Beyond the Vanishing Point

tion. We heard the alarm in the palace on the island. Polter rushed to Dr. Kent's laboratory door, looked in, and in a moment banged it shut. Babs and I saw very little. We knew

castle corridor. We hear

drug is loose! Monster

o the lattice bars, our legs and arms entwined. There were moments when

t go! Don't los

back and forth across its confines-that would be death in a moment. I di

re you a

e. I can stand it. We

es

ad; a lurching swaying miniature of landscape as Polter ran for the towering cliffs. Then he climbed and scrambled into the tunnel-mouth. Had he turn

umbling voice from above us. He made no move to touch the cage, except

stride. We were aware of him climbing over the noisome litter of the dead giant's body which blocked the tunnel's further end. We heard his astonished e

nt. Nothing mattered now to him, quite evidently, save his own exit wi

upward were frequently only a matter of growth in size; the distances in this vast desert realm of golden rock always were shrinkin

s movements, seldom recognized where we were. But I realized going out was far easier in every way than coming in. Easier to determine the

ur cage was barred beyond possibility of our getting out. But even if we had had the drugs, or had our door been open, there was no

its down to rest you might get him to

l try it,

tant circular walls as though this were some giant crater-pit in which Polter was standing. Then I thought I recognized it-the round, nearly vertical pit into wh

near the ground. If I see you there, in position where you can jump, I'll startle him. Babs it's desperately dangerous but I c

ng. We had no t

this desperate moment, and it seemed that above us was a remote Earth world holding the promise of all our dreams. Or w

led, "Dr

l his moveme

are all ri

her eyes as she gazed at me. "Yes, Dr. Polter, but breathless. Almost

w, litt

ghtly and hold that note of lugubrious laughter in her voice. "I'

tired, Babs. And hungry, also. I haf a little

. Take me

und as he seated himself. But it

it's not close eno

that. You hide! If he

olter's huge fingers were fumbling at

e, B

wl of his hand to the

led. "It is t

hat iss

. Put the cage

b came reaching in to seize

Don't! You'

e out on

doorway; I knew he couldn't see me so long as

, "I can ma

his stiff glossy shirt bosom went down a steep incline. His belt was down there, and the outward bulging curve of his

"Try it! Go out! Leave

then. Bring your hand! Closer! Car

great pillar of his crooked finger. The bowl of his hand moved

ow his exact position or

ice. "Careful, Dr. Pol

little

is shirt bosom. I slid, tumbling, scrambling, and landed softly in the huge folds of his trouser fabric. I was unhur

drawn close to him. Babs was perched up there on the knee summit. His right leg was outstretched. I was at the right side of his belt. I could dart off along that curving expans

summit of his crooked knee! I think sh

ease be careful how you move! I am so dizzy,

ing off crumbs to put before her. I reached the pouch of his belt

saw that Babs was being held gently between his thumb and forefinger. He lowered

"Why this-this is an enormous sa

I could not control its weight. I pushed desperately. It slid over the round brink of

om his hip. I scurried along the convex top of hi

an back and reached the vial, tugged at its huge stopper. The cork began to yield under my panting, desperate efforts. In a m

ead. It came suddenly out. I flung it away, plung

d out a startled, rumbling curse and sat upright. Under the curve o

lain, two tiny men had appe

arging figures of