The Black Star Passes

were silhouetted in the white brilliance, looking up at the sky, where the stars winked cold and clear on the jet background of the f

the field murmured and pointed up at it as it swept low over the blazing lights of New York. Lower it swooped, the towering city behind

he darkness as a shining, streamlined cylinder, a cylinder with a great halo o

the waiting men; it had landed gently on the fie

spoke a moment with the group awaiting their arrival, then climbed quickly into the grateful warmth

inted its nose up at an angle of thirty degrees and shot high i

the party broke up

e kindness you have shown the press." The reporters filed out quickly, anxious to get the news into the morning editions, for it was after one o'clock now. Each received a sma

t she could carry over three thousand passengers, as many as could any existing winged plane, and her speed was immensely greater. The trip from the west coast to th

When so affected, its molecules all moved forward, taking the ship with them. Thus, a mol

old' us this machine-but how can we repay you? Before this, time and time again, you have sold us your inventions, the ideas that have made it possible for Transcontinental to attain its pr

tually, I have a fully equipped lab to putter around in, all the time I wa

onal expenses-a good clerk could get that-and you, admittedly the most brillian

e centuries. This machine has made it possible. If you are willing-we could start by the spring of 2117. I'm quite serious about this. With your permission, I want to start work on the first interplanetary ship. I'll need Fuller's help

nes looked at it. It was small compared with the great machine that had just brought them east, but of the same swift type. It was a thing of graceful beauty even on the ground, its long curving streamlines giving

u and Fuller have known Bob since college days. I've known Wade only three months, but every day I grow to like him more. There's no denying the fact that any such trip is a terrifically dangerous proposition. But if you were lost, there would be more than my personal loss. We would lose

on Earth who would not be willing to back such a group of men-or any one of you, for that matter! I'll back your trip!" His words became more facet

. Morey. I've done the cooking on a number of camping trips, and food is an

now. I also have a sneaking acquaintance with the new gun, which Arcot developed in connection with his molecular motion. But there is so little you know about me-and most o

hen you'll defin

ey, Senior, seriously, "fo

er edge of the airy blanket. They looked out in silent thought at the magnificent blazing stars of space. Here, where the dust-laden air could no longer mask their true colors, the stars shone unwinkingly, steadily, and in a glory that earth-bound men

achine settle to the b

sense of unfulfilled longing-the desire to go out there-and it's always been so hopeless. Now-I'll be out there by next spring!"

he gazed out at the far-off suns of space, his voice

t leave the solar system. And the outer planets are so far away that I think we had better wait till later trips. That leaves the choice really between Mars, Venus, and Mercury. Merc

unknown planet than one that can be observed telescopically. I vote Venu

tment, and the men disembarked and entered. The next day th