Dr. Creepen's Dungeon - S5 Ep215: Episode 215: Mad Scientist Horror Stories

Episode Date: February 4, 2025

Today’s terrifying tales of terror are six classic old-school works by the wonderful Captain S. P. Meek, freely available in the public domain and read here under the conditions of the CC-BY-SA 3.0 license. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/29607/pg29607-images.html#COLD_LIGHT

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BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. Welcome to Dr. Creepin's Dungeon. Mad scientists terrifies because they embody the darkest possibilities of human ambition, brilliant minds unshackled by morality, driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge and power. Unlike traditional monsters, they're not bound by supernatural forces but by their own arrogance, making them eerily plausible. They twist science into a weapon, blurring the line between progress and horror, often justifying atrocities in the name of discovery.

Their unpredictability, whether coldly calculating or consumed by obsession, makes them especially dangerous, reminding us that the greatest threats come not from the unknown, but from our own creations, as we shall see in tonight's epic collection of stories. Now, as ever before we begin, a word of caution. Tonight's tales may contain strong language as well as descriptions of violence and horrific imagery. That sounds like your kind of thing. Then let's begin. The cave of horror, screaming the garsman was jerked through the air, and an earthly screech rang through the cavern. The unseen horror of mammoth cave had struck again. Dr. Bird looked up impatiently as the door of his private laboratory in the Bureau of Standards swung open.

But the frown in his face changed to a smile as he saw the form of operative cards of the United States secret surface framed in the doorway. Hello, Carnes, he called cheerfully. Take a seat and make yourself at home for a few minutes. I'll be with you as soon as I finish getting this weight. Carnes sat on the edge of a bench and watched with admiration the long, nervous hands and the slim tapering fingers of a famous scientist. Dr. Bird stood well over six feet and weighed two hundred and six pounds stripped. His massive shoulders and heavy shock of unruly black hair

combined to give him the appearance of a prize-fighter until one lit at his hands. Acid stains and scars could not hide the beauty of those mobile hands, the hands of an artist and a dreamer. An artist Dr. Bird was, albeit his artistry, expressed itself in the most delicate and complicated experiments in the realms of pure and applied science that the world has ever seen, rather than in the commoner forms of art. The doctor finished his task of weighing a porcelain cuisone. set it carefully into a desicator and turned to his friend what's on your mind cards he asked you look worried is there another counterfeit on the market the operative shook his head have you been reading those stories that the papers have

been carrying about mammoth cane he asked dr. Byrd admitted a snort of disgust I read the first one of them part way through on the strength of it being an an associated press dispatch, he replied. But that was enough. It didn't exactly impress me with its veracity, and from a viewpoint of literature, the thing was impossible. I have no time to pour over the lucubrations of an inspired press agent. So you dismiss them as mere press agent were?

Certainly. What else could they be? Things like that don't happen fortuitously, just as the tourist season is about to open. I suppose that those yards will bring flocks to the curious to Kentucky. The public always responds well to sea serpent yarns. A mammoth cave has been closed to visitors for the season, said Kahn's quietly. What? cried the doctor in surprise.

Was there really something to those wild yarns? Well, there was, and what's more to the point there still is. At least there's enough to it that I'm leaving for Kentucky this evening. I came here for the express purpose of asking you whether you wanted to come along. Bolton suggested that I asked you. He said that the whole thing sounded to him like magic, and that magic was more in your line than it has. He made out a request for your services and have it in my pocket now. You interested?

How does the secret service cut on it? asked the doctor. Seems to me that it's a state matter. Mammoth Cave isn't a national park. Well, apparently you haven't followed the papers. It was a state matter until the governor asked for federal troops. Whenever the regulars get into trouble, the federal government is rather apt to take in a hand. I didn't know that regulars have been sent there. Tell me more about the case.

Will you come along? After Bird shook his head slowly. Why, do I really see how I can spare the time, Cairns? He said. I'm in the midst of some work of the... utmost importance, and it hasn't reached the stage where I can turn it over to an assistant. Then I won't bother you with the details, replied Kans as he rose. Sit down, damn you, cried the doctor. You know better that to try and pull that on me.

Tell me a case, then I'll tell you whether I'll go or not. I can't spare the time, but on the other hand, if it sounds interesting enough, Kahn's laughed. All right, doctor. He said, I'll take enough time to tell you about it even if you can't go. Now, do you know anything about it? No, I read the first story halfway through and then stopped. So start at the beginning and tell me the whole thing. Have you ever been to Mammoth Cave? Nope.

It, or rather, they, for while it's called Mammoth Cave, it really is a series of caves. Are located in Edmondson County in central Kentucky. on a spur railroad from Glasgow Junction on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. They are natural limestone caverns with a customary stalactite and stalactite formations, but are unusually large and very beautiful. The caves are quite extensive, and they're on different levels, so a guide's necessary if one wants to enter them and be a tall shore of finding the way out. Visitors are taken over a regular route and seldom allowed to visit portions of the cave off these routes.

large parts of the cave have never been thoroughly explored on men. So much for the scene. Well, about a month ago, a party from Philadelphia, who were motoring through Kentucky, entered the cave with a regular guide. The party consisted of a man and his wife from the two children, boy of 14, a girl of 12. They went quite a distance back into the caves, and then, as the mother was feeling tired, she and her husband sat down, intending to wait until the guide showed the children. and some sights which lay just ahead and then returned to them.

The guide and the children never returned. What happened? No one knows. All there is known is the bare fact that they've not been seen since. Kidnabbing case? Apparently not. The light of later happenings, although that was at first thought to be the explanation. Parents waited for some time.

Mother said she heard faint screams in the distance some ten minutes. some ten minutes after the guide and the children left. They were very far away, and she isn't sure she heard him at all. Well, at any rate, they didn't impress her at the time. When half an hour had passed, they began to feel anxious, and the father took a torch and started out to hunt for them. Well, the usual thing happened, he got lost. When he failed to return, the mother now thoroughly alarmed,

made her way by some uncanny sense of direction to the entrance and gave the alarm. In half an hour, a dozen search parties were on their way into the cave. The father was soon located, not far from the Beaden Trail. Despite three days of constant search, the children were not located. The only trace of them that was found was a bracelet which the mother identified. It was found in the cavern some distance from the beaten path and was broken, as though by violence. There were no other signs of a struggle. When the bracelet was found, the kidnapping theory gained vogue.

For John Hattel, the missing guide, knew the cave well, and natives of the vicinity scouted the area that he might be lost in. Inspired by the large reward offered by the father, fresh parties began to explore the unknown portions of the cave. And then came the second tragedy. Two of the searches failed to return. This time there seemed to be little doubt of violence for screams and a pistol shot were faintly heard by other searches, together with a peculiar screaming how, as it was. described by those who heard it. Search was at once made toward the spot where the bracelet had been picked up, and the gun of one of the missing man was found within fifty yards at the spot

where the bracelet had been discovered. One silhouder of the revolver had been discharged. Were any signs on the floor? Well, searchers said that the floor appeared to be rather more moist and slimy than usual, but that was all. He also spoke of a very faint smell of musk, but this observation was not confirmed by others who arrived a few moments later. So what happened next? The governor was appealed to when a company of the National Guard was sent from Louisville to Mammoth Cave. They took up camp at the mouth of the cave and prevented everyone from entering. Soldiers armed with service rifles penetrated the caverns, but found nothing.

Visitors were excluded, and the guardsmen established regular patrols and sentry posts in the cave with the result that one night, when time came for a relief, the only trace that we found of one of the guards was his rifle. It hadn't been fired. Double guards were then posted. Nothing happened for several days, and then another century disappeared. His companion came rushing out of the cave, screaming. When he recovered, he admitted that both he and the missing man had gone to sleep,

and when he awoke, he found his comrade gone. He called and he says that the answer he received, was a peculiar whistling noise which raised all the hair on the back of his neck he flashed his electric torch all round he couldn't see anything he swears however but he's heard a slipping sliding noise approaching him and he felt that someone was looking at it he bared it as long as he could and threw down his rifle and ran for his life had he been drinking no wasn't delirium either as was shown by the fact that a patrol found his gun where he'd thrown in, but no trace of the other century. After this second experience, the guardsmen weren't very eager to enter the cave, and the governor asked for regulars.

The company of infantry was ordered down from Fort Thomas to relieve the guards, but they fared worse than their predecessors. They lost two men the first night of their guards. The regulars weren't caught napping, for the main guard had five shots fires. They rushed to patrol to the scene and found both of the rifles which had been fired, but the men, well, the men were gone. The officer of the day made a thorough search of the vicinity and found some 200 yards from the spot where the sentries had been posted, a crack in the wall through which the man of a body could be forced.

Now his body crack had fresh blood on each side of it. Several of his men volunteered to enter the hall in search, but the lieutenant would not allow it. Instead, he armed himself with a couple of hand grenades in an electric torch and entered himself. Well, that was last Tuesday, and he is not returned. Was there any disturbance heard from the crack? Not at all. The guard was posted with two machine guns pointed at the crack in the wall, and a guard

of eight men and a sergeant stationed there. Last night, about six o'clock, while the guards were sitting around their guns, the faint smell of must became evident. One paid a great deal of attention to it, but suddenly, for no apparent reason at all, one of the men on guard, Judy, was jerked into the air, like feet upwards. He gave a scream of fear, and an unearthly screech answered him. The guards, with the exception of one man, turned tail and ran. One man stuck by his gun and poured a stream of bullets into the crack.

The retreating man could hear the rattle of the gun for a few moments. Then there was a choking scream, followed by silent. When the officer of the day got back with the patrol, there was a heavy smell of musk in the air, and a good deal of blood was splashed around. The machine guns were both there, although one of them was twisted up until it looked like it had been through an explosion. The officer commanding the company investigated the place, ordered all the men out of the cave, and communicated with the water department. The secretary of war found it too tough enough to crack, and he asked for help,

so Bolton's sending me down there. Well, do you think in a view of this yarn that your experiments can wait? The creases on Dr. Bird's high forehead have grown deeper and deeper as Kans had told his story. But now they suddenly disappeared, and he jumped to his feet with a boyish grin. How soon are we leaving? he asked. In two hours, Doctor, cars waiting for us downstairs, and I have a reservations book for both of us on the southern tonight. I knew you were coming. In fact, the request for your services had been approved before I came here to see you.

Dr. Bird rapidly divested himself with his laboratory smock and took his coat and hat from the cupboard. Well, I do hope you realize, Cairnsy old man. He said as he followed the operative out of the building, that I have a real fondness for your worthless old carcass. I'm leaving the results of two weeks of patient work alone and unattended in order to keep you out of trouble. I know that it will be ruined when I get back. I wonder whether you are worth it. Ah, retorted Kans.

I'm mighty glad to have you along, but you needn't rub it in by pretending that it's affection for me that's dragging you reluctantly into this mess. With an adventure like this ahead of you, leg-eyes and handcuffs wouldn't be able to keep you away from Mammoth Cave, whether I was going or not. It was late afternoon before Dr. Burden and Kahn's dismounted from the special train which had carried them from Glasgow Junction to Mathemat's cave.

They introduced themselves to the major commanding the Guard Battalion, which had been ordered down to reinforce the single company which had borne the first brunt of the affair, and then interviewed the guards who had been routed by the unseen horror, which was haunting the famous cave. Nothing was learned which difted in any great degree from the tale which cards had related to the doctor in Washington, except that the officer of the day,

who'd investigated the last attack, failed to entirely corroborate the smell of musk, which had been reported by the other observers. I might have me, Musk. But to me, I smelled differently, he said. Were you ever near a rattlesnake den in the West? Dr. Byrd nodded. Then you know the peculiar reptilian odor which such a place gives off.

Well, this smell was somewhat similar, although not the same by any manner, I mean. It was musky, all right, but it was more snake than must to me. I like the black mask, but this smell gave me the horrors. Did you hear any noises? Not at all. The men described some peculiar noises, Sergeant Jervis is an old file and pretty apt to get things straight,

but they may have been made by men who were in trouble. Saw a man caught by a bower in South America once. The noises he made might very well have been described in almost the same words as Jervis used. Thanks, Lieutenant. replied the doctor I remember what you've told me now I think we'll go into the cave my orders sir to allow no one to end a doctor I beg your pardon how car and sir where's that letter from the secretary of war Garns produced the document the lieutenant examined it and excused himself he

returned in a few moments with the commanding officer in the face of that letter dr. Berg said the major I have no alternative to to allow you to enter the cave, but I will warn you that it is at your own peril. I'll give you an escort if you wish. If, um, Lieutenant Pierce will come with me as a guide, that'll be all I need. Well, the lieutenant paled slightly, but threw back his shoulders. Do you wish to start at once, sir? He asked.

In a few moments. What's the floor of the cave like where we're going? Quite wet and slimy, sir. very slippery yes sir well in that case before we go in we want to put on some baseball shoes or cleats on them so that we can run if we have to can you get us anything like that

in a few moments sir good as soon as we get them we'll start in the meantime may I look at that gun that was found the browning machine gun was laid before the doctor he looked it over critically and sniffed delicately at it He took from his pocket a file of liquid, moistened a portion of the water jacket of the weapon, and then rubbed the moistened part riskily with his hands.

He sniffed again, and looked disappointed, and again examined the gun closely. Corns, he said at length, you see anything on this gun that looks like tooth marks? Nothing, doctor. Neither do I. There are some marks here which might quite conceivably be fingerprints of a four foot giant, but those two parallel grooves look like the result of severe squeezing. But there are no tooth marks. Strange. There's no persistent odor on the gun, which is also strange.

Well, there's no use in theorizing. We're confronted by a condition and not a theory that someone once said. Well, let's put on those baseball shoes and see what we can find out. Dr. Bird led the way into the cave, Karns and the lieutenant following closely with electric torches. In each hand, Dr. Bird carried a phosphorus hand grenade. No other weapons were visible, while the doctor knew that Kans carried a caliber 45 automatic pistol strapped under his left armpit. As they passed into the cave, the lieutenant stepped forward to lead the way. I'm going first, said the doctor. Follow me and indicate the turns by pressure on my shoulder.

Don't speak after we've started and be ready for instant flight. Now, let's go. forward into the interior of the cave they made their way the iron cleats of the baseball shoes rang on the floor and the noise echoed back and forth between the walls dying out in little eerie whispers of sound that made khan's hair rise ever forward they pressed the lieutenant guiding the doctor by silent pressure on his shoulder and karns following closely for half a mile they went on until a restrainable pressure brought the doctor to a halt the lieutenant pointed silently toward a crack in the wall before them. Card started forward to examine it, but a warning gesture from the doctor stopped him. Slowly an inch at a time, the doctor crept forward, hand grenades in readiness.

Presently he reached the crack, and, shifting one of the grenades into his pocket, he drew forth an electric torch and sent a beam of light through the crack into the dark interior of the earth. For a moment he stood thus, and then suddenly snapped off his torch, and strained up in an attitude of listening the straining ears of Kahn's and

Lieutenant Pierce could hear a faint slithering noise coming toward them not from the direction of the crack but from the interior of the cave simultaneously a faint musky reptilian odor became apparent run shouted the doctor run like hell it's loose in the cave the lieutenant turned and fled at top speed toward the distant entrance of the the cave, Carnes at his heels. Dr. Bird paused for an instant, straining his ears, and then threw a grenade. A blinding flash came from the point where the missile struck, and a white cloud rose in the air. The doctor then turned and fled after his companions. Not for nothing had Dr. Bird been an athlete of note in his college days. Well, despite the best efforts of his companions,

who were literally running for their lives, he soon caught up with them. As he did so, a weird, Blood-curling screech rose from the darkness behind them. Higher and higher in pitch than that rose, until it ended suddenly in a gurgling grunt, as though the breath which had uttered it had been suddenly cut off. The slithering, rustling noise became louder on their trail. Faster, gasped the doctor, as he put his hand on Karns' shoulder and pushed him forward.

The noise of pursuit gained slightly on them, and the sound as of intense breathing became audible. Dr. Bird paused and turned and faced the oncoming horror. His electric torch revealed nothing, but he listened for a moment, and then threw his second grenade. Keenly he watched its flight. It flew through the air for thirty yards and then struck an invisible obstruction and bounded toward the ground.

Before it struck the downward motion ceased, and it rose in the air. As it rose it burst with a sharp report, and a wild scream of pain filled the cavern with a deafening role. The doctor and his companions fled again. By the time he overtook them, the entrance of the cave loomed before them. With sobs of relief, they burst out into the open. The guard sprang forward with raised rifles, but Dr. Byrds waved them back. There's nothing after us, man. He panted. Well, we got chased a little way, but I tossed Appasua a handful of phosphorus, and it must have burned his fingers a little, judging from the racket he made. Well, at any rate, It stopped the pursuit.

The Major hurried up. Did you see it, Doctor? He asked. No, I didn't. No one has ever seen it or anything like it. I heard it, and from his voice I think it is a bag called. At least it sounded hoarse, so I gave it a little white phosphorus to make a poultice for his throat. But I didn't get a glimpse of it.

For God's sake, Doctor, what is it? I can't tell you yet, Major. So far as I can tell, it's something new to science, and I'm not sure just what it looks like. However, I hope to be able to show it to you shortly. Is there a telegraph office here? No, but we have a signal cord, detachment, with us, and they have a portable radio set which will put us in touch with the army now. Good. Can you place a tent of my disposal?

Yeah, certainly, doctor. All right, I'll go there, and I'd appreciate it if you'd send the radio operator to me. I want to send a message to the Bureau of Standards to forward me some apparatus which I need. I'll attend to it, doctor. You have any special advice to give me about the guarding? Yes, have you, or can you get any livestock? Livestock? Yeah, cattle preferred, although hogs or sheep will do it a pinch.

Sheep will do quite well. I'll see what I can do, Doctor. Get them by all means, if it's possible to do so. Don't worry about paying for them. Secret service funds are not subject to the same audit that the Army funds get. If you can locate them, drive a couple of cattle or half a dozen sheep well into the cave and tell of it other matter. If you don't get them, have your sentries posted well away from the cave mouth, and if any disturbance occurs during the night, tell them to break and run.

Well, I hope we won't come out, but that can't. can't tell for sure the herd of cattle was soon located and two of the beasts were driven into the cave two hours later a series of horrible screams and bellerings were heard in the cave following their orders the sentries abandoned their posts and scattered but the noise came no nearer to the mouth and in a few minutes silence again rained i hope that'll be holl that'll be needed for a couple of days said the doctor to the commanding officer but you'd better have a couple more cattle driven in in the morning. We want to keep the brute well fed. Now, is there a tank stationed at Fort Thomas? No, there isn't. Then Radio Washington, and I want the fastest three-man

tank that the army has, sent here at once. Don't bother with military channels. Radio direct to the Adjutant channel, quoting the Secretary of the Treasury as authority. Tell them that it's a rush matter, and sign the message, Bird, if you're afraid of getting your tail twisted. Twice more before the apparatus which the doctor had ordered from Washington arrived, cattle were driven into the depths of the cave, and twice more there were screams and bellowings from the cave repeated. Each time, searching parties found the cattle gone in the morning. A week after the doctor's arrival, a special train came up, carrying four mechanics from the Bureau of Standards, together with a dozen huge packing cases. Under the direction of the doctor, the cases were unpacked and the apparatus put together. Before the assembly had been completed, the tank, which had been requested, arrived from Camp Meade, and the Bureau mechanics began to install some of the assembled units in it. The first apparatus which was installed in the tank consisted of an electric generator, of peculiar design, which was geared to the tank motor.

The electromagnotive force thus generated was led across a spark gap with points of metallic substance. The light produced was concentrated by a series of parabolic reflectors, directed against a large quartz prism, and thence through a lens which was designed through a slightly divergent beam. This apparatus, Dr. Bird, explained to the signal corps officer, who was an interested observer, is one which was designed at the Bureau for large-scale production of ultraviolet light.

There's nothing special about the generator, except that it is highly efficient and gives an almost constant electromagnetic force. The current thus produced is led across these points, which are composed of Magnar Wals, development of the bureau. We found an investigation that a spark gave out a light which was peculiarly rich in ultraviolet rays

when it was passed between magnesium points. However, such points could not be used for the handling of a steady current because of lack of durability and ease of fusion. So a mixture of graphite, allundum, and metallic menecium pressed together with a binder

which will stand the heat. Thus we get the triple advantages of ultraviolet light production, durability and high resistance. The system of reflectors catches all of the light thus produced, except the relatively small portion which goes initially in the right direction, and directs it on this quartz prism where, due to the refractive powers of the prism, the light is broken up into its component parts. The infrared rays and that portion of the spectrum which lies in the visible range, or that is,

from red to violet inclusive, are absorbed by a black body, leaving only the ultraviolet portion free to send a beam through this quartz lens. I thought that a lens would absorb ultra-violet light, objected the signal officer. Our lens made of glass-wheel, but this lens is made of rock crystal, which is readily permeable to ultra-violet. The result of this apparatus is that we can direct before us

as we move in the tank of beam of light which is composed solely of the ultra-violet portion of the spectrum. In other words, an invisible light. Yes, that is invisible to the human eye. The effect of this beam of ultra-violent light in the form of severe sunburn would be readily apparent if you expose your skin to it for any length of time, and the effects on your eyesight of continued gazing would be apt to be disastrous. It produced a severe ophthalmia and temporary impairment of the vision, somewhat the same symptoms

as are observed in snow-blindness. I see, I ask what is the object of the whole thing? Surely, before we can successfully combat this peculiar visitor from another world, it's necessary that we gain some idea of the size and appearance of it. Nothing of the sword has before made its appearance, so far as the animals of science go and so I'm forced to make some rather wild guesses at the nature of the animal. You're probably aware of the fact that the property of penetration possessed by all waves is a function of their frequency, or perhaps I should say, of their wavelength.

certainly the uh longer rays of visible light will not penetrate as deeply into a given substance as the shorter ultraviolet rays this visitor is evidently from some unexplored and indeed unknown cavern in the depths of the earth where visible light is never penetrated apparently in this cavern the color of the inhabitants is ultraviolet and hence invisible to us you are beyond my depth doctor oh pardon me you understand of course what color is well when sunlight which is a mixture of all colors from infrared ultraviolet inclusive falls on an object certain rays are reflected and certain others are absorbed if the red rays are reflected and all others absorbed the light appears red to our eyes if all the rays are reflected the object appears white and if all are absorbed it appears black yeah understand

that the human eye cannot detect ultraviolet suppose then that we have an object either animate or inanimate the surface of which reflects only ultraviolet lights what would be the result the object would be invisible i should think it would be black if all the rays except the ultraviolet were absorbed right would but well i didn't say the others were absorbed are you familiar with fluorescent Well, I think you are. It's the dye used in making changeable silk. If we fill a glass container with a fluorescentine solution and look at it by reflected light, it appears green.

If we look at it by transmitted light, that is light which has traversed the solution, it appears red. In other words, this is a substance which reflects green light allows a free passage to red light and absorbs all other light. Now, this creature that we're after, if my theory is correct, is composed of a substance which allows free passage to all the visible light rays and at the same

time reflects ultraviolet light but make myself clear perfectly very well then my apparatus will project forward a beam of ultraviolet light which will be in much greater concentration than exists in incandescent electric light and it's my hope that this light will be reflected by the body of the creature to a sufficient amount to allow me to make a photograph of it But won't your lens prevent the ultraviolet light from reaching your place? Well, an ordinary lens made of optical glass would do so. But I have a camera here equipped with a rock crystal lens, which will allow ultraviolet light to pass through it practically unhindered,

and with very slight distortion. When I add that I'll have my camera charged with x-ray film, a film which is peculiarly sensitive to the shorter wavelengths, you'll see that I'll have a fair chance of success. Well, it sounds logical. Would you allow me to accompany you when you make your attempt? I'll be glad of your company, if you can drive a tank. I want to take cars with me, and the tank will only hold two besides the driver.

I can drive a tractor. In that case, you should master the tricks of tank driving in short order. Get familiar with it, and we'll appoint you as driver. We'll be ready to go in tonight. But I'm going to wait a day. our friend was fed last night and there's less chance he'll be about the early part of the next evening was marked by howls and screams coming from the mouth of the cave as the night wore on the noises were quite evidently coming nearer and the sentries watched the cave mouth nervously ready to bolt and scatter according to their orders at the first alarm at two a m the doctor and karns climbed into the tank beside lieutenant leffingwell and the machine moved slowly into the cave searchlight on the front of the tank lighted the way for them and attached to a frame which

held it some distance ahead of them was a luckless sheep keep your eyes on the modern currents caution the doctor as soon as anything happens to it shut off the searchlight and let me try to get a picture as soon as i have made my exposures i'll tell you and you can snap it on again lieutenant when the picture is made turn your tank and make for the entrance of the cave and if we're we're lucky he'll get out forward the tank crawled the sheep bleating and trying to break loose from the bonds which held it was impossible to hear much over the roar of the motor but presently dr bird leaned forward his eyes shining i smell musk he announced get ready for action even as he spoke the sheep was suddenly lifted into the air he gave a final bleat of terror and its head was torn

from its body. Quick, Carnes, she added the doctor. The searchlight went out, and Kahn's and the lieutenant could hear the slide of the ultraviolet light which Dr. Bird was manipulating open. For the next two or three minutes the doctor worked with his apparatus. All right, he cried suddenly. Lights on, get out of here. Kahn snapped on the searchlight, and Lieutenant Leffingwell swung the tank around and headed for the cave mail.

For a few feet their progress was unhindered, and then the tank ceased its forward motion, although the motor still roared and the tracks slid on the cave floor. Carnes watched with horror as one side of the tank bent slowly in toward him. There was a rending sound, and a portion of the heavy steel fabric was torn away. Dr. Bird bent over something on the floor of the tank. Presently he straightened up and threw a small object into the darkness. There was a flash of light and bits of flaming, POSRUS flew in every direction.

The anchor which held the tank was suddenly loosed, and the machine crawled forward at full speed, while a roar of escaping air mingled with a bellowing shriek, burdened the smoke-laden air. Faster, cried the doctor, as he threw another grenade. Lieutenant Leffingwell got the last bit of speed possible out of the tank, and they reached the cave mouth without further molestation. I had an idea that our friend wouldn't care to pass through a Fosurus' scream. said Dr. Bird with a chuckle as he climbed out of the tank. He must have been rather severely burned the other day,

and once burned is usually twice shy. Where's Major Brown? The commanding officer stepped forward. Drive a couple of cattle into the cave, please, Major, directed Dr. Bird. I want to fill that brood up, keeping quiet for a while. I'm going to go and develop my films. Lieutenant Leffingwell and Kahn's peered over the the doctor's shoulders as he manipulated his films in a developing bar gradually vague lines and

blotches made their appearance on one of the films but the form was indistinct dr bird dropped the films in a fixing tank and straightened up um we have something gentlemen he announced but i can't tell yet how clear it is it'll take those films 15 minutes to fix and then we'll know a quarter of an hour later he lifted the first film from the tank and held it to the light the film showed a blank with an exclamation of disappointment he lifted a second and third film from the tank with the same result then he raised the fourth one good lord gasped count in the plate could be clearly seen the hind quarters of the sheep held in the grasp of such a monster as even the drug-laden brain of an opium-smoker never pictured judging from the sheep, the monster stood at about twenty feet tall, and its frame was surmounted by a head resembling an overgrown frog. In almost jaws were open to seize the sheep, but to the amazement of the three observers, the jaws were entirely toothless. Where teeth were to be expected,

long parallel ridges of what looked like bare bone appeared, without even a rudimentary segregation to teeth. The body of the monster was long and snake-like. and was born on long heavy legs ending in feet with three long toes armed with vicious claws the crowding horror of the creature was its fore-legs they were of enormous length thin and attenuated looking and ended in huge misshapen hands knobbly and blotched which grasped the sheep in the same manner as human hands the eyes were as large as dinner-plates and they were glaring at the camera with an expression of fiendish malevolent which make Khan's shudder. How does that huge thing ever get through that crack we examine? demanded the lieutenant. Dr. Bird rubbed his head thoughtfully.

It's not an amphibian, he muttered, as is plainly shown by the shape of the limbs and the lack of a tail, and yet it appears to have scales of the true fish type. It corresponds to no recovered fossil, and I'm inclined to believe it is unique. or the nerve organization must be very low, judging from the lack of forehead in the general confirmation. It has enormous strength, and yet the arms look feeble. It can't get through that crack, insisted the lieutenant.

Apparently not, replied the doctor. Wait a moment, though. Look at this. He pointed to the great disproportion between the length and diameter of the forelegs, and then to the hind legs. Either this is grave distortion or there's something mighty strange about the confirmation. No animal could be constructed like that. He turned the film so that an oblique light fell on it. As he did so he gave a cry of astonishment. Look here, he said sharply.

It does get through that crack. Look at those arms and hands. There's the answer. This creature is tall and broad, but from front to rear it can be. measure only a few inches the same must be true of the frog-like head that animal has been developed to live and move in a low-roofed cavern and to pass through tiny openings only a few inches wide his bulk is all in two dimensions i uh i believe you're right said kans as he studied the film there is no doubt of it answered the doctor look at those paws too kans

That substance isn't bone, it's gum. The thing is so young and helpless that it hasn't cut its first teeth yet. It must be a baby. That's the reason why it made its way into the cave when no other of its kind ever has. How large are the full-grown ones if this is a baby? asked the lieutenant. Oh, the Lord alone knows, replied Dr. Bird. I hope that I never have to face one and find out.

well now we know what we're fighting we ought to be able to settle this high explosive suggested the lieutenant i don't think so with such a low nervous organization we would have to tear it practically to pieces to kill it and i'm anxious to keep it from utilization for scientific study i have an idea but i'll have to study a while before i can be sure of the details send me the radio operator the next day the bureau mechanics began to dismount the apparatus from the tank and to assemble another elaborate contrivance before they'd made an end to the work though additional equipment to derive from washington which was incorporated into the new setup at length dr bird pronounced himself ready for the attempt under his direction three cattle were driven into the cave and there tethered they were there the next morning

unharmed but the second night the now familiar bellowing and howling came from the depths of the cave and in the morning two of the cattle were gone I'll keep in quiet for a day or two said the doctor so now to work the tank made its way into the cave dragging after it two huge cables which led to an engine driven generator outside the cave these cables were attached to the terminals of a large motor which was set up in the cave near the place where the cattle were customarily tethered. This motor was the actuating force which turned two generators, one large and one small. The smaller one was mounted on a platform on wheels, which also contained the spark gaps, the reflectors

and other apparatus which produced the beam of ultraviolet light which had been used to photograph the monster. From a larger generator there had two copper bars. One of these was connected to a huge copper plate, which was laid flat on the floor of the cave. The other led to a platform which was erected on huge porcelain insulators some 15 feet above the floor. Huge condensers were set up on this platform, and Dr. Bird announced himself in readiness. The steer was dragged into the cave and up a temporary runway which led to the platform containing the condensers, and there tied with the copper bus bar from the larger generator, fastened to three flexible copper straps, which led around the animal's body.

When this was completed, everyone except the doctor, Kahn's and Lieutenant Leffingwell had left the cave. These three crouched behind the searchlight which sent a mild beam of ultraviolet onto the platform where the steer was held. The engine outside the cave was started

and the three men waited with tense nerves. For several hours nothing happened. The steer tried from time to time to move and finding it impossible, set up plaintive bellows for liberty. I wish something would happen, muttered the lieutenant. This is getting on my nerves. Something is about to happen, replied Dr. Burr grimly. Listen to that steer.

The bellowing of the steer had suddenly increased in volume, added to the note of discontent was a note of fright which had previously been absent. Dr. Bird bent over his ultraviolet searchlight and made some adjustments. He handed a helmet-like arrangement to each of his companions and slipped one over his own head. Can't see a thing, doctor, said Kahn's in a muffled voice. The objects at which you are looking absorb rather than reflect ultraviolet light, said the doctor. This is a sort of fluoroscope arrangement, and it isn't perfect at all.

however when the master comes along I'm pretty sure that you'll be able to see it you may see a little more as your eyes get accustomed to it I can see very dimly announced the lieutenant dimly the walls of the cave and the platform before them began to take vague shape the three stared intently down the beam of ultraviolet light which the doctor directed down the passageway leading deeper into the cave oh good Lord said Carr suddenly. Slowly into the field of vision came the hideous figure they'd seen on the film. As it moved forward, a rustling, slithering sound could be heard,

even over the bellowing of the steer and the hum of the apparatus. The odor of mask became evident. Along the floor toward them, the thing slid. Presently it reared up on its hind legs and its enormous bulk became evident. It turned somewhat sideways,

and the correctness of Dr. Bird's hypothesis as to its peculiar shape was proved. All of the bulk of the creature was in two dimensions. Forward it moved, and the horrible human hands stretched forward, while the mouth split in a wide, toothless grin. Nearer the doomed steer the creature approached, and then the reaching hands closed in on the animal. There was a blinding flash, and the master was heard backwards, as though struck by a thunderbolt, while a horrible smell of musk and burned flesh filled the air.

After it, quick, cried the doctor, as he sprang forward. Before he could reach the prostrate creature, it moved, and then, slowly at first but with rapidly gaining speed, it slivered over the flooring retreat. Dr. Bird's hand swung through an arc, and it was a deafening crash as a hand grenade exploded on the back, of the fleeing monster. An unearthly scream

came from the creature, and its motion changed from a steady forward glide to a series of convulsive jerks. Leffingwell and Karns threw grenades, but they went wide of their mark, and the monster began again

to increase its speed. Another volley of grenades was thrown, and one hit scored, which slowed the monster somewhat but did not arrest the steady forward movement. Any more bombs? demanded the doctor.

Damn, he cried as he received negative answers. The current wasn't strong enough. It's going to get away. Kahn's jerked his automatic from under his armpit and poured a stream of bullets into the fleeing monster. Slower and slower the motion of the creature became and its movements again became jerky and convulsive. Keep it in sight, cried the doctor.

We may get it yet. Cautiously the three men followed the retreating horror, Leffingwell pushing before him the platform holding the ultra-violet ray apparatus. The chase led them over familiar ground. There is, there's the crack, cried the lieutenant. Too late, replied the doctor. He rushed forward and seized the lower limb of the monster and tried with all his strength to arrest its flight.

But despite all that he could do, it slid sideways, through the crack in the wall and disappeared. A final backward kick of its leg threw the doctor twenty feet against the far wall of the cave. Are you hurt, Doctor? cried Kans. No, I'm all right. Put on your masks and start the gas, quick. That may stop it before it gets in too far.

The three adjusted their gas masks and thrust the mouths of two gas cylinders which were on the light truck into the crack and open the valves. The hissing of the gas was accompanied by a thrashing and writhing sound from the bowels of the earth. But after a few minutes

the sound retreated and finally died away into an utter silence. And that is that, cried the doctor, half an hour later as they took off their gas masks outside the cave. He got away from us.

Garant, how soon can we get a train back to Washington? What kind of a real thing? report are you going to make to the bureau doctor asked Carnes as they sat in the smoker of a southern train headed for the capital well i'm not going to put in any report Carnes replied the doctor i haven't got the creature or any part of it to show and no one would believe me i'm going to maintain a discreet silence about the whole matter but you have your photograph to show doctor and you have my evidence and lieutenant leffingwells

The photograph might have been faked, and I might have doked both of you. In any case, your words are no better than mine. No, indeed, Corrin's, when I failed to make the current strong enough to kill it outright, only the first of the moves which bide me to silence, although I thought that two hundred thousand volts would be enough. The second failure I made was when I missed him with my second grenade, although I doubt if all six would have stopped him. My third failure was when we failed to get us a sufficient.

concentration of cyanide gas into that hole in a hurry. The thing is so badly crippled that it will die, but it may take hours or even days for it to do so. It's already made its way so far into the earth that we couldn't reach it by blasting without danger of bringing the whole place down on our heads. Even if we could blast our way into the place it came from, I wouldn't dare open a path which would allow a Lord only knows what terrible monsters to invade the earth. When the soldiers have finished stopping that crack with ten feet of solid masonry, I think the barrier will hold. Even against that critters, Papa and Mama, and all its relatives. And then Mammoth Cave will be safe for visitors again. Well, that latter fact is the only report which I will make.

There's one hell of a story to go to waste, said Kahn, soberly. I'll tell it that, if you wish, and get laughed at for your pains. No, Kans, you must learn one thing. A man like Baldwin, for instance, will implicitly believe that a fally-over in his watch charm will bring him good luck, and the carrying a buckeye keeps rheumatism away from him. But tell him a sober fact like this, attested to by three reliable witnesses and a good photograph, and you'll just get laughter for your pains. Well, I'm going to keep my mouth shut.

so be it then replied carnes with a son the bodies had broken into pieces as though they've been made of glass cold lights like captain s p me damn it carnes i'm on my vacation i know it doctor and i hate to disturb you but i felt that i simply had to i have one of the weirdest cases on my hands that i've ever been mixed up in and well i think you'll forgive me me for calling when I tell you about it. I talked a bird, groaned into the telephone. I took a vacation last summer. I tried to. You hauled me away from the best fishing I've found in years to help you on a case. This year I've traveled all the way from Washington to San Francisco to get away from you,

and the very day that I get here, you're after me. Oh, I won't have anything to do with it. Where are you, anyway? I'm at Fallon, Nevada, Doctor. I'm sorry that you won't help me out because the case promises to be unusually interesting. Hey, let me tell you about it at least. Talked the bird groaned louder than ever into the telephone. All right, go ahead and tell me about it.

If it'll relieve your mind, but I've given you my final answer, I am not a bit interested in it. That's quite all right, doctor. Don't expect you to touch it. I hope, however, that you'll be able to. give me an idea of where to start. So, um, did you ever see a man's body broken in pieces? Hmm, you mean badly smashed up? No, indeed I mean just what I said, broken in pieces.

Legs snapped off as though the entire flesh had become brittle. No, I haven't. Neither did anyone else. Well, I've seen it, doctor. What have you been drinking? Operative Kahn's of the United States Secret Service chuckled softly to himself. The voice of the famous scientist of the Bureau of Standards plainly showed an interest which was quite a variance with the words he'd spoken. Oh, I was quite sober, Doctor. So was Hughes. We both saw it. And who is Hughes?

He's an airmail pilot, one of the crackflies of the Transcontinental Air Mail Corporation. Hey, why don't I tell you the whole thing in order? All right. You'll have a few minutes to spare, but I'll warn you again that I don't intend to touch this case. Huh, suit yourself, doctor. Well, I have no authority to requisition your services. As you know, the TAC has been handling a great deal of transcontinental air mail with a pretty clean record on accidents. Day before yesterday, a special plan left Washington to carry two packages from the airman.

to San Francisco. One of them was a shipment of jewels valued at a quarter of a million, consigned to a San Francisco firm, and the other was a sealed packet from the War Department. No one was supposed to know the contents of that packet except the chief of staff, who delivered it to the plane personally. But rumors got out, as usual, and it was popularly supposed to contain certain essential features of the Army's war plans. Oh, this much is certain.

The plane carried not only the regular TAC pilot and courier, but also an army courier, and it was guarded during the trip by an army plane on with small bombs and a machine gun. You know what? I rode in it. My orders were simply to guard the ship until it landed at Mills Field, then to guard the courier from there to the Presidio of San Francisco, till his packet was delivered personally into the hands of the commanding general of the Ninth Corps area. Well, the trip was quiet and monotonous until after we left Salt Lake City at dawn this morning. Nothing happened until we were about 100 miles east of Reno.

We'd taken elevation to cross the stillwater mountains and were skimming low over them, by plane trailing the TAC plane by about a half a mile. I also am paying any particular attention to the other ship when I suddenly found our plane leap ahead. Well, it was a fast one, and the pilot gave it the gun. and made it move I can talk. I yelled into my phone, asked him what the reason was. The pilot yelled back that the plane ahead

was in trouble. As soon as it was called to my attention, I could see myself that it wasn't acting normally. It was losing elevation and was pursuing a very erratic course. Before we could reach it, it lost flying speed and fell into a spinning nosedive and headed for the ground.

Well, I watched, expecting every minute to see the crew make parachute jumps. But they didn't. The plane hit the ground with a terrific crash. It caught fire, I suppose. No, Doctor. That's one of the funny things about the accident. It didn't.

It hit the ground in an open place free from brush and literally just burst into pieces, but it didn't flame up. We headed directly for the scene of the crash, and we encountered another funny thing. We almost froze to death. Hmm. What do you mean? Well, exactly what I say. Of course, it's pretty cold of that altitude all the time,

but this cold was like nothing I'd ever encountered. It seemed to freeze the blood in our veins, and it congealed frost on the windshields, and it made the motor miss for a moment. It was only momentary, and it only existed directly over the wreck plane. We went past it and swung around in a circle, and came back over the wreck. But we didn't feel that cold again.

Next thing we tried to do was find a landing place. That country is pretty rugged and rough, and it wasn't a flat place for miles that was large enough to land a ship on. Hughes and I taught it over. It didn't seem too much of anything that we could do except to go on until we found a landing place. I had no experience in parachute jumping. I couldn't pilot the plane if Hughes jumped. So we swooped down over the wreck as close as we dared,

and that was when we saw the condition of the bodies. The whole plane was cracked up pretty badly. But the weird part of it was of the fact that the bodies of the crew had broken into pieces, and so they'd been made of glass. Arms and legs were detached from the torsos and lying in a distance. There was no sign of blood on the ground. We saw all this with our naked eyes from close at hand, and verified it by observations through binoculars from a greater height.

And when we made our observations and mild the location of the record, as closely as we could. We headed east until we found a landing place near Fallon. You just dropped me here and went on to Reno, or to San Francisco if necessary, to report the accident and get more planes to aid in the search. I had no idea as to what to do. But it seemed to be in your line. As I knew, you were at St. Francis, I called you up. Tell me, what are your plans now? Well, I made none until I'd talk to you. The country where the wreck occurred is unbelievably wild, and we can't get near it with any transportation other than boroughs. The only thing that I can see to do is to gather together what transportation I can, and head for the wreck on foot to rescue the packets and to

bring out the bodies. So, well, you suggest anything better? Tell me, when'd you expect to start? As soon as I can get my pack train together, possibly three years. to four hours. Corrence, tell me, are you sure that those bodies were broken into pieces? An arm or a leg might easily be torn off in a complete crash. They were smashed into bits as nearly as I could tell, Doc. He uses an old-time flyer, and he's seen plenty of crashes,

but he's never saw anything like this. It beats anything that I ever saw, too, if your observations were accurate. There could be only one cause, and that one is a patent impossibility. I haven't got any equipment with me, but I expect that I can get most of the stuff that I want from the University of California across the bay at Berkeley. I can get a player at Crisiefield. Here, I'll tell you what to do, comments. Get your burrow train together, start as soon as you can. But leave me a half-dozen burros and a guide at Falun.

I'll get up there as soon as I can. can I'll try to overtake you before you get to the red and if I don't please don't disturb anything any more you can help until my arrival do you understand I thought you were on your vacation doctor ah shut up will you at most of my vacations this one will have to be postponed I'll move as swiftly as I can I ought to be at Fallon tonight if I'm lucky and don't run into any obstacles burrows are fairly slow but I'll make the best time possible. Well, I rather expected you would, Doctor.

Look, I can't pack my train together until this evening, so I'll wait for you right here. And I'm really glad that you're going to get in on it. Part two. Silently Kahn's and Dr. Bird surveyed the wreck of the TAC plane. The observations of the Secret Service operative had been correct. The bodies of the unfortunate crew had been broken into fragments. The limbs had not been twisted off as a freak of the fall, but had been cleanly broken off,

as though the bodies had suddenly become brittle and shattered on their impact with the ground. Not only the bodies, but the ship itself had been broken up. Even the clothing of the men was in pieces or had long splits in the fabric, whose edges were as clean as though they had been cut with a knife. Dr. Bird picked up an arm which had belonged to the pilot and examined it. or the brittleness, if it had ever existed, was gone now and the arm was limp. Hmm, no rigor-mortous, commented the doctor. How long ago was the wreck?

About 72 hours ago. Hmm, what about those packets that were on the plane? Kahn stepped forward and gingerly inspected, first the body of the army courier, and then that of the courier of the TAC. Yeah, both gone, Doctor, he reported, straightening up. Dr. Bird's face fell into grim lines. There's more of this case than appears on the surface cards, he said. This was no ordinary wreck.

I bring up that third burrow. I want to examine these fragments a little. He then went on to one of the two guides who had accompanied them from Fallon. You and Wallace scout around the ground, see what you can find out. especially wished to know whether anyone had visited the scene of the wreck the guides consulted a moment and then started on their way cars drove up the burrow the doctor had indicated and dr bird unpacked it he opened a mahogany case and took from it a high-powered microscope setting the instrument up on a convenient rock he subjected portions of the wreck including several fragments of flesh to careful

scrutiny. When he completed his observations, he fell into a brown study from which he was aroused by cars. What did you find out about the cause of the wreck, doctor? I don't know what to think. The immediate cause was that everything was frozen. The plane ran into a belt of cold which froze of the motor, which probably killed the crew instantly. It was undoubtedly the aftermath of that cold which you felt when you swooped down over the wreck. It seems impossible that it could have and cold enough to freeze everything up like that. Yeah, it does. Yet I'm confident that that's what happened.

It was no ordinary cold kinds. It was cold of the type that infests interstellar space. Cold beyond any conception you have of cold. A cold near the range of the absolute zero of temperature. Nearly 450 degrees below zero on the Fahrenheit scale. In such temperatures, things which are ordinarily quite far, flexible and elastic, such as rubber or flesh, become as brittle as glass, and would break in the manner which these bodies have broken. An examination of the tissues of the flesh shows that

it has been submitted to some temperatures very low in the scale, probably below that of liquid air. Such a temperature would produce instant death and the other phenomena which we can observe here. Yeah, but what could cause such a low temperature doctor? Well, that I don't know yet, hope to fight out before we're finished. Cold is a funny thing, Carnes. Ordinarily, it's considered simply the absence of heat, yet I've always held it to be a definite negative quantity. All through nature, we observe that every force has its opposite or negative force to oppose it. We have positive and negative electrical charges, positive and negative or north and south magnetic poles. We have gravity in its opposite apricy, and I believe cold is really. It's really,

really negative heat. Well, never heard of anything like that, doctor. I always thought that things were cold because heat was taken from them, not because cold was at it. It sounds preposterous. Such is the common idea, and yet I cannot accept it. It does not explain all the recorded phenomena. You are familiar with the searchlighter, you know. Well, in a general way, yeah. Well, a searchlight is merely a source of light and of course of heat which is placed at the focus of a parabolic reflector so that all of the rays emanating from the source travel in parallel lines now searchlight of course gives off heat if we place a lens of the same size as the searchlight aperture in the path of the beam and concentrate all the light

and heat at one spot the focal point of the lens the temperature of that point is the same as the temperature of the source of the light less what has been lost by radiation You understand that, do you not? Why, certainly. I suppose that we place at the center of the aperture of the searchlight a small opaque disk, which is permeable neither to heat nor light, in such a manner as to interrupt the central portion of the beam.

As a result, the beam will go out in the form of a hollow rod or pipe of heat and light with a dark cold core. This core will have the temperature of the surrounding air, plus the small amount which was radiated into it from the surrounding pipe, If we now pass this beam of light through a lens in order to concentrate the beam, both the pipe of heat and the cold core will focus. If we place a temperature measuring device near the focus of the dark core, we'll find that the temperature is lower than the surrounding air. And this means that we have focused, or rather concentrated, the cold. It sounds impossible, but I can offer no other criticism.

And, nevertheless, it is experimentally true. It's one of the facts which leave me to consider cold as negative heat. However, this is true of cold, as it is of the other negative forces. They exist and manifest themselves only in the presence of the positive forces. No one has yet concentrated cold except in the presence of heat, as I have outlined to you. Oh, how this coal belt which the TAC plane encountered came to be there is another question indeed the thing which we have to determine is whether it was caused by natural or artificial forcing both of the packets which the plane carried a gone doctor observed cons yeah that seems to add way to the possibility that the cause was artificial but it's far from conclusive the packets might not have been on the man when the plane fell or someone may have passed later and taken them for safe keeping

All the doctor's remarks here were interrupted by the guides. Someone's been out here since the wrecked doctor, said Bill. Walter and I found tracks where two men came up here and prowed around for some time and left by the way they came. They went off toward the northwest. We followed that trail for about 40 rods, then we lost it. We weren't able to pick it up again. Thanks, Bill, replied the doctor.

Well, Kans, that seems to add more ways. to the theory that the spot of cold was made, and it didn't just happen naturally. If a prospective party had just happened along, he would either have left the wreck alone, or they would have made some attempt to intern the bodies. That coal belt must have been produced artificially by men who planned to rob this plane after bringing it down, and were nearby to get their plunder. So, um, is there any chance of following that trail? Right out it, Doc.

Oh, Walter and I scouted around quite a lot, and he couldn't pick it up again. Is there any power line passing within 20 miles of here? None that Walter and I know of, Doc. Funny, such a device as must have been used to need power, and lots of it for operation. Well, I'll try my luck. Guards, tell me unpack and set up the rest of my apparatus. With the aid of the operative. Dr. Bird unpacked two of the burros and extracted from cases where they were carefully packed and padded

some elaborate electrical and optical apparatus. The first was a short telescope of large diameter, which he mounted on a base in such a manner that it could be elevated or depressed and rotated in any direction. At the focal point of the telescope was fastened a small knot of wire from which one lead ran into the main piece of the apparatus, which he'd sat on a flat rock. The other lead from the wire knot ran into a sealed container surrounded by a water bath under which a spirit lamp burned. From the container another lead led to the main apparatus. This main piece consisted of a series of wire coils mounted on a frame and attached to the two leads.

The doctor took from a padded case a tiny magnet suspended on a piece of wire of exceedingly small diameter which he fastened in place inside the coils. cemented to the magnet was a tiny mirror. Hey, um, what is that apparatus? Ask Kahn's as the doctor finished his setup and surveyed it with satisfaction.

Nearly a thermal couple attached to a Darsan Val Galvanitor, replied the doctor. This large squat telescope catches and concentrates on the thermal couple and the galvanometer registers the temperature. You're aware to my depth here. What's a thermal couple?

A juncture of two wires made of dissimilar metals, in this case of platinum and of platinum iridium alloy. There's another similar junction in this case, which is kept at a constant temperature by the water-batter. When the temperatures of the two junctions are the same, the system is in equilibrium. When there are different temperatures, an electrical potential is set up, which causes a current to flow from one to the other through the galvanometer. The galvanometer consists of a magnet set up inside coil through which the current I spoke

off flows. This current causes the magnet to rotate, and by watching the mirror the rotation can be detected and measured. Now this device is one of the most sensitive ever made, and is used to measure the radiation from distant stars. Currents as small as you can imagine have been detected and measured. This particular instrument is not that sensitive to begin with, and has its sensitivity further reduced by having a high resistance in one of the leads.

So, um, what are you going to use it for? I'm hoping to try and locate somewhere in these hills a patch of local cold. It may not work, but I have hopes. If you'll manipulate the telescope so as to surge the hills around here, I'll watch the galvanometer. Part three. For several minutes, Carr swung the telescope around. Twice, Dr. Byrd stopped him,

and decreased the sensitiveness of his instrument by introducing more resistance in the lines in order to keep the magnet from twisting clear around due to the fluctuations in the heats received on account of the varying conditions of reflection as kars swung the telescope again the magnet swung around sharply nearly to a right angle to its form of position stop cried the doctor now read your device karns read the compass bearing on the protractor attached to the frame which supported the telescope. Dr. Bird took a pair of binoculars and looked long and earnestly in the indicated direction.

With a sigh, he laid down the glasses. Now, I can't see a thing, Karnsey, he said. We'll have to move over to the next crest and make a new setup. Plan it right on the hill so we can get a compass bearing and get the airline distance with a rangefinder. On the hill top which Dr. Bird had pointed out, The apparatus was again set up. For several minutes, Kahn swept the hills

before an exclamation from the doctor told him to pause. He checked the new reading, and the doctor laid off for two readings on a sheet of paper with a protractor and made a few calculations. Hmm, I don't know, he said reflectively, when it finished his computations. This damn instrument is still so sensitive that you may have merely focused on a deep shadow

or a cold spring or something of that sort. But the magnet kicked clear around, and it may mean that we've located what we were looking for. It should be about two miles away, almost due west of here. There's no spring that I know of, Doc. I think I know every waterhole in this country, remarked Bill. That could hardly be a spring of this elevation anyway, replied the doctor. Maybe it is what we're seeking. We'll start out in that direction anyway.

Bill, you'd better take the lead. for you know the country spread out a little so we won't be too bunched if anything happens for three quarters of an hour the little group of men made their way through the wilderness in the direction indicated by the doctor presently bill who was in the lead heard of his hand with a warning gesture the other three closed up as rapidly as cautious progress would allow here what is it bill asked the doctor in an undertone well slip up ahead and look over that craft The doctor obeyed the instructions. As he glanced over, he gave vent to a low whistle of surprise, a motion for Carnes to join him. The operative crawled up and glanced over the crest. In a hollow before them was a crude one-storied house, and directed on an open space before it was a massive piece of apparatus. It consisted of a large number of huge metallic cylinders, from which lines ran to a silvery concave mirror,

mounted on an elaborate frame which would allow it to be rotated so as to point in any direction. Yeah, what is it? whispered cards. It's some kind of a projector, muttered the doctor. Never seen one quite like it, but it's meant to project something. Can't make out the curve of that mirror. It isn't a parable, and it isn't an ellipse. Must be a high degree subcutanary or else building a transcendental function. He then raised himself to get a clearer view.

And as he did so, a puff of smoke came from the house, to be followed in a moment by a sharp crack as a bullet flattened itself a few inches from his head. The doctor tumbled back over the crest out of sight of the house. Bill and Walter hurried forward. Their rifles held ready for action. Get out on the flags, man, directed the doctor. The man we want is in a house on that hollow.

He's armed. and he means business. Bill and Walter crawled under the shelter of the rocks to a short distance away, and then, the rifle's ready, advanced to the attack. A report came from the hollow, and a bullet whined over Bill's heads. And almost instantly a crack came from Walter's rifle, and splinters flew from the building in the hollow a few inches from a loophole, through which projected the barrel of a rifle.

The rifle barrel swung rapidly, a circle and barked in Walter's direction but as he did so Bill's gun spoke and again splint his flew from the building good work said Dr. Bird as he watched the slow advance of the two guys if we just had rifles we could join in the party but we're a little too far away for effective pistol work right let's go ahead you may get close enough to do a little shooting ourselves pistols in hand cars and the doctor's crawled over the crest and joined in the advance again and again the rifle spoke from the hollow and was answered by the vicious barks of the rifles in the hands of the

guides Garns and the doctor resting their pistols on rocks sending an occasional bullet toward the loophole the conditions of light and the moving target were not conducive to making good marksmanship on the part of the besieged man and none of the attackers were hit quickly Walter succeeded in sending a bullet through the loophole The rifle barrel suddenly disappeared, with a shout that four men rose from their cover and advanced toward the building at a run. As they did so, an ominous whirring sound came from the apparatus in front of the house, and a sudden chill filled the air. Back, shouted Dr. Bird, back below the hill if you value your lives. He then turned and raced at full speed toward the sheltering crest of the hill.

the others following him closely. The whirring sound continued, and the concave reflector turned with a grating sound on its gears. As the path of its rays struck the ground, the rocks became white with frost, and one rock split with a sharp rapport, one fragment rolling down the slope, carrying others in its trail.

With panic-stricken faces, a four men raced toward the sheltering crest, but remorselessly the reflector swung around in their direction. The intense cold numbed the racing men, cutting off their breath and impeding their efforts for speed. "'Stop!' cried the doctor suddenly. "'I fire at their reflector. It's our only chance.'

He then set the example by turning and emptying his pistol futilely at the turning mirror. Bill, Walter and Carnes all followed his example. But nearer, nearer to them came the deadly ray. was the nearest to his path and he suddenly stiffened and fell forward his useless gun still grasped in his hands as his body struck the ground rolled down the hill for a few feet the deadly ray following it and his head struck a rock and Kans gave out a cry of horror as it smashed into fragments Walter threw his rifle to his shoulder and fired again and again at the rotating disc. The cold had become intense, and he couldn't control the actions of his muscles,

and his rifle wavered about everywhere. Then threw himself flat on the ground, and, with an almost superhuman effort, steadied himself for a moment, and fired. His aim was true, and with a terrific crash that reflect a split into a thousand fragments. Dr. Bird staggered to his feet. Right. He's out of order for a short, while he cried quick to the house while we can as swiftly as his non feet would allow him he stumbled toward the house the muzzle of his rifle again projected from the loophole and with its crack the doctor staggered for a moment and then fell walter's rifle spoke again and the rifle disappeared through the loophole with a spasmodic jerk Kans stumbled his way over to the doctor a

you hit badly he gasped through chattering teeth i'm not hit at all muttered the doctor i stumbled and fell just as he fired hey look out he's gonna shoot again the rifle barrel came slowly into view through the loophole water fired but his bullet missed karns then threw himself behind a rock for protection the rifle had swung in walter's direction now and pulled As he did so from the house came a strangled cry in a sound of a blow. The rifle barrel disappeared, and the sounds of a struggle came from the building. Come on now, cried Carnes as he rose to his feet, and made his way stumbling forward, the others following at the best speed which their numbed limbs would allow. As they reached the door, they became aware of a struggle which was going on inside. With all the strength he could muster, the dust.

doctor threw his massive frame against the door it creaked but the solid oak from which it was composed was proof against the attack he drew back for another onslaught from inside the house came a pistol shot followed by a despairing cry in a guttural roar joined now by Kahn's the doctor threw his way against the door again with a rendering crash it gave in and they fell sprawling into the cabin the doctor It was the first one to his feet. Part four. Who are you? asked a voice from one corner.

The doctor whirled around like a flash and covered the speaker with his pistol. Hands up, he said tersely. I'm unarmed, the voice replied. Who are you? We're from the United States Secret Service, replied Kans, who had now gained his feet. Game is up for you. You better realize that quick. A secret service.

Thank God, cried the voice. You get Kaskoff. He has the plans. He's gone out through that tunnel. Where is it? demanded Kans. The entrance is that iron plate on the floor. Garns and the doctor jumped at the plate and tried to lift it without any result.

There was no handle or projection on which they could take home. Not that way, cried the voice. That cover is fastened on the inside. Go outside the building. He'll come out about 200 yards north. You've got to shoot him as soon as he appears or he'll get away. The three men nearly tumbled over each other to get through the doorway into the bitter cold outside. As they emerged from the cabin, the gaze of the guide swept the surrounding hills.

There he goes. Let's get him, said Karns sharply. Walter ran forward a few feet and dropped prone to the ground, cuddling the stock of his rifle to his chief. Two hundred yards away, a figure was scurrying over the rocks away from the cabin. Walter drew in his breath, and his hand grew suddenly steady as his keen grey eyes peered through the sights. Carnes and the doctor held their breath in sympathy. Suddenly there was a rifle shot. and the fleeing man threw up his arms and fell forward on his face got him said walter laconically

go and bring in the body cards exclaimed the doctor i'll take care of that chap inside did you get him asked the voice eagerly as the doctor stepped inside well he's dead all right replied the doctor grimly "'Hell, who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?' "'Like this, I light to switch on the left of the door as you come in,' was his reply. "'Ot a bird found the switch and snapped on the light. "'He turned toward the corner from whence the voice had come, and then recoiled in horror. "'Proped in the corner was the body of a middle-aged man, "'dorbed and splashed with blood which ran from a wound in the side of his head.

God damn, he said. Here, let me help you. There's not much use, replied the man rather faintly. I'm done in. This face wound doesn't amount to much, but I'm shot through the body and I'm bleeding internally. If you try to move me, it will easily kill me. Just leave me alone until your partner's come back.

The draughter drew a flask of brandy from his pocket and advanced towards the corner. Here, take a few drops of this, he advised. With an effort the man lifted the flask to his lips and gulped down a little of the fiery spirit. A sound of trampling feet came from the outside, and then a thud as though a body had been dropped. Garns and Walter then entered the cabin.

Ah, he's as dead as a mackerel, said Kans in answer to the doctor's look. Water got him through the neck and broke his spinal cord. he never knew what hit him and the plants came in a gasping voice from the man in the corner ah we got them to replied cons he had both of those packets inside his coat they'd been opened but guess they're all here hey who the hell are you since cost off is dead and i'm dying there's no reason why i shouldn't tell you was the answer i'll leave that brandy handy to keep up my strength. Only have a short time.

I can't repeat this. As to who I am or what I was, it doesn't really matter. Kaskoff knew me as John Smith, and that'll pass as well as any other name. Let my past stay buried.

My Ammo was a scientist of some ability, but fortune frowned on me and I was driven out of the world. Money would rehabilitate me money will do anything nowadays so i set out to get it and the course of my experimental work i discovered that cold was a negative heat and reacted to the laws which governed heat well i knew that cried dr bird but i could never prove it and um who are you demanded john smith dr bird

bureau of standards ah bird yeah i've heard of you You can understand me when I say that as heat, positive heat is a concomitant of ordinary light. I found that cold negative heat is a concomitant of cold light. Hey, um, it's my apparatus in good shape outside? Oh, the reflector is smashed. I'm sorry, you would have enjoyed studying it. I presume that you saw that it's a catenary curve. I rather thought so.

It was, and it was also adjustable. I could vary the focal point from a few feet to several miles. With an apparatus, I could throw a beam of negative heat, with a focal point which I could adjust it well. Close to the apparatus, I could attain a temperature almost down to absolute zero. But of the longer ranges, it wasn't so cold due to leakage into the atmosphere. Well, even at two miles, I could produce a local temperature or 300 degrees. below zero. Hmm. Tell me, what was the source of your cold? Liquid helium. Those cylinders contain,

or rather they did contain, for I expect that Costco had to empty them. I used to have helium in a liquid state. Where's your compressor? I didn't have to use one. Developed a cold light under whose rays helium would liquefy and remain in a state of equilibrium until expected. exposed to light rays. Those cylinders had merely enough pressure to force a liquid out to where the sun could hit it. Then they turned a gas, dropping the temperature at the first focal point of the reflection to absolute zero. When I had this much done, Koskof and I packed the whole apparatus here, we were ready for worse. We were on the path of the transcontinental airmail. I bided my time until an especially valuable shipment was to be made. My plans, which were

perfectly would have freeze the plane in mid-air and then rob the wreck i heard of a jewel shipman the t-ac was to carry and i planned to get it when the plane came over costcoff and i brought it down the unsuspected presence of another plane upset us a little i started to bring that one down too but we've been all over this country and i knew there was no place that a plane could land so i let it go on in safety well thank you for that That, replied Kahn's with a grimace. We robbed the wreck and we found two packets. One, jewels I was after.

The other was seal packet which proved to contain certain war department plans. That was when I learned who Kaskoff really was. I'd hired him in San Francisco who was a good mechanic who had no principles. He was to get one-fourth of the loot. We found these plans, though. He told me who he really was.

He was a Russian secret agent. He wanted to deliver the plans to Russia. Well, that may be a thief and a murderer. But I'm not yet ready to betray my country, so I told him so. He offered me almost any price for those plans, but I wouldn't listen. We had a serious disagreement. Well, he overpowered me and bound me. We had a radio set here.

He called San Francisco and sent some coded message. Think he was waiting here for someone to come. If we followed our original plans, we'd have been miles from here before you even arrived. He had me bound and helped us as Ethor, but I worked my bonds loose a little. I made sure not to let him know it, because I knew that the plane I had let get away would guide a party here. I thought I might be able to help out. When he came and attacked the house, I worked at my barns until they were loose enough to throw off. I saw Kosoff stop my cold apparatus, to working, and then he quit because he ran out of helium.

He started shooting again. I worked my way out of my barns, and I tackled him to the ground. He was a better man than I gave him credit for, or else he suspected me. But just about the time I grabbed him, he whirled around and struck me over the head with his gun barrel, and he tore my face over. Blow stunned me. When I came to, I was thrown into this corner. I was going to have another try at it, but I guess you rushed him too fast. He turned him around from the tunnel, but as he did so, shot me through my body.

Guess I didn't look dead enough to suit him. You gentlemen broke open the door and came in. That's about it. Oh, no, it isn't. Not by a long shot, exclaimed Dr. Bird. Where is that cold light apparatus of yours? It's in the tunnel. How'd you get into it? If you open that cupboard on the wall, you'll find an open-knife switch on it.

Just close it. Dr. Bird found the switch and did so. As he did, the cabin rocked on its foundations, and both cars and water were thrown to the ground. The file of a detonation deep in the earth came to their ears. Hey, what was that? cried the doctor. That, replied Smith with a smile, was the detonation of 200 pounds of TNT. When you dig down into the underground cave where we use the cold light apparatus, you'll find it in fragments.

I was my only child, and I'm not sure as hell take it with me. As he finished, his head slumped forward on his chest. With an exclamation of dismay, Dr. Bird sprang forward and tried to lift his prostrate form. then in annoyance the doctor tightened his grip on the dying man's shoulder the smith clasped into a heap dr bird bent forward and tore up in his shirt and listened to his chest he then straightened up he is gone he said sadly i guess the results of his genius have died with him he doesn't strike me as a man who left too much a chance "'Carns? Is that your case completed?'

"'Eh, very satisfactorily, doctor. "'I have both of the lost packets.' "'All right, then. "'Come back to the wreck and help me with my burros. "'I can make my way back to Fallon without a guy. "'Yom, where are you going, Doctor?' "'That, Carnes, my dear friend, "'it's not your goddamn business.

"'Permit me to remind you that I am on my vacation. I haven't decided yet just where I'm going, but I can tell you one thing. It's going to be somewhere where you can't call me on the phone. The Ray of Madness by Captain S. P. Meek. The knock sounded at the door of Dr. Byr's private laboratory in the Bureau of Standards. The famous scientist paid no attention to the interruption, but rather bent his head lower over the spectroscope with which he was working. The knock was repeated with a quality of quiet insistence upon recognition.

ignition. The doctor smothered an exclamation of impatience and strode over to the door and threw it open to the knocker. Hello, Carnes. He exclaimed as he recognized his visitor. Come in, sit down. Keep your mouth shut for a few minutes. I'm busy just now, but I'll be free soon. There's no hurry, doctor, replied Operative Carnes of the United States Secret Service, as he entered the room and sat on the edge of the doctor's desk. I haven't got a case up my sleeve this time, just came in for a little chat. All right, glad to see you. Read the latest volume of Zeischrift for a while. That article of Vombayers has got me guessing, all right. Kahn's picked up the indicated volume and settled himself to read. The doctor bent over his apparatus. Time and again

he made minute adjustments and gave vent and muttered exclamations of annoyance at the results he'd obtained. Half an hour later he rose from his chair with a sigh and turn to his visitor once again. Well, what do you think of Vombay's alleged discovery? He asked the operative. That's too deep for me, Doctor, replied Collins. All I can make out of it is that he claims to have discovered a new element named Lunium.

It hasn't been able to isolate it yet. Is there anything remarkable about that? Seems to me I've read of other new elements been discovered from time to time. There's nothing remarkable about the discovery of a new element by the spectroscopy. method, replied Dr. Bird. We know from Mendelph's table that there are a number of elements which we have not discovered as of yet. Several of the ones we know were first detected by the spectroscope.

The thing which puzzles me is that so brilliant a man is von Bayer claims to have discovered it in the spectra of the moon, whose name, Lunium, is taken from lunar, the moon. Why not the moon? Haven't several elements been discovered in the spectre of stars? Well, certainly. The classic example is Lockyer's discovery of an orange line in the spectra of the sun in 1868. No known terrestrial element gave such a line and he named the new element which he deduced helium from Helops the sun. The element helium was first isolated by Ramsey some 27 years later.

Other elements have been found in the spectra of stars, but the point I'm making is that the sun and the stars are incandescent bodies. and to be logically expected to show the characteristic lines of their constituent elements in their spectrum. But the moon is a cold body, without an atmosphere, and is visible only by reflected lines. The element, luneum, may exist in the moon, but the manifestations which von Beres observe must be, not from the moon, but from the source of the reflected light which he spectral analyzed. Oh, you are over my depth here, Doctor. I'm over my own. I've tried to follow von Baer's reasoning, and I've tried to check his findings.

Well, twice this evening I thought I caught a momentary glimpse of the screen of my fluoroscope of the ultra-violent line which he reports of characteristic of lunium, but I'm not yet certain. I haven't been able to photograph it yet. He notes in his article that the line seems to be quite impermanent and fate so rapidly that an accurate measurement of his wavelength is almost impossible. However, well, let's drop the subject. Hey, how'd you like your new assignment? That's all right.

I'd rather be back on my old work, though. I haven't seen you since you were assigned to the presidential detail. Yeah, I suppose you fellows are pretty busy getting ready for Premier McDougal's visit. Well, I doubt he'll come, replied Khan soberly. Things are not exactly ideal for a visit of that sort just now. Dr. Byrd sat back in his chair in surprise. I thought the whole thing was arranged. The press seems to think so at any rate.

Everything is arranged, but arrangements may be cancelled. Don't be surprised to hear that they were. Carnes, replied Dr. Berg gravely. You've either said too much or too little. There's something more to this than appears on the surface. If it's none of my business, don't hesitate to tell me so, and I'll forget what you said. But if I can help you any, speak up. Garns puffed meditatively at his pipe for a few minutes before replying.

It's really none of your business, doctor. He said at length, yet I know that a corpse is a chatterbox compared to you when you're told anything in confidence. And I really do need to unload my mind. It's been kept from the press so far, but I don't know how long it can be muzzled. Well, in strict confidence the President of the United States acts as though he were crazy. Quite a section of the press has claimed that for a long time.

replied Dr. Bird with a twinkle in his eye. I don't mean crazy in that way, Doctor. I mean, really crazy. It bugs, nuts, with bats in his belfry. Dr. Bird then whistled softly. He, sure, currents, he asked. What a show as may be. Both of his physicians think so.

They were non-committal for a while, especially as the first attack waned and he seemed to recover. When his second attack came on, more violently than the first, and the president began to act queerly. They had to take the presidential detail into their confidence. He's been quietly examined by some of the greatest psychiatrists in the country. But none of them have ventured on a positive verdict as to the nature of the malady. Well, they admit, of course, that it exists, but they won't classify it.

The fact that it's intermittent seems to have them stunned. He was bad a month ago, but then he recovered and became to all appearances normal for a time. About a week ago, he began to show strange symptoms again, and now he's getting worse daily. He goes on getting worse for another week. It'll have to be announced that the vice president should take over the duties of the head of the government. One of the symptoms. Well, the first we noticed was a failing of his memory. A couple with this was a restlessness and a habit of nocturnal prowling.

He tosses continually on his bed and mutters, and at times leaps up and rages back and forth in his bedchamber, howling and raging. Then I'll calm down and compose himself and go to sleep, only to wake in half an hour and go through the same performance. That's pretty ghastly for the man on nightgarde. Hmm, well, how does he act in the daytime? He's heavy and lethargic. His memory becomes a complete blanket time and he talks wildly.

Those are the times we must guard against. Overwork? Query the doctor. Not according to his. physicians. His physical health is splendid, his appetite unusually keen. He takes his exercise regularly and suffers no ill health except for a little eye trouble. This, Dr. Bird leapt to his feet. Right, tell me more about his eye trouble, Carnes, he demanded. Why, I don't know much about it,

doctor. Admiral Clay told me that it was nothing but a mild ophthalmia which should yield readily to treatment. That was when he told me to see the The shades of the President's study were partially drawn to keep the direct sunlight out. Help Phelmia be damned. Tell me what does his eyes look like? Well, they are rather red and swollen and a little bloodshot. He has a tendency to shut them while he's talking. Your voice lied as much as possible.

I hadn't noticed anything strange about it. Cairns, did you ever see a case of snow blindness? The operative looked up in surprise. Yes, I have. I had it myself once in Maine. Now that she mentioned it, his case does look like snow blindness, but such a thing is absurd in Washington in August. Dr. Bird rummished in his desk and drew out a book.

She consulted for a moment. Now, Carnes, he said, I want some dates from you and I want them accurately. Don't guess, for a great deal may depend on the accuracy of your answers. Now, when was his mental disability on the part of the President first notice? "'Karns drew a pocket diary from his coat and consulted it. "'The 17th of July,' he replied. "'That is, we are sure, in view of later developments,

"'that was the first date it came on. "'We didn't realize that anything was wrong until the 20th. "'On the night of the 19th the president slept very poorly, "'getting up and creating a disturbance twice. "'And on the 20th he acted so strange "'that it was necessary to cancel three conferences. Dr. Byrd checked off the dates on the book before him and nodded. "'Hm. Go on,' he said,

and described the progress of the malady by days. Well, he got progressively worse until the night of the 23rd. On the 24th he was no worse, and on the 25th a slight improvement was noticed. He got steadily better until by the 3rd or 4th of August, he was apparently normal. After the 12th he began to show signs of restlessness, which have increased daily during the past week. Last night the 19th, he slept only a few minutes, and Brady, who was on guard, said that his howls were terrible. His memory has been almost a total blank today, and all of his appointments were cancelled, ostensibly because of his eye

trouble. If it gets any worse, it probably will be necessary to inform the country as to his true condition. When Carnes had finished, Dr. Bert sat for a time in concentrated thoughts. Well, you did exactly right and come to me, Carnes. He said, presently. I don't think that this is a job for a doctor at all. I believe that it needs a physicist and a chemist and possibly a detective to cure him. Right, let's get busy. What do you mean, Doctor?

Demotic Carnes. You think that some exterior force is causing the President's disability? Well, I think nothing, Carnes, replied the doctor grimly. But I intend to know. something before I'm through. Don't ask for explanations. This is not the time for talk. It's the time for action. Can you get me into the White House tonight? Well, I doubt it, doctor, but I'll try. What excuse shall I give? I'm supposed to have told you anything about the president's illness. We'll get Bolton, your chief, on the phone, and tell him that you've

talked to me when you shouldn't have. Oh, he'll blow up, but after he's through exploding, and tell him that I smell a rat, that I want him down here at once, with carte blanche authority to do as I see fit in the White House. And if he makes any fuss about it, remind him of the fact that he's considered me crazy several times in the past but events showed that I was right. If he won't play ball after that, let me talk to him.

All right, doctor, replied Carnes as he picked up the scientist's telephone, and gave the number of the home of the chief of the secret service. I'll try to bully him out of it, He is a good deal of confidence in your ability. Half an hour later, the door of Dr. Bird's laboratory opened suddenly to admit Bolton. "'Hello, doctor!' exclaimed the chief. "'What the hell have you got on your mind now? I ought to skin cars alive for talking out of turn, but, well, if you really do have an idea, I'll forgive him.

Now, what do you suspect? I suspect several things, Bolton. I haven't got the time to tell you what they are. I want to get quietly into the White House as promptly as possible. That's easy, replied Bolton. First, I want to know what the objective of the visit is. The objective is to see what I can find out. Ideas are entirely too nebulous to attempt to lay them out before you just now.

You've never worked directly with me on a case before. Cairns can tell you that I have my own methods of work and that I won't spill my ideas until I have something more definite to go on than I have at present. The doctor's right, Chief, said Kans. He has an idea all right, but wild horses won't drag it out of him until he's ready to talk. You'll have to take him on faith, as I always do. Odin hesitated a moment, and then shrugged his shoulders. I'll have it your own way, doctor, he said.

Your reputation, both as a scientist and as an unraveler of tangled skins, is too good for me to boggle about your methods. Tell me what you want. and I'll try my best to get it. I want to get into the White House without undue prominence being given to my movements, and listen outside the president's door for a short time. Later, I will want to examine his sleeping quarters carefully, and to make a few tests. I may be entirely wrong in my assumptions,

but I believe that there's something there that requires my attention. Come along, said Bolton. I'll get you in and let you listen, but the rest we'll have to do to trust to lock on. you may have to wait until morning. I will cross that bridge when we get to it, replied the doctor. I'll get a little stuff together that we may need. A few moments later, he packs some apparatus in a bag end,

taking up it and an instrument case. He followed Bolton and Kahn's down the stairs and out into the grounds of the Bureau of Standards. Part two. It's a beautiful moon, isn't it? He observed. Karns assented absently to the doctor's remark, But Bolton paid no attention to the luminous disc overhead, which was flooding the landscape

with its mellow light. My car is waiting, he announced. All right, old man, but stop for a moment and admire this moon, protested the doctor. Have you ever seen a final one? Come on and leave the moon alone, snortick Bolton. Oh, my dear man, I absolutely refuse to move a step until you pause in your headlong devotion to duty and pay the homage to you to leave. Lady Luna. Don't you realize, you benighted fool, that you were gazing upon what has been

held to be a deity, or at least the visible manifestation of deity, for ages in memorial? How many ever had time to study the history of the moon-worshipping gods? Ah, they're as old as mankind, you know. The worship of Isis was really only an exalted type of moon worship. The crescent moon, you may remember, was one of her most sacred emblem. Fulton paused at a look at the to the doctor suspiciously. What are you doing? Pull in my leg? He demanded it.

Well, not at all, my dear fellow. Carnes has the sight of the glowing orb of night influence you to the pious meditation upon the frailty of human life and the insignificance of human ambition. Well, not to any very great degree, replied Carnes dryly. Oh, Carnes, the old man, I fear that you are a crass materialist. I'm beginning to lose hope of ever teaching you any respect for the finer and subtler things of life. Well, I must try, though, Bolton. Bolton, have you ever seen a finer moon? Remember that I won't move a step until you've carefully considered the matter and fully answered my question.

Bolton looked first at the doctor, then at Kans, and finally he looked reluctantly at the moon. Well, it's a fine one, he admitted. But all full moons look large and, clear nights at this time early. Then you have studied the move, cried Dr. Bird with delight. Oh, I was sure. He broke off his speech then, suddenly, and listened. From a distance came the mournful howl of a dog. It was answered in a moment by another howl from a different direction. Dog after dog took up the chorus until the air was filled with the melancholy wailing of the animals. See, Bolton, remarked the doctor. Even the dog.

The dogs feel the chastened influence of the Lady of Night, and repend of the sins of their youth and the follies of their manhood. Or should one say dog? Come along, I feel that the call of duty must tear us away from the contemplation of the beauties of nature. Then led the way to Bolton's car and got in without further words. Half an hour later Bolton led the way into the White House. A word to the Secret Service operative on guard at the door admitted him and his party, and he led the way to the newly constructed salarium where the president slept. An operative stood outside the door.

What word, Brady? asked Bolton in a whisper. He, uh, it seems worse, sir. I doubt if he slept at all. Admiral Clay has been in several times, but he didn't do much good. There, listen, the present's getting up again. The behind the closed door, which confronted them, came sounds of a person rising from a bed and pacing the floor slowly at first and then more and more rapidly until it was almost a run a series of groans came to the watchers and then a long drawn-out how bolt and shuddered ah poor devil he muttered dr burrch had a quick glance around yeah where is admiral clay he asked

"'Ah, he's sleeping upstairs. Shall I call him?' "'No, no. Take me to his room.' The President's naval physician opened the door in response to Bolton's knock. "'Is he worse?' he demanded anxiously. "'I don't think so, Admiral,' replied Bolton. "'I want to introduce you now to Dr. Bird of the Bureau of Stairlands. "'I must have talked to you about the case.' "'Well, I'm on a doctor,' said the physician,

as he grasped the scientist outstretched hand. Oh, come in, I pardon my appearance, but I was startled out of a doze when you're not. I'll have a chair and tell me how I can serve you. Dr. Bird drew a notebook from his pocket. I've received certain dates in connection with the president's malady with from operative currency. He said, and I wish you to verify them. Pardon me a moment, doctor, interrupted the Admiral. But may I ask, what is your connection with the matter?

I was not aware that you were a physician or surgeon. "'Well, Dr. Bird's here by the authority of the Secret Service,' replied Bolton. "'He has no connection with the medical treatment of the President. "'But permit me to remind you that the Secret Service is responsible for the safety of the President, "'and so have a right to demand such details about him as are necessary for his proper protection.' "'Oh, I have no intention in obstructing you in the proper performance of your duties, Mr. Bolton,' began the Admiral stiffly. "'Well, pardon me, Admiral.

broke in, Dr. Bird. It seems to me that we're getting started wrong here. I suspect that certain exterior forces are more or less concerned in this case, and I've communicated my suspicions to Mr. Bolton here. He in turn brought me here in order to request from your cooperation in the manner. We have no idea of demanding anything and really seeking help which we believe you can give us. Yeah, pardon me, Admiral, said Bolton.

I had no intention of anger any. Oh, I'm at your service, gentlemen, replied Admiral Clay. What information did you wish, Doctor? Well, at first merely a verification of the history of the case, as I have it. Dr. Byrd then read the notes he'd taken down from Carnes, and the Admiral nodded in agreement. Those dates are correct, he said. Now, Admiral, there are two further points on which I must get enlightenment. The first is the ophthalmia, which is trouble in the patient.

There's nothing to be allowed about as far as symptoms go, doctor, replied the apple. It is a rather mild case of irritation, somewhat analogous to granuloma, but rather stubborn. He had an attack several weeks ago, and while it didn't yield to treatment as readily as I could have wished, he did clear up nicely in a couple weeks, and I was quite surprised at this recurrent attack. But his sight is his name. no danger. Have you tried to connect this ophthalmia with his mental aberrations? Well, no, doctor. There is no connection. Are you sure? I am certain. A slight pain which his eyes give him could never have such an effect upon the mind of so able and energetic a man as he is.

Well, we'll let that pass for a moment. My other question is this. Is he any form of skin trouble? Well, the Admiral looked up in surprise. Yes, he has, he admitted. Well, I'd mentioned it to no one, for it really amounts to nothing, but, well, he has a slight attack of some obscure form of dermatitis, which I'm treating. It's affecting only his face and hands. Please describe it. It has taken the form of a brown pigmentation on the hands. On the face, it causes a slight itching, and some of it.

subsequent peeling of the affected areas. So, um, in other words, it's acting like sunburn. Why, yes, somewhat. It's not that, however, for he's been exposed to the sun very little lately, on account of his eyes. I noticed that he's sleeping in the new celerium, which was added last winter, to the executive mansion. Can you tell me with what type of glass it's equipped? Yeah, it's not equipped with glass at all. rather with fused quartz. When did he start to sleep there? As soon as it was completed.

And all the time the windows have been infused quartz? No, no. They were glazed at first, but the glass was removed, and the fused quartz substituted my suggestion about two months ago, just before this trouble started. Thank you, Admiral. You've given me several things to think about. My ideas are a little too nebulous to share as yet, but I think I can give you one piece of very sound advice.

The president is spending a very restless night right now. If you'd remove him from the solarium, get him to lie down in a room which is glazed with ordinary glass, or pull down the shades so that you'll be in the dark. I think you'll pass a better night. Admiral Clay looked keenly into the piercing black eyes of the doctor. Oh, something of you by reputation, borrower. He said slowly, and I will follow your advice. Will you tell me why you make this particular suggestion?

So that I can work in that celerium tonight without interruption, replied Dr. Bird. I have some tests which I wish to carry out while it's still dark. If my results are negative, forget what I've told you. If they yield any information, I'll be glad to share it with you at the proper time. Now, get the president out of that celerium and tell you. told me when the coast is clear. The Admiral donned a dressing-gown and stepped out of the room. He returned fifteen minutes later. Well, the celerium is at your disposal, doctor, he announced. Shall I accompany you?

Or, if you wish, assented Dr. Bird as he picked up his apparatus and strode out of the room. In the celerium, he glanced quickly around, noting the position of each of the articles of furniture. I presume that the President always sleeps with his head in this direction. He remarked, pointing to the pillow on the disturbed bed. The Admiral nodded. Dr. Bird opened the bag which he'd packed in his laboratory, took out a sheet of cardboard covered with a metallic-looking substance, and placed it on the pillow.

He stepped back and donned a pair of smoke glasses, watching it intently. Without a word, he took off the glasses and handed them to the Admiral. The Admiral then donned them and looked at the pillow, and as he did so, an exclamation broke from his lips. That plate, it seems to glow, he said in an astonished voice. Dr. Bird stepped forward and laid his hand on the pillow. He was wearing a wristwatch with a radiolite dial.

The substance suddenly increased its luminescence and began to glow fiercely. Long, luminous streamers seeming to come from the dial. The doctor took his hand away and substituted a bottle of liquid for the plate on the pillow. immediately the bottle began to glow with a phosphorescent light what an earth is it gasped cards excitation of a radioactive fluid replied the doctor the question is what is exciting it now somebody get a step-ladder while bolton was gone after the ladder the doctor took from his bag what looked like an ordinary pane of gloves here take this carnes he doesn't he don't directed, and start holding it over each of those panes of quartz, which you can reach, that is,

and stop when I tell you to. The operative held the glass over each of the pains in succession, but the doctor, who kept his eyes covered with the smoke glass and fastened on the plate which he replaced on the pillow, said nothing. When Bolton arrived with the ladder, this process went on. One end, and most of the front of the salarium had been covered before an exclamation from the doctor halted the word. Yeah, that's the one, he exclaimed.

I'll hold the glass there for a moment. Hurriedly he removed the plate from the pillow and replaced the file of liquid. There was only a very feeble glow. Good enough, he cried. Take away the glass, but mark that pain, and be ready to replace it when I give the word. From the instrument case he'd brought,

he took out a spectroscope. He turned back the mattress and mounted it on the bedstead. Right, cover that pain, he directed it. Karns did so, and the doctor swung the receiving tube with the instrument until it pointed at the covered pain. He glanced into the eyepiece, and held a tiny flashlight for an instant opposite the third tube. Right, uncover that pain, he said.

Kahn's took down the glass plate, and the doctor gazed into the side. the instrument, then made some adjustments. Yeah, you familiar with spectroscopy, Admiral? He asked. Well, somewhat. Right. Take a squint in here and tell me what you see. The Admiral applied his eye to the instrument and looked long and earnestly.

Oh, there are some lives there, doctor, he said, but your instrument is badly out of adjustments. Therein what should be the ultraviolet sector, according to your scale. Oh, I forgot to tell you that this is a fluoroscopic spectroscope, designed for the detection of ultraviolet lines, replied Dr. Bird. Those lines you see are ultraviolet, made visible to the eye by the activation of a radioactive compound whose rays in turn impinge on a zinc blend sheet. Now, you recognize those lines? No, I don't.

A small wonder. I doubt there are a dozen people in the whole world who would. I've never seen them before, though I recognize them from descriptions that I've read. Hey, Bolton, come here. Sight along this instrument and look through that plate of glass which Kans is holding. Tell me what office that window belongs to. Bolton sighted as directed up at the side of the state war and navy building.

I can't tell exactly at this time a night, Doctor, he said, but I'll go into the building and find out. Please do so. Hey, you have a flashlight? Yeah. Now, flash it momentarily out of each of the suspected windows in turn until you get an answering flash from here. When you do, flash it out of each pane of glass in the window, until you get another flash from here. Then come back and tell me what the end of the end of the end of you. offices mark the pain so we can locate it again in the morning part three yeah it's the

office of the assistant to the adjutant general the army reported Bolton 10 minutes later what's there in the room nothing but the usual desks and chairs I suspected as much the window is merely a reflector that's all we can get for tonight gentlemen Admiral, keep your patient quiet in a room with glass windows, preferably with the shades drawn until further notice. Bolton, meet me here with cons at sunrise. Have a pick detail of ten men standing by where you can get hold of them in a hurry. In the meantime, get the chief of the air service out of bed and have him order a plane at Langley Field to be ready to take off at 6 a.m. Oh, but he's not to take off, though, until I give him orders to do so.

You understand? Everything will be ready for you, Doctor. But I confess that I don't know what this is all about. It's the biggest case you've ever tackled, old man, and I hope that we can pull it off successfully. I'll like to go over it with you now, but I'll be busy at the Bureau for the rest of the night. Drop me off there, will you?

At sunrise the next morning, Bolton met Dr. Bird at the entrance to the White House grounds. Where is your detail? He asked. In the State War and Navy Building. Good. I want to go to the Silarium, put a light on the place where the President's pillow was last night,

and mark that pain of quartz we were looking through. Then we'll join the detail. Dr. Bird placed the light and walked with Carnes across the White House grounds. Bolton's badge secured admission to the State, War and Navy Building for the party, and they made their way to the Office of the Assistant to the Adjutant General. Did you mark the pane of glass through, which you flashed your light last night, Borden, asked the doctor. The detective touched one of the pains. Good, the doctor exclaimed. I noticed that this window has hooks for a window washer's belt.

Get a life belt, will you? When the belt was brought, the doctor turned to Carnes. Carnes, he said, hook on this lifesaver and climb out on the window ledge. Take this piece of apparatus with you. He handed Kahn's a piece of apparatus which looked like two telescopes fastened to a base with a screw adjustment for altering the angles of the barrels. Kans took it and looked at it inquiringly. That's what I was making at the Bureau last night, explained Dr. Bird. It's a device which will enable me to locate the source of the beam which was reflected from this pane of glass under the President's pillow. I'll assure you how to work it. You know that one light is reflected, the angle of reflection always equals the angle of incidence. Well, he placed these

three feet against the pane of glass, thus putting the base of the instrument in a plain parallel to the pane of glass. By turning these two knobs, one of which gives lateral and the other vertical adjustment, you'll be able to manipulate the instrument until the first telescope is pointing directly toward the President's pillow. Now notice that the two telescope barrels are fastened together and are connected to the knobs so that when the knobs are turned, the scopes are turned in equal and opposite amounts. When one is turned from his present position five degrees to the west, the other automatically turns five degrees to the east. When one is elevated, the other is correspondingly depressed. Thus, when the first tube points down

toward the pillow, the other will point toward the source of the reflected beam. "'Clever,' noted Bolton. "'It's rather crude and may not be accurate enough to locate the source exactly, "'but at least it will give us a pretty good idea of where to look. "' Given time, a much more accurate instrument could have been made, "'but two telescopic rifle sights and a field of light base "'what all the materials I could find to work with. "'Now, climb out, Carnes, and do your thing.'

"'Carns climbed out of the window and fastened the hooks of the lifesaver to the ring set in the window casings. He sat the base of the instrument against the pane of glass and manipulated the telescope knobs as Dr. Bird signalled from the inside. The scientist was hard to please with the adjustment, but at last the cross-airs of the first telescope was centred on the light in the solarium. He changed its position and stared through the second tube. Oh, the angle is too acute and the distance too great for accuracy,

he said with an air of disappointment. Well, the beam comes from the roof of a house down along Pennsylvania Avenue, but I can't tell from here which one it is. Now, take a look, Bolton. The chief of the Secret Service stared through the telescope. I couldn't be sure, doctor, he replied. I can see something on the roof of one of the houses, but I can't tell what it is, and I couldn't tell the house when I got in front of it.

It won't do to make a false move here, said the doctor. Did you arrange for that plane? It's waiting your orders at the field, doctor. Good. I'll go up to the office of the chief of air service and get in touch with the pilot over the chief's private line. There are some orders that I wish to give him and some signals to be arranged.

Dr. Bird returned a few minutes later. All right, the plane is taken off now. We'll soon be over the city. He announced. We'll take a stroll down the avenue until we're in the vicinity of the house and then wait for the plane. Carnes will take five of your men and go down behind the house and the rest of us will go in the front.

Now, which building do you think it is, Bolton? About the fourth from the corner. All right, the men going down the back will take station behind the house next to the corner, and the rest of us will get in front of the same building. When the plane comes over, watch it. If you receive no signal, go to the next house and wait for him to make a loop and come over you again. Continue this until the pilot throws a white parachute over. That's the signal that we're covering the right house.

When you get that signal, Carnes, leave two men outside and break in with the other three. Get that apparatus on the roof and the men who are operating it. Bold and I will attack the front door at the same time. Right, does everybody understand? Mammers of assent came from the detail. All right. Let's go. Carnes lead out with your men and go half a block ahead so that the two parties will arrive in position at about the same time.

Carnes left the building with five of the operatives. Dr. Byrd and Bolton waited for a few minutes and then started down Pennsylvania Avenue, the five men of their squad following at intervals. For three quarters of a mile, they sauntered down the street. That should be it, Doctor, said Bolton. I think so. And here comes our plane. They watched the swift scout plane from Langley Field

swing down low over the house and then swoop up into the sky again without making a sound. The party walked down the street one house more and then paused. Again the plane swept over them without a sign. As they stopped in front of the next house, a white parachute flew from the cockpit of the plane and the aircraft, its mission accomplished, veered off to the south towards its hangar. "'Ah, this is the place,' cried Bolton. "'Haggedy and Johnson, you two cover the street.

"'Bemish, take the lower door. "'The rest come with me.' "'Followed closely by Dr. Bird and two operatives. "'Bolton sprinted across the street "'and up the steps leading to the main entrance of the house. "'The door was barred, and he hurled his weight against it without result. "'Step aside, Bolton,' snapped Dr. Bird. The diminutive chief drew aside, and Dr. Burr's 200 pounds of bone and muscle crashed against the door.

The lock gave, and the doctor barely saved himself from sprawling headlong onto the whole floor. A woman's scream rang out, and the doctor swore under his breath. Upstairs, to the roof. Followed by the rest of the party, he sprinted up the stairway which opened before him. Just as he reached the top, his way was barred by an Amazonian figure. in a green bathroom. Who the devil are you? Demanded an outraged voice.

Police, snap Bolton. Step aside. What side is it? demanded the fiery-haired Amazon. The devil will stop you until you'll tell me your business. What the devil are you doing in the house of a respectable female

at this hour of the morning? To one side, I tell you, cried Bolton, as he strove to push past the figure that barred his way. "'Ah, you would, what you little man,' demanded the woman as she grasped Bolton by the collar, and shook him as a terrier would a rat. Dr. Bird stifled his laughter with difficulty, and seized her by the arm. With a heave on Bolton's collar, she raised him from the ground and swung him against the doctor,

knocking him off his feet. "'Help! Please! Murder!' she screamed at the top of her voice. "'Dammit, woman! Look, we're on it—' Dr. Bird's voice was cut short by the sound of a pistol shot from the roof, followed by two others. The woman dropped Bolton, slumped into a sitting position and screamed lustily. Bolton and Dr. Bird, with the two operatives at their heels, then raced for the roof. Before they reached it, another volley of shots rang out, these sounding from the rear of the building. They made their way to the upper floor and found a ladder running to a skylight in the roof.

At the foot of the ladder stood one of Kans's party. What is it, Williams? demanded Bolton. I don't know, Chief. Kans and the other two went up there. Then I heard shooting. My orders was to let no one come down the ladder. As he spoke, Kans' head appeared at the skylight.

That's the right place, all right, doctor, he called. Come on up. The shooting's all over. Dr. Bird mounted the ladder and stepped out onto the roof. Sit on one edge was a large piece of apparatus, toward which the scientist eagerly hastened. He bent over it for a few moments, and then straightened up. He, where's the operator?

He asked. Kahn suddenly led the way to the edge of the roof and pointed down. Dr. Bird leaned over. At the foot of the fire escape, he saw a crumpled, dark hue, with a secret service operative bending over it. Is he dead, almost dead? Called Kans. Dead as a mackerel, came the reply.

Rich has got him through the head on his first shot. Good business, said Dr. Bird. Probably could never have secured a conviction, and the matter is best hushed up anyway. Bolton, have two of your men help me get this apparatus up to the bureau. I want to examine it a little. Have the body taken to the morgue and shut up the press. Find out which room the chap occupied and searched it.

and bring all of his papers to me. Now, from a criminal standpoint, the case is settled, but I want to look into the scientific end of this a little more. Well, I'd like to know what it was all about, Doctor, protested Bolton. I've followed your lead blindly, and now I have a house-breaking without search warrant and the killing to explain, and still I'm about as much in the dark as I was at the beginning. Excuse me, Paulton, said Dr. Bird, contritely.

I didn't mean to do that. slide you. Admiral Clay wants to know about it, sort as Carnes, although he knows me too well to say so. Now, as soon as I've digested the case, I'll let you know and I'll go over the whole thing with you. Part four.

A week later, Dr. Byrd sat in conference with the President in the Executive Office of the White House. Beside him sat Admiral Clay, Carnes, and Bolton. I've taught the President as much as I know, Doctor, said the Admiral. He'd like to hear the details from your lips.

He is fully recovered from his malady, and there's no danger of exciting him. Well, I cannot read Russian, said Dr. Byrd slowly, and so was fast to depend on one of my assistants to translate the papers which Mr. Bolden found in Stokovsky's room. There's nothing in them to definitely connect him with the Russian Union of Soviet republics. But there's little doubt in my mind that he was a red agent and that Russia supplied the money which he spent. and it would be disastrous to Russia's plans to have too close in accord between this country and Britain, and I have no doubt that the coming visit of Premier McDougal was the underlying cause of this attempt.

And that's it for the reason. Now, as to how I came to suspect what was happening, the explanation is very simple. When Kahn's first told me of your malady, Mr. President, I happened to be checking von Bauer's results in the alleged discovery of a new element, Looningham. In the article describing his experiments, von Baer mentions that when he tried to observe the spectra, he encountered a mild form of a thalamia, which was quite stubborn to treat. And he also mentions a peculiar mantle on balance and intense exhilaration which the rays seem to cause both in himself and his assistance.

The analogy between his observations and your case struck me at once. For ages the moon has been an object of worship by various religious sects, some of those obscene orgies of which we have record occurred in the moonlight. The moon seems to affect dogs to a state of partial hypnosis, with a consequent howling and evident pain in the eyes. And certain feeble-minded persons have been known to be adversely affected by moonlight, as well as some cases of complete mental aberration. In other words, while moonlight has no practical effect on the normal humor,

in its usual concentration, it does have an adverse effect on certain types of mentality, and that despite the laughter of medical science, there seems to be something in a theory of moon madness. This effect von Bayer attributed to the emanations of lunium, the element which he detected in the specter of the moon, in the form of a wide band in the ultra-violent region. I obtained from Carnes a history of your case,

when I found that your attacks grew violent with the full moon and subsided with the new moon, I was sure that I was on the right track. Although I had that time, well, I had no all aid of knowing whether it was from natural or artificial causes that the effect was being produced. I interviewed Admiral Clain found that you was suffering from a form of dermatitis resembling somber. That convinced me that an attack was being made on your sanity, for an excess of ultraviolet light will always tend to produce somber. I inquired about the windows of your salarium. the ultraviolet light will not pass through a lead glass.

When the Admiral told me that the glass had been replaced with fused quartz, which is quite permeable to ultraviolet, and that the change had been almost coincident with the start of your melody, I asked him to get you out of the solarium and let me examine it. By means of certain fluorescent substances which I used, I found that your pillow was being bathed in a flood of ultraviolet light, and the fluoroscope soon told me that lunium emanation were present in large quantities.

These rays were not coming to you directly from their source, but one of the windows of the State War and Navy building, which was being used as a reflector. I located the approximate source of the ray by means of an improvised apparatus, and we surrounded the place. Stikovsky was killed while attempting to escape, and I guess that's about all there is to it. Well, thank you, doctor, said the president.

I'd be interested in a description of the... apparatus, which he used to produce his effect. Well, the apparatus was quite simple, sir, merely a large collector of moonlight, just thrown after a collection onto a lunium plate. The resultant emanations were turned into a parallel beam by a parabolic reflector and focused through a rock crystal lens with an extremely long focal length onto your pillow.

Then Stikovsky is isolated von Bayer's new element? asked the president. I'm still in doubt whether it's the new element or million allotropic modification of the common element catmule. The plate which he used has a very peculiar property. The moonlight or any other reflected light of the same composition falls on it. It acts on the ray much as the button of a runt-gain. Chub acts on a cathode ray. As the cathode ray is absorbed, an entirely new ray, the x-ray is given off by the button,

so is reflected moonlight absorbed in a new ray of ultra-violet-like given off. this is the ray which Vombaya detected. I thought I could catch traces of Vombaer's lines in my spectroscope. I think now that it's due to a trace of luneum in the cadmium plating of the barrels. Vombard could have easily made the same mistake. Von Beyer's work, together with Stokowskies, opens up an entirely new field of spectroscopic research. I give a good deal to go over to Baden and get into the matter with Vomba and make some plans for the exploitation of Newfield.

But, well, I'm afraid that my pocket wouldn't stand the trip. Well, I think that the United States owes you that trip, Dr. Bird, said the chief executive with a smile. Make your plans to go as soon as you get your data together. I think that the treasury would be able to take care of the expense without raising the income tax next year. In tonight's story, Dr. Bird and his friend Kahn's unraveling. another criminal web of scientific mystery. The Black Lent by Captain S. P. Meek. The clue, Kahn's, said Dr. Bird slowly, lies in those windows. Operative Kahn's of the United States Secret Service shook his head before he glanced at the windows of the famous scientist's private laboratory

on the top floor of the Bureau of Standards. I usually defer to your knowledge, Doctor, he said, but this time I think you're off on the wrong foot if the thieves came in through the windows what was their object in cutting that hole through the roof the marks are very plain and they indicate that the hole was cut in some manner from the inside dr bird smiled enigmatically oh that is too evident for discussion he replied i grant you that the thieves entered from the roof through that hole after they'd secured their booty they left by the same route I presume that you've noticed the marks on the roof were an aircraft of some sort, probably a helicopter, landed and then took off. A much greater question is that of what they did before they landed and cut the hole.

Don't follow your reasoning, Doctor. Garns, that hole was cut through the roof with a heavy saw. In cutting it, the work has dislodged quite a little plaster which fell to the floor and must have made a great deal of noise. Why wasn't that noise heard? Well, it was heard. The watchman heard it, but knew that Lieutenant Breslau was working here, and he thought he'd made the noise. Well, surely. But why didn't Breslau hear it? How do we know that he didn't? He was taken to Walter Reed Hospital this morning,

with his mind in absolute blank and his tongue paralyzed. He must have seen the thieves, and they treated him in some way to ensure his silence. When he's able to talk, if he ever is, he'll probably give us a good description of them. Dr. Bird shook his head. Too thin, Carney, oh dear, he says. Reslo is a very intelligent young man. He was perfectly normal when I left him shortly after midnight last night. He was working alone in here on a device of the utmost military importance.

On the desk is a push button which sets ringing a dozen gongs in the building. Surely a man of that type would have had sense enough when he saw or heard intruders cutting a hole through the roof to sound an alarm which would have brought every watchman on the grounds to his assistance he must be knocked out before the halt was started probably before the helicopter's landing how gas of some sort well the windows were all closed and locked and i've already ascertained that the gas and water lines have not been tampered with gas won't penetrate through a solid roof in sufficient concentration to knock out a man like that it was a something more subtle than gas. What was it? I don't know yet. The clue to what it was lies,

as I told you, in those windows. Cairns moved over and surveyed the windows closely. I see, nothing unusual about them except that they need washing rather badly. Well, they were washed last Friday, but they do look rather dirty, don't they? Suppose you take a rag and some scouring soap and clean up a pane. The detective took the preferred articles and started his task. He wet a pane of glass, rubbed up a thick leather of scouring soap, and applied it and rubbed vigorously. With clear water, he washed the glass and then gave an exclamation of astonishment and examined it more closely. This isn't dirt, doctor, he cried.

The glass seems to be fogged. Dr. Bird chuckled. Hmm. So it seems, he admitted. Now look at the rest of the glass around the laboratory. Kahn's looked around and then walked to a table littered with apparatus and examined a dozen pieces careful. It's all fogged in exactly the same way, Doctor, he said.

The only piece of clear glass in the room is that piece of plate glass on your desk. Dr. Byrd picked up a hammer and struck the plate on his desk a sharp blow. Kans ducked instinctively, but the hammer rebounded harmlessly from the plate. This isn't glass, Carnes, said the doctor. That plate is made of vitrolean, a new product which I have developed. It looks like glass, but it has entirely different properties. It's of enormous strength and it is quite insensitive to shock. There's one most peculiar property.

While ultraviolet and longer rays will penetrate it quite readily, it's a perfect screen for x-rays and other rays of shorter wavelength. It appears to be the only piece of transparent substance in my laboratory which has not been fogged, as you call it. Does short waves fog glass, doctor? Oh, not as far as I know at present. But you must remember that very little work has been done with the short wavelengths. In the vast range of waves whose lengths lie between zero and that of the x-ray, only a few points have been investigated and definitely plotted.

There may be in that range a wavelength which will fog glass. Well, then your theory is that some sort of ray machine was put in operation before the helicopter landed? Oh, it's too early to attempt any theorizing cards. Let us confine ourselves to the known facts. Lieutenant Breslau was normal at midnight and was working in this room. Sometime between then and seven this morning, he underwent certain mental and physical changes which prevent him from telling us what he observed.

During the same period, a hole was cutting the roof and things of great importance. stolen at the same time all the glass in the laboratory became semi-opake the problem is to determine what connection there is between the three events i'll handle the scientific end here but there is some outside work to be done and that'll be your share give your orders doctor said the detective briefly well to understand what i'm driving at i'll have to tell you what's been stolen and naturally this is highly confidential some rumors of leaked out as to my experiments with radite, as I have named the new radium-containing explosive on which I've been working.

But no one short of the Secretary of War on the Chief of Ordinance, and certain of their selected subordinates, knows that my experiments have been successful, and that the United States is in a position to manufacture radite in almost unlimited quantities from the pitch-blend ore deposits of Wyoming and Nevada. The effects of radite will be catastrophic on the unfortunate victim, on whom it is used the only thing left to do was to develop a gun from which radite shells could be fired with safety and precision ordinary propellant powders are too variable for this purpose but I found that radii be one form of my new explosive can be used for

propelling the shells from a gun the ordinary gun will last only two or three rounds due to the erosier action of the radite charge on the barrel an ordinary ordnance is heavier and more cumbersome than is necessary when this was found to be the case, the chief of ordnance detailed Lieutenant Breslau, the army's greatest expert on gun design, to work with me in an attempt to develop a suitable weapon. Breslau is a wizard at that sort of work, and has made a miniature working model of a gun with a vitrolean-lined barrel, which is capable of being fired with a miniature shell. The gun will stand up under the repeated firing of radite charges, and is very light and compact,

and gives an accuracy of fire control here too far deemed impossible. From this he planned to construct a larger weapon which would fire a shell containing an explosive charge of two and one-half ounces of radite at a rate of fire of 200 shots per minute. The destructive effect of each shell will be greater than that of the ordinary high-explosive shell fired from a 16-inch mortar, and all of the shells can be landed inside a 200-hirt circle at a range of 15 miles. The way to the Caprida gun will be less than half a ton, exclusive of the firing platform. It is Breslow's working model which is being stolen. Karns whistled softly between his teeth. The matter will have to be handled pretty delicately to avoid international complications, he said.

It's hard to tell just where to look. There are great many nations who will give any amount for a model of such a weapon. Well, the matter must be handled delicately and also in absolute secrecy, Karnes. We're not yet ready to announce that the world, the fact that we have such a weapon in our armory. It's the plan of the President to have a half-dozen of these weapons manufactured and given a demonstration of their terrible effectiveness to representatives of the powers of the world. Think what an argument the existence of such a weapon will be for the furtherance of his plans for disarmament and universal peace. Public sentiment will force disarmament on the

world, for even the worst jinguists could no longer defend armaments in the face of America's offered to scrap these super engines of destruction and to destroy the plans from which they were made. If the model has fallen into the hands of any civilized power, the damage is not irreparable. The public opinion would force its surrender and return. Oh, it is among the uncivilized powers that our search must first be made. Well, that makes the problem of where to start more complicated. On the contrary, it simplifies it immensely. At the head of the uncivilized powers stands one which has the brains, the scientific knowledge,

and the manufacturing facilities to make terrible use of such a weapon. In addition, the aim of that power is to over for all world governments and set up in their stead its own tyrannical disorder. Need I name it? You refer to Russia? No, not to Russia. The great slumbering giant who will someday take her place in the sun in fellowship with the other nations, but rather to Bolsheviki, that empire within an empire, that horrible power which is holding sleeping Russia in chains of steel and blood, is there that our search must first be made.

Of course they have no official representative in America. No, but the Young Labour Party is as much their accreditive representative as the British ambassador is of Imperial Britain. The first task will be to trail down and locate every leader of that group and to investigate his prison activities. Well, I can tell you where most of them are without investigation. Demberg, Semensky, and Kuroska in Atlanta. Fodorovich and Kaspar are in Leavenworth. Sarenov is dead, presumably. By doctor, I saw, with my own eyes, the destruction of the submarine in which he was writing. Did you see his dead body? No. Neither did I, and I'll never be sure until I do.

Once before we were certain of his death, and he bobbed up with a new fiendish device. We cannot eliminate Sarenov. I'll include him in my plans. Do so. Besides, the hypothetical Sarenov, there are half a dozen or more of the old leaders of the gang are alive and at liberty, so far as we know. They fled the country after the Coast Guard broke up their alien smuggling scheme, but some of them may have returned.

There are also 30 or 40 underlings who should be located and checked upon, and in addition, you must not lose sight of the fact that the new heads of the organization may have been smuggled into the United States. It's no simple task that I'm setting you, Cairns, but I know that you and Bolton will see it through if anyone can. Ah, thanks, Doctor. We'll do our best. Now, if I'm not speaking out of turn, what are you planning on doing in the meantime?

I'm going to start Taylor off on an ultra-shortwave generator and try a few experiments along that line. Ressler is at Walter Reed, and they're doing all they can for him, and, well, until I can get some definite information as to the underlying cause of his condition, they are more or less shooting in the dark? How are they treating him? By electric stimulations and vibratory treatments, and like keeping him in a darkened room. By the way, Kahn's, if I am correct in my line of thought, it would be well to have an extra guard put over Karuska.

He was the only real expert in ordinance that the young Labor Party had, and if they have Breslau's model, they all need him to supervise the construction of a gun. I'll attend to that at once, Doctor. Is there anything else? No, not that I know of. I'm going out to Tacoma Park this afternoon and have another look at Breslo. But it's too soon to hover any change in his condition. Aside from the time, I'll be out there.

You can find me either here or at my home, in case anything develops. I'll get on that job at once, Doctor. Thanks, man. Remember that speed must be the keynote of your work. The telephone bell at the head of Dr. Bird's bed woke into noisy activity. The doctor roused himself and took down the instrument sleepily. A glance at the clock showed him that it was four in the morning, and he muttered a malediction on the one who had called him.

"'Hello,' he said into the receiver. "'Dr. Bird speaking.' "'Doctor?' came a crisp voice over the wire. "'Wake up. This is Karns talking. "'Something has broken loose. "'All trace of sleep vanished from Dr. Bird's face, "'and his eyes glowed momentarily "'with a particular glitter which Karns would at once have recognized

"'as indicative of the keenest interest.' "'What's happened, Karns?' he demanded. "'I telephoned Atlanta this morning and arranged have an extra guard put over Karuska, as you suggested. The matter was simplified by the fact that he and nine others were confined in the prison infirmary. The warden agreed to do as I told him, and in addition to the other guards, a special man was placed in the ward near Karuska's bed. At 2 a.m., the lights in the ward went out.

Accidentally, what were they put out? Well, they haven't found that out yet. At any rate, they're all out right now. But Karuska and all the other inmates, all the guards at that particular ward have gone crazy. The hell, you say? Well, not only that, also partially paralyzed. The description I got over the telephone corresponds exactly with the condition of Lieutenant

Breslau, as you described it to me. Here's the most interesting part of the whole affair. The special guard over Carusco was only lightly affected, and was already recovered, and is in a position to tell you exactly what happened. I got a garbled account of the affair from the warden. Something about a goldfish bowl or something like that. The warden wouldn't take it seriously enough to give me details. I didn't press for them much, or I knew that you'd rather get them at first hand.

I certainly would. I'll be ready to leave for Atlanta in less than ten minutes. I expected that, doctor. The car's already on its way to pick you up. I'll meet you at Langley Field where a plane has already been tuned up and will be ready to take off by the time we get them. Good work, Hans. I'll see you at the field.

A car was waiting for Carnes and Dr. Bird when the Langleyfield plane slid down to a landing at Atlanta. At the penitentiary, Dr. Bird went direct to the infirmary where Caruska had been confined. As he entered, he shot a keen glance around and gave an exclamation of satisfaction. Look at the windows, Carnes, he cried. Cars went over to the nearest window and moistened his fingertip and applied it experimentally to the glass. The moisture produced no effect, for the glass of the windows was permanently clouded, as was that of the doctor's laboratory. Whatever happened in my laboratory the night before last was repeated here last night with a similar object, said the doctor. The object there was to steal a gun model. Here it was to steal a man who could construct a full-size gun from the model.

Understand that one of the guards escaped the fate which overtook the rest of the persons in the infirmary. "'Ah, not altogether, doctor,' replied the warden. "'I think that his mind is somewhat affected, for he tells a wild yarn and insists on trying to wear a goldfish ball on his head. I have him under observation in the psychopathic wall.' Dr. Byrd shot a scornful glance at the warden. "'There are none so blind as those who will not see,' he murmured. "'Yeah, by all means, I wish to see him.'

He went on aloud. "'Will you have him brought here at once, please?' The warden nodded and spoke to one of the attendants. In a few moments at all, fair-haired young giant stood before the doctor. Dr. Bird pushed back his unruly shock of black hair with his fingers, those long, slim mobile fingers which alone betrayed the artist in his makeup, and shot a piercing glance from his black eyes into the blue ones, which returned the gaze unabashed.

"'What's your name?' he asked. Bailey, sir. You were on guard here last night? Yes, sir. I was detailed as a special guard over number 9764. Tell me in your own words what happened. Don't be afraid to speak out. I'm not going to disbelieve you.

And above all, tell me everything. No matter how unimportant it may seem to you, I'll judge the importance of things for myself. I'm Dr. Bird of the Bureau of Standards. Guards face lit up at the doctor's words. I've heard her, he doctor, he said in a relieved tone, and I'll be glad to tell you everything. Ten o'clock last night, I received Carragher, a special guard over number 9764. Carragher reported that the prisoner was somewhat restless and hadn't been asleep as of yet.

I sat down about 15 free from his bed and prepared to keep an eye on him until I was relieved at 6 o'clock this morning. Well, nothing happened until about 2 o'clock. Number nine seven six four was restless, as Carragher had said. Toward midnight he quieted it down and apparently went to sleep. I was sleeping myself. I got up and took a turn around the room every five minutes to be sure that I kept awake. That's how I'm so sure of the time, sir. Dr. Bird nodded.

I had five minutes or two, just as I got up, heard a noise outside like a big electric fan. Sided like it came from directly overhead, and I went to the window and looked out. I couldn't see anything, so I could hear it pretty plainly, and then I heard a noise like someone had fallen on the roof. Almost at the same time they came a sort of high-pitched wine, good deal like the noise in electric motor makes when it's running at high speed. I thought of giving an alarm, I didn't want to stir things up unless I was sure that there was some necessity for it, so it started for the door to ask one of the outside guards if he'd heard anything. As I turned toward number of 9764,

I saw that he'd been sitting up in bed while my back was turned. As soon as he saw that I'd noticed him, he lay back real quick and pulled the covers over his head. He moved pretty quick, but not so quick that I couldn't see that he had something that glittered like glass before his face. I started over toward his bed to see what he was doing, and then it was that the light started to get dim. Go on, said the doctor, as Bailey paused. His eyes were glittering brightly now. Well, sir, doctor, I don't hardly know how to describe what happened next. The lights were getting dim, but not as they ordinarily do when the current starts to go off.

The filaments were shining as bright as they ever did, but the light didn't seem to be able to penetrate the air. The whole room seemed to be filled with a blackness that stopped the light. No, sir, it wasn't light fog. It's more like something more powerful than the lights was in the room and was killing them. It wasn't only the lights which were affected. It was me as well. Blackness, whatever it was, was getting into me as well as into the room.

I couldn't seem to make myself think like I wanted to. Tried to yell to give an alarm. I found that I could hardly whisper. I went toward the bed and I saw a number nine-seven-six-four sit up again. He had like a gold-fish bolt pulled down over his head. It was evident that it was keeping the blackness away. for I could see him plainly in his eyes for as bright as ever. The nearer I got to him the funnier I felt, I began to be afraid that I'd go out.

Number nine-seven, six-four, got up out of bed, and I could see him grinning at me through the bowl. He reached up and adjusted that bowl, and all of a sudden I realized that whatever was knocking me out was not affecting him because he had that thing on. I jumped for him with the idea of taking the bowl off and putting it on my own head. He saw what I was up to and fought like a cornered around. rat, but the blackness hadn't affected my muscles. Yeah, I'm a pretty big man, sir, and number 9764 is a little runt.

It didn't take me long to get the ball off his head and pulled on over mine. As soon as I did that, it seemed to be able to think clearer. While I was sitting on number 9764, I was ready to tap him with a persuader if he started anything, but, well, I didn't have to. In a few minutes, he stopped struggling and lay perfectly quiet. well the lights kept getting dimmer and dimmer until they went out altogether the room became pitch dark it wasn't exactly as if the lights had gone out said i seemed to know that they were still there and were burning as bright as ever but they couldn't penetrate the blackness in the room if you

understand what i mean ah i think i do said dr bird slowly it was a good deal as if you'd seen a glass filled with a pale red liquid and somewhere to dump black ink and to the fluid and hid the red color. You'd know that the red was still there, but he wouldn't be able to see it through the black. Yeah, that's exactly what it was like, Doctor. You'd describe it better than I can. Well, at any rate, after it got real dark, I heard a low whistle from the roof. Number nine, seven, six four made a struggle to get out for a moment, and then lay quiet again. The whistle sounded again, then I heard someone call Caruso. Everything was quiet for a while. Then the same voice called again, said some stuff in a foreign language I couldn't understand.

I kept perfectly quiet to see what would happen. About ten minutes the whole room remained perfectly dark, as I've said, and all the while I could hear that whining noise. All of a sudden it began to sound in a lower note, and then I could see the lights again, very dimly, like the black ink you spoke of, was fading out. The note got lower until it stopped altogether, and the lights came on brighter until they were normal again.

Then I heard a scraping noise on the roof, and the noise I had heard first, like a big electric fan, well, I looked at the clock, and it was 220. For a few minutes I wasn't able to collect my wits. When I got up off of number nine, seven, six, four, at last, he stared at me as though he didn't know a thing, and I heaved him back into his bed and ran to the door to summon an outside guard. I could still talk in a husky whisper, but not loud. I wasn't surprised when no one heard me.

Well, my orders were not to let number was nine, seven, six, four out of my sight, and this was an emergency, so I left the ward and found a guard. It was mad again. He was standing on his beat, staring at nothing. When I touched him, he looked at me, and there was the same vacant look in his eyes that I'd seen in the prisoners. I talked to him in a whisper, but he didn't seem to understand. So I left him and went to a telephone and called for help.

Mr. Lawson, the warden, gone here with guards in a couple of minutes, and I tried to tell what had happened but i couldn't talk loud and i was afraid to take the fishbowl off my head what happened next mr larsson took me to his office and on the way we passed under an arc light as soon as i got under it it began to feel better my voice became stronger i saw that it was doing me some good and i stopped under it for an hour before my voice got back to normal seemed to clear the fog from my brain too and i was able about four o'clock to tell everything that had happened. Mr. Lawson seemed to think that my brain was affected as well as the others, and he sent me to the hospital. As well, that's all, doctor.

You feel perfectly normal now? Yes, sir. There's no need for confining this man longer, Mr. Lawson. He's as well as he ever was. Clarence, get the Walter Reed Hospital on the telephone, tell what I said to treat Lieutenant Bresla with light rays, rich in ultraviolets. Tell them to give him an overdose of them, not to put goggles on him. Keep him in the sun all day and under sunray arcs at night until further orders.

Mr. Lawson, give the same treatment to the men who were disabled last night. If you haven't enough sunray arcs in your hospital, put them under an ordinary arc light in the yard. Bailey, you still got that fishbow? It's in my office, doctor, said the warden. Ah, good enough. Send for it at once. and, by the way, you have two more communists here, Denmark and Samansky, haven't you? I think so. I'll have to consort the records before I can be positive.

Well, I'm sure that you have. Look the matter up and let me know. The warden hurried away to carry out the doctor's orders, and an orderly appeared in a few moments with a hollow glow made of some crystalline transparent substance. Despite its presence in the infirmary the evening before, there was no trace of clouding apparent. Dr. Bird took it and examined it critically. He wrapped it with his knuckles and then stepped to the door and hurled it down violently to the concrete floor of the yard. The globe rebounded without injury, and he caught it.

Oh, vitrolin. What a good imitation of it, he remarked to Carnes. After you get through talking to the hospital, get Taylor on the wire. There's plenty of loose vitreline in the bureau, and I want him to send about 50 square feet of it by a special plane at once. As Kahn's left the room, the warden reappeared. A man are all lying in the sun now, Doctor, he said. I find that we have the two men you mentioned confined here. They're both in Tier A, Building 6.

Is that an isolated building? No, it's one wing of the old main building. On which floor? The second floor. It's a six-story building. Have they been moved there recently? Ah, they've been there for nearly a year. In that case, there'll be little chance of another attack of this sort tonight.

At the same time, I would advise you to station extra guards there tonight, and every night until I notify you otherwise. Caution them to watch the lights carefully, and to give an alarm at once if they appear to get dim. In that case, send men to the roof with rifles with orders to shoot to kill anyone they find there. Going back to Washington, I'm going to take Carusco, your number 9764 with me. You'd better have one of the guards in the corridor, where Denberg and Semenskia are.

Now, wear this goldfish bowl, as you call it. A lot of plate glass, at least it will look like it, will come from Washington by plane. Cut it into sheets, a foot square, and use surgeon's plaster to make some temporary glass helmets for your men. I want all your guards to wear them until I either settle this matter, or I'll send you some better helmets. You understand?

I understand, all right, but I'm afraid I can't do it. The wearing of such appliances would interfere with the, efficiency of my man as guards. The brain and tongue paralysis would interfere rather more seriously, it seems to me. In any event, I have sufficient authority to enforce my request. If you are dull doubtful, call up the Attorney General and ask him. The warden hesitated. If you don't mind, I think I will call Washington, Doctor, he said. I'll have to get authority to turn number 9764 over to you in any event. Call all you wish, Mr. Lodont. Mr. Carnes is talking to Washington now and we'll have a clear line for you in a few minutes.

Meanwhile, get a set of shackles on Carusca and get him ready to travel by plane. He appears to be suffering from mental paralysis, but I don't know how his case will develop. He may go violently insane at any moment and I don't care to be left in a plane with an unbound maniac. Major Martin looked up from the prone figure of Carusca. His condition duplicates that of Lieutenant Breslau, Dr. Burroughs. he said received your telephone message this afternoon and we kept Breslau in a flood of sunlight until dusk then put him under sun ray lamps i don't know how you got on to that treatment but it's having a very beneficial effect he can already make inarticulate sounds and his eyes are not quite as vacant as they

were if he keeps on improving as he has he should be able to talk intelligently in a few days if you wish to question this man why not give him the same treatment I haven't time Major. I must make him talk tonight if it's humanly possible. I called you in because you're the most eminent authority on the brain in the government service. Is there any way of artificially stimulating this man's brains so that we can force the secrets of his subconscious mind from him? The Major sat for a moment in profound thought.

Well, there is a way, doctor. He said at length, but it is a method which I would not dare to use. by applying high-frequency electrical stimulations to the medulla or blangata, at the same time bathing the cerebellum with ultraviolets. It may be done, but, well, the chances are that either death or insanity would result. I would not do it. Major Martin, this man is a reckless and dangerous international criminal. If his gang carries out the plan which I fear they've formed, the lives of thousands, well, of millions may pay for your hesitation. I will assume full responsibility for the test if you'll make it, and I have the authority of the President of the United States behind me.

Well, in that case, Doctor, I have no choice. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and if those are his orders, the experiment will be carried out. As a matter of form, I will ask that your orders be reduced to writing. I will write them gladly, Major. Please proceed with the experiment without delay. Major Martin bowed and spoke to a waiting orderly. The prostrate figure of Carusca was wheeled down a corridor into the electrical laboratory, and with the aid of the laboratory technician the surgeon made his preparations.

The moss lamp was arranged for a flood of ultraviolet over the Russian's cranium, while the leads from a deep therapy x-ray tube was connected, one to the front of Caruska's throat and the other to the base of his brain. At a signal from the major a nurse began to. administer ether. I guarantee nothing, Dr. Bird, said the Major. The paralysis of the vocal cause may be physical, in which case the victim will still be unable to speak,

regardless of the brain stimulation. If, however, the evident paralysis is due to some obscure influence on the brain, it may work. In any event, I'll hold you blameless and thank you for your help, replied the doctor. Please start the stimulation. Major Martin closed a switch, and the harm of a high-tension alternator filled the laboratory.

The Russian quivered for a moment and then lay still. Major Martin nodded and Dr. Byrd stepped to the side of the operating table. Ivan Karuska, he said slowly and distinctly. Do you hear me? The Russian's lips quivered and an unintelligible murmur came from them. Ivan Kariska, repeated Dr. Berg. Do you hear me? There was a momentary struggle on the part of the Russian, and then a surprisingly clear voice

came from his lips. "'Aye, do.' "'Who is the present head of the young Labour Party?' Again there was a pause before the name, Saranov, came from the lips of the insensible figure. Karns gave a sharp exclamation, but a gesture from the doctor silenced him. "'Is Saranov alive?' "'Yes.'

Is he in the United States? No, he is in London. Is he coming to the United States? Yes. Where? I do not know. Soon. As soon as we are ready for him.

Where is he living in London? I don't know. How did you get word that you were to be rescued from Atlanta? A message was smuggled into me by O'Grady, a guard in our pain. What was the vitreline helmet for? to protect me from the effects of the black lamp what's the black lamp i do not know exactly the saranoff invented it it gives a black light and it kills all other light except sunlight and it paralyzes the brain did you know that the model of the breslau gun had been stolen yes what were you

going to do after you were rescued from jail i was going to make a full-sized gun we have a disappearing gun platform built into swamps at the juncture of the Potomac and Piscotoway Creek. The gun was to be mounted there, and we would shell Washington and institute a reign of terror. It would be a signal for uprisings all over the country. Is there a black lamp at that gun platform? Yes, the black lamp will kill both the flash and the report. Where did you get the formula for radite? We got it from one of Dr. Bird's assistance.

His name, as he spoke the last few sentences, Carusca's voice had steadily risen almost to a shriek. As he endeavoured to give the name of the doctor's treacherous helper, his voice changed to an unintelligible screech, and then died away into silence. Major Martin stepped forward and bent over the brawn figure. Hurriedly he tore away the electrical connections and placed a stethoscope over the Russian's heart.

He listened for a moment, and then straightened up, His face pale. I hope that the information you obtained is worth a life, Dr. Berg, he said, his voice trembling slightly, because it has cost one. It may easily save thousands of lives. I thank you, Major, and I will see that no blame attaches to you for your actions. I only wish that he'd live long enough to tell me the name of my assistant, who sold me out to Saranov.

However, we'll get that information in other ways. "'Garns, telephone lost in her Atlanta "'to slam O'Grady into a cell "'pending investigation "'while I get Cammead on the wire "'and order up a couple of tanks. "'We're going to attack that gun in placement at daybreak.' "'The telephone bell in the laboratory jangled shortly.

"'Mager Martin answered it and turned to Carnes. "'You're wanted on the telephone, Mr. Carnes.' "'The detective stepped forward and took the transmitter. "'Carrant's speaking,' he said. "'Yeah, oh, "'Hello, Balden. Yeah, we have Carusker here, or rather his body. Yes, Dr. Bird is here right now.' "'You've—what? Great Scott. Wait a minute. "'Dr. Bird!' he cried eagerly, turning from the telephone.

"'Baldon has located the Washington headquarters of the Young Labor Party.' "'Dr. Bird sprang to the instrument. "'Bird speaking, Bolton, he cried. "'You've located their headquarters? Who's running it? Stransky, huh? You're on the right track. He used to be Sarenov's right-hand man. Where's the place located?

Hmm. Don't seem to recollect the spot. You have it well surrounded? Where are you speaking from? All right, we'll join you as quickly as we can. Now, keep your patrols out and don't let anyone get away. He then hung up the receiver and turned to Kans. Did you have the car wait?

He asked. Ah, good enough. We'll jump for the bureau and pick up the one. the vitrolean laying around loose and enjoying Bolton. He thinks he has the whole outfit bottled up. Bolton was waiting as the car rode up and Dr. Bird leaped out. Where are they? demanded the doctor eagerly. In an abandoned factory building about 300 yards from here, replied the chief of the secret service. I traced them through New York. We've been watching the place ever since yesterday noon, and I know that Stanesky is in there with half a dozen others. No one has tried to leave,

since we set our watch. Funny things happened. One funny thing. About an hour ago, a peculiar red glow suffused the whole building. It's died down a good deal since, but we can still see it through the windows. You tell us what that means? No, I couldn't, Bolton, but we'll find out. How many men have you? I have 16 stationed around. That's more than we'll need. I have only vitreling shields and helmets enough to equip six men. Pick out your three best men to go with us and we'll make a try at entering. Bolton strode off into the darkness and returned in a few moments with three men at his heels. Dr. Bird spoke briefly to the operatives, all of them men who had been his companions on other adventures.

He explained the need for the vitrolean helmets and shields, without comment the sixth donned their armor and followed Bolton as he strode toward the building. As they approached, a dull red glow could be plainly seen through the windows, and Dr. Bird paused and studied the phenomenon for a moment. I don't know what that means, Barton, he said softly, but I don't like the looks of it. Strenesky is up to some devilment or other. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out that he knows all about your pickets and is ready for a raid. We'd better rush the place then, muttered Bolton.

Dr. Bird nodded agreement, and with a sharp command to his men, Bolton broke into a run. Not a shot was fired as they approached, and the front door gave readily to Bolton's touch. As it opened, there came a grating sound from the roof, followed by the whir of a propeller. Dr. Bird ran out of the building and glanced up. A helicopter, he cried. They were expecting us and have escaped. He drew his pistol and fired ineffectually at the great bird-like ship, which was rising almost noiselessly into the air. He cursed and turned again to the bottom. building. Bolton still stood in the room which they'd first entered. His flashlight showed it to be

empty, but from under a door on the opposite side, a line of dull red light glowed evilly. With his pistol ready in his hand, Bolton approached the door on hands and knees. When he reached it, he threw his shoulder against it and dropped flat to the floor as the door swung open. No shock greeted him, and he stared for a moment, and then rose to his feet. Nothing here but some glass statues, he announced. Dr. Bird followed him into the room. As he looked at what Bolton had called glass statues, he gasped and shielded his eyes. God in heaven, he said, those were living men. Before them were three men or, what had been three men. All stood in strained attitudes with a look of horror frozen on their faces. The thing that made the spectators shudder was that their

bodies had by some diabolical method been rendered semi-transparent the dull red light which suffused the room emanated from the three bodies dr bird examined them closely being careful not to touch them their identity of my treacherous assistant is known he said grimly as he pointed at the middle figure it was jerome what's this he took an envelope from the hand of the middle figure and opened it A sheet of paper fell out and he picked it up and read it. My dear Mr. Bolton, round the note. Your methods of tracing and picketing my headquarters are so crude as to be almost laughable. His base has served its purpose and we were ready to abandon it at any event,

but I couldn't resist the temptation to let you almost nabbers. The three men whom you will find here are agents who failed in their duty. If you're interested in learning the method of their execution, you might take to heart the words of your colleague, Dr. Byrd. The glue lies in those windows. Kahnz glanced at the windows and gave out a cry of surprise. The glass was opaque, as had been the glass in the doctor's laboratory and the glass in the infirmary at Atlanta.

The fogging, however, was much more pronounced, and the opaque glass gave faintly the same red effulgence, which came from the three bodies. What does it mean, doctor? He asked. I don't know, Karnes, said Dr. Byrd slowly. I foresee that I'm going to have to do a great deal of work on short wavelength soon. It is doubtless the effect of some modification of the black lamp which has done it.

Oh, look out. He leapt to one side as he spoke, drawing Bolton and Karns with him. A panel in the side of the wall opposite the doorway had slid open, silently, and through the opening poured out a beam of fiery red. full on the three bodies it fell and then spread out to fill the room dr bird had drawn the two nearest men out of the direct beam but one of the secret service men stood full in its pall in the excitement of entering he dropped his vitrolin shield and the livid ray fell full on his defenseless body as they watched an expression of horror spread over his face and he strove to move to one side but he was held helpless slowly he stiffened and as the ray bored through him his body became semi-transparent and the same dull red glow which emanated from the three bodies they'd found began to shine forth from him too bolton strove to break from the doctor's grasp and rushed to the rescue but dr bird

held him with a grip of iron too late he said grimly chalk up another murder to the arch fiend who has committed the others i don't know the nature of that ray and vitrily in not be an advocate defense against his full force we'd better get out of here and attack the place from the rear carefully edging their way around the sides of the room the five men made their way out through the door dr bird slammed the door shut behind him and led the way out of the building around to the rear the door loomed before them and he cautiously tried it gave to his touch as he entered and as he set foot on the threshold a terrific explosion came from the interior of the building.

Run, he shouted as he led the way in retreat. If that is a radite explosion, it will act for several seconds. From a safe distance they watched. One corner of the building had been torn off by the force of the explosion, and as they watched the rest of the building gradually collapsed and sank into a pile of ruins. They planned on a visit from us all right, said Dr. Bolton grimly. They had a surprise for us anyway we jumped. If we went in the front door, that devil's ray was to finish us.

And if we went in the back door, the whole place was arranged to blow up as we entered. I only hope that Stozynski thinks he's got us all and doesn't expect an attack on his next base in the morning. If he doesn't, I think we may give him a rather unpleasant surprise. Of course, that lamp is smashed into atoms and buried under the debris, but I don't know what other devil's contraptions that ruin holds. Bolton, have your men picketed it and allow no one near it until I get ever. back. I've got to get to a telephone and get a couple of tanks from me and a plane or two from Langleyfield. Two tanks made their way slowly across country. The front of each tank was

protected by a heavy sheet of vitreling while the turrets of the tanks projected the wicked looking muzzles of 37mm guns. Overhead two airplanes from Langley Field sword, scouting the country, Dr. Bird and Kahn's road in the leading tank. It ought to be somewhere near here, unless Karuska lied, said Kans, as he swept the country with a pair of binoculars. He didn't lie, returned Dr. Bird. It was his subconscious mind that spoke, and it never lies. He spoke of the gun emplacement as being in a swamp, and I have a strong idea that

it's a submersible. Of course, it's bound to be well camouflaged, both from land and from air observation. The plane circled around again and again. quartering the air like a pair of well-trained bird dogs would quarter a hunting field first high and then low they swooped back and forth the tanks lumbering slowly along in the same direction presently the occupants of the leading tanks saw one of the planes bank sharply and swing around it dropped to an altitude of only a few hundred feet and turned and went back over the ground he had just crossed i believe that fellow sees something exclaimed cards as he spoke three green very lights came from the cockpit of the plane the tank driver gave a grunt of satisfaction and turned the nose of his vehicle in that direction the second tank followed hardly they turned in the new direction before the ground began to get soft under their tracks and the heavy vehicles began to sink the driver of the doctor's tank forced it ahead but the tank sank deeper in the

mire until water flowed in around the feet of the occupants i reckon we'll have to get out in war prison, doctor, said the driver. Dr. Bird grunted in acquiescence. The tank made its way forward a few yards before the engine sputtered and died. The second tank stopped when the first one did, 50 yards behind it.

Donning vitriolene helmets and taking vitriolene shields in their hands, the crews of both tanks climbed out into the waist-deep water and gathered around the doctor for orders. Former skirmish line at ten pace intervals and crossed the swamp, he directed, We may meet with no opposition, but if there is, the more scattered we are, the safer we'll be.

You all have hand grenades as well as your rifles. A murmur of assent answered him, and the line formed and started across the swamp. They'd gone perhaps a hundred yards when three red lights came from one of the planes circling overhead. Get down! cried the doctor, dropping to his knees into the muck. Four hundred yards ahead of him, a concrete platform emerged from the marsh, and rose slowly into the air. It was roofed with a dome of what looked like plate glass, but which the doctor shrewdly suspected was vitrily. On the base of the platform was two feet above the level of the water, the dome slid silently aside, disclosing two men bending over a tiny gun. Dr. Bird levelled his binoculars.

That's the Brisslow gun model that was stolen as sure as I'm a foot high, he cried. They must have made some miniature shells and be planning to fire it. Slowly a pall of intense blackness rose from the marsh and enveloped the platform and hid it from view. A winding noise came from overhead, and then it crashed like a thunderbolt. The blast of the explosion threw the attackers face down into the swamp, and when they arose and looked back, it was merely a gaping hole where the leading tank had been. The second tank suddenly seemed to rise into the air and fly into millions of tiny fragments, and the second thunderous blast sent them again to their knees.

"'Ah, radite,' fellowed Dr. Bird to Carnes. "' Imagine the effect that if there had been a full charge fired from a completed Bresla gun. "'Watch the planes now. I think they're going to drop a few eggs on them.' The black mist cleared as if by magic and the platform was now in plain view. The big glass dome roll back into place as the two planes swept over at an elevation of 2,000 feet. From each one a small black cigar-shaped object was released and fell in. a long parabola toward the earth. The glass dome, which had been closing over the gun platform, rolled quickly back, and a long beam of intense blackness pierced the heavens. First one and then

the other of the falling bombs disappeared from view into it, and then the black column faded from view. The two bombs fell with increasing speed, but the dome closed over the platform before they stride. The two hit the dome at almost the same instant, and instead of the blinding crash they'd expected the watchers saw the bombs rebound from the dome and fall harmlessly into the water stymied muttered the doctor i wonder what other properties that confounded lamp has he resumed his advance karns and the soldiers keeping abreast of him when they were within 200 yards of the platform it rose again and the transparent dome rolled back a beam of black shot forth over the swamp searching them out and hiding them from view first one and then another felt the effects of the black beam but the vitrioline

which the doctor had provided stood them in good stead and aside from a slight shortening of their breath none of the attackers felt any of the worse come on men cried the doctor as his athletic figure plowed forward through the breast-deep water that's their worst weapon and it's harmless against us cheering they fought their way toward the platform it sunk for a moment and then rose again As the dome swung back, a sharp crackle of machine-gun fire sounded, and the water before them was whipped into foam by the plunging bullets. One of the soldiers gave a sharp cry and slump forward into the water. Fire at will, shouted the lieutenant in command. A crackle of rifle fire answered the tattoo of the machine-gun, and a sharp ping of bullets striking on the dome could be plainly heard.

An occasional shock kicked up a spurt of white dust from the concrete, but the machine-guns, kept up a steady rattle of fire and the soldiers kept their heads almost at the level of the water. There came the roar of an airplane motor and one of the planes swept over the platform, a hundred yards in the air with two machine guns spraying streams of bullets onto the platform. Two men abandoned their machine gun and crouched under the partially folded back dome as the second plane swept over, and Dr. Bird took advantage of the lull to advance his party a few yards nearer. Again the defenders of the platform rushed to their gun. but the first plane had turned and swooped down with both guns going and again they were forced to take shelter while the doctor and his force made another advance the second plane had turned and followed the first the defenders had had enough the transparent dome closed over them and the platform sank back into the march with the shout dr bird led the way forward again the attackers were within a hundred yards of the platform when it again rose above the surface of the water

The guns had disappeared, but in their place stood an airship. It was a small affair with stubby wings, above which were two helicopter blades revolving at high speed. No sound of a motor could be heard. The transparent dome rolled back, and like a bullet the little craft shoved into the air, followed by a futile volley from the soldiers. Hardly had it appeared, then the two airplanes bore down on it with machine guns going. The helicopter paid no attention to them for a moment. and then came a puff of smoke from its side.

The leading plane swerved sharply, and the helicopter fired again. The leading plane manoeuvred about, trying to get a machine gun to bear, while the second plane climbed swiftly to get above the helicopter and pour a deadly stream of fire down into it. He gained position and swooped down to the attack, but another puff of smoke came from the side of the helicopter, and there was a thunderous report and a blinding flash in the sky. As the smoke cleared away, no trace of the ill-fated plane could be seen.

The helicopter hung motionless in the air, as though daring the remaining plane to attack. Well, the plane accepted the challenge and bore down at full speed on the stranger. Again came a puff of smoke, but the plane swerved and an answering shock came from its side. It was above the helicopter, and the shell which missed its mark plunged to the ground. When it struck there came a raw, and a flash and the whole earth seemed to shake the helicopter shot upward into the air and forward both its elevating fans and its propellers whirling blurs of light the airplane followed at its sharpest climbing angle but was helpless to compete with its swifter climbing rival

he's got away groaned kans not yet my friend cried the doctor hopping with excitement he isn't safe yet i never told you about One Breslow gun had been made, and it's on that plane. It has deadly accuracy, and is good for 15 miles. That's Lieutenant Dreen at the controls, and mason at the gun. As he spoke, the plane swung around and made a half loop. For a few yards it flew upside down, and then whirled swiftly. As it turned, there came a sharp report and a puff of smoke from its rear cockpit.

High above, the helicopter had ceased climbing and hovered motionless. As the plane fired, the helicopter shot forward like an arrow from a bow, and thereby spelled its doom. Not for nothing did Captain Mason bear the title of the best aerial gunner in the air corps. He'd foreseen what the action of his opponent would be and allowed for just such a move. Far up from the sky came a blinding flash in a cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, the sky was empty, except for a little scattered debris falling slowly to the ground. and that's that exclaimed dr bird as he finished his examination of the underground laboratory with which the gun platform connected the lamp has gone to glory with brislev's gun model and two of the

best brains of the young labor party i'm sure that stenesky was one of those two men and i wish the whole gang had been on board don't you think that this is the end of it doctor oh no kans i don't We know that the real brains of this outfit is Saranov, and Saranov is still alive. He probably won't try to use his black lamp again because I'll have a defense against it in a short time, now that I've seen it in action, but he will try something else. The whole object of life to a loyal citizen of Bolshevica is to reduce the whole world to the barbarous level in which they hold Russia, and they will spare no pains or effort to accomplish it. The greatest obstacle to their success at present is the President of the United States.

He is loved and respected by the whole world, and if he is spared, he will forge the world into a great machine for the preservation of peace and universal goodwill. That would be fatal to Bolshevica's plans, and they will spare no effort to remove him. By the grace of God, we have saved him from harm so far, but until we remove Sarenov permanently from the scene. I will never feel safer. Why do you suppose they'll try next, Doctor? Well, that Kans, time alone, will tell. The trail of mystery gold leads Kans and Dr. Bird to a tremendous monster of the deep. The Sea Terror by Captain S. P. Me. Beg your pardon, sir, I'm looking for Dr. Bird. The famous Bureau of Standard Scientist

to praise the speaker rapidly. Keen blue eyes stared questioningly at him from a mahogany brown face, criss-crossed with a thousand tiny wrinkles. The tattooed anchor on his hand and the ill-fitting blue serge suit smacked to the sea, while the squareness of his shoulders

and the direct gaze of his eye spoke eloquently of authority. Ah, I'm Dr. Bird, Captain. What can I do for you? Thank you, Doctor. But I'm not a captain. My name is Mitchel and I am, or rather was, the first maid of the Arithusa. The Arathusa?

Operative Khans of the United States Secret Service sprang to his feet. You said the Arithusa? There were no survivors. I believe that I'm the only one. Where have you been hiding? Why haven't you reported the fact of your rescue to the proper authorities? Tell the truth now, I'm a federal officer. officer. Cairns flashed the gold badge of the secret service and an expression of anger crossed

Mitchell's face. If I'd wish to talk to an officer, I could have found plenty in New York, he said shortly. I came to Washington in order to tell my story to Dr. Bird. The seaman and the detective glared at one another for a moment, and then Dr. Bird intervened. Ah, pipe down, Carnes, he said softly. Mr. Mitchell undoubtedly has reasons. Excellent reasons for his actions. Now, sit down, Mr. Mitchell. Not for cigar. Mitchell accepted the cigar which the doctor preferred and took a chair.

He lit the weed and, after another glance of hostility toward the detective, he pointedly ignored him and addressed his remarks to Dr. Bird. I've had no objection to telling you why I haven't spoken earlier, doctor, he said. When the Arithusa sank, it must have hit my head on something. for the next thing I knew I was in the Marine Hospital in New York. I'd been picked up unconscious by a fishing boat and brought in. I lay there a week before I knew anything. When I knew what I was doing, I heard about the loss of my ship and was told that there were no survivors.

And, well, I didn't know what to do. The story I had to tell was so weird and improbable that I hesitated to speak to anyone about it. I wasn't sure at first that it wasn't a trick of a disordered brain, but since my head is cleared I'm I'm convinced of the truth of it and yet I know that it can't be so I've read about you and some of the things you've done

and so as soon as I was able to travel I came here to tell you about it you'll be better able to judge than I what I tell you really happened or was only a vision Dr. Bird leaned back in his chair and put the tips of his fingers together long tapering fingers they were

sensitive and well-shaped though sadly marred by acid stains. It was in his hands alone that Dr. Bird showed the genius in his makeup, the artistry that inspired him to produce those miracles of experimentation, which had made his name a household word in the realms of science. Aside from those hands, he more resembled a pugilist than a scientist. A heavy shock of unruly black hair surmounted a face with beetling black brows and a prognathist jaw. His enormous head, with a breadth and height of forehead which were amazing, rose from a

pillar-like neck which sprang from a pair of massive shoulders and the arching chest of the trained athlete. Yes, Dr. Bird stood six feet two inches in his socks and weighed over two hundred pounds. As he leaned back, a curious spark which Kahn had learned to associate with keen interest, showed for an instant in his eyes. I'll be glad to hear your story, Mr. Mitchell, he said softly. Tell it in your own way and try not to admit any detail, no matter how trivial it may be. The seaman nodded and sat silently for a moment, as though collecting his thoughts.

The story really starts the afternoon of May 12, he said, although I didn't realize the importance of the first incident at the time. He was sailing along at good speed, hoping to make New York, before we were too late for quarantine, when a hail came from the forward look-out. I was on watch, and I went forward to see what was the matter. The lookout was Louis Green, an able-bodied seaman, and a good one, but, well, a confirmed drunkard. I asked him what the trouble was, and he turned toward me, with a face that was haggard with terror. I've seen a sea serpent, Mr. Mitchell, he said.

"'Nonsense,' I replied sharply. "'You've been drinking again.' "'Well, he swore that he hadn't, "'and I asked him to describe what he'd seen. "'His teeth were chattering, so he could hardly speak. "'But he gassed out a story about seeing this monstrous head "'a half-mile across,' he said, "'with a long snake-body stretching out over the sea

"'until the end of it was lost on the horizon. "'What turn in the direction he pointed, "'and, of course, there's nothing to be seen. seen. The man's condition was such as to make him worse than useless as a lookout, so I relieved him and ordered him below. I took it for a touch of delirium. We were bucking a headwind, although not a very stiff one. We didn't make port until after dark, so we anchored a quarantine, just off Staten Island, and 40, thathoms of water, and Captain Murphy radioed for a coast guard boat to come out and lay by us for the night. As you probably heard, we were carrying four

billion in gold bars consigned to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from the Bank of England. Dr. Byrd and Kahn's nodded. The inexplicable loss of the Erethusa had occupied much space in the papers ten days early. The cutter came out, signalled, and dropped anchor about 300 yards away. So far everything was exactly as it should be. I walked to the stern of the boat and looked out across the Atlantic. Then I realized that green wasn't the only one who could see things. The wind had fallen, and it was getting pretty dark, but not too dark to see things a pretty

good distance away. As I looked, I saw, I thought I saw, a huge black leathery mass come to the surface a mile or so away. There were two things on it that looked like eyes, but I had a feeling as though some malignant thing was staring at me. I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but the vision persisted, and I went forward to get a glass. When I came back to the thing, whatever it was, it disappeared, but the water where it had been was boiling as though there were a great spring or something of the sort under the

surface. When I trained my glass on the disturbed area, and I'll take my oath that I saw a huge body like a snake emerging from the water. It lay in long undulations on the waves, and moved with them as though it were floating. It was quite a bit nearer than the first thing I'd been, when I could see it plainly with the glass. I judge it to be fifteen or twenty feet thick, and actually seemed to disappear in the distance, as Greener described it. The side of the thing sent shivers up and down my spine, and I gave a whole shout-out. The lookout, hurried to my side, and asked me what the trouble was. So I pointed and handed it in the glass. You looked through it and handed it back to me with a curious expression. Can't see nothing, sir, he said. I can't see nothing, sir. He said.

I took the glass from him, tried to level it, but my hands were trembling so that I was forced to rest it on the rail. Yeah, the Lookout was right. There was absolutely nothing to be seen, and the peculiar appearance of the sea had subsided to normal now. The Lookout was staring at me rather curiously, and I knew that he was thinking the same thing about me as I'd thought about green in the afternoon. I made some kind of an excuse and went below to pull myself together. Man, I caught a glimpse of myself in the glass. I was as wide as a sheet, and the sweat was running off my face in drops. Well, I pulled myself together after a while and managed to persuade myself that the whole thing was just a trick of my mind,

inspired by Green's vivid description of his delirious vision of the afternoon. I ate bell-struck, and when Mr. Fulton, the junior officer, relieved me, I laid down and tried to quiet myself. I didn't have much luck. Just before I took the deck again at midnight, I slipped down to the forecastle to see how Green was coming along. He was lying in his bunk, wide awake, with staring eyes. Hey, how are you feeling green? I asked.

He looked up of me with an expression of a man who's looked death in the face. Ain't there no chance to dock in tonight, Mr. Mitchell? He asked. Of course not. I said rather sharply. What's the matter with you? You're afraid your sea serpent will get us? He'll get us if we stay out here tonight, sir.

He replied with an air of conviction. I saw the horrible mouth on him, large enough to bite their ship in half. It had to be like a bird, like this parrot, sir. I saw its horrible body, too, with gray-black ulcers on the underside of it where the sharks had been after it. Well, for all the shark,

takes a man now and then he is the seaman's friend sir because he kills off the sea serpents who would take ship and all nonsense green i said sharply don't talk any more foolishness so i'll have you reprimanded it you've been drinking so much that you're seeing things and i won't have the crew disturbed by your crazy talk oh you won't think it's talk when those big eyes stare into yours tonight, Mr. Mitchell, and that body twists around you and squeezes the life out of you. I don't care whether you call me crazy or not. I know that I'm doomed, and so is everyone else. But I won't talk about it, sir. The crew might as well rest easy while they can, but there's no escape if we stay out here tonight. Well, be sure to keep your mouth tight then, I said,

and left rather hurriedly. I was in a cold sweat, for his air of conviction, together with what I'd seen, had me shaken pretty badly. I heard the watch changing up above, and knew there'd be men in the forecastle in a minute. I didn't want to face him right then. Mr. Fulton reported everything quiet, when I went on deck to relieve him. Although I surveyed the water, through a nightglass for as far as I could see, there was nothing out of the way, nothing unto war.

The Coast Guard's lights were shining less than a quarter of a mile away, and things looked peaceful enough. The wind had gone down with the sun, and the seat was almost glassy, and when there was a bright moon. After going around the ship, I relieved all of the watch except two men for lookouts, and sent them below to get a good night's sleep. Well, if I hadn't done that, some of them might be alive now. I paced the deck for an hour, trying to quiet my nose.

nerves, but really getting more nervous with every passing minute. Three bells struck, and I walked forward and leaned on the rail to watch the water. I saw a peculiar swirl as though some large body were coming to the surface from below. And then, I saw it. Dr. Bird, I take a drink once in a while, when I'm on shore, but never at sea, never in excess. And I know it wasn't a vision of drunk delirium. I felt perfectly normal aside from my nervousness. I don't think it was fever.

Well, either I saw it or I am insane, for it is as vivid to me now as it was when I was standing on the Arathusa deck, and that monstrous horror was rising once more before my eyes. The seaman's face had become drawn and white, as he told, and drops of sweat were trickling from his chin. Garn sat forward, absorbed in his narrative, or Dr. Bird sat back with a glitter in his black eyes and an expression of great attention on his face.

Go on, Mr. Mitchell, the doctor said soothingly. Tell me just exactly what you saw. Mitchell shuddered and glanced quickly around the laboratory as though to assure himself that he was safe within these four walls. Well, from the surface of the sea, he went on. There was a massive body, black and with the appearance of wet, leather must have been a couple of hundred yards across although the size of objects is often magnified by moonlight and my terror may have added to its size in the midst of it were two great

discs 30 feet across which glowed red with a reflected moonlight and stared for a moment and then rose higher and so it towered above the ship and then i saw i thought i saw that huge gaping beak as Green had described it, large enough to bite the Arithouser in half, and she was a ship with three thousand tons. I was frozen with horror and couldn't move or cry out. As I watched, I saw the long snake-like body emerge from the water, or in that estimate I'd made of the size in the afternoon seemed pitifully inadequate. Then a second, and a third snake arose from the water, and then more, till the whole sea and the air above it seemed like a writhing mass of huge snakes. I remember wondering why the watch of the Coast Guard cutter didn't sound an alarm.

Then I realized that the thing had arisen on our port side, and the cutter was on the starboard. The massive snakes writhed backward and forward, and then two of them rose in the air and hung over the ship. I could see the underside, and I saw what green had called the scars where the sharks had attacked. They were great cup-shaped depressions with vile white edges, and they did resemble huge saws or ulcers. They waved over the ship for an instant, and both of them dropped down on the deck. I suddenly found my voice. I think I gave a yell, but even as I opened my mouth, I realized the futility of it. The Arithusa was sucked down into the sea as though it had been a tiny chip. I saw the water rising to the rail, and I think I cried out

again. The ship tilted, and I felt myself falling. But the The next thing I knew was when I was in the hospital, and I was told that I've been raving mad for a week. I was afraid to tell my story for fear I'd be put in an asylum, so I bit my tongue until I was discharged. Dr. Bird mused for a moment, as the seaman's voice quivered, you cried out all right, Mr. Mitchell, he said. You gave two distinct shouts, both of which were heard by the watch of the Wren, the Coast Guard

cutter. They reported that at 1.30 a.m., the Arathusa sank without warning. As soon as he heard your shouts, the watch gave the alarm, the crew piled on deck. The Arithusa was gone completely, and the Rann was tossing about like a chip in a whirlpool, as they graphically described it. The Rann then moved full power as they fought the waves and sailed over to your anchoring ground looking for survivors, but they found none. The sea gradually subsided, and they did the only thing they could do, dropped a boy to guide

the salvage people, and radioed for assistance. The robin came out and joined them, and both cutters stood by until daylight, but nothing unusual was seen. The insurance people are trying to salvage the wreck now, but so far they've made very little headway. Well, that brings me to the rest of the story, the part that made me decide to come to you, doctor. said the seaman. Did you, um, see what happened to the divers yesterday?

Dr. Bird nodded. I saw a brief account of it, he said. Seems that two of them were lost through their lines getting fouled and their air connections being severed in some way. I don't believe the bodies have been recovered yet. They will never be recovered, doctor. I was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and the papers were just out with an account of it.

went down to the dock where the John McLean the salvage ship ties up and I talked to Captain Starly who commands it well I've known him casually for some years although just an acquaintance and he gave me a few more details that the press hadn't got well he didn't connect me at first with the Mitchell who was reported lost on the Arrithusa well the first man to go down from the McLean was Charlie Melrose an expert diver he went down a pressure outfit to the and started to work. Everything was going along fine until the telephone suddenly rang and the man who answered it heard him say, raise me, for God's sake, hurry. The signal for raising was given, but they hadn't got him more than 30 feet from the bottom before they came a tug on the line and he was gone. The airline, the lifting cable and the telephone caught floated free and were reeled in. Malrose had been plucked off the end of that line as your eye would pluck off a grape. Dr. Bird leaned forward with the curious glitter again in his eye.

"'Go on,' he said, Tersely. "'Well, Blake, the other diver, quickly donned a suit and insisted on being lowered at once. Starly tried to dissuade him, but he insisted on going down. They lowered him over the side with a twelve-foot steel-shot pike in his hand. But he never got to the bottom. He'd not been lowered more than a hundred feet. feet when a scream came over the phone and again there was a jerk on the lines which threatened to wreck the reel and the line came aboard with no diver on the end of it at the same time starly told me the sea boiled and churned as though the whole

bottom were coming up and his ship was tossed about as though it were in a violent storm even though it was calm enough for forty fathom salvage work and that's pretty quiet you know when half the time his screws were out of the water and he had a hard time to keep from being capsized. He fought his way out of the disturbed area, and as soon as he did, it started to quiet down. Then, in ten minutes, it was all calm again. Starly was pretty badly shaken,

besides, he'd lost both of his divers, so he came in and I saw him at the dark. When I heard his yarn, I took him into my confidence and told him what I'd seen, and that I proposed coming to you and asking your advice. Well, I was afraid until I heard his story that it was merely a vision that I'd had, but it was certainly no vision that plugged those two divers off their lines. His Captain Starley told that story to anyone else yet.

No, Doctor, he hasn't. He promised not to talk until after I'd seen you. I'll vouch for him. He'll keep his word through anything, and he's keeping his whole crew on board until he hears from me. At that, Dr. Byrd sprang to his feet. Oh, Mr. Mitchell, he said energetically, you have shown excellent judgment. Message Captain Starly, that you've seen me,

and used to hold his crew on board and talk to no one until I get there. Carnes, telephoned the chief of naval operations, ask him to receive me in conference at once. Having kept the secretary of the Navy and too, if he's available. And when you finish that, phone Bolton to let him know that you'll be away from Washington indefinitely. Oh, phone Admiral Buck for you, Doctor. But I don't dare phone any such message to Bolton. He's been running the whole service ragged lately,

and this is my first afternoon off, duty in the fortnight. Um, what's the trouble? Flood of new counterfeits. Nah, the counterfeit division's getting along all right. In fact, they've lent us a dozen men. The trouble is a sudden big increase in communist activity throughout the country. They have the young Labor Party behind it. Yeah, Balton's been pretty jumpy since that Stokowski affair last August.

He's afraid another attempt of some sort on the president. The young labor party. I thought that gang was bankrupt and out of business since the Coast Guard broke up their alien smuggling scheme. They were down and out for a while, but they're in funds again. And how? They must have three or four hundred million at least. Where'd they get it?

That's what we've been trying to find out. Well, the leaders have presented bars of gold to a dozen banks throughout the country and demanded cash in advance. The banks shipped the gold to the mint. It was good gold. 925 fine. What we're trying to find out is how that gold got into the United States. Well, a shipment of that size should be easy to trace. That seems so, but it hasn't been.

We've accounted for every pound of every shipment that's come in through a port of entry. And we've checked almost that close on air. every output of every mine in the United States. If that gold came in from Russia, they'd have to go across Europe. We can't get any trace of it from abroad. It looks as though they were making it. Dr. Bird rubbed his head thoughtfully. Well, possible, but hardly probable, he said. How much do you say they had? Over 300 million in 30-pound bars. Each bar shows signs of having a mint mark chiseled off, but that doesn't help much. They've done too good a job. It pretty much has us confused. Again, Dr. Bird rubbed his head. Hmm, telephone Admiral Buck, then phone

Bolton and tell him exactly what I told you. You'll be away indefinitely. When he gets through exploding, tell him you're going with me, and that possibly, just barely possibly, we might be on the trail of that gold shipment. On the trail of the gold? Gasp Carnes. surely doctor you don't think once in a while i do my old friend replied the doctor with a chuckle which is more than anyone in the secret service does oh and you can tell bald and i said that but hang up quickly if you do i don't want the wires of my phone melded off no currency i have no miraculous inspiration as to where that gold's coming from i just have a plain old-fashioned hunch that hunch is that we're got to going to have lots of fun and more than our fair share of danger before we see washington again now after you get through with bolton you might want to call the chief of the air corps ask him to have a bomber held at langley field subject to my orders well if he squawks any i'll talk to him he then turned to the phone which laid on his desk and pressed dial i get mr lambertson he said he's the chief technician of the

pyrus glassworks at corner in New Jersey. Part two. The USS Minniconsian sailed out of New York Harbor and headed down toward the lower bay. On a forward deck rested a huge globe. The bottom quarter of the spear was made of some sort of dark opaque substance, but the upper portion was transparent as crystal. Through the walls could be seen a quantity of apparatus, resting on the opaque bottom portion. Two mechanics from the Bureau of Standards were making final adjustment to one of the pieces of the apparatus, which resembled a tank fitted with a piston geared to an electric motor. From the tank, tubes ran to four hollow pipes, each an inch and a half in diameter, which ran through the skin and extended 30 inches from the outer skin of the 20-foot sphere.

Dr. Byrd stood near, talking with the executive officer of the ship, and from time to time, giving a brief word of direction to the mechanics. It's safer than you might think, Commander, he said. In the first place, that globe is not made of ordinary glass. It's made of vitroline, a new semi-malleable glass which was developed at the Bureau, which has been made on an experimental scale for us by the Pyrex people. It's much stronger than ordinary glass, and it's not sensitive to shock. It's also perfectly transparent to ultraviolet lines,

being superior even to rock crystal or fused quartz in that respect. Now the walls, as you've noticed, are four inches thick. I've calculated that the ball will stand a uniform external pressure of 3,500 atmospheres, pressure which will be encountered at a depth of about 20 miles. I believe the little stander squeezes 6,000 tons without buckling, and it's impossible to fracture by shot. It could be dropped from the top of the Empire State Building, and it just bounced. That seems incredible that it could stand such a pressure as you've named.

Oh, my figures are conservative ones. Labinson calculated them even higher, but we allowed for the fact that this is the first large mass of the material to be cast, and we lowered them a bit. But suppose your lifting cable should break, objected to the naval officer. The outfit weighs a good many tons. You notice that the lower quarter is made of lead. The specific gravity of the entire globe,

when sealed uptight with two men in it, is only a little more than unity. In the water, its wet is so little that a three-inch manoeuvre could raise it, let alone a steel cable. I have another safety device, though. And in case that cable should snap, I detach the lead from it,

and it would shoot to the surface like a rocket. Hmm. So how long can you remain underwater in it? A week, if necessary. I have an oxygen tank and a carbon dioxide removing apparatus, which will keep the air in good condition. The globe is electrically lighted and can be heated if necessary.

If my phone doesn't work, I have a radio set which will enable me to communicate with you. I can't see that it's especially dangerous, not nearly as much as a submarine. And, um, what is your objective in going down there, if I may ask? To take pictures and to explore the wreck if we can. The globe is equipped with huge floodlights and excellent cameras. The salvage people are having a little trouble. And we're just trying to help them out. Hmm, you mentioned exploring.

Can you leave the globe while it's underwater? Yeah, there's a docking device for doing so. A man in a diving suit could enter the lock and fiddle it with water. Once the external pressure is released, you can open the outer door and step out. Coming back, he seals the outer door, and the man inside blows out the lock and the compressed air, and then the inner door can be opened. It's the same principle as a torpedo tube. A jangle of bells then interrupted them, and the Miniconson slowed down.

Commander Lawrence stepped to the rail and gave a sharp order to the navigating officer on the bridge. The bells jangled again, and the ship's engine stopped. Well, we're almost over the boy, Doctor, he said. Dr. Bird nodded and spoke to the two mechanics. Then with a few final touches to the apparatus, they emerged from the globe, and Dr. Bird entered. "'Come on, Cairns,' he called. "'No backing out of the last minutes.' "'Carn stepped forward with a sickly smile

"'and joined the doctor in the huge sphere. "'All right, boys, close her up.' The mechanics swung the outer door into place with a crane. Both the edge of the door and the surface against which it fitted had been ground flat and were in addition faced with soft rubber. Bolts were fastened in the door which passed through holes in the main sphere, and Dr. Bird spun nuts onto them and tightened them with a heavy wrench. He and Kans lifted the smaller inner door into place and bolted it tight.

Bird then stepped to the phone. Lower away, he directed. From a boom attached to the Minisconsian's forward fighting top, a huge steel cable swung down, and the latch at the end of the cable was closed over a vitrolean ring, which was fastened to the top of the sphere. The cable tightened, and the globe with the two men in it was lifted over the side of the battleship and lowered gently into the water.

Carnes involuntarily ducked and threw up his hand as the water closed over it. And Dr. Byrd laughed. Hey, look up, Carnes, he said. Karns gasped as he looked up and saw the surface of the water above him. Dr. Bird laughed again and turned to his phone. Lower away, he said. Everything is tight. The globe descended into the depths of the sea.

Darker and darker it grew until only a faint twilight glow filled the sphere. A dark bulk loomed before them. Dr. Bird snapped on one of his huge floodlights and pointed. "'A. the Arithusa,' he said. The all-fated vessel lay on aside with a huge jagged hole torn in her midship. That's where the boilers burst, explained the doctor. luckily we have a hard bottom to deal with right let's see if we can locate any of mitchell's sea serpents he turned on other floodlights and swept the bottom of the sea with them the huge beams bored out into the water for a quarter of a mile but nothing unusual was to be seen dr bird turned his attention again to the wreck oh things look normal from this side he said after a prolonged scrutiny i'll have the miniscount sin sail around it while we look it all over

In response to his phone orders, the ship above them swung around the wreck in a circle, and Kahn's and the doctor viewed each side in turn. But nothing of a suspicious nature made its appearance. The sphere stopped outside the hole in the side, and Dr. Bird turned to Kans. Right, I'm going to put on a diving suit and explore that wreck, he said. If there ever was any danger, it isn't apparent now, and I can't find out anything until I get inside. Don't do it, doctor, cried Carnes. Remember what happened to the other divers? We don't know what happened to them, Carnes. No matter what it was, there's no danger apparent right now.

I've got to get into that ship before I can get any real information. We could have lowered an undersea camera and learned just as much as we have so far. Well, let me go instead of you, doctor. Well, I'm sorry to refuse you, my friend. but frankly I wouldn't just your judgment as to what you'd seen if you went alone. We can't both go. Why not? If we both went, who'd work the air to let us back in? No, this is a one-man, Jarb, I'm the one to do it.

While I'm gone, keep a sharp lookout. If you see anything unusual, call me at once. How can I call you? Here, on this small radio phone, a set of receivers tuned to the right wavelength are in my diving helmets. I'll be able to hear you, although I can't reply. No, it won't be gone long. They only have a small air tank,

large enough to keep me going for about 30 minutes. Now help me into my suit and keep a sharp watch. Oh, and a timely warning may save my life if anything happens. With Kahn's assistance, Dr. Byrd donned a deep-sea diving outfit and screwed down the helmet. He crawled through the inner door into the lock and lifted the inner door into place. Carnes fastened the door with nuts, and the doctor opened a pair of valves in the outer door and filled the lock with water. He then removed the outer door, and, taking in one hand a steel-shod 12-foot pike with a hook

on the end, and in the other a waterproof flashlight. He moved forward. As he left the shell, he paused for a moment, and then returned and picked up the heavy wrench with which he'd removed the nuts holding the outer door into place. He fastened the tool to the belt of his suit, and then, with a wave of his hand toward the detective, he approached the hole. The hole in the side was too high for him to reach, but he hooked the end of his spike in one of the joints of the Erathus' plates, and climbed slowly and painfully up the side of the vessel. As he disappeared into the hull, Karns realized with a sudden start that he'd been watching his friend and neglecting the duty imposed on him of keeping a shawl. watch he turned quickly to the floodlights and searched the sea bottom nothing appeared and the

minutes moved as slowly as hours should karns felt that he'd been submerged alone for weeks and his nerves grew so tense that he felt that he'd scream in another instant a sudden thought sobered him like a dash of cold water if he screamed dr bird would think it was an alarm signal and possibly it'd be afraid to emerge from the vessel his watch showed him that the doctor had been gone for 25 minutes now, and so he moved slowly to the radio transmitter. Dr. Bird, he said slowly and distinctly. You've been gone nearly 30 minutes. Nothing alarming has appeared, but I'll feel better when I see you coming back. He glued his eyes on the opening in the ship's side and waited. Five minutes passed, then ten, with no signs of the doctor.

Kahn's again moved to the receiver. It's been over half an hour, Doctor, he cried in a pleading voice. If you're all right, for God's sake, sure yourself, I'm in a frantic with worry. Another five minutes passed, and the sweat dripped in a steady stream from the detective's chin. Suddenly he gave a sob of relief and sank back against the side of the globe. A bulky figure showed at the edge of the hole, and Dr. Berg climbed slowly and heavily out of hold and dropped to the sea bottom. He lay prone for a moment before he rose and made his way with effort and effort toward the sphere. He entered the compartment and, with a heroic effort,

lifted the outer door into place, and feebly, and with fumbling fingers, placed nuts on the bolts. His hands wandered uncertainly toward the valves and closed the upper one. He waved his hand toward Kans and sank in a heap on the floor of the lock. With trembling hands, Kahn's connected the air and opened the valve. Air flowed into the lock and the water was gradually forced out. When the lock was empty, he waited for Dr. Bird to close the outer valve, but the doctor didn't move. Kahn's tore at the bolts which held the inner door and threw his weight against it. It held against his moves, and he thought frantically. Then inspiration came, and he disconnected the air valve. With a whistling rush, the air from the lock rushed into the sphere,

and he forced open the inner door. A stream of seawater drove against his feet through the open valve, and he reached the valve to close it. The force of the water held it open for a moment, but he threw every ounce of his strength into the effort, and slowly the valve closed. It was beyond his strength to haul the heavy doctor with his pressure diving suit through the restricted confines of the inner door,

so Kans wormed his way into the lock, and with trembling fingers unscrewed the helmet of the doctor's diving suit, suit. The helmet clanged to the floor, and Kahn scooped up his hands full of water and dashed it onto the doctor's face. There was no response, and now he was panicking. He sprang for the radio to order the sphere hauled up when his glance fell on the oxygen tank. It took him only a moment to connect a rubber hose to the tank, and in a few seconds a blast of the life-giving gas was blowing into the scientist's face. Dogged Bird gave a convulsive gaspourable. He gave a convulsive gas or two and opened his eyes. Kahn shut off the oxygen and Dr. Bird struggled to a sitting

position and inhaled deep breaths. That was close, my friend, he said faintly. Give me a hand, and I'll climb in. With the detectives aid, he climbed into the sphere and Kans fastened the inner door. Slowly the doctor got out of the diving suit and lay prone on the floor, his breath still coming and gasps. "'Hey, thanks for your warning about the time, Carnes,' he said. "'I knew that my air supply was running shore, but I was caught down there and couldn't readily free myself. I thought for a while that my time had come, but, well, I guess not. By the looks of things I freed myself just in time.'

"'Well, did you find out anything?' asked the detective eagerly. "'I did,' replied Dr. Byrd grimly. For one thing, the gold is no longer in the hold of the Arathusa. It's gone? Clean as a whistle, every bar of it. The hole had been cut in the vault around the combination. The bars slip back and the door opened. The gold has been stolen.

Could it not have been stolen before the vessel sank? The idea of that occurred to me, of course. I examine things pretty carefully. I know that the theft occurred after the vessel. vessel saying. Wait, how could you tell? For one thing the hole was cut with an underwater cutting torch and for seconds, well, look here. The doctor rode up his trousers and showed the detective his leg. Cars cried out as he saw huge purple welts on it. What caused that? he cried. As I ended the vault, I stepped full into a steel bear trap which was set there for the purpose of

catching and holding anyone who entered. Someone's visited the Arithusa since she sank, looted her, and also arranged so that any diver who got as far as the vote would never return to the surface to tell of it. Luckily for me, I carried a heavy wrench and was able to free myself. I guess most divers don't carry such a thing. But, I mean, who could have done it? Well, that's what we've got to find out. We're not going to do it down here. Right, give the word to have us hauled up.

And, Carnes, don't make it. mention anything about the looting of the vessel. Make sure it's understood that I couldn't get into the hold. We'll head back for New York at once. Oh, I want to have a few small changes made in this sphere before we use it again. While I'm doing that, I want you to get hold of the Coast Guard, or the Immigration Service, or whoever it is that has the complete records in that case of alien smuggling, you know, by the Young Labor Party. When you get that information, report to me and we'll go over it. You might also drop a hint to Captain Starley that will stop. all further attempts at salvage operations for a few days.

Tell them all range to have a Coast Guard boat guard the locality of the wreck. Well, I mean, won't that be rather risky for the cutter? I think not. The goal's gone, and there's no reason to apprehend any further danger in that locality. Well, at least for the present. Part three. At nine o'clock the next morning, Kans and Dr. Byrd sat in the office of Lieutenant Commander Mindan of the United States Coast Guard,

listening intently to the history of the alien smuggling case. Commander Minton spoke. Their boats would load up and clear ostensibly for Rio de Janeiro or some of the South American part. But once they were in the Atlantic, they'd alter their course and head for the Massachusetts coast. Of course, we had no right to interfere with them on the high seas, and they never came closer than 50 miles to our coastline. When they got that close, they'd cruise slowly back and forth for a few days. and then sail away south to the port that they cleared for.

When they got there, of course, there were no passengers on board. We patrolled the coast carefully, well, we were around, but we never got any indication of any landing of aliens, and yet we knew they were being landed in some way. We drew lines so close that a cork wouldn't get by without being seen. We even had the air patrol, but, well, with no results. Eventually, the air patrol was a thing that gave them away, though. They'd been operating so successfully that they evidently got careless and started a load off late in the night,

so they didn't reach the coast by dawn. A Navy plane was flying across the coastland about 12 miles off, when they spotted a submarine running parallel with the coast, headed north. It didn't look like an American craft, and they went on and radioed Washington and found that we had no one to see craft in that neighborhood. They returned to their patrol, followed the sub for a matter of 30 or 40 miles off the coast. then it turned in right toward the shore.

The shoreline there was rocky, and at the point where the sub was heading, it fell sheer about 200 fathoms. The sub ran right at the cliff and disappeared from view. Lieutenant Commander Minden paused impressively. Guards and Dr. Bird sat forward in their chairs, for it was evident that the crux of the story was at hand. When the plane reported what they'd seen,

we knew how those aliens were being landed. The point when the sub went in gave us a good idea of the location of their base, and we threw a cordon of man around and searched. A Navy sub was sent to the scene, and they reported that there was a tunnel opening into the rock, about a hundred fathoms under water, running for, well, they had no idea how far under the land. We stayed to guard the hole while we combed the land. It took us a week to locate the place, but we traced some truckloads of food and finally found it. This tunnel ran under the land for a mile and ended in a large cave underground. The young labor party had established a regular receiving depot there and took the aliens from the sub and kept them there for a day or two

until they had a chance to load him into trucks and run them into Boston or some other town in the night. Once we had the place spotted, we sent a gang in and captured the whole works without any trouble. The underground cavern had no natural opening to the surface, but they had one made by blasting. We captured the whole lot and then sealed the end of the hole with rock and concrete. And that was the end of that affair. Well, thank you, Commander.

You've given us a very graphic description of it. I suppose you could find the entrance which was sealed up. Ah, easily, I led the raiding party. Oh, I forgot to mention one blunder we made. Evidently, some word of our plans leaked out, for the sob which was guarding the outer end of the tunnel was called away by a radio-member. message, supposed to be from the Navy Department. Got only a short distance, though, when the commander smelled a rat and made his way back. Well, he was too late. He was just in time to see

the sub emerge from the hole and head into the open sea. He gave chase, but the other sub was faster than the Navy boat and got clear away. The leader of the gang must have been on it, as we didn't get him. Who was the leader? Oh, from some records we captured. We saw He saw his name was Ivan Sarenov. Well, I never saw him, though. Sarenov, said Dr. Bird thoughtfully. The name seems familiar. Where have I?

God damn, I know now. He was at one time a member of the faculty of St. Petersburg. He was one of the leading biologists of his time. Courants, we found our man. If you're thinking of Sarenov, I'm afraid you're mistaken, doctor. said Commander Minden. Neither he nor his submarine have ever been heard of since. It's generally being conceded that they were lost at sea.

We had some pretty rough weather just after that affair. Well, rough weather doesn't mean that much to a sub, commander. I expect that he is our man. Well, at any rate, the place we want to go is the end of that tunnel. Well, match your service, doctor. Cairns get the location of that tunnel entrance from Commander Minden, order the Minna Kansin to proceed north along the coast of that vicinity, standby for radio orders.

I'm going to phone Mitchell Field and get a plane. We have no time to lose. The plane from Mitchell Field roared down to a landing, and Kans, Dr. Bird and Commander Mindan dismounted from the rear cockpit and looked around. They'd landed in a smooth field at the base of a rise, almost rugged enough to be called a mountain. The group of three men were standing near them as they got out of the plane. One of the men approached.

Dr. Bird, asked the newcomer. I'm Tom Harron, United States Marshal. These two men are deputies. Now, I understand that I'm to report to you for orders. Glad to imagine you, Mr. Heron. This is Operative Kahn's of the Secret Service, and Commander Minden of the Coast Guard. We're going to explore an underground cavern

that's located in this vicinity. You mean the one where they used to smuggle aliens? That's closed up. I was in charge of that work, and we closed it tight as a drum two years ago. Can you find the entrance? Sure. It's not even a mile from here.

I'll lead the way, then. We want to take a look at it. The Marshal led the way, and took a path which led to a gully in its side. He paused for a moment to take his bearings, and then turned sharply to his left and climb part of the way up the side of the ravine. Oh, here it is, he announced.

An expression of astonishment crossed his face, and he examined the ground closely. Oh, geez, Doc. He went on as he straightened up. This place has been open since I left it. Dr. Bird hurried forward and joined him. The heavy stone and concrete with which the entrance to the cavern had been sealed were undisturbed, but in the side of the hill was a set of steel doors beside the concrete.

There was no sign of a keyhole or other means of entering it. Was this steel door part of your work? asked Hans. No, sir, it wasn't. We sealed it solid. That door has been put there since. Dr. Berg closely examined the structure. He tapped it and went round the edges and then straightened up and took a small pocket compass from his pocket and opened the case.

The needle swung crazily for a moment, it then pointed straight toward the door. Hmm, a magnetic lock, he exclaimed. If we could find the power line, it would be easy to force it, but finding that line might take us ages. At any rate, we found out what we were after. This is their base from which they're operating. Mr. Heron, one of you to station a guard armed with rifles at this door, day and night, until I personally relieve you. Remember, until I relieve you, be here in person.

Verbal or written orders don't go. Capture or kill anyone who tries to enter or leave this cavern through this end. entrance. Just now, we'll find that cavern more vulnerable from the sea end, and that's where I mean to attack. We'll force that door and explore the incend later. Commander Mindan, you can stay here with Mr. Harron, if you like, or you can come with Karnsen. We're going on board the Miner Kanssen. The Mitchell Field plane roared to a take-off and bore south along the coast. Half an hour of flying brought them in view of the battleship, sailing at full speed up the coast. Dr. Bird radioed instructions to the ship, and an hour later a launch picked

them up from the beach and took them out. As soon as they were on board, they resumed their progress, and in two hours the peak that Dr. Bird had marked as a landmark was opposite. And sailing as close to the shore as you can safely, he said, and then lower us down. Once we're down, you'll be guided by our telephoned instructions. Come on, Karns, let's go. The detective followed him into the sphere of the minisconson hedged up toward the shore. The huge bore was lifted from the deck and lowered gently into the 200 fathoms of water. It was pitch dark at that depth, and Dr. Bird switched on one floodlight and studied the cliff

which rose a hundred yards beneath them. We've missed the place, Cairns. He said, we'll have them pull us up a few hundred feet and then sail along the coast. He turned to his phone. and the sphere rose while the battleship sailed slowly ahead, the vitrelium ball following in her wake. For a quarter of a mile they continued on their way, and then Dr. Bird halted the ship. What depth are we? he asked. Eighty fathoms? All right, lower us, please. The ball sank until it rested on the sea bottom, and Dr. Bird turned on two additional floodlights and studied the surroundings. The bed of the ocean was literally covered with lobster and crab shell, with the bones of fish scattered here and there among them. A few bones of land animals were mixed with the debris,

and Kans gave a gasp, as Dr. Bird pointed out to him a diving helmet. Well, we're on the right track, said the scientist, grimly. He stepped to the phone and ordered the sphere raised to 100 fathoms. The ship moved forward along the coast until Doddard. Dr. Bird again stepped to the phone and halted it. Before them, yorned the entrance to the underground tunnel. It was big, about 200 feet high and 300 across, and their most powerful beams would not penetrate to the end of it. A pile of debris could be seen on the floor of the tunnel, and Kanzas sure he could see another diving helmets among the litter. Dr. Bird pointed toward the side of the cavern.

See those floodlights fastened to the cliff, so that their beams will sweep across the mouth of the tunnel when they're lit he said apparently the cave is used as a prison and the light beams of the bars the creature's not at home just now or the bars will be up my god look at that carnes stared and echoed the doctor's cry of surprise clinging to a shelf of rock which extended out from the wall of the cavern and half hidden among the seaweed was a huge marine creature it looked like a huge black slug with rudimentary eyes and mouth. The thing was fifty feet in length and fully 15 feet in diameter. It hung there, moving sluggishly as though breathing, and rudimentary tentacles were projecting from one end, moving in the water.

What is it, Doctor? asked Kahn's in a voice of awe. It's a typical trachosphere of the giant octopus, the devil fish of the Indian Ocean. multiplied a thousand times though he replied when the octopus lays its eggs they hatch out into the larval form the free swimming larvae is known as the trocosphere I'm positive that that's what we see here but God look at the size of the thing well if that ever developed I can't even imagine its dimensions I've seen pictures of a huge octopus pulling down a ship said Kans but I always thought they were imagining Well, they are.

This monstrosity before us is no product of nature. A dozen of them would depopulate the seas in a year. It's a hideous parody of nature conceived in the brain of a madman and produced by some glandular disturbance. Sarenov, he spent years in glandular experimentation, and no doubt he's managed to stimulate the thyroid of a normal octopus and produce a giant. I think that the immediate parent of this thing,

saying before us was of normal size, and so probably are its brothers and sisters. Well, the phenomenon of gigantism of this nature only occurs in alternate generations, and then only in rare instances. His grandparent may not be far away, though. I wish it was safe to use a submarine to explore that cabin. Why isn't it? Any creature powerful enough to pull the Arithusa underwater, but crush a frail submarine without effort. Anyway, maybe some sort of. and build for underwater exploration like this ball is the window space is quite limited and they are not equipped with powerful floodlights I'd like to be able to reach that thing and destroy it but that can wait till later the best thing we can do is put out

our lights and wait his hand sought the light switch and the globe became dark only a tiny glimmer of light came down to them from the surface a hundred fathoms above In the darkness they stared into the depths of the sea. Bart fall. For an hour they waited and then Dr. Berg grasped Karns by the shoulder and pointed. Far in the distance could be seen a tiny point of light. It wavered and winked and at times disappeared, but it was gradually approaching them. Dr. Bird stepped to the telephone and the Minoconcin moved a hundred yards further from the shore.

The light disappeared again as though hidden by some opaque body. Their eyes had become accustomed to the dim light, and they could dimly see a long snake-like body approach the globe, and then suddenly withdraw. The light appeared again only a few hundred yards away now. The water swirled and the sphere swayed drunkenly as some gigantic body moved past it, with express train speed, and entered the mouth of the carrot. The light turned toward them, and they could see the dim outlines of a small submarine on which it was mounted. Another rush of water came as the object which had entered the cave, started to leave it, and the light swung around. It bore on a huge black body and was reflected with a red glow from huge eyes, and the creature backed again into the cave. Back and forth across the mouth of the cavern the light played, and the watchers caught a glimpse of a huge beak which could have engulfed a freight car.

From the cavern projected twisting tentacles of gargantuan dimensions and red eyes, thirty feet in diameter, glared balefulient. For several minutes the light of the submarine played across the mouth of the cave, and then the floodlights on the cliff sprang into full glow and bay of the ball and the mouth of the tunnel in a flood of light. Before their horrified gaze was an octopus of a size to make them disbelieve their eyes. The submarine had moved up to within a few feet of them, and the light from it played full on the ball. The submarine manoeuvred in the vicinity, keeping the ball full in the beam of its light, and then drew back, and as it did so, the floodlights on the cliff died out, and the beam of the submarine's light was directed away from them.

Dr. Bird jumped to his phone. Head straight out to sea and full speed ahead, he shouted. Don't try to pull us in. To us. The ball swayed as the Minniconson's mighty engines responded to his orders, and the cliff wall disappeared from view. Well, as long as they know we're here, we might as well announce our presence in style, said the doctor grimly, as he closed a switch and threw all of the spheres huge lights into action. He turned on the lights just in time, for even as he did so, a mighty tentacle shot out of the darkness and wrapped itself around the ball. For a moment it clung there, and then was withdrawn.

The thing can't stand the lights, remarked the doctor as he threw off the switch. That sub was hurting it like a cow by the use of a light being. As long as we're lit up, we're safe from attack. For God's sake then. Turn on the lights, cried Kars. I wanted to attack us, replied the doctor calmly. We have no offensive weapons, and only by meeting an attack can we harm the thing. As he spoke, there came a soft whisper of sound from the vitrolean walls,

and they were thrown from their feet by a sudden jerk. Dr. Bird stumbled to the switch and closed it, and the ball was flooded with light. Two arms were now on them, but they were slowly withdrawn as the lights glared forth. The huge outlines of the beast could be seen as it followed them toward the surface. His great eyes glared at them hungrily. The submarine was visible only as a speck of light in the distance now. The Miniconsi speed was picking up under the surge of her huge turbines,

and the bore was nearing the surface. The sea light was enough now that they could see for quite a distance. The phone rang, and Dr. Bird replied. Hello, he said. What's that? You can? By all means fire. Yeah, indeed. We're well out of danger. It must be thirty or forty feet down. Just watch the fun now.

He continued to Kahn's as he turned the phone off. The beast is showing above the surface and they're going to shell it. They watched the surface and suddenly there came a flash of light followed by a dull boom of sound. The huge octopus suddenly sank below them. thrashing its arms about wildly. Direct hit, shouted Dr. Bird into the phone. Get it again if it shows up. I want to get that thing good and mad.

He turned off the lights in the ball and the octopus attacked again. The shell had taught it to be cautious, and it kept well down, but three huge arms came up from the depth of the sea and wrapped themselves around the ball once more. The forward motion stopped for a moment, and then came a jerk that threw them down. and the ball started to sink. The cable snapped, cried the doctor.

Turn on the lights. Garns closed the switch. The ball was so covered with the huge tentacles that they couldn't see anything, but the light had its usual effect and they were soon released. The ball sank toward the bottom and they could see the huge cephalopod

lying below watching them. Blood was flowing from a wound near one of its eyes where the Minoconstein shell had found its mark. Toward the huge monster they sank until they lay on the bottom of the ocean and only a few yards from it. In an instant the sea became opaque and they couldn't see a thing. He shot his ink, cried the doctor. Here comes the real attack.

Right, brace yourself. Strap yourself to the wall so you can reach one of the motor switches. Through the darkness huge arms came out and wrapped themselves around the ball again. The heavy vitrily ingrined under the enormous pressure which was applied to it, but it held. The ink was clearing slightly now, and they could see that the sphere was covered by the arms. The mass moved, and the huge more opened before them. Pipes projecting from the sides of the bull were buried into the creature's flesh. Oh, God damn, it's going to swallow us whole, gasped the doctor.

Quick-arns, the motor switch. He closed one of them as he spoke. and the powerful little electric motors began to hum, forcing forward the piston attached to the tank connected to the hollow rods. Steadily, the little motors hummed, and the tank emptied through the rods into the body of the giant cephalobot. God, I hope this stuff works fast, grown the doctor, as they approached closer to the giant more. I never tried giving an optimist a hypodermic injection of prussic acid before, but not to do the business. There's enough acid there to kill half of New York City. Carnes blanched as the ball approached the mouth.

One by one the arms unwound until only one was holding them and the jaws opened wider. They were almost in them. When the motion stopped. They could feel a shudder run through the arm which was holding them. For a moment the arm alternately expanded and contracted, almost releasing them only to clutch them again. arm came from the depths and whipped about the ball, and again the vitrally ingrowned at the pressure which was applied. The arms were suddenly withdrawn, and the ball started to sink. Drop the lead, Hans, cried the doctor. With the aid of the detective, he operated the electric

catches which held the huge mass of lead to the bottom, and the sphere shot up through the water like a rocket. It leapt clear of the water and fell back with a splash. Half a mile away, the Minniconcin was swinging in a wide circle to head back toward them, and they turned their gaze toward the shore. As they looked, a giant arm shot a hundred yards up into the air, twisting and writhing frantically. It disappeared, and then another, and then half a dozen more flashed into the air. The arms dipped below the surface, and a huge black body reared its bulk free from the water for a moment, and the sea boiled as though in a violent storm.

The body then sank again, and the arms were thrown up, twisting and turning like a half-dozen huge snakes. The whole creature sank below the waves, and the ball tossed back and forth, often buried under tons of water, and once tossed 30 feet into the air by the huge waves. A momentary lull came in the waves. Karns then gave a cry of astonishment and pointed toward the shore. With some effort Dr. Bird twisted himself in his lashing and looked in that direction. The huge body had once again come to the surface, and three of the arms were towering into the air. Grasped in them was a long, black cigar-shaped object.

As they watched, the object was torn into two parts and the fragments crushed by the enormous power of the octopus. Again the arms rived in torment, and then they stiffened out. for a moment they towered in the air and then slowly sank below the surface of the sea oh the cyanide has worked cried the doctor and in its last agonies the creature has turned on its creator and destroyed him oh it's a shame serenov was a brilliant although crazy genius and besides i would have liked to have learned his methods well i may find something when we open the land end and raid the cave. Really he was too brilliant a man to hang for murder. Once we open the cave and I get any data that's there, my connection with this case will end.

Tracking down the gold and recovering it's a routine matter for Bolton, and one in which he won't need my help. But, um, what about that creature we saw in the cave, doctor? Won't it hatch into another terror of the sea like the thing we just destroyed? The trocosphere? No, I'm not worried there. We won't try to leave the cave for some days yet. By that time, we'll have the land end open and the floodlights turned on. Well, they'll keep it there, and it'll starve to death.

We could send down a sub to feed it a torpedo, but there's no need. Nature will dispose of it in its own way. Meanwhile, I hope the minute consin rigs up a jury tackled pretty soon and takes us on board. God, I'm getting seasick. Dr. Bird, scientific sleuth, extraordinary, goes after a sinister stealer of brain. Stolen brains by Captain S.P. Meek. I hope, Carnes, said Dr. Bird. We get good fishing.

Good fishing. Will you please tell me what you're talking about? Well, I'm talking about fishing, my friend. You see in the evening paper? "'No, what's that got to do with it?' "'Oled a bird tossed across the table a copy of the Washington Post, "'folded so as to bring uppermost an item on page three. "'Karns saw his picture staring at him from the centre of the page.

"'What the hell?' he exclaimed as he bent over the paper. "'With growing astonishment, "'he read the operative Kans of the United States Secret Service "'that collapsed at his desk that afternoon, had been rushed to Walter Reed Hospital, where the trouble had been diagnosed as a nervous breakdown caused by overwork. They followed a guarded statement from Admiral Clay, the President's personal physician, who had been caught into conference by the Army authorities. The Admiral stated that the Chief of Washington District was in no immediate danger, but that a prolonged rest was necessary.

The paper gave a glowing tribute to the detective's life and work, stated that he'd been given sickly for an indefinite period, and that he was leaving at once with a fishing lodge of his friend, Dr. Bird, of the Bureau of Standards, at Squapan Lake, Maine. Dr. Bird, the article concluded, would accompany and care for his stricken friend. Carnes laid the paper aside with a gasp. Do you know what this means?

Kans demanded. It means, Kansi, my old friend, that the fishing, Squapun Lake should be good right now. now that I feel the need of accurate information on the subject. I didn't want to go alone, so I engineered this outrage on the government and I'm taking you along for company. For the love of God, look sick from now on until we're clear of Washington. We leave tonight. I already have our tickets and reservations, and all you have to do is collect your tackle and pack your bags for a month or two in the woods

and meet me at the Pansy Station at six tonight. There are some people who say there is no Santa Claus, mused cards. If I'd really broken down from overwork, I'll probably have had my pay, Doc, for the time I was absent. But a man with official pull in this man's government wants to go fish in. Hey, presto, the wheels move, and the way's clear. Doctor, I will meet you as directed. Good enough, said Dr. Bird. Oh, by the way, Kahn's.

he went on as the operative opened the door make sure to bring your pistol Khan's word about it these words are we um going on a case he asked uh it remains to be seen replied the doctor at all events bring your pistol

in answer to any questions we are going fishing as a matter of fact we are with ourselves as bait if you have a little time to spare this after you might drop around to the office of the post and get them to show you all the amnesia cases they've had stories of during the past three months make interest in reading no more questions now my friend we'll have lots of time to talk things over when we're in the main woods

late the next evening they left the banger and aristook train at mazardis and found a ford truck waiting for them over a rough trail they were driven for 15 miles winding up at a long cabin which the doctor announced was his The truck deposited their belongings and joust away, and Dr. Bird led the way to the cabin, which proved to be unlocked. He pushed open the door and entered, followed by Kans. The operative glanced at the occupants of the cabin, and stared back in surprise. Seated at a table were two figures.

Smaller of the two had his back to the entrance, but the larger one was facing them. He rose as they entered, and Karns rubbed his eyes and reeled weakly against the wall. Before him stood a replica of Dr. Bird. Or was the same six-foot-two of bone and muscle, the same beetling brows, and the same craggy chin, and high forehead surmounted by a shock of unruly black hair. In face and figure the stranger was a replica of the famous scientist, and was until he glanced at their hands. Dr. Bird's hands were long and slim with tapering fingers, the hands of a thinker and an artist,

despite the acid stains which disfigure them but could not hide their beauty. The hands of this double were stained, as were Dr. Birds, but they were short and thick and indicated more the manner of action than the man of thought. The second figure arose and faced them again, and Karns received another shot. While the likeness was not so striking, there was no doubt that the second man would readily have passed for Kans himself in a dim light or at a little distance.

Dr. Bird burst into laughter of the detective's puzzled face. Lawrence, he said, get yourself together and then shake hands with Major Trailbridge of the Coast Artillery Corps. It's been said by some people that we look like one another. Well, I'm glad to meet you, Major, said Carnes. The resemblance is positively uncanny. A buffier hands, I'd have trouble telling you two apart. And the Major glanced down at his own stubby fingers.

It's unfortunate, but can't be helped, he said. Now, Dr. Byrd, this corporal Askins of my command. It's not as good a second to Mr. Kahn's as I am to you, but you said that was less important. The likeness is plenty good enough, replied the doctor. He'll probably not be subjected to as close to scrutiny as you will. Hey, um, did you have any trouble in getting here unobserved? None at all, doctor.

Lieutenant Maynard found a good landing field within half a mile here, as you said he would. He had his plane camouflaged and it's standing by. When do you expect trouble? I have no idea. May come tonight, may come later. Personally, I hope that it comes later so that we can get in a good few days of fishing before anything happens. Um, what do you expect to happen, doctor? demanded Kans.

Every time I've asked you anything, you told me to wait. until we were in the main woods and well here we are now i read up everything that i could find on amnesia victims during the past three months but well didn't throw much light on the matter to me how many cases did you find cars 16 i may have been lost more but couldn't find any others in the post records of course unless the victim were a local man or someone of prominence wouldn't appear Well, you got most of them at that. So, did any points of similarity strike you as you read them? None except that they were all prominent men and all of the mental workers of high caliber.

Well, it didn't seem strange to me because, well, it's the man of high mentality who's most apt to crack. Undoubtedly, there were some points of similarity which you missed. Hey, um, where did the attacks take place? One was... Oh, shit. Doctor, I did miss something. Every case, well, as nearly as I can recall, happened at some summer camp or other resort where they were on vacation.

Correct. Oh, one other point. What time of day did they occur? In the morning, as well as I can remember, Well, that point didn't register. They were discovered in the morning, all of them, Carnes, which means the actual loss of memory occurred during the night. More than that, every case has happened within a circle

with a diameter of 300 miles. We're near the northern edge of that circle. Carnes checked through his memory rapidly. You're right, Doctor, he cried. Hey, um, do you think? I do once in a while, replied Dr. Byrd dryly. I think enough to know the futility of guesses hazard without complete data.

We're now located within the limits of the amnesia belt, and we're here to find out what happened, if anything, and not to make wild guesses about it. So, um, you send up the tent for us, Major? Yeah, doctor. About 30 yards from the cabin and hidden so well that you could pass it a dozen times a day without suspecting its existence.

The gas masks and the other equipment you sent to Fort Banks are inside. In that case, we'd better dispense with your company as soon as we've eaten a bite and retired to the tent. Hey on second thoughts. We'll eat inside it. Garns, we'll leave at once and leave our substitutes in possession of the cabin. I trust gentlemen that things will come out all right and that you're in no danger. Major Trowbridge shrugged his heavy shoulders. Well, let's hope so, he said.

It's a matter of duty to me, you know. Thank God I have no family to mourn if anything does go wrong. No, there is Corporal Askins. Well, good luck at any rate. Were you guide Carnes to the tent, return here so I can join him? Huddled in the tiny concealed tent, Dr. Bird handed Carnes a haversack on a web stream.

This is a gas mask, he says. Put it on your neck and keep it ready for instant use. I have one on, and one of us must wear a mask continually while we're here. We'll change every hour. If the gas used is lithium, as I suspect it is, we should be able to detect it before it gets too concentrated. But some other gas might be used, and we have to take no chances. Right, I'll look here.

With the aid of a flashlight, he showed Garns a piece of apparatus which had been set up in the tent. It consisted of two telescopic barrels, one fitted with an eyepiece and the other, which was at a wide angle to the first, with an objective glass. Between the two was a covered round disc from which projected a short tube fitted with a protecting lens. This tube was parallel to the telescopic barrel containing the objective lens. This is a new thing that I've developed. in his first practical test tonight, he said. It's a gas detector. Works on the principle of a spectroscope with modifications. From this projector goes out a beam of invisible light and the reflections are gathered and thrown through a prism of the eyepiece. While a spectroscope requires that the substance

which it examines the incandescent and throughout visible light rays in order to show the typical spectral lines, while this device catches the invisible ultraviolet on the fluorescent screen. and analyzes it spectroscopically. Whoever has the mask on must continually search the sky with it, look for the three bright lines which characterize lithium. One at 2.30, one at 2.40, and the third at 670 on the illuminated scale. Look, if you see any bright lines in those regions

or any other lines that are not continually present, you call for me at once. Right, I'll watch for the first hour. At the end of an hour, Dr. Bird removed his mind. with a sigh of relief and Carnes took his place at the spectrescott. For half an hour he moved the glass about and then spoke in a guarded tone. I don't see any of the lines you told me to look for, he said. But in the southwest I get a wide band at 3.10, or in two lines at about 5.20.

Dr. Bird advanced toward the instrument, but before he reached it, Kans gave out a cry. There they are, Doctor. Dr. Bird sniffed the air. A faint sweetish odour became apparent, and he reached for his gas marks. Slowly his hands dropped, and Kans grasped him, and drew the mask over his face. Dr. Bird rallied slightly, and feebly drew a bottle from his pocket and sniffed it. In another instant, he was shouldering Kans aside and staring through the spectroscope. Kans watched him for an instant, and then a low world.

wearing noise attracted his attention and he looked up. Silently he caught the doctor's arm in a vice-light grip and pointed, hovering above the cabin was a silvery globe, faintly luminous in the moonlight. From its top rose a faint cloud of vapor which circled around the globe and descended toward the earth. The globe hovered like a drone above the cabin, and Kahn's barely stifled his emotions. The door of the cabin opened and Major Trowbridge, walking stiffly and like a man in a dream, suddenly appeared. Slowly he advanced for ten yards and then stood motionless. The globe drone moved over him, and the bottom unfolded like a flower.

Two long arms shot silently down and grasped the motionless figure, and drew him up into the heart of the globe. The petals refolded, and silently as a dream the globe shot upward and disappeared. Damn, they'd last no time taking him, commented Dr. Bird. Come on, Cairns, run for your life, or rather, for Trowbridge's life. No, you idiot, leave your gas mask on. Look, I'll take the spectroscope. That's all we're going to need.

Followed by the panting Cairns, Dr. Bird sped through the night along an almost invisible pile. For half a mile he kept up his pace, until Cairns could feel his heart pounding as though it would burst his wrist his wrist his room. though it would burst his ribs. The pair then left the tree-line and went into a glade a few acres in extents, and Dr. Bird paused and whistled softly. An answering whistle came from a few yards away, and a figure rose in the darkness as they approached. Maynard, called Dr. Bird. Ah, good enough, man. I was afraid you might not have kept your gas mask on. My orders were to keep it on, sir, replied the lieutenant in muffled tones through his mask. But my assistant did not obey orders.

He passed out cold without any warning about 15 minutes ago. Right, where's your ship? Right over here, sir. We'll take off at once. Your craft is equipped with a bird silence, sir. Yes, sir. Right, come on, Carnes. We're going to follow that globe.

You take the front cockpit alone. May not, Carnes and I will get in the rear. with the spec and guide you. You can take off your gas mask at an elevation of a thousand feet. You do have parachutes, don't you? Yep, in the rear, Doctor. Okay, put one on currents and climb in.

I've got to get this spec set up before it gets too high. The aircraft, equipped with the bird silencer, took the air noiselessly and rapidly gained elevation under the urging of the pilot. Dr. Burke clamped the gas-detecting spectroscope on the front of his cockpit and peered through it right southwest about a thousand more elevation he directed right replied the pilot as he turned the nose of his plane in the indicated direction and began to climb for an hour and a half the plane flew noiselessly through the night bald mountain said the pilot

pointing Canadian borders only a few miles away god if they've crossed the border We were sunk, replied the doctor. The trail leads straight ahead. Part two. For a few minutes they continued their flight toward the Canadian border. And then Dr. Bird spoke. Right, swing south, he directed. Drop a thousand feet and come back.

The pilot executed the maneuver, and Dr. Bird peered over the edge of the plane and directed the spectroscope toward the ground. Okay, half a mile east, he said. then drop another thousand. Garns, get ready to jump when I give the word. Oh, God, growing cons, as he fumbled for the rip-court of his parachute. Suppose this thing doesn't open?

Well, they'll slide you between two bar doors for a coffin, and bury you that way, said Dr. Berg grimly. You know your orders, may not. Yes, sir. When you drop, I'm to land to the nearest town. It will be lower. and get in touch with the commandant of the Portsmouth Navy Yard if possible. If I get him, I'm to tell him my location and wait for the arrival of reinforcements.

If I fail to get him on the phone, I'm to deliver a sealed packet which I carry to the nearest United States Marshal. When reinforcements arrive, either from the Navy Yard or from the Marshal, I'm to guide them toward the spot where I dropped you. And remain, as nearly as I can judge, two miles away until I get a further signal or orders from you. Okay. That's right, we'll be over the edge in another minute.

You ready, Carnes? Oh, yeah, I'm ready, Doctor. If I have to risk my precious life in this contraption. Good, then jump. Side by side, Carnes and the doctor dropped toward the ground. The plane flew silently away into the night. Carnes found that the sensation of falling was not an unpleasant one as soon as he got accustomed to it.

There was little sensation of motion. It wasn't until a sharp whisper from Dr. Berg called it to his attention, and he realized he was almost at the ground. He bent his legs as he'd been instructed, and landed without any great force. As he rose, he saw that Dr. Bird was already on his feet and was eagerly searching the ground for the spectroscope which he'd brought with him in the jump. Right, fall up your parachute, Kans. We'll store them under a rock where they can't be seen.

We won't need to use them again. Karnes did so and deposited the silk bundle beside the doctors, and they covered them with rocks until they be invisible from the air. Now follow me, said the doctor, as he stroked carefully forward, stopping now and then to take a sight with the spectroscope. Karns followed him as he made his way up a small hill which blocked the way. A hiss from Dr. Bird stopped him. The doctor had dropped flat on the ground, and Kars, on all four, but he had been.

crawled forward to join him he smothered a cry as he looked over the crest of the hill before him sitting in a hollow in the ground was the huge globe drone which had spirited away major trobrich well this is evidently their landing place whispered dr bird the next thing to find is their hiding place he rose started forward but sank at once to the ground and dragged cars down with him on the hill which formed the opposite side of the hollow a line of light showed for an instant as though a door had been opened the light disappeared and then reappeared and as they watched it widened and against an illuminated background four men appeared carrying a fit the door shut behind them and they made the west slowly toward the waiting globe they laid down their burden and one of them

turned a flashlight on the globe and opened its door to the side through which they hoarse hoisted their burden. They all entered the globe drop. The door closed, with a slight whirring sound it rose in the air, and moved rapidly toward the northeast. Right, that's the place we're looking for, muttered Dr. Bird. We'll go around this hollow and look for it. Be careful where you step. They must have ventilation somewhere if the laboratory is underground. Followed by the Secret Service operative, the doctor made his way along the edge of the hollow. They didn't dare use a torch, and it was slow work feeling they way forward, inch by inch. When they'd reached a point above where the doctor thought the light

had been, he paused. Right there must be a ventilation shaft somewhere around here, he whispered, his mouth not an inch from Kans's ear. We've got to find it. It'd never do to try the door. Many of them are still here, it's sure to be guarded. Right, you go up on the hill, for five yards and I'll go down. We'll move back and forth on a 200-yard front and work carefully. Just don't fall in whatever you do. We'll return to this point every time we pass it and report. The operative nodded and walked a few yards up the hill and made his way slowly forward. He went 100 yards as nearly as he could judge and then stepped five yards further up the hill and made his way back. As he passed the starting point, he approached.

and Dr. Bird's figure rose up. Any luck, he whispered. Dr. Bird shook his head. Well, we'll try again, he said. I think it's probably beyond us, so you go up another 15 yards, and we'll do the same as before. Carnes nodded, and they moved silently away. Fifteen yards up the hill, he went, and then paused.

He stood on the crest of the hill, and before him was a steep. almost precipitous slope he made his way along the edge for a few yards and then paused faintly you could detect a murmur of voices so inch by inch she crept forward going over the ground underfoot he paused and listened intently and decided that the sound must be coming from the slope beneath him a glance at his watch told him that he'd spent ten minutes on this trip and he made his way back to the meeting place Dr. Bird was waiting for him, and in a low whisper, Carnes reported his discovery. The doctor then went back with him, and together they renewed the search.

The slope of the hill was almost sheer, and Carnes looked dubiously over the edge. Damn, I wish we'd brought those parachutes, he whispered to the doctor. We could have taken the robes off him, and he could have lowered me over the edge. Dr. Bird chuckled softly and tugged at his middle. Kahn's watched him with astonishment in the dim light, but he understood when Dr. Bird thrust the end of a strong but light silk cord into his hands. He looped it under his arms,

and the doctor with whispered instructions lowered him over the cliff. The doctor lowered him gently for a few feet, and then stopped in response to a jerk on the free end. A moment later Kahn's signal to be drawn up and was soon standing beside the doctor. Right, that's the place, He whispered. The whole cliff is covered with creepers, and there's a tree growing right close to it. If we anchor the cord there, I think we can slide down to a safe hold on the tree.

Well, the tree did indeed stand near, and the silk cord was soon fastened. Karns disappeared over the cliff, and in a few moments Dr. Bird slid down the court to join him. He found the detective seated in a crotch of the tree, only a few feet from the face of the cliff. From the cliff came a pronounced murmur of voices. Dr. Bird drew in his breath in excitement and moved forward along the branch. He touched the stone and after a moment of searching he cautiously raised one corner of a painted canvas flap and peered into the cliff. He watched for a few seconds and then slid back and silently pulled Carnes towards him. Together the two men made their way forward to the cliff.

Dr. Bird raised the corner of the flap, and they peered into the hill. Before them was a cave fitted up as a cross between a laboratory and a hospital. One was directly opposite them, and at the left of a door in the father wall, was a ray machine of some sort. It was a puzzle to Carnes, and even to Dr. Bird, although he could grasp the principle at a glance, it was at a loss to divine its use. From a set of coils attached to a generator was connected a tube of the crooks. tube type, with the rays from it gathered and thrown by a parabolic reflector onto the surface where a man's head would rest, when he was seated in a white metal chair with rubber-insulated

feet, which stood beneath it. An operating table occupied the other side of the room, while a gas cylinder and other common hospital apparatus stood around ready for use. Seated at a table which occupied the centre of the room, were three men. The sound of their voices rose from an indistinct murmur to audibility as the flap was raised and the watches could readily understand their words now. Two of them sat with their faces toward the main entrance, and a third man faced them. Karns bit his lip as he looked at the man at the head of the table. He was twisted and misshapen in body, a grotesque dwarf with a hunchback, not over four feet in height. His massive head, sunken between his hunched shoulders, showed a tremendous dome

of cranium and a brow wider and even higher than Dr. Birds. The rest of his face was lined and drawn, as though by years of acute suffering. Sharp black eyes glared brightly from deep sunken caverns. The dwarf was entirely bored, even the bushy eyebrows which would be expected from his face were missing. They ought to be getting back, said the dwarf sharply. If they get back at all, said one of the two figures facing him.

What do you mean? Growed the dwarf, his eyes glittering ominously. They are return, all right. They know they better. They'll return if they can. But I tell you again, Slavatsky. I think it was a piece of foolishness to try to take two men in one night.

We got bird all right. but he's getting late for a second one, and they had to bring Bird over a hundred miles and then go nearly 300 more for Williams. The news about Bird may have been discovered and spread, others may be looking for us. Even Carnes might have recovered. But didn't he get a full dose of lithium? Solfriks says, and Bird certainly had a full dose, but I can't help but feel uneasy. Our operations were going too nicely on schedule.

You had to break it up and take on an extra case. in the same night as a schedule one. I'm telling you, I don't like it. I'm sorry that I did it, Carson, only because the results were so poor. We'd planned on Williams for a month, and I wanted him. Bird was so easy that I couldn't resist it. What did you get?

Not as much mentheum as would have come from an ordinary bookkeeper. I'll admit that Bird is a grossly overrated man. He must have relied on sheer luck in his work in the past. and there was nothing in his brain to show it above average. We barely got enough mentheum to replace what we used in capturing him. Damn, we ought to have taken cons and left Bird alone, snorted Carson. Even a wooded-headed detective ought to have given us a better supply than Bird yielded. We're bound to meet with disappointments once in a while.

I'd mark Bird down long ago as soon as I could get a chance at him. Well, you got to run that show. Slavatsky, but I'm warning you, we're not going to let you pull off another one like it. I don't take any more crazy chances, even on your orders. The hunchback then rose to his feet, his eyes glittering ominously. What do you mean, Carson? He said, slowly, his hands slipping behind him as he spoke. Don't you try any of that rough stuff, Slavatsky, warned Carson sharply.

I can pull a gun as fast as you can. Well, do it if I have to. Gentlemen, gentlemen, protested the third man rising. We're all too deep into this to quarrel. Sit down and let's talk this over. Yeah, Carson's just worried. What is there to be worried about? Grunted the dwarf as he slid back into his chair.

Everything has gone nicely so far, and no suspicion has been raised. Well, maybe it has. Then, again, maybe it hasn't, Rell Carson. I think this bird episode tonight looks bad. In the first place, it came too opportunely, too easily. The second place, bird should have yielded more mentheum. In the third place, hey, did you notice his hands?

They weren't the type of hands to expect on the man of his time. Oh, nonsense. They were acid-stained, like a scientist should be. Well, acid stains can be put on. May all be all right, but I'm worried, I tell you. What we're talking about this matter? There's another thing I want cleared up. What is it?

I think, Slavasky, that you're holding out on us. You're getting more than your share of the mentheum. And again, the dwarf leaped to his feet, but the peacemaker intervened. Carson has a right to look at the records, Slavisky, he said. well I'm satisfied but I'd like to look at them too none of us have seen him for two months now The dwarf glared first at one and then the other All right he said shortly and limped to a cabinet on the wall drew a key from his pocket and opened it and poured out a leather-bound book

Look are you please I was supposed to get the most it was my idea after all you were to get it one share and a half, while Willis Frank and I got one share each, and the rest half a share, said Carson. I know how much has been given. It won't take about a minute to check up. He bent over the book then, but Willis interrupted. I just better put it away, Carson, he said. Here come the rest, and we don't want them to know we suspect anything. He pointed toward a disc on the wall which had begun to glow. Slavatsky looked at it and grasped the book from Carson and replaced it in the cabinet. He moved over and started the generator and the tube began to glow with a violet light.

A noise came from the outside and the door opened. Four men entered carrying a fifth whom they propped up in the chair under the glowing tube. "'Ever think of all right?' asked the dwarf eagerly. "'Smooth a silk,' replied one of the four. "'Well, we get some results this time.' The dwarf bent over the ray apparatus and made some. adjustments and the head of the unconscious man was bathed with a violet glow for three minutes the flood of light poured on his head and the dwarf shut off the light and Carson Willis lifted the

figure and laid it on the operating table the dwarf bent over the man and inserted the needle of a hypodermic syringe into the back of his neck at the base of the brain the needle was an extremely long one and Dr. Berg gasped as he saw four inches of shining steel buried into the brain of this unconscious man. Slowly, Slavatsky drew back the plunger of the syringe, and Dr. Burr could see it was being filled with an amber fluid. For two minutes, this slow work continued, until a speck of red appeared in the glass syringe barrel. Seven and a half cubic centimetres, cried the dwarf in a tone of delight. Damn, cried Carson, that's a record, isn't it?

Oh no, we got eight once. Now, hold him carefully while I return some of it. Slavatsky slowly pressed home the plunger, and a portion of the amber fluid was returned to the patient skull. Then he withdrew the needle and straightened up and held it toward the light. Six centimeters net, he announced. Take him back, Frank. I'll give Carson and Willis their share now,

and we'll take care of the rest of you when you return. turn. Is the ship well stocked? Enough for two or three more trips. Well, in that case, I'll inject this whole lot. Better get going, Frank. It's pretty late. The four men who had brought the patient in, stepped forward and lifted him from the table and dragged him out. Dr. Bird dropped the canvas screen and strained his ears. A faint word told him that the globe drone had taken to the air.

He slid back along the limb of the tree until he touched the rope and silently climbed over until he returned to the top of the hill. He then tried to call to Kans, and the operative soon stood beside him on the ledge, surmounting the cliff. Here, what on earth were they doing? asked Kans in a whisper. That was Professor Williams of Yale. They were depriving him of his memory. There'll be another amnesia case in the papers to my mind.

Listen, I haven't got time to explain their methods now, but we've got to act. Hey, you have a flashlight? Yeah, and my gun. Are we going to break in? Look, there are only three of them. I think we could handle the lot. Yeah, but the others may return at any time. We want to bag the whole lot of them.

They've done their damage for tonight. But you heard my orders to Lieutenant Maynard, didn't you? Yeah? You should be somewhere in these hills to the south with assistance of some sort. The signal to them is three long flashes, followed in turn by three short ones, then three more long. Go and find them and bring them here. When you get close, give me the same light signal, and don't try to break in unless I'm with you. I'm going to do some more recon and make sure there's no back entrance through which they can escape.

Well, good luck, Hans, and hurry all you can. There's no time to be lost. Part 3. The Secret Service operatives stole away into the night, and Dr. Berg climbed back down the rope and took his place at the window. Willis lay on the operating table unconscious, Oslovatsky and Carson studied the now partially emptied syringe. He gave him his full share all right, Carson was saying.

I guess you're playing with us. Well, I'll take mine now. He lay down on the operating table and the dwarf fitted an anesthesia cone over his face and opened the valve of the gas cylinder. Then he closed it and rolled the unconscious man on his face and deftly inserted the long needle. Instead of injecting a portion of the contents of the syringe as Dr. Bird had expected him to do, he drew back on the plunger for a minute and then took out the needle and held the syringe to the light. Well, Mr. Carson, he said with a malignant glance at,

the unconscious figure that recovers the dose you got a couple of weeks ago while willis wash me i don't think you really need any menthean your brain's too active to suit me as it is he gave an evil chuckle a walk to the far side of the cave and opened a secret panel he drew from a recess a flask and carefully emptied a portion of the contents of the syringe into it he replaced the flask and closed the panel and with another chuckle he limped over to a chair and threw himself down into it. For an hour he sat motionless, and Dr. Berg carefully worked his way back along the branch, and climbed the rope and started for the hollow. A faint whirring noise attracted his attention, and he could see the faintly luminous globe drone in the distance,

rapidly approaching. It came to a stop at the spot where it previously landed, and four men got out. Instead of going toward the cave, they towed the globe, which floated a few inches from the earth toward the side of the hill farthest from where the doctor stood three of them held it while the fourth went forward and bent over some controls on the ground a creaking sound came through the night and the man moved forward with the globe presently its movement stopped and the man reappeared again came the creaking sound and the globe faded out as though a screen had been drawn in front of it the four men then walked toward the door of the cave The Lord De Bird dropped flat on the ground and saw them pause a few yards below him on the hill and again worked some hidden controls.

The glare of light showed for an instant and they disappeared and everything again went quiet. Todd DeBird debated the advisability of returning to the window, but decided against it and moved down the face of the hill. Inch by inch he went over the ground, but found nothing. In the darkness he could not locate the door and he made his way around to the back of the hill. The precipice loomed above him and he swept it with his gaze, but he couldn't locate an opening in the darkness. He dared not use his flashlight. As he turned, he faced the east and noticed with a start of surprise that the sky was getting red. He glanced at his watch and realized that Carnes had been gone for nearly three hours.

God damn, he claimed in surprise. Time's gone faster than I realized. You ought to be back at any time now. He mounted the highest point of the hill and sent three long flashes, full in turn by three short and then three more long, to the south, and watched eagerly for an answer. He waited five minutes and repeated the signal, but no answering flashes came from the empty hills. With a grunt which might have meant anything, he turned and made his way toward the opposite side of the hollow where the globe had disappeared.

Here he met with more luck. He marked the location with extreme care. and he had not spent over twenty minutes feeling over the ground before his hand encountered a bit of metal as he pulled on it his eyes sought the side of the hill the dawn had grown sufficiently bright for him to see the result of his actions a portion of the hill folded back and the faintly glowing ship became visible with a muttered exclamation of triumph he approached it the globe was about nine feet in diameter and was without visible dawn or windows around and around it the doctor went searching for an entrance the ship now

rested solidly on the ground we failed to find what he was looking for and his hands began to go over it searching for an irregularity he covered nearly half of it before his finger found a hidden button so he pressed it silently a door in the side of the craft opened and he advanced to enter you hands up up said a sharp voice behind him dr. bird froze in an instant and the voice spoke again well turn around dr. bird turned and looked full into the eye of a revolver held by the man the dwarf had addressed as Frink behind Frink stood the dwarf and three other men as his eye fell on dr. Bird

frink turned momentarily pale and staggered back the revolvering wavering as he did so in that instant dr bird made a lightning grab for his own weapon before he could draw it frink had recovered and the revolver was again steady dr bird gasped slavatsky that's impossible get his gun harris said fring one of the men stepped forward and dexterously removed the doctor's automatic and frist him expertly to ensure himself that he had no other weapon concealed "'Ah, bring him to the cave,' directed Slavatsky, who, though obviously still shaken, had just as obviously recovered enough to be a very dangerous man. Two of the men grasped the doctor and led him along toward the entrance of the laboratory,

which stood wide open in the gathering daylight. Frank paused long enough to shut the side of the hill and conceal the ship, and then followed the doctor. In the cave the door was shut, and the doctor placed against the wall, under the window through which he had peered earlier in the night. Slavatsky took his seat at the table, his malignant black eyes boring into the doctor. Carson and Willis sat on the edge of the operating table, evidently still partially under the effects of the anesthetic that had been administered to them. How did you get back here? demanded Slavatsky. Are you working out? snapped Dr. Bird. The dwarf then rose threateningly.

you speak respectfully to me for i am the master of the world he roared in an angry voice answer my questions when i speak or means will be found to make you answer now how did you get back here dr bird maintained a stubborn silence his fierce eyes answering the dwarfs look for look and his prominent chin jutting out a little more squarely it was carson who's carson who suddenly broke the same man who was carson who suddenly broke the same man who was carson who suddenly broke the silence. Hey, that's not the bird we had here earlier, he cried as he staggered to his feet. What do you mean? demanded Slavatsky, whirling around on him. Look at his hands, replied Carson, pointing. Slavatsky looked at Dr. Byrd's long, mobile fingers, and an evil leer came over his face. Ah, so then, Dr. Burr. He said, slowly. You thought to match wits with Ivan Slavatsky, the greatest mind of all the ages. Well, for a time you fooled me when your double was operated on here, but not for long.

I presume you thought that we had no way of detecting the substitution. You've discovered differently. Where's your friend, Mr. Collins? Didn't your men leave him in the cabin when you kidnapped me? Slavatsky looked at Frink inquiringly. Well, he stayed in the cabin if he was in it when we got there. The leader of the kidnapping gang replied. He got a full shot of lithium, and he's due to be asleep still. I don't know how this man recovered. God, I left him there myself.

You fool, shrieked Slavatsky. He brought me a dommel, a dummy whom I wasted my time in operating on. Was the other one a dummy too? I didn't enter the cabin. Slovatsky shrugged his shoulders. If that's all the good, the manthium I've injected has done you, I might as well have saved it. It doesn't matter, though. We have the one we want it now. Oh, Dr. Bird, it was very thoughtful of you to come here and offer your marvelous brain to strengthen mine.

I have no doubt that you will yield even more mentheum than Professor Williams did this evening. especially as I will extract your entire supply and reduce you to permanent idiocy. I will have no mercy on you as I have on the others I've operated on. Dr. Bird held strong in spite of himself at these ominous words. You have the whip hand for the moment, Slovasky, but my time may come, and if it does, I will remember your kindness. I saw your operation on Professor Williams this evening. I know your power.

I also know that you stole the idea and the method from Sveigard of Vienna. I saw you inject the fluid you drew into Willis's brain. Should I tell what else I saw? It was a look of shock in the dwarf's eyes just for a moment, but he recovered himself quickly. Into the chair with him, he roared. Three of the men grasped the doctor and forced him into the chair, and Slavatsky started the general. The violet light bathed Dr. Bird's head, and he felt a stiffness and contraction of his neck muscles.

And as he tried to shout out his knowledge of Slavatsky's treachery, he found that his vocal cords were paralysed. Through a gathering haze, he could see cast and approaching with an anesthesia cone, and the sweet smell of lithium assailed his nostrils. He fought with all his force, but strong hands held him, and he felt himself slipping. Slippy, slipping, and then falling into an immense void. His head slumped forward on his chest, and Slavatsky shut off the generator. Now, on the table, he said. The four men picked up the Herculean frame of the unconscious doctor and hoisted him up on the table.

Carson seized his head and bent it forward, and the dwarf took from a case of some sort of syringe with a five-inch needle. He touched the point of it to the base of the doctor's brain. Part four. We, Slovasky, look over there, cried Frank. With an exclamation of impatience, the dwarf turned and stared at a disc set on the wall of the cave. It was glowing brightly. With a quick move, he dropped the syringe and snapped a switch, plunging the whole cave into darkness. A tiny panel in the door opened to his touch, and he stared out into the light. Soldiers! he gasped. Quick, out the back way.

As he spoke, there came a sound as of a heavy body falling at the back of the cave. Slovatsky turned the switch and flooded the cave with light once more. At the back of the cave stood operative carts, an automatic pistol in his hand. open the main door Kahn snapped Slavatsky made a move toward the light and Kans' gun roared deafeningly

in the confined space The heavy bullet smashed into the wall An inch from the dwarf's hand And he stared back Now open the main door ordered Kans once again The men stared at one another for a moment And the dwarf's eyes fell

open the door frank he said frank moved over to a lever he glanced back at slovakki the momentary gleam of intelligence passed between them frank raised his hand toward the lever and karns his gun roared again and frink's arm fell limp from a smashed shoulder now slavatsky said karns sternly come over here slowly the dwarf approached now turn around said Khan he turned and felt the cold muzzle of Kans's gun against the back of his neck now tell one of your men to open the door said the detective if he promptly obeys your order you are safe if he doesn't you die Slovatsky hesitated for a moment but the cold muzzle of the automatic bored into the back of his neck and when he spoke it was in a quavering

"'Open the door, Carson,' he whimpered. There was a moment to pause. If that door isn't open by the time I'd count three, said Kans. As far as Slavatsky is concerned, it's just too bad. Well, I'll have four shots left. I'm a dead shot at this range. One, two. His lips framed the word three, and his fingers were tightening on the trigger.

When Carson jumped forward, I pulled the lever on the wall, and the door swung open. Kahn shouted an order and through the open door came half a dozen Marines followed by an officer. Now, tie these men up, snapped Karnes. In almost an instant, the six men were securely bound and Frink's bleeding shoulder was being skillfully treated by two of the Marines.

Kans then turned his attention to the unconscious doctor. He rolled him over on his back and began to chafe his hands. An officer in a naval uniform came through the door, and with a swift glance around, bent over Dr. Bird. He raised one of the doctor's eyelids and peer closely at his eye, and then sniffed his breath. It's a, some anaesthetic I don't know, he said. I'll try the stimulant. He reached in his pocket for a hypodermic, but Kahn's interrupted him. Early in the evening Dr. Bird said they were using lithium, he said.

Oh, that new gas the chemical warfare service has discovered, said the surgeon. In that case, I guess it'll just have to wear off. I know of nothing that will neutralize it. Without replying, Carnes began to feverishly search the pockets of the unconscious scientist. With an exclamation of triumph, he drew out a bottle and uncorked it. A strong smell of garlic penetrated the room, and he held the open bottle under Dr. Bird's nose. The doctor lay for a moment without movement. And then he coughed and sat up half strangled with tears running down his face.

Take that confounded bottle away, Karnes. He said, do you want to strangle me? He sat up and looked around. He, what happened? he demanded. Oh, yeah, I remember now. That brute was about to operate on me. How did you get here? Never mind that, doctor.

Are you all right? I'm fine. Hey, how did you get here so quickly? I was a little slow in locating Lieutenant Maynard in the Marines. When we got here, I was afraid that we couldn't find the door, so I took Maynard and a detail around to the back, and I went up to the top and slid down our cord and looked in the window. You were unconscious, and Slovasky was bending over you with a needle in his hand.

I was about to try a shot at him, and something called their attention to the man in front. I squeezed through the window and dropped in on him. I didn't seem too glad to see me, but I overlooked that and insisted on inviting the rest of my friends in here to share you in the party. That's all. Carnes, said the doctor. I'll probably lying like a trooper when you make out that you did nothing, but I'll get

the truth out of you sooner or later. But for now I've got to get back to work. Sent for Lieutenant Maynard. One of the Marines went out to get him, and Dr. Byrd stepped to the cabinet from which Slavatsky He had taken his record book earlier in the evening and took out the leather-bound volume. He opened it and started to read when Lieutenant Maynard entered the cave. Hello, Maynard, said the doctor, looking up, and the rest of the party on their way. They'll be here in less than two hours, doctor.

Good enough. We'll have someone sent to guide them here. In the meantime, I want to study these records. I'll keep the prisoners quiet. If they make a noise, gag them. I need to concentrate. So for an hour and a half, silence rained in the cave. Stur was heard outside, and Admiral Clay, the President's personal physician,

entered, needing a stout grey-haired man. The Dr. Bird whistled when he saw them and leaped to his feet as another figure followed the Admiral. "'And it's the President!' gasped Kahn's as the officers came to a salute, and the Marines presented arms. The President nodded to his ex-guard, acknowledge the salute of the rest and turned to Dr. Bird. Have you met with success, Doctor? He asked.

I have, Mr. President, or rather I hope that I have. But at the same time, I'd rather experiment on some other victim of their devoury than the one you brought me. My decision that the one I brought shall be the first to be experimented on, as you term it, is unalterable. Dr. Bert bowed and turned to the dwarf who had been a sullen witness of what had gone on. Slavatsky, he said slowly.

Your game is up. I have witnessed one of your brain transfusions and I know the method. Gather from your notes that the mentheum you've hidden in that cabinet is still as potent as when it was first extracted from the living brain. But in this case, I'm going to draw it fresh from one of your gang. Some of the details of the operation are a little hate. to me, but those you will teach me. I'm going to restore this man to the condition he was in before you did your devil's work on him, and you will direct my movements.

Now, just what is the first step in removing the mentheum from a brain? Or the dwarf maintained a stubborn silence. You refused to answer, asked the doctor in feign surprise. I thought that you'd rather instruct me and have me try the operation first on other men. or since you prefer that I operate on you first, I'll be glad to do so. He stepped to the opposite wall, and in a few moments it opened the dwarf's hiding place and taken out a flask of mentheum. Carson, he said, after you'd watch Slavatsky inject mentheum into Willis,

you took lithium and expected him to inject mentheum into your brain. Well, instead of doing so, he withdrew a portion from your brain and put it in this flask. I have reason to believe from his secret records, thought, I found in the cabinet with this flask that he has done so regularly. Are you willing to instruct me while I remove the menthean from it? You dirty swine, shouted Carson. I'll do anything to get even with him. But I've never performed the operation.

Only Slavatsky and Willis have operated. Will you help me, Willis? Asked Dr. Berg. Yeah, I'll be glad to, Doctor. God, I'm sick of this business anyway. At first, Slavisky just planned to give us. abnormally keen brains. But lately he's been talking as setting himself up as emperor of the world. God, I'm sick of it. I think I were broken with him and told you all I know anyway.

Right, throw him into that chair, said Dr. Byrd. Despite the howlings and strugglings of the dwarf, three of the marines strapped him in the chair beneath the tube. The dwarf howled and frothed at the mouth and directed a final appeal for mercy to the president. "'Spare me. President spare me,' he howled. "'I'll put my brains at your service and make you the greatest mentality of all time. Together we can conquer and rule the whole world. I'll show you how to build hundreds of ships like mine.' The president turned his back on the dwarf and spoke curtly.

"'Proceed with your experiments, Dr. Burr,' he said. Slavatsky directed his appeals to the doctor, who peremptorily silenced. him. I told you a few hours ago, Slavski, that time might come when I would remember your threats against me. I'll show you the same mercy now as you promised me then. Carince, put a cone over his face. Despite the howls of the dwarf, the operative forced an anesthesia cone over his face, and Dr. Byrne turned to the valve of the leithane cylinder. With Willis directing his movements, he turned on the ray for three minutes, removed the unconscious dwarf. to the operating table. He took the long needle syringe from a case and sterilized it and then

turned to the president. I'm about to operate, he said. But before I do, I wish to explain to all just what I've learned and what I'm about to do. With the data, the decision of whether I shall proceed will rest with you and Admiral Clay. Have I your permission to do so? The president nodded. When I first read of these amnesia cases, I took them for coincidences, until you consolidated me and gave me an opportunity to examine one of the victims. I found a small puncture at the base of the brain which I couldn't explain, and I began to dig into old records.

Well, I knew, of course, of Sveigard to Vienna, and the extravagant claims he had put forward back in the day. It was far ahead of his time, but he mixed up some profound scientific discoveries with mysticism and occultism, until he was discredited. Nevertheless, he continued his experiments with the aid of his principal assistant, a man named Slavatsky. Svigar's theory was that intellectuality, brainpower, intelligence, call it what you will, was the result of the presence of a fluid which he called mentheum in the brain. He thought that it could be transferred from one person to another.

With the aid of Slavatsky, he experimented on himself. He removed the mentheum from an unfortunate victim, who was reduced. with state of imbecility, and Slavatsky injected the substance in Svigert's brain. The experiment resulted in death when Slavatsky was tried for murder. He was acquitted of intentional murder, but was imprisoned for a time from manslaughter. He was released when the war ended, and for a time I lost track of it. I found translations of both the records of the trials and of Svigert's original reports. The thing that attracted my attention was that the puncture I found in the

the victim corresponded exactly with the puncture described by Svigas, the one he made in extracting the mentheum. They asked the immigration authorities to check over their records, and they found that a man named Slavasky whose description corresponded with the ill-fated Svigert's assistance had entered the United States under Austria's quota about a year ago. The chain of evidence seemed complete to me, and it only remained to find the man who was systematically robbing brains. Well, if such a thing was really going on, I thought that my reputation would make me an attractive bait, and I secured a double, as you know, and placed him in a position where his kidnapping would be an easy matter.

I was sure that the victims were being taken away by air, and that lithium was being used to reduce the neighbourhood to a state of profound somnolence. So I hit myself near my double with a gas detector, which would find even minute traces of lithium in the air. Well, my fish rose to the law, and came after the bait last night. When his ship arrived, I found a strange gas in the air, and followed the ship by the trail of the substance which it left behind. Kans was with me. We got here in time to witness the extraction of the mentheum from my friend, Professor Williams of Yale, and to see it injected into one of Slavatsky's gang.

I sent Kans for help and messed around until I was captured myself. Well, help arrive for me just in time. That's about all there is to tell. I'm now about to reverse the process and try and remove the stolen brains from the criminals and restore them to their right for owners. Well, I've never operated. The result might be fatal. So, shall I proceed?

The president and Admiral Clay consulted for a moment in hushed tones. Go on with your experiments, Dr. Bird, said the president. We will hold you blameless for failure. "'Ah, you've worked so many miracles in the past. "'We have every confidence in you.' Dr. Bird bowed in acknowledgement to the compliment and bent over the unconscious dwarf. With Willis directing every move,

he inserted the needle and drew back slowly on the plunger. Twenty-three and one-half cubic centimetres of amber fluid flowed into the syringe before a speck of blood appeared. "'Enough, cried Willis. Dr. Bird withdrew the syringe and motioned to act. Admiral Clay. The man the Admiral had brought in was placed in the chair and leithane administered. He was laid on the table, and, with a silent prayer, Dr. Bird inserted the needle and pressed the plunger. When five and one-quarter centimeters had flowed into the man's brains,

he withdrew the needle and held the bottle which Kans had used to revive him under the man's nose. The patient coughed a moment and sat up. "'I—where am I?' he demanded. His gaze roved the cave and fell on the president. "'Hello, Robert,' he exclaimed. "'What's happened?' With a cry of joy that president sprang forward and shook their hand of the man. "'You all right, William?' he asked anxiously.

"'Do you feel perfectly normal?' "'Well, of course I do. neck feels a little stiff what you're talking about why shouldn't i feel normal how did i get here take him outside admiral and explain it all to him said the president admiral clay let the puzzled man outside and the president turned to dr burr a doctor he said i need not tell you that i again add my personal gratitude to the gratitude of a nation which would be yours could the miracles you work be told all If there's ever any way that can serve you, either personally or officially, don't hesitate to ask. Now, the other victims will be brought here today. Will you be able to restore all of them? I will, Mr. President.

From Slavatsky's records, I find that I'll have enough if I reduce all of his men to a state of imbecility, except Willis. In view of his assistance, I propose to leave him with enough mentheum to give him the intelligence of an ordinary schoolboy. "'Well, quite approve of that,' said the President, as Willis humbly expressed his gratitude. "'You had time to make an examination of that ship of Slavatsky's yet?' "'Well, I haven't. As soon as the work of restoration is completed, I'll go over to it. "'When I master the principles, I'll be glad to take them up with the Army-Navy General Board.' "'Well, thank you, doctor,' said the President. He shook hands heartily and left the cave.

Gans then turned and looked to the doctor. Now, will you answer a question, Doc? He asked. Ever since this case started, I've been wondering at your extraordinary powers. You've ordered the Army, the Navy, the Department of Justice, and everyone else around as though you were an absolute monarch. I know the president was behind you. What puzzles me is how he came to be so vitally interested in this case.

Dr. Byrd smiled quizzically at the detective. and even the Secret Service doesn't know everything, he said. Evidently you didn't recognize the man whose memory I restored. Besides being one of the most brilliant corporation executives in the country, yes, another unique distinction. He happens to be the only brother of the President of the United States. And so once again, we reach the end of tonight's podcast. My thanks as always to the authors of those wonderful stories,

and to you for taking the time to listen. Now, I'd ask one small favor of you. Wherever you get your podcast wrong, please write a few nice words and leave a five-star review as it really helps the podcast. That's it for this week, but I'll be back again, same time, same place,

and I do so hope you'll join me once more. Until next time, sweet dreams and bye-bye.