover her put the roses down on the dais and effects the loveliest female this planet scamper behind the screen. He picked has ever seen ! She faints in his loving up the telegram and crumpled it into embrace ! a ball and shoved it into his pocket. "From sheer emotion, no doubt," said "Now we're getting somewhere!" he the Great Lover complacently, sneezing whispered. He went to get the "re- lightly. He looked a trifle annoyed, a.

THE MARTIAN'S MASTERPIECE 79 wrinkled his nose, sneezed again. their entire respirative systems. The Artist snorted. "If ever there His goal was a mechanism that stood was horror registered on a female face, at the opposite end of the room— there was horror on hers! '' He wrinkled mechanism of gadgets and dials and his upper lip violently and rubbed his tubes and coils, all focused on the dais nose. Then he sneezed explosively. whereon the inert nude body of the The Great Lover looked down at the model lay amidst the scattered Ameri- girl in his tentacles and his eyes wa- can Beauty roses. tered. He frowned. "She is lovely," Screams of agony, moans of the dy- he said, "but perhaps she might be bet- ing, rent the air. The Artist, his face ter off if someone told her ..." A series contorted, brutally crushed down a of sneezes rocked his body and he gasping friend, trod on him as he forced dropped the girl to the dais floor where his agonized way toward the mechan- she lay amid the roses strewn about. ism. "Ah!" exclaimed The Artist. "The "The flowers!" his frothing lips were Death of Beauty! My next master- mumbling. "It is the flowers ... not

. . fever . . . piece! I shall paint her that way, ly- the . . . the female . ing amid those strange flowers!" A malignant fever . . . from another . . . wave of sneezes from the group in the another world ... got to send them . . studio drowned out his last words, and back!" heralded the sneezes he himself began A wave of blackness was sweeping to loose. over him as he collapsed before the The Great Lover staggered, wavered mechanism. With one last desperate across the room, his eyes streaming. heave he lashed out a tentacle, brought There was agony on his face and the it smashing down on a lever. There poignancy of it shocked the others into was a flash of radiance, then a still a sudden, unreasoning terror. brighter flash as the mechanism tumbled "I am poisoned!" screamed the Great to the floor, burst into flame. The white Lover. "Cods of Mars, I am dying!" whole room burst into flame, toward He fell to the floor, his tentacles thrash- radiant tongues of it licking out ing violently, while he sneezed and the dais—which was empty of either coughed in a terrible clutching spasm. girl or roses . . . Before the horrified eyes of The Art- her, lifting ist and the others, a horrible slime be- PLLEN felt arms around gan to ooze from his nose and lips, and her, felt lips pressing against her his face grew red and ulcerous. Awful, neck. ear-offending burblings and gurglings "Ellen!" she heard a whisper". "Ellen, ." came from his froth-flecked lips, and darling, I love you . . his screams became horried bubbling She struggled erect, filled with un- noises without semblance of words. utterable horror and loathing, lashed The Artist felt a wracking, burning out with a palm that connected— sensation in his throat, his nostrils, his squarely on the cheek of Jack Martin! mouth. He gasped for breath, but did Incredulously she stared at him. not scream. Instead he fought his way "Jackie!" she cried, brokenly. Then through the panic-ridden milling of his she rushed into his arms. "Oh, Jackie, ." friends, who now were experiencing what a horrible monster . . swift-growing agonies that were spread- Jack Martin laughed scornfully. "I ing with terrifying rapidity through wouldn't exactly call him a monster, "

80 AMAZING STORIES honey. But he is a pretty big rat." when he was telling me about it that

Wonderingly, Ellen looked up into the model was my girl I his face, then she looked in the same "Oh, Jackie!" Ellen lowered her face, direction he was looking—and saw to hide its flaming color. "I'm so

Peter cowering on the floor, his nose ashamed . . . but if you really mean swollen and bloodied. what you just said, I will promise never

"I . . . didn't mean him!" she gasped. again to look at a magazine cover, or "I meant that—that horrid octopus think of Hollywood, take a drink, or ." thing . . stop washing dishes and mending socks Jack Martin frowned, leaned down and being a good wife—if you'll have 1" and sniffed her breath. His face got me . . . red. "Why that filthy scum! The louse "It's a deal," said Jack Martin ." has actually gotten you pickled! It's promptly, "provided . . sure time I got around—he had you She looked anxious. "Provided where he wanted you with that fake what?" telegram of his . . . yeah, he admitted "Provided you put some clothes on it when I choked your whereabouts out before we get the aitch out of herel of him. By the way, where were you, I will expect my wife to wear clothes anyway, before you came in here and part of the time at least!" ." keeled over? . . Ellen stepped behind the screen and ." "But . . Ellen gave up trying to removed the robe she discovered she understand. Instead she asked : "How was wearing and began putting on her did you know enough to come here own clothes. Nor did she disapprove now?" when she heard the sound of rending "Simple One of my advertising canvas from beyond the screen, and clients gave me a sweet lowdown on Jack's loud: this guy's new model, and spilled how "That's that!" he was working you over. Didn't know The End

Statement of tile ownership, management, circulation, etc., reauired by tie Acts of Congress of August 24, 1911, and March 3, 1&J13, of Amazing Siuii.s, i^'o'n Knii uuarterly at Chicago, Illinois, for Oct. 1, 1944. Hute of ji^v: Cusdv of iVok. s=, Below rue, a notary public in aod for toe State end county aforesaid, personally appeared A. T. Pullen. who, hating been duly jworn aceordins: to law, dermises and says that lie Is the business raansser uf A^i'.ir,.: m ,r;.^ and iclii-.wir.a is, to the best or his knowledge and belief, a tine state- ment uf the ownership, management (unii if a tlaiJy paper, the circulation), ute., of the aforesaid publication for tie date shown in the above caption, recurred by the Act of August 24, 1812, ax amended by the Act of March 3, 1EI3S. embodied in section 537, Postal laws and KeirulatiOJly, printed on the reverse cf this form, to wit: I. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher, Wm. E. Zlff. 540 N. Michigan Ave.. Chicago 11. 111.; Editor. B. G. Davis, I>4u N. Michigan Ave., Chkafio 11, Eti. ; M:uiaeing Editor. Kayraonfl Palmer, 540 N. Michigan Ave.. C'hicaso 11. III.; Business Manager. A. T. Pullan, 541) N. Michigan Are., Chicago 11. Ill 2. That tbu owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and sddnus must bo atiitcd and also immediately thereunder mimes and address; ..,< .-:u.. k.'.cltlt:^ owning or holding om pei- cent or more of total amount of Hock. If not owned by a corporation, tbe names and addresses of the indi- vidual owuers mu.1t be given. If ownod by a flnu. coiupaiii', m oi.ii.jr uuiin'ur pointed concert!, ita ffltnie and ad- :-- :-t:;!i--TfiU:il !>•: dress, as well as tho-i- ;f ; hy/r-ilti: u-.-.iti : '''it D*vLs Af-.h.lmi'. i!v.j.. illilcagfj til. W_ tt. 11, ; Zirf Co.. 3)0 N. Michigan Ave.. Chicago 11. Hi.; Wm. B, Ziff, 54(1 is'. Michigan Ate..

Cliicaco 11. 111.; B. U. Davis, £40 -\. Michigan Ave., Chicago 11, 111. ; A. ZiS, 640 N. Micldgan Ave., Cbicago II, {p..; s D-.vis, Vlu N. Mk'h^n Avl-., C'iil.'SKti II, ILL Z. That the known bondholders, mortgancet. and "] :-i:y holdir;, i! any, contain not Only thu list of stiKjkhcJdels and security hyidi-is sS an;, ajii-.n upon the Wk;, ol tlie coropajiy but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appeal's upon the hooka of the ei>ir!pn.iH /is trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the peraon or corporation for whom sueti trustee is acting, is given; also that the said two paragraphs .contain statements em- bracing affiant's full knewtedge and b*llef as io the cireum stamps and conditions under wtneh stockholders and security holders wiin iiu not atji-ar i;s>o>'. the bonk* of the comtwny as trustees, hold stock, and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona itde owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any Interest direct or Indirect ia tbe said stock, bonds, or otier securities than as so stated by him. 5. That tbe average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold or diitributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the twelve months preceding the date shown aboy* is (This MiKirmatioG is romlred from dally publications orjj.) Arthur T. Puilen, I* '

(Signature of busineia manager, j Sworn to and subserilv.1 Iserore me tkis 26th day of September, 1344. (Seal.) Wm. F. Hennessey, KotaiT Pulbie. (My commission expires June 30, 1048.) AMAZING STORIES 81 AN AMAZING BACK COVER COMING TRUE?

Acme Newspictures, Inc., recently released the above Illustration of a rocket train of

tomorrow, as seriously planned by New York scientists and engineers. This train, it is

said, is already on the drawing board for future planning. Below is a similar train, powered electronically by exactly the same scientific principle, which was pictured on the back cover of Amazing Stories for January, 1939. Fiction scientists can see ahead! —

can tell 'em a mile off. YOUYou know — the kind of driver who impresses you as capable of almost any damfool ma- neuver just from the way his license plate reads to you? It's as intan- gible as that. You just say to yourself with a groan, "Oh, oh one of theml" and sure enough, the next minute he signals left and turns right! Like a woman driver. I've met guys like this before, who drive like old women with the heebie-jeebies, and I've always giv- en 'em a wide berth from the min- ute I spotted the color of their rocket jets—an undecided green. But this time I didn't get the chance to steer clear.

Somewhere on this tiny world was a vast treasure—but where? There were monkeys, bock beer. Harvard gentlemen, too-but that didn't make sense! I gave them the whole clip, and sev- eral of the howling devils went down,

and the rest pulled up , . .

I was just taking off from the runway of the Trenton Spaceport- all set for another prospecting trip to one of Jupe's moons—and I had the green bands all the way from jet-pit to hellangone. I saw this guy sort of hovering oS at an an- gle, apparently going to make his sweep back around behind and come up the runway like I was; but suddenly it hit me the way I just mentioned—I knew he was gonna spurt out right into my band. And he didl m Well, no use playing up the de- tails. These things gripe me too much. Anyway, I wound up with the nose of my buggy accordioned .against a concrete flash wall next to the adjoining take-off lane. It was

either that or hit the damfool right in rocketing up toward the zenith as if the fuel tanks—and that can be messy I he had all heaven to play around in. I So I didn't take-offl doubt if the jackass even knew I was Instead I sat there swearing a blue behind him. streak, watching that lousy son of hell I guess, though, you gotta make ex- —

84 AMAZING STORIES

cuses for guys like this, because after name because he camped out so much,

all, if they ain't got brains, it isn't log- or something. So I'm keeping my ical to expect 'em to use their heads. mouth shut. But just the same, I'm

The only thing is, I say again, keep gonna find out. I'm going to this place outa their way. Steer clear. If you and have a look-see. That is, I was, can! until that multi-dimwit scoots out in So that's how come I'm cooling my front of me! Now I'm delayed two heels waiting for repairs to my buggy days, and I'm plenty impatient already. which have taken two days. Not that You'd be too, if you knew the rest of

I'm in any special hurry . . . what's up the stuff that came from that old guy's there among Jupe's moons is a secret lips. only I and one other guy know, or Oh hell, guess I'll go down and have a knew, because he's dead now. couple of beers. It 11 be two more hours I picked him up some weeks ago on before I can take-off. * * * Eros where he'd cracked up. He was mister?" outa his head most of the time before , he died, and I never did reach Luna City 1 up from my beer, with him alive. But I guess it was a kid. I'll take one." break for me, even if it was tough for I flipped the youngster a dime and him. What he told me is going to mean waved him away when he started fum- plenty, if it's anywhere near true. bling ostentatiously for change. The

I ain't gonna say just what it was headlines were the usual thing, but I jet-pits have walls, and walls have ears. read everything right down to the back But there were a few things he said I page. One headline stopped me for a

can tell you . . . just to give you an minute. I'm interested in chemistry idea of how screwy the whole set-up is, anyway.—one reason why one of the and explain why it just ain't common things the old guy told me stuck in my sense for me to go blowing off steam o I read the item to the end. right now. Nothing makes a guy look sillier than to find out he's advertised New York, October 12. (IP).—Dr. Wil- liam P. Donnegal, organo-metallurgist, de- a pig and all he's got is a poke in the clared today that rocket travel faces serious disruption because of the exhaustion of tel- end . . . lurium-:: resources. Tellurium-x, the isotope For instance, the daffiest of them all of tellurium* which forms the basis of tetra- chloride tellurium rocket fuel, is rapidly be- it the one about monkeys from Harv- ing; used up and within two years, sayB Dr. ard. Yeah, that's what he babbled in Donnegal, none will be left. Unless more his deliriums. Monkeys from Harvard and they were perfect gentleman—be- Tellurium belongs to the same family as sul- fur. It is obtained as a by-product in the elec- cau» they'd never hit a lady I trolytic refining of copper and lead, being ex-

And Bock Beer was their god ! Whose tracted from the anode sludge. It is a brittie, monkeys', I guess. I couldn't silvery white, metallic substance. Its specific god? The a gravity is 6.27, it melts at 4S2 C and boils at get it straight from the poor dying devil. D 1,300 C. Its hardness is 2.3. It crystallizes in Bock Beer; monkeys; Harvard gentle- hexagonal-rhombohedral prisms and is isomor- phous with the stable grey modification of sele- men; never hit a lady . . . nium. It is rarely found as a native element. Its Anyway, you get the idea. Maybe compound, as tetrachloride, is a snow-white all the rest of the stuff he told me was crystalline mass. It is this iorm that provides the so much fever-dreams too. Even his base for tetrachloride tellurium used as an antide- tonant in rochet fueis of the liquid oxygen-hydro- name; Pete, the Camper, it sounded gen type. Without this compound, rocket travel like he called himself. Maybe a nick- would be impossible. —En. MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE 85 deposits are discovered, or a substitute de- in the face. A stubbed toe would have vised, such an exhaustion would eventually mean the complete stoppage of rocket travel. touched me off In a blast of cuss words. Ordinary compounds of tellurium are not "Hello, Joe," I said sourly to the des- satisfactory as an antidetonant in rocket fuels. patcher. "Did they get my crate out into the chutes yet?" Maybe that don't mean much to most "Yeah. Nice new shiny nose on her! people, but it does to me. It would mean Looks like a new ship from the front the end of my prospecting, for instance, . . . oh, by the way, here's a radiogram and besides, I kinda like batting around for you. At least the name on it is Sky- the solar system. Rocket travel is meat hopper and that crate is listed under and bread to me. I've ridden the old Bill Wallace. Came from the LUybelh." type rockets, which were as bad as the "Lilybelle?" I asked. "Who's she?" old internal combustion motors on au- The despatcher grinned at me. tos—without tetraethyl lead in the "That's the ship that took off before gasoline. Never know when the damn you just before you drove your buggy thing's going to blow up in your face! against the flash wall."

I tossed the paper aside and finished "I didn't drive it there," I said in- my beer. Then I strolled outside. I dignantly. "That lousy son of a heel figured by the time I walked back to the waltzed right out in front of me, and I spaceport, my buggy'd be ready to blast had to take the wall or his tanks. So I off. I began to burn up again as I took the wall." thought of the jerko who'd caused this "That musta been it," agreed the des- two-day delay; it would mean I'd have patcher. "Maybe this's an apology. to bust my think-tank wide open figur- Can't imagine what else it'd be." ing out new trajectories and blasting a "Naturally," I said. "Nobody but a new course to my destination—no I dope wouldn't realize he'd done a lousy ain't telling yet where it is I stunt in choking me off. But it'll take Navigating the void is a ticklish prop- more than an apology to cool me down. osition, A ship's tanks can carry only What about the dough those repairs are so much fuel, and a hell of a lot of it is gonna cost me?" used in blasting off. The rest of the "To say nothing of fixing up the flash trip is largely just steering blasts and wall," reminded Joe. coasting; so if the course is wrong, the I tore the envelope open viciously and net result is a new expenditure of fuel in unfolded the radiogram. correcting. That sort of thing might "Yeah, what about that?" I agreed. just use up enough fuel to get into diffi- I read the radiogram. It was brief and culty on landing, or—as the case is in to the point. this exploring business — on making Next time we meet, I'm going to pull home port again on the return trip. If your nose off and stuff it. Don't you you ever find yourself hurtling like hell- know it isn't polite to push? Better fire toward a big planet and realize that learn to stay a safe distance behind, and you haven't enough fuel in the tanks to better still, quit driving a space ship un- stop your ship before you crash, you'll til you get out of short pants. You get what I mean. You'll wish you'd nearly crashed my fuel tanks! figured your course a little differently! I crumpled the radiogram in my fist I began to go over the figures men- and threw it on the floor. I was boil- tally, and as a result, by the time I ing!" reached the spaceport, I was getting red "Joe!" I howled. "Get my clearance <36 AMAZING STORIES paper through as fast as you cart. Just gave me the wavelength of the Lily- as soon as I get past the censor area, I'm belle's receiver. going to tell this baby where to get off "Calling LUybeUe!" I barked so loud at! The nerve of the guy! If I ever into the transmitter . the kick-back meet him, I'll murder him, so help me!" nearly knocked me off my seat. I toned "What'd he say?" queried Joe. it down a bit. "Say! He said it ain't polite to push! "Calling LUybeUe! Skyhopper call- He said I oughta quit driving until I ing Lilybelle. Come in please!" get outa short pants! He said / nearly I kept it up for a half-hour then quit 1" the guy a crashed his fuel tanks. . . in disgust. Not only was "Well, didn't you?" rotten driver, he didn't even obey reg- "Didn't /...?" The world blew ulations and keep his receiver open and up in red smoke. "Joe," I screamed. set on the automatic register! "Put up your dukes. I ain't gonna take I snapped on my own "squawker" ." that from nobody, even you . . and after making sure I was heading right, stretched out for a few winks. ""TEN minutes later I was trying to The automatic would wake me if a call line up the open lane through one came through. eye. Joe is pretty good with his dukes, and I can hardly blame him for de- CHAPTER II fending himself. But he ought'a let me It Much! hit him just once. It might have cooled Twice Too me off even more than this shiner I got. bor- Peering ahead, I saw the green bands, CPACE travel is about the most and juiced the rockets gently. The ship ing in the universe. It has all kinds began to rush down the lines, and the of funny angles. You don't feel so jet-pit behind got full of flame and alone when you frrst leave the home smoke. I squirted out of it, into the planet—because you can see that big take-off lane, and juiced her some more. ball hanging beside you right close by; The pressure of acceleration pushed me and that's funny too, because you figure back into my seat hard. I was feeding it ought to be down below you some- the detonators full. where on account of you went up when Pressing the take-off this way is a you left it. But after you get well away, bit tough on fuel, but I had some to things suddenly shoot far back in space spare. It's tough, too, on the old car- and you realize that you are plenty iso- cass, but I didn't mind that. I wanted lated from everything real. Outside to get out beyond the censor limit and there's nothing but star-shot empty call the Lilybelle, if I could raise her. blackness, and even though every star I was itching to unload on that smart and planet shines like a jewel of flame, aleck. the beauty of it has nothing in common Two hours passed. And all the time with the feeling in the pit of your stom- I was getting hotter under the collar. ach. Why does loneliness hit you in the Just the thought of that radiogram was belly that way? fuel to the flames. So when the speed- Anyway, two days later, I was feeling ometer showed I was beyond the ten- so rotten that even the voice of the guy thousand-mile radio limit, I snapped my in the Lilybelle would have been wel- sender on and let her heat up. That come. Which served to burn me even took another two minutes. My log book more, because I'd been trying for two —

MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE 87 days to raise him without even the a lazy-daisy roll at the same time. I whisper of an answer. Now, even if couldn't see any stars, because they the guy was a complete jerk, I was be- were going so fast they were streaks. ginning to wonder about that long si- My hair went right back up again when lence. First thing he knew, he'd have a it hit me how much fuel I'd have to use patrol ship on his neck asking why he getting back on course! was traveling doggo. That's against the My automatic recorder began regulations governing interplanetary squawking at the recording tape, and I travel. The regulations say you gotta switched on the speaker. The voice keep your automatic receiver recorder that came out was the usual tinny, sex- open! less, robot-like voice that all space-re- There was one reason for silence, ceivers spit at you. You couldn't rec- though, that was beginning to worry me ognize your own mother if she called somewhat. Maybe something had hap- you in space. But identifying this guy pened to the guy. Maybe he was sick, was easy . . . had keeled over, and was skyhooting "What in hell are you trying to do, Murder me? This is the along out of control . . . Skyhopper! The jangle of the obstacle alarm second time you've squirted that crate shredded my nerves and made me jump of yours into my path! Take it from clean off of my seat. Jeepers, this me, mister, your number's going to the wasn't the regular meteorite danger first patrol I pick up!" area! And the way the alarm went It was the Lilybeile that had cut into nuts, my trajectory was sure laid right my path! smack on something big enough to make Now you can believe it or not, but for hash out of my ship! once in my life I didn't use any cuss wasn't Then I saw it. Straight ahead of me, words. How could I? There not more'n a mile, was a ship cutting one on record that was fitting to the square across my path, rockets pht- occasion! Instead I took hold of the pht'mg the way they do when course is transmitter with an icy calmness that being corrected! bruised the flesh of my fingers, and Right then and there I invented spoke very deliberately into the mouth- eleven new cuss words which I didn't piece in a voice that mashed the mag- have time to admire and catalogue in nets flat. My words were very dec- my future-reference file. I jabbed at orous too, but because I'm a gentle- control buttons every which way, and man, I won't repeat them. wound up dizzier than a ballet dancer "Stop yelling, you fool," said the re- full of Martian redeye. But I saved ceiver. "You're freezing the mike and my life, plus that of the goon ahead of nothing's coming through but a roar." me—because I missed him by a hair "You jackass," I bawled, "you should no, that's an exaggeration—it wasn't be over here! Then you would hear ." that generous a margin! something! Why you . .

! When I had tucked my curly locks "Watch your language " came from ." back onto my head, I tried to find out the receiver. "You're talking to a . . which direction I was going, and was "Gentleman?" I screamed. "Like that a job! It seemed I was going at billy-blue-hell I am! And this is a least five different ways at once, and promise—when I get you on terra-firma none of 'em the way I wanted to go. I I'm gonna knock your stupid block off! was spinning on two orbits, and doing I'm gonna punch your face right into — —

88 AMAZING STORIES the back of your neok. I'm gonna peel things came true, then maybe my hopes off your ears and stuff 'em in your would suffer a relapse. After all, mon- ." mouth. I'm gonna . . keys, bock beer, Harvard gentlemen "Bite off a lot more than you can who never hit a lady ... all that just chew I " came the angry voice from the doesn't make sense. receiver. "Listen, you foul-mouthed Well, it took me several hours to nincompoop, I'll be more than willing finally set my ship down on that little to meet you any time, any place . . . world which wasn't marked en the after the pressure of business is off. spacemaps. And I found it was the

Right now, go peddle your fish . . . and most unusual chunk of rock and metal correct your course, you're a bit off!" I'd ever landed on—because it had an There was a sharp click and the voice atmosphere. Now I was ready to be- went off the ether. lieve in the monkeys! Don't ask me Screaming insanely, I tore off the how come such a tiny world as this base of the mike in my hand and hurled it was only about thirty miles in diame- it at the wall. It went right through ter—could have an atmosphere. The a panel, crushed a can of tomato juke only thing I can figure out is that this in my larder, which spread promptly chunk of planet, or whatever it is, has over practically every inch of the walls a great deal of oxygen and hydrogen and because my ship was still spinning like other gases held imprisoned in its rocks, a dervish. and maybe a constant chemical reaction

That made it perfect. I sank back is going on which releases them from with a sigh of contentment and pro- combination. Naturally the atmosphere ceeded to snatch myself bald . . . slowly escapes into space, but enough remains within a mile or so of the sur-

CHAPTER III face to create a layer which is life- giving enough to be perfectly breath- Monkeys and Bock Beer able. Also, I found out when I stepped from my ship that the gravity was al- ou know how it is when you listen Y" most as great as that on Earth's moon. to what your reason tells you could This little world was plenty dense. more than likely be the ravings of a All over the landscape there were person out of his mind—and you see a funny little trees, hardy, something like phantom fortune looming up somewhere scrub pine, but shaped like an umbrella. among the ravings. You set your mind Bushes grew here and there too, and on to be ready to discover they are rav- the horizon which wasn't more than ings, and that there's absolutely nothing two or three miles away tiny clouds in them, and that no treasure exists, and drifted along. There was a whitish that you aren't going to be disap- light that almost seemed like daylight, pointed; so's you oan say to yourself: even though the sun it came from was hell, I never expected anything anyway! so far away it looked like a co«a-cola So you know how I felt when I laid bottle cap. I guess it was because the my telescope sights squarely on a little soil was almost white, and looked a speck ahead of me and realized there great deal like snow. The reflection was an asteroid at my destination! One from sunlight and starlight, both of thing the old guy had said was true which were visible at the same time and it followed the rest was ! Or should because the atmosphere wasn't thick I hope for that? You see, if those other enough to make any difference between MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE 89 night and day, was about enough to give On the side facing me, about near the effect of a cloudy day on Earth. the center, was what looked like a heap As far as I could see, there wasn't a of rubble that had fallen at the foot of mountain or even a hill on the whole the wall; but as I got nearer, I saw that planet. And that's how come it was it was a rough semi-circular stairway easy to find the building; it stuck up of a sort, built of odd stones and just out of the plain like a sore thumb . . . plain earth. At the top was a square block of the black stuff, perched queer- yES, it was a building. As old as all ly like an altar. Behind it was a square get out, and just too outsize to have of white and red with black figures on logically been constructed on this little it, apparently set into the wall. chunk of rock as it is—somehow I knew When I got near enough to see what it had been built when the asteroid was it was, I said: "Well I'll be horse- part and parcel of a large planet, maybe whipped!" And I meant it. Looking as big, or bigger than Earth. down at me was a goat's head, in the Before I stepped out of my ship, I center of a poster, and in big black loaded my automatic rifle and put on a letters was the legend: SPRING IS full belt of cartridge clips. Monkeys, HERE—DRINK BOCK BEER. In the old man had said. But if they were smaller letters was Blatz Brewing Com- monkeys, they sure handled the old man pany, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. rough I Rough enough to fix his clock One hundred and ninety million miles for goodl I wasn't going to take any from Earth, on an uncharted asteroid, chances. I find a bock beer sign right out of

According to the thermometer it was America's Krautland! You could have around 85" in the shade, which meant heard my yell clean around that pixi- everywhere so I wore my tropics. Which lated little world! was pretty much as I liked it. You can I ran up the rude steps, climbed the move around pretty fast dressed in big block of stone, and stood looking at shorts and shirt. And maybe I'd have the sign. On the lower half of it some- to move fast. Maybe it wasn't mon- thing was written in pencil. I cranned keys that messed the old man up I my neck to , . . It got pretty hot tramping across "Touch that sign and you're a dead that flat plain toward the big building, man!" and by tie time I got to within a hun- dred yards of it I was sweating. I p\ID I say this was a pixilated world? stopped to look the joint over. It was That voice, coming from behind a tremendous pile of a building, built me, was as shocking as anything you out of square blocks of something that could imagine inside a nut house; be- looked like black, unpolished marble. cause it was a woman's voice. It was It was a rough stone, and dull to look high, and clear, and deadly. Even be- at. In the half light of this little world, fore I turned to look at her, I knew she it looked almost inky black, and cer- meant what she said. tainly Oie most depressing mausoleum Her face was dirty. Her nose was it has ever been my unappreciated shiny with sweat. Her hair looked as privilege to see. Beyond its awe-inspir- though she'd tied it up in store string ing size, it was a most unimaginative and then knotted the whole mess on the piece of architecture. Just an oblong back of her head so that it would be mass, built of gigantic blocks. out of the way—and I guess that was I

90 AMAZIN© STORIES

exactly what she had done it for. She There was only one chance for me— was dressed in tropics, and except for had to disarm her. bony knees she had a pretty pair of I stood facing her, not saying any- pins. The rest of her was bulgy with thing, trying to figure out how to save equipment and other things. When I my skin, while she raved on. If my had looked long enough I saw the other position hadn't been so desperate, I things weren't bad to look at—anyway, could have found sympathy for the poor they put enough curves here and there girl. No telling how long she'd been to make up for the lumpy places where marooned on this crazy world. Con- less soft things such as cartridge clips sidering what I'd already seen here, it were hung onto her. was no wonder she was as mad as a "Fve come for my father," she said, March Hare. Madness is bad enough pointing a repeating rifle full of hard in itself, but when it carries an auto-

things at me. "Your game is up!" matic rifle with a full clip . . . oh, oh! "Your father?" I asked blankly. While I was standing there, scared

. "What game?" silly, the monkeys came. "You're here, aren't you?" she asked It sounded like weird, snake- charmer with an odd deductive softness in' her music at first. It came over the flat voice that I didn'l get at all; what was plain from around the other side of the she deducing? building against which my back was I opened my mouth and gawked. plastered like a condemned man's. Then when I began to feel as though I Around the corner of the building a presented a rather ridiculous appear- leaping procession of pop-eyed, top- ance, I remembered that when your knotted monkeys paraded, squealing

mouth is open, you ought to be using and chanting in a queer rhythm. They

it. So I said, "Sure I'm here." I know came straight toward us, seeming in no now how people say things stupidly; hurry, but very definitely bound for the where stood. I said that stupidly I crude stairs leading to I She almost snarled. "Then don't All at once I got the sinking realization hand me that innocent actl You know of what this stone block was I was

as well as I how you got here! And standing on . . . those monkeys were ." religious pro- that proves . . parading along just as a I gulped. "How did I get here?" I cession does on Earth, and I was stand- ventured cautiously. "And what does ing on their altar!

it prove?" She dug furiously into her blouse pVEN before the monkeys came, it pocket and produced a scrap of paper had been a sacrificial altar to all which she waved triumphantly. "With intents and purposes, because of the the other half of this!" she accused. insane girl, so the awful pictures that "Don't try to deny it. You thieving, sprang into my mind were almost an ." kidnaping rat . . anti-climax. But I saw the light. The Nuts. Absolutely, completely, in- girl! She must be their priestess! She sanely nuts! 1 had come here on a must be their executioner! I turned 1 piece of paper! fast, in horror, toward her—and that's My life wasn't worth a plugged where my opportunity came. I turned nickel. With a mind like that, it was a so fast she must have been caught off cinch the slugs would begin flying in a guard. She was staring at the monkeys few seconds. I could see it in her eyes. surprised-like as if maybe they had I

MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE 91 come too soon, before she'd finished her Immediately there was a milling, spiel. Anyway, she wasn't looking at chattering confusion and all at once the me, and the riSe had wavered. So I chant stopped. They took up a new clipped her. singing noise, similar to that they had It was as neat a sock on the jaw as used when I'd first seen them come I've ever put on anybody's button, and around the corner of the building. Then, she went down tor the count. I did the as I watched, blinking, they lifted their next thing in the book of rules— dead comrades on their shoulders and grabbed up her gun and my own and I trooped back in a solemn yet strangely rani Ran as though the devil were anticipatory manner toward the altar. after me I And don't tell me he wasn't 1 Back there I could see a bunch of the Fifty feet behind me raced a horde little devils carting the unconscious girl of chattering, howling monkeys—and away around the corner of the building. the substance of their howling was the Obviously they were taking their queen final, screwy touch to the whole mad- to a safer place. house and the final screwy factor that As for myself, I was completely for- brought my belief in a "treasure" to gotten, and I stood there quite a while crystallization in my mind. Behind me watching curiously. Then I saw the came the roaring chant: reason for the return to the altar with "Never, never kit a lady!" the corpses of their comrades—the mon-

keys were cannibalistic 1 CHAPTER IV My stomach turned a little, and I grimaced. My eyes caught the bock The Lilybelle Again beer sign above the altar, and I won- dered about the pencil marks I had

T HAD to turn and fight when I seen on it. That was one thing I was

reached a clump of trees. I dumped byrningly anxious to read. But it was the gun I'd taken from the girl to the a cinch I couldn't do it with the mon- ground and fired a burst from my own keys' feasting on that now-messy altar. gun over the bobbing heads of the leap- I decided to do a little snooping ing little devils, but it didn't stop them around and began to pick my way, both at all. They came on, chattering their rifles slung over my shoulder, along ludicrous war cry "Never, never hit a the edge of clump of trees that led lady—hit a lady—hit a lady—lady!" the black building. I gone f around had There was a ridiculous sing-song effect a little more than a quarter of the way to the cry that would ordinarily have around when I stopped dead in my made me roll on the ground with laugh- tracks. ? ter; but it was all too obvious that they "A space shipl " I burst out. meant vengeance on me for hitting a And as I walked forward, cautipusly "lady" if their high priestess could be keeping to shelter, I thought I saw called that! So I had to shoot to kill. something familiar about the lines of

I knocked down the leader with a her. But it wasn't until I was almost pretty shot, then picked off two more up to her that the truth burst on me. directly behind him. They went down Across the bow qf the little ship was a like ten-pins, and a couple dozen others single name, LUybettel piled up in a heap of thrashing legs, "Oh my maiden aunt!" I said with a heads, and whipping tails as they stum- sick feeling at the pit of my stomach. bled over the dead ones. "Oh my golly!" —

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'"pHOSE expressions will give you up beyond all reason, and whom I had some idea of how this discovery hit knocked unconscious and inadvertently me. Ordinarily I can find plenty of delivered into the paws of a bunch of

swear words to fit almost any situation. cannibal monkeys, was his daughter, Maiden aunts and gollies I reserve for Lilybelle. the situation. AH of a sudden all she'd said made My mad girl friend hadn't been the sense. That paper she'd waved around. high priestess of the monkeys at all I ... I saw it lying on the ground and She had been the pilot of this ship snatched it up. It was half of a space the selfsame person I'd vowed to sock chart with a course plotted on it. And on the kisser the first time I faced her the course, if continued, would have led on terra firma, or asteroid firma, what- directly to the spot in space occupied by ever you prefer I And I had socked her this selfsame monkey asteroid! —because I'd believed she was nuts. Now I knew why she had accused me The next minute I was pelting back of having come here the same way she toward the building and the altar as fast had—she had believed I had the other as I could go. No matter how bad a half of that map! And I also under- pilot the gal in the IMybelle was, I didn't stood why she had accused me of kid- want to see her driving career ended in naping her father. Whoever had the a heap of bloody bones on a cannibal other half of that map, would also be monkey tribe's altar; or where else after the treasure, that was a gold- they elected to eat her! Deep inside me plated lead pipe cinch. I had an ugly feeling that the monkeys And I knew one thing she didn't. I were distinctly not gentlemen, no mat- knew that that somebody had murdered ter what their warcry was. her old man to get the treasure! But when I got back to the altar, My face was white as chalk as I there wasn't a monkey in sight. stuffed the half map in my blouse pocket, picked up my guns and raced T WENT on up the steps of the altar down the rude steps toward the corner and in a few seconds I was peering of the building around which those dev- at the weather-beaten sign and deciph- ilish monkey* had carried Lilybelle ering the penciled writing on it. Kemperer. If the thief-kidnaper-mur- "This claim is staked out by Pete derer was around, I'd have to take my

Kemperer, and if I croak before I regis- chances on blundering into him. Right ter it, it is staked out in the name oj my now there was one thing that had to be daughter, Lilybelle Kemperer." done; I had to get the girl out of the I read the simple, direct words in a paws of those filthy monkeys, be- voice that wasn't exaptly complacent. I fore . , . saw now the implications it put into all I ran as fast as I could go! that had happened. Monkeys have tails, don't they? The old guy I had rescued, and who They live in trees, don't they? Well, had given me the location of a "great I'm willing to bet you a year's pay I treasure" along with a lot of insane looked in every tree on this damned things that hadn't been insane at all, was little world, and I didn't see a single, beyond all doubt this very same Pete unblessed monkey! It was as if the Kemperer. I'd thought he'd called him- whole race had vanished from the face self Pete, the Camper. And the girl in of the little world. the IMybelle, who had twice burned me Maybe now you're suggesting, what MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE

so on, . and about caves? Okay, caves. But there . oh my maiden—" ain't any caves! Not a hole big enough over and over again. to hide a gopher anywhere. I know, The voice was a perfect imitation of because I used up every bit of fuel I my own, and the words were the words dared, to criss-cross the little world I had used when I'd first found the from pole to pole. Nothing! And right Lilybelle. . . . there, I was finished. Use more fuel, Holding my rifle ready in my hands voice. and I don't get home. I tiptoed into the ship toward the I came to the pilot compartment and T SET my ship down right beside tie stopped in the doorway, stunned. in Lilybelle and thought it out. By There in front of a mirror set the and he was parad- this time it was getting dark, and I had wall was a monkey, declaiming to make up my mind. As I sat there, ing up and down before it perfect imitation I reasoned it this way: the monkeys had with great gusto in a eaten their dead comrades at the altar. of my voice, "Oh my maiden aunt!" said. And they'd done it in a cererrfonial way. "Oh my golly!" I Maybe that was the way they always The monkey stopped parading, at me. raised one did it. It had to be the way they always turned and looked He rather absently with did it. If it was, then the answer was paw and fiddled his top-knot, then grimaced. "Come simple . . . they would come back there with Lilybelle to eat her, from wherever back here with that damned map!" he they were. howled. Wherever they were! Okay, I'm ¥ou could have bowled me over with simple! The building! Where else a bull fiddle! If that wasn't the voice would they be? So you think I didn't of old Pete Kemperer, I'm a four-star idiot. while I stood there, thunder- think of that. . . . Well, there isn't And any way to get into that ugly stone pile! struck, the monkey cautiously tried to Not a door on any of its perfectly blank make his way past me through the door, sides. Unless it's a secret door—and exactly as a child might do when caught did you ever try to find the one stone in the pantry stealing jam. And like a child in maybe millions which is a door? mother who has caught the steal- blocked the Yes, it was the altar—that's where ing jam, I moved over and I'd have to park myself and wait. way. Sooner or later the monkeys would The monkey stopped, hesitated, come back, and I'd be there. Waiting. backed up again. He stood against the With every slug I could find in both wall, eyeing me fearfully. I just stood ships stacked beside me. And if I was there, waiting. Would he say anything too late to save her life, there'd be else? He did! And in four different damned few monkeys who would live to voices! go back to that nowhere into which "A million tons of the stuff!" he they had so mysteriously vanished I gloated. "Think of itl Won't the void It was when I stepped into the air- be buzzing with spaceships when this lock of the Lilybelle that I got a jolt stuff begins to hit the market!" The that was like to knock me dead. I froze monkey's voice changed again, and this silent in my tracks, listening to the time the imitation was well-modulated, voice that was coming to my ears. It cultured and unmistakably Harvard I said: "Oh my maiden aunt ... oh my The accent was so thick you could cut golly! Oh my maiden aunt ... oh my it with a knife; no Harvard man ever ;

94 AMAZING STORIES

talked more Harvard I ously arrived some time before the first "Tellurium isotope x," he said didac- two—only to have Harvard and Rod- tically, "beyond all doubt. Do you com- zinski step in and hi-jack his claim. prehend the import of our discovery, Later the two hi-jackers had been killed Mr. Rodzinski? These blocks are un- by the monkeys and eaten on that blast- doubtedly united lead and tellurium, ed black altar of theirs! in about equal proportions, unheard of Pete Kemperer had staked his claim anywhere in the solar system, to my to the tellurium-x by the simple expedi- knowledge. Financially speaking, there ent of preparing a map as required by are billions of dollars worth of ore the registrar's office of Earth. The bock here, already mined, and apparently, beer sign had been his notice of claim. almost perfectly refined. Oh my For his stake lines he had taken the golly!" four corners of the building. Which very neatly took in every ounce of the ^HE sudden switch to my own voice tellurium deposit, because the building on the last three words made me itself was the deposit! Each one of jump. My jump made the monkey those blocks of stone in the building was jump, and he became even more half tellurium! alarmed than before. In direct propor- What had happened to Harvard and tion to his alarm, he chattered on at in- Rodzinski was vividly and horribly creased speed, his voice Hipping from clear in the dialogue the monkey re- one simulated human voice to another peated, down to the last despairing with bewildering rapidity. scream of agony from the lips of Rod- "Parrots in monkey form!" he mar- zinski as hordes of monkeys tore him veled. "Come back here with that down to death.

damned map, oh my maiden aunt! . . . There was no doubt that it was this

hexagonal-rhombohedral in form . . . mad jumble of things that Kemperer

take that, you damned monkey! . . . had mumbled in his death delirium

ouch, got me right in the guts . . . that's when I had picked him up after his what makes the blocks appear escape from the tiny world. black..." Yes, I can see the flaw as well as you On and on the monkey chanted, in can. How did Lilybelle get half of that four different voices, jumbled together map? The half that the monkey—this with no rhyme or reason. When he monkey or another — hadn't gotten stopped, breathless, and stood watching away from old Kemperer? I can't ex- me with beady, fear-filled eyes, I swear plain it—but maybe Lilybelle can. If I I had heard a multiple recount of every- find her alive! thing memorized in that amazing parrot That was what was in my mind now mind of his, and I had gotten a pretty as I faced the monkey, who still popped

fair picture of what had happened. I'll up with occasional inane remarks such try to add it up in sensible continuity: as "By God, those monkeys can tele- Very obviously three persons had path, too, Rodzinski!" which didn't made a very rich discovery here on this make any sense at all, because it didn't amazing little world; one of them being seem to fit into the story. What if the a geologist who had been educated at monkeys could telepath? The crazy re- Harvard; another his companion, a less mark, coming right now, brought a educated gentleman named Rodzinski thought to my mind, and it seemed and old Pete Kemperer, who had obvi- worth a try. MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE 95

"Listen, my monkey friend," I said. keys held my rifle, a half-dozen of them "If you can telepath, let's have the holding on to it for grim life. They all location of your hideout. Where'd your hopped up and down excitedly. And buddies go with the girl?" they screamed at the top of their lungs, "That damned mapl" he howled in now that they had ambushed me so response. "Come back here with that neatly. damned map! Oh my maiden rhombo- "Never hit a lady!" they chanted. hedral!" And damned if I ever will! Again!

That is, if I ever get out of this mess T KEPT up my questioning, hoping to alive! reach his mind. Naturally I didn't I headed the procession of singing expect an answer, because all he could monkeys in fine style, held aloft by as do was repeat anything he'd heard. many as could get a paw on some por-

"How about it, bub? Why don't you tion of my anatomy. They went straight light out in the direction of your hide- back to the building, around past the out, and I'll follow you?" I stood aside, altar, and around the corner from and he peered out of the door anxiously. which I had originally seen them come. But he made no move to slide past me They marched straight toward the and escape. "Listen, my monkey blank wall, and a whole section of it slid friend," he said seriously. "There are back noiselessly and revealed a dark-as billions of dollars worth of ore here." the-ace-of-spades interior. "You're telling me!" I exclaimed, We went in, still marching to the ca- beginning to get a bit sore about the denced screaming of their insane song. whole thing. Whether he knew it or not, The echoes inside were enough to he was hitting a soft spot. I had come drive me nuts—and enough, too, to tell here to make this strike, and now that me I was in a tremendously big room. I had it, it was beginning to look like We went down a great flight of stone it would be too hot to handle. steps and as we proceeded, it got lighter. I began to back out the door, think- A greenish glow seemed to come from ing maybe he'd make a dash for it when the walls, and by its light I found out the way looked clear. But he stood still, I was in a great underground cave. I seemingly waiting for something, and was certain this cave was not under the no longer wanting to get away. It was building itself, but off to one side. The when I had completely backed out of great weight of the building would have the door that I understood what he was crushed it down into a subterranean waiting for. Four million monkeys opening as vast as this. piled on me all at once! It seemed the building was unused, Maybe it wasn't that many, but it was serving only as an exit from the under- enough to smother me without a chance ground world of these monkey people. to fire a shot. I went down certain of at Obviously the connection between the least one thing: those monkeys could two was nil; a matter of two vastly dif- telepath, and my little friend had been ferent civilizations—of which the mon- setting a telepathed trap for me even keys were the surviving race. while he kept me busy listening to his Finally we arrived at a sloping well, chatter! He had made a monkey out the stone sides of which were smooth as of me! glass. Without a pause they dumped In a few seconds there were a hun- me onto the slope and I slid down like dred monkey paws gripping me. Mon- lightning to land with a thump at the —

96 AMAZING STORIES

bottom. There was an immediate clat- "And I'll exterminate every last one ." ter and both my rifles slid down beside of them if . . me. Then followed a lot of miscellane- "A girl?" Gurvey got to his feet. ous junk they'd collected from the ship, "Who?" including my sun helmet. "Name's Lilybelle Kemperer," I said,

. I scrambled to my feet, snatched up "if that could mean anything to you." my gun and leveled it. "It couldn't," he said. "Don't know "Now—you filthy, little beasts," I the dame." yelled, "take some of my medicine!" . "Yeah," I said. "It is a big solar sys- tem, isn't it? And since we're lining up '""JpAKE it easy, pal," came a slow- handles, mine is Bill Wallace. I'm a drawling voice behind me. "It prospector." won't do any good to plug as many as He lifted his eyebrows. "You ain't you can see. The only way you'll get prospecting on this dung-heap?" he out of this nice little jail is to have them asked with an inflection that was obvi- haul you up—and how could they do ously ironical. that if they were all dead?" "Don't have to," I said bluntly. I turned around like I'd been shot, "What's here can be seen at a glance." and gaped at the man sitting calmly on "You've glanced?" he asked. the floor, his arms clasped around his "Sure have. And damned if I need knees, rocking himself back and forth another look. What's your racket?" lazily. "Claim jumping," he said calmly. "What the hell I" I said in surprise. "You sure picked a hell of a place for "Who are you?" it!" I was a bit winded by his answer. "Name's Gurvey. Or if you don't Was he kidding? think that's enough, call me anything "I didn't pick it," he said. "I got off you like—just so it's your business and course, and had to land when my fuel not mine." gave out. In other words, pal, I'm ma- I looked at him, then back up at the rooned here, and if you ain't got a ship, monkeys. I'm gonna die here!" "Yeah," he said, in explanation. "Where's your ship?" I asked. May- "They got me the same way they got be I put too much emphasis on the ques- you, I imagine. And they dumped me tion. I was too sure there wasn't an- down here. I've been here for about other ship on this little world. Hadn't I two days, near as I can guess. And I'm just covered every inch of it? glad you brought two guns with you "Somewhere in that black hole of a because I aim to use one when they cart museum upstairs," he said. "Those in- us up out of here to that damned altar terfering monkeys rigged a slave-gang of theirs." and dragged it inside." "Well, I can't beef about that," I "Oh," I said. Then: "Do you know said. "Personally, I'm damned glad to the name of this godforsaken hunk of be able to provide you with a gun. When rock?" the firing begins, it's going to be hot and "It hasn't a name. It isn't even here. heavy, I assure you." The system maps say nothing is here; "You sound like you got more than from which I gather nobody ever just a grudge against these brutes," he looked. Offhand, I'd say this was a said cautiously. place called Uncharted. Got anything "They've got a girl," I said savagely. to eat?" —

MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE 97

I grinned at him. "Sure thing. I've I wondered. "I don't see any ropes." got a pack full of food pellets. No "Maybe they'll make a monkey water, though." . chain, tail-to-tail," Gurvey cracked. "I can still spit," he said with an I didn't have time to say any more, answering grin. "So maybe I can get it because just then my question was wet enough to swallow. And if I'm not answered. The cone-shaped pit we wrong, we'll be hoisted out of here in a were in began to tilt slowly, and I few hours to serve as the piece de resist- realized the whole thing was on a great ance on that altar outside." pivot, operated by some mechanism, "That's what those dumb monkeys probably a counterbalance, just like the think," I said, opening my food pack. stone entrance to the temple above must "Only they shouldn't have tossed my have been. We lifted slowly, until the guns down here with me!" side of the cone became horizontal. "I can hardly wait!" he agreed, and Then the motion stopped. We were free there was a gleam in his eye that scarce- to walk out of our prison. ly became brighter when I handed him Free, that is, to walk into the waiting a fistful of pellets. circle of caterwauling monkeys ; but not

free of the underground caves. "Take it JT COULDN'T have been more than easy," I said. "Let's get out of this a few hours later when they came for damned hole before we blast. I don't us. It started with that sing-song chant think I know the combination to the of theirs—the one they'd used when front door, or even how to get out of they'd eaten their dead comrades; the here. It's dark as the inside of a pitch- monkeys I'd shot. In a moment there barrel up above." were nearly a hundred of them grouped "You're telling me ! " Gurvey grunted. around the pit. "But if they make a move to mob us, "Here it comes," said Gurvey calmly. we gotta blast." He picked up his rifle and I did the "Right. But maybe we can do some- same. I held onto it tightly. I didn't thing to distract their attention." intend to let any monkey snatch it away "What, for instance?" asked Gurvey from me—and I said so. sarcastically. "Hang onto your gun until you get "Well, they're singing," I suggested. out of the pit—then begin the fireworks "How about putting out with a few immediately, before they have a chance tunes ourselves? They seem to put a lot to pile all over you. They caught me of stock in music." that way. They seem to have a special "It won't be music, if we -put it out," penchant for wanting to carry things, said Gurvey with a grin. "But it sounds even if they have to share them." like a good idea. How about Tramp, "Right, buddy," Gurvey thanked Tramp, Tramp, The Boys Are March- me. "They'll find this gun as tight a ing complete with tramps?" part of me as my arm. And you don't He suited the action to the words and have to tell me when to start shooting began marching slowly forward, tramp- I've always contended that the guy who ing on the stone floor as though he was opened fire first was the guy who ate the a soldier-playing kid, slapping the least lead." leather down until I thought he'd de- Nothing had happened as yet, except velop fallen arches before he'd gone that the chanting grew louder. "How twenty feet! I immediately followed are they going to lift us out of here?" suit, and the slap-slap of our feet echoed ! —

98 AMAZING STORIES even over the chant of the monkeys, "There's Lilybelle ! " He had been pelt- which lessened in volume a moment, ing along desperately in the direction faltered as we marched forth. Then our of a clump of trees out on the plain. song ripped out and the echoes really He stopped, swung around, looked at rang through that caveland! the altar. Then he shoved a new clip "It's got 'em!" Gurvey exulted be- of slugs into his gun and walked toward tween phrases. the altar, right beside me. Behind us It had! The monkeys stared at us in came the remaining monkeys, howling wonder, and then began to lift the vol- like mad, but walking too. They had ume of their own chant until it became learned to respect us—but I could see it a contest such as I'd never even have was a case of grim stalking now. They imagined. And all the time we marched didn't intend to let us leave, alive, if

—straight up that great flight of stone they could help it steps and into the darkness above. "This is it, Gurvey," I panted. "Let's When we got to the place where I barge through, get her, then blast our judged the exit must be, the din was ter- way to the ships." rific. The monkeys, if not ourselves, "No!" he said roughly. "They're were enjoying the singfest immensely I scared a bit. These fellows have got the Weak as it was, the light outside al- whole story by telepathy. See how most blinded us when the great block they're opening to let us through?" of stone that was the door swung open. I looked behind us. "Yeah, and I The way to the outer world was open. can also see they don't intend to open to "Blast 'em! " snarled Gurvey. "Sweep let us out!" the whole area right from here, then "Okay," he said. "When we leave, we run through 'em. They're bunched like blast." a covey of sitting ducks!" We walked forward and the monkey ranks parted to let us through. Then 'TPHE chattering roar of his rifle they closed in tightly and crowded blasted out and echoed through the close. We walked up the altar and I

temple with a' din that was so terrific grabbed Lilybelle by the arm.

it was ear-stunning. He wasn't bother- "You all right, kid?" I asked anx- ing to take his finger off the trigger—he iously. was just letting his gun belch. I held "Yes," she said faintly. "I'm all my own gun at waist level, aiming low. right. But not for long, from the look Then I let fly too. Monkeys went down of things. Do you know what these .?" as though mowed with a scythe. awful animals do on this altar . . "Runl" screamed Gurvey. "Right "Yes," I said hastily. "But let's skip ." down the center!" that . . We ran. Straight through the dazed I didn't finish, because suddenly Gur- monkey ranks; and around the corner vey snatched my rifle from my hand, of the building. There I stopped as and before I had time to thihk of what though I had been shot. Ahead of us, was going on his own gun was blasting grouped around the altar, was another a path through the monkeys and he was group of chanting monkeys. And stand- charging away, carrying my gun in his ing up on the altar itself was Lilybelle, freehand! The ease with which he had lsoking very pale and not a little bit done it left me feeling utterly foolish scared. the kind of a feeling I'd remember with

"Hold it, Gurvey!" I croaked. mortification all my life. "

MOON OP DOUBLE TROUBLE 99

"I told you I was a claim-jumper 1" Gurvey was out of sight by this time, I heard his triumphant yell float back to and strangely, not a monkey had fol- me as he blasted his way through the lowed him. Instead they began to circle monkey ranks. "Don't give the mon- around before us, and went into the

keys indigestion, pal I now-too-familiar chant. "Guess they Red rage filled me, and I leaped for- think we're meal enough," I said, and ward in his wake, but brought up short regretted it instantly the fool words had with the red all evaporated. The mon- left my lips. keys knew my gun was gone—and they But Lilybelle could take it. She was closed ranks like a steel trap, barring white-faced, but she stood stiffly and my way. That's all; no other moves. bravely beside me. I looked at her an They had me—us—and they knew it. instant, and my eyes roved over her I backed up onto the altar again, and features as though I was seeing her for put an arm around Lilybelle. the first time. And right now she looked On the altar beside me I saw a scrap like the most beautiful woman in the of paper. It must have dropped from solar system to me—especially in con- Gurvey's pocket when he made his rot- trast to that ridiculous picture of a ten play. I snatched it up. Lilybelle goat's head right behind her!

snatched it from me in turn with a gasp. "Lilybelle!" I gasped. "Why," she said, "this is the other "What?" she gasped back. half of my map!" "The goat!" I mumbled hysterically. "It's these critters' god!" I pointed at CUDDENLY it all came to me. Gur- the bock beer poster with a finger that vey was the guy who had beat old trembled. man Kemperer to the point of death and She stared uncomprehendingly. left him helpless where I'd found him. I gripped her arm, swung her around The rat had told the truth and I hadn't to face the ceremonially gyrating mon- taken him seriously! He was a claim keys. "Sing!" I commanded. "Sing, jumper. He'd come to this little planet stamp your feet—and loud! Distract looking for Kemperer's treasure and their attention from me!"

- had miscalculated, so that he'd run out She started immediately, singing in a of gas. Now he was on his way to voice that I would have admitted at any escape in my ship and I was helpless to other time was just about the worst I'd ^ stop him! ever heard from any female; but right "He had the half of the map I now it sounded like the singing of an thought you had," said Lilybelle in a angel. And as she sang she leaped and voice that trembled. stamped and swung her arms until she "How'd you get your half?" I gave what must have been a sweet imi- mumbled, only partly aware of what I tation of a whirling dervish. She at- was asking, so numbed was my mind tracted the monkeys' attention, and by my discovery and by the situation we how! were now in. I got out my pen-knife, and faced "Dad sent it to me spacemail," she the wall. As quickly as I could I cut out said. "Told me fce'd follow, but that the goat's head, punctured the eyes and he'd sent half the map to me to safe- slapped the thing across my face. I held guard his discovery in case anything it with both hands beside my face and happened to him. Then he never turned. ." came . . "Stop, Lilybelle!" I screamed, to " !

100 AMAZING STORIES make her hear over the tumult she was on, Lilybelle. We might as well march making. "Stop singing!" this goat mask right into the middle of She stopped so suddenly the silence them—" was almost) deafening. It was only then But I didn't step out of the bushes— that I realized her act had completely because just then I saw Gurvey- No, damped out the chant of the monkeys he wasn't coming up to the ship—he was and that they had stopped their own coming out of it. And coming out ex- noise out of sheer futility. They were actly like I'd come out of it once my- looking up at her in wonder. That was self! He was being carried by as many my cue. "Step aside, Lilybelle," I monkeys as could get a paw on his whispered. anatomy. And each of the rifles was She did, and I stepped forward and being carried by other monkeys. Gur- thrust my goat mask out pugnaciously vey'd forgotten my warning—he'd been and did the only thing I could think of piled on as he came into the ship, and to enhance the illusion I was trying to I had no doubt as to how it had been create. been worked. No wonder the monkeys "Baa-a-a-aa!" I bleated. at the altar hadn't followed—they'd sent a telepathic message to their mates VTOU never saw such a bunch of guarding the ships! They'd had every startled monkeys in your life. They possibility covered! were positively frozen in their tracks. We watched them parade back past "Come on, Lilybelle!" I whispered. us to the altar, where their demoralized "Either we walk out of here now, or we buddies were still milling around in a never do ! blue funk. Then, when they were out I marched down the rude steps, ut- of sight, Lilybelle and I made a dash tering my pathetic bleat at every step. for the ship. We got inside and Lilybelle followed right behind, and the slammed the port shut. Then, before I monkeys scattered like leaves before a did another thing, I grabbed Lilybelle storm. Scared? Those monkeys were so and kissed her right on the mouth. scared they almost turned lemon-yel- You do things like that when you find low! And I could hardly blame them. out you're in love with a gfrl! It would be bad enough to see their god Before she had any time to recover, come to life, but to see me come to life I yanked her into the control room and her into recoil-seat. Then I as that god . . . well that was it shoved a I went straight toward the ships. Gur- sat in the pilot seat and blasted off. vey hadn't known where they were, nat- We zoomed up over the big black urally, and I hoped desperately that he building and hovered on rocket jets hadn't found them yet. We reached a while I looked carefully down. clump of bushes, after rounding the "What are you going to, do?" asked corner of the building, and I peered Lilybelle. through. The ships were there! But "I'm going to ask you to shut your as I saw them my face fell, behind the eyes," I said, "and keep them shut until mask. Both ships were surrounded by I tell you to open them." a horde of monkeys! She got a little white, but she did as I heard Lilybelle moan in despair I said. behind me. Then I lowered the ship until the I felt pretty low myself, but I decided rocket blasts were sweeping the plain to carry the bluff all the way. "Come before the monkey people's altar. I MOON OF DOUBLE TROUBLE 101 moved in swiftly, then blasted with all skunk, Gurvey, there wasn't a sign. It I had. When the smoke cleared away was neat, and clean. that altar and its surroundings were You didn't think I'd let even a rat clean for the first time in its foul his- like Gurvey be eaten alive, did you? tory. Of the monkey people, and of that THE END OUR AIR-MINDED * ANIMAL FRIENDS * By AL HERMAN

LET us take a look at some of our air minded one year without a map. It seems that the Arc- animal friends. What strange stories can tic tern loves perpetual daylight, for it will make ' they tell us? two trips a year—from Greenland to the Ant- Probably the second greatest of all the ani- arctic and back—so that it may live in this life mal gliders is the "wandering albatross." One of constant daylight. of these birds is known to have traveled 3,159 The Arctic tern does not take the shortest miles in about nine days. The wingspread of route from northern Greenland to Antarctica. It the albatross may exceed eleven feet. The al- flies along the coast of Africa and covers not batross never appears to move his wings when less than twelve thousand five hundred miles.

he is flying ; it seems to tilt its wings only slightly Since the Arctic tern will make two such trips a as it lets the wind carry its clumsy body for long year—one in the spring time and the other at distances. On land the albatross is a complete fall time—it actually covers twenty-five thousand misfit. Its legs seem to be weak and unable to miles a year. The mystery of this flight is how support the body. When an albatross is prepar- a young bird can cover this distance, over barren ing to take off, he runs down a slope into the sea, and arrive at the same destination as its wind in an attempt to get a lifting force under family. One might answer this question by say- his long gliding wings. ing that every young tern was taught from birth While the albatross may be the world's best the migratory road. This, however, is not the glider, it cannot compare with the hummingbird case, since it is known that the young birds mi- in flying ability. A hummingbird has the dis- grate first—and without any older guide. tinction of being the only bird alive that can fly Even the lowly spider may become air minded backwards. Not only can a hummingbird fly at times. The baby spider does not take to the forward, upward, downward, and backward, but air because he seeks adventure, he does so to it can actually stand still in air. Think of the escape his cannibalistic parents. If a baby spider perfect wing control a bird must have that can were to stay too long at home, he would end up defy the laws of gravity. as a family meal. To escape this unfortunate On land the hummingbird is even more clumsy fate, the baby spider spins himself a silk balloon than the albatross. The thighs of the humming- and pushes off on a sunny day—when there is bird's legs are imbedded in flesh, and so walk- a good brisk wind. How far can this silk bal- ing is made impossible. loon carry the spider? When the ride originates

If the albatross is the second best glider, who near an ocean, the tiny spider may actually be then has the distinction of being the world's best carried to some far off land. glider? As a glider, the man-o'-war bird is per- Even the ants may become air minded at fection itself. This bird is an expert on wind times. Have you ever noticed winged ants dur- currents and through the proper use of these ing the fall season? It seems that about that wind currents stays in the air almost all of its time of the year, some virgin females and males life. It is even believed that these birds sleep are born with wings. The males are insignificant. in the air. This perfect glider seems to have lost They seem only to be able to follow one of the its landing gear—for if it should land on level virgin queens. They (the males) cannot feed ground or even on an ocean surface, it could themselves, nor do they know the way home. never again take off. Only by jumping into space After what John Beaty would call an airplane from the edge of a cliff can it take to the air wedding, the queen ant returns to the ground again. Yes, the same old story. The man-o'-war alone. Biting off her wings, she settles down to bird has become so specialized, that it cannot the task of starting a new colony. What hap- put one foot ahead of the other when on land. pened to the male partner of this airplane wed- Those interested in distance flying cannot but ding? He never returns alive—an unsung hero admire the Arctic tern. This fifteen and one-half giving his life for the cause of a future colony inch bird can fly twenty-five thousand miles in of ants.

. '

IS THIS THE NIGHT? By ALEXANDER BLADE

LIKE all prognosticators of the future,

he claimed to have made a mistake when the

time came for the prediction to come true . .

CAB driver said, "I mighta front porch. Pepper trees flanked the THE the known that address would be house, leaving it in shadows despite stuck on top of some hill. There almost constant flicker of lightning. ain't nothing but hills in this here part Long paid the meter charge, added a of town." modest tip and said, "I'll be out in a few Ray Long stretched his legs and minutes. If you're still around, I'll ride abandoned his gloomy contemplation of back with you. But I'm not paying a the streaming windows. Rain like this, waiting charge." he reflected, was unusual even in Cali- He eyed the driving rain with open fornia. Almost continuous thunder distaste, pulled the collar of his trench- made conversation an onerous task, coat about his neck and the brim of his while great jagged bolts of fire split felt hat over his eyes, then flipped open apart the night, illuminating the coun- the cab door and raced with long-legged tryside with spectacular brilliance. strides along the walk leading to the Swearing under his breath, the driver porch. put the car in low gear and the slow There, he stopped to shake water ascent of the steep incline began. The from his hat and the folds of his coat, twin windshield wipers stopped their then set his hand to the bronze-painted rhythmic swish-dah, swish-dah and a knocker. curtain of water obscured the glass, A light went on in the reception cutting off even a partial view of the hall, its rays visible through narrow street ahead. panes of glass on either side of the door. After an indeterminable number of A chain rattled and the door swung open minutes had passed, the cab lurched to a crack, disclosing a woman's face and a sudden stop and the engine died. The a narrow strip of a flowered housedress. driver flipped up the meter flag with un- "Hello," Long said dourly. "I'd like necessary violence and said, "This is it, to see Jonah Brown." mister. That'll be a buck-twenty-five." "Who are you?" the face asked. It Long fumbled in his pocket while he was a young face, pretty, and framed in peered through the fogged side window. blonde hair that fell to the shoulders. Beyond the sidewalk was a twenty-foot "Ray Long, of the Chronicle, miss." stretch of boggy lawn bordering a tiny "What do you want to see my grand- wooden bungalow with a microscopic father about?" the girl persisted. 104 AMAZING STORIES

LONG, earth-shaking roll of thun- Large, deep-set eyes regarded the re- der forced Long to wait until his porter from either side of a jutting, answer would be audible. He said sav- beaked nose. He lay propped up on agely, "Maybe you hayen't noticed but pillows, a heavy book in one hand with

it's wet out here. And it costs a quarter a finger inserted to mark his place. to have a suit pressed. So if we must The girl said, "This is Mr. Long, play question and answer games, let's Grandfather," gave the visitor a bright, do it inside, hunh?" mechanical smile and went out, closing The girl continued to look doubtful, the door softly behind her. but she released the door-chain and wid- The man in the bed said, "Please sit ened the opening enough for Long to down, Mr. Long." His voice was deep enter a small, modestly furnished living and resonant. He continued to regard room. He removed his hat and trench the young man from the depths of those coat, placed them on a rack near the sunken eyes. door and turned back to the girl. Long lowered himself onto the • She was smiling in a friendly way, straightbacked chair, pinched out his but there was a haunted expression in cigarette and dropped the butt into a her eyes that puzzled him. She could pocket. He said: "Mr. Brown, I rep- not have been more than twenty. resent the Chronicle. Our managing Long said gravely, "I didn't mean to editor ran across a prophecy of yours be rude. But our managing editor likes in the old files of the paper—a prophecy to send the cheap help out on assign- you made twenty-five years ago. Per- ments in this kind of weather. He haps you recall what it was." wants me to get an interview from your "I do,," Jonah Brown said calmly. "I grandfather." predicted that the world would come She nodded. "Won't yon sit down, to an end on January 10, 1920."

Mr. Long? I'll ask Grandfather if he'll "Exactly." Long leaned back in the see you." chair and crossed his legs. "We'd like She turned and left the room, going to run an article, mentioning that pre- along a hall that led to the rear of the diction and explaining how the error bungalow. Long watched the swing of occurred in your calculations." her rounded hips under the thin house- The ghost of a smile touched the old dress with casual appreciation. He ig- man's thin lips. He said, "The reason " nored the chair the girl had indicated, is not obscure. I fished a cigarette from a crumpled pack in the breast pocket of his suit coat and T IGHTNING flashed suddenly, close got it burning. to the window, and a blast of thun- The girl came back almost imme- der shook the walls. Rain rattled diately. "Grandfather will see you, Mr. against the room's single window, like** Long. Please come this way." the fingers of a skeleton seeking ad- He followed her along the hall and mittance. into a small bedroom off the rear of the The man in the bed waited until the house. It contained a wide bed, a small sound of the storm had faded sufficient- table with several bottles and a glass ly for his voice to be heard, then con- on its top, and a straightbacked chair. tinued : There was a man in the bed—a huge- "I failed to read, correctly, the mes- bodied man, with a thin angular face sage given to me by Almighty God. topped by a mane of thick white hair. Long ago the truth was revealed to me, —

IS THIS THE NIGHT? 108 young man. But in my haste to ac- ing end of the world doesn't rate a bet- quaint the peoples of the earth with ter location with our managing editor." their impending doom, I miscalculated The man in the bed nodded imper- the date when calamity would fall upon turbably but did not speak. Long let them. It was a trivial error, 'tis true himself out of the room, closed the door ... a matter of twenty-five years." softly and moved along the hall toward Ray Long blinked. "In other words, the living room. the world will be destroyed this year? The blonde-haired young woman was In 1945?" nowhere in sight. Long shrugged into "That is correct," replied Jonah his topcoat and pulled his hat down over Brown steadily. "To be exact, on Jan- his eyes. The storm seemingly had uary 10, 1945." passed; he no longer heard the surge of An icy finger seemed to touch Long's thunder and the brittle crackle of light- spine. In spite of his carefully masked ning outside the bungalow walls. He contempt for long-haired viewers-with- caught himself wondering if, twenty- alarm such as the old man in the bed, he five years from tonight, some other found himself shaken by the uttter cer- Chronicle reporter would be coming out tainty in that deep voice. to learn why old Jonah Brown's second

"But this is January 10th, Mr. prediction hadn't proved any better Brown. Are you seriously suggesting than the first.

that this is the night it will happen?" He opened the door, took a single

"I am not suggesting, my young step . . . and froze there, both feet on friend: I am informing you of an unal- the threshold.

terable fact." He was staring at . . . nothing. The "Of course," Long said hastily. There street was gone, the hill was gone, the was no point in antagonizing the old myriad lights marking the city were goat. He glanced at his wristwatch. gone.

"It is now 9:25. It seems the old globe There was only black eternal infinity. has less than three hours left to go. Lots His stricken mind refused to accept of folks aren't going to like that." what the eyes testified. Instinctively He stood up. "Thanks for letting the he turned to flee back into the home of Chronicle in on the facts, Mr. Brown. Jonah Brown. It too had disappeared.

I'll send you over a copy of tomorrow's He sought frantically to maintain his paper in the morning, with my article balance on the threshold—now a single of our little talk somewhere on one of plank. Slowly it tilted and sent him the back pages. You see, the impend- spinning into space. His scream— SCIENCE FREEZES GERMS

5° THE U. S. Department of Agriculture is the temperature is F. The colder the tempera- always on the alert for methods to make ture the less time is needed and so only ten days the foods we eat purer and more health- are required at a temperature of —10° F or six ful. Some time ago they perfected a method days if the meat is stored in a place where the whereby the trichinae can be destroyed in pork temperature is —20° F. If the pork is from 6 and thus prevent the dread disease called trich- to 27 inches thick, it must be stored for twice inosis. the number of days listed above except at tie

The process is really very simple and involves 5° F level where the time is only 30 days. only that the pork be frozen for a number of This method is now being used by meat pack- days depending on the thickness of the pork cuts. ers all over the country to insure that the pork If the pieces of pork are less than 6 inches going to the men of our f-orces and to the civilian thick they must be stored for twenty days if population is pure and safe. A. Morris-

.

By LEE FRANCIS OUT of the past came a grim missile irom space, its secret

buried deep in an unborn volcano . .

QUARTER of a mile up the roots of a giant palm. He wiped sweat steep slope of Tepicol Valley, a from his chin and pushed steaming ridge of his nose. A• killer was stretched on his belly, glasses higher on the sighting carefully through the cross- Rand's height made his present position hairs of a telescopic rifle. The hunter uncomfortable. A fly lit on his cheek as wasn't satisfied. He had plenty of time, he worked and he brushed it away im- and the sun had not yet burned his tem- patiently. per to the necessary heat. So engrossed was he in finshing his The stage, a dark valley where Aztec job that both the sun and the cramped

skulls still bleached, was set. position were forgotten. Jim Rand, an archeologist seeking At least six inches of the rock slab Aztec lore, crouched near the exposed were visible above the soil. He scooped

wn below, the victim was iware of his danger—behind came a slight noise . . . 10* AMAZING STORIES

eagerly with his hands, eyes brightening sun. More likely it was the single buz- as more of the stone came into view. zard circling high over Tepicol that

Rand was sure that it was an Aztec caught Juan's eye and stopped him in picture rock. his tracks. Assuredly it was the sec- What startlingly new light would this ond flash from the polished barrel of throw on the history of the temple a rifle that sent Juan scrambling up the builders? Hacking away the last root, steep bank at the edge of the valley. he drew the stone slab from the ground. The sand was soft between his toes The slab was about two feet square. and the bush knife, sharp as a razor, The symbols were clear on its surface. hung with the handle in the palm of his A whistle escaped his lips. tough hand. Only the upper half of the stone had Juan moved swiftly along the crest of come from the ground. The lower edge the hill from palm to palm, creeping like was jagged and broken. He put the a snake through the undergrowth of precious object down carefully and vines. He heard the loud click of the started to dig again. It was useless. rifle chamber as a bullet snapped in, Only broken, pulverized bits of gravel and the movement of a man ahead of came to the surface. The growing roots him. had destroyed the lower part of the Sefior James Rand, almost a god to stone. Juan, was somewhere in the valley be- Standing up, Rand stretched care- low. That left but one answer. Juan fully, removed his glasses and started hugged the ground, moving inch by inch to polish them on his shirt front. The over the last rise between him and the sunlight playing on rumpled brown killer. hair, and across the red and green The buzzard, sensing what was tak- checks of his shirt, made him a clear- ing placej wheeled in a wide circle cut target. above. The killer, still waiting, smiled softly The man with tie rifle was barely and squinted through his sight with eight feet ahead. Juan saw his feet, added care. His trigger finger stiffened, pointed outward, and the left elbow then curled slowly about the trigger. buried in the sand. Juan was on his feet, slim and ragged, with weapon JUAN, though only fifteen,- had the posed like a small god of vengeance. responsibilities of the world on his The killer had his rifle aimed. In the thinly clad shoulders. His boss, Sefior brush, a toucan set up a raucous call James Rand, was alone somewhere in and, hidden by the sound, Juan sprang. Tepicol Valley. He was across the clearing in an in- Juan, barefooted, swinging a heavy stant. The rifle spoke, clear and sharp bush knife against the green wall of the against the day, but the aim had been jungle, moved ahead with renewed disturbed. speed. The killer pulled the trigger hur- What Sefior James Rand found in riedly, twisting over as he did so, to Tepicol that was better than food, Juan ward off whatever was behind him. His could not guess. James Rand bad left face, twisted into an ugly snarl, sud- while he, Juan, was yet asleep, and denly turned white. Juan lost no time in searching for him. Juan was over him, and the bush

Perhaps it was the sudden flash of a knife plunged downward. The man gun barrel like a tiny mirror against the with the rifle had only time to utter one — .

COMET FROM YESTERDAY 109

protesting scream of pain. His fingers what you call Fascist, ready to kill you closed around the sharp blade, tried to first chance."

forc« it from his stomach, and became Rand's face had gradually darkened motionless in death. The bush knife as Juan spoke. New anger was there. had entered the belly at the navel and Calm, terrible anger that burned deep its point was buried in the sand beneath but left his mind clear. him. "You're a good kid, Juan," he said. Juan felt cold and without emotion. "I owe a lot to you. We'd better bury

Above him, the buzzard turned lazily, the corpse before (he buzzards get it or changed the focal point of his interest Miller discovers what has happened. and waited patiently. Miller's got power with fhe local police. He might make it tough for botb of JIM RAND, too engrossed in his work us." to notice the buzzard or the flash of Juan's shoulders squared. the rifle barrel, recognized the sudden "You and I make plenty trouble too," crack of the rifle. He went down like he said. a rock, rolled over quickly and came to his knees. Releasing both pistols r ,HE grave was shallow, but well- J~ from his holsters, he tried to detect hidden by the undergrowth of vines. some movement in the direction from When the job was done, Rand returned which the shot had come. The day was to the Aztec picture rock. His score silent; then, high pitched above the cry with Miller would liave to wait. Now of the toucan, came Juan's voice. the stone seemed more important. With "Senor James Rand, you are not Juan's help, he carried it carefully to keeled?" an open spot where the light was better. relaxed, Rand pushed the guns back He studied it for a long time, becom- into their holsters and stepped into the ing more and more puzzled over the odd, open. faded pictures painted across its sur- "Juan, you son-of-a-gun, come down face. Finally he looked up at Juan here. What the hell happened?" Then who waited close by. came Juan's cry of joy and the sound "Juan," he said in a hushed, almost of his bare feet running and slipping shocked voice. "Have you beard of down the hill. He ran swiftly toward Parangaricutlro?" the Rand, bloody bush knife in his "Long time ago I hear of town that grasp. name," the boy said hesitantly. "It is "It was one of Senor Ernst Miller's in mountains, very old, old town. Aztec men," Juan cried breathlessly. "He ancestors have big temples near there." was ready to shoot you with big gun. Rand stood up slowly. A frown I kill him." oreased his forehead. Rand put one hand on the boy's "Juan, if this stone is the real thing shoulder. —and I have reason to think it is "Steady, son," he urged. "You killed every man and woman in Mexico Cily Miller's man?" may be dead in a week. The North Juan caught his breath and launched American continent may suffer from into a garbled description of what had tidal waves and cosmic disturbances the happened. like of which we've never dreamed." "Senor James Rand should not go out Juan's head tipped tp one side. His without Juan," the boy ended. "Miller, brown eyes reflected bewilderment. no AMAZING STORIES

"How you can kill all those people?" Sitting in the small office of Urapan he asked. "Cos-mic waves. They are Airlines, he gave instructions. bad, huh?" "You—-AlverezI" A little Mexican Rand picked up the stone. stepped forward and saluted. "See that "I think Juan," he said, "that I'd bet- no strangers are allowed near the field ter get this into more capable hands. during the takeoff today. I have reason You're going to have to do without me to suspect that my friend, Rand, will for a day or two." try to make a run for it." "You go away?" Pedro Alvarez smiled and patted his "To San Diego," Rand answered old army rifle. grimly. "The Aztecs were marvels at "Good, Senor! This Senor Rand, I astrology. If I've nead correctly what is will recognize him?" written on this tablet, every government Miller snorted. in the world will be sitting on dynamite "He'll be the only white man around during the next week. There's going if he shows up. That won't be hard." to be hell to pay, and the remainder of He dismissed Alvarez with a nod of this stone would help a lot in prevent- his head and turned to the sallow-faced

ing it. We'll have to do what we youth, dozing near the window. ." can . . "Herman!" Herman Wassler, Miller's closest al- nPHE airport at Urban was controlled ly, moved lazily and sat up. completely by the power of Dr. "You can't let me rest a minute, can Ernst Miller. Miller himself was no you, Doctor?" more doctor than the Mexican boy, Miller glared at the youth. He Juan. German, fat and pompous, he leaned forward over his desk. had attached the title to himself to im- "You think Rand is down here on press those about him. government business?" Ernst Miller, hoping against hope A sneer twisted Wassler's thin face. that Hitler would stop the rush of Al- "I think he's a big, good-natured lied armies across Europe, was waiting boob, fresh out of college, with one for the Nazi invasion of the Americas. thought in mind." His hidden rifles were growing rusty "And that is?" and his jungle airports, built to land "Cover himself with glory by digging invasion troops, were run down and in up some bit of Aztec stone. Odd, poor condition. these Americans. Their country is in Now, of all times, he was not anxious danger of losing a war, and they putter to have Mexican and American citizens about with shovels, digging up past prowling about his jungle domain. If history." they should stumble on to one of his Miller looked thoughtful. hidden fields, who knew what his pun- "I'll play safe," he said. "Rand's ishment might be. Mexico and the down here and I'm making sure he United States were co-operating too doesn't leave. Kuhn tracked him this closely for his peace of mind. morning. I told Kuhn if the chance Ernst Miller was a fat, owlish man for a good shot presented itself, to get with white bushy eyebrows and stone rid of Rand the easiest way." gray hair. His misshapen stomach gave A smile, arrogant and self-satisfied, an impression of sloth that was mis- parted Wassler's lips. leading. "Killer Kuhn doesn't fail to carry COMET FROM YESTERDAY 111 out orders like that," he said. "You Rand got out of his own jacket and can depend on Rand's early exit from pants and they switched clothing hur- this world. As for me, I'm getting riedly. very bored with this living death. Our Juan looked like a baggy scarecrow; soldiers are seeing action back home. and Rand-, with clothing three-quarters ." Sometimes I wonder , . his size, seemed about to burst out of "Wassler!" Miller's voice cracked Juan's trousers and shirt. like a whip. "You're about to say "Stay at the far end of the field," something against our method of fight- Rand said. "I'm going to get to Miller's ing a war. I warn you again. I'D listen private plane if I can. Make sure that to very little more of your fantasy. The guard sees you, but keep out of firing Fuehrer knows best. We shall be en- range. At a distance, you may pass gaged in an invasion when he thinks for me." the time is right." Juan nodded, backed into the forest Wassler and Ernst Miller often dis- and disappeared. Rand waited. The agreed; but Miller's domineering atti- distance to Miller's plane was short, tude was wearing Wassler's temper but the field was open and a mechanic thin. He wondered if he was a mem- was at work on the plane. ber of the Master Race or a bunch of He saw Juan at the far end of the master fools. Time, curse its slow field. The Mexican boy was only part- passage, would tell. ly visible, but the leather jacket and whipcord trousers made him resemble ! D AND noticed the armed figure of Rand slightly. Alverez, patroling the edge of the Juan walked out on the field. The Urapan Airport. He knew that Miller armed guard saw him and shouted for was around, because Miller's private him to halt. Juan seemed not to hear, plane was warming up at the far end but walked calmly away keeping in of the field. The Mexico City plane, plain sight. a ten-passenger transport, was waiting Alverez raised his rifle and fired. in front of its hangar. The shot fell short, but it brought Rand decided to play safe. If Miller and Herman Wassler dashing Miller was on guards Rand would stand from the office. no chance of getting off the ground. Rand saw his chance. With the information that the Aztec He dashed across the gravel behind stone had given him, Rand could afford the office, then ran at a trot down the to take no chances. edge of the field toward Miller's plane. "Are you willing to take a chance Juan kept on going, always close to of getting shot?" Rand asked the the trees, and yet in sight of the three Mexican youth. men. Alverez started to run toward Juan grinned. him, and Juan darted into the jungle "Take chance already," he said. "No out of sight. Miller, and Wassler both harm." followed Alverez. "Good." Rand drew the boy into Rand was close to the plane now. He the underbrush. "Get out of your noticed that the mechanic had looked clothes." up, and was watching Miller. Juan looked puzzled, then took off "Sefior mechanic," Rand spoke his ragged shirt, baggy trousers, and broken, uncertain English. "Sefior wide straw hat. Miller asks your help at once. That 112 AMAZING STORIES

Rand is in the jungle." Frazer had given up the study of me- The mechanic jumped down, wiped teors when his wife died. His daughter his hands on his overalls hurriedly and Frances had been brought up with all drew a pistol. his love lavished upon her. Father and "Thanks, bub," he said. daughter lived together. They seldom Rand kept his face averted and the mentioned Frazer's former work, but mechanic started to run toward the spot when it was discussed, he refused to where the others had disappeared into express any interest in it. the forest. Together ia the library, they were Rand noticed that Miller's plane was discussing the wire received from Mexi- a fast, single-seated job and the motor co City only an hour before. was turning over smoothly. "It will be nice to see Jim, of course." With a leap he was on the wing and Frances sat on the arm of her father's into the cockpit. He dared not wait, chair, her light dressing robe falling but gave her the gun and shot across away to expose slim, smooth legs. the apron toward the runway. "But, Dad, Jim's such a bore. There's He turned the machine quickly and something about his glasses, his eternal headed north. The engine roared wide digging for history, that makes him open and he left the ground with a completely uninteresting. I'll bet he'd smooth rush of air. blow up under any kind of excitement. He could see the small cluster of men I'm never sure whether he's modest and near the jungle edge. Alverez, rifle in quiet or just backward and afraid of the air, was firing as fast as he could life. reload. He might as well have been Frazer smiled. shooting at the moon. "This wire doesn't sound very retir- With a satisfied grin, Rand leveled ing," he said. off at five thousand feet and got his bearings. ARRIVING VIA PAN-AMERICAN TO- His expression sobered as he remem- NIGHT STOP DESPERATE TROUBLE bered again that this trip was perhaps AFOOT STOP MANY LIVES AT STAKE the most important one he had ever NEED YOUR ADVICE made. He hoped fervently that Pro- J. RAND fessor Waldo Frazer would be at home and that he could believe enough of "I suppose we'd better find out what Rand's story to insure a quick visit to time he's due," she said. Mexico. Frazer waited until she had spoken Disaster, swift and terrible, was to Pan-American, then went to the about to strike. Could he make his closet for his coat. story bear enough weight to convince "In half an hour, eh?" a hard-headed man of science? She nodded. "You want to go down, or shall I PROFESSOR Waldo Frazer, member meet the plane alone?" of the American Meteor Society, Frances winked at him. had retired. San Diego was a warm, "Don't get me wrong, Dad, just be- pleasant place for him to spend his de- cause I say Jim's a bore." She went clining years. Not that Frazer was an hurriedly toward the stairs. "He's old man. Perhaps fifty, with an iron handsome for all of that. I'll be ready gray beard and stern high cheekbones, in a jiffy." —

COMET FROM YESTERDAY 113

In spite of his daughter's failure to calendar which I was unable to de- see Jim Rand in a serious light, Pro- cipher) the Black Comet will rush fessor Frazer was worried. Rand from the sky and destroy the city of hadn't visited them for a year. During Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). Xerces, that time, Frazer had often wondered with the instructions of Montezuma, what had become of the younger man, has taken steps toward preventing this knowing only that he was somewhere catastrophe. Three hundred slaves and in Mexico. Frazer liked Jim Rand. prisoners of war from the neighboring They had been friends when Frazer Republic of Tlascala have been sacri- taught at Yale. ficed to appease the wrath of the Gods Frances came down, tugging at the of Destruction, When the Aztec em- sleeves of a short, red coat, hat to match pire, grown powerful with centuries of perched carelessly on one side of her good ruling, faces this power from outer brown curly hair. space, they will remain unafraid, in the

"Ready!" she said, and her father knowledge that Xerces has . . . Paran- followed her across the hall toward the gericutiro." rear door. She backed out the car. Here, Rand stopped reading, re- Climbing in, Frazer settled back com- moved his glasses, and folded the paper fortably. carefully. For a long time the room "Kindly avoid all curbs and lamp was silent. Then Frazer cleared his posts," he said with a chuckle. "I'd throat. like to be in good condition to meet "I assume that those calendar refer- Rand. Do you think you can drive ences were checked by you?" with a little more caution than usual?" Rand nodded. Frances smiled, and turned the car "Not as closely as I intend to have into the street on two wheels. them," he admitted. "Allowing for some difference, this Black Comet "TT'S impossible to decode the full should be visible at the present time, message, Professor," Rand said and should hit earth in about seven earnestly. "I am only a student of days." Aztec symbols. However, here is as A gasp escaped Frances Frazer's lips. much of the message as I could make "But, Dad—it's impossible. That out without leaving any doubt in my message was recorded hundreds of " own mind." years ago. It can't *be He removed his glasses from his Frazer held up his hand for silence.

pocket, polished the lenses carefully "I'm afraid this is beyond your and placed them on his nose. knowledge, child," he said gently. "I'm Frances, sitting on the far side of inclined to agree with Jim. The Aztecs the room, gave her father an "I told were far ahead of us with their study you he's a bore" look, and then adopted of astrology. In some ways their pre- an expression of rapt interest. Rand dictions have been uncanny. At least started to read fro.m a paper he had they believed that precautions must be taken from his briefcase. taken." "And Xerces, High Astrologer to the "That's what worries me," Rand in- court oj Montezuma, states with cer- terrupted. "What precautions? The tainty that on the 12th day of the— remainder of the stone could have given (here the message included a group of us the answer." complicated figures from the Aztec "Frazer arose and walked to the win- AMAZING STORIES

dow. For some time he stared up at the There is no way for us to know that it

star-lit sky. When he turned, Rand will hit earth, or where it will strike. saw a longing in Frazer's eyes that he Yet, the story has been confirmed." had not seen for years. A door slammed, and hurried foot- "Jim," Frazer said haltingly. "I steps sounded from the lobby. One of haven't been near my old work for the group turned, facing Frazer. years. I'm not even sure I could spot "The press has its story," he said. your Black Comet if it existed. I'd "The public will have the nicest scare like to try. If it's there, and we can it's had in years." see it, I'll go to Mexico with you as Frazer remained serious. fast as a plane can take us." "Gentlemen," he said, "I view this Rand stood up eagerly. with alarm. The Aztecs were a power- "I hoped you'd say that, sir." ful race. They didn't jump at shadows. Frazer smiled. The rest of you can do what you wish. "To gain access to the proper tele- I'm starting for Mexico this afternoon. scope equipment, we'll have to tell I'll appreciate all the cooperation I can others about your find. I'm afraid the get from you in the way of mathe- press will hear of it." matical figures and movements of the "It might cause quite a stir," Rand Black Comet." said. "Can't we remain silent, at least "I move we name it the Black Comet, for the present?" and enter it as such on the records," Frazer shook his head and smiled someone offered. "Although I can't sadly. agree that because a bunch of savages "With a city in danger, and perhaps went star gazing, that we, a civilized the whole western world feeling the people, should have cause for alarm." results of such a blow, I'm afraid the Bitterness welled up in Rand's mind, news is too important to keep to our- but he held his tongue. Frazer, sud- selves." denly straighter and younger looking, Rand nodded and Frazer went on: was handling the situation well. "It may be a false alarm. Let's hope "Gentlemen, you do what you wish. so. For the time being we'll consult I warn you that you'll have your hands the sky for an answer. I hope we full when this story reaches the Ameri- find nothing unusual among the planets can and Mexican people. I have no tonight." doubt that Mr. Rand has discovered a bitterly truthful account of what is pROFESSOR FRAZER left his post to happen. I'm going to work with at the giant telescope and climbed him constantly until we find an explana- slowly down the steps to where Rand tion. Meanwhile, you'll keep in con- and several men of science were wait- tact with us?" ing. A polite murmur went up from the "It's there, all right," he said. others. "You've all seen it, or at least seen the "Thank you," Frazer said. "And part of the sky it blots out. Mars is now, if you'll accept our gratitude for gone completely from sight. There's helping with the first step, we have ." only one explanation. other business to attend to . . "The Aztecs, working with mathe- matics and skill we know nothing of, VyHEN Rand and Waldo Frazer predicted this hundreds of years ago. reached San Diego, the streets COMET FROM YESTERDAY 115 were filled with newsboys selling ex- pilot, Jim, yourself, and me." tras. Pseudo-experts had already "But the danger?" Frazer started to dragged enough old stuff from the files protest. He was beaten before he to insure quick destruction of the world started. by the Black Comet. In the hall, Rand was talking with Washington on the telephone. He hung HUGE COMET BLOTS OUT SKYj THREATENS DESTRUCTION OF up finally and returned to the study. ENTIRE EARTH His face was red and excited. "It seems we've reached an impor- San Diego, March 6—It was announced tant audience," he said. here tonight that a new comet, a black Frazer nodded soberly to his daugh- comet of destruction, has blacked out a ter. portion of the sky and is hurtling toward earth at terrific speed. Just when the col- "Pack up your hiking clothes. You lision will occur, no one can say. It is win." He turned to Rand. "Who was believed that no possible steps can prevent it?" such a collision.

Experts agree . , . "The President," Rand said with awe. "He put through the call and kept Rand tossed the paper away dis- the wire open directly to his desk. He gustedly. wanted every detail from the time I "Americans either make a sideshow entered Mexico." of tragedy," he said bitterly, "or ignore Frazer whistled. it completely." "The verdict?" he asked. Frazer was preoccupied. "The Army is ready to give us as- "I have several errands to run," he sistance the moment we have definite said. "I'll contact Professor Girand proof," Rand said. "Mexico's president at the U. of C. He's a bug on old has contacted Washington on the languages. We'll arrange to put a photo strength of the newspaper accounts, of the stone in his hands by telephoto and has equipment waiting for us when from Mexico City. He can phone us we reach Uruapan. A B17 bomber is a complete translation within a few waiting for us. Frazer, both countries hours. We'll need survey equipment, want to see that stone and see it in a suitable clothing, and a light fast car. hurry." You have a guide down there?" Frazer hurried to the stairs and called Rand smiled. to Frances. "The best," he said, and remembered "Never mind packing," he said. "Get that the last he had seen of Juan, the down here at once. We'll find clothing boy was running into the jungle, clad at Uruapan." in Rand's clothing. He turned back to Rand. "If ac- tion is what they want, and we've a "y^ND you think you can go merrily clear sky for flying, what are we wait- away to Mexico without taking ing for?" me along?" Frances Frazer, balanced daintily on TJ AND had worried a great deal for the arm of her father's chair, put a the safety of Juan, the Mexican small finger under his chin and lifted boy. Because they landed in an Army it until their eyes met. B17, and a number of officials from

"You've a plane chartered and it will Mexico City greeted them at the air- hold four passengers. That means the port, Ernst Miller stayed very much in "

J16 AMAZING STORIES

the background. The big plane dis- Mexican to whom he had been talking. charged its passengers and took off There was a sudden shouted warning again, headed north. from near the office of Uruapan Air- With it had come complete field-ra- lines. Herman Wassler darted out and tion kits, clothing, an army jeep to be around the building out of sight. used for rough country, and the extra He came back almost immediately, items Professor Frazer had brought for holding a Mexican boy firmly by the his own use. arm. The boy wore a large leather Ernst Miller, farced to be on his jacket and whipcord pants which were good behaviour, greeted Rand. much too large to be his own. "I have you to thank for the return "Wassler." Miller's voice was com- of my plane, Mr. Rand. I hope you manding. "Let go of him." and Mr. Frazer and his daughter have Herman Wassler looked startled for a pleasant stay in Mexico. The pilot a minute, but he released his grip. Im- who flew my plane back from Mexico mediately Juan rushed across the field City said you paid him." to where Jim Rand was standing. Rand nodded. "Senor Rand," he said. "I am so "Thanks again for letting me use it," glad you come back. This man had he said soberly. me locked up." Miller continued to smile, shaking "This kid must be crazy," Miller hands with Frazer. said calmly. "I've never seen him be- "Mr. Rand is quite a friend of mine," fore." he told Frances. "I've been trying to Rand interrupted him. help him in his research work here. "He's my guide," Rand said coldly. I even sent a man out to assist him, "I'll take care of him." but I haven't heard what work Mr. A Mexican soldier came toward him. Rand put him to." "Senor, the truck, she is ready." The conversation was obviously Rand turned to Frazer. meant for Rand's ears. "I suppose the sooner we get the Professor Frazer was superintending stone, the faster we can get to work."

the movement of the baggage to a small "But the stone, it is gone, senor I truck. The jeep would be for them- Rand whirled, facing Juan. selves. Two privates had been detailed "Gone?" to drive the cars. "Yes, senor. The day I saw you fly Miller still talked with Frances. away, I escaped into the jungle. I Rand had overheard the portion meant went back to Tepicol, but the stone was for him. gone." "You'll find the jungle country hot," "You're sure you found the right Miller said. "Mr. Rand thought so, place?" Rand demanded. and Rand is a hardy man. However, "Sure, Senor James Rand. Juan is it gets still hotter about this time of sure. I saw Miller and Wassler take year. I doubt if even Mr. Rand will it. They follow your tracks to the be able to withstand much more of the place you dig." climate." Frances was murmuring something J7RNST MILLER growled something about being able to take it, and Frazer under his breath. Then a trium- shouted that the last bit of stuff was in phant grin crossed his face. His eyes the truck. Rand turned away from the narrowed. He turned to the Mexican COMET FROM YESTERDAY 137

officer in charge. be useless. They might prevent some "You see, senor?" he asked icily. military secret from escaping to an "These Americans have made a fool of enemy government." you. I'll tell you what happened. This He turned toward Rand and deliber- man is spying on the Mexican govern- ately winked. ment. He thought to get information for the Axis. One of my men followed '"THE stay at Uruapan might have

him and was murdered. Rand escaped been bearable if Rand hadn't real- in my plane, then trumped up a wild ized how little time they had left to story about a Black Comet to excite work. He had no knowledge of what your government and return with extra was being done to establish their hon- aid for his work. It was clever, Sefior esty of purpose. Little could be done. Rand, very clever. Fortunately I am Without the actual stone, neither coun- a loyal friend to Mexico. I was on try could be sure that he was more guard." than an impostor. True, the Black This speech took the Mexicans by Comet had been sighted, or rather the

surprise. They fidgeted and started to space which it covered had been blacked whisper among themselves. After all, out. Still, would the comet's presence Senor Rand had come in the name of necessarily mean a threat to the Earth? the United States. They did not know At the hotel they were given two just what to do. rooms. Rand shared one with Frazer, The officer in charge, a short, dark- while Frances had a small room to her- faced man, stepped toward Rand and self. They were well fed and the two saluted stiffly. soldiers remained to look after them. "Do you care to reply to this man's Rand felt sure that Miller had several charges?" men posted near the hotel, ready to Rand shook his head. shoot him down on the slightest pos- "Our whole work depends on that sible excuse.

stone. Without it, I can't say or do The afternoon wore slowly on. a thing to protect us. Mr. Frazer and Rand couldn't even be sure that his daughter came here at my request." Waldo Frazer trusted him entirely. Yet "I think it best," said the officer, Frazer was different from other men. "for you to remain at TJruapan until He had a deep insight into life and this has been discussed by our govern- character.

ments. It will not take long." Frances had bathed and they all sat "But—the time element," Frazer together in the small lobby. A fan " protested. "There is little blew away the worst of the heat. An Ernst Miller laughed aloud. Army private remained in the back- "Time is something we have much of ground, pleasant enough, but alert. in Mexico," he rumbled. "The next move, as I see it," Frazer Miller turned to the officer. said abruptly, "is to find that stone and "I will see that some of my own find it in a hurry. It's the only evi- men watch the hotel where these three dence we have." people are lodged," he said. Rand thought of Juan. If Miller The official stiffened. hadn't recaptured him, the Mexican boy "That will not be necessary." might prove to be of some help. Where "All the same, senor," Miller said, would Miller hide the stone? His .

"a couple of men with rifles will not reason for stealing it was obvious. It 118 AMAZING STORIES

was the quickest way of getting Rand "I taiow that my work seems unexcit- out of Mexico. ing to you," he admitted. "Some day

I'll try to make you understand it. "J'M GOING out of here tonight," Whatever you may have thought, for- Rand said in a low voice. "I think get it. You're forgiven. From now Miller has the Aztec stone. He won't on, we're friends."

make any use of it, other than to keep She smiled up at him almost tender-

us from finding it. It would suit his iy. purpose if Mexico and the United States "Jim—be careful tonight—for—our have trouble. More so, if any part of sake." Mexico is destroyed. There are a lot The light warmth of her kiss on his of superstitious natives down here. cheek, and she was gone, walking swift- Some of them might blame the catastro- ly toward her room. phe on our government." Rand took off his glasses, clearing Frances gasped. them on his handkerchief and stared "But that sounds impossible." after her. "Nothing is impossible in time of "My, how my life is changing," he war," her father assured her. "Rand said softly. ' is right. We've got to leave here."

"I'll try it alone," Rand corrected ^jpHE escape from the hotel was easy. him. "Miller's men are crack shots. One soldier had been posted at From the time we leave here, we'll be either end of the corridor on the floor escaped prisoners in the eyes of the law. where Rand's room was located. He I think I can evade Miller. I don't slipped down the drain pipe outside want either of you to take that Ghance." the window and disappeared into the

Frazer protested, but Rand won him rose garden beneath it. over. The night was cloudy and overcast. "You can't leave Frances alone," He breathed a sigh of relief when, after Rand said finally. "And she certain- reaching the soft earth under the win- ly can't be sent out where Miller's dow, none of Miller's rifle men had marksmen can take a shot at her." taken a shot at him. It was agreed that Rand should go Ernst Miller owned a large, rambling alone. Frazer was to keep his door adobe home near the Urupan air field. locked and allow no one in during the Once away from the hotel, Jim Rand night. Rand would attempt to get the walked swiftly across the town, and stone, or at least contact Juan, and followed the open road until Miller's return before morning. place was visible ahead of him. The As they went to their rooms, Frances house itself was backed up to heavy Frazer stopped Rand on the stairs. Her undergrowth that extended to the hills. eyes were a little moist as she clung to The kitchen was built against the hill, his arm. so that the roof was even with the slope. "Jim, IVe said some pretty sarcastic Rand left the road and carefully things about you in the past." worked his way toward the back of the Rand grinned. house. On his hands and knees he " 'Sissy boy' Rand, huh?" crept forward, listening for some sound Frances turned red. that might mean the presence of a "You knew?" guard. Rand put his hands on her shoulders. It was well that he used caution. COMET FROM YESTERDAY 119

Close to the low roof, about to trust said. "I've a feeling we've just got himself in the open, he heard the sud- started." den snap of a twig. Rand froze in his tracks, listening. tpRNST MILLER was worried. Not Silence for a long time, then another once since he came to Uruapan had cautious movement, coming closer. the local authorities questioned him. Rand drew his pistol and waited. He Now, trying to puzzle out the meaning sat back on his haunches. The moon of the Aztec stone, he found certain was under the edge of a cloud. He details that troubled him deeply. made out a movement a few feet ahead, "Maybe all that rot about comets then saw the figure of a man creeping was true enough." He turned savage- slowly toward him. A knife glinted ly to Wassler. "But this stone has one dully. message that's clear enough to demand Rand's breath was low and even. His action in a hurry." hand tightened about the grip of the Wassler, trying to show the proper gun. interest, nodded. The figure near him hesitated. "The picture of the mountain near "Senor Rand?" Parangaricutiro?" Something inside of Rand snapped Miller grunted. The stone was on like a broken spring and his gun hand the table before him. He leaned over lowered. He covered the few feet it, tracing the outline of a high, round- swiftly, grasping Juan's hand. topped mountain that had been traced "I damn near shot you," he whis- in the lower corner of the stone. pered. "How did you get here?" "Our field at Parangaricutiro is fully Juan placed the knife heside him on equipped. It has two dozen planes; the ground. a munition dump and enough material

"It is the stone," he whispered. "I to wreck the Whole lower section of the saw Wassler take it from the office safe country. It's well hidden, but if a lot and bring it here. He and Miller are of nosey Mex's get down there, they looking at it in the lounge of the house." might run across it. We can't take that Rand chuckled. chance. Rand wrote down everything "Imagine Miller trying to read an he found on the stone. Sooner or later Aztec picture message." Then his eyes he'll find the mountain that looks like grew cold. "We've got to get that stone, this picture. If he does, we're in hot understand, Juan?" water." The Mexican boy touched the handle Wassler grimaced. of his knife. "Kuhn didn't have much luck with "I am glad you are here to help, Rand." Senor James Rand," he said simply. Miller's next words were angry. "It might have been difficult." "Rand—or his boy—killed Kuhn. Rand stared at him. Kuhn was my best man. It's your turn "You weren't going in there—alone?" to have a try at getting rid of Rand, Juan nodded. Wassler." "You are in bad spot," he said. "I "You think I can't do it?" try save you from trouble. Miller is Miller frowned. one bad man." "I can't depend on you the way I Rand sighed. used to," he said. "But I guess you "I wish I had a dozen like you," he hate Rand as much as I do. Make 120 AMAZING STORIES sure, when you pull the trigger, that sight into the next room. there isn't someone behind you with a Rand turned. knife in his hand." "You go to the front door," he said. Wassler shuddered. "Knock, then wait until Miller comes. ' "I'll make sure." Give him some cock-and-bull story Miller went to the window and stared about being angry at me, and wanting out into the night. to help him. Stall as long as you can.

"Tonight is as good as any," he said. Tell him you want to get even with me, "Rand will be at the hotel. He'll and offer to do the job." walk by his window sometime between Juan moved away soundlessly toward now and breakfast time. You'll have the front of the building. Rand ad- a fine shot if you wait across the street. justed his holsters within easy reach of Now get going." both hands. Wassler went into the other room, He heard Juan's knock. Miller looked and came out with a telescopic rifle. toward the front hall, then moved across He stood near the door, fondling it in the room toward it. Rand waited until his hands. he could hear faint voices coming from "Now I've got something to do," he the front door. He tried the window said. "Now I won't be sitting stiB, gently, then with all his strength. waiting to go crazy." It was locked. Miller nodded, and Wassler went out Rand drew out one of his pistols, the front door. Miller heard him enter held the barrel firmly in his right hand the small car and listened as the sound and brought the gun butt down against of the motor faded into a distance. the glass with all his weight. He heard Then he arose and poured himself a a sudden shout of anger and scuffling drink. footsteps from within. Rand did not hesitate. He ran the heavy gun across n AND heard the car leave the front the broken glass, smoothing the edge of the house. of the window casing. Then he vaulted "Juan," he asked, "were Miller and through the opening into the room. Wassler here alone?" Swiftly he reached the table and picked Juan nodded. up the picture stone. " It was heavy "I have watched the house for long but he managed to get it back to the time. Servants all go. Wassler and window. Miller alone. Now maybe they both "Stop where you are, or I'll shoot." gone?" Rand thought swiftly. With all his Rand shook his head. strength he pitched the stone ahead of "I don't think so," he said. "Unless him through the broken window. It they took the stone with them. There's hit with a thud on the lawn outside. light refleotmg on the side lawn. One Rand dived forward, rolled over quick-

of them probably is still in the house." ly and came up with both pistols roar- Together they left the hiding place ing. behind the house and edged along the Miller was at the door, his face cov- side wall until Rand, a little ahead, had ered with blood. He held a rifle, firing a full view of the room. He saw Miller as he moved forward. leaning over what he was sure was Rand felt a cutting, searing pain in the Aztec picture stone. As he watched, his leg. Miller stepped quickly into the Miller left the table and moved out of protection of the hall and fired again. —

COMET FROM YESTERDAY 121

The bullet came close, but not before swiftly toward Uruapan. He, of course, Rand could get behind a heavy oak ta- knew nothing of Miller's death, al- ble. though it is doubtful whether the knowl- What had happened to Juan? edge would have bothered him. Miller There was a long silence. Rand had been domineering, and Wassler had thought of Wassler and wondered when his own ideas about handling Miller's he was coming back. He knew Miller job. Ideas that were born of a sadistic, would get him if he showed himself. murdering complex buried deep in Rand waited. Then a sobbing, cry Wassler's brain. of pain came from the hall. Quick Wassler knew the layout of the Urua- footsteps and Juan staggered into the pan hotel perfectly. He had been called room and fell face down on the carpet. upon to dispose of minor officials much In an instant Rand was at the Mexi- earlier In the campaign. Therefore he can's side. Rand rolled him over slow- chose his headquarters swiftly. ly, lilting his head into his arms. At dawn he was well hidden in a "Juan?" small hallway across from Rand's room, Juan's eyes opened. rifle ready, keen eyes watching the "Miller—feel—knife," he whispered. drawn shade from a small window. He "Miller—not harm the sefior again. consulted his watch. He had been here " Look out for—Wass for two hours. His eyes rolled back and the neck Seven-fifteen. It was cloudy and muscles relaxed. Rand put the boy dark. A light came on in Rand's room. down softly, then rubbed the sleeve of Wassler raised his rifle, made sure the his shirt across his own eyes. barrel didn't protrude beyond his own Juan was dead, but Miller would do window, and waited. A shadow passed no more harm. It was clear to Rand, behind the shade. Wassler tensed and as soon as he went into the hall, what the shadow moved on. had happened. Miller was lying face Rifle ready, he saw the shadow re- down, Juan's bush knife buried in his turn and stand there behind the shade. back. Juan must have been arguing Without a qualm, Wassler sighted with the German when Miller heard quickly and fired. As he did so, the Rand entering the other room. Juan curtain flopped up. tried to hold him, but Miller had shot He saw a girl, robed in blue, clutch Juan and left him for dead. Juan had her throat and fall forward against the staggered to his feet, followed Miller glass. and stabbed him in the back while Wassler cursed. In his stupidity, he Miller was lying in ambush for Rand. had chosen the wrong room. A perfect- Rand returned to the lounge, picked ly logical mistake, but he had shot some- Juan up tenderly and carried him up one whom he was deeply interested in the hill behind the house. He hid Juan's Frances Frazer. body in the underbrush. The stone tablet must be taken care of. Juan's JIM RAND didn't waste the time body would be taken to his family to- necessary to return to the Uruapan morrow. Tonight there was urgent hotel. It was still long before daylight business at hand. when he left Ernst Miller's home. Juan's death disturbed Rand great- ITERMAN WASSLER, given a job ly. He had grown to love the Mexican that he thought he merited, drove boy like a brother. Now it was too 122 AMAZING STORIES late to help him, but, if the plan worked stone, vouching for the authenticity and out, Juan's death would be instrumental stating, from their viewpoint, that the in saving millions' of his countrymen. story of the Black Comet was entirely Rand found Miller's plane at the accurate. field. With a little talk, he convinced The President of the United States the man In charge that Miller had given personally appointed a strong force of permission for him to use it. Army men to fly to Parangaricutiro, Rand flew directly to Mexico City. Mexico. Within an hour of his arrival, the pos- He also gave out press notices, ask- session of the stone brought him an ing that the people remain cool and pre- audience with Mexico's President. Sev- vent the spread of propaganda that eral important men were present at that might comfort Axis nations. meeting. Feeling very much out of Just what harm the Black Comet place, Rand told his story from begin- would do was a question. All observa- ning to end. He explained that his tories gave their complete time to map- only clue had been the name Parangari- ping its course. By Thursday after- cutiro, written in Aztec close to the noon, a vast portion of the night sky bottom of the crumbling stone. was blotted out. The Black Comet was He left out nothing of his story, close. At least, close in the eyes of telling of the death of Ernst Miller and astronomers who allowed for its terrific how Miller, a German spy, had already speed and size. prepared landing strips and ammuni- Headquarters were set up in the tion dumps in the jungle. ancient town of Patangaricutiro. Army His audience, destined to protect men, equipment of all types, and a large Mexico through a great war, listened house, were all placed at the disposal patiently. of Professor Frazer. To his surprise, he was escorted to Then the world waited. the biggest news agency in the city If the Black Comet hit Mexico City where he made arrangements to have the city would be completely destroyed. a photo of the stone sent to Frazer's Thus read the account of the Aztecs. friend at the U. of C. Then with an Hence mass movement of all the people escort of a dozen Army men, and with in this city took place. Planes carried the best wishes of the President him- evacuees to supposed safety hundreds self, he returned to Uruapan. of miles away. The President moved The shock of seeing Frances Frazer, his headquarters to Uruapan, where he slim and pale as a ghost, brought back might watch with his own eyes what Rand's hatred for Wassler with sudden took place. Mexico and the United clarity. Three doctors were watching States waited for the worst. Frances every moment of the day. She had an even chance to live. TOURING those days, Professor Fra- zer and Jim Rand were not idle. '\X/'HAT happened among the people On Wednesday, Frances was left in safe of Mexico and the United States care at Uruapan. Rand and Frazer in the following two days, is now his- made the quick trip to Parangaricutiro tory. Herman Wassler disappeared en- in an army jeep. tirely, hiding with his men in the jun- Rand set out alone to explore the gle. The University of California pub- countryside. He had kept to himself '" lished a complete report of the Aztec since Juan's death. By finding the COMET FROM YESTERDAY 123 riddle of the Aztecs, he could make the ing the surface- boy's death a tragedy not in vain. "Frazer." His voice was taut with This afternoon, Rand met Frazer excitement. "Come here." high in the hills near the town. Below, Frazer ran to bis side. Rand was they could see the army of tents: men pointing to a row of holes drilled into with all manner of military equipment, the surface of the stone. waiting to fight something they knew They were .formed in the shape of nothing about. an arrow, pointing down the face of the Rand leaned against a tree on the mpuntain toward the south. mountain side. "Mexico City," Frazer said. "Point- "You'd think, with the armies both ing to the city." nations have drawn up, that this was to Rand nodded. be a military campaign." "Professor, I'm going to hazard a Frazer shook his head. guess. It isn't much, and I have only "Rand, we've got exactly two days a hunch to go on. Try to hear me to prevent a collision between the world through without laughing."

and a force that may destroy part of it. Frazer shook his head. I've reached a dead end. What are "I'm far from a humorous mood," he we to do?" admitted. Rand considered. "You said this mountain seemed vol- "This town was mentioned for a pur- canic in origin," Rand said. "That pose," he said at last. "The Aztecs started me thinking." said they had made preparations to "Yes?" prevent the collision. The stone was "Professor, suppose this bullet- so badly broken that we don't know shaped boulder was placed into the what they did. I've been looking for crater by human hands. Perhaps moved some sign of a man-made object." here in sections and welded together by Frazer stared at the sky, then let some substance that the Aztecs knew his gaze wander down to the round top of?" of the mountain above him. Frazer went to his knees, studying "I haven't been to the top yet," he the surface of the rock. admitted. "We'd better have at least "Suppose that the Aztecs did make one look." arrangements to stop that comet. Only Together they started upward. After one way was possible. To fire a pro- a hour's climb, they came out on the jectile into space like a gigantic cannon,

smooth fiat top of the mountain. It and hit the comet before it reached was rounded so that the highest spot earth." was curved somewhat in the manner "But—" Frazer started to protest. of a stone cannon ball. "I know," Rand admitted. "Wild— Frazer made his way across the absolutely impossible; and yet the Az- smooth boulder until he stood on the tecs built temples with boulders larger highest point. than we've ever found a way to move "Odd," he said at last. "But I've by hand. Isn't it possible to assume been led to believe that this mountain that, saying they did plan a way to stop was of volcanic structure. I expected the Black Comet, they might have to find a crater up here." Rand had equipped this mountain with a huge been walking about over the smooth stone cannonball, primed a mechanism stone. He bent over suddenly, study- to set it off at the precise moment, and 124 AMAZING STORIES waited, confident that they would be were dug in an attempt to find some able to save their precious city from trace of an Aztec tunnel. destruction." When the solution came, it was so Frazer's eyes were almost closed. simple that Rand swore at himself for Within his mind were many thoughts. not thinking of it sooner. True, the top of the mountain had been At the base of the cliff, down in the altered. He was sure of that. valley where dirt trucks and tractors "One thing troubles me," he said at roared a steady fight against time, he last. "The mechanism? If they did found another arrow. It was small, not all this, where is the mechanism?" more than a foot long, pointing away Rand grimaced. to the north. Rather than start the "I may be called an awful fool for entire staff on another wild goose chase, this wild hunch, but where a better he followed the second arrow and found place than in the base of the mountain the third. itself?" The Aztecs had been clever. They

"And if we are to find it?" had placed several arrows in different Rand pointed to the arrow drilled in places. None of them made sense in- the rock. dividually, but by starting with the first,

"Mexico City is south, Frazer," he the trail was easy. It ended flat against said slowly. "But not in direct line the turf that had grown up to the bot- with this arrow. I suggest we get sur- tom of a small, lower cliff. veying instruments, a dozen men and So tired that he was almost beyond start following a dead line from the satisfaction, Rand staggered back pointer end of that arrow." through the wilderness and told Frazer. In half an hour a wide ditch had been AT MIDNIGHT Waldo Frazer and gouged away and a slab of rock uncov- Jim Rand found the object of their ered. The slab, pulled from the open- search. With a dozen Army photogra- ing by the combined force of three trac- phers and surveyers, they traveled the tors, left a low, clean tunnel open under smooth rock cap, plotted its surface the cliff. and came to the conclusion that it was All but the most important officials man-made. The volcano itself, how- were sent back to the main camp at ever, was long dead. This meant that once. Reporters, waiting for long hours the Aztecs had planned on some other for this news, were ready now to dis- power to send the cannon-rock shooting patch word of Jim Rand's latest discov- into space. ery to the waiting world. For hours they followed the course of Only one press representative was al- the arrow, down the side of the moun- lowed to go with the carefully chosen tain and into the dense underbrush at party into the heart of the mountain. its base. Huge army caterpiller trac- Jim Rand, Frazer, Manual Fresno of tors ripped their snouts into soft earth, the President's cabinet, and dour-faced digging away the trees and heavy vines Ralph Hawk of the Washington News that had long since covered Aztec prepared to enter the crypt. civilization. Electric generators were brought up by plane from Mexico City, A RADIO had been set up at the and power lines were strung for miles entrance of the tunnel. Two sig- near the bottom of the cliff. Under the nal corps men were at the controls. A direction of Waldo Frazer, trenches phone wire led into the tunnel. "

COMET FROM YESTERDAY 125

Down below, Frazer, Rand and their here. Perhaps Manual Fresno can two friends moved ahead cautiously to- make something of this." ward the cavity they felt' sure existed fn The little Mexican started to read to the heart of the rock. himself. Then he turned, his face "Almost half a mile," Frazer said twisted in anger. suddenly. "The distance proves we are "Cortez," he said bitterly. "The nearly under the stone bullet" message says: 'I, Hernando Cortez, "If this turns out to be an old tomb have with great trouble found my way instead of a powder chamber," Rand into the heart of this mountain. The said, "we'd might as well stay here our- Aztecs have led me to believe it was a selves." gold mifie and tried to trap me here. In Hawk of the Washington News sud- retaliation, I have chosen to destroy denly gave a cry of surprise. their religious trappings, useless stones. "Ahead there," he said. "Looks like May this teach a lesson to the sons of an open cave." the Aztec' It was. A small, compact cavern "Damn meddling hypocrite," Frazer with square walls and a hodge-podge of mumbled. "Now I've got to start at equipment piled in the center. the bottom and work this thing out my- The place had a wrecked appearance self." that puzzled them. They entered the Hawk produced a cheap watch and chamber and Rand put the lantern on consulted it. the floor. Above them a straight shaft, "In exactly twenty hours, five min- not more than six inches wide, went utes and six seconds, Mexico City is straight upward to daylight. scheduled to get blown off the map. If The apparatus that met their eyes this place is really filled with powder was constructed mostly of rusted metal enough to explode the top of the moun- and rock discs. Frazer tried for several tain, I'm getting back to the States." minutes to make sense out of it, then Hawk had his story. He headed up gave up. the tunnel, walking with hunched "Someone has beat us here," he said. shoulders to clear the roof. "This isn't like the Aztecs at all. I'll Hawk had hardly left, and Frazer venture that this intricate system of was leaning over the oddly marked cal- balance and counter balance was made endar stone, when the explosion came. to get the charge off at the exact mo- The tunnel sucked down a quick in- ment. take ef air and the lantern went out. "There on the floor"—he pointed to "Good God," Rand cried in a choked a squared stone with numerous mark- voice. ings on it—"is the remains of a calen- They could hear Hawk swear, and dar stone. It's evident that someone his footsteps as he found his way to- or something has broken it in two ward them. Manual Fresno muttered pieces. Would a race of people, deter- something in Spanish. Frazer, the mined to save their own skins, deliber- phone in his hand, tried to reach the ately wreck their plan?" men at the face of the tunnel.

Rand didn't answer. He had found "Frazer calling— Hey I What the rude markings on the wall. They were hell ?" in Spanish, cut with a sharp-pointed in- Then Hawk, swearing bloody mur- strument. der. "The lantern/' he said. "Bring it "I shouldn't have come jn with yon 126 AMAZING STORIES

guys in the first place. Whole damned He took the box from Rand, tamped tunnel caved in up there." a fuse into the top of the box and to- Then a voice, clear and sharp over gether they started up the blocked the phone. So clear that Rand could tunnel. hear it, and his fists clenched tight. No sound came to them from outside. "Jim Rand." It was Wassler's voice, "I hope they're out of the way," cool and sharp. "You thought you Frazer said. could outwit us. The signal corps men He placed the box carefully under a are dead. You will have no visitors for projecting rock where the tunnel roof

at least an hour. When they come, it had fallen in, and adjusted the fuse. will take too long to dig you out. Good- The tunnel was stifling. The air was bye, and remember that you did me at becoming foul in spite of the air vent. least one favor. Now I alone am the From below them, Ralph Hawk leader here." shouted something about making it snappy. Frazer listened. There was no JpRAZER started to speak again, and sound outside now. He leaned over, felt the wire go dead. stretched the fuse out to full length "Guess the wire has been severed." and applied a match. The fuse started He tossed the phone on the floor. "How to sputter. "Run for it," he shouted. are we coming, Rand?" Together) they dashed down the tun- Rand looked up from his place on nel. Ralph Hawk and Manuel Fresno the cave floor. His shirt was open, were already crouched against the side glasses steamed until he could hardly wall of the cave. Rand reached the see through them. cave, then turned to see Frazer stumble "We were damned lucky you found and fall just inside the tunnel entrance. that powder chamber," he said. "I've BAROOMI packed this small box half full of it and Before Rand could return to aid his the fuse is ready. Here's hoping you friend, the cave shook under the force doped it out right. We might have of the explosion. Frazer, not badly enough to blow us all to kingdom hurt, crouched close to the floor. Then come." all was silent, save for the sound of Frazer smiled. falling rocks. "I think not," he said. "The main "You're all right?" Rand shouted. chamber is about a hundred feet across. It's packed tight. If that chamber held J^RAZER climbed to his feet unstead- powder for the general charge, this ily. There was an odd look of small amount should do the job at hand terror on his face. He held his hands without much danger to ourselves."* over his eyes, and then slapped his cheeks smartly with the palms of his * In explanation to the reader, let us say that hands. Waldo Frazer discovered that the powder charge under the stone-capped mountain was prepared Fresno came from the corner. much as a modern bullet is manufactured. The "One big explosion," he said. "I'm stone cap took the place of the actual lead slug in glad it didn't start the main powder a rifle bullet. The mountain crater itself acted as chamber toward heaven." the cartridge shell. Of course, a primer was out of the question. The intricate machinery, destroyed Rand knew there was something by Cortes, took the place of the primer. Because wrong with Frazer. Yet the man it was destroyed, the task of rebuilding -this ma- hadn't taken a bad fall. chine and timing it to the second, fell to the genius He had no of Professor Frazer.—Ed. visible wounds. COMET FROM YESTERDAY 127

Meanwhile, Hawk had rushed up the "Winch—a small one, fifty feet of ." tunnel. He was back, breathless with rope, half a dozen alarm clocks . . excitement. Then it was finished and Frances "By God, boys," he howled, "she's Frazer's voice came excitedly in the through. I can see daylight. Rand, tunnel. f you going for that equipment? I'll "Jim," Frazer said quietly. fly to the States with you, get my story "Yes," Rand said. "You'd rather in and come back." Frances didn't know?" Rand didn't answer. Gradually the Frazer nodded. rest of them noticed Waldo Frazer. "You and Hawk leave at once and He was staggering, both hands before make all speed possible. Manuel will him, as though feeling for the side of help me out of here and keep the others the cave. from finding out if he can. We've got "Frazer! " Rand said sharply. "What a job to do, Jim," the hell?" Rand swallowed. Waldo Frazer turned toward his "No sentiment, sir," he promised. voice, eyes wide open, a dazed expres- "But, please take it easy." sion on his face. Frazer's lips pressed together in a "/—/ can't see," he said haltingly. hard line. Hawk's breath sucked in loudly. "No sentiment, boy," he said. "But Rand was across the cave,, both hands you're going to have to be the eyes of on Frazer's shoulder. our partnership for the next few hours.

"Waldo—take it easy, man. You're I think we'll make it." going to be all right." They shook hands quickly. Frazer's hands gripped Rand's arms. He held on tightly. QN MARCH 11, the following bul- "Rock dust," he said. "Sorry, but letin was issued from Yerkes Ob-

I'm afraid it's a bad job. I won't do servatory to both Presidents, and to any more star gazing." astronomers throughout the country. Manuel Fresno became excited. The Black Comet is definitely "But the Black Comet, sefior. You're going to hit Earth. Through sev- " the only man who can save eral days of close observation, it Rand whirled on the Mexican. has been determined that at its "Shut your damned mouth," he said. present rate of speed, this comet "Can't you see what's happened?" cannot avoid striking after daylight Frazer managed a wan smile. tomorrow morning. The world is "No quarreling, please," he begged. waiting and putting trust in one "Least of all over me. I'm all right. of our foremost scientists, Profes- Rand, take a list of materials from me sor Waldo Frazer. Frazer is at and get the hell out of here. You'll the scene of what may be a great have to be back in a few hours." catastrophe unless he and his aids Rand found his note book and started can prevent it. We ask all of you to copy down the items as Frazer rat- to co-operate with him by sending tled them off. radio reports of any new findings. Before he was finished, sounds in During those last few hours, a lone the tunnel told him that the others B-17 bomber winged its way southward were on their way down. He listened toward Urupan. On board were two to Frazer's mechanical, bitter voice. passengers. Jim Rand, busy sorting 128 AMAZING STORIES and preparing gadgets from which the Are we near Uruapan?" time fuse would be constructed, and The co-pilot nodded. lanky Walter Hawk. "Leveling off to go in in about ten They had been across the border for minutes," he said. "But say, that some hours. The jungle country of field's plain as the nose on your face. southern Mexico was beginning to un- You'd think they'd have it hidden." reel swiftly under the wings. Rand, A thought flashed through Rand's finally finished with what work he could mind. It wasn't a pleasant one. do, turned to Hawk. "Suppose Wassler had it camouflaged, "When this thing is over," he said and took the camouflage away so that grfmly, "I'll give you the line up on they could get planes into the air?" the fifth columnists who almost buried He heard Hawk gasp. us for keeps in the cave. There's a fine "He wouldn't know we were coming story in it for you, and the government down by plane." can clean them out quite easily." Rand stood up. Hawk, already familiar with Herman "Just the same, he knew we were " Wassler's voice, showed great interest. in the tunnel. I wouldn't be "I understand your Mexican boy put Crack! one of them away? Guy by the name The bomber tottered suddenly, lev- of Miller?" eled, then shuddered from nose to tail. Rand nodded, and went on, telling Rand was aware of the two pilots grasp- Hawk what he knew. ing hurriedly at the controls, then the Hawk interrupted finally. force of the blow sent him spinning "Miller was well known in Washing- into the equipment and the bomber ton. Been causing trouble for years. nosed downward toward the jungle. Skipped out after we caught up with "You're right," one of the pilots the Nazi Bund camps. Had a thin, shouted. "Plane on our tail—blind mousy partner named Kessler. Sup- spot—no gunner along. He must have pose that might be Wassler?" socked some heavy stuff into the wing Rand brought his fist down suddenly —it's folding." on top of a cargo crate. Rand regained his balance just in "Wassler or Kessler," he said. "He's time to see a fighter plane, no marks responsible for almost killing Frances on its wings, shoot ahead of them and and because he destroyed the tunnel, upward into the sky. Frazer's blind. Wassler and I have "Sit tight back there," the co-pilot an account to settle." howled. "Going to try a tree-top land- One of the pilots turned suddenly, a ing. Think we can make it." strained expression on his face. Hawk sat still, knuckles white as "If I'm not nuts, that's as pretty an he grasped the side of the plane and airfield as I've ever seen, just ahead held on. Rand tried to see the plane there buried in the jungle. It's not above them, but he was thrown on his down on the map." side as the B-17 started to dive. Rand leaned forward eagerly, star- A single row of machine gun bullets ing down at the long, smooth run-way ripped through the top of the cabin and cut out of virgin wilderness. A line buried themselves in the floor. of lights went around the entire field. "Almost down," he heard a voice "That's it," he said sharply. "I knew shout. "Hold on and pray, if you got they had one hidden up here somewhere. COMET FROM YESTERDAY 129

Then the sudden ripping, slapping you were gone. I know the equipment sound as they topped the first trees. down here by heart. It might be re- The props went with a crash and the paired." engines roared suddenly and died. Rand Jim Rand looked at the broken mech- was tossed about in the cabin, felt his anism that Cortez had destroyed hun- back strike against a packing case. dreds of years before. He knew what Then everything blacked out. He was was in Frazer's mind. He didn't have conscious only of a slipping, sliding the heart to argue with him. feeling as the plane stopped moving "You're in bad shape for such work," ahead and slid down among the trees. he protested mildly. "Think you can manage?" "lyALDO FRAZER had done a fine Frazer nodded grimly. job, Rand thought, as they car- "You're going to have' to. read to me." ried him down the steep incline of the he said, and sat down on the sandy floor. tunnel. Mexican peons had seen the "Ill have to hear every report that B-17 crash. A quick rescue was made, has been issued in the past twenty and none of the occupants was dead. hours." Hawk had a nasty gouge over his left Rand went to work, keeping his voice eye and Rand knew he himself wouldn't as steady as possible, reading the ob- be walking for several days. servations that had come in from all His back and legs had suffered a parts of the country. Outside the tun- severe wrenching, although no bones nel, a number of high officials stood by, were broken. radio ready, recewing each new flash When Frazer heard the precious in- that came across the jungle from civil- struments were destroyed, he replanned ization. everything alone, in a darkened, sight- Frances Frazer, without understand- less brain. ing what was taking place, knew He insisted that he and Rand be only that the pain in her shoulder had taken into the cave room. Because long sjnce ceased, and there was only Rand could not walk, he was carried a dull yearning inside her to be with down on a stretcher and placed com- the two men under the mountain. fortably in a dry corner. A small box of reports and books were brought also, "CO NOW," Frazer said finally. "The at Frazer's bidding. Manuel Fresno, time is so close I suggest that you still at Frazer's side, helped the profes- call the others and get to safety." sor manage the trip in a way that hid Rand, knowing from the first that his secret perfectly. Even Frances did this would happen, hated worse than not suspect that her father could not anything else to face the actual parting. see. "You—can think of no other way?" Now they were alone under the Waldo Frazer had aged greatly in the mountain, a man who could not see and past half day. His sightless eyes stared another who had no power to move. straight ahead. His lips were com- Frazer was silent for a long time, mak- pressed, fists clenched. ing sure that everyone had returned "If you had lived a full fifty years, to the head of the tunnel. able to scrutinize the sky with sharp, "Jim," he said suddenly. "You and all-seeing eyes, loving every hour of I have three hours to work. I've an- your work, would you want to go on other way out. I thought of it when without seeing—without knowing what 130 AMAZING STORIES

was there to see?" be done. That to fire at the precise Rand was silent. second, necessary if the plan were to "Some might call me a hero." Frazer work, depended on perfect timing. No pondered slowly. "Perhaps I am more timing was more flawless than the grim, of a coward than a hero. I can't stand shaking fingers of an old man, applying facing the facts as they are. If one a lighted match directly under the vast poor life can save thousands, it should powder room. be that way. What other form of From Uruapan, Frances Frazer, her primer do we have? A single match, arm tightly about Rand, watched and quick death at a precise instant, and waited for the clock to tick the fatal tie Black Meteor will be faced with second. Army men strained their eyes

something more powerful than it can in the direction of the round top moun- endure." tain.

Rand tried to roll closer to the older Five minutes . . . man, and grimaced at the pain. Frances started to cry softly, dried "I think you know how I feel?" her tears and pressed closer to Rand. "We've been friends," Frazer said "He wanted it this way?" she asked. simply. "You found this mountain Rand nodded. cannon of ours, and I'm to have the "He's a great man," he said. honor of firing it. I know you'll take The last minute, and the last second, care of Frances, and that's all I ask." and Rand held his breath. "Then I'd better go," Rand said. B-A-R-O-O-O-M-M "I've removed the glass from my watch The air was split with a mighty roar, and I've scratched a spot on the dial and the entire top of the mountain ex- precisely where our final measurement ploded into the air. Jungle trees bent figured out. That will be the exact double under the force and the ground instant where the exploding projectile shook as though ripped by an earth- will have a chance of meeting the quake. Smoke and fire belched hun- Black Comet. After that it will be too dreds of yards into the sky. Then the late. A shot would be useless." mountain itself settled back slowly, Frazer nodded. seemed to tip tiredly over on one side "I know," he said. "Give me the and was metionless. It had sunk into watch and call the men." the earth at least fifty yards lower than Leaning over, Rand pressed the it had been before. switch and spoke into the phone. Its entire contour was changed and "We're all set," he said in an easy flattened by the blow. voice. "Bring down the stretcher." Gradually, Rand was aware of ex- cited voices about him. Across town r , HE final death agonies of the moun- at the airport, half a dozen planes took J tain were swift and glorious. Every to the air and turned north. Trucks army unit, every single living person and jeeps started to pull out. within ten miles of Parangaricutiro was He heard an announcer, on the scene removed to safety. Only Rand knew for the Northern Networks, talking what Frazer planned to do. The others, over the microphone. ". practical men, depended on Frazer to . . entire world seemed to come to produce a long-distance firing ap- an end," the man was saying. "This paratus. was a deliberate man-made attempt to

Rand and Frazer knew it couldn't destroy part of an onrushing force that COMET FROM YESTERDAY 131

may kill millions . . . hero among to explode with a radiant burst of is clear heroes . . . Professor Waldo Frazer color. Tonight the sky

personally handled the job . . . hope once more. Professor Waldo to hear from the Professor in an hour Frazer' s work is well known. His ." the . . or two . . . party already on way to name is dedicated to ages ." mountain to interview . . With a sob, Frances was in Jim From the Washington News, Rand's arms. March 14—Special from Walter "Oh! The fools. The poor fools. Hawk— Uruapan, Mexico. Com- Dad killed himself for them and they bined forces of Mexican and don't even know it." United States Army planes flew "They will," Rand said thickly. "And over the jungle here today. With they'll never forget the blind man who the assistance of this reporter, a

gave his life so that millions might hidden Axis airport was discovered live." and completely destroyed. Ground forces used commando tactics to March 13. From Yerkes Ob- round up several fifth column servatory. It was reported here suspects. Herman Wassler, other- this afternoon that Professor wise known as Kessler, faced the Waldo Frazer's death was not in firing squad for his leadership of vain. His calculation, figured with this group. the eyes of James Rand, was a wonderful thing. How any blind Washington News, March 16 man, blinded completely, could —Special from Walter Hawk—San time the shot to the split second is Diego, California. This reporter

beyond understanding. But it is returned to the States today with true. The entire story has been fames Rand, Professor Waldo learned from Rand. Frazer's able assistant and orig- Today a fitting end is recorded. inal discoverer of the Black Seven observers, all working with Comet menace. Rand and Miss this observatory, reported that the Frances Frazer, although they re- Black Comet seemed to come to fuse to discuss dates, will probably an abrupt halt within three hours be married some time this summer.

after the projectile was fired. It Rand will continue . . . hesitated in space, then seemed THE END

THE DEATHLESS PARAMECIUM!

over 36 years a race of the microscopic forever, unless destroyed, and continue to divide FORParamecium or slipper-animalcule has been and multiply. reproducing under the watchful eyes of bi- Practically all of the descendants—or shall ologists at Yale University. In this time well we say parts of the original Paramecium—have over 20,000 generations of offspring have been been destroyed because it would have been im- produced and yet the original animal continues possible to feed them alL Moreover, if they had to live. been fed and permitted to live, within five years The race has been named the Woodruff race of the first splitting the entire earth and all in honor of Professor Lorande Loss Woodruff, known space would have been Inundated be- who started it. The Paramecium reproduces, neath a great mass of paramecia. without a sex process, by simply splitting in two. Today the Woodruff race continues to repro- Then the two parts grow to maturity and in duce and one wonders if anyone knows exactly turn split into two again. These individuals live which Paramecium started it all.—Pete Bogg.

By LEROY YERXA

Here was mechanical justice!

Decisions handed down by a

machine that could not lie!

RWMOND SAND drew a crum- pled cigar wrapper from his coat

pocket and twisted it idly be- tween the fingers of one hand. After a long moment's thought, he pressed the button on his desk that summoned Miss Salmon, and waited until her thin, de- pressing face appeared in the doorway. "Get in touch with 'Parrot' French," he said. "I want to talk to him as soon as possible." Miss Salmon grimaced. "You choose the nicest people for your friends," she said. Sand grinned and picked up the phone and dialed a number. There was a moment's hesitation before Sue Fletcher came on at the other end of the wire and said: "Hello. Fletcher's residence."

"This is Raymond Sand calling," he said. "Oh, yes, Mr. Sand. I'm sorry, but

I'm still not interested in hiring a pri- vate detective." "Wait a minute," he begged, afraid that she might hang up. "You don't un- derstand. I know your brother is in- nocent. I'm not after your money. This is a personal affair with me." "I'm sorry," the girl replied in a tone that clearly indicated that she was not 133 AMAZING STORIES sorry at all. "I'm not going to waste guy is rubbed out and the case is so any more time discussing it." hot it burns the D. A.'s fingers, so you Sand sighed. want me to get my fingers in it. Lay "I can't force my services upon an off, will you?" unwilling client," he confessed. Sand said quietly, "I want to know Evidently she agreed, for the phone where Ely Green was between eight and clicked loudly in his ear before he could eight-thirty the night Warner was hang up. killed. You find out." Miss Salmon broke the connection on He hung up, and his Hps were no the switchboard and hurried into Sand's longer smiling. He hoped some day to office. get out of the habit of using rats like "You're a sucker," she said bitterly. French. But, for the time being, French "Making a fool of yourself over a pretty was a better watch-dog than all the cops girl." at headquarters. Sand sat quietly for some time. After a while, the phone jangled. TO AY SAND removed his hat and ex- Sand reached for the receiver. tended his hand to the slim, "Raymond Sand speaking." auburn-haired girl who had just entered "Hey, Sand," a whining voice greeted Inspector Case's office. Case said: him, "this is Parrot French. Your sec- "This is Raymond Sand, a private retary left word for me to get in touch operator who's been very interested in with you." your brother's case. He has evidence Sand glanced at his wrist-watch. which he believes will clear him. Per- "Which you did promptly," he said. haps you'd like to stay here and hear "I have some questions to ask. You his story?" find the answers." Sue Fletcher accepted Sand's hand. French's voice sounded suddenly an- "I'm pleased to meet you, Miss gry- Fletcher," Sand said. "I'm very much "Look here, Sand, I ain't no stool. I interested in your brother's case. I be- don't like doing this kind of work for lieve the information I have will clear you." him." Sand frowned, holding the receiver Several hours had passed since a jury away from his ear. had refused to decide on Sam Fletcher's "You forget favors easily, don't you, innocence or guilt. A lie-detector test Parrot? How about that murder rap had been called for. Sue Fletcher I cleared you on last month?" wasn't quite sure now about her broth- French's voice died down again to a er's chances of leaving the court a free pleading whine. man. "Okay, okay; so I know you're a Case said:

good scout. All the boys know it. So, "You two sit down. We might as well what's the job this time?" go over this thing together." "Get a scent on Ely Green, the "I guess I haven't been very kind to banker. Dig up all the dirt you can on you over the phone," Sue Fletcher told him. Find out how long he's known Sand. "I've been very worried about Jerald Warner, and where he was when Sam. I'm the only one he can depend Sam Fletcher rubbed Warner out." on. I'm very grateful for your inter- He heard French whistle. est." "Is that all?" French asked. "A rich Sand chose a chair near the one Case THE LYINS LIE DETECTOR 135 had placed for the girl. handy-man and chauffer at the War- "Don't be grateful to me," he said. ner residence, saw Warner alive and "I suspect a man of the murder whom standing in the door of his home at'five I hate very cordially. I took a chance after eight." and went ahead with the investigation Case started to interrupt, but Sand in spite of your refusal to retain me." waved him aside. Deep color flushed the girl's cheeks. "Ely Green arrived at the Warner He saw her shoulders straighten as place at fifteen after eight, ajter Mrs. though a huge load had been taken Warner had called the police and re- from them. She appealed to Case. ported her husband's death. After Mrs. "The detector will free Sam, won't Warner had left the house on her way it?" she asked. "If, as Mr. Sand claims, to police headquarters." the murderer is still at large, surely Sue Fletcher had both hands on the everything will turn out all right." arm of her chair. " James Case rubbed the stubble on his "Then Sam couldn't have chin thoughtfully. He turned to Sand "Just a minute, Miss Fletcher," Case and said: said. "This all sounds very much in "Tell her what you found out." favor of Sam. Unfortunately, Sand's course of information could never be CAND leaned back in his chair. He introduced as evidence. Parrot French, stared into the girl's eyes as he the man who found out these facts, has talked, but his mind wasn't on her. He been in prison on several charges, in- was thinking back to that interview cluding fraud. Also, we would have to with Parrot French. have a more reliable witness than the "Ely Green, a very well known chauffeur as he too has a police record." banker down-town, has been friendly with Warner for many years. I've got jDAYMQND SAND had been silent, a lot of stuff on Green. When this case listening. Now he stood up slowly. broke, I happened to know that Green He was very calm, but his eyes be- and Warner had just had a fight. I trayed the anger that was behind them. couldn't believe your brother had actu- "I've never pulled a fast one on you ally shot Warner. I put a man on the before, Case." case and he brought in evidence that Case scratched his chin and looked proved beyond doubt that Sam couldn't stubborn. have been present at the time Warner "Sam Fletcher is in a bad spot," he died." said. "I can understand why you'd Case coughed discreetly. rather see Green in his shoes. You "I wouldn't take too much stock in don't like Green. Unfortunately, you what Sand says," he cautioned the girl. haven't got evidence that we can in- "Unfortunately, although Sand means troduce into court." very well in this case, his source of in- "But you can start a new investiga- formation isn't very reliable." tion. You can throw the thing wide Sand flushed faintly but didn't pro- open. I'm positive -" test. He said: Case shook his head. "On the night of Warner's death, it "The case is closed," he said. has been established that your brother "Fletcher will get a fair Chance to tell left the Warner residence at eight the truth when he goes on 'Detecto' ." o'clock. Slade Jarvis, the general trial. If he's innocent . . 136 AMAZING STORIES

Sue Fletcher smiled wanly. "Sam never told a lie in his life," she nothing to fear "I'm still grateful, Mr. Sand, for said proudly. "He has what you tried to do. I'm only sorry from a mechanical jury." that I didn't let you work for Sam be- in the fore all this came to light. Mr. Case CEVERAL men and women sat admits that more reliable witnesses hot, dry court room. Their eyes might have been acceptable." were on the squat metal box that stood Sand moved across the room to the on a platform at one end of the room. battered hat-rack. He removed his hat The box was six feet high, divided into and placed it carefully on his head. He two sections, with a large base and a turned to Case and anger smouldered smaller, head-like top. On the "head," deep in his eyes. two red tubes burned brightly, glaring "The law, Miss Fletcher, is a very like angry, blood-shot eyes. A row of stubborn thing," he said coldly. "Case tubes emerged from the box in the shape would rather see an innocent man die of a wide mouth. These were sending than disturb his routine methods and off a faint, white glow. Heavy arm-like become involved with something that cables were connected to the electrical might be too complicated for him to power supply. Two "more cables emerged near the bottom of the box, handle." , Case was on his feet, heavy cheeks climbed the legs of a steel chair and blood-red, fists clenched. ended in clamps which fitted the pris- "I ought to take a crack at you for oner's wrists. that remark." Sam Fletcher came in with a uni- Sand smiled. formed officer. He sat down on the "You're considerably past your small chair. His face was white and he prime, Inspector," he said. "I wouldn't looked badly frightened. A slim, bald try it." man adjusted the wrist clamps and at- He turned abruptly and left the tached them to Fletcher's arms. The office. red eyes on Detecto, the lie-detector, Sue Fletcher watched him go out and started to blink at the spectators. The sighed. tube mouth seemed to grimace as the "Modern crime methods are wonder- tubes grew bright. ful, Inspector," she said a trifle sarcas- Sue Fletcher and her brother's law- tically. "Sometimes I wonder if the yer sat in the front row. Beside her courts of ten years ago were not more was Inspector Jim Case, and beyond fair to a man on trial for his life. At Case was District Attorney Fred Mit- least a human jury could pronounce the chell. Raymond Sand sat alone at the death sentence." far end of the row of seats. He held Case was still on his feet, staring an unlighted Havana in his teeth while after Sand. his fingers fumbled with the cellophane "Detecto has never misjudged a case wrapper. yet," he growled. "After all, this is Inspector Case arose. 1950. We no longer depend on human "Professor Judson has been author- juries in a case like this. A machine is ized by this State to handle Detecto not influenced by human weaknesses." during all trials." He spoke mechani- The girl tossed her auburn hair back cally, repeating words he had spoken from her face and stood up. She smiled, many times as a matter of form. Then but not confidently. he sat down. "

THE LYING tlE DETECTOR 13T

The district attorney was immediate- his face turned a pasty white. ly on his feet. He was small and neat- ly dressed, and conscious of his own ' r 'HE red eyes on Detecto had re- importance. mained red and were flickering wild- "The State authorizes me to handle ly. Detecto was indicating that Sam this trial," he said curtly. "The ver- Fletcher's final statement had been a dict handed down by Detecto will be lie I final." "The prisoner has answered the ques- The room was very quiet as he sat tion falsely," Mitchell cried. "The ma- down. The prisoner was a slightly chine is signaling his guilt." built, blond-headed boy, hardly over The only man who was not on his twenty-one. Perspiration stood out on feet, now, was Raymond Sand. The his forehead and his hands clutched the detective sat at the end of the row, arms of the chair tightly. This was eyebrows raised questioningly, the ci- the test he welcomed. He wondered gar wrapper still wadded in his fingers. how long it would be before it would "One moment, please," Professor all be over. Judson shouted. "The answer may Professor Judson drew a lever down have confused Detecto. The machine on the side of Detecto and turned to is accustomed to simple answers of face the prisoner. He picked up a sheet "yes" or "no." We will ask the pris- of paper from the table and adjusted oner to answer clearly with one of those his glasses. His high-pitched voice said: two words." "Your name is Samuel Fletcher?" Now Sam Fletcher wasn't sure of "Yes, sir." himself. He fidgeted in his chair. He "You are on trial for the murder of stared wonderingly at his sister and saw one Jeraid Warner?" her tears. "Yes." "Did you murder Jeraid Warner?" As each question was answered, the Judson asked. red "eye" lights winked green. The "No," Fletcher said quietly. professor consulted his list of questions. Detecto's lights continued to glow

"According to evidence submitted, brightly crimson. , you entered Jeraid Warner's home on Fletcher turned again and saw the the night of June sixth, shortly before guilt signal on the face of Detecto. He eight o'clock. You fired a bullet from stood up, arms held at his sides, by the a .45 revolver into Warner's back, then heavy cables. His face was dark with made your escape. Is that true?" anger. Sam Fletcher's smile grew confident. "You're a bunch of vultures I" he "Not one word of it," he snapped. shouted. "I said I didri't kill Jerry A murmur of excitement swept Warner and before God, I didn't. I through the room. The professor don't care what your machine says I cleared his throat. He sank down, the fight abruptly "Please answer yes or no," he said. gone out of him. His eyes were closed " "Questions must be and his body shook with emotion. "Wait a minute!" Professor Judson shrugged. He District Attorney Mitchell was op his turned off the machine and faced the feet, protesting. Fletcher's lawyer also court. arose, talking loudly. Sam Fletcher "Detecto was inspected by State managed to turn half way around and Control men just before this trial," he AMAZING STORIES

said. "There is no chance that a me- ond reason?" chanical error was made. Fifty cases Case said: "Okay, Sand. You're have been tried on Detecto this year. smart and you've helped me a lot in All of them were faultlessly conducted." the past. I'm not going to push you District Attorney Mitchell appeared around. I could make it hot for you, satisfied. Jim Case stared down the bringing in that cock-and-bull story. I row of faces toward Raymond Sand. won't do it." Sand's expression was that of a com- "Damned noble of you," Sand said. pletely baffled man. A scowl was etched Case ignored the remark. on his forehead. He did not look up. "The second reason for this visit," he Sand couldn't face the tearful eyes of said, "was to deliver a message from the girl who had placed her trust in him. Miss Fletcher. She talked with me The district attorney said: after the Detecto trial. She says she "These findings will be reported to hopes you face that machine yourself the judge at ten o'clock tomorrow morn- some day, and that you'll know what ing. The prisoner will be sentenced at decision she wants handed down." that time." Sand's eyes narrowed slightly. He Two policemen removed Fletcher pushed back his desk chair. from the chair. His face was streaked "That's one more reason, Case, why

with tears. Raymond Sand arose and I'm going to bring in your murderer if left the room before Sue Fletcher, her I have to tear that lie-detector apart face contorted with misery and anger, wire by wire until I find out why it could reach him. didn't acknowledge the truth." Case stood up, retrieved his hat, and " J'VE never pulled a fast one on you placed it carefully on his head. He yet, Case," Sand said evenly. "Is started toward the door, then turned. there a chance in the world of getting "You sure picked a bad one in ask- the case before a human jury?" ing French to collect the dope for you," Jim Case tossed his hat on Sand's he said. desk and sat down heavily in a chair "I think French is telling the truth," opposite the detective. Sand said. "What's more, I've kept "None," he said, "unless you can him busy since we had that rather un- change the laws of the State. Why pleasant meeting at your office. If don't you break down and admit you're you've got the guts to see yourself torn wrong, Sand? That boy is guilty and apart by some real investigation work, we both have proof of it." stick around while I call French up "/ haven't," Sand said stubbornly. here. Something has happened that I "We know the machine said he is guilty, think even you will listen to." but in anything mechanical there is Case hesitated, then swore softly and chance for an error." crossed the room to the far corner. He Case shook his head. sat down abruptly and turned his eyes "I came here for two reasons," he on the man behind the desk. said. "First, I want to know why you "Bring in your stool pigeon," he introduced that so-called 'evidence' of snapped. "No man can accuse me of yours at the last minute." holding up justice." Sand said: "The evidence is as good now as it was when I gave it to you. I CAND hesitated a moment, then intend to prove that. What's the sec- picked up the phone. He dialed THE LYING LIE DETECTOR 139

and waited. When he spoke over the Sand said suddenly. "I want you to phone, his lips were set in straight, de- repeat what you told me yesterday," he termined lines. told French. "The Inspector is inter- "Tell Parrot French to get up to my ested." office in ten minutes," he said. French wriggled uncomfortably un- He slammed the receiver back in its der Case's scrutiny.

cradle, turned and opened the file be- "It's like I said. Slade Jarvis works hind him. He took out several neat for Mr. Warner, or he did before the files and placed them in a row on his guy croaked. Slade says on the night desk. When Miss Salmon peeked in Warner was rubbed out, he brought the ten minutes later, Sand didn't even look car around at five after eight. He saw up. She tip-toed out again, closing the Warner standing in the hall when his door silently behind her. wife drove away." She had just adjusted a sheet of pa- per in her typewriter when Parrot CAND said: "Case said Mrs. Warner French came in looking like a hunted called and told him her husband fox. She looked up and frowned. was shot at eight o'clock. She left the "You wanted to see Mr. Sand?" house and drove to police headquarters, French let his shifty eyes wander because she didn't dare stay there alone. around the office. Her husband was supposed to be dead "He sent for me," he said in a low when she left." voice. "I guess you better tell him I'm "Slade wasn't lying," French in- out here waiting." sisted. "He took Mrs. Warner to Case's "Sit down." Velia Salmon motioned office and when he came back, the old to a small, straight-back chair. guy was dead, like Mrs. Warner said." She went to the door of Sand's office "Then she reported her husband's and announced Parrot's presence. death before he was shot," Sand ob- Sand's voice came from beyond the served thoughtfully. "Mrs. Warner partly opened door, and it didn't sound left the house, knowing her husband very pleasant to French. He stood up would be dead when she got back. She and went in. cleared out to give the killer time to Parrot French looked nervously at get in after she left. If Slade Jarvis

the Inspector. . Case stared at him for hadn't seen Warner alive at eight-five, a moment as he would study a strange no one could dispute Mrs. Warner's fish. story." "Don't be afraid of me this time, "Jarvis did see him though," French French," he said. "For once I'm not said eagerly. "He's been wise to Mrs. after you. I'm here because Sand Warner for a long time. She's been thinks you've suddenly become an hon- running around with Ely Green." est man and a reliable witness." "So have I," Sand said. "Go on." French sat down. "Well, I found a guy who runs a ta- "You got nothing on me," he said. vern just south of Warner's place. At "I got a right to work for Sand if he eight-thirty, Ely Green drove up, went wants me to." into this tavern and ordered a drink. He "It's a free country," Case said. went to the rest-room and stayed in "Only, there's no accounting for some there for fifteen minutes. He was people's taste." plenty shaky. He had a few drinks and "That's enough clever dialogue," they got him down. He started talking 140 AMAZINS STORIES to Bill Prater, the guy who owns the ^~VASE stood up. "This has been very joint. The joint was deserted, and touching," he said. "Now I'll tell Green started talking pretty loud about you what I think. Jarvis and French not being bothered by Wamer again. have both served time. The tavern "Prater was suspicious and he fed owner, Slater, hasn't got a very clear

Green a lot of strong stuff. Then Green record. The court wouldn't sit still on r told him he d rubbed Warner out and these witnesses of yours. The case is that he, Green, was going to have free settled and you can't dig it up again, sailing with Warner's wife from then regardless of how badly you hate Green. on." It just doesn't add up, Sand, not after In his corner, Case chuckled. any machine as reliable as Detecto has "I suppose you will swear to all this pronounced Fletcher guilty." in court, and produce plenty of evi- French sat very still, staring out the dence, including reliable witnesses?" window. Sand arose. Sand opened the drawer of his desk "Okay, Case," he said slowly. "So and took out a wrinkled paper towel. that's the way it is. You're a stubborn, There were several small blood stains bull-headed fool and you can't absorb on it, molded perfectly into finger prints, an intelligent explanation. You're afraid where wet fingers had pressed into the to dig up lost clues because the D. A. paper. He placed the towel on the top would be on your neck in the morning of the desk. and you'd face a demotion if you failed "Prater found this towel in the wash- to deliver the goods." room after Green left," he said. "Well, I'm not going to let it rest

"Green's fingerprints and Warner's there. I'm going to put all this evidence blood." in writing, take fhe depositions of all French said eagerly: "I can get Slade witnesses, put everything in an envel-

Jarvis to talk. This kid Fletcher ope and hand it to you. And if you couldn't have rubbed the Warner guy refuse to do any more about it, I'll raise out, because Slade says Fletcher left a stink you'll never live down." the house before Mrs. Warner did." Case didn't answer. He pulled his "YouH have to tell that to the State," hat down hard on his head and walked

Sand said. to the door. He opened it, hesitated, French was puzzled. looked back, then went out without a "What's that mean in my language?" ward, slamming the door behind him. "It means," Sand said slowly, "that Sam Fletcher is already in the death- C AND found Inspector Case talking house, waiting for the chair. Blind jus- to a plainclothesman in the hall out- tice has been at work and Detecto con- side his office. demned Fletcher to death only a few Case turned abruptly. hours ago." "Got something for me, Sand?" "Then that damned machine is a Sand passed him the envelope. liar," French said excitedly. "So help "The evidence I told you about," he me, Sand, I'm telling the truth. I been said. trying to help out. I ain't lying." "Wait a min.ute," Case said, and Sand stared at the man's pale face. turned to dismiss the man he had been "Don't throw a fit," he said, "You talking to. When he turned to Sand did a good job. Now sit tight and keep once more, his face was pink with im- your mouth shut." patience. THE LYING LIE DETECTOR 141

"I don't see the point of dragging this stant that power surged through the in," he said. "The boy can't be saved. machine, he felt as though he was be-

Detecto has handed down the final de- ing watched. Though at first it didn't cision." trouble him a great deal, the feeling "I know," Sand said stubbornly. grew stronger. He knew that the door "Case, we've been working together for was locked tightly and that no one a long time. If the police laboratory would be likely to find him here. won't work on the blood stains and fin- He sat down again, trying to throw ger prints, I'll call on a private outfit. off the feeling of being watched. Then, The results might hurt you boys." lighting his cigar, he laughed silently

Case grunted. at his own fears. The room was full of "You're forgetting Detecto," he said. the low hum of the machine. The sound "Sorry, Sand, but the damned machine made him drowsy. Detecto stared at can't lie. It has to be right." him with red, baleful eyes. Sand sighed. He had enough of the "You're a fool," a strange, grating one-sided argument. voice said. "All right," he agreed. "Make that test on the towels. Check the findings gAND started up, both feet hitting the with the story I told you. Call French, floor, and the cigar dropped from Slade Jarvis, and Bill Prater, the owner his fingers. He stared around the room. of the tavern. Then, Case, just try to "Who was that?" His voice was sleep after you've . compared their sto- sharp, bewildered. ries. I don't think you'll rest well." "You're a fool," the voice repeated. He turned and went back through the "You can't win." swinging doors into the waiting room. Sand said: "Where are you?" He reached the outside door, started to "In the box," came the reply. "I'm leave, thought better of it and went the brain in the box." back the down long corridor, past It was a deep voice. The sound of it Case's closed door to the rear of the was metallic. building. Here was the court room that Sand gripped the sides of his chair. housed Detecto. He stared at Detecto, struggling for The door was locked, but Case knew words. the janitor. A five-dollar bill changed "You are a clever man, Sand, but hands, and the private detective had after all, only a man." The voice was the key. He let himself into the room patient now, as though teaching a les- silently, closed and locked the door be- son. "You will grow old and run down. hind him. He wasn't quite sure why he You will become useless. I will remain had come here. Something about the in perfect running order, and men will machine fascinated him. Something keep my parts clean and protected. Re- that filled him with disgust toward an member this: I talk to you only be- instrument that could send human be- cause I know you haven't the power to ings to the death house. destroy me. Men have chosen me to He sat down in the empty front row dispense with uncertain, human justice. • and crossed his legs, staring into the The fact that I can be even more unre- eyes of dead Detecto. The smooth liable than flesh and blood juries is metal body looked almost like that of something no one knows—except you." a robot. He rose and switched on the Sand found himself talking now, as power that fed the machine. The in- though another man sat opposite him. 142 AMAZING STORIES

It seemed the natural thing to do. and the room was silent. He shrugged "But you can't continue condemning his shoulders, as though to toss innocent men," he said. away the feeling of fear that had crept "Nonsense," Detecto snapped. "Men into him. He stared at Detecto for sev- are foolish, stupid things. They pretend eral seconds, then went out of the room. to be wise and clever. I grow very tired He found the janitor and returned the of them. I have gradually perfected my key. In ten minutes he was on the

own brain until I can make a lie be- street, still trying to convince himself come truth, or the truth become a lie. that he had not talked to a machine. It entertains me to do these things. That the whole thing was a nightmare "Justice, synthetic justice, is what of his mind, created by the tragedy that I'm giving. Actually I have no voice. had happened to Sam Fletcher. No one but you could hear me if there were others in the room. My brain is gUE FLETCHER said coolly: "I'm capable of sending thought waves in one sorry, Mr. Sand, but I don't care direction. My thoughts are reaching to see you again, even with dinner your ear drums now, and you can 'hear' thrown in as the main attraction." them. Others might think you were Sand winced, but the expression crazy, talking to yourself." wasn't visible over the phone, and his Talking to yourself/ voice was still friendly. Sand shuddered. Perhaps that was "I have one more chance to save the explanation. The Fletcher case had your brother's life," he said urgently. been troubling him too much. Perhaps "Surely you're interested in that." his own mind was talking. He detected some hope in the mo- He stood up, trying to look away ment's hesitation that came before she from Detecto at the blank wall, then spoke again. at the window, at anything to take his "I wish you could help," she said, mind off that voice. Was he going mad? "but you know as well as I do that "It's obvious that you doubt your when stupid justice is at work, you own sanity," the voice said. "Let me can't undo its laws, regardless of how convince you. Your name is Raymond unjust they are." Sand and you are trying to save a pris- Sand sighed. He knew the truth of oner from death. This man appeared her words. It wasn't justice that was at before me yesterday. You cannot save fault. This time it was the fault of the him. I have condemned him to die, and instrument that justice had chosen to he will die." represent it. Sand was moving cautiously toward "Will you do one thing for me?" he the switch that controled Detecto. asked. "I'm going to see Green at two "Pull the switch and silence me," De- o'clock. I'm going to try to break him tecto said. "But when I am turned on down. To get a confession." again, and that will be often, I will The girl sighed, continue to work against man and his "It can't help Sam, now," she said. stupidity. Man is stupid in everything "I'm afraid I can't see you—not feeling he does, and I will grow more powerful as I do now." until I learn new ways to control him. Sand said he was sorry and hung up. Go ahead—pull the switch. It will He looked at his watch. It was a min- make you feel safer." ute after twelve. He found his hat and

Sand pulled it. The hum of power died went down for lunch. THE LYING LIE DETECTOR 143

AT ONE-THIRTY, Sand called In- illness. His arms were outflung, with spector Jim Case and held a long one hand grasping the telephone cord conversation with him. Case finally that ran down the side of the desk. He the agreed to meet Sand at the Green Build- had tried, unsuccessfully, to drag ing at two o'clock. instrument from the desk. Sand reached the Green Building at Sand stood near the man, a queer hat- one fifty-five. He waited for some time. light in his eyes. It was a light of Case evidently wasn't going to arrive red, long forgotten, but rekindled by on time. recent events. He didn't kneel down. Green was an important man, finan- He didn't intend to leave any sign that cially, yet he occupied a small office at he had been here. the end of the corridor on the fifth floor. A knock sounded on the outer door. Sand took the elevator up, consulted He waited, studying the room for de- his note book for the room number and tails that might prove valuable. Then found the right door. He knocked and he moved toward the door silently. the door slipped open under the force There was only one way out. At the of his hand. He went in. A small re- telephone switchboard, he waited. The ception room was lighted by a single knock came again, then the knob rat- bulb that hung over the switchboard. tled and Jim Case walked in. Evidently the receptionist was still out "Hello, Sand," he said in a surprised to lunch. The room was empty. Sand voice. "I'm sorry I was late. I knocked, started to whistle softly. The sound but no one "_ aroused no one. He stepped softly He stopped speaking suddenly, star- through the small gate in a railing that ing past Sand at the open door of cut the room into two sections. He Green's office. crossed a frayed carpet to a door "Wait a minute," he said in a star- marked private. He pushed the door tled voice. open with his toe. He was half way across the room be- Two small, heavily draped windows fore Sand snapped: faced an alley. Sunlight trickled be- "Never mind the act, Case. I get it." tween the blinds and made yard-stick Case halted and swung around. designs on the floor. The desk with an "That's Green's body in there. Is he old fashioned, green-shaded lamp on dead?"

top of it, stood in one corner. The lamp Sand grimaced. was lighted. "I called you half an hour ago," he The rest of the room housed several said. "Now I begin to see why you were dusty file cabinets, a bookshelf lined late. It's a frame, Case, and you know with frayed books and a chair that had damned well it is. I got here just ahead been tipped over so violently that the of you, the way it was meant to be." back had broken against the floor. Case stood there, his face turning Green lay beside the chair, a thin, slowly a deep crimson. distinguished-looking man with some of "Damn you," he said, "I'm fed up his dignity disturbed by a long, bloody with your cracks. I've been called gash that ran along the right side of everything from a blind idiot to a fool. his neck, under the ear. Sand hadn't Now you've killed Green because you" seen Ely Green for several years. He couldn't get him any other way, and had grown much older, thinner. Green I'm supposed to know all about it, to had evidently gone through some long have fixed a frame on you. You aren't Hi AMAZING STORIES going to get away with it this time, might have wanted him out of the way." Sand." Sand arose suddenly. He looked He drew a heavy service revolver straight at Jim Case. from his pocket. "Ask Case what happened," he said. "Better put them up, Sand, and "I gave him plenty of evidence to free high." He came across the carpet Sam Fletcher. Case is afraid of me. softly, like a stalking cat. "Just in He wants me out of the way. He had case," he added, and reached for his plenty of time to kill Green and frame cuffs. me between one-thirty and two o'clock. I didn't thing Jim would go that far, p\ISTRICT ATTORNEY FRED but there is no other explanation." ^ MITCHELL, stiff and as alert as Mitchell laughed. a fighting cock, strode up and down the "You're smooth, Sand," he said. full length of the office, hands clasped "Smooth as they come. But this time behind his back, a cigarette between his you can't get away with it. You're go- thin lips. Case sat behind his desk, his ing to pay the penalty for getting rid eyes thoughtful. On the far side of the of Green." room, Raymond Sand sat alone, a sar- Sand came to his feet slowly, stretch- donic smile on his lips as he watched ing like a cat. the district attorney move about. "Then you're both in the same boat," Mitchell stopped suddenly, and he said. "You both know that the ma- pointed a finger dramatically at Sand. chine is fixed and you're getting rid of "You were in the room when Case the people that might cause you trou- arrived. Miss Fletcher didn't want to ble." testify against you, but she was forced Mitchell looked blank. He turned to admit that you threatened Green's to Case. life." "Is the man crazy?" he asked. Sand said nothing, Case shook his head. There was no "You hated Ely Green," Mitchell expression on his face. He looked as snapped. "You did threaten to get him, bleak and cold as a piece of granite. didn't you?" "Sand's on the way out and he knows "I did," Sand said. it," he said. "He's grasping at straws." "Suppose you tell us why," Mitchell Sand was near the door. He turned said, using his best court-room voice. around and looked at it, wondering how "Because," Sand said, "he swindled far he could get. a friend of mine out of ten grand a "I wouldn't go out that door if I were long time ago. This friend committed you," Mitchell snapped. "I'll have you suicide because it was all the money he picked up before you can leave the had in the world and he couldn't go on. building." I don't forget things like that." Sand turned back and anger shone Mitchell wasn't even listening. in his eyes. "You're a smart man, Sand," he said. He said: "Am I to understand that "But I've got you in a tight spot, and you're getting rid of me to protect your- this time you're not walking out of it. self?" I'd stake my reputation that you killed "Say it the way you want to," Mit- Ely Green. You thought you could chell said, "I'm arresting you for the walk out of his office without being sus- murder of Ely Green. There'll be no pected. There was no one else who jury trial for you, Sand. I'm going to THE LYIN© LIE DETECTOR 145 send you straight to Detecto. I'll get men nodded, gathered their kits and permission from the State to do it. left. The room was silent again, save You'll save the court time and money, for the rustle of skirts and the occa- Sand, and you'll burn beside Sam sional clearing of a throat. Fletcher, the other wise guy who tried Inspector Jim Case stood in the hall, to beat his rap." Ray Sand at his side, a uniformed officer Sand was watching Jim Case. There beyond Sand. was no comfort in the inspector's eyes. "You should have been smart, Sand," Was he mistaken, or did he see the ghost Case said. "AH this might have been of a smile playing around Case's rugged avoided." face? He couldn't be sure. Sand was thinking of the machine. "Okay, Mitchell," he said. "Have it He couldn't think of any way to fight your way. Just be sure you read all back. The machine would recognize

the rules, because if you slip anywhere him at once.

along the line, God pity you. The vot- "Detecto is sure to act in the favor ers won't." of justice," he said dryly. "What have I got to worry about?" P VENTS took place swiftly for Ray "Nothing," Case said, "if you didn't Sand. Events that forecast noth- murder Green."

ing but ill luck for him. To his amaze- Sand chuckled. It was a hard, mirth-

ment, Sue Fletcher ' seemed to take a less sound. new interest in him, now that he was in "I almost wish I had, now," he said. trouble. The machinery inside Detecto started With Ely Green dead, he, Ray Sand, to hum. Sand stumbled forward, must face Detecto. He had little guided by Case's hand. He hardly saw doubt of the decision the machine would the people around him as he walked to- make. He was sure now that he had ward the machine. actually talked with the machine yes- "So you're back again" the voice terday. His better sense told him that said suddenly. It filled his head, mak-

regardless of how impossible it all ing it ache and throb. "You're back, seemed, the interview with Detecto had and this time as a murderer—the man I actually taken place. am to judge." The small courtroom was hot and "Rotten justice," Sand said loudly. dusty. Open windows along one side "Rotten, synthetic justice." 1 let in the noise of the elevated trains "Sit down,' an officer said. "Sit and the sounds of traffic from the street down and be quiet." below. A small group of people sat quietly in court. Two State mechanics gAND was startled. It seemed to him in white coveralls worked over Detecto, that the others should have heard grooming it for the test. the voice also. They couldn't under- District Attorney Fred Mitchell en- stand his outburst. He seemed to be tered the room, escorting two elderly talking to himself. He sat down in the gentlemen in neat gray suits. These small, metal chair and waited dumbly were members of the State Senate, come while they strapped his wrists to the to witness Detecto at work. Professor arms and applied the metal clamps. Judson, pale and scrawny as ever, "You're going to die," the voice said walked through a side door and ex- very clearly. "You're going to burn in changed words with the mechanics. The the chair, and all because men trust the 146 AMAZING STORIES honesty of my judgment." taut. "It is not true. Green was dead He tried to ignore the voice. He when I arrived." stared at the spectators and saw only curiosity in their eyes. He looked at A HISS of voices sounded around Mitchell. Mitchell was relaxed. His him. It had come. In the mirror eyes were cold and bright. He arose to he saw the tubes flashing wildly. Flash- his feet. ing red, for blood and for death. "I am authorized to conduct this "I didn't kill Green!" he shouted, court," he said. His words were like trying to force himself free from the drops of ice water on Sand's brain. "The heavy cables. prisoner has been accused of murdering "But they all believe you did," the a wealthy banker of this city, Ely horrible voice of Detecto hissed in his Green." ears. "They will punish you because Mitchell nodded toward Professor I have told them to." Judson. Those were Detecto's only words, but "You may proceed," he said. they were enough. The tubes con- Judson leaned forward. His eyes were tinued to blink red, making sure he had close to Sand's face. They were kindly been branded a liar. eyes. The eyes of a man who did not Mitchell stood up. The two Sena- know what a monster he had created. tors stood up, nodding at each other, "Your name is Raymond Sand?" speaking in low voices. "Yes," Sand said. He saw Detecto's No one seemed interested in Ray- reflection in a small mirror across the mond Sand now. All eyes were on Mit- room. The red eyes blinking green, as chell. they confessed his words were spoken "Detecto has handed down the final truthfully. He tried to watch that mir- decision," Mitchell said curtly. ror, refusing to look anywhere else. Sand's head ached dully. He remem- "You are a private detective?" bered hearing these words only a few "Yes," Sand said. The tubes flashed hours ago. Remembered the fearful, green again : truth. hunted look on Sam Fletcher's face. It "See how clever I am?" Detecto whis- seemed to him that the cables were pered to him. "See how I seem to obey pressing more tightly against him, pre- ." so nicely? Wait . . venting his escape. "Damn you!" Sand shouted. Sand's eyes were on Mitchell. The Mitchell was on his feet. district attorney was leaving the room. "The prisoner will confine himself to Near the back of the court, Case had answering questions, and not to insult- arisen and gone out. A low whisper of ing the court," he snapped. excitement came from the spectators. Sand's face was flaming red. He said Everyone seemed to be waiting, tense- nothing. He waited, dreading the mo- ly. For what? ment the machine would speak again. Mitchell came in again, followed by Professor Judson was talking. Sand three police officers. Among them, a tried to listen. small man came, head down, clad in

"Is it true that you entered Ely prison gray. Mitchell led the group Green's private office, found him alone forward until he stood before Sand. and murdered him?" Then the man in gray looked at Sand. "No!" Sand shouted. He couldn't "Green," Sand said, his eyes wide control his voice now. His nerves were with astonishment. "Ely Green." THE LYING LIE DETECTOR 147

Mitchell turned and faced the court. voice said. It grew powerful, more con- "Raymond Sand, the man on trial," he fident. Then Sand knew that he wasn't said clearly, "is innocent. He brought the only person who could hear, who in evidence that aroused distrust in our listened to the mechanical voice. minds toward the machine that has been Mouths were open, eyes were staring judging our murder cases. He was pur- at Detecto. Case was at Sand's side, posely framed by the police department, loosening the cables. and made to appear guilty of mudering "You've got to destroy the box," Ely Green, the prisoner who stands here Sand mumbled. before you now." The cables were free. Half a dozen policemen ran from the room. CAND didn't hear his voice clearly. Detecto's voice was roaring like a He felt suddenly choked and heard wind through the room. the low, throaty sob of Detecto's voice "You can't leave the room," it as it seemed to realize what had hap- shouted. "You haven't the power to pened. Then his blood was pumping move against my orders." through his veins violently, and the ca- The men halted in their tracks, para- bles on his wrists twisted upward and lyzed by the strange hypnotism of the swirled around his neck. machine. Case was cursing loudly, or- He heard Jim Case's voice suddenly, dering them out. Sand was free now, shouting a warning. but he couldn't move. "Shut off that damned machine." "I'm going to kill," Detecto said. Sand was fighting now. Not with his "Kill slowly, with the power of my hands, but with his mind. brain. Destroy you all, here, where you "You can't win," Detecto was saying stand. You're fools, all o] you. Weak, in his ear. I'll conquer you first. They blind fools." can't turn me off. I've grown too pow- The voice held them. Held Sand erful. My brain will reach out and con- where he stood, near the machine. Riv- trol the entire city. They can't harm eted the others to the floor, like dead me." men, standing erect. Something snapped inside Sand's Sand's eyes traveled over the tubes, brain. He had to hold out, to conquer stopped on the mechanical eyes. They the mechanical demon in the black box. were glowing angrily. If he could get "You can't control the city," he the power to lift an arm, to smash those shouted. The court room was silent. red tubes. He could see a ring of bewildered faces He started to talk soothingly. staring up at him. "You can't move." "What good will it do to kill? You "Turn off that switch!" cannot move. There would be no one Case was still shouting, running to- left to obey your orders, to recognize ward the wall switch. He reached it your power." and threw off the power. Detecto seemed baffled. As its mind At once the cables grew loose on pondered on the question, the power Sand's neck and he felt the blood flow- seemed to relax a bit. Like the human ing back into his head. mind, Detecto wasn't capable of con- But the machine hadn't been turned centrating completely on one subject. entirely off. The brain was still func- Sand could move his finger tips. He tioning within Detecto. flexed them slowly. "You can't destroy me now," the "You are powerful," he said, "You AMAZING STORIES

could rule all mankind." that you hadn't seen Green in years. I The power was growing weaker. had Case borrow the body of an uniden- Sand knew that Detecto was baffled tified accident victim at the morgue and now, trying to reason slowly with its plant it in Green's office. We arrested metallic brain. Green and kept him out of sight until "Men are fools—men are fools." we were sure that you had trapped the Sand swung his arm upward sud- machine into giving a false decision." denly and brought it down on the glow- Case walked over and grinned down ing tubes. Detecto realized what was at Sand.

happening. With a scream of hate, the "I know it was a dirty trick to pull brain reverted to its paralyzing power on you but it was the only way we and tried to prevent Sand's arm from could trip up the machine," he said. "I coming down. Terrible pain shot hope you won't hold a grudge?" through Sand, freezing him once more Sand smiled. to the spot, but not before his arm "After some of those names I called smashed across the rows of red and you, Inspector," he admitted, "I guess white tubes that crashed and fell in we're about even." tiny glass splinters to the floor. "That's about all there is to it," Slowly Sand crumpled to the floor as Mitchell confessed, "except that we're consciousness left him. all lucky that you realized what that machine was doing, and had the will

'""pHAT'S all there is to it," Mitchell power that most of us lacked. The men- said, wiping his forehead. "We tal power to confuse and destroy it. knew that you were trying to outwit "I'll leave Miss Fletcher with you, the machine. Case turned the evidence just to tell you a few nice things about over to me and I thought it sounded yourself that we may have overlooked." convincing. We checked up and de- Sand pushed himself upward and got cided that we should do something to one arm around Sue's waist. He drew prove that the machine had gone hay- her face down close to his. wire." "It it's all right with you," he said. He paused and smiled at Sand, then She smiled and kissed him. at Sue Fletcher, who was sitting on the Jim Case, watching the pair from the edge of Sand's cot. door, scratched his chin and took hold "When you made an appointment of Mitchell's arm. with Case at Green's office, you gave "Let's get out of here," he said. us our opportunity. We took a chance "That guy Sand gets everything he goes

on your mistaking anyone you found after." . there for Green. I happened to know THE END OUR BROTHERS. THE COTTON RATS FOR a long time, research on how to combat ton rats, they died in about four days. How- typhus fever was being hampered because ever, if the cotton rats were Inoculated with there were no animals to be had that would blood serum from patients who had recovered be suitable "guinea pigs." After much experi- two weeks before from typhus fever, the typbus mentation Drs. J. C. Snyder and C. R. Ander- germs would not harm them. son, of the Rockefeller Foundation, found the These cotton rats deserve a large share of the answer to this problem in the cotton rat. They present successes that typhus research has had and found that the effects of typhus on this animal many American soldiers owe their uvea to them. were exactly the same as they were on humans. When typhus fever germs were injected into cot- -J. Nelson ! —

A. MORRIS

long ago a group of scientists aboard a A MERICANS all over the nation are answering NOT this interesting ^ research vessel conducted the call of the Red Cross for blood donors experiment. They had set sail on one of but the demands of the armed forces as well as those scientific exploratory trips which have shown civilian needs is steadily increasing. A new source so much success in recent years in probing the may be possible according to Dr. Edwin J. Cohn, mysteries of the ocean deep. professor of Biological Chemistry. Although the From the ship they dropped a dredge at the end details of his experiments conducted at Harvard of several miles of sturdy steel wire. They scraped University are a closely guarded military secret, the bottom with the dredge and brought the scrap- we do learn that he has successfully produced a ings aboard for examination. What they actually plasma from beef cattle blood that can be given to had was a sample of the slimy covering that human beings. blankets the ocean floor which we call "ooze." In Tests made with the plasma on over 2,700 in-

it is to be found material from all parts of the mates of the state prisons have produced favorable ocean which has settled to the bottom through results. There are many advantages to the use of it the millions of years. beef blood ; namely, is not necessary to type The sample which they examined contained blood, there is a tremendous supply to be had, and bones of animals extinct for millions of years, the blood can be stored at higher temperatures bushels of manganese nodules, five hundred than that required by human plasma. sharks' teeth including specimens more than four The work is going on under contract with the inches long, five hundred whale bone fragments, committee on Medical Research of the Office of and particles derived from solar space, "cosmic Scientific Research and Development, U. S. War dust." Department. If finally proved successful, this How's that for "pot luck"? new source of blood plasma will prove a life-saver for our boys on all war fronts. TT IS easy enough for us to commend ourselves character of * for our advanced civilization. With the sky- CTRHClNG evidence of the global scraper, the turbine, the airplane, and the wireless ^ this war is presented on the outskirts of Mel- to bear witness we are prone to pat ourselves on bourne, Australia, where a community of Indone- the back as being truly advanced. Moreover, we sians and Chinese from the Netherlands East In- even conclude that all these "things" that we have dies are living as they did back in the NEI Archi- built indicate that our minds are far superior now pelago while the men of the group work as skilled than in any of the days gone by. Patronizingly, craftsmen in factories that turn out Allied aircraft. we tsk, tsk, at the seeming ignorance and lack of The men dress in western style, but the women civilization of ancient times. Perhaps, but still wear the traditional sarong and prepare their A group of geologists have uncovered in'a layer own native foods in two community kitchens. of earth, which indicates an age of about 800,000 Many members of the colony arrived in Mel- years, a collection of flint implements which an- bourne in March, 1942, aboard the ship on which Indies, after cient man used in his hunting of wild game. These they had made their escape from the implements seem crude, and we at first think that the fall of Bandung. Originally from Sumatra, group had been trained as me- it does not require a very high order of intelligence the men of the fac- to fashion them. But try to make one of these chanics in one of the best-equipped ordnance tools out of a rude boulder with your own hands. tories in the Netherlands Indies. Alongside Aus- Actually you will find yourself faced with a tough tralian mechanics, they are turning out the bomb- technical and mechanical problem. One distin- ers which almost daily attack the Japanese de- guished archeologist who had practiced flint-mak- fenses in the South Pacific. Their Australian fore- the highest praise for their ability and ing for years is unable with all the aid of modern man has craftsmanship to produce a flint of the beak-heeled tenacity, and, more especially, for their excellent type comparable to the implements fashioned by eyesight which is used to the greatest advantage the hand of our early ancestors in the work they do.

149 RICHARD CASEY

"T"\AN American Radio, Station loud crackle of static. r^XZX at Lima—to Neal Mason. "Mason to XZX. Say, Senor Alver- Can you hear me Mason? Come ado, who told you about the weather up in." here? You must have sent up the wrong The little South American leaned balloon. This is the worst hurricane anxiously over the loudspeaker on the I've ever wrestled with." desk, switched the controls and waited. Alverado's lips grew white. He was The tiny radio room was rilled with the very frightened. 150 EVEN science fiction seemed to have gone mad in this weird valley where absolutely nothing made sense

"XZX to—to Mason," he stammered. "Mason to XZX. Tell the weather "Listen, Mason, you'll have to turn bureau I could have told them about the back. The weather bureau has just re- storm before they knew it existed. HelL ported a bad storm sweeping through man, I'm delivering a fighter plane to the pass from Peru. You'll have to the Peruvian Government ! If you knew turn back. Come in." my boss back in the states, you'd know The static crackle again and above it, I face a worse death by turning back. the sounds of a high wind. Be seeing you." 151 152 AMAZING STORIES

The loudspeaker went dead. Alver- ering all the strength he had to speak, ado shouted into the mike. came the last words from the crashed "XZX to Mason. XZX to Mason. pilot. Come in please." "I—think—I'm in hell." Silence. Alverado went on shouting for sev- Outside, dust rolled up as the mail eral minutes, but only the sound of the plane hit the runway of the Lima air- storm came back. He couldn't even port. The sun was calm and hot on the hear Mason's breath now, and in a few Bat plain. The Andes were a forebod- minutes the radio went dead. ing wall in the distance. Alverado arose slowly, turned off the The speaker remained silent. Alver- speaker. It would be necessary to call ado tried again. This time desperation Buffalo, U.S.A., and notify Mason's em- showed clearly on his thin face. ployer. It would also be necessary to "XZX to Mason. For God's sake, go through the mechanical process of man, answer me will you? You're run- sending out a rescue party. They stood ning into one of the worst storm pockets little chance of locating the battered in the world. You still have a chance fighter in the deep canyons that slashed to turn back." the Andes. The loudspeaker startled him, break- ing in with a roar of sound. Mason's ^EAL MASON opened one eye slow- voice was distorted and far away. ly and stared around. He recog- "You aren't lying. Hold on, Bub, nized the battered interior of the plane, here goes nothing." and realized that somehow he had lived Alverado sat very still, his hands through the terrible dive toward earth. gripping the desk before him as though Something had forced him to let go of he were at the controls of the powerful the wheel, and before he could regain fighter somewhere in the Andes. The his grip the sensitive plane had been speaker was still open. The sound of caught by the storm and tossed against tinkling glass came over it. the canyon wall. "— buzzards!" Mason's words were He sat up painfully, trying to think. choked off by anger. Now he remembered. A buzzard had Then there was only the screaming been tossed against the windshield and of the storm and the more sinister ris- crashed into his face. He had been talk- ing howl of motors as they roared down- ing to the airport at Lima when it hap- ward, out of control. pened. Alverado tensed, his teeth gritted He moved around painfully until he tightly together waiting for the crash. It faced the radio board. Reaching for the came, a tearing, grinding explosion of button, he fiddled with it idly. The radio metal against rock. The loudspeaker was dead, smashed. - miraculously continued to record the He was down somewhere, lost in the crash of the American plane. Andes. The plane had landed in a deep Alverado tried again, shouting into tropical canyon. He wondered how the mike. many broken bones he had suffered, and "XZX to Mason. Mason, are you tried to prove something by climbing alive? Come in! Come in!" erect. His face was reflected faintly He could hear the faint, pained from the remains of the broken wind- breathing coming over the speaker. shield. He noted a few minor wounds Then, as though Neal Mason was gath- on his right cheek. His right leg moved VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 153 reluctantly. It pained him below the overnight bags to supply the city of knee. It would bend however, and prob- New York. The monster stared at Ma- ably wasn't broken. son and Mason stared back. It was a He drew himself up to the level of deadlock. Then the monster moved pon- the cockpit window and stared out at a derously nearer the plane. His tail cliff surrounded terrain. dragged after him as though too heavy The plane was in fairly good shape, for him to lift. considering the force of the fall. One "Dinosaurs Good Lord, home was wing was buried in the ground, and the never like this." left motor was half gone. The cannon Mason wondered what would break on the snout of the fighter pointed up- the spell. Perhaps his brain would spin ward, still intact. Then he caught sight around again and drop him in Peru of three gawky buzzards lined up ex- where he belonged. One visit to the pectantly on the rocks near the edge of Field Museum hadn't ought to effect a the narrow valley. Their long feather- man like this. less necks darted out questioningly as The dinosaur continued to stare at he moved, and beady eyes stared with Mason, and the pilot tried to think of disappointment. a good way to disappear. Unfortunate-

"Not today, brothers," he said grim- ly not even a fair method presented it- ly. "Maybe tomorrow. Who knows?" self. The sun was rising above the top

He wasn't in bad shape. His heavy of the cliff. Something about the sun boots, whipcords and tan shirt were still troubled the aviator's sense of direction. intact. In the rear compartment were He glanced nervously at the compass. half a dozen sub-machine guns, a box The sun was rising in the west! of side-arms and plenty of ammunition The crash must have broken the com- for the wing guns and cannon. All this pass. Mason banged his fist against the was meant for delivery to the Peruvian glass covering. The compass hand jig- government. gled and settled back to the same point. He also had a case of "K" rations. It worked perfectly. But, suffering

He . started to disentangle himself Moses, the sun wasn't supposed to rise from the cockpit, and pushed one in the west, and that was just what it booted foot over the edge of it. As he was doing. did so a huge shadow passed over his head. Instantly he slipped back to safe- jV/TASON looked up at the dinosaur

ty, flattening against the inside of the but the beast was still there, blink- plane. He looked upward and fear ing uncertainly, its tail swishing back struck him for the first time. and forth on the rough floor of the can- A huge, snaky neck twisted back and yon. A pleading look came into Ma- forth above his head. His gaze traveled son's eyes. down the neck slowly to the ponderous "Look, Dino old boy. Go 'way, will dark body and dragging tail. This was you? Let's save this personal appear- bigger than any prehistoric monster he ance until I'm on a binge. You haven't had ever seen rehabilitated in a mu- any right popping up when I'm dead seum. sober." "Suffering Moses!" Mason's eyes "Hey!" Mason shouted, and dino widened. drew back as though he'd been slapped. The monster was as big as the plane. There was no doubting the expression Its hide would have made enough of sadness and distrust that flooded his 154 AMAZING STORIES

unbecoming face. swore loudly. This four-legged Wool- By crawling behind the pilot's seat, worth building was actually being affec- Mason could reach the ammunition and tionate! He stared at the dino with a the rations. Dino seemed determined to new distrust. stick around for the whole show, and "Don't do that again, you big lug." thus far hadn't shown any sign of at- Dino looked so hurt that Mason was tacking. a little ashamed. "If this be madness," Mason mis- "The strength of a dynamo and the quoted from some long-forgotten brains of a flea," he said dreamily. source. "Make the best of it." "Hey, by golly, that's it. From now Still believing that he was in some on his name is Dina-Mo." weird state of coma, he crawled over the The dinosaur seemed pleased with seat, found the boxes and broke them the name. His head started downward open. He filled an automatic and slipped for another affectionate caress, but Ma- it into his belt. He filled both pockets son saw it coming and ducked. with cartridges, found a sub-machine

gun in another crate and grasped it, to- VyiTH the dry food inside him, Ma- gether with a half-dozen boxes of "K" son became increasingly thirsty. ration. Then he made his way back to Up the hill a short distance was a small the cockpit. pool of water. A creek fed it, probably

His visitor was still present. running from under the cliff. If Dina- Mason broke open a box of rations Mo would leave him alone, he'd try to and downed some of the chocolate. He get some water. felt a little better. Yet, with his senses He pushed a cautious boot over the slowly returning, the dino became more edge of the plane, hesitated and dropped and more of a problem for him to puz- to the ground. Mo didn't even seem zle out. curious. He was completely satisfied "No time machine stuff," he mut- with the box of "K" ration that slowly

tered. "I'm still in the Andes all right." dissolved in his stomach. Just to make sure, he turned and Mason ran swiftly toward the water. stared into the distance toward the end The three vultures shrugged in disgust of the valley. Huge peaks rose rank and flapped away to meatier fields. upon rank into the blue sky. He looked Mason had nearly reached the pool up at the dino. when he heard a wild, inhuman scream

"You dont' fit, Bub. How about .come from the cliff. He had only a sec- scramming and making the scenery a ond to turn and stare upward with star- little more normal?" tled eyes. He was paralyzed. Dino looked hurt. His neck twisted A mountainous, scaly monster hur- downward suddenly. Thinking that he tled downward, directly at him. It was must look like a dainty morsel, Mason one of Mo's big brothers, and it wasn't tried to ward off the coming blow with pleasant to look at. A great scale cov- a box of "K" ration. Dino opened his ered head twisted in the air. The mouth, mouth and swallowed the entire box filled with teeth that would have shamed with one gulp. a tooth-paste commerical, was wide A broad, wet tongue swooped out and open. The lashing, furious tail and splashed across Mason's face. It was horned feet were close to Mason. like being hit with a wet towel. He Mason dropped flat on his face and wiped his face with his shirt sleeve and waited for the weight of the thing to VALLEY OF DELIRIUM crush him into the earth. The monster "Thanks," Mason said, in a spiritless hit with earth shaking force and Mason voice. "Eagle of Freedom. Symbol of turned to see that Mo's little chum had the U.S.A." missed on the first leap. The tail lashed The eagle ruffled its feathers and around, missing his head by inches. looked very satisfied. Then Mason re- Before he could rise, something small membered that the eagle wasn't a citi- and savage swished through the air over zen of the United States, and therefore his head. The scaly monster turned and not a genuine symbol of the flag. with a scream of fear, high-tailed it up "Anyhow," he added in a sleepy, half the valley. What caused this hasty re- apologetic tone, "Thanks for the nice treat? Pan-American spirit. I'll recommend An eagle had driven downward with you for a medal." terrifying force and was riding on the His head drooped forwaru slowly, monster's head. The eagle's claws were and the sun grew warm on the back of set deep into the scales, and the bird's his neck. He slept. beak pecked savagely at the fleshy sub- stance on the side of the head. AyTASON didn't plan on the trip of ex- Mason staggered uncertainly to his ploration. It was dark when he feet. awakened, and save for the sound of the What kind of a crazy, unreasonable stream that ran up-hill, the canyon was world was this? The scaly monster had quiet. He was thirsty, and decided to been driven into a fit by a bird only a chance another trip to the pool. He fraction of its size. The sun was rising slipped out of the cockpit and landed on in the west. a huge boulder that he had not remem- He watched until the pair were out of bered from this morning. Before he sight among the rocks. Then fearing an- could climb to the ground, the boulder other attack, he kneeled swiftly by the stood up and started to move around pool and sucked water from his cupped restlessly. hands. He stood up quickly. About to Mason grasped the boulder and hung turn back toward the plane he stopped on. Then he remembered Dina-Mo and short, staring down at the small creek. wondered why the beast had to pick this Suffering Moses! This capped the spot to catch up on his beauty sleep. climax. This took the blue ribbon, the Dina-Mo misinterpreted Mason' s iron cross, and outdid the liar's club. move. To him, it was a signal to start The stream that \bd the pool was run- for parts unknown. He did just that, ning up-hill from somewhere deep in with a lazy rippling of his leg and neck the valley. muscles. The tail, as usual, dragged re- There was very little left to do now luctantly behind. After the first novel- but return to the plane and go quietly ty of riding a pre-historic monster wore insane. He moved with leaden feet back off, Mason settled down grimly to the to the wrecked fighter, crawled in with- task of riding bareback. It was some- out even taking a second look at Dina- thing like tossing around on a huge Mo, and slumped down in the cockpit. mound of bouncing jello. The eagle flut- A small speck hurtled through the air, tered after them and settled on Mo's and the eagle that had saved his life head, where he again folded his head dived down and sat stiffly on the edge out of sight under his wing and went to of the cockpit. Mason stared at the sleep. Dina-Mo moved slowly down the bird and the bird blinked. steep incline toward the lower valley. 156 AMAZIN© STORIES

His passengers didn't trouble him in "My, my, but isn't the modern age a the least. wonderful thing." It was not for Mason to question the Mo munched contentedly at palm rough trail that Mo followed. He was fronds, and cracked open an occasional using all his talent, and his finger nails, coconut for Mason. The eagle flew to retain his grip on the leathery back. away for a while, and came back with It wouldn't have been so bad, he two large fish in his b e a k. One he thought, to ride down a long hill on a dropped at Mason's side, and the other dinosaur's back, if he didn't know that he dropped on the ground and started an eagle could scare hell out of a mon- to tear apart with his sharp talons. ster, and the sun could rise in the west, The coconuts weren't bad, but when and the stream that they were following it came to the fish, Mason revolted. He ran swiftly up-hill. Conditions were had never seen a fish before that had complicated a little more than he four perfectly developed legs, and a face wanted to admit. that reminded him of Charlie Mc- The canyon into which Mason's Carthy. The combination simply wasn't plane had crashed, and the valley that an appetite builder. Dina-Mo was ambling toward, went to- , gether to shape a huge letter T. The \\7'ITH full stomachs, the trio ven- valley filled with jungle growth and tured into the jungle along the tall, lush grass formed the upper half bottomland of the valley^ If Mason had of the letter. It was thousands of feet been accustomed to spending much time deep, and huge peaks rose into the dark over the mystery of growing things, he sky on all sides. Mason dreaded the might have had cause to wonder at the rising of the sun again, because he knew hodge-podge of prehistoric vegetation, that light would put things out of focus common trees like pine and elm all in- worse than ever. But the sun did come terwoven with teak and the precious up, and it came up in the south this woods of the tropics. He did wonder, time, evidently just for the novelty of however, how it was that bananas man- it. aged to grow from the tops of evergreen Mason was beyond feeling any shock giants. by this time. He smiled at the sun, of- With the sun hidden by foliage, Ma- fered it a pleasant good morning, and son settled down on Dina-Mo's broad added: back. The eagle nestled at his side, and "I've got a compass back up on the they crashed onward through the jun- hill, if you decide to get your direction gle. straightened out." Old Mo seemed to experience great Evidently the sun didn't care where delight in doing things the hard way. it came from, because its only response If a tree was small enough for him to was to climb higher into the sky at a pull out by the roots, and most of them terrific rate of speed. Mo showed signs were, Mo wouldn't think of going of wanting breakfast, and Mason, tee- around it. Mason saw no other sign of tered precariously on his perch while strange creatures who inhabited the Mo wrapped his tail around the two- valley until early afternoon. When he foot trunk of a palm tree and pulled it finally spotted them, he wished that up by the roots. he hadn't. "And we use an axe, saw and dyna- Mo came out on the banks of a stream mite," Mason commented caustically. which was, according to form, rushing VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 157 merrily up-hill. He stopped short, his scuttling toward him. long neck weaving from side to side. A Suffering Moses, if he only had the sound like the noise a horse makes when sub-machine gun with him ... As he it swallows a bumble-bee emerged from ran, he drew the automatic from his Mo's throat. The eagle left his perch belt and slipped in a clip of cartridges. swiftly and hovered above them. Then How would it sound? Aviator fights Mason saw what caused the commotion. Ant Colony With Automatic. Is Cap- Until now he had been able to make tured By Insects. a queer sort of sense of the wild life he Definitely not acceptable copy for a had seen. Now, even that was impos- home town paper he decided, and ran sible. faster than ever. Near the stream were three giant He reached the banks of another sand hills, probably forty feet across the backward river, and was about to top and rising well above the flat plain. plunge in. A low, musical laugh stopped Through holes at the base of these hills him in his tracks. hundreds of ants were crawling in and Neal Mason pivoted, his mouth hang- out. They were like the ants that he ing wide open. Dina-Mo was sitting on had seen in the cracks between side- the river bank, his head buried beneath walks back home except for one start- the cool water. Sitting at Mo's side, ling difference. thumping the dinosaur's neck gently Every ant that crawled restlessly with a knotted club, was the prettiest over the plain was as big as the fright- girl Mason had ever stopped running ened Dina-Mo. away from. He remembered seeing an enlarged He could hear the ants coming, picture of a common house-fly once, a knocking down trees in their charge long time ago, and making the bright through the jungle. Still, this girl was remark that people were lucky that enough to make a man forget that he insects didn't grow as large as men. was about to be eaten alive. She sat Right now he'd welcome an ant the there calmly, clad in a neat jungle crea- size of a man. tion that would have made Johnny Dinosaurs suddenly became very Weismuller howl with appreciation and commonplace. Mason's one thought dunk himself immediately into the river was to get away as fast as possible. at her feet. Her hair, under the rays of The startled scream of the eagle the backward sun, was a glowing rich brought him back to reality and he auburn. Tanned cheeks, and white clung tightly to Mo's back as Mo teeth that flashed against red lips made whirled around with a snort and plunged her the nicest dish he had ever seen. into the jungle. "You aren't running away from the Mason lost his balance and toppled ants?" backward. He landed in the tangled undergrowth, picked himself up and de- TV/JASON was slightly angry at the cided that he was still alive and insane. events that were taking place. Dina-Mo evidently didn't notice the Evidently Mo was the girl's personal loss of his passenger because the big pet. The eagle flew down and settled fellow was still on the run, his body on her shoulder. shaking the earth somewhere far ahead. He walked toward her aware of his Mason started to run. Over his dirty, torn clothing. As he approached, shoulder, he could see the gigantic ants he pocketed the automatic meekly, de- 158 AMAZING STORIES

ciding that the army of approaching skin and dinosaur sandals, that he was ants would have to be disregarded. He sorry he'd troubled her. wondered how many bites he would "I know nothing of the places you make for the overgrown insects. mention," she said in a perplexed voice. "I—I wasn't exactly walking, I'll ad- "I have always lived in Planta. I know mit," he said lamely, and his face turned nothing of what lies beyond the peaks." a brick red. "Say. Are you laughing Poor kid, Mason thought. She must at me?" be as loony as the remainder of the val- The girl looked solemn. He liked ley. No wonder she was bewildered. the way she shrugged her brown shoul- To live in this goofy place and have to ders before answering. stay here all her life would be enough "You did look funny making that to worry anyone. He shouldn't have mad dash away from the ants. They mentioned his own troubles. won't touch you. It's just a bluff they "So this is Planta?" he said aloud. put up to keep us away from their Then because she acted a little fright- homes." ened, he added, "Always wanted to He decided that perhaps she was visit Planta. Never had time. You'll right. The sounds behind him had died have to show me around."

' out. She was delighted. As she sprang to "I'm glad of that," he admitted. It her feet he had a better opportunity to dawned on him that this meeting was notice the lithe, graceful body. Mason the most absurd thing that had hap- wished with all his heart that he could pened yet. A perfectly normal and very swing through the trees, and howl like lovely girl, sitting here by a stream in Johnny Weismuller did when capturing the jungle. Nor did she seem the least his mate. Somehow, he'd have to be a bit surprised at his presence. second Tarzan to win such a glorious "How did you get here?" he asked. creature. She stood a few feet away, She stared back at him and anger staring at him with a happy smile. kindled her eyes. "Come." Her voice was pleasant, "Now you've spoiled everything." and at the same time demanding.

Mason sat down beside her. He followed her. Then it dawned on "I don't get it," he protested. "What Mason that this girl certainly hadn't could I spoil in this collection of freaks appeared in the valley of Planta with- : and fauna?" out benefit of. parents. There must be "/ was going to ask you what you other people here. were doing here, and you asked me first." " J^EY," he shouted. "Wait a minute." She pouted. She turned and waited for him. Oh, oh! a warning voice said in Ma- "You're not tired so soon?" son's head. Look out for her. She'll He shook his head. trip you up like the rest o) them did. "I was thinking. You have a father "My name is Neal Mason," he ex- and mother?" plained. "I was delivering a war plane The girl looked momentarily sad. ' to the Peruvian Government. I got "I have no mother," she said, and i caught in a storm and crashed. Could then smiled brightly, "but I have a you tell me how to get out of here?" father." She looked so bewildered and pretty Neal shook his head solemnly. He in her ensemble of prepared leopard tried again. VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 159

"There are other people in the val- Once, during the march, Mo twisted ley?" his neck about and stared back to make "Only a few," she said. "Freaze sure Mason was still with them. At and Fitch live a few miles from us." the same time, the girl's voice rang out Freaze and Fitch? Now wait a min- clearly. ute. This has gone far enough. For "Are you still there?" Heaven's sake don't ask her any more Mason, staring at the rocking figure questions or you'll go nuts. Wait and of Dina-Mo, thought the words came see for yourself. from the monster's mouth. He nodded "I—guess we'd better go to your dumbly, never questioning Mo's ability home," he said in a weak voice. "How to carry on a conversation. far is it?" ,- The girl held up her right hand, and pHE strange procession stood on the spreading her dainty fingers, started to brink of a cliff, staring down into count. a lower valley. In spite of his promise "One-two-three-six-ten," she said that nothing else could surprise him, softly. Then she pointed toward the far Neal Mason received a shock. This was end of the valley from which Mason had the city she had mentioned. come. "The city is that way." She It stretched across the floor of the turned away from him, and started valley, a dream of the future. Tall walking swiftly away from the direction cylindrical towers sprang into the sky, she had indicated. and interwoven among them were sus- "Wait a minute," Mason said doubt- pension highways that were finer than fully. "Aren't you going directly away anything Mason had ever seen on the from your city?" drawing board. Strangely enough, the A horrible doubt was growing in his city showed no sign of life. mind. The girl turned around, and her Mason stared at the girl who was at eyes were flashing angrily. this moment ignoring the city, and "Don't you tell me where to go," she crawling up Dina-Mo's rough flank. She cried. "Of course we are going away turned and called to him.

from the city. This is the shortest way." "You can ride now." She seemed a Mason's last nerve snapped like a bit more friendly. "We must descend bow-string, and his teeth clamped to- the cliff and the trail is dangerous."

gether savagely. Mason found it hard to take his eyes "Suffering Moses," he groaned. "/ away from the city below. Yet, with its

might have known it." deserted highways, it might as well be The little parade wound slowly up the a gorgeous tomb. Mo turned his head valley away from the city they were ap- and snorted impatiently. Mason came proaching. The girl went first, still out of his trance and climbed to his frowning because she had been ques- place beside the girl. tioned. Behind her swung Dina-Mo, The eagle had already flown ahead, and perched on Mo's head was the and was soaring gracefully down the eagle. cliff toward the valley. Neal Mason staggered along behind With his passengers reasonably se- like a prisoner condemned to the salt cure, Mo started directly toward the mines. He might not be quite ready edge of the precipice. for a padded cell, but he knew that he "Wait a minute," Mason shouted. was a dangerous borderline case. "This isn't safe." 160 AMAZING STORIES

The girl laughed. an advanced age to him. To keep from dyhag of fright, Mason He munched his lip reflectively, and refused to look ahead. Instead, he decided he'd better keep his mouth and focused all his attention on the girl. It his mind shut tightly from now on. wasn't a bad idea. He decided that if "You win," he said. "Now that we're she wasn't as goofy as the remainder of here, just where are we?" the valley, she'd look very nice in a She grasped his arm. housedress. ruling his little apartment "Come. You must meet my father." back in Buffalo. Mo had no intention of vaulting over 1VTASON followed her toward one of the cliff. At the very edge he stopped, the caves. As they drew near, a and the long neck traveled back and pair of creatures emerged into the light forth once. Apparently sure of himself, and stared at them. They were evi- he chose a tiny trail that snaked down- dently mates, because one of the brutes ward and trusted his ponderous bulk to was undoubtedly male, with his hairy it. For the next half hour, Mason hung face and long, brutish skull. A leopard on with all his strength. The girl, rid- hide covered part of his stocky, long ing easily, spent her time laughing at armed body. The other was thick him. lipped and bow legged. Her arms Mo's broad body scraped the cliff on reached to her ankles. Not a pleasant- one side, and hung out fc space on the looking reception committee,. Mason other. The eagle complicated things by thought. continually swooping down at Mason in Then a thought occurred to him that a playful but rather suicidal manner. was so horrible he refused to believe it They came out momentarily on a even on the grounds of what had already broad, flat ledge on the trail. Mo sat happened. down abruptly and stretched his neck "You—you aren't the daughter of ?" out full length. His eyes closed. these . . . "Here we are," the girl said. "You The girl stared at him, evidently puz- are safe now." zled by his odd expression. Then she "Here we are where?" Mason asked. fathomed his meaning. "Weren't we going all the way to the "Oh dear no!" she said, and ran for- city?" ward to grasp the arm of the cave-man. The girl slipped ta the ground. A "Adam, I want you to meet—" she surprised look swept her face. turned to Mason. "What did you say "The city?" your name was?" "I thought that was where you "Mason," he said gruffly. "Glad to lived?" meet you Adam. You got a nice place Mason followed her example and was here." standing at her side, staring around at That he thought, should be the ap- the semi-circle of dark holes that pitted proved method of conversing with a pre- the side of the cliff. She swept her arm historic cave-man. The cave-man saun- around, indicating the openings. tered toward him, his hairy paw ex- "But this is the city," she insisted. tended for a hand clasp. "You didn't think we Were going to the "Really," Adam said in a shocked ruins of the valley?" voice. "Cawn't you speak better Eng- Mason looked down again at the lish, Old Chum? Your speech is shock- rums. They still looked like a city of ing." —

VALLEY Of DELIRIUM 161

TV/fASON managed to go through the voice. "Why didn't you tell me my formalities of meeting Adam, and daughter had returned?" found out that Eva, his spouse, was also Adam looked crestfallen. up on her London manners. "I'm sorry, sir. I really meant to." "So nice," she murmured through Mason decided he might as well an- horsey lips. "We have so few visitors." nounce himself. He stepped through "Father and I never see anyone from the door and faced the party. Adam the outside," Mason's guide broke in. had announced them. There was no "Father is at home, isn't he Adam?" limit to the things that could happen Adam smiled, and Mason was re- here. minded of something from a double fea- "Sounds like another slip in the ture nightmare. script," he mumbled. "Hello, Mr. Eng- "Oh, yes indeed," Adam looked very lish. My name's Neal Mason." concerned. "I shall announce you. "Mason?" English let go of his Won't you follow me, Mr. Mason?" daughter and faced the newcomer. Mason found strength to nod, and "Why I've heard that name somewhere. moved into the cave behind Adam and Let me think." the girl. Eva went down the trail, He was a slim, carefully attired man. softly singing something about Berke- There was only one thing odd about his ley Square. clothing. He was completely equipped The cave was rough and ugly only at with a pith helmet, tan shirt and shorts. the entrance. Once inside they passed His knees were so skinny that the knee through an opened door and into a neat caps stood out like buttons. He wore a set of rooms. Typically English, the stiff, carefully waxed mustache. set-up beat anything Mason had ever "I know," he shouted. "Masons paid fifty a month to live in. those fellows who lay bricks." Adam entered a small, well furnished If that was meant to be a joke, Ma- living room and said: son thought grimly, you sure laid a "Mr. English. Your daughter has brick. returned, and she has brought a guest But Mr. English seemed quite to see you." pleased. Mason heard the cultured reply. "Masons—bricks. Haw! Haw! "Quite! firing them in, will you. You're quite a brick yourself, Mason. I'm terribly involved with that plan to But I don't think I ever saw you be- harness the ants. Sounds feasible, but fore." it does have its nasty angles." Adam was waiting in the background. "I'm sure I can make suggestions of The girl stared at Mason over her fath- importance," Adam answered. "We er's shoulder, as though seeing him for must talk later." the first time. "Quite." "Yes," she said sternly. "We don't The girl had grown impatient. She think we've ever seen you before." left Mason and ran into the living room. Mason groaned. "Daddy, will you forget your old "I was in a teensy-weensy airplane," business for a few minutes." he said, grinding his teeth. "A great big ." Mason saw Mr. English spring from storm came up and made me . . his chair and take his daughter in his "Oh!" The girl seemed satisfied. arms. "You're the man I met by the river "Adam," English said in a stern aren't you?" She turned to her father. 162 AMAZING STORIES

"Never mind, Daddy, it's Mr. Mason. them, they could find no way out. He's quite all right. You can trust "But it isn't half bad," English ad- him." mitted. "Quite the pleasantest place in the world, except for Freaze and A/fR. ENGLISH seemed to relax. He Fitch." offered a thin, white hand. Ma- "And who are they," Mason wanted son took it and they shook heartily. to know. "Edward English is the full name," "Freaze and Fitch," English said he said. with extreme distaste, "were my part- "Mine's Faun," the girl interrupted. ners. Once they visited the deserted She was pouting. "Faun English, if city, they got wild ideas. They may be anybody cares." down there right now, planning another Mason was asked to repeat his en- attack." tire story from the time he left Buf- "Then they have fought with you, falo. and gone their own way?" Neal asked. He was interrupted several times by The Englishman nodded. Edward English. "Freaze and Fitch wanted to live "I say, I was in Buffalo once. Isn't down there, but we refused. You see that the place where people ride over Adam needed us. We don't care to mix the Niagara Falls in barrels?" up with ghosts and such. We quarreled, Mason grimaced. and ever since they've been causing us "It has happened," he admitted. trouble." "They don't make a regular habit of it." Edward English chuckled. TV/TASON was too far into this thing "Americans make regular habits of now to back down. Faun was the oddest things," he said. "Now, take very attractive, in spite of her odd view- the hot-dog for example." points. He decided to learn more, and "I'd like to," Mason admitted. "I'm did. half starved." The huge, super-modern city was a Adam received a lecture at this point deserted tomb of the past. When he for not having brought food. considered the manner in which the "I told you to, you know," English valley seemed planned, this wasn't sur- insisted. prising. Time, somehow, lost all sight He had done no such thing, but Adam of its true path and moved in any direc- said he was sorry and returned several tion it wished. If a dinosaur could live minutes later with a platter of roast beef with an Englishman and eagles could and a bottle of liquid that tasted like run away from ants, surely cave-men next year's wine. might retreat from deserted cities of the They dined heartily, and throughout future. the meal, Mason picked up information The colorful pair, Freaze and Fitch, he was seeking. Edward English was wanted to start a new civilization in the an explorer. He had come here years deserted city. When Edward English ago, bringing his daughter and two refused to donate his daughter to the friends with him. The trip was made enterprise, they were angry. They spent from Peru, and during the darkness, one their time dreaming up ways of getting of the party stumbled into the upper Faun into their city of spires. valley. They all followed, and found Mason, pounding around somewhat that once they pulled their ropes after later on a small bed that had been do- VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 163 nated to him, took his place among the was even more lovely. Perhaps, Mason cave dwellers, and tried to reason out thought, I will be able to take home an escape from Planta. He hoped that with me some of the ideas used here. the plan could include a way of bring- Someone had built this dream civil- ing sanity back to Faun, and convincing ization, and died to leave it for the fu- her that Buffalo, with its barrels and ture. It might be possible to take plans falls, was a better place to live than the home that could be used after the war. valley of Planta. Mo stopped, and tried in, a sluggish manner to waggle his tail. "T3UT I tell you the plan is quite Edward English slipped to the ground mad," Edward English insisted. and the others followed. Neal shook "Freaze and Fitch won't help you. In hands with both of them, noticed the fact, when they find out you are our look of warmth in Faun's eyes, and guest, they'll throw us all in prison." wondered a little at the perfectly sane Neal Mason, Faun and her father expression of worry on her face. were aboard Mo's broad back, moving "Be careful of Freaze and Fitch," she down into the last valley of Planta. warned. "They may act friendly at Ahead, the spires of the city were lost first, but they're both insane." in the morning mist. Mason shook his head gravely. The "Just take me close to the city," Ma- pair couldn't be any worse than the son begged. "You can turn back be- things he had already seen in Planta. fore anyone sees us. I'll go on alone." No one could be sane and live happily in Faun shuddered. this place. "They'll probably feed you to the "Follow the trail," English said. "It giant ants," she said. "It's really a very will lead you directly to the gate." unpleasant way to die." Mason stared at the beaten path Mason nodded. through the grass.

"I imagine," he agreed. "But I'll "But it seems to circle the city," he have to take that chance. There's a protested. war on and I've got to get out of this "I know," English explained patient- place somehow. You say they have an ly. "Everything goes backward in air-ship that will take me out. I'll take Planta, but you'll reach the city by fol- my own chances of talking them into lowing the path." the idea." Mason watched with a queer, lost Edward English shrugged. feeling as the pair mounted Dina-Mo

"I say old man, can't we convince and went back toward the cliff. Then you that Planta is a fine place to make he turned and walked swiftly along the your home? The war really doesn't path. need you, you know. There will be r , other wars later, and you might leave HE city was surrounded by huge J in time to see one or two of them." walls. At least this much wasn't fu- Mason shook his head. He had made turistic. There was a deep, dry moat up his mind. and a bridge that led across it. Mason They were leaving the jungle, and trudged over the bridge and through Mo ambled ahead easily across the the gate. Inside, long straight streets grass-covered approach to the city. led directly toward the heart of the From here, with the first rays of the sun metropolis. The streets were smooth touching its highest towers, the city and hard as glass. The buildings, with 164 AMAZING STORIES no sign of life showing any place, looked he asked. "I came here to talk to like huge markers in a crazy sort of you." grave-yard. Above him thousands of It seemed to dawn on Freaze sud- feet in the air, the towers were inter- denly that a stranger had entered their laced with translucent highways that city. He moved toward Mason slowly, hung suspended without visible support. his belly rolling from side to side as he The sun sent thousands of colorful re- walked. flections darting about in every direc- "Fitch," he called. "Why didn't you tion. remind me that we were supposed to Mason took a deep breath and be all alone here?" walked straight into the heart of the Fitch bowed his head. deserted city. "I'm—I'm afraid it never occurred He walked about half a mile, still to me," he admitted sheepishly. marveling at the perfect architecture, Freaze bristled. when he noticed a small, three-wheeled "See that it does in the future," he vehicle moving rapidly toward him. It warned. "Why, this man may be a resembled a common bicycle with a spy." side car. The thing rolled abreast of He surveyed Mason carefully. him, and a man with a huge paunch "What are you doing in Boston," he nodded pleasantly and continued to roll asked. by. His companion, a scrawny hairless Mason gulped. individual, also ducked his head toward "Boston?" Mason and continued to stare straight Little Fitch chuckled. ahead. "He doesn't know our game," he "Hey," Mason shouted, "aren't you said. "You see, we both came from Freaze and Fitch?" Boston. It's a little less lonely if we The bicycle stopped abruptly and pretend this is Boston. Now, if you two heads jerked around to stare back came from Chicago, or somewhere else, at him. The big man who pedaled the you can call it whatever you wish. It's bike stepped off the seat and placed his really been here too long to care what hands on his hips. He was the largest you call it." man Mason had ever seen. The stom- Mason wished he had stayed in the ach rolled down almost to his knees. comparatively sane home of Edward His cheeks were puffed and red. He English. wore a tan shirt, brown knickers and a "No," he said as pleasantly as pos- golf cap. sible. "Boston is good enough for me." "I'm Freaze," he thundered. "What Fitch seemed vastly relieved. do you want?" "We thought it was a nice name," The little man in the side-car climbed he agreed. "But, why are you here?" out stiffly and edged to Freaze's side. "Yes," Freaze interrupted in an an- He also wore knickers, and his bare, gry rumble. "It's a good thing we dis- bony knees looked like two baseballs covered you." balanced between broomsticks. "But i discovered you," Mason pro-

"Yes, and I'm Fitch," the little fel- tested. "You see, I was in a plane ac- low said frostily. "What do you want?" cident." Mason sighed. He had to go all over that again. , 1_IE explained hurriedly what had "Don't you ever speak to visitors?" happened. Neither of them in- VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 165 terrupted until he finished. Then awed by the places. At last they es- Freaze came closer to him. There were corted him eagerly into a vast room be- tears in Freaze's eyes. He put a mas- low the level of the street. Through sive hand on Mason's shoulder and an inner door he could hear the hum of squeezed. huge machinery. "Tough, old man," he said. "But Freaze was in the lead as they en- who told you we could help?" tered the room filled with humming dy- "Some people I met up on the cliff," namos. Mason's eyes bulged. It was he admitted. "A Mr. English." the biggest power house he had ever Fitch shuddered. seen. Below, the dynamos turned "Don't ever mention his name again," smoothly, and in the air above, a mass he pleaded. of gears and wheels spun at great speed, "No," Freaze echoed. "The man's driving hundreds of twisting, turning quite mad. We couldn't live with him. blades. It looked like a factory of some Now, about escaping from Planta. It's kind, but what would be manufactured quite complicated. You, see the insects here, he couldn't guess. captured our air machine, and we can't With his hosts Mason circled the get it back again." room, realizing at last that he was wit- His companion started to sniffle loud- nessing something quite sane. There ly. He wiped the tears from his cheek. was nothing unbelievable about this "We worked so hard to build it," he place. He had never seen anything so said. "And the ants can't fly it. I well cared for. The men must, after don't know why they insist on fighting all, be geniuses to manage this alone. with us all the time." He turned to Freaze and saw that the An idea occurred to the ponderous big man's face was glowing proudly. Freaze. "You manage to keep this in perfect "This isn't being very hospitable to running order." our guest," he said suddenly. "We are Freaze nodded and his eyes glit- just out for an airing. Let's go back tered. and have breakfast." Mason sighed. "To think that I suspected you fel- '^"'HE building in which they lived lows were nuts. This must be some- was a small, stone affair fitted out thing left behind when the future civili- with unreasonable reproductions of a zation left. I'd like to have the plans Boston home. Nothing seemed to work, for reproducing it. I've never seen any- but an hour later Mason found himself thing so awe inspiring in my life." comfortable and full of hot coffee and Little Fitch squeezed his arm and beans. Beans, it seemed, were another Freaze nodded. earmark of Boston living, and he "We made it ourselves," he admitted learned later, the only dish that Fitch modestly. "It took a long time." had ever learned to cook. "But—that seems impossible." The pair seemed harmlessly crazy, "It isn't," Freaze assured him. "I'm and as yet had shown no signs of vio- quite clever at such things. We pon- lence. Mason decided to accept their dered over the design and changed the hospitality until some method of escape machinery that was here to fit our own from Planta presented itself. specifications. It works perfectly." With them, he made a tour of the Fitch shook his head in a bewildered city and felt himself more and more manner. 166 AMAZING STORIES

"At least, we think it does," he of- logs with deep concentration. One fered humbly. "You see, we can't be thing remained for him to do. He must

quite sure, because we've never been escape from the valley, and do it before able to make bread." his mind was lulled into accepting the "Bread?" Mason's cheeks started to insane things he had seen.

bum. He felt it coming. He placed He wondered if, in some ways, Planta both legs apart carefully and adjusted with all its backward movement, wasn't himself for the shock. preferable to a world torn asunder by "What," he asked in choked voice, war. Was there anything more insane "has bread to do with it?" than a group of countries fighting for Freaze looked genuinely stunned. peace, yet putting all their effort into "Didn't you know?" he asked in a producing death? Was Hitler any more shocked voice. "This is our own de- sane than these men who sat with him sign for a bread slicer." in the upsidedown world of Planta? He stared at the pinched, skinny figure TV/fASON studied the fire for a long time, staring at the freshly lighted .

VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 167

win (in with nil

The monster'* teeth clashed

against the metal of the hull . ,

of Fitch, then across the room at Freaze we met you were just returning from as the big man arose and added another the prison." log to the fire. Mason jerked erect. English? Pris- "Is there any chance of getting your on? air-ship away from the ants?" he asked. "You—haven't seen English?" he Fitch opened one eye, regarded him asked suspiciously. without any particular expression and Freaze chuckled and Fitch said, with

closed it again. Freaze seemed more his eyes still closed: inclined to talk. "We captured English and his daugh- "I'm not sure," he admitted. "We ter this morning after you left them. thought it over this afternoon, and we're That story about the ants getting our making arrangements to try. We had air-ship was phony. Do you think some business to attend to first, but it's we're crazy?" taken care of." Mason was about to answer in the "Business?" affirmative, but he felt it wiser to re- "English," Freaze said. "You prob- main silent. ably thought it odd that we were prowl- "We picked them up in the ship and ing about so early this morning. When they are quite comfortable in prison," 168 AMAZING STORIES

Freaze said moodily. "The girl will be very quiet. The fire died down, and handy to have around the house. I'm Freaze and Fitch snored loudly. Even sick and tired of Fitch's beans and bis- in their sleep they were perfect part- cuits. I don't know what we'll do with ners. Fitch caught the high, falsetto her father." snores and carried them down to Fitch's left eye flickered open. Freaze's deep, bass notes. Mason "There's always the bread slicer," he knew he didn't have a chance to help suggested. Faun and her father as long as he re- Mason shuddered. mained in the room. What better "Yes," Freaze agreed. "We haven't chance did he have, if he escaped? tried it out yet. Something like the old His knowledge was confined to what melodrama of the villain in the saw they had shown him. One thing was mill." clear. He'd stand a better chance to move freely once he had shaken this ^J^HEY were silent for a long time. pair of madmen from his heels. Mason, not knowing what else to do, Mason stood up cautiously, yawned continued to stare into the fire. These and stretched with both arms above his two weren't so harmless after all. They head. The action was casual, and nei- had put Faun and her father in prison ther man moved. The snoring domi- somewhere in the city. nated the room. Mason walked quietly He heard Fitch stir in his chair, but to the door, out into the hall, and moved did not look at the scrawny man. At cautiously toward the street. Once out- last Freaze's voice disturbed the silence side he started to run. When a few once more. hundred yards separated him from the "Did you feed the grasshoppers, sleeping pair, he paused in a doorway Fitch?" and caught his breath. Fitch groaned. Now he could understand why Freare "And how is the volcano growing to- and Fitch didn't get along well with Ed- day?" Freaze asked. ward English. Faun's father might be Fitch opened his eyes with an im- nuts, but at least he was harmless. His mense struggle. new hosts had spoken casually of put- "Oh for Heaven's sake, leave me ting English into the bread slicer. Ma- alone," he begged. "The grasshoppers son shuddered. It was pretty obvious have eaten one of English's cave-men that Faun's end would be no more and they are content for the night. The pleasant. volcano is growing well. Now, can I Mason didn't know one street from go to sleep?" the other in the dead city. He moved Mason wished he could go to sleep. a few blocks away from the house and Grasshoppers and volcanos? Would paused to take stock of the situation. it be possible for him to make sense out He could return to the cliff and get of that combination? He'd have to Adam's friends to help save English. try. But, could he find his way to the cliff

Although conditions in general alone? And, if he did so, would there weren't very clear, Neal Mason knew be time? Freaze and Fitch would dis- that it was his duty to help English and cover his absence sometime between his daughter. It had been their trip now and morning. here that trapped them, and he was re- The dead city was lighted partially sponsible. After an hour the room grew by a glowing red that tinged the sky. VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 169

The color seemed to grow strong, then wanted. He turned and lumbered away fade again, as Mason watched it. A sedately. The street shook beneath slight rumble shook the earth. It him, Mason followed at a fast walk, seemed to come from some spot near careful to stay out of range of Mo's tail. the outside wall. He hurried down the street after Mo Drawn by curiosity, Mason made his who seemed to know just where he was way toward the sound. He had walked going. half a mile, and the light grew brighter At last Mo halted and pushed his

as he moved toward it. neck through the entrance of a large At last he came to an open space be- building. The dinosaur tried to heave tween two tall towers. A small build- his vast bulk into the hall, but a few ing had caved in, and the pit was filled bricks fell and he remained wedged. with fiery, red lava that boiled up to While Mo was in the way, Mason the surface. The heat was terrific. couldn't get in himself. He had no Mason paused. He remembered doubt now that Faun and her father Fitch's words: were somewhere inside. "The volcano is growing nicely." He went as close as he dared to the Fitch's words made sense. Mason tail, and kicked it gently with his boot. was witnessing the birth of a volcano. Mo backed out, staring down at Mason Lava spewing over the edges of the pit, with hurt expression. Mason dashed was building up a wall already three past him into a dark hall. Inside, he feet high. Mason knew that the most could hear nothing. Mo's head came powerful force in Planta was not the back through the door and stared at few human beings who had come here. him expectantly. "Hie long neck The hellish force of the place would be swished through the darkness and indi- blamed on a small part of logic that cated that Mason should follow the had gone hog-wild. The strange valley stairs that led downward. Mason hur- contained all that was old and new, and ried across the lobby and down the a few things that even cold logic could steps at which Mo pointed. It was not unravel. even darker below the street level. He moved cautiously and at last reached a TTE WAS startled by a loud snort be- basement. hind him. Mason pivoted and a Somewhere ahead of him in the long chuckle escaped his lips. hall, he could see a light. He ran toward "Mol" it. There was a small door at the end , Dina-Mo looked ludicrous standing of the hall. The light came through a there in the dim light, his tail thump- small barred window. Thoughtlessly, ing the surface of the street. With the Mason threw the door open and stepped light of the newly born volcano on Mo's inside. face, the dinosaur looked like a dragon. Freaze and Fitch were seated calmly Mason shivered. He hadn't seen a on a long bench at one side of the cell. dragon yet. Perhaps he still had that On the other side, Edward English and little surprise in store for him. his daughter sat on the floor. From Then the meaning of Mo's presence their expressions, Mason knew he dawned upon him. wasn't alone in his grief for pulling a "The girl," he asked forgetting that blunder. Mo couldn't talk. "Where is she?" Freaze drew a long barreled gun with Mo seemed to sense what Mason a huge handle, and pointed it gravely 170 AMAZINS STORIES

at Mason's chest. along smoothly. "We entered the city "We've been expecting you," he said. just as the volcano erupted. Only a

"Rather inconsiderate, getting us up in minor eruption, but it shook things up the middle of the night." badly." "My goodness, yes," Fitch chimed "I know," he heard English say. in. "Now you've spoiled everything. "The building from which you rescued We'll have to slice you and English at us crumpled just after we escaped. I the same time. Quite bloody, don't you think the American is all right. I'm think?" worried somewhat about Faun. She Neal Mason was blind with anger. was struck on the head by a flying He owed a lot to the pair who were held brick." prisoner here. More than he could pay Mason's eyes flew open. He strug- back if he didn't make a break soon. gled to one elbow. He forgot the pistol that Freaze pointed "Faun—hurt?" at him. He forgot his personal safety English turned to him gravely.

in an attempt to help Faun. "Yes. She's still unconscious. I'm "You dim-wits," he shouted. "Now afraid the blow might effect her mind." I'm doing the talking. We're going out Mason realized at this moment just of here, and we're leaving right now. how much the girl really meant to him. ." If either of you try to stop us, I'll . . He didn't care if she was sane or crazy, Freaze had turned to Fitch, as Mason he wanted her to recover. Wanted her shouted. Fitch winked and nodded to know how much he cared for her. his head calmly. Mason tried to dodge, "I'm glad that you're feeling better, but it was too late. Freaze lifted the sir." Adam arose and rambled over pistol and a blast of fire exploded in like a huge wolf, to arrange the dressing Mason's face. He heard Faun scream on Mason's head. "Freaze and Fitch with fear, and felt as though his shoul- escaped, but my men managed to get der had suddenly shrivelled and fallen you back safely." off. Then the whole building seemed "But the volcano?" Mason asked. to shake above them, and the walls "What happened to the city?" started to crumble. English chuckled.

"Quick, outside," Fitch shouted. "The city is still there," he said. "Al-

"The volcano." though I wish it wasn't. The volcano is He knew that they were running, and only a small one. It started last night that Faun was kneeling at his side. and is growing swiftly. It may cause

Then the pain in his shoulder became trouble sooner or later, but at present it unbearable and he passed out. topples a few deserted buildings to the earth and subsides." "XX/'E HAD quite a time of it, sir," "May I see Faun now?" English Mason heard the soft cultured nodded. voice close to his elbow and opened "She's in her room," he said. "Eva, .?" his eyes. His head ached badly. He will you . . saw Adam and Eva sitting close to each Eva gathered her ponderous legs un- other. They were staring across the der her and stood up. table at Edward English. Mason closed "If youll follow me, Mr. Mason?" his eyes and sighed. He was safe again. Mason wasn't too sure of his legs. "I asked several men to help me." He walked slowly, following the huge It was Adam's voice again, droning Eva dpwn a short hall and into Faun's VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 171 room. Mason stood in the open door, every right to be here." staring down at the girl on the bed. Eva hovered over the girl for a minute, TV/TASON could feel it coming. By then retreated and closed the door be- now, he sensed the things that hind her. Mason went to the side of were to happen in Planta. They were the bed and bent close to Faun's face. always twice as bad as he thought they She was breathing evenly, eyes closed, would be, and his mind told him to pre- one soft arm stretched above her head pare for a shock. on the pillow. "Mrs. Neal Mason," the girl said She looked so helpless that Mason dreamily. wanted to pick her up and ride away Mason's body grew tense. Had he on Dina-Mo to a place where they heard correctly? could never be found again. He placed "Mrs. Neal Mason," she repeated his hand on her arm and she stirred in solemnly. "Neal, dear, you can't pre- her sleep. Her lips parted. tend you don't know me. We've spent She was regaining consciousness. so many happy hours in Buffalo." Mason rubbed her wrist gently and Mason felt the hair prickle on the watched as the wide eyes opened and back of his neck. He drew away as far stared up at him. She rose weakly on as he could, not daring to force her her elbow and stared around the room. hand from his arm. Then her eyes returned to him, and her "Faun," he said. "Faun, for God's pupils dilated with fear. sake, stop the raving, will you?" "Who are you?" She didn't seem to hear him. Mason gulped. Good Lord, had she "It's wonderful to be with you again, lost her memory? Neal." Her voice was romantically "Faun," he said gently. "Don't talk. tender. "We have had so much fun Don't tire yourself. You're very sick. together, and I'm looking forward to You need rest." doing it all over again." The fright didn't leave her face. She "Doing what?" shrank back, drawing the covers close "Riding in the barrel," she said wist- to her. fully. "Over Niagara Falls in a barrel." "Who are you?" Her eyes closed and a pensive smile "Mason," he said patiently. "Neal lighted her face. Mason. Perhaps I'd better call your "Thank God," Mason said thought- father." fully. He watched her fingers relax and He started to leave, but she grasped slip from his arm. his hand tightly in her own and held on. He left the room quietly. "Why did you call me Faun?" she whispered- "TV/TY DAUGHTER suffers under the Mason shuddered. It was worse than delusion that you are her hus- he thought. band," Edward English said sternly. "I'll call your father at once," he "It is your duty to discourage her in said. "He'll explain." every way." The girl continued to hold him tight- Mason stared out over the valley ly. toward the dead city. It was slose to "Don't go, Neal," Her voice was sud- night and shadows played across the denly tender. "I can't imagine why spires until the whole scene seemed you act so queerly. After all, you have like something out of a dream. He 172 AMAZING STORIES

thought of Faun's suggestion that they I can lead you to their air-ship. I spend their happy hours going over know something of its motors as I Niagara Falls in a barrel. The idea helped design them. I'll do everything didn't appeal to him. possible to help you out." "I'll do everything possible," he Mason wasn't listening. In the di- promised. "Just what is wrong with rection of the dead city the sky started the girl?" to glow an ugly red. The volcano was English acted surprised. building itself higher, starting to throw "Nothing," he said, "other than this out its nightly barrage of lava and foolish idea that she has had since the accident in the city." The ground rumbled slightly and the "But Planta—the animals here—the sky grew bright. way various people react? Surely you i "That volcano is going to cause plen- don't claim Planta and its inhabitants ty of trouble," he said. "You may feel are all sane?" the effects of it here sooner or later." Edward English bristled visibly. English chuckled. "And just what have we done to sug- "Freaze and Fitch will get a hot- gest that our minds aren't sound?" foot," he said. "The volcano will never Mason remembered something he had be large enough to effect us." heard in college. When a person is en- As he spoke, Mason could see the tirely sane, he sometimes worries about distant rim of fire growing higher into going crazy. Actually, the very fact the air. Last night it was a few feet

that he worries about it is a pretty good above ground. Now it had risen until

sign that he is normal. On the con- even at a distance, the rim seemed doz- trary, the person who never doubts his ens of feet in the air. own soundness of mind, is perhaps mov- "I'd like to start as soon as possible," ing in the wrong direction. For exam- he said. "If we could reach that air- ple, he thought, I've seen a Napoleon ship tonight, I'd get out of here and t at the state institute who never for an stop imposing on your hospitality. instant doubted that he personally English was visibly pleased with the fought Wellington at Waterloo. idea. English was like that. To him, the "No hurry," he said. "We will wait valley was a normal place. Therefore, until morning." English himself couldn't even stand Mason grimaced in the darkness. Mason's reference to the subject. Ma- English wasn't in a hurry, but he in- son wondered dully if there was any tended to see Mason out of the valley way of curing the girl. before another twenty-four hours "I suppose you haven't discarded passed. Mason didn't mind much, ex- your plan of escape from Planta," Ed- cept for Faun. He lay awake a long ward English asked almost too eagerly. time that night, wondering about Ed- "No," Mason admitted. He won- ward English's charming, slap-happy dered why English had been so anxious daughter. for him to stay before. Now he seemed ready and willing for him to get out ^X7"HEN morning came, it seemed speedily. almost impossible to venture into "I'm glad," English admitted. "You the valley where Freaze and Fitch had aren't safe now, because Freaze and hidden their machine. Mason awoke Fitch will try to kill you again. I think early and went out to the ledge that VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 173 overlooked the valley. us. I'm quite sure we are all safe, but Nature had gone mad again. The if anything should happen to the val- ." sky was filled with bits of flying pum- ley . . ice and the sun was blotted out almost "We might make an escape in the completely. In the dimness of the ship," Mason suggested. valley he could see the faint outline of English didn't answer. He had dis- a huge mountain. The top of the moun- appeared hurriedly into the cave. tain was seething with molton rock. Lava flowed steadily over the rim of the 'Y'HE air was terrible. Mason held huge crater, and spread out below. tightly to Mo's back, his arm

The volcano had grown to jutt size around the girl. English was sitting overnight. behind them, trying to pretend the Mason turned toward the cave to whole thing didn't trouble him. The arouse the others, but English was al- valley wasn't pleasant, but the air was ready his out. on way still clear enough to breath. choking coughing The man was and "The air-ship is hidden east of the of the filled air. because dust city," English said. "If Freaze and ." "For Heaven's sake, Mason . . Fitch haven't already escaped, we will English stopped short, staring down find it there." at the thing that took place below them. Mason couldn't quite understand on alarmingly. His mouth dropped open what terms he should accept Faun after "Talk of a volcano, there it is," and her declaration of last night. She solemnly. "Everything Mason said hadn't spoken since they started. Her happens in this place." eyes darted suspiciously toward her The sky was growing black. The father, then into the semi-twilight of roar the growing mountain steady of the dust laden air. Her grip on Mason's killed every other sound. arm remained firm. The valley of Planta couldn't stand Mo turned away from the trail and many hours of this. They would all started to push his way through dense be doomed. jungle. For a long time none of them said it couldn't "But—but I hap- spoke. Then the roar of the volcano pen," English protested. "It's impos- stopped and the dust started to settle. sible. The air was better, and they stopped Mason nodded. at a stream for a drink. "Supposing you go down and tell it," Toward noon the country cleared he suggested dryly. "I've seen vol- and they found themselves on an open canos, but I've never watched one be- meadow. Mason recognized places he ing born. Perhaps this is not the cor- had seen when he first came to the rect procedure." valley. English turned back to the cave. Ahead of them the flash of metal "We will arouse the others," he said. touched by the returning sun caught "How about the air-ship?" Mason his eye. English kicked Mo gently on asked. "Weren't you going to lead me the side and Mo moved forward more to it this morning?" swiftly. The air-ship, a bright cigar English shrugged and looked appre- shaped thing sat on the floor of a small hensively into the maw of swirling gully. Mason stared with admiration darkness below. as Mo eased his bulk down into the "Perhaps I'd better take Faun with gully and stopped. The ship was a 174 AMAZING STORIES dream craft of the future. Mason felt the girl shrink against "Be careful when you approach," him. English's voice was low. "They may "I don't think I understand," he said be here already." slowly. Mason followed him to the ground "Then I'll make it clear," Freaze said and helped Faun down. She held his loudly. "We three left our home to- hand tightly and they walked toward gether." He pronounced 'our home' the ship. Mo remained where he was, haltingly as though seeking the right his neck swinging back and forth ryth- words. "We stole Faun together and mically. she belongs to all of us. That's fair, English reached the door. He drew isn't it?" it open, then stood there, his expres- Mason's mind was working a mile sion changing from triumph to deadly a minute. They had kidnapped the fear. girl. Then she wasn't necessarily crazy "Freaze!" at all. He thought of the reference The ponderous bulk of Freaze eased Freaze made to 'our home.' out of the door. He held his huge pistol "You didn't escape yourselves, did before him, aimed straight at English's you?" he asked calmly. "Perhaps from chest. a place with barred windows and high "Step inside, folks," he said in a walls?" hearty, welcoming voice. "You walk Freaze's eyes became cunning. He into more traps, don't you?" turned and stared at English. Fitch'3 Fitch's voice came from within. thin face appeared at the door of the "Come on in Mr. English. The vol- ship. cano is quite a problem, isn't it? We "Be careful, Freaze," Fitch cau- thought we'd meet you here, because tion. "He's trying to trap you." we were careful to let you know where Freaze's gaze returned to Mason. the ship was kept." "He isn't trapping anyone," he said The three of them stood in the sun- coldly. "Sure we escaped from a place light near the door, watching Freaze's like you describe. They all think we're weapon and wondering what would hap- crazy. We aren't crazy. We like Plan- pen next. It took a lot of nonsense to ta and we understand it. You're going bewilder Mason, but this was the end to escape, sure enough. Escape through to all of it. Something in Freaze's eyes the door of the ship when we've gone told him that Freaze meant to use the a mile or two above the valley. It pistol, and use it soon. won't hurt. You won't even feel the earth when you hit it." "T OOK here," Mason said. "I'll see Mason's teeth clicked together tight- that you all get rewarded for the ly. His fists clenched. The girl at his job of getting me out of there. You side seemed to understand. She threw haven't anything against English's her arms tightly around his waist. daughter or myself. How about let- "You can't kill Mr. Mason," she ting us go." said quietly. "He's my husband." Freaze's eyes flashed dangerously. Freaze pivoted toward English. "English's daughter," he bustled for- "Is she married? Is she telling the ward, pushing English aside. "Faun's truth?" our daughter, at least as much as she Edward English smiled. He smiled is English's. deliberately, as though he had just VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 175 played a fine joke on someone and in- to Edward English how the huge tur- tended to get the full benefit of it. ret-guns were fired. Freaze dragged "Yes," he said calmly. "Adam mar- Mason down the corridor talking ex- ried them last night. They are man and citedly as he ran. wife." "We are unable to take off. The in- Freaze seemed stunned. The pistol sects have been trying to break their hung loosely in his grasp. He turned way into the ship for some time. For to Mason and two large tears welled a while we were able to keep them up and dripped down his cheeks. away with our side arms. We have two "Married," he gulped solemnly. heavy cannon turrets, but it takes two ." "And all the time I had hoped . . men to load and fire them. We're all Mason wondered what had prompted in this together, you know." English to say what he had. There Mason had no intention of refusing must be a terrible hatred among these to help. They reached the stern of the men. A hatred that made English's ship and Freaze led the way up through words a gesture of triumph. an intricate system of ladders into the Little Fitch stepped out of the ship small turret. and walked to Freaze's side. He patted Mason was amazed at what few de- him on the shoulder. tails he had seen inside the ship. The "There, there," he said. "This com- turret was large enough to hold two plicates matters little. We can straight- men. It swung about swiftly in any en out everything by killing the hus- direction simply by pressing the turn- band." ing lever with the foot. Freaze seated Freaze brightened. himself in the revolving saddle of the "That's right," he admitted. "Now, gun and drew down the lever that

if you'll all step inside, we can take off." opened the barrel. "Just watch me, and when I fire, re- TN THE next half hour, Neal Mason load from the shell carrier that comes had little opportunity to plan es- up from below," he howled. cape. Freaze threw him into a small Mason threw a shell into the breach cabin and locked the door. For some and stepped back. His eyes were on time he thought the ship had taken the narrow slits of the turret watching off. He heard the motors roar fitfully, the scene outside the ship. As he then die down to a smooth hum. The watched, the enormous head of a grass- ship rolled over slightly and rocked hopper reared into sight and felt the back and forth. impact of the mammoth insect as it Then a loud commotion came from came down forcefully against the outer the corridor. The door to Mason's cell armor of the ship. At that instant, flew open and Freaze rushed in. Freaze swore and let go a charge di- "You'll have to help us." His expres- rectly into the grasshopper's underside. sion was desperate. "The insects are The thing crumpled up and slipped attacking." slowly out of sight. Mason knew enough about the in- At the far end of the ship, the other sects to realize that, were they all the cannon opened up on a monster that size of the ants he had seen, the ship was at least the size of the ship itself. was in for trouble. The crawling alligator, like a lizard, Outside the cell Fitch was running ex- shot out a tongue that wrapped around citedly up and down trying to explain the turret and threatened to tear it 176 AMAZING STORIES

from its moorings. At that instant, ble. A black curtain hid it from sight, Fitch and Edward English evidently and as he watched, fire shot thousands got their cannon working, because of feet into the sky, and floated down three shots came in rapid succession, like bloody rockets. blowing the tongue into red, bloody The ship lurched into an upright po- shreds. The lizard backed away and sition, and before he could grasp the roared in pain. It scuttled into the situation, the earth was falling rapidly jungle, leaving broken and uprooted away below them. trees in its wake. They were flying. Flying so swiftly that the earth T-TOW long Mason fought, he didn't seemed to fade away below at a dizzy know. Each moment seemed a pace. Rising above the valley, Mason repetition of the last. The guns were stared back and thanked his. stars that never cool, and the insect horde swept the ship had finally taken off. toward them endlessly. Everything below the rim of the cliffs The giant ants were here and their was covered by black, pumice-like dust. solid, armored bodies were difficult to Out of the dust, the flames of the vol- knock out. Mason watched the pon- cano roared with increasing power. derous Freaze closely. Freaze was be- Even to the last, Planta had remained ginning to wear down under the battle. true to its history of doing things Finally he had enough. He climbed wrong. A volcano, mountainous in pro- out of the gun-saddle and turned a portions, had been born in a few short sweating, dirty face to Mason. days. A volcano in which Nature out- "This isn't getting us anyplace. did herself and destroyed the other Fitch couldn't get the ship off the things she had worked so hard to build. ground. I'm going to try it. If you can keep the gun going alone, we might TN THE control room of the sky ship, be able to break loose." Mason, Freaze and Fitch, English Mason nodded and took his place in and his daughter met for a conference. the saddle. Freaze tossed in a shell and Freaze acted as spokesman. He was climbed down the ladder into the body ill' at ease, but seemed determined to of the ship. For the next ten minutes, see that justice was done.

Mason loaded and fired the gun alone. "Fitch and I have been thinking it It was a slow, back-breaking job, but over," he admitted, "and we've talked it worked. with English about it. We think we'll The insects were drawing away grad- return to the United States and give ually, reluctant to face the death metted ourselves up." out from the two turrets. As he loaded Mason, taken completely by surprise, for the tenth time, Mason heard the was amazed by Freaze's words. engines turning over slowly somewhere "But—I thought you were English. up front. Then the sound increased That you came from somewhere in to a roar of power and fire shot from England?" the exhaust tanks of the stern. Fitch chuckled. Now he knew why the insects were "We came from Brooklyn," he said. retreating. The sky was growing dark "At least, from a place just outside of once more with volcanic dust. He Brooklyn. Faun, that's just what we turned the turret until he could look in call her, is a nurse. Her real name is the direction of the city. It wasn't visi- Sally—Sally Peters." VALLEY OF DELIRIUM 177

Mason turned swiftly to Edward rage. We all think that you should English. marry Sally just as soon as we get "Is he telling the truth?" back." "Back?" Mason asked. "Back To his amazement, Sally herself an- where?" swered him. Freaze consulted the instrument pan- "He certainly is." She crossed the el on the wall. tiny room and looped her arm through "Back to the States," he said. "We're Mason's. "Perhaps I ought to say a about five hundred miles off New York few words at this confession party. I right now." was in charge of these three men at the "But why do you want to return," institution. Honestly, Neal, you Mason asked. "It will be safe to leave

wouldn't believe it, but they're three us and escape before the authorities find swell fellows. I knew they planned to you." escape, and I just humored them and Edward English sighed. pretended not to know." "We're tired of wandering around," Fitch chuckled. he admitted. "It used to be so quiet "She thought we were going to run before we escaped." away where we could be easily caught, "So quiet," Fitch echoed. but we fooled her. We asked her to go along, and she promised to do it. But piTCH, Freaze and English were when she found out we had stolen an safely in New York. Mason, with airplane, she got scared." one arm around the girl at his side, the Mason looked at Sally Peters and other at the controls of the cigar shaped the girl smiled. air-ship, sighted Lake Erie and figured "They were clever. They took me his bearings for the Buffalo airport. aboard the plane and I tried to talk It wasn't officially recorded what re- them out of the idea. I talked to them ception the strange ship received, but

for a long time. In fact, until we it can be imagined the greeting Neal crashed in Planta." Mason and his bride got upon landing "But—why did you act so strangely in Buffalo after the first stage of their when I was with you," Mason asked. honeymoon trip was completed. "You could have told me. Instead you Sally Peters, now Sally Mason, seemed as—as odd as they were." waited proudly as her husband greeted "I know," Sally admitted. "But, I friends who had given him up for dead. had a job. I had to take care of these Then, with the ship in the hands of three until somehow we could return. curious engineers and mechanics, the I pretended to enter into all their newlyweds retired to a hotel room schemes, because I knew they were over-looking Niagara Falls, and pro- harmless to each other. But you were ceeded to forget all about the idea of an outsider, and if I paid any attention going over the falls in a barrel. to you, they'd all be angry. I tried to Neal Mason's return to the airport act as I thought they'd want me to." on the following afternoon can be re- Edward English chuckled* corded by reporters who were there at "Only a madman can act like a mad- the time, clambering all over the ship man,' he said. "We thought Sally and predicting that it was a new secret looked pretty silly. Last night, when weapon designed by Mason's employ- I told Freaze and Fitch that you two ers. * weren't really married, they flew into a Mason himself had carelessly 178 AMAZINS STORIES

dropped the remark that the ship would "But it's simple," Mason insisted. probably be valuable to the war effort. "They showed me how to work the con- To find out how valuable it was, he trols and I flew it in from New York." went at once to the office of the Chief Waters shook his head. Engineers, and confronted Charlie Wa- "You, nor any other man, could fly

ters, the big boss. that tin cigar. There isn't a part in it Waters was a robust, red faced little that makes sense. It must have been man who had designed a dozen fine tossed together by a maniac. I tell you,

planes. His expression told Neal that Mason, it won't even fly. something was wrong before they ex- Mason was getting angry.

changed words. "But it did. I flew it myself." "Did you have a chance to look the Charlie Waters shook his head slowly job over?" Mason asked. back and forth. Charlie Waters nodded. "I'm sorry, Neal, but the thing hasn't "Well, what's the verdict? At least a single feature that makes sense. If

I brought something home to make up I saw you land in it myself, I'd still for wrecking a good plane." claim it couldn't be done. Better go Waters shrugged. home and stick to flying our crates,

"Don't let this come as a shock, Neal. That hunk of junk won't sell for

Neal," he begged. "But if you'll ex- the cost of the metal that's in it." plain to us how that ship works, we'll All of which proves it's the other be glad to copy your plans." man who's crazy.

S SCIENTISTS

By ALEXANDER BLADE

The man who discovered that water was composed of two gases—among many other and more brilliant discoveries in physics and chemistry

HENRY CAVENDISH, English chemist attention of his fellows. His dinner was ordered and physicist, was born at Nice, France, daily by a note placed on the hall table, and his on October 10, 1731. He was sent to women servants were instructed to keep out of school at Hackney in 1742 and in 1749 entered Pe- his sight on pain of dismissal. terhouse, Cambridge, which he left in 1753, with- In person he was tall and rather thin; his out taking a degree. Until he was about 40 he dress was old-fashioned and singularly uniform, had only a very moderate allowance from his and was inclined to be shabby about the times father, but then he was left a fortune which made when the precisely arranged visits of his tailor him one of the richest men of his time. were due, He had a slight hesitation in his He was a regular attendant at the meetings of speech, and his air of timidity and reserve was the Royal Society, of which he became a fellow almost ludicrous. He never married. He died in 1760, and he dined every Thursday with the at Clapham on February 24, 1810, leaving funded club composed of its members. Otherwise he had property worth £700,000, and a landed estate of little intercourse with society; indeed, his chief £8,000 a year, together with canal and other prop- object in life seems to have been to avoid the erty, and £50,000 at bis bankers'. He was buried VIGNETTES OF FAMOUS SCIENTISTS 179

in the family vault at All Saints' church, Derby; 20 miles or so of the surface. in 1927 this church became the cathedral church Cavendish's scientific work was wide in its of the new diocese of Derby and it was decided range. The papers he himself published form an to erect a monument there to Henry Cavendish. incomplete record of his researches, for many of In the department of chemistry Cavendish the results he obtained only became generally made the discovery—very astonishing at the time known years after his death; yet the Institute —that water was composed of the two gases, hy- of France in 1803 chose him as one of its eight drogen and oxygen, which, in his day, were known foreign associates. as phlogiston and dephlogisticated air. His work on electricity, with the exception of In the department of physics, following a sug- two papers containing relatively unimportant mat- gestion made by a clerical friend, the Rev. John ter, remained in the possession of the Devonshire Mitchell, he devised in 1798 an apparatus which family until 1879, when the papers were edited by enabled him to determine with considerable ac- James Clerk. Maxwell as the Electrical Researches curacy the specific gravity or density of the globe. of the Hon. Henry Cavendish. This work shows This consisted of a thin and symmetrical metallic that Cavendish had anticipated the researches of rod. suspended horizontally at its center by a Coulomb, Faraday and others. He investigated silk thread, and carrying at its extremities two the capacity of cendensers and constructed a se- small balls of lead. When this rod came to rest ries of condensers with which he measured the its compass direction was accurately noted with capacity of various pieces of apparatus using the a surveyor's telescope. Directly underneath it "inch of electricity" as the unit of capacity. He was a revolving table or frame, the pivot of discovered specific inductive capacity and meas- which coincided exactly with the prolongation of ured this quantity; he showed that electric charges the suspending thread of the rod. When now are confined to the surface of a conductor and larger balls of metal, of known weight and den- that the inverse square law of force between sity, were placed on the table, and by revolving charges holds to within 2%. Cavendish intro- the latter, were brought into the vicinity of the duced the idea of potential under the name of small lead balls on the rod, more or less de- "degree of electrification," in a paper published flection of the latter from its compass position in 1771, under the title "Attempt to explain some occurred, due to the mutual attraction, and the of the principal phenomena of electricity by amount of this deflection was easily measurable. means of an elastic fluid." He investigated the With the data so supplied it was possible to com- power of different substances to conduct electro- pute the attraction that would be exercised by a static discharges and completed an exhaustive en- mass the size of the earth, and thus determine quiry which amounted to an anticipation of Ohm's its density. The figure worked out by Cavendish law. was 5.45, which is slightly below that of later Cavendish took up the study of heat, and had investigators. The accepted figure is S.59. he published his results promptly he might have The meaning of this figure is that the earth anticipated Joseph Black as the discoverer of weighs 5.6 as much as it would weigh if consist- latent heat and specific heat. He published a ing entirely of water. Knowing its shape and paper on the freezing point of rnercury in 1783 dimensions, and the weight of a unit of water, and in this paper he expresses doubt of the fluid it is a simple matter to arrive at the conclusion theory of heat. that its total weight is in the vicinity of 141,000,- Other publications of his later years dealt 000,000,000,000 tons of 2000 pounds each. with the height of an aurora seen in 1784, and It has been estimated that the outer crust of an improved method of graduating astronomical the earth—say the outer 20 to 25 miles in depth instruments. Cavendish also had a taste for of its substance—has a density of about 2.5. If geology, and made several tours in England for its density as a whole is 5.6, it follows logically the purpose of gratifying it. that towards the interior the density must gradu- A life by George Wilson, printed for the Cav- ally or suddenly increase, to compensate for its endish Society in 1831, contains an account of comparatively surface lightness. Hence, it is be- his writings, both published and unpublished, to- lieved that the core of the globe is a mass of gether with a critical enquiry into the claims of metal which, at the exact center, probably has ail the alleged discoverers of the composition of the density of the heaviest of them, uranium, water. Some of his instruments are preserved in which is 18.6S. From the varying rate of trans- the Cavendish Physical Laboratory at Cambridge, mission of the vibrations of earthquake shocks which was built by the 7th duke of Devonshire. around and through different sections of the globe, The remainder of Cavendish's papers were Professor Weichert has concluded that the earth's placed at the disposal of the Royal Society by core is a mass of metal 5580 miles in diameter, the Duke of Devonshire. In 1921 the previously and of about the weight of iron or steel, sur- published work, together with a number of un- runded by a stone shell some 030 miles thick, published experiments appeared under the title: around which is a molten liquid or plastic layer The Scientific Papers of the Honourable Henry of about 166 miles in thickness, extending within Cavendish, F.R.S.

IT WOULD seem that travel

to the planets is only a matter of motive power—and here was the power!

A technical supper, several years who had been snorting to himself about AT ago, the conversation turned to the "nonsense" under discussion. * the subject of gas turbines, and "Speaking of turbines, do you re- from there, to rocket-ships. Some of member the experimental turbo-genera- the younger engineers seemed to be tor set that we bought from Hamburg lieve that perfection of the latter would in 1927? No? Well, it wasn't given almost inevitably lead to space-travel, much publicity, so I wouldn't be sur- and an argument arose over the feasi- prised if I am the only person well ac- bility of attempting such transporta- quainted with that case."

tion even if suitable motive power Silence crept around the table, and should be discovered. the old engineer began his tale. An elderly gentleman from Mid-West Utilities puffed on his cigar in amused VyE NEEDED a central station for

silence, and then addressed a colleague South Chicago and Northern Illi- 181 182 AMAZING STORIES nois that could supply cheaper power of generators hadn't come yet, but we than the scattered local plants, and set up the boiler and turbine. The lat- spent considerable time with consult- ter had been designed for vertical opera- ants and design men trying to pick out tion, and we placed the condensers in the proper installation. It was sug- a pit beneath it, diverting the flow of gested that we look abroad for one the creek through them, and discharg- which might possibly be more economi- ing into the city system. cal. We found that Deutsche Waffen- It was necessary to warm up the tur- fabrik had been experimenting with bine for at least a week during installa- steel that would stand up under work- tion to get the mounts adjusted for such ing temperatures of over 1000° F, with- a large unit. out perceptible creep from loads of sev- eral tons per square inch. QN THE night of January 4, 1928,

When material with these character- when I turned the plant over to J. istics was made available, naturally one A. Nemo for the night shift, the mon- of the first applications was for con- strous turbine was humming calmly in struction of boilers and turbine casings. its bed, encased in its thick asbestos- Since there was nothing particularly cement insulation. I had a room in a urgent about our needs, we sent an engi- hotel, about three blocks from the Park, neer and a metallurgist to Europe to and at 4 o'clock in the morning I was make an investigation. They reported awakened by an explosion which broke that a rather remarkable radial-reac- my windows, and nearly knocked me tion turbine had been constructed under out of bed. When I reached the plant, Jungstrom-Schmidt patents, and that a few minutes later, I found the turbine the first five test models had averaged gone, the boiler a hundred yards down 200,000 kw. output with an engine effi- the creek, and nothing left of the plant ciency of 94%| but the heavy concrete foundation with If you consider this an impossibility, the erection girder frame standing over remember that the steam entered the the steaming condenser pit. turbine header at 5000 p.s.i. and about By dawn, when the heavy clouds of 1250° F. Yes, that's what I said, and steam and coal dust had cleared, a thor- if you want the details of the construc- ough search was made, but not the tion, I believe the Swiss Engineering slightest trace was found of either the

Bulletin carried a report on that model. turbine or poor J. A. The three opera- We placed an order through one of tors who were on the night shift with our customers who had subsidiary duty- him were found unconscious up the free trade agreements, and found that creek, where they had gone to find out either two turbines or one turbine with why the flow of the creek had decreased. two generators were available, but not When they recovered, they said that the the two complete sets that we wanted, condenser pressure had gone up consid- so we ordered one boiler and two tur- erably because an unprecedented freeze bines from them, and sent a man to had reduced flow in the creek. Westinghaus to order the rest of our In view of later occurrences, I'm in- equipment. clined to think that this is what hap- It was six months before our first pened: As the temperature in the con- turbine arrived, with the boiler and fit- densers rose, the pressure went up too, tings, and we set up the plant in Wald- and the expansion of the steam in the ham Park near the creek. Our first pair turbine soon dropped off. The steam, TWIRL MY TURBINE, MAN ALIVEI 183

however, kept on coming, pumped by went a mile underground to look at it. the blades of the whirling rotors, whose The only explanation I could devise tremendous inertia kept them spinning for this phenomenon is that the super- on their bearings. Seeing what was hap- heated water in the header supplied pening, J. A. must have turned up the steam to the turbine after it was blown coal burners to fuse the tubes, and out of the plant, and the return flow ex- closed off the steam and water lines, hausted it at high velocity from the bot- since he couldn't find the manual blow- tom of the turbine, giving the unit tre- off valves, and the action of any sort of mendous acceleration and allowing it to automatic safety valve would have to be escape the Earth's gravitational field. hastened. Evidently the latter were The intense cold of empty space gradu- non-existent, for the condensers soon ally froze the exhaust steam into a solid carried a higher pressure than the plug in the tube, which wasn't covered boiler. with two feet of asbestos cement like As the rotors slowed down, the con- the rest of the unit. Prior to this time, densers blew up under the turbine, the spinning of the rotors provided a slugging water around 1200 degrees gyroscopic action which kept the unit back through the turbine, where it piled pointing straight "up," but now it must up in the large header, and jammed the have floated around the Earth at some balance piston back into the intake distance beyond the moon. valve. Since no pieces of the casing About two years later, it started fall- were found, it must have been blown ing toward the Sun, and the tremendous straight up, guided by the erection heat melted the ice on the exhaust and frame which towered for fifty feet above probably superheated the steam in the it. header, whose contents of several cubic

Do I know where it came down? Yes, yards of water were still more than half I was fortunate enough to be on the there. As the unit accelerated, the ro- spot. The turbine broke into the fourth tor action stabilized it on the tangent to level of a tin mine where I was install- its path, and it shot past the Sun, to ing new power and air equipment. return to me in Java, which part of Oh no, I wasn't working on two jobs Earth is nearest the Sun at that time at once. I had left the States, and was of year. in Java in June, 1930, which was where Yes, it was the same turbine, because and when I next met our turbine. the insulation I had plastered on it, and

No, I'm not hinting that the 20-ton which had kept it from being fused by unit took two and a half years to fly the heat of Sun and atmospheric fric- half way round the world, I'm telling tion, was found in the top of the hole you it left the world completely! My it made when it entered the mine. And reason for believing this, is the fact that if J. A. was standing on the exhaust the turbine rotors were still spinning, valve when the explosion occurred, he and some cool, low-pressure steam was must have been the first man to leave drifting from the exhaust tubes when I the Earth on a rocket!

MYSTERY OF LEMURIA SOLVED?

Beginning with "1 Remember Lomurial" (see page 12) this magazine will present the most amazing series of stories of Lemur! a ever published. The "true" story of a man who possesses what science calls racial memory. Judge for yourself how true they are. Some of the things you read will stagger youl READ THE LEMURIAN REVELATIONS IN THIS AND COMING ISSUES! THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS

By CONSTANCE R. DOWD

DON'T suppose Sir Arthur Edding- sons to have the defendant tear down I ton cares if through his fault I have the spite fence he has erected. It de- insomnia. Being an astronomer, he prives my client of light. It interferes will doubtless consider that such an ail- with the free passage of air over his

ment provides me with an excellent op- estate. But chiefly, it takes away from portunity to study the Milky Way and him without due process of law his in- beyond, familiar territory to him. alienable right to observe—when other In the chapter he has contributed to conditions are favorable—the confor- Harlow Shapley's delightful book, "A mation of his own cranium." Treasury of Science," Sir Arthur shows On top of Mount Everest, a barber himself to be completely at home among shop might thrive. "Here, without mir- galaxies and spiral nebulae. He speaks rors, watch us cut your hair to your own with authority of 300 million light satisfaction. Stocking caps, however, years, and I do not dispute his figures; must be removed. The management is and of temperatures of about five mil- not responsible for the untimely arrival lion degrees centigrade, and I am en- of snow, or of dust in interstellar space." tirely willing to drop so hot a subject. However, when he brings the back of 'JTlUS I went on thinking that at last my head into his calculations, that is astronomers were on the threshold different. For one thing, momentarily I of something really big. The ability to understand what he is talking about. see behind while keeping eyes to the Space is spherical says Sir Arthur. front would be of inestimable value in "If you go straight ahead in any direc- war as well as in peace, a secret weapon tion, you will return to your starting that would cost the taxpayer nothing. point. So if you look far enough in With my blood hissing in my veins any direction and there is nothing in the from pure excitement, I picked up my way you ought to see . . . the back of reading of Sir Arthur again. "So if you your head." look far enough in any direction and To me, this appeared a remarkably there is nothing in the way you ought diverting idea. I could fancy myself to see the back of your head. Well . . . speaking to a woman in front of me in not exactly, because light takes at least the theater. "Please remove your hat, 6000 million years to travel round the madam. You are impeding my view of universe and your head was not there the back of my head." Of course, she when it started." would not be the only impediment, but "Well ... not exactly V I should she would be the nearest one. have known. There it was—the fly in A lawyer might argue to the Court. the ointment, the monkeywrench in the "My client, your honor, is a reasonable stratosphere. I could hear Sir Arthur man. He seeks for several good rea- laughing, "6000 million years—at least YOU GET NOWHERE

SPACE is curved, so

they say! Will astrono-

mers ever succeed in see-

ing all the way around?

haw-haw-haw, at least ho-ho-ho." If sleeplessness became torture. I was after his first tantalizing prediction, he racked with it for interminable weeks. planned to cause such a cosmic disap- But at length understanding came. The pointment, he might have omitted the trouble, I concluded, is not with Sir extra emphasis. Arthur's conception of the universe, but From the moment I read his words with the life span permitted to the hu- I became a victim of insomnia. I could man race. The first hundred years you not lie down on my pallet without in get nowhere. We need 6000 million my mind's eye seeing a ray of light years for the accomplishment of this

• flash round space. Always in its jour- project. ney it touched a black ball that bobbed Impossible? Why impossible? I into sight and disappeared at once. And answered myself. Man's life expec- I knew that was my head. tancy is growing. Barring accidents or This went on for some nights while I disaster, and with the aid of science, tossed and turned and sought some way man might live to an unpredictably old to justify Sir Arthur's assertion that by age. At least, I said determinedly, I looking far enough in any direction I wUI assume such a possibility. could see the back of my head. At last, I reasoned the matter out. ^pHAT night I closed my eyes and My head was not there when light put myself in the right frame of started. Well, I argued to myself after mind. Tonight, I murmured, I am go- making sure, my head is here now. Why ing to live 6000 million years and dem- not begin with the present? Suppose I onstrate what can be achieved in such commence looking in one direction into a period. Mentally once more I looked the void now? But, no. I soon realized into space and my gaze began to tra- this would not do either. If I lived to verse it with the speed of light. It be seventy, eighty or even a century whizzed through the Solar System, on old, my gaze would have completed only and into the Milky Way, through galax- a tiny segment of a circuit of the uni- ies of stars of the existence of which verse before death closed my eyes. no man knows. Centuries fled behind At this point in my investigations, my glance. Three thousand million 186 AMAZING STORIES years and it was half way, rocketing fooling myself. 6000 million years is through wheeling coils of stars, half not enough for me to see the back of blinded by the light of enormous suns, my head, for anyone to see the back of squinting at millions of worlds, slashed his head. Even as I fling my glance at by comets but unwavering still, on through space, space itself is expanding and on while ages poured behind, back in every direction. The necessary route through the crowded Milky Way, past my glance must travel grows longer by the sun again, the moon—Then—then the second at a dizzy rate. mind I saw it. The back of my own head. Last night was ghastly. In my It was bald except for one snowy lock I started out to see the back of my head which over my left ear, but I recognized it by once more, and as the light with the depression shaped like a footprint my gaze traveled commenced its spher- that I have at the base of my skull. The ical circuit round the universe, the back of my own head. At last. Sir universe itself swelled and swelled, Arthur was right. With 6000 million dragging my glance farther and farther years of life and no obstacles in the from its intended destination. It was tortoise, way, it could be done. Smiling, I fell something like Achilles and the into deep, dreamless sleep. only far, far worse because there was Yesterday afternoon, I woke feeling no trick to this. fine. Sir Arthur Eddington's pronounce- ments could trouble me no more. I ate '"TODAY I rose at dawn weary of a a hearty supper of soy beans and oleo, fruitless quest and not daring to took a friendly glance at the stars, and think what faces me tonight; FOR TO- settled down to progress a little farther NIGHT THE UNIVERSE WILL BE in "A Treasury of Science." LARGER THAN LAST NIGHT. My As luck would have it, the book gaze will be farther than ever from the opened to the chapter by Sir Arthur back of my head. Eddington, and I read again a section I The whole project is a hoax of the had read before but words that now first magnitude. I feel frustrated, took on a new and terrible meaning. weary, disillusioned and indignant. "The remarkable thing that has been What did innocent readers of Sir discovered," he says, "is that the galax- Arthur's words ever do to make them ies (beyond the Milky Way) are run- deserve the fate into which he has

ning away from our own galaxy . . . cajoled them by empty promises? 6000 they are also running away from each million years at least AT LEAST— ho-ho-ho! this Eddington expect other. . . . For reasons which I can- Does not discuss fully we believe that along to go on perpetrating this cosmic fraud? with the expansion of the material uni- Good Lord, does be think we are all

verse there is an expansion of space it- pseudo-scientists ? self." I have in the course of my research The universe, in other words, is GET- made allowances for him a number of TING BIGGER AND BIGGER. times, but I am not going to accept, "The nebulae," he remarks casually, lying down, this final strain on my san- "will recede to double their present dis- ity. This afternoon I assembled at a tances in 1300 million years." convenient spot a group of citizens who For a moment I couldn't grasp what trusted Sir Arthur Eddington, uncon- I was reading. Then the awfulness of scious that they did so at their peril. my dilemma struck me. I have been Together we will wait on him at the !

THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS YOU SET NOWHERE 187 earliest opportunity armed with lead in observatory. Hiding will be useless. pipes about the size of small telescopes. We are prepared to spend 6000 million

Our spirit is united; our intentions, years — at least — Ho-ho-ho ! — in this philanthropic; our aim, revenge. search. We can afford a long hunt; we Sir Arthur, we will hunt you down need spare no expense. We are sub- wherever you are, on mountain top or sidized by a rear view mirror company. CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK? By CARTER T. WAINWRIGHT

HAVE you ever watched the boastful pride natural preference for either hand. exhibited by a new parent at the growth Finally, the same tendency has been tested by and development o£ the newborn infant? presenting objects after the act of reaching has Every mother and father is convinced that their been established. After the age of 120 days a child is particularly bright and brilliant, bound child will reach for an object to which he has to be a genius or president of bis country some been positively conditioned. ' Any brightly col- day. They are especially prideful when they can ored object will do. The experimenter stands point to the activities of their children that show directly in front of the child and extends the ob- they are a "chip off the old block." If Junior ject slowly at the level of the eyes and on a scratches his nose like Daddy does, or his grin is line between the two hands. When the object whimsical like his mother's, the parent involved is within reach the child will extend the right, points it out as evidence of the child's inherited or left, or both hands, and. this movement is action because of its parenthood. Science, how- noted. A comparison and analysis of the results ever, being cold and unemotional, sometimes goes show that from the age of SO days to one year to great length to point out the real reasons for or more there is no steady or uniform handed- the child's action and it often makes us blush. ness. Take the question of left or right handedness. Why, then, is society right-handed? That ques-

It is often assumed that it is an hereditary char- tion is indeed dependent on many traditional acteristic of man that causes him to become right- habits. We teach the child to shake hands with or left-handed. "It's in the blood" or "Just like his right hand, to wave "bye bye" with his right his old man" are the phrases usually heard in this hand, and we force it to eat with the right hand connection—but science says no which is certainly enough to account for hand- Here are some of the experiments conducted edness. by psychologists to test this very interesting phe- Historically speaking, the legend of the strong nomena. Measurements of right and left ana- right arm is well established. In primitive times tomical structure such as the width of the right men carried the shield to protect their heart in and left wrists, palms, length of forearms, have their left hand and used the right to hurl weapons been recorded and compared. Through the use at the enemy. After that, of course, poets and of specially designed instruments, the measure- minstrels sang of the strong right arm and its ments have been found to be exceedingly close. prowess in battle. Implements such as candle The results show that there is no significant dif- snuffers and scissors were made for right-handed ference in the measurements to be found in chil- people. The habit has stuck to the point where dren. left-handedness seems unnatural. Handedness has been tested too by recording One more item must be added. Changing a approximately the total work done with right child from left- to right-handedness or vice versa and left hand for a given period of time. This must be done with great care. It must not be is done by the use of a work adder, a wheel attempted after the child can talk for interfer- which as it revolves winds up a small lead weight ing constantly in his manual habits you may attached to an instrument, and as the child simultaneously disrupt his speaking habits and slashes and flings his arms around, the movement reduce the child to the level of a six months old begin to wind the ball up. At the end of a given infant. To attempt to change a child's handed- period of time the child is removed from the ness is a dangerous procedure and not advisable apparatus and the height from the starting point at any time. of the two weights is measured and compared. The main question is therefore settled. There The results again indicate that there is no sig- is no instinctive left- or right-handedness in a nificant difference between the amount of work child. It is due neither to physical nor inherited done by both hands. It varies from day to day characteristics. It is the result of social condi- and demonstrates again that the child has no tioning and Pop is just kidding himself.

—

Dr. MacDonough'S Encephalosemanticommunicator By LEO A. SCHMIDT

IT WAS a brain-wave radio set, but when signals actually came, they were from a fantastic source indeed!

PROFESSOR MacDonough settled movement, halting and slow though its his lank form on the research early development had been,* was ob- couch, carefully inserted his head viously true objective science. The among the myriad electro-pads, and sig- Americans Titchener and Urban, W. naled his assistant to adjust the cardio- Wirth at Leipsig, and William Brown and G. H. Thomson in England, had "Set all controls as nearly as possible pioneered on strictly scientific lines, ad- to the same stance as in experience 2516 hering with infinite care to the narrow of yesterday. My notes while in con- course of true objectivity amid the tact and afterward agreed perfectly, but vague enticements of hypnotism, telep- such results certainly need checking. I athy, psychoanalysis, dowsing and the cannot believe that my communicator is dozen and one other fascinating tan- playing tricks on me, and yet ... in- gents. telligent contact with entirely non-hu- All of these ancillary fields of investi- man life forms . . . ! Ah, there, she's gation were significant to men of Mac- warming up—no interruptions now for Donough's cast of mind in the cumula- twenty minutes, please." tive weight of evidence they amassed to Gene MacDonough, research director indicate the existence of the vast field of the Stoneman Neuro-Psychiatric In- of phenomena which so stubbornly re- stitute, relaxed and gave his conscious- sisted truly scientific approach. ness over to the intricacies of the con- In the thirties had come the resur- cept communicator, the top result of his gence of interest in psychic phenomena years of experiment and study. stirred up by the work of Dr. J. B. MacDonough was but one of hun- Rhine at Duke. Dr. Rhine's extra-sen- dreds, of course, who had worked on sory perception discoveries were, in the general problem of the physical spite of the tremendous publicity they basis of mental activity. The older sub- * Encyclopaedia Britannica. Psychophysics jective psychology had seemed to him, established by Gustav Theodore Fechner (1801- Elements Psychophysik even in his college days, to be a mere 188?); Book: Die der . (I860) —this book is the beginning not only of bantering of half meaningless words. On psychophysics, but also of experimental psychology the other hand, the psychophysics itself. 190 AMAZIN5 STORIES

received, sound science.** But even so ther development of electro-neural they were science at the observational reading. and descriptive level and seemed to While the publicized progress in the MacDonough to contribute nothing field went into the tangents of lie-detec- more fundamental than to verify on a tion, the identification of organic psy- controlled experimental level the obser- chosis, the prognostication and treat- vation already quite amply evidenced on ment of dementia praecox and other a life-experience basis that there were applied developments, the Stoneman super-normal phenomena.*** rules happily eschewed publicity and "What the scientific mind really must allowed the scientist to pursue his pure seek," Professor MacDonough had investigation. often said, "is the true nature of the mechanics of the thought process itself, lyjAcDONOUGH'S first big break that is, the relation between neural away from the announced devel- structure and mental function. Once opments in the field came when he suc- this is established, there will be little ceeded in "playing back" into the brain difficulty in following out the ramifica- the record of brain-wave potentials pre- tions. Psychical research is at present viously recorded. Applying the method in the essentially absurd position of at- first to his own brain and then to those tempting investigation of the extra-sen- of his several trusted assistants he found sory while it does not yet comprehend that the effect was the repetition in the the real nature of the sensory." mind of the percipient of the same When Hans Berger announced his moods that he had himself experienced dectroencephalograph in 1929, and as agent when the readings were taken. when the electrical engineer, Albert A second great achievement was Grass, developed a really flexible model, made when by a considerable stepping

Dr. MacDonough felt that the first real up through radio amplification it was step had been taken toward objective found that the recording of the brain solution of the neuro-mental relation- waves of one person could be "played ship. Gratefully acknowledging the back" into the brain of another, produc- splendid start which the Berger and ing in the percipient a mood similar to Grass work had given him, MacDon- .that of the original agent at the time ough channeled the tremendous re- the record was made. sources of the Stoneman Foundation At this stage all progress seemed for and his own prodigious zeal to the fur- a time to have been stopped. But, with the tremendous patience of the true sci- ** Rhine's work does not stand alone in its field as many in America suppose, but has been checked entist MacDonough had reconstructed and largely confirmed by the work of S. G. Goal his encephalograph, multiplying the of London University; G. N. Tyrell and K. H. number of contacts Thouless of the British Society for Psychic Re- many-fold and vary- search and by Dr. Hans Bender of Bonn Uni- ing their electro-sensitivity throughout versity. a tremendous range, so that the entire

*** The word "super-normal" as used by sci- cortical area could be "patterned" in in- entists in psychic research fields is merely a short finite variety. Earlier investigators had equivalent for "not recognized by general scientific discovered the minute electric currents opinion," and is free from all Implications of "supernatural." Dr. Rhine's term "paxa-normal" flowing from the primary cortical areas is probably a better term in that it is less likely long known to be concerned with the to be confused with supernatural, and it is sug- sense-impressions and muscle control, gested that this term be substituted for its older synonym. but being unable to detect similar cur- DR. MACDONOUSH'S ENCBWALOSEMANTICOMMUN1CATOR 191 rents from the frontal lobes they had leased from the apparatus. labeled them as "silent." John Swanson grasped his chief's arm MacDonough reasoned that these wildly, "My God! I can't believe it! areas, far from being "silent" in their It isn't sensible ... it can't be . . . performance of the brain's hierarchical and yet it is! integration would be found to be operat- "Chief, the Psyche . . . that's the.way ing electrically like the rest of the brain, I got it . . . the Psyche of Fleadom but in some voltage or alternating phase ... the king of fleas ... no, not which was simply beyond the sensitivity quite that . . . more a sort of amal- of man's present detecting devices. gamated intelligence of the fleas . . . Thus as time passed and his experi- seems like a spokesman for the flea gov-

ments progressed he found himself "lis- ernment . . . but that's too crazy . . . tening in" at ranges far beyond any and yet it was that. It kept repeating: which had previously been attempted. 'We are calling Iruman consciousness'

Though the clarity and strength of the . . . not in words of course but sort of mood-transference had improved from a super concept, 'We want to establish time to time, all attempts to break the contact . . . calling human conscious- vague mood-waves into more specific ness . . . contact with mankind . . . impressions or even definite messages calling the human Psyche.' seemed balked. "Then it seemed to know that it had And then had come this tantalizing connected and it came in stronger, new development. 'Don't let go ... we are establishing

contact with humanity . . . this . is

TJ EFORE the twenty minutes were up, terribly important . . . this is the the scientist signaled his assistant Psyche of Fleadom calling the human to disconnect. "John, I can't believe it, Psyche . . . hang on to this contact and yet it's there again! That same . . . human consciousness, we know signal coming in repeatedly. The gen- you are recipient ... can you send, eral sensation is that of the 'playback,' can you reply?' but it's not my ideas at all which are "I couldn't stand it any longer. Sure- coming in. Someone ... or I should ly, Professor, you didn't get anything say something ... is literally pouring like that, did you? It's too crazy. Why, in concepts far stronger than anything it's impossible!" we have ever put into the discs our- MacDonough smiled slowly. The selves." MacDonough was obviously exactness with which his assistant's ex- perplexed to the point of distraction. perience checked his own would have "Check every contact again, and then been accepted as corroborating evidence

I want you to try it. If you get the of reality in any scientific field. There same effect as I, before I give you any was no chance of hoax. No one but more details, then we have something they knew anything about the delicate mighty queer to explain." structure of the concept mechanism; the As the indicator bulbs began to glow, very abstruseness of their experiments the scientist watched his assistant's fa- had put them beyond the comprehen- cial expression. The brows knit, his sion of all but a very few specialists, jaws tensed, perspiration beaded his and not a single word of their efforts forehead and lips. His wide-open eyes had been reported for six months. stared with unseeing fixity. In ten min- "Get it down in writing, John, crazy utes he signaled frantically to be re- as it is, put it in words as close to the —

192 AMAZ1NWWTORIES

concept as possible. Then I'll let you tions?" read my notes—you will be astonished." The scientist was bathed in sweat. He felt as if his whole being was contorted r\N THE next day Professor Mac- by the effort to comprehend. He sum- Donough settled himself again on moned courage again and concentrated the couch and prepared for another try to send. "Mankind sending, mankind at the strange game of communication is anxious to maintain contact. We wish with the would-be-known unknown. to learn more of Fleadom. Existence

The wax platens were detached, the of intelligent Fleadom Psyche is great recording needles were allowed to swing surprise to mankind. Please send proof in vacuum, and an instantaneous alter- of nature of Fleadom consciousness nator was set into the circuit between difficult for mankind to understand." the receiving and sending tubes. With experience the signals came in As the rheostats moved forward the much more clearly, and the scientist message from nowhere came in as found he could control the rate at which though it had not ceased from the day the concepts arrived, so that his rapidly before. flying pencil could record completely "The Psyche of Fleadom trying to the messages as they burgeoned in upon establish contact as before with the hu- him from the unknown. He heard and man Psyche. Are you there, humanity? wrote: Intelligent contact being sought with "Fleadom is the organized totality of human consciousness. Fleadom wishes all fleas on earth, comprising the com- ." to establish contact . . bined perpetual accumulation of intelli- With a feeling which he could have gence of all fleas. We, the Psyche of described only as a mixture of extreme Fleadom, are authorized by all fleas to gravity with ridiculousness, the man represent Fleadom in the Concert of summoned all his courage to concen- Lower Life Forms. All the lower forms trate on one thought, "Hello, hello! of animal life are now organized in sim- This is mankind calling! You have ilar pattern. The Concert of Lower established contact. Calling the Psyche Life Forms has been in existence for a ." . . . calling the Psyche . . length of time corresponding to one hun- Here the feeling of ludicrousness al- dred million flea generations.* most overcame him, but he forced him- "We fleas have been in the Concert self on, "calling the Psyche of Fleadom now for forty million of our generations.

. . . calling the intelligent conscious- The Concert has grown from a few life ness of the Fleas. Can you hear me, forms originally organized until now all Fleadom? Ready to receive again, the forms lower than fleadom, and Psyche." therefore of course more intelligent, are

"Contact at last; hold it. This is a in the Concert. momentous occasion. Congratulations, "Fleadom has been given the honor mankind. Will you be able to commu- of proselyting to the higher animals. We nicate at will in the future? We will were making a strong effort to bring in always be ready on this psychelo at any the cockroaches as the best representa- time. Be sure to maintain contact, don't lose it. We have been trying to estab- *Since a flea generation, or cycle from birth to lish contact for thousands of flea gener- maturity, is four or five weeks, we may calculate twelve or thirteen generations per year, and bring ations. This is a momentous occasion. this figure of one hundred million flea generations Have you any message for us, any ques- down to seven or eight million years—En. OR. MACDONOUGH'S ENCEPHALOSEMANTICOMMUNICATOR 193 tive of higher animal life, but we will out his own part in the strange dialogue! accept man in their place since you have "MacDonough is asking more infor- established a priority of contact. Are mation for mankind. Will you summar- you receiving, Psyche of Mankind?" ize history of your Life Forms Concert, give more specific details regarding JJHIFTING to the sending stance, method of operations, purpose and so MacDonough replied, though the forth. How many forms of life are cov- sense of the ridiculousness still fought ered? Mankind is intensely interested against his attempts at dispassionate as a matter of scientific research. Can analysis: "Gene MacDonough, one you present objective evidence of the man, is answering you, Psyche of Flea- truth of your assertions? Man is ready

dom. There is no Psyche of Mankind, to receive again." I haw J"anthorization to speak for all "Answering Man's queries. Lower men, 6W I wish to remain in communi- Life Forms Concert is the modern out- cation to learn more of other intelli- growth of original Amoeboid Forms gences seeking contact. I will record Concommitant Survivorships Mutual, all messages faithfully and relay them which in itself came about through a to other men in due time. Tell me more coincidental inter-sentient mutation ful- about yourselves. Who are you? How ly 200 million flea generations ago. The are you organized? By what means do Amoeboid forms discovered the possibil- you communicate with me? What do ity of more satisfactory survivorship by you want of man?" specialization in foodstuff provinces. Af- This time there was a moment's hes- ter about 20 million flea generations the itation before the reply began coming Amoeboid Central Psyche established in. "We cannot understand that there contact with a newer and still loosely is no Psyche of Mankind. Is not human organized Diatomic Conference. Find- intelligence organized? We feel that ing their members in conflict at many your organization may differ in form points the two organizations immediate- but that you must still be the analog for ly made treaties for mutual benefit pro- our Psyche. We will communicate with viding sustenance proration and inter- you on this assumption for the time be- group reciprocal foodstuff rationing. ing. Please arrange full authority from Where previously there had been con- man to treat with the Lower Life Forms flict and competition there was now en-

Concert. It is extremely important that tire amity and mutual benefit. modus concertus be arranged with man. "Since that time the organization of Lower Life Forms have been impatient the many forms of life has proceeded with man for many million flea genera- very rapidly because the groups already tions. Certain forms have urged de- in the Concert have made strenuous ef- struction of man. Calmer counsels have forts to establish contact with other prevailed until now, feeling man might groups. We have found progress down be made orderly member of Life Forms scale to the simpler forms easiest since Concert." invariably these groups were in them- The concepts were coming in so clear- selves organized and ready to treat with ly now that the scientist felt almost as the evergrowing general concert. though he were a party to a long .dis- "The Volvocinae have come in and tance phone conversation. His hurry- negotiations with Euglenia Viridis are

ing pen was getting down the messages well under way, though the Viridis is in full, and as he replied again he wrote contemplating joining up with Plant 194 AMAZIN©~5TORIES

Forms Symbiosum rather than with our to be? It was a case for the philoso- animal life forms Concert. phers. In the meantime, the test of "Upwards, the movement has met "consistency within the fabric" would with less success, and as we have said, be the only guarantee of validity. it was many millions of flea generations Again he assumed the sending stance. before fleadom was contacted and taken "The matter of objective evidence is in. Roughly speaking our Concert now hereby dropped. Will the Psyche say embraces all the Protozoa and all Meta- more about the benefits already derived zoa through phylum eleven. In phylum by Concert adherents from their mem- twelve we embrace classes one to four bership? Could mankind expect simi- solidly. In the last 40,000 flea genera- lar advantages? On what terms would tions we have made fine headway among mankind be accepted?" Suddenly the the Hexapoda, but progress upward is strain was too great, he was forced to extremely slow because of intra-group signal Swanson for release. disorganization. If at this time in spite After a few hours rest and liberal of your extremely low intelligence we dosage of black coffee, MacDonough can bring in Chordata Craniata, it settled again into the communicator. should be a big step toward moving Immediately the voice from the void back through the more intelligent phyla was there: "The Psyche of Fleadom thirteen to eighteen. proceeds to answer Craniata Mankind's "This has been a bare outline of the questions. history and present status of our Life "Benefit of Concert is survival. Dis- Forms organization. The Psyche does rupting influence of non-cooperation not quite comprehend your request for will not be allowed in case of any form 'objective evidence of the truth of these which has been sensibly contacted.

representations.' Is it that you wish Twenty flea generations is maximum greater detail, or do you wish us to tell time allowed for full adherence after you of the advantages of affiliation, or contact. Life forms not thus adhering of our plans for still further expansion? are immediately eliminated by con- Just what phase of the teleological certed action. Ask your systematolo- problem do you have in mind by your gists to show you gaps in the lower life request for 'objective evidence of the forms taxonometric chart to prove this truth'? We would be glad to repeat any point." subject matter not already clearly con- Proof? MacDonough suddenly real- veyed." ized that he himself had supplied that concept. But so smoothly did the con- cepts from outside slide into his con- P"OR a moment MacDonough was sciousness that for an instant he had nonplussed. The Psyche of Flea- failed to distinguish his own thought dom could not comprehend the possibil- process from the inflowing impacts.

ity of falsehood 1 To it, all assertion was "Continuing to answer mankind's truth. Or perhaps only the truth could questions," the concept-flow continued,

be asserted. Or was it perhaps merely "mankind, by adhering would be re- that direct concept communication pro- lieved of concert forms sustenance at- hibited the transference of anything but tack except for minimum treaty-right actual conceptual truth? Was deception mutual foodstuff contribution in terms purely a function of words and obvert of percentage of born humans. All other signs, just as misunderstanding seemed mankind would be relieved of all attack OR. MACDONOUGH'S ENCEPHALOSEMANTICOMMUNICATOR 195 by all forms now in the concert, and cil on Eradication will withdraw bacter- would have aid in resisting all non-con- iophage support, and declare extra cert forms up to the point of their bare foodstuff dividend for all concert life survivorship. forms. "Mankind Psyche would fix length of "The Lower Life Forms Concert con- man generation by intelligent appraisal fidently awaits an early and affirmative of enjoyment capacities; unit demise action from the Psyche of'Mankind. may be made voluntary by treaty ad- "No further communication will be justment of mutual foodstuff percent- necessary until the Psyche of Mankind age. New adhering forms usually se- through its agent human MacDonough lect foodstuff contribution units by evo- shall notify the Concert through the lution court until high degree of devel- Psyche of Fleadom of its full adherence

opment is reached, thereafter by lot. or failure to so adhere." ." Hold it, a minute please. . . After a few seconds interruption the '"pWO weeks later a very worried concepts continued. "Sorry to keep you scientist by the name of Gene Mac- waiting. Just received communication Donough fingered a bulging manila en- from Lower Life Forms Concert Com- velope, which he knew contained re- mittee on New Treaty Offerings with ports and documents of utmost im- final terms for mankind's adherence. portance to the human race. The news- Here they are: Mankind's contribution boys' shrieks, as he made his way to all associated forms, at mankind's through the tumultuous crowds toward

present rate and volume is to be three- the Pentagon Building, hardly regis- seventeenths of one per cent. Time for tered in his burdened consciousness. complete agreement by Mankind ex- "Berlin Falls!" "Hitler a Suicide!" tended to fifty flea generations on Man- These were mere details of intra-man- kind's plea of disorganized Psyche. kind confusion, and of no real conse- "After adherence Mankind will be quence to the problem which he had to given option of immediate full benefits present to the War Department, Gen- or graduation of benefits up to one hun- eral Staff, Tactical Division, Commit- dred man generations. tee on Suggestions for New Methods, "In case mankind in its unintelligence Officer for Public Relations to whom he refuses to cooperate, the Concert Coun- had finally been referred. ARMY MEN HOVER IN MIDAIR! THE Army Air Forces disclosed the estab- ever made by rotary-type planes in this country. lishment of the nation's first military heli- The officers, Major John J. Sanduski, of copter training school at Freeman Field Omaha, Neb., director of the helicopter training in Southwestern Indiana. program, and Lieutenant Norbert T. Gutten- Colonel E. T. Rundquist, commanding officer berger, of Chicago, an instructor, flew from

of the field, which also is used as an advanced Bridgeport to Freeman Field. two-engine pilot training school, said personnel Their time was not revealed, but Colonel Rund- of the new helicopter section were officer-in- quist said that "on the trip they set new cross- structors rated as pilots, and field mechanics, who country helicopter speed records ! even though are enlisted men. they encountered strong head winds and crossed

The training in the use of helicopters is given the ' Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania." at the field and at the Sikorsky aviation plant, Colonel Rundquist said the Southwest Asia Bridgeport, Conn. headquarters of American forces at Kandy, Cey- Colonel Rundquist also announced that two lon, announced recently that helicopters were used Freeman Field officers recently "made aviation in the air-borne invasion of Burma by American history" when they flew two R4-E type heli- units. copters 725 miles on the longest formation flight —Reginald Q. Pettibone.

—

A SCIENTIFIC JIG-SAW PUZZLE

By L. TAYLOR HANSEN

The most bewildering puzzle of the American races Is the disposition of their languages over the North Americas

THE Uto-Arteam Block of Languages is that the recent peopling of America was im- IFa scientific jig-saw puzzle, the linguistic map probable. At just what particular part of the above that block is equally amazing. In Great Ice Age this old Texas bison became ex- some ways they are the very antithesis of one tinct is not at present known, but, Dr. Goddard another. As the Mexican Block is composed of continues, in order to have man come after the strangely different physical types talking related Ice Age, and yet raise the lost American Civili- tongues, so the northern group is composed of zations, as well as speak all of the present relatively similar types talking widely-separated Amerind tongues, the tribes of one hundred tongues. And as the Southern Block is com- separate language stocks, all differentiated in posed of islanded physical types surrounded by Asia, would have to hurry across the Aleutians another physical type, so the Northern Block is at the break up of the ice, and without waiting composed of islanded-tongues surrounded by a to populate North America, would have to rush dissimilar language-stock. across Mexico and the Isthmus to South Amer- Yet, the various cultures of the Americas are ica and there get busy exterminating the Ground so closely connected that we must seek and com- Sloth, cultivating maize and a hundred other pare again and again for the illusive key which, Amerind plants before drifting again back north. when discovered, should go far toward pushing Such a conception is, he says, utterly "fantastic back the portals of history from twenty to fifty for the time allowed has been much too short." thousand years. He substitutes the theory that during the That man was in the Americas during the Pre-glacial, man came over with the other ani- times of the Great Northern Ice is not to be mals of Old World origin—the camel, horse, ele- doubted. His bones have been found in South phant, etc. With the advance of the ice, he America, mingled with those of the Great Ex- retreated before the great white sheet into Mex- tinct Ground Sloth, and in North America the ico and. probably into South America where, be- skeletons of the Great Extinct Bison* have been cause of the crush for space, he cultivated food found in a circle with their tail bones missing. plants and began his great civilizations. Then, To the Indian this can mean only one thing only as the ice retreated, and the animals fol- the most obvious explanation—that the animals lowed the pendulum of their food zones, did man were skinned. And this in spite of the fact that migrate again into the north of North America. tn Europe at this time, Neanderthal Man watched The date when these counter-migrations began, the approach of the mile-high ice as one would he points out, should be determined by the lin- look upon the doom of a planet. If the skulls guistic difference within the stock. Thus the found here had only been of the peculiar skull- Athapascan migrations took place before the type that Neanderthal presented, scientists would remote members such as the Canadian Chipe- have been more prepared tq believe in their wyans and the Arizona Navaho were separate antiquity. However, the skulls have all been peoples. modern—95 modern in type as the skull of Cro- With the possible exception of the Athapascans, himself. Magnon or as the present Amerind this theory of Dr. Goddards is the most plaus- of Dr. P. E. Goddard of the Amer. Museum ible offered by any scientist as a key to the Nat. Hist., N. Y., writing in the American An- Amerind Puzzle. The Athapascans may well thropologist, calls attention to another find have been late immigrants from Asia whose en- that of an extinct bison lying in undisturbed trance into the Americas dates back only some Pleistocene formations with a worked spear-head two thousand years. of flint intermingled with its skeleton, and de- long clares that linguistic evidence has shown /~\THER scientists, determined to bring man V over from Asia within the span of time al- *Bison Tayloris. See Ind. of U. S. lowed after the final retreat of the ice, sit* down —

198 AMAZING STORIES

and stare at the linguistic map of North America in dismay. The first great fact to refute this

simple theory is that the Eskimo tongue is es- sentially not Pacific, but Atlantic, and finds its closest ally in the Algonkin Block. Upon these two very ancient tongues as a wash of back- ground, therefore, one must figure his migrating spearheads of invading languages. The second great fact to refute this late Asian migration is that hundreds of tiny groups are islanded along the Pacific Coast. Small tongues are always hurled back to the borderlines oppo- site the point of invasion. In other words, the wreck of the previous population is swept away from the invasion point. This would not mean a steady sweep in from the North West, as much as it would mean many sharp and repeated thrusts from the Southeast, or up the Mississippi River and thence toward the west, pushing tribe against tribe until one battered remnant after another reached a point beyond which there was no retreat. As for the order of their coming, that is largely guesswork, and fitting together pieces of the Jig- Saw. Islanded thrusts always precede those which surround them. As for the Kiowa tongue, which like the Keresian, has long remained a .mystery, the linguists are now inclined to re- gard it as a link. Perhaps, unlike the Pawnee Compiled by the author from the work of C. Wissler. whose linking of three tribal language stocks (Siouan, Iroquoian and Caddoan)* may explain AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hundreds of small groups much, the Kiowa linking only seems to create a which are islanded and apparently unrelated, but deeper mystery. For how can a language be a upon better study may be found to be distantly link from the Athapascan-Apache to the Sho- linked to other groups. shone which is Uto-Aztecan? How indeed, un- upon their new animal-servants and migrated to less they borrowed words from their wild Apache the great western plains of the Black Hills where neighbors? Vet the Kiowa themselves say that they could find an easy living following the they once lived in the "Black Hills" of Dacota herds of buffalo, and where they gave their and left their parent tribe because of a quarrel. euphonious name to two states. Does this mean that the Uto-Aztecans once held Thus the picture is complete, with the excep- that territory before the advent of the Caddoan tion of the Muskhogeans, who should have ar- and the Sioux? rived last, judging by the map, and whose legends The Pawnee, on the other'hand, who seems to upon that subject are the most enlightening of be a link between the Iroquois and the Caddoan, all. oblige us with a far more reasonable legend. Could it be that these people of the forest who They admit that they were once great migrators presented such a dark portrait of superstitious and lived near the Iroquois for whom they had ignorance to the newly-arrived white settler, a deep regard, near the mouth of the Mississippi. were in reality the scattered splinters from the They also claim to have named the Ohio, a wreck of perhaps not one but several ancient claim, incidentally, which the Iroquois also make. civilizations ? Now into this composite picture which legends are slowly helping to clear somewhat, come the EXPRESSING this opinion one night before Sioux. The correct name for the Sioux Nation a group of scientists I had one astronomer is Dacota, but with typical Indian grim humor, turn upon me with scorn, holding up for ridi- they will not deny that they are the "Sioux" cule the fact that the Pawnee Indians say that a slanderous name given by an enemy tribe. they were organized by the Evening Star. This proud nation, the Dacota, told the first "Pure superstition," he sneered. "What could whites that they were a grain-raising people liv- that tribe of savages know about Venus—merely ing in Virginia. However, when the White Man that it glittered brightly after the sun had gone the the Daco- brought the horse into Americas, down !" tas saw in this animal the promise of a more And then warming up to his subject, he con- abundant life. They packed their last harvest tinued: "Besides, I remember reading in an early

*Pawnee is Caddoan. (Concluded on page 205) WAS born in a log cabin on the frozen steppes managed to escape from the country. I made my I of Siberia, July 4th, 1867. This date was way to Singapore just in time to get in on the later to be the deciding factor in my resolve defense of that spongy fortress, and saved my life to become an American citizen. My youth was only by a fortunate friendship with the owner of spent largely in the pursuit of wolves, not be- a native sampan. After eighty days at sea, dodg- cause I loved the beasts, but because their fur ing Jap planes, we drifted ashore on a Pacific isle, was necessary to provide me with warm trousers where we remained until rescued by an Australian against the fierce Arctic winds. When I was cruiser. The cruiser was promptly sunk in a naval eighteen, I entered the service of the engagement off Guadalcanal. By this czar as a common soldier. For many time I had become resigned to ending years I fought Japanese, and seemed all my ventures in salt water, and of- always on the losing side. Thus, in fered my services to the Australian 1910 1 deserted and escaped to France, government as an experimenter into where I was when the first world the possibility of making explosives war broke out. I became a secret from common sea water. This offer service agent and was instrumental was rejected, and 1 made my way in the final coup that led to the Rus- back to the States with the help of a sian revolution. After the war I came notice from my draft board to report to America and became an American for induction. I was rejected and citizen. However, I returned to find placed in 4-F (saline liver) and took that the brave soldiers whom I had a temporary position on a newspaper. come to know and love in France However, I was unable to withstand were now forced to peddle apples on the rigors of a winter on a street cor- street corners because of a lack of ner, and once again became a free- jobs. For several years I felt there lance of espionage. I am convinced was something wrong. Once more I that Germany is planning a third applied for the secret service, and conflict, and that if she is not re- began the most hectic series of ad- vealed to the whole world, her rocket ventures of my career, I believe I science may prove to be the weapon was one of the first to realize that that may accomplish what she has Germany was preparing for another twice failed to do. Thus, I have ded- war, and spent many years collecting icated the remaining years of my evidence of German fifth column ac- middle-age to uncovering the under- tivities in many countries. But I was vealed to ground plans of the Germans. I hope that I may their agents by an unfortunate murder which was not be too late on this third try. As for my fic- later proved to be self-defense, and was framed by tion in this -magazine, my first stories (written the gestapo while on duty in Holland. I was or- during those eighty days adrift in the sampan) dered from the country and became useless as a have been so well received that I have been per- secret agent. Almost immediately I joined a salmon suaded to write one more—this one while enjoy- canning company's technical research staff and be- ing an occasional free moment or two in between came part of an expedition into the Pacific in an contacts with German underground agents, who effort to discover how far the salmon went before have accepted me as one of them. They do not they came back to their Columbia river birth- suspect me as yet, but I have had to kill several places. I tracked the salmon to his deepsea lair of the* and blame it onto French and Jugoslav- only to find that my explorations must end due to ian guerrillas. The manuscript itself was smuggled Japanese fishing fleet activities in American waters, out in the mail pouch of a German diplomat, Now my youthful hatred of the Japs flared up, and which is perfectly safe, as you would understand if I deserted the expedition in the Aleutians, made my you knew the diplomat! One phase of my life J way to Japan, and sought to tie their ambitions have thus far neglected to mention dates from toward world conquest to that of the Germans. I February 14, 1938, at which time I became the was successful, but'too late. I uncovered the whole editor of Amazing Stories, in which position I have dastardly plot the day after Pearl Harbor. My been ever since, and which accounts for all of the only salvation then was to don the disguise of a foregoing fiction—for which I hope I will be for- German military attache, and in this manner I given! —A. R. Steher

199 — DISCUSSIONS

A mazing Stories wiQ publish In each issue a selection of letters from readers. Everybody is welcome to contribute. Bouquets and brickbats will have an equal chance. Inter-reader correspondence and controversy will be encour- aged through this department. Get in with the gang and have your say.

THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED Space" left me flat for some reason, maybe it was Sirs: all the law. The reasons that I like and dislike your maga- The art was fair except for page 26, that stank. zine are those that follows. Please keep in mind I'm glad to see that the covers are getting away that they are in my opinion the truth. from nudes, etc., and are using space scenes more.

The main reason 1 like your magazine is that it Dept. of Improvements: pleases its readers. The readers wanted a longer I can see your point in not triming the edges letter column, they got it. The readers wanted but do you have to out do yourself in making some name artists, they received them. The read- them messey. The ones on my copy were all ers wanted a contest, they were given this one, different lengths, no two the same. and others. They wanted name artists, authors, Please have one real good heavy science story. and better covers, they got them. The readers Some won't like it but those of us who read S. F. wanted old issues of Amazing and you made a before 1941 will enjoy it very much. back issue list. Yours for more and better S. F.

There is only one gripe. Half of the general Maurice Brent Haslatn content of an average issue is not up to par. You We certainly took a lacing, this timet But -we'll generally have seven stories an issue. Three or try to give you exactly what you want in the next four are good, the rest awful. But there is gen- issue /—Ed. erally always one good one! Also thinner issues made monthly. OPEN LETTER TO LELAND HICKLING Austin Hamel Sirs: (Address not given) Re: Scientific Mysteries: Just as soon as the paper situation lifts, we will Your comment in the Discussions Page of A. S. give you monthlies, and thicker issues 1—Ed. was logical and shows knowledge of the subject. DOWN WITH ADULTS! However, I do want to correct a misunderstand- Sirs: ing. You seem to be under the impression that I Looking at the "Discussions" of the May issue denied the well known historical fact that the I find not less than three letters by MEN under Pharaohs "Two Lands" were Upper and Lower sixteen. I could just hear the older fans writhing Egypt. If you will re-read the article, I believe and groaning with indication. Letters, I imagined, that you will find I was not discussing the earthly would come pouring in from all over the country rulers of Historical Egypt, but rather the god saying, "Why don't the brats go back to their Amen or Ammon Ra. comic books and western thrillers? This is strictly It is possible that originally the duality was an adults mag. Don't print their inane leters." older than either Upper or Lower Egypt as such. PFU1! Who, and whose children will do many This might be one explanation for the strong dual- of the things described in your magazine and others ity (see Article on The Twins, and coming arti- like them. I have seen letters from the so-called cles) on this side of the Atlantic, as well as the adults that smack of "Mortons Home for Mor- powerful American traditions of this same god. ons." That he was said to have been seated on the Now I will tell you the reason for my little "Throne of the Two Lands" still does not under- blow-off. I too am a mere stripling, just fifteen write his Egyptian origin. Traditionally he was and I have been reading S. F. ever since 1 first a western god and it is still possible, perhaps not bought a wierd looking mag with a story called probable, but possible, that one of the lands which "Wanted, Seven Fearless Engineers." I believe it he once ruled in life was located on the western was called Amazing Stories. Could you please side of the Atlantic. Or, accepting the usual hypo- tell me which year that was as I have forgotten? thesis that such a deified figure was once a great The May issue was not the worst I've read but living leader—whose leader was he? it was not the best. I rank the stories as follows, With your knowledge of Egypt, you will be "I, Rocket" first; "The Constant Drip" second; much interested in some of the articles to come "Free Lance" third; and in order of merit "Midas, especially those which deal with the Karib or ." The curios- . . "Murder in Space," and "The Horror" last Carib tribes of the Atlantic coastline.

because it was a horror of a story. "Murder in ity and interest which you, Bill Stoy, G. H. By- I I

AMAZING STORIES 201 land, Harold Newman, Sgt. Dyers from the South Seas and others have expressed is, in the last an- alysis, the driving power of all science, for at heart the scientist is an explorer into the unknown. If I This Horseshoe of The you once catch a vision of the antiquity I Ring, Handmade, - Americas you may become ensnared as the rest of nit I Hand engraved, inlaid Amerind investigators have, for the bait here is a | with simu- d pearl, is a seeming antiquity which shadows back to times KNOCKOUT which make Egypt quite modem by comparison. I Shoeand shank of Re Old Copies—To soldier Dyers from his fox- 1 everlastingMoneJ receive I Metal ia hole : Flattering as your desire may be to all back number of my articles, I could not pos- GUARANTIED 20 YEARS will sibly grant it. Perhaps in these columns you ply ia limited . . . roh your order! SEND NO - find people who have the old copies and will be MONEY. Pay Postmana oonly $3.85. plus excise tax or refund in five days if not editor will glad to sell them. I am sure the be late sire. Address: glad to furnish you with the information as to AMERICAN JEWELRY CO.. w»ffi. 'i' V what numbers held various articles before they started running steadily in June 1942. L. Taylor Hansen Perhaps Mr. Hicklmg will have something far- ther to say on this subject?—Ed. DEFENDING TIME TRAVEL Sirs: I am merely writing this letter to you to express my strong resentment at Mr. Oesterreicher's letter where he says, and I quote "time travel is impos- \8END NO MONEY Just writ* for FREE CATALOG sible" to state such a thing proves that the author of the letter is not very bright, for if he would read a few books on relativity and the fourth- dimension I am sure that he would change his warped attitudes on the matter.

It is well known that to travel in time you would have to go to certain stars or other planets Colon Troubles and thus by the time light reaches the star you would, with powerful telescopes, be able to see Often Serious either the past or the future. FREE BOOK—Explains Causes To make it clearer; a person on proxima Cen- and Related Ailments tauri would today probably witness the battle of HEHVOUBMKS Waterloo. But if he would approach the earth; 4MEABACMg M the waves of light rays would be shorter and he would then see 1944. This is one of the many examples of time-travel. If Mr. Oesterreicher would read a few scientific books instead of science-fiction magazines he will

see that space or time travel is not at all impos- sible but on the contrary very plausible. R. Fast, D.S.F., D.D.F., F.R.S. A new, FREE book contains many dla- grams, charts and X-Ray pictures of ' Larchmont Acres rectal and colonic conditions. Write to- Larchmont, N. Y. day. Thornton & Minor Clinic, Suite BC-102. 926 McGee St., Kansas City, Mo. We don't believe anyone will argue with your concept a way to travel in time.—Ed. of ANY PHOTO ENLARGED WANTS LEMURIA STORIES Size till Inches mm am .a Sirs: n MMitEHT MB L |(f I have read Amazing Stories for the past two Suue price for full length m » IB or butt form, groups. land- m years now and like it very much. About your oapM, pet animate, fJL9 a or enlargements of any m December issue, there were only two stories worth part of group picture. Original returned with 3 r$l.2S at all. best I have read in a anything The one jour enlargement, long time was "Truk Island" by Berkeley Living- SEND NO MONEY tot man ston. Then comes "The Whips of Doom" by Hel- photo, negative or anapshot (any size) and receive your enlargement, guaranteed mar Lewis. You should gobble up all their manu- radekas, on beautiful daub.e- weight pertrait quality paper. Pay postman only 51f plus postage—or send 5W with order scripts you can. and we pay postage. Take advantage of tnla """'"g offer now. Send your ahatoa today. How about some more stories about Lemuria STANDARD ART STUDIOS and Lemuris? In your other mag, Fantastic Ad- 100 East Ml* Street Dept. eftS-A Chicago (II), UL AMAZING STORIES

ventures, you have stories like "The Return of PAYS YOU Jongor" by Robert M. Williams. We want more like those in A.S. E. R. Burroughs should be In- HOOaMonfA cluded too. Why don't you get wise to yourselves and publish good stories for a change? If I can offer a suggestion why not take a book by Bur- E3000 roughs like "The Moon Maid" and make a serial out of it. I think the other readers would like it IN SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT immensely. Yon can collect $}I00 a month for sickness Yours till print stories for or accident. $3000 for lots of limbs or sight. you a few good a 93000 for accidental death. 31 a day insures change. Your cover for this issue "stunk" fig- any man or woman. IS to 76. NO MEDICAL uratively, of course. Get wise will EXAMINATION. Get tills policy for 10 days you?" without riakm^a^enny.^endjoapMi below. Chas. B. Kennel] 165 W. 82nd St.

i"sTw\V!d"a^¥u^ ! New York 24, N. Y. shall certainly continue DcaU. We to use the authors you mention. As for Lemuria, this issue, and the

issues to follow should certainly satisfy you I If by "good stories" you mean Burroughs, of course —but Burroughs is unavailable now, and we don't use reprints. -How do you mean the cover "stunk figuratively" ?—Ed. SOME COMMENTS BUY FROM THE OLDEST ESTABLISHED Sirs: I have been reading AS for five years now, and FIRM IN THE UNITED STATES SELLING EYE GLASSES BY MAIL I think it is about time I came out of my shell and let you know what I think of the old mag. First, the covers are finer than any other magazine has to offer, with the best (I think) being the one by 16 DAYS TRIAL R. G. Jones on the Nov. '42 issue. Although I do like CMm of the LATEST STYLES-fdmartably LOW PRICES. not Brady, Milburn and McCauley, the in- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED or your money bade. (1 1W art terior illustrations are always good with Finlay sal atflsflod—flwy wilt not swt you a cent. and Magadan leading the pack. » HO MONEY 'S^S^^i— Second, the stories in my opinion are not as •ut many styles ami LOW PRICES ; good as the ones of three or four years ago, with the exception of the classics, "The New Adam," "Empire of Jegga," and "Warrior of the Dawn." (Where's that sequel?) My favorite authors are Wilcox, Bond, and Reed, with the rest being better than average. LOOSE DENTAL PLATES Third, The Observatory is always interesting ftlllNEO & TIOHTENIO AT HOME $1.00 and the longer the better. Ditto Discussions. NEWLY IMPROVED DENDEX RE- The Scientific articles, Vignettes and Scientific LINER, a plastic, builds up (rents) loose upper and lower dentures. Beally Mysteries are like blood to the book, keep 'em. makes tiiem at as they should with- out using powder. Easily applied. No All in all, it's a pretty swell mag. heating required. Brush It on and If this letter printed wear your plates while It sets. It is (I hope), I would like adheres to the plates only and makes to add that I have means of securing Merritts' a comfortable, smooth and durable surface that can be washed and "Moon Pool." I know there are lots of new fans scrubbed. Each application lasts for months. Not a powder or wax. Con- who are unable to obtain this, the greatest fan- sum. Neutral pink color. Sold tains no lubber or tasy of them all in my opinion. on MONET-BACK GUARANTEE. Not sold In stores. Mall (1 for generous supply, brush and directions I would like to obtain any of Merritts' works, and we pay postage. Charges extra on C.O.D. orders. 7tfl Veer National Mail Order Sales and if anyone can help me out on this I would Hill Dtti Aafato I, DENDEX CO. 1714 S. SL «l.fl, Lu CM certainly appreciate it. James Ellis 10th St., S.W. Washington 4, D. C. High School Course Mr. Browne hasn't finished his sequel yet, but we have hopes. As for Merritt's works, perhaps at Home Finish Years I Many » 2 some of our readers can help you.—Ed. Go 88 rapidly as your time and abilities permit. Course) equivalent to resident school work—prepares lor collega entrance exams. Standard H. S. texts supplied. Diploma. Creditlet H. 3. tobjecti ml road; completed. SngiB sobleeti If da- HOW RIGHT YOU ARE! Irned. High school sdpcatioa M v«» Important for advancement ia fcptogM andlndofltiy and aoctaltr.(octaltr. Doe'tDon't bebandkiaiiped all roar Sirs: -' aradmga. stutStart your states Vnm !§(jj? ?L **S^J&*& "M/fa**?- **" U I just received today the December issue of A^1ianS^"^rD«pt.K-l39> Dr

AMAZING STORIES 203

Thoughts of reader, "Well what's so unusual about that, I've got one too. I'll bet this is going to be a dull letter. Oh, well, let's see what's next." This letter is going to concern itself almost en- tirely with the story about the back cover. SINCp# "Well, I certainly can't be expected to remem- ber what was on the back cover four months ago. Who docs he think I am, a Quiz kid. I hope he COWBOY (or is it a she) says what it was."

:i The author says it will be a train running : one track held erect by the use of a gyro wheel. SONGS "Yah, I think I remember it now. What a queer looking train." OUNTAIN The author overlooked one important detail. "He sounds just like Doctor Ordway on BALLADS 'Crime Doctor.' WITH WORDS AND This detail is: if you point the axis of a gyro MUSIC Now King all the famous cowboy songt, old- wheel at the sun, it will continue to point at the time songs and enjoy famous vaemt and recitations to your heart's content. These are original mountain ballads with sun, irrespestive of the motion of the earth. In worJs and music ... tee kind that our cowboys still sing out on the prairies and deep In the heart of Texas. other words, if the top of the train is pointing at They're tr— tongs v our ret! he- the sun at noon, the top of the train will still be pointing at the sun when it sets. "Goodness, what a mouthful, I wonder if that guy knows what he is saying." The only other thing I want to say is about the front cover. There were a lot of differences between the story and the cover. In the story the people (?) are nude and they had very white skin. The person on the cover was not either of the two. Also, how did she keep her lipstick in such good condition for four months? "What a particular person." and mountain Dan MeOn,... All in all, I thought the December issue wasn't ballads along wllli "Tbe Spell of U» too bad, but I've seen better. words and music. Yukon," "The Imagine yourself Adeline" Face on the Bar- Marvin Maxwell singing those and many other toom Floor." when light a are famous tunes in "Boots. Boots, 3.325, Ga. Ave., N. W. Ion 01 on one of the American nay. Boots." and bun- thoee htlariou Thli Tolume In- tired* of other Washington 10, D. C. patties when clude* doEeni, yea, Kipling posmi. everyone wants to hundreds of the along with downs sing. You will be songs with music and dosses of fa- Of course the gyroscope would act that way! popular because you will want to you know them But would not be fixed in its mounting. What and you will be about the gyro that holds ocean liners steady? Why don't it turn the ship over at evening? Consideration of that should answer your ques- tion. As for the cover, the recent trouble Esquire had with the Post Office ought to answer your question there.—Ed.

ANALYSIS OF 1944 Sirs: The price of each of the above books is an amazing bargain With due thought and study, I have come to at hQe a copy. Order alHI and enjoy still a further savins:. 0 8 the following conclusions. 1944 was a bad year ralSr^.M* Rush Spm^^Yo^tato'L risk? !? not for AS—just about the worst yet. But that can. satisfied after 5 days, return for full refund. be explained by the war (I hope) so I am look- ing for great things after V-day. And now to PICKWICK COMPANY. Dept. 3B01 73 West 44th Stwt, New York 18, N. Y. the work at hand, namely the dissection of Amaz- Send books checked below at once In plain wrapper. I enclose ing- as follows: (cash or money order) Front Covers: Send books checked; 1st. May. the best cover since March 1943. In Famous Cowboy Songs and Mountain Ballads. 2nd. Tie between January and March. Both Famous Old-Time Saiga, Q famous Poems and Recitation* very good. Back Covers: 1st. January. Superb! Inside Pics.: I CITS & VOJtE ... STATE I In bos, mail coupon, Jst. Virgil Finlay, Page 105, March issue. 1 C It C. 0. D, preferred, mark X and I postman plus 3Si pcstaEt. (1 . , 2nd. Lpoy additional for Canada. Hadden, Page 42, May. nawiMfM Mfl _ —, » _ .Jl :

AMAZING STORIES

3rd. Hadden, Page 9, May Stories (for 1944) RATIONED MOTORISTS 1st. "Star Base X," by Robert Moore Williams. A really great story. It was very touching in Now Get EXTRA parts, and the whole thing was very well worked out. "Battle Before Dawn" by Robert Moore Wil- GASOLINE MILEAGE liams. This ties with "Star Base X" for first place. Now can get up to extra gasoline of the three best short stories that I have I you 30% One mileage with a Vacu-matic on your car. j read, and the best you have published. Magnifi- B Quicker pick-up, smoother running, added gasoline guaranteed, power and precious savings cent ! Principle j Automatic Supercharge 2nd. "Murder in Space," by David V. Reed. Vacu-matic is entirely different! Operates on the Supercharge principle. Saves fas. Automat- Well developed, but it could not compare with ically provides a better gas mixture. Guaran- teed to give up to 30% extra gaa mileage, more "Empire of Jegga." power and better performance. 3rd. "Warburton's Invention," by Russell Story. ELBiXS AGENTS TRIAL OFFER Very good in parts, but bad in others. Would like to have seen what Williams could have done with Bit funlaw- verr quickly name.f Installed by anrobe. laaofferanu now xou t-cv ,uuia ™ uuuunuini, this. Vacu-matic Co.. 761 7-1 1 08 W. State St. , Wauwatosa 13, Wis. 4th. "I, Rocket," by Ray Bradbury. Very orig- inal. 5th. "A Most Ingenious Paradox," by George Asthma Mucus Tashman. Excellent, more of Tashman please. 6th. "Intruders from the Stars," by Ross Rock- Loosened First Day lynne. A very good story, with a very bad ending. For Thousands of Sufferers 7th, "The Mad Robot," by William P. Mc- If choking-, gasping, wheezing, recurring attacks Givern. of Bronchial Asthma rob you of sleep and energy, accept this liberal trial offer. Get Meitdaco, a doctor's 8th. "It's A Small World," by Robert Bloch. prescription, from your druggist; take exactly as di- 9th. "Undersea Guardians," by Ray Bradbury. rected and see for yourself how quickly it usually helps loosen and remove thick strangling mucus, thus Beautifully written, but the idea . . . Hummm- promoting freer breathing and refreshing sleep. You nnnnnn. be the judge. Unless delighted and entirely satisfied with results, simply return the empty package and 10. "Magnetic Miss Meteor," by Don Wilcox. Is another your money hack guaranteed. Don't suffer Did anyone else notice that the Finlay pic for night without trying guaranteed Mendace—only 60c. this was almost exactly like one he drew for "The Spot of Life," in FFM? The background is identical. I await "I Remember Lemuria" with interest. Banish the craving for tobacco oa thousands have. Make yourself free Ken Harmon and happy with Tobacco Redeemer. Write for free booklet telling of in- 627 Channing Ave. I jurioua effect of tobacco and of a Calif. treatment which has re* Palo Alto, lieved many men. FREE Your breakdown of our 1944 issues is appreci- 30 Years fit Business \ BOOK ciated and interesting. Thanks muck.—Ed. THE NEWELL COMPANY 600 Clayton Sta., St, Louis, Mo. YOUNG READER LETS OFF STEAM STUDY AT HOME for Personal Sirs: Success and Larger Earnings. 35 I am a comparatively new reader of A. S. but years expert instruction — over "Truk Island" 108,000 students enrolled. LL.B. I also have opinions. I think that Degree awarded. All text material was the best story in the December issue. I think furnished. Easv payment plan. the war backgrounds idea is a swell thing. Send for FREE BOOK—"Law an

it is just terrible that he has the impression that LEMURIA: OLD AND NEW most of your fans are between the ages of 13 and 76,000 Years of Human History 16. Maybe he is right; I doubt it. But what

1 . Lana M Las if he is? I am only 15 but I am a human being and have a mind of my own. I would like to see the story he is writing. Thanks for letting me let off some steam. Tom McKnight

. ., . } i-ii 5125 Live Oak Street ABLE, Import today. No obligation, Dallas, Texas LEMURIAN FELLOWSHIP We have readers from 9 to 1041 Thanks for 118 N. Larchmont Blvd. Us Angeles 4, California letting off steam for mj/—Ed. AMAZING STORIES

SCIENTIFIC MYSTERIES (Concluded from page IPS) history that this was the very trihe which cut off the heads of its captives and used them for a sort of football I" (Not a pretty picture, and without doubt true.

Yet it is a curiously ancient ritual which was repeated after a war by some of the priests of one of the best Mayan civilizations.)* My revenge came with almost dramatic sud- denness when I was browsing the next Sunday afternoon in the Indian section of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. A curi- ous with tiny crosses upon an old map made , yellowed bit of tanned elkskin about 15 by 22 inches caught my eye. After studying it with growing bewilderment, I hurried out and dragged my skeptical astronomer back with me. "Why this is an astronomical map of the heavens !" You may be sitting pretty "Must be an error," I murmured, nodding to the card which identified it as I read aloud: "Sky- now. ..but... map taken from a Pawnee Medicine Bundle, over three hundred years old." But all he heard was the last phrase. AFTER WAR,WHAT? "Certainly it is over three hundred years old. No modern observer ever saw Lambda Tauri as You are probably sitting pretty now. Almost bright as it is marked here." anyone can get a fair job with good money. variable," answered. "It could have "It is a 1 But when peace comes, when millions of been."* men come out of the army and navy, when "Yes, I know." industry converts back—where will you be? "Or it have been Venus. She has passed may There will be keen competition between there former transits." on companies and readjustments of many jobs. nodded and tugged at his collar as if it He Will you be one whom industry labels "Must was too tight for him. Keep"—even lists for promotion? "But the most astounding thing is those double You can be by thorough preparation now. stars!" he gasped, "not only Miser and Alcor but And you can prepare in spare time, without also the double between Lyra and Corona Boralis." a moment's interruption of your present "How about the seasonal shift?" job, and at low cost. Thousands are doing "Yes, they recognized that too . - it—are raising themselves above the crowd. And I guided him out of the museum like one who walked in a trance, as he mumbled: "With- Ask for our free 48-page booklet on the field of your liking. Get the facts about the out optics, how could . . . and yet, on the other hand, how are such things to be explained?" requirements and opportunities and about "You are beginning to talk like an anthropolo- our practical home study training. gist," I answered sweetly. "You have glimpsed our Jig-Saw Puzzle." REFERENCES LASALLE EXTENSION UNIVERSITY Correspondence Institution Clark Waster—Indians of the U. S. A 175-R S. Dearborn St., Chicago III. Pawnee Section of the Field Museum, Chicago. Dept. MJ 5, Article—Pleistocene Man in America by Piny I want to know how I can prepare for post-wax com- petition Send me your free booklet on the field I have E. Goddard in American Anthropologist, Vol. 29, fisted below. No. 2. pp 262-266. DForeman ship D Industrial Management Article—Definite Evidence of Human Artifacts Bookkeeping Accounting Traffic Management Executive Management in the American Pleistocene, Harold J. Cook in Law: LL.B. Degiue Salesmanship Corie*poudenc« Science, Nov. 1925, 459-460. O Business English DButineM Pp. Stenotypy *Bancroft Vol. V. Name Age...... *A possible explanation for a variable is that it has a complicated system of planets going Position around at various rates, the multiple sizes and rates of these bodies causing the light fluctuations. Address , —

AMAZING STORIES

do you WORRY? THE LANGUAGE OF LEMURIA (Concluded from page 71) Why -worry ana Suffer any | ABOUT longer it we can help you 7 Try a Brooks Patented Air X—Conflict (crossed force lines) Cushion. This marvelous T—Why appliance for most forme of Zero (a quantity of energy of neutralized reducible rupture helps hold Z— T nearly every rupture securely by an equal quantity of D) and gently—day and night at work and at play. Thour sands made happy. Light, Some "English!' Lemurian Words neat-fitting. No hard pads or stiff springs to chafe ABSENT—Animal be sent (one was sent, there- or gouge. Made for men, women and children. fore is not here) Ourable,^cheap. f*nt on trial to^ prove it Never ADDER—A der (the animal is a der, or deadly) Book^Rupt^ ARREST—Animal stops to rest (the ar syllable proof of results. All Correspondence Confidential. means is dangerously stopped) Brooks Company, 152-H State St, Marshall, Mich. BEGET—To catise to exist (command to gener- ate the energy of integrance) BAD—Be a de (to be a destructive force) BARD—Bar de (one who allays depressing de POEMS WANTED force, who overjoys us, decreases depression) For Musical Setting BIG—Be I generate (in the act of generation, as Mother, Home, Love, Sacred, Patriotic, Comic pregnant) aubjact. Don't Delay— Send us your or any BILK—Be ill kinetic (to run away from ill, to Original Poem at once—for immediate ex- amination and FREE Bhymmg Dictionary. dodge—K for movement) CHICAOO.ILL. DARK—Detrimental horrible movement (har- rowing things we are apt to see "in the dark") DECEASE—Stopped by de (disintegrated to the point of ceasing to be—death) DEVIATE—De vital ate (de has eaten the vital force, implication being the thing goes astray fro* booklet telling- at In- iorloui offset of tobaoeo and of a because of destructive force) — ittnent which ba» — DEVIL—De vile (to be vile with de; completely FREE SO fun Im BuaAiau destructive) THE NEWELL BOOK COMPANY DROP—De ro power (disintegrate governs CluytooSta, St Louis, Mo. power, thus it becomes less, falls) LADY—Lay de (allay depression; complimentary term) YOU ARE UNDER ARREST! MAD—Man a de (one who may de, be apt to Hatp BHb« Craaka to Justtoa Throafh ScJantffta destroy) CRIME DETECTION! MEAN—Me animal (animal conscious only of ble, ptoaauit pro- self) « MORBID—More be I de (I don't want to be J££££ f nm Hue. any more, I want to die) nmiTiirifniBiowKf.tta*>nakto. w. a* .«*«•«. NEE—Child energy (charm) NEUTRAL—Ne you te ral (attracted by the Complete HOME-STUDY charm of both parties) f Courses and self-instruc- OBSCENE—Orifice see charm (orifice meant tion books, slightly used. Rented, sold, exchanged. source of life, thus the meaning is evident) All subjects. Satisfaction PACT—Power act (an empowered act) guaranteed. Cask paid for used courses. Fall details and 02- page illustrated PEAL—Power all (power and all combine to give bargain catalog Free. Write now. a loud sound) NELSON COMPANY PRISON—Price on (to hold for ransom) 321 So. Wabash Avenue, Dept. 2-23. Chicago 4, III. QUIT—Quest you I te (get someone else to do good) VAN—Vital animal (the leader) SONGWRITERS ZEAL—Zero all (foolish ardor—to zeal) Place your songs with ns. Melodies supplied WITH- Mr. Shaver and your editor will be deeply in- Hollywood composers. OUT CHARGE by well known debted to any reader who may undertake to com- We record your song and make it presentable to the publishers. Lead sheetB and records furnished. Send pile a dictionary in any language of Lemurian your b<— 7 material for free examination. Write for words secured by use of the alphabet and root details. words. Due credit will be given such collabora- tors. Address communications to this magazine. AMAZING STORIES 207

SCIENCE "FANS" SHOULD BEAD my new Pamphlet which purports to solve some intriguing SCIENCE MYSTERIES, the na- ture of gravitation and electric attraction, refraction and matter -structure. An original thesis based on elementary principles of physics and relativity. For details write J. P. KAYNE. The Sheldrake, 4518 Clar- endon Ave., Chicago 40, lit.

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Examination for 7 days. H at

PICKWICK CO.. Dept. 3801-A Mental Telepathy | 73 West 44th Street, New York 18. N. Y. I Please send me the Self-Taught language Books I hare I checked below. It is understood that If at the end of N«i will be I am not satisfied I will return the books and my money oUstarrt'^uns? J : planets! Write'joe I refund 1 g ' FBENCH £?"SH ' j SPANISH „ £3 ITALIAN I Enclosed U U Money Order. ID Check to cover cost or | books at m ea,, 3 for 11.00, S for |1.65.

j NAME ADDRESS • CITY & ZONE ...... -*TATE I Mltcellantous 1 ! 30% additionalonal for Canada. f £ pottage ; y postman plus J i toil.' I TOBACCO. I will help you. S. B. STORIES of the STARS By HENRY GADE SfUca

The light of Spiea, in the constellation Virgo, is so bright that our own sun would appear like a mere spark in a furnace (See bock cover) YOU can find Spiea, in the constellation Perhaps we would find that the inhabitants had Virgo, very easily. It is a 1-5 magnitude hit on the clever idea of hollowing out these cactus star standing virtually alone in the sign of plants and converting them into dwelling places Libra, 10° south of the celestial equator. It is which would afford protection from the daytime easily recognized as the southern apex of a nearly heat, and also a source of food and nourishment equilateral triangle which it forms with Denebola and drinking water, just as does the barrel cactus to the northwest and Arcturus to the northeast. The poetic legend surrounding Virgo recognizes What kind of people would they be? Perhaps

her as Astraea, the goddess of justice, who, last of because of its extreme rigor of environment, the the old divinities, left the Earth at the close of the insect world alone might win a fight against death Golden Age. here. We might find these deserts and dry moun- She is also recognized as the Egyptian Isis. tains inhabited only by insects, some of them Spiea is two hundred and four light years away ferocious and another reason for the "people" we from us, and is eleven hundred and twenty times have pictured as dwelling inside these cactii to as bright as our sun. This is not one of the bright- select them as living places—protection being af- est suns in the universe, but Spiea has a singularly forded by the spiny armor of their prickiy outer glaring light of high actinic power. Our sun, in skins. comparison, is a mere flashlight bulb compared to Our "people" might be intelligent moths, who an arc lamp, or a lightning bug to a flashlight. can fly about at night in the intense cold that If Spiea has any attendant planets, they are keeps the insect of the ground inert in his warren, located at a tremendous distance from her. She and who would possess the delicacy necessary to has both tremendous heat and size. However, burrow into the cactus growths, fashion an open- assuming that such worlds do exist around Spiea, ing, and able to sip of the moisture of the cactus it is logical to assume that those having life on and the pulp of its inside for food. This savage them would be located as much as a light year world would have no abundance of food, and as away from her. little as an ounce might suffice to maintain the On the back cover of this magazine you will moth people. see Artist Frank R. Paul's concept of what life These moths, having perhaps a life span of only might be like on such a planet. This concept is a few months, would not be long-lived. Perhaps purely imaginary, but it is based on certain facts they would not live much longer than the cactus which we know from observation of Spiea. that forms their abode. They would know noth- First, Us extreme brilliance. Inasmuch as this ing of civilized living, or cities, but might be in- giant sun would give off radioactive rays in great telligent enough to utilize the "spines" of the quantity, we could expect the inhabitants to shun cactus as individual weapons; weapons which the daylight to a great extent, perhaps even living might prove very potent and deadly indeed, when for the most part underground. dipped into the poison of the cactus- flower's The planet itself would be largely desert, its pollen. soil seared and blasted by the brilliant sun's rays Artist pictured moths, that beat mercilessly down upon it. In this desert Paul has them as with four tentacle legs, with tiny ten- we might find huge cactus growths with a life span black bodies and much like the giant trees of Earth's California. drils that serve as arms and hands. He has armed Assuming that the seasons of this planet are very them with thorns from the cactus, and he has long, or perhaps even unchanging, due to an almost shown a visitor from Earth being cautiously re- perpendicular axis, such vegetation would be natu- ceived by the naturally fearful moths, who axe ral, having the ability to withstand great heat and creatures of the night, and who regard all crawl- great cold, and requiring little moisture. Because ing things of the surface as enemies. of a very slow rotation on its axis, this planet has We see that they are approximately ten feet very long days and nights—days in which the tem- tall, from the tips of their upward -thru sting wings perature would attain height comparable only to to their trailing leg appendages. They could exist, the hottest desert areas of Earth; and cold com- theory tells us—and who knows but what some parable to a bitter wintry night after sundown. day we will see creatures like this?

20S 1

AMAZING STORIES

BEGINNER EARNS

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