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diff --git a/28628-h/28628-h.htm b/28628-h/28628-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ced64b --- /dev/null +++ b/28628-h/28628-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2375 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> + + <title>Devil Crystals of Arret, by Hal K. Wells.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body { + font-family: Georgia,serif; + margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%; + } + + p { text-align: justify; + margin: 0em; + text-indent:1em; + } + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + font-weight: normal; + margin-top:2em; + } + + div.image {text-align:center; + margin:2em auto; + text-indent:0em;} + + img { border:none;} + + .caption {text-align:center;text-indent:0em;font-style:italic;font-size:.9em;font-family:sans-serif;} + + #transcriber_note {margin: 2em 10%; + padding: 1em 1em; + border:thin gray solid; + background-color:#eee; + color:#000; + text-align:left; + } + + #synopsis { + margin: 2em 20%; + padding: 10px; + text-align:justify; + font-family:sans-serif; + text-indent:0em; + border:thin gray solid; + } + + #author { + text-align: center; + font-size:125%; + font-style:italic; + padding:1em; + text-indent:0em; + } + + + .pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 1%; + right: 87%; + font-size: 10px; + text-align: left; + color: gray; + background-color: inherit; + font-weight: normal; + font-style: normal; + font-variant: normal; + letter-spacing: normal; + text-indent: 0em; + } + + a[title].pagenum:after { + content: attr(title); + } + + hr.thoughtbreak {display:none;} + + .post_thoughtbreak, .first_paragraph { + margin-top:2em; + text-indent:0em; + } + + .post_thoughtbreak:first-letter, .first_paragraph:first-letter { + font-size:2.5em; + float: left; + clear: left; + margin: -.2em 4px -.2em 0px; + line-height: 1.25em; + } + + .first_word { text-transform:uppercase; } + + #letter {margin:2em 30%;} + #letter p {text-indent:0em;margin:0;text-align:left;} + #letter p.signature {text-align:right;margin-right:1em;} + + /* framing decoration */ + #the_beginning { border-top:thin gray solid; margin:2em 0em;} + #the_end { border-bottom:thin gray solid; margin:2em 0em;} + + /* no underlines in links */ + + a:link { text-decoration: none; } + a:visited { text-decoration: none; } + + a:hover { + color: red; + background: inherit; + } + </style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Devil Crystals of Arret, by Hal K. Wells + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Devil Crystals of Arret + +Author: Hal K. Wells + +Release Date: April 28, 2009 [EBook #28628] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEVIL CRYSTALS OF ARRET *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Barbara Tozier and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + <div id="transcriber_note"> + This etext was produced from <cite>Astounding Stories</cite> September 1931. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. + </div> + <div id="the_beginning"> + + </div> + <div id="frontmatter"><a class="pagenum" id="page344" title="344"> </a> + <div class="image"> + <img src="images/illo.jpg" width="500" height="505" alt="A large tube-like shape extends a cord towards a man. A woman is covering her eyes." /> + <p class="caption">The tip sprayed a web around his body.</p> + </div> + + <div id="synopsis"> + Facing a six-hour deadline of death, + young Larry raids a hostile world + of rat-men and tinkling Devil + Crystals. + </div> + + <h1>Devil Crystals of Arret</h1> + + <p id="author">By Hal K. Wells</p> + </div> + + <div id="story"> + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">Benjamin Marlowe</span> and + his young assistant, Larry + Powell, opened the door of + the Marlowe laboratory, then + stopped aghast at + the sight which + greeted their + startled eyes.</p> + + <p>There on the + central floor-plate + directly in the focus of the big + atomic projector stood the slender + figure of Joan Marlowe, old Benjamin + Marlowe’s niece and Larry + Powell’s fiancee.</p> + + <p>The girl had apparently only been + awaiting their return to the laboratory + for around + her gray laboratory + smock was + already fastened + one of their Silver + Belts, and a + cord was already in place running + from her wrist to the main switch of + the projection mechanism.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page345" title="345"> </a>Joan’s clear blue eyes sparkled + with the thrill of high adventure as + she swiftly raised a slender hand in + a gesture of warning to the two men.</p> + + <p>“Don’t try to stop me,” she warned + quietly. “I can jerk the switch and + be in Arret, before you’ve taken two + steps. I’m going to Arret, anyway. I + was only waiting for you to return + to the laboratory so I’d be sure of + having you here to bring me back to + Earth again before I have time to + get into any serious trouble over + there.”</p> + + <p>“But, Joan,” Benjamin Marlowe + protested, “this is sheer madness! + No one can possibly guess what terrible + conditions you may confront + in Arret. We’ve never dared to send + a human being across the atomic + barrier yet!”</p> + + <p>“We’ve sent all kinds of animals + across, though,” Joan retorted calmly, + “and as long as we recalled them + within the twelve-hour limit they always + came back alive and unhurt. + There’s no reason why a human being + should not be able to make the + round trip just as safely. Ever since + our Silver Belts first came back with + the weird plant and mineral fragments + which proved that there really + is such a place as Arret, I’ve been + wild to see with my own eyes the + incredible things that must exist + there.”</p> + + <p>Joan waved her hand in gay farewell. + “Good-by, Uncle Ben and + Larry! I know that you’ll drag me + back just as quickly as you can possibly + dash over to the recall switch, + but I’ll at least have had a few precious + seconds of sightseeing as + Earth’s first human visitor to Arret!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Larry Powell</span> was already + sprinting for the mechanism + as Joan jerked the cord that ran to + the switch, but he was barely halfway + across the intervening space + when the big atomic projector flared + forth in a brilliant gush of roseate + flame.</p> + + <p>For a fraction of a second Joan’s + slender figure was outlined in the + very heart of the ruddy glow, then + vanished completely. There was left + only a short length of the switch + cord to indicate that the girl had + ever stood there.</p> + + <p>Powell reached the mechanism + and shut off the projector’s flame, + then turned swiftly to the control-panel + of the recall mechanism. As + he closed the switch on this panel, + three banks of tubes set in triangular + form around the floor-plate upon + which Joan had stood glowed a brilliant + and blinding green.</p> + + <p>Shielding his eyes from the glare + with an upraised forearm, Powell began + stepping a rheostat up to more + and more power. In his anxiety, he + increased the power far too quickly. + There was a sudden gush of blue-white + flame from the heart of the + mechanism, together with the hissing + crackle of fusing metal. The + green light in the tubes promptly + died.</p> + + <p>Benjamin Marlowe was bending + over the apparatus almost instantly. + A moment later he raised a face that + had suddenly gone white. There was + terror in his eyes as he turned to his + assistant.</p> + + <p>“The entire second series of coils + is burned out, Larry!” he gasped in + consternation. “Joan is marooned + over there in Arret—marooned in + that grim unknown land as completely + beyond our reach as though + she were upon one of the moons of + Mars!”</p> + + <p>For a long moment the two men + gazed at each other with horror-stricken + faces, dazed and shaken. + Then they quickly drew themselves + together again and set about the herculean + task of making the necessary + repairs to the damaged mechanism + in time to rescue Joan before the + twelve-hour limit should doom the + girl to forever remain an exile in + that land of alien mystery beyond + the atomic barrier.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page346" title="346"> </a><span class="first_word">Their</span> previous experiments + with animals had proved that + no living creature from Earth could + be brought back after it had been in + Arret over twelve hours. After that + time the change in the atoms constituting + living tissues apparently became + permanently Arretian, for the + Silver Belts returned without any + trace of their original wearers.</p> + + <p>The necessary repairs to the damaged + coils were of such an exacting + and intricate nature that any great + speed was impossible. Hours passed + while the two men bent to their work + with grim concentration. Neither of + them dared think too much of what + nameless dangers might be confronting + Joan during those weary hours. + Their actual knowledge of Arret was + so pitiably slight.</p> + + <p>Some months ago, while they were + experimenting upon apparatus for + reversing the electrical charges of + an atom’s electrons and protons, + they had first stumbled upon the incredible + fact that such a place as + Arret really existed. They found + that it was another world occupying + the same position in space as Earth, + with the fundamental difference in + the two interwoven planes of existence + lying in the electrical make-up + of the atoms that constituted matter + in each plane.</p> + + <p>On Earth all atoms are composed + of small heavy protons that are always + positive in charge, and larger + lighter electrons that are always + negative. In Arret the protons were + negative, and the electrons positive. + The result was two worlds occupying + the same space at the same time, + yet with matter so essentially and + completely different that each world + was intangible to the other. They + had named the unseen world Arret, + the reverse of Terra.</p> + + <p>Finding it impossible to work directly + upon most forms of matter, + the experimenters had finally evolved + a silver alloy that served as a medium + both for sending objects into Arret + and then bringing them back to + Earth. By focussing the flame of + the projection apparatus upon a Silver + Belt of this alloy, the electrical + charges of the Belt’s atoms were reversed, + automatically causing the + Belt to vanish from Earth and materialize + in Arret. At the same time + the atoms of any object within the + Belt’s immediate radius were similarly + transformed, and that object + was taken into Arret with the Belt.</p> + + <p>The recall mechanism functioned + by broadcasting a power wave that + again reversed the atomic charge of + the Belt and its contained object + back to that of Earth. At the same + time the recall wave exerted an attractive + force that drew the atoms + back to a central point in the laboratory, + where they were re-materialized + upon the same floor-plate from + which they had originally been sent.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> twelve-hour time limit was + half up when Benjamin Marlowe + and Larry Powell finally + straightened up wearily from their + work over the recall mechanism, + their repairs completed. It had been + one o’clock in the afternoon when + Joan Marlowe vanished from Earth + in the roseate flare of the projector. + It was now nearly seven o’clock.</p> + + <p>With nerves tense from anxiety, + the two men crossed over to the control-panel + of the recall apparatus. + This time they donned goggles of + dark glass to shield their eyes from + the blinding green glare. Marlowe + threw the main switch, and the + banked tubes came to life in a flood + of vivid emerald light.</p> + + <p>Marlowe began stepping the rheostat + up gradually to more power, advancing + it with cautious slowness + to avoid any chance of a repetition + of the previous accident. The green + radiance streaming from the tubes in + every direction began to throb with + an electric force that the two men + could feel pulsing through their + own bodies.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page347" title="347"> </a>There was a click as the rheostat + struck the last notch. The green radiance + was now a searing flame that + half-blinded them even through the + thick dark glass of their protective + goggles, while the vibrant force of + the green rays was sweeping through + their bodies with a tingling shock + that nearly took their breath away.</p> + + <p>Tensely the two men stared at the + metal floor-plate in the center of the + area bounded by the flaming green + tubes. Just over the plate the green + radiance seemed to be thickening and + swirling oddly. The swirling eddy + became a small dense cloud of darker + green light. Then abruptly, like + the fade-in on a moving picture + screen, from the cloud over the plate + the misty outlines of an object swiftly + cleared and solidified into a bizarre + something at whose unfamiliar + aspect both Marlowe and Powell + gasped in amazement.</p> + + <p>Marlowe snapped the switch off, + and the green radiance vanished. + Stripping the dark goggles from + their eyes, the two men hurried over + for a closer view of the thing that + rested quiescent and apparently lifeless + there on the metal floor-plate.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">It</span> was shaped like a huge egg, a + little over a yard long, and was + apparently composed of a solid lump + of some unknown crystalline substance + that closely resembled very + clear, pale amber. Embedded in the + heart of the strange egg were clearly + visible objects which caused Marlowe + and Powell to gasp in mingled + horror and amazement.</p> + + <p>Chief among the things imprisoned + in that amber shroud was the + Silver Belt that Joan had worn, but + the Belt was now looped over the + bony shoulder of a skeleton that by + no possible stretch of the imagination + could ever have been that of a + creature of this Earth.</p> + + <p>The skeleton was still perfectly + articulated, and gleamed through the + crystalline amber as though its bony + surfaces were encrusted with diamond + dust. The bones were apparently + those of a creature that in life + had been half dwarf-ape and half + giant rat.</p> + + <p>The beast had stood a little under + a yard in height. The legs were + short, powerful, and bowed. The + long arms ended in claw-like travesties + of hands. The skull was relatively + small, with a sharply sloping + forehead and projecting squirrel-like + teeth that were markedly rodent.</p> + + <p>Around the skeleton’s neck there + was a wide band of some strange + gray metal, with its smooth outer + surface roughly scratched in characters + that resembled primitive + hieroglyphics.</p> + + <p>Marlowe’s face was white with + grief as he turned to Powell. “Joan + must be dead, Larry,” he said sadly. + “Otherwise, she would surely never + have allowed her Silver Belt to pass + into the possession of—this! She + knew that the Belt represented her + only hope of ever being brought + back to this world.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">For</span> a moment Powell stared intently + into the heart of the + crystalline egg without answering. + Then suddenly he straightened up + with marked excitement upon his + face.</p> + + <p>“There’s a small sheet of paper entwined + in the coils of that Belt!” he + exclaimed. “It may be a message + from Joan!”</p> + + <p>Swiftly the two men lifted the amber + egg up to the top of a workbench. + Powell took a small hammer + to test the hardness of the strange + translucent substance.</p> + + <p>He struck it a sharp rap, then recoiled + in surprise at the effect of + his blow, for the entire egg instantly + shattered with a tinkling crash like + the bursting of a huge glass bubble. + So complete was the disintegration + of the egg and the skeleton within + it that all that remained of either + <a class="pagenum" id="page348" title="348"> </a>was a heap of diamond and amber + dust. The only things left intact + were the Silver Belt and the metal + collar.</p> + + <p>Powell snatched up the Belt and + extracted the small piece of paper + that had been firmly tucked into its + coils. Hurriedly written in pencil + upon the paper was a message in a + handwriting familiar to both Powell + and Marlowe:</p> + + <div id="letter"> + <p>Help! I am held prisoner in + the Cave of Blue Flames!</p> + <p class="signature">—Joan.</p> + </div> + + <p>“Larry, Joan must still be alive + over there in Arret!” There was new + hope in Benjamin Marlowe’s voice.</p> + + <p>“Yes, alive and held captive by + whatever monstrosities may inhabit + that unknown plane,” Powell agreed + grimly. “There’s only one way in + which we can possibly rescue her + now. That is for you to send me into + Arret with a reserve Belt for Joan. + I’ll be ready to start as soon as I get + a couple of automatic pistols that I + have up in my room. It’s a sure thing + that I’ll need them over there in + Arret.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Five</span> minutes later Powell stood + ready and waiting upon the + floor-plate in the focus of the big + atomic projector, with the central + lens of the apparatus levelled down + upon him like a huge searchlight. + Around Powell’s waist were strapped + two Silver Belts, and a cartridge belt + with a holstered .45-calibre automatic + on either side. His wrist-watch + was synchronized to the second + with Benjamin Marlowe’s watch.</p> + + <p>“Joan’s twelve-hour time limit in + Arret will expire at one o’clock tomorrow + morning.” Powell reminded + Marlowe. “That gives me nearly six + hours in which to find her and equip + her with a Silver Belt. You will + broadcast the recall wave at exactly + one o’clock. If I haven’t succeeded + in finding Joan by then, I’ll discard + my own Belt and stay on over there + in Arret with her…. I’m ready to + start now, whenever you are.”</p> + + <p>Benjamin Marlowe raised his hand + to the switch in the projector’s control + panel. “Good-by, Larry,”—the + old man’s voice shook a trifle in spite + of himself—“and may God be with + you!” He closed the switch.</p> + + <p>A great burst of roseate flame + leaped toward Powell from the projector. + The laboratory was instantly + blotted out in a swirling chaos of + ruddy radiance that swept him up + and away like a chip upon a tidal + wave. There was a long moment during + which he seemed to hurtle helplessly + through a universe of swirling + tinted mists, while great electric + waves tingled with exquisite poignancy + through every atom of his + body.</p> + + <p>Then the mists suddenly cleared + like the tearing away of a mighty + curtain, and with startling abruptness + Powell found himself again in + a solid world of material things. For + a moment as he gazed dazedly about + him he thought that the roseate glow + of the projector must still be playing + tricks with his eyesight, for the + landscape around him was completely + and incredibly red!</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He </span>soon realized that the monochrome + of scarlet was a natural + aspect of things in Arret. The + weird vegetation all around him was + of a uniform glossy red. The sandy + soil under his feet was dull brick-red. + High in the reddish-saffron sky + overhead there blazed a lurid orb of + blood-red hue, the intense heat of its + ruddy radiance giving the still dry + air a nearly tropical temperature. + From this orb’s position in the sky + and its size, Powell was forced to + conclude that it must be the Arretian + equivalent of Earth’s moon.</p> + + <p>For a moment he stood motionless + as he peered cautiously around him, + trying to decide what should be his + first step in this scarlet world that + <a class="pagenum" id="page349" title="349"> </a>was so utterly alien in every way to + his own. On every side the landscape + stretched monotonously away from + him in low rolling dunes like the + frozen ground swell of a crimson sea—dunes + covered with vegetation of + a kind never seen upon Earth.</p> + + <p>Not a leaf existed in all that weird + flora. Instead of leaves or twigs the + constituent units of bushes and + grasses consisted of globules, glossy + spheres of scarlet that ranged in size + from pinheads to the bulk of large + pumpkins. The branches of the vegetation + were formed from strings of + the globules set edge to edge and + tapering in size like graduated beads + strung upon wire, dwindling in bulk + until the tips of the branches were + as fragile as the fronds of maidenhair + fern. The bulk of the shrubbery + was head-high, and so dense that + Powell could see for only a couple of + yards into the thicket in any direction.</p> + + <p>The stillness around Powell was + complete. Not even a globular twig + stirred in the hot dry air. Powell + decided to head for the crest of one + of the low dunes some fifty feet + away. From its top he might be able + to sight something that would give + a clue to the location of the “Cave + of Blue Flames” of which Joan had + written.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> arrived at the foot of the + dune’s slope without incident. + But there he came to an abrupt halt + as the silence was suddenly shattered + by a strange sound from the + shrubbery-covered crest just above + him. It was a musical, tinkling + crash, oddly suggestive of a handful + of thin glass plates shattering + upon a stone floor. A second later + there came the agonized scream of + some creature in its death throes.</p> + + <p>The tinkling, crashing sound + promptly swelled to a steady pulsing + song like that of a brittle river of + crystalline glass surging and breaking + over granite boulders. There was + an eery beauty in that tinkling burst + of melody, yet with the beauty there + was an intangible suggestion of horror + that made Powell’s flesh creep.</p> + + <p>The crystalline song swelled to a + crescendo climax. Then there came + another sound, a single resonant note + like that given when a string of a + bass viol is violently plucked—and + the tinkling melody abruptly died. + Immediately following the resonant + twang some object was ejected from + the midst of the thicket on the + dune’s crest, and came rolling and + bounding down the gentle slope toward + Powell.</p> + + <p>It finally came to rest against the + base of a bush almost at his feet. He + whistled softly in surprise as he saw + the nature of the thing. It was another + of the yard-long egg-shaped + crystals of translucent amber like + the one that had been materialized + in Benjamin Marlowe’s laboratory. + Imprisoned in the clear depths of + this amber egg was the sparkling, + diamond-encrusted skeleton of what + had apparently been a small quadruped + about the size of a fox.</p> + + <p>Powell’s eyes narrowed in speculation + as he realized that he had before + him the first slight clue as to + what might have happened to Joan. + Her Silver Belt had been enclosed + in one of those amber, crystalline + eggs. Apparently her capture had + been in some way connected with + that sinister, unseen Tinkling Death.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Powell</span> began cautiously working + his way up the slope of the + dune, with an automatic pistol + ready for use in his right hand. Silence + reigned unbroken now in the + thicket on the crest, but with each + upward step that he took there came + with constantly increasing force a + feeling of some vast, alien intelligence + lurking up there, watching + and waiting.</p> + + <p>Nearer and nearer the crest he + worked his wary way, until he was + so close that he fancied he could see + <a class="pagenum" id="page350" title="350"> </a>the vague outline of some monstrous + silvery bulk looming there in the + heart of the red thicket. He took + another cautious step forward—and + then his careful stalking was sharply + interrupted.</p> + + <p>Without a second’s warning there + came the roaring rush of great wings + beating the air just above him. + Powell tried to dive for cover, but + he was too late. A slender snaky + tentacle came lashing down and + struck his shoulder with a force that + sent him sprawling forward upon + his face. Before he could rise, two + of the tentacles twined around him, + and he was jerked up into the air + like a wood-grub captured by a husky + robin.</p> + + <p>Again the great wings above him + threshed the air in tremendous + power, as the unseen monster started + away with its prey. Then the tentacles + from which he was dangling + shifted their grip slightly, turning + Powell’s body in the air so that he + could look up and get his first + glimpse of the thing that had captured + him. He shuddered at what he + saw. The creature was a hideous + combination of octopus and giant + bat.</p> + + <p>Naked wings of membrane + spanned twenty feet from tip to tip. + There was a pursy sac-like body, + ending in a head with staring, lidless + eyes and a great black beak that + looked strong enough to shear sheet + steel. From the body descended half + a dozen long writhing tentacles.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Powell’s</span> one hundred and + eighty pounds made a weight + that was apparently a burden for + even this flying monster. It flew + jerkily along, scarcely a dozen feet + from the ground, and there was laborious + effort obvious in every movement + of its flapping wings. Powell + decided to make a prompt break for + escape before the octopus-bat succeeded + in fighting its way any higher. + His left arm was still pinioned + to his body by one of the constricting + tentacles, but his right hand, + with the automatic in it, was free.</p> + + <p>He swung the weapon’s muzzle into + line with the hideous face above + him, then sent a stream of lead crashing + upward into the creature’s head. + The bullet struck squarely home. + The tentacles tightened convulsively + with a force that almost cracked + Powell’s ribs. Then in another + paroxysm of agony the tentacles + flung him free.</p> + + <p>The impetus of his fall sent him + rolling for a dozen feet. Unhurt, + save for minor scratches and bruises, + he scrambled to his feet just in time + to see the mortally wounded octopus-bat + come crashing down in the + red vegetation some thirty yards + away. For a few minutes there was + audible a convulsive threshing; and + then there was silence.</p> + + <p>Powell refilled the automatic’s + clip, then looked about, trying to regain + his bearings. He wanted to return + to the thicket of the Tinkling + Death, but the octopus-bat had carried + him hundreds of yards from + there and he was now uncertain even + of the direction in which the thicket + was.</p> + + <p>As he paused in indecision, there + came to Powell’s ears a new sound + that promptly drove all thought of + the Tinkling Death from his mind.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> sound of his gun against + the octopus-bat had apparently + attracted new and unseen assailants—and + their number was legion. + Swiftly closing in upon him from + every side there came the rustle and + whisper of countless thousands of + unseen foes advancing through the + dense red thickets.</p> + + <p>Completely hemmed in as he was, + flight was out of the question. He + sought the center of a small clearing, + some ten feet in diameter, in + order to gain at least a moment’s + sight of his adversaries before they + swarmed in upon him. With an automatic + <a class="pagenum" id="page351" title="351"> </a>in each hand, he waited + tense and ready.</p> + + <p>The encircling rush came swiftly + nearer, until Powell was suddenly + aware that the unseen horde had arrived. + The thicket bordering his + tiny clearing was literally alive with + yard-high furry bodies of creatures + that dodged about too swiftly in the + cover of the red bushes for him to + get a clear view of any of them. + There was a constant babel of snarling, + chattering sound as the things + called back and forth to each other.</p> + + <p>Then the chattering stopped abruptly, + as though at the command of + some unseen leader. The next moment + one of the creatures stepped + boldly out into full view in the clearing. + Powell’s scalp crinkled in disgust + as he realized the nature of the + thing confronting him.</p> + + <p>It was literally a rat-man. Its upright + posture upon two powerful, + bowed hind legs was that of a man, + but its human-like points were overshadowed + by a dozen indelible marks + of the beast. A coat of short, dirty + gray fur covered the creature from + head to foot. Its hands and feet were + claw-like travesties of human members. + Its pointed, chinless face with + its projecting teeth and glittering + little beady eyes was that of a giant + rodent.</p> + + <p>The beast in the clearing was apparently + a leader of some sort, for + around his throat was a wide collar + of gray metal, with its flat surface + marked in rudely scratched hieroglyphics. + Powell’s heart leaped as + he noted the collar. In this creature + before him he had his second clue + to the whereabouts of Joan Marlowe.</p> + + <p>Not only was the collar practically + identical to the one worn by the + skeleton that had been materialized + in the egg back in the laboratory, + but the skeleton itself was obviously + that of one of the rat-men. Could it + be this grotesque horde of human-like + rodents that was holding Joan + captive in the Cave of Blue Flames?</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Powell</span> tried desperately to + think of some way of communicating + with the gray-collared leader. + Then the beast shrilled a command + that brought hundreds of the beasts + swarming into the clearing from + every side, and in the face of the + menace of their countless glittering + eyes and bared fangs Powell abandoned + all thought of attempting to + parley with the beasts.</p> + + <p>There was another shrill command + from the leader, and the horde + closed in. Both of Powell’s guns + flamed in a crashing leaden hail that + swept the close-packed ranks of furry + bodies with murderous effect. But + he was doomed by sheer weight of + numbers.</p> + + <p>The rat-men directly in front of + the blazing pistols wavered momentarily, + but the press of the hundreds + behind them swept them inexorably + forward. Powell emptied both guns + in a last vain effort. Then he was + swept from his feet, and the horde + surged over him.</p> + + <p>Blinded and smothered by the + dozens of furry bodies that swarmed + over him, he had hardly a chance to + even try to fight back. His cartridge-belt + and guns, his Silver Belts and + his wrist-watch were stripped from + him by the dozens of claw-like hands + that searched his body. Other claw-hands + jerked his arms behind his + back and lashed them firmly together + with rope.</p> + + <p>A blanketing sheet of some heavy + fabric was crammed over his head + and tied in place so tightly that he + was completely blindfolded and + half-suffocated. A noose was knotted + around his neck. A suggestive jerk + of this noose brought Powell lurching + to his feet; there was another + commanding jerk, and he obediently + started walking.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> march that followed soon + became torture for the captive. + Blindfolded as he was, and having + only the occasional jerks of rope to + <a class="pagenum" id="page352" title="352"> </a>guide his footsteps, he stumbled and + fell repeatedly, until his aching body + seemed one solid mass of bruises.</p> + + <p>As nearly as he could judge, the + horde had conducted him nearly two + miles when the path abruptly sloped + downward. A moment later the sudden + coolness of the air and the echoes + about him told him that they had entered + an underground passage of + some kind. After traversing this + passage for several yards they + emerged into what was apparently a + large open area, for he could hear + the excited chattering and squealing + of countless thousands of rat-men + on every side of him.</p> + + <p>He was dragged forward a dozen + steps more, then brought to a halt. + The blindfolding fabric was roughly + stripped from his head. For a moment + he blinked dazedly, half-blinded + by a glare of blue light that + flooded the place.</p> + + <p>He was standing in a vast cavern. + From dozens of fissures high in the + rock walls streamed flickering sheets + of blue flame which both warmed + and lighted the place. There was a + weird tingling glow in the air that + suggested that the strange blue fires + might be electrical in their origin.</p> + + <p>Powell looked eagerly around for + Joan, but he could see no trace of + her. The only other living beings in + the big cavern were the swarming + thousands of the rat-people. The + brutes were apparently too low in + the evolutionary scale to have any + but the most primitive form of tribal + organization.</p> + + <p>Sitting on a rude rock throne just + in front of Powell was a grotesquely + fat, mangy-furred old rat-man who + was obviously the king of the horde. + Some thirty or forty rat-men, larger + and stronger than their fellows, wore + the gray-metal collars that apparently + marked them as minor leaders.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> great bulk of the horde, + numbering far into the thousands, + swarmed in the cavern in one + vast animal pack, sleeping, feeding, + snarling, fighting. As Powell was + halted before the king’s throne, most + of them abandoned their other pursuits + to come surging around the + captive in a jostling, curious mob.</p> + + <p>The metal-collared leader of the + pack that had captured Powell presented + the rat-king with the captive’s + gun-belt and two Silver Belts, accompanying + the gifts with a squealing + oration that was apparently a recital + of the capture. The old monarch + took the trophies with delight.</p> + + <p>The two Silver Belts were promptly + draped over his own furry shoulders + by the king—seemingly following + the same primitive love for + adornment that inspires an African + savage to ornament his person with + any new and glittering object he + happens to acquire. The rat-king + then graciously draped the cartridge-belt + and holstered automatics around + the shoulders of the metal-collared + leader who had captured Powell.</p> + + <p>The king turned his attention back + to his prisoner. He studied the captive + curiously for a moment or two, + then squealed a brief command. A + score of the rat-men promptly closed + in upon Powell, and began herding + him toward a far back corner of the + big cavern.</p> + + <p>Stopping a few yards away from + the edge of what seemed to be a + wide deep pit in the rock floor, the + guard stripped Powell’s bonds from + him. Powell made no move to take + advantage of his freedom, realizing + that the swarming thousands of rodents + in the cave made escape out + of the question for the moment. He + allowed himself to be docilely + herded on to the edge of the pit.</p> + + <p>And the next moment he exclaimed + aloud in delighted surprise + as he gazed down at the floor of the + pit ten feet beneath him. There, sitting + on a low heap of stones on the + pit’s sandy floor, white-faced and + weary but apparently unhurt, was + Joan Marlowe.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page353" title="353"> </a><span class="first_word">The</span> girl’s face brightened in relief + as she looked up and recognized + him.</p> + + <p>“Larry! Oh, thank God you’ve + come!”</p> + + <p>The leader of the guards motioned + for Powell to jump down into the + pit. He needed no urging. A moment + later he landed lightly on the + sandy floor of the pit, and Joan was + in his arms.</p> + + <p>The rat-men left a dozen of their + number scattered as sentries around + the edge of the pit. The rest of them + returned to the main horde, leaving + the prisoners to their own devices.</p> + + <p>“I knew that you’d come, Larry, + as soon as you got my note,” Joan + exclaimed happily. “But how did you + ever succeed in finding this Cave of + Blue Flame?”</p> + + <p>“I didn’t find it myself,” Powell admitted. + “I was captured like a boob + and dragged here.” He told Joan of + his mishaps since arriving in Arret.</p> + + <p>The girl nodded when he had finished. + “Much the same happened to + me, Larry, only the red moon wasn’t + shining then. The only light was + from what looked like the dim ghost + of a big yellow sun. I materialized + in Arret almost in the middle of a + scouting group of rat-men. They + took me captive immediately. When + several minutes passed without you + and Uncle Benjamin broadcasting + the recall wave for me, I knew that + something terrible must have happened + back in the laboratory, and + that I might be marooned in Arret + for hours.</p> + + <p>“I tried to hang onto my Silver + Belt, of course,” the girl continued, + “but when I was brought to the cavern + here I saw that the king was going + to take it. There was a notebook + and a pencil in my laboratory + smock. I managed to write the note + and twine it into the belt just before + it was taken from me. The king + seemed to think the note enhanced + the Belt’s value as an ornament. He + was wearing it when I last saw it. + Was he materialized in the laboratory + with the Belt?”</p> + + <p>Powell told her of the amber egg + and the skeleton.</p> + + <p>“The same sort of crystalline amber + egg that accompanied the work + of the mysterious Tinkling Death, + wasn’t it?” Joan mused. “One of the + king’s lieutenants must have stolen + the Belt, and reaped prompt retribution + when he tried to flee. I wonder + what that weird Tinkling Death + is?”</p> + + <p>“Possibly some strange weapon of + the rat-men,” Powell hazarded.</p> + + <p>“No, they are as afraid of it as we + are. While I was being brought here + to this cave the Tinkling Death was + heard several times in the distance, + and the rat-men were obviously terrified + at the sound.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> prisoners’ conversation was + abruptly interrupted by a + rhythmic, snarling chant from the + vast horde of rat-men in the cavern + above. The chant rose and fell in a + rude cadence that was suggestively + ritual in nature.</p> + + <p>“They’ve been doing that at intervals + ever since I was first brought + here,” Joan commented. “It sounds + almost like the beginning of some + primitive religious ceremony, doesn’t + it?”</p> + + <p>Powell nodded, without telling + Joan the depressing thought in his + mind. The rat-men were so low in + the evolutionary scale as to be little + more than beasts, and a prominent + feature of nearly all primitive religious + rites is the sacrifice of living + beings. Powell could not help but + wonder whether the chanting might + not mark the beginning of rites + which would end with the sacrifice + of himself and Joan to some monstrous + deity of theirs.</p> + + <p>The snarling chant continued with + monotonous regularity for hours, + while the prisoners huddled helplessly + together there on the floor of + the pit, awaiting the next move of + <a class="pagenum" id="page354" title="354"> </a>the rat-men. Any thought of escape + was out of the question. The sheer + walls of the pit were always guarded + by alert sentries who had only to call + to bring the entire horde to their + help.</p> + + <p>Without Powell’s wrist-watch, the + captives had no way of accurately + following the lapse of time, but they + both realized that the twelve-hour + time limit upon Joan’s rescue from + Arret must be coming perilously + near its end. They waited in momentary + fear lest a sudden turmoil + in the cavern above them should indicate + that Benjamin Marlowe had + broadcast the recall wave, whisking + the two Belts back to Earth, together + with the old rat-king who + presumably still wore them.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> chanting above rose slowly + to a snarling climax, then swiftly + died away into silence. A moment + later there came the sound of thousands + of claw-like feet scratching + over the rocky floor as the main + horde apparently began marching + out of the cavern. A detachment of + fifty rat-men appeared at the pit’s + edge.</p> + + <p>A rude metal ladder was shoved + down to the captives, and a metal-collared + leader motioned for them to + climb up. Seeing nothing to be + gained by refusal, they obeyed. They + were seized as they reached the top, + and their hands again bound behind + them. The overwhelming numbers + of the rat-men made any attempt at + resistance futile.</p> + + <p>There was no sign of the main + horde as Joan and Powell were + herded out through the empty cavern + and out into the open air again. + With their prisoners in the center of + their group, the rat-men started + along a well-worn path that wound + through the red vegetation. Overhead + the blood-red moon still blazed + down in lurid splendor.</p> + + <p>From somewhere ahead of them + the captives began to again hear the + distant squealing chant of the main + horde. They steadily approached the + sound, until abruptly they emerged + into a huge clearing that had apparently + been a ceremonial assembly + place for generations, for its smooth + sandy floor was packed down nearly + to the hardness of rock.</p> + + <p>The main horde of rat-men was + there now, countless thousands of + them, packed in a roughly crescent-shaped + mob, with the open side of + their formation facing what seemed + to be a large deep pit, some seventy + yards in circumference. In the clear + space left between the horde and the + edge of the pit was a smaller group, + among them the old king himself.</p> + + <p>Powell’s heart leaped as he noted + that the Silver Belts were still + draped over the mangy old monarch’s + shoulders. If only he and + Joan could get their hands on those + precious Belts before Benjamin Marlowe + broadcast the recall wave that + would forever snatch them out of + their reach!</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> captives were hurried + through the main horde and + taken in charge by a score of picked + guards who herded them on to join + a small group of four rat-men near + the pit’s edge. These four rodents + were apparently also prisoners, for + their arms were firmly bound behind + them.</p> + + <p>The rat-king, accompanied only + by the metal-collared leader, around + whose shoulders the gun-belt was + still draped, stood near the pit’s edge + some ten yards distant from the + guards and captives. Between the + prisoners and the rodent monarch + the edge of the pit jutted out in a + narrow tongue of rock that extended + outward for about twenty feet over + the pit.</p> + + <p>Joan and Powell had barely taken + their place with the other captives + when an abrupt and familiar sound + drew their attention to the floor of + the pit some thirty feet beneath + <a class="pagenum" id="page355" title="355"> </a>them. Its smooth sandy bottom was + clearly visible from where they + stood. And there on that sandy floor + were six great gleaming shapes of + menace which brought involuntary + gasps of horrified amazement to the + captives’ lips.</p> + + <p>The faint musical tinkling sound + as the things moved in occasional + ponderous restlessness was unmistakable. + Joan and Powell realized + that the amazing organisms responsible + for the mysterious Tinkling + Death were at last before them.</p> + + <p>The things were giant <em>living</em> crystals—great + silvery semi-transparent + shapes nearly ten feet in height, + their faceted sides pulsing in sinister + and incredible life as they + gleamed in unearthly beauty beneath + the blazing rays of the red moon!</p> + + <p>Near the center of each of the + giant crystals there was visible + through the semi-transparent wall a + large inner nucleus of sullen opalescence + that ceaselessly swirled and + eddied.</p> + + <p>Their powers of movement were + apparently limited to a slow, ponderous, + half-rocking, half-rolling + progress on their heavy rounded + bases. They were now grouped in a + rough semicircle just under the edge + of the rocky projection that extended + out over the pit. The opalescent + nucleus in every silvery + faceted form seemed to be “watching” + with frightening intensity the + figures on the pit’s edge above them.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">There</span> was no mistaking the + meaning of the scene. The giant + carnivorous crystals had obviously + been lured from their normal habitat + in Arret’s red vegetation, and + established there in the big pit by + the rat-men to act as principals in + their primitive religious ceremonies.</p> + + <p>Those Devil Crystals waiting + down there on the pit’s floor were + waiting to be fed—and the small + group of captives, rat-men and human + beings, were to be the feast!</p> + + <p>Utterly sick at heart, Powell wondered + if they would at least be given + the boon of a merciful death before + being hurled over the brink to those + lurking shapes. He was not left long + in doubt.</p> + + <p>At a shrill command from the rat-king + the guards closed in upon the + captives and herded two of the + bound rat-men from among them. A + guard placed to the lips of each of + the captive brutes a small cup containing + a faintly cloudy white liquid. + Apparently resigned to their fate, + the creatures docilely drained the + cups.</p> + + <p>The drugged drinks acted with + startling rapidity. Scarcely a minute + passed before the rodents’ eyes + clouded dully, their jaws dropped + slackly open, and their bodies stiffened + in almost complete rigidity.</p> + + <p>The bonds were quickly stripped + from the two stupefied creatures. + The ceremonial rites apparently required + that the victims go to their + doom unbound and of their own volition. + The guards maneuvered the + two over to the rocky projection that + jutted out over the pit.</p> + + <p>Moving with the stiffly wooden + steps of automatons, the two victims + started out along the narrow projection, + leaving the guards behind. On + they marched, straight for the end of + the rocky strip—and then, without a + second’s hesitation, they plunged on + and over.</p> + + <p>Their bodies crashed to the pit’s + floor squarely among the group of + waiting crystals. One of the rat-men + lay motionless. The other dazedly + tried to struggle to his feet—but was + too late.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">From</span> the side of the nearest + Devil Crystal, some fifteen feet + away from the dazed rat-man, a cone-shaped + projection budded with startling + swiftness.</p> + + <p>A fraction of a second more and + the projection had lengthened into a + long slender arm of crystalline silver + <a class="pagenum" id="page356" title="356"> </a>that streaked across the intervening + space with the swiftness of a + spear.</p> + + <p>There was a crashing, tinkling + sound as the point of the arm struck + the furry body of the rat-man. Then + the arm’s point sprayed into a web of + shining filaments that laced the rodent’s + body inexorably in their web.</p> + + <p>The arm immediately contracted, + jerking the victim irresistibly toward + the waiting crystal. A second + later the rat-man was pinned against + the faceted crystalline side just under + the opalescent nucleus.</p> + + <p>The moment the furry body made + contact with the crystal’s side a terrifying + phenomenon occurred. Crystals + grew and spread all over its + form with the lightning growth of + water-glass. Faster and faster clustered + the crystalline shroud, until + the furry body was lanced through + and through—and all the time the + air was filled with eldritch music as + of a thousand sheets of thinnest glass + crashing, tinkling and shattering.</p> + + <p>The crystal growths over the imprisoned + body rounded their contours + and merged together until they + were in the form of a great crystalline + egg. The outlines of the rodent’s + body blurred and vanished, melting + swiftly until only a diamond-encrusted + skeleton was left. The color + of the great Devil Crystal began to + gleam pink as the victim’s flesh and + blood were absorbed.</p> + + <p>The egg-like excrescence under + the nucleus turned in hue to pale + translucent amber in whose depths + the diamond skeleton gleamed with + weird brilliance. Then there came a + sudden twang, as of a violently + plucked string on a bass viol, and the + amber egg dropped from the faceted + side. The Crystal’s feast was over.</p> + + <p>One of the most terrifying aspects + of the whole thing had been its incredible + speed. The entire tragedy + had occurred in but little over two + minutes from the time the lance-arm + had first struck the rat-man.</p> + + <p>In the meantime the body of the + second rodent had been drawn in and + devoured by another of the carnivorous + crystalline monsters. There came + a second twang now, as its skeleton + in its amber shroud was discarded.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Powell’s</span> brain reeled as he + saw the other crystals move + sluggishly nearer the foot of the + rocky projection in anticipation of + the next victims.</p> + + <p>The remaining two captive rat-men + came next. They were swiftly + drugged, unbound, and started on + their dazed march. They trudged + woodenly out the rocky projection + to its end, then on and over; and + again the grim tragedy of the Devil + Crystal’s feast was repeated, to the + accompaniment of that eerily beautiful + crashing, tinkling song.</p> + + <p>The four Devil Crystals that had + completed their gruesome feast + moved sluggishly away, leaving the + space clear for the two crystals that + remained unfed. The score of guards + closed in upon Joan and Powell.</p> + + <p>With the crystalline doom at last + staring them squarely in the face, + Powell went berserk in a final desperate + effort to gain even a moment’s + respite. He lashed out in a writhing, + kicking flurry that almost + cleared the space around them.</p> + + <p>Then three of the rat-men slipped + behind him, and a second later his + feet were jerked from under him. + His bound arms made him helpless to + avert his fall, and he crashed heavily + to the ground. Then a dozen of the + powerful little beasts swarmed over + him, completely overpowering him + by their numbers.</p> + + <p>Claw-like hands pried his set jaws + apart. A cup of the cloudy white liquid + was pressed to his lips. He + choked; then, unable to help himself, + he had to let the stuff pour + down his throat. It had an acid taste + faintly reminiscent of lemons. The + rat-men apparently wanted to make + sure of giving him enough, for they + <a class="pagenum" id="page357" title="357"> </a>poured another full cup of the liquid + down his throat before releasing him.</p> + + <p>The guards then fell back and + Powell stumbled to his feet. Joan + was already up again, standing close + beside him. From the wry expression + upon her face, Powell knew that + she had also been given the drugged + potion.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">For</span> a long minute the two stood + there with every nerve trembling + as they helplessly waited for + the paralyzing numbness to sweep + over their bodies. The seconds + passed slowly, and still their minds + remained as clear as though the drug + had been water. Another full minute + elapsed without effect, before they + could finally convince themselves of + the amazing truth.</p> + + <p>The drugged drink of the rat-men, + instantly paralyzing to those of their + own rodent race, was utterly harmless + to the human being from another + world!</p> + + <p>Powell instantly realized the forlorn + last chance their unexpected + immunity to the drug gave them.</p> + + <p>“Play ’possum, Joan!” he whispered + tensely. “Then we’ll make a + break for the king and those Belts!”</p> + + <p>Joan nodded slightly in quick understanding. + Powell let his jaw drop + slack and open, and stiffened his + body in imitation of the stupor the + rodent drug victims had shown. Joan + promptly followed his lead. The + alertly watching guards relaxed their + tense vigilance in obvious relief.</p> + + <p>The guards waited another minute + to be sure of the drug’s effects. Then, + apparently satisfied, they stepped + forward and unbound the two prisoners. + Powell let his bonds drop + from him without making a hostile + move of any kind. He wanted first + to wait until he was free of the encircling + guards.</p> + + <p>The rat-men maneuvered the two + into position, and prodded them forward + toward the projecting point of + rock. They obediently began their + march, simulating as best they could + the wooden mechanical gait of the + drug victims. Powell saw from the + corner of his eye that Joan was + tensely watching his face for a sign + from him.</p> + + <p>As the captives reached the narrow + projection the guards dropped a + couple of yards behind and halted to + watch. It was the chance for which + Powell had been waiting.</p> + + <p>“Let’s go!” he shouted to Joan. + The girl, alert for his signal, was + right beside him as they wheeled and + dashed at break-neck speed for the + rat-king and his sole lieutenant, some + ten yards away.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">They</span> were upon the two startled + rodent leaders before they even + realized what was happening. Powell + swept the squirming old king up in + the air, tore the Silver Belts from + about the monarch’s shoulders, and + flung the creature sprawling and + senseless at the pit’s edge.</p> + + <p>The lieutenant leaped for Powell’s + throat in a belated effort at rescue, + but Powell smashed a solid fist + squarely into its snarling face, and + the brute collapsed with a broken + neck.</p> + + <p>Snatching his gun-belt from the + fallen rat-man, Powell crammed new + clips of ammunition into the two + guns and wheeled to confront the + rest of the rat-men. The detachment + of guards, demoralized by the dazzling + speed of the captives’ sortie, + were milling in obvious uncertainty.</p> + + <p>Behind them the thousands of the + main horde were chattering and + squealing in excited frenzy, dazed + and bewildered by their king’s swift + overthrow. The whole clearing was + a seething mob of excited beasts, + stunned for the moment, but ready + at any second to rally from their + shock and surge forward in a furious + charge that would sweep everything + before it.</p> + + <p>Powell menaced the rat-men with + levelled guns while Joan, with fingers + <a class="pagenum" id="page358" title="358"> </a>that shook from excitement and + haste, quietly buckled one of the Silver + Belts around each of them.</p> + + <p>The guards rallied from their panic + first. At a shrill command from their + leader, they began cautiously edging + forward toward Joan and Powell. + The two gave ground slowly, working + their way back over toward the + projecting tongue of rock. Out on + the end of that narrow strip, Powell + knew that he could hold the horde at + bay for a few moments at least.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">They</span> reached the rocky projection, + and began backing slowly + and carefully out toward its end. The + guards, galvanized into action by + their captives’ retreat, suddenly came + surging forward in a furious charge.</p> + + <p>Powell emptied the two automatics + in a crashing volley that nearly + wiped out the charging guards. + The few survivors turned and fled in + panic back to the main horde. Powell + reloaded his clips with feverish + haste.</p> + + <p>The thousands of rat-men in the + main horde were now milling in what + was apparently a last moment of hesitation + before surging forward in an + irresistible stampede toward the beleaguered + two out on the rocky strip.</p> + + <p>Several bolder individuals at the + edge of the horde edged a step forward. + Their example was followed + by a hundred others. Another hesitant + step or two—and then the whole + horde was in motion.</p> + + <p>Powell swept the front rank with + a rain of lead from one of the automatics, + holding the other as a reserve. + The heavy bullets plowed + murder into the close-packed furry + bodies. The charge wavered momentarily. + Then Powell felt Joan tugging + frantically at his arm.</p> + + <p>“Larry, the rocks under us are + crumbling!” she cried. “We’ll be + hurled down into the pit!”</p> + + <p>Even as she spoke, Powell felt the + narrow strip of rock under them + quiver and settle. He looked quickly + down. All along its length, the narrow + rocky projection, weakened by + their weight, was breaking swiftly + away from the pit’s edge. And on + the floor of the pit below them the + two waiting Devil Crystals moved + with musical, tinkling sounds as + they waited restlessly for their prey + to fall among them.</p> + + <p>The horde of rat-men rallied and + swept on forward in a wave that + nothing could have stopped this time—but + their charge was too late. The + entire rocky projection collapsed + with a final sickening lurch, and slid + to the pit’s floor, carrying Joan and + Powell with it in a miniature avalanche + of rocky rubble.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Even</span> in the chaos of their wild + descent, Powell retained his + grip upon the loaded automatic in + his hand. They struck the bottom + and staggered half-dazed to their + feet, to confront the two crystalline + monsters rocking on their rounded + bases scarcely ten feet away.</p> + + <p>The fatal cone-shaped projection + was already beginning to form upon + the silver-faceted side of the nearest + Devil Crystal. Before the lance-like + arm of crystal could flash outward, + Powell sent two bullets crashing + into the crystal’s side just over + the opalescent nucleus.</p> + + <p>The leaden missiles caromed harmlessly + off, as though they had struck + armor-plate, but the nucleus clouded + momentarily and the cone-shaped + projection dissolved back into the + side.</p> + + <p>With lightning speed Powell + shifted his aim to the other crystal + just as its partly-formed arm was + flashing toward them. His bullet + crashed into the silvery side squarely + over the nucleus. Again the bullet’s + effect was the same. This crystal + nucleus clouded murkily, and the + lance-like arm telescoped back into + the faceted bulk.</p> + + <p>But the effect of the bullets was + only momentary. Swiftly the nuclei + <a class="pagenum" id="page359" title="359"> </a>of both crystals cleared. A deep blue + film, apparently protective in nature, + formed between the outer wall and + each nucleus. The cones budded, and + again the arms started forth.</p> + + <p>Powell fired again, and this time + uselessly. His bullet struck squarely, + but the shock of its impact was + apparently nullified by the protective + blue film. He emptied his gun in + a last crashing fusillade, but without + effect of any kind upon the film-guarded + nuclei of the giant crystals.</p> + + <p>Their forming arms never wavered + as they came lancing forward with + deadly accuracy straight toward + Joan and Powell. In a last effort to + save Joan from the terrible doom of + the crystal lances as long as possible, + Powell flung his own body as a + shield in front of the half-fainting + girl. The tip of one of the crystalline + arms struck his chest with a + crashing tinkle of musical glass.</p> + + <p>Instantly the tip sprayed into a + web of fine filaments that laced on + around his body. A tinkling shock + raced through his every nerve from + the contact with the weird life force + of the great crystal.</p> + + <p>The arm began contracting. Powell + was helpless against the terrific + power of the slender, diamond-hard + lance of crystal. He felt himself irresistibly + drawn toward the silver-faceted + wall of the Devil Crystal.</p> + + <p>His senses reeled in the babel of + alien sounds—the crashing, glass-like + music of the crystalline monsters + and the snarling, squealing, + paean of jubilant triumph from the + thousands of rat-men now lining the + rim of the pit above.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Then</span> suddenly the pit, the + Devil Crystals, and everything + else in the nightmare world of Arret + was blotted out in a vast swirling + cloud of pulsing roseate flame that + seemed to sweep him bodily up + into the air and whirl him dizzily + around.</p> + + <p>His dazed brain staggered from + the shock of the cataclysmic force + that was disintegrating an entire + world around him, but through the + utter chaos one thought rang clear + and exultant in his consciousness.</p> + + <p>Benjamin Marlowe had finally + broadcast the recall wave!</p> + + <p>For what seemed endless eons of + time Powell hurried through a limitless + universe of swirling, tinted + fires, while vibrations of a mighty + force tingled with poignant ecstasy + in every atom of his body.</p> + + <p>Then the eddying clouds of flame + began to coalesce and solidify with + startling suddenness. A moment + later, like the abrupt lighting of a + room when an electric switch is + snapped, the mists vanished and + Powell felt firm footing again under + his feet. Around him were the + familiar objects of Benjamin Marlowe’s + laboratory.</p> + + <p>He was standing upon the floor-plate + in the center of the area + bounded by the banked green tubes, + and beside him stood Joan, sobbing + with relief at their last-minute rescue + from the Devil Crystals of Arret. + And over by the control panel + of the recall mechanism was the + slight figure of old Benjamin Marlowe, + with a great joy now shining + in his faded eyes.</p> + </div> + +<div id="the_end"> + +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Devil Crystals of Arret, by Hal K. 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