The Argosy for May — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

234 ‘Anything new?” the tower asked. ‘Plenty,’ Bob replied. Then he told the tower operator of the whole affair, even going so far as to de- scribe the voice to the best of his abil- ity. The tower operator answered that he would give the report to the authori- ties and also to the scientists. “The scientists have returned,’ added, “ etl.” Bob closed the key, and walked with Haverson to the window. The moon had risen bright and full, and the great city looked indeed like a silent tomb in the pale moonlight. The muddled voice of an intoxicated loafer would have been sweet music, the clang of a street-car gong welcome in- deed. he and are now holding a coun- ‘“ Are—are we going to stay—after getting that message over the telephone?”’ Fred asked. “Of course we'll stay!’ Bob replied. “Don’t let that message frighten you! I have an idea a few clever thieves have remained behind, have connected the telephones at central, and, after ringing every instrument in town, have given that message. Don’t you see? They thought every person who remained would answer the telephone and hear them, they would frighten those who stayed and make them leave, and then the city would be theirs.”’ ‘“ But, if they locate us—” “ How’ll they do that, unless they hap- pen to see us? How will they ever find two men in all this town, not knowing where to look, when there are so many thousands of buildings and so many places for a man to hide? Let’s fight it out a little longer, anyway.” / “T’m with you—as long as we can stand it,’ Haverson replied. Bob realized that his one object was to keep Haverson busy; keep him so busy that he wouldn’t have time to think about things and let the mysteries get on his nerves. ‘That would be easy in the morn- ing, for they could gather supplies, but there was nothing to do at night. Haver- son would not sleep—said he could not sleep. And the night dragged terribly. An hour or so passed, and then the junction tower called again. Bob sat down before the key, and Haverson stood beside him. THE ARGOSY./ ‘“T,” Bob replied to the call. ‘Scientists have concluded their ses- sion and have formulated report,” the message said. ‘‘ You are asked to give them all the aid in your power, as you are believed to be the only honest men left inside, and everything depends upon you. Please give best of attention as I wire report, and ask all the questions you desire, so there will be a complete under- standing. Is the other operator there?” “I,” Bob answered. ‘’ Have him read message also.” ‘T,” flashed the answer. “Attention! Scientists have com- pleted circuit of the city, and find that invisible. wall extends completely around it. ‘They examined every few inches, and found no loophole. It begins on the ground and extends at least thirty feet in air on the perpendicular; it may run beyond that, but they had no means to investigate. “ This peculiar wall is nothing, seem- ingly, except ordinary air, except that it does not give the least fraction, and to push against it is*like pushing against a wall of brick or stone. The atmosphere has no unusual color or odor, though the delicate instruments used showed a slight bluish tinge in the air at times, which may or not be due to the present condition of the ether, or to a slight electrical dis- turbance following the paunders storm of a dav ago. “While the thing is a mystery and never dreamed of before, the scientists are of the opinion—merely an opinion, this, without scientific truths to make it a fact—that some peculiar force is at work, but that the force is exerted by a human being or human beings who have discovered something sensationally new in physics. The experts are at a loss to designate the nature of this force—if such it may be called. “The greatest mystery is that, while no one can enter from the outside, any- thing can come from the inside without — trouble and without experiencing any unusual feeling. Are you getting this all right?” ‘O. K.,” Bob tapped. ‘“ Now, listen! This has been discov- ered: The invisible wall surrounding the city follows closely the outside rail of the Merton Belt Line Traction Compa- 0)(0)(6) ANG S (C@