My friend:I call you “friend” because they tell me you have come from a far planet and I know that one so daring can not be cruel like my captors.My father and I are held as political prisoners here by Emperor Kharnov who is trying to force me to marry him.If you can read this letter, will you not try to help my father and me to escape?Zola.
My friend:
I call you “friend” because they tell me you have come from a far planet and I know that one so daring can not be cruel like my captors.
My father and I are held as political prisoners here by Emperor Kharnov who is trying to force me to marry him.
If you can read this letter, will you not try to help my father and me to escape?
Zola.
The second note plainly had been written less hurriedly than the other, in which several characters were imperfectly formed. This one covered two sheets:
My friend:Modah, the faithful, will give you this note. He has told me much about you and I feel that I may, indeed, count on you as a friend.This is to tell you that he can be depended upon to death. He was a servant of my father’s palace in the country of the snow where my father ruled. Modah secured a place in the emperor’s palace to help us. My maid, who came with me, also is loyal.The emperor rules supreme over the entire planet, but he usurped the crown during my father’s youth, giving my father the governorship of one of the polar regions instead.He feared my father, and, on the pretext of a conference, invited us here only to make us prisoners. He threatens to take my father’s life if he does not publicly renounce his title, and will try to force me to become a morganatic wife to himself.Help our just cause, O my friend, and our gratitude will not be lacking.Trust Modah.Zola.
My friend:
Modah, the faithful, will give you this note. He has told me much about you and I feel that I may, indeed, count on you as a friend.
This is to tell you that he can be depended upon to death. He was a servant of my father’s palace in the country of the snow where my father ruled. Modah secured a place in the emperor’s palace to help us. My maid, who came with me, also is loyal.
The emperor rules supreme over the entire planet, but he usurped the crown during my father’s youth, giving my father the governorship of one of the polar regions instead.
He feared my father, and, on the pretext of a conference, invited us here only to make us prisoners. He threatens to take my father’s life if he does not publicly renounce his title, and will try to force me to become a morganatic wife to himself.
Help our just cause, O my friend, and our gratitude will not be lacking.
Trust Modah.
Zola.
The notes made a profound impression upon Robert. He pictured the girl of his vision again for the hundredth time. Could it really have been she whom he had already dreamed of thrice? But no matter who she was, he was firmly determined to find some means of helping her.
By this time he had a fair command of the Martian writing— enough, at least, to write an intelligible, if elementary, message. That night he succeeded in passing a brief note to Modah, unobserved by Numid, the other attendant. In this note Robert asked Modah to see him in the seclusion of the East Room as soon as he could elude the sharp-eyed Numid.
He had selected the East Room, a sort of library in their apartment, for the rendezvous because it had but one entrance. Here Robert waited anxiously for what seemed hours. Finally there came a light, furtive tapping on the door. Then Modah slipped into the room quickly.
It had been the professor’s suggestion that Robert talk to Modah alone, since it was evident that it was Robert in whom his interest and that of his mistress was centered.
“Numid wasted much time,Elah, Talk, talk, talk. I waited till he slept—then came. He must not know. Would get suspicious.”
“I want to help your mistress,” Robert told him. “How will it be possible for me to see her?”
“I have arranged to take you to her this night, if you wish.”
“Good work, Modah. Shall we start now?”
“At once,Elah. Follow me.”
So, with quickened pulse, Robert accompanied him, having first informed Professor Palmer and Taggert of his mission. Through the apartment they passed silently and entered a small antechamber at its rear. From this chamber several doorways gave egress, one of which led into a long, dark and narrow passage where Robert had to feel his way cautiously. The uncomfortable suspicion occurred to him that this might all be but a scheme to do away with him quietly. But he reconsidered, realizing how completely they were all in the Martians’ power; it did not seem reasonable to suppose that they would take such elaborate pains to do away with him.
Presently they emerged into another anteroom similar to the one adjoining their own apartment. A soft glow from a shaded lamp illuminated the chamber. Through a broad archway on the right floated the soft strains of some stringed instrument. Robert halted unconsciously. Never had he heard sweeter music.
Modah’s insistent gestures finally roused him from his revery. Having succeeded in attracting Robert’s attention, he passed through the archway, motioning him to follow.
The heavy portieres parted before them. A large room of luxurious tapestries and upholsterings dimly illuminated by rose-shaded lights met his eyes. As they entered, the music ceased.
Then Robert saw a vision rise from beside a large harplike instrument at the other side of the room and approach them. As she passed a lamp its rays bathed her head in its glow. His dreams were come true. She was the girl of his vision! Not for nothing had he thrice dreamed of her. He would have known her among a thousand.
The majesty of empresses and the grace of a nymph were hers as she moved toward them. Serenely, and without hesitation, she came directly to Robert and placed her hands in his. Her lovely eyes looked into his trustfully.
“I knew you would come,” she said simply.
Her low, clear voice was a joy. The loveliness of her held him speechless.
“And I knew that I should find you,” he answered, finding his tongue at last.
She led him to a couch and commanded him to sit beside her. Modah had vanished.
“We may be surprized at any moment by a visit from the emperor or one of his spies,” she said. “We must make our plans quickly.”
“I am at your command, princess,” said Robert.
“There remain but two days in which to escape. The time set by the usurper for my father’s final decision expires then. My father will never bow to him. I shudder to think of what may follow.”
Robert pondered a minute. Obviously theSphereoffered the most promising avenue of escape; but how to gain access to it at night without arousing suspicion and probably fatal resistance was the question. A plan came to him. He could visit theSpherethe following afternoon under some plausible excuse without exciting suspicion, and could remain tinkering in it, ostensibly to make some repairs. Unless disturbed, he could wait till dark, then cautiously bring it over to the garden.
The scheme was simple enough, but the possibilities for failure were numerous. Should the emperor become suspicious and have theSpherewatched, his plans would be of no avail. A dozen other possible obstacles occurred to him but no better plan.
Swiftly he outlined it to Zola, obtaining her promise that she and her father would be in readiness to leave the following night. Her absolute confidence in his ability at once disturbed and inspired Robert. He felt that he must succeed at all costs. Here was probably his only chance of saving the maid of his dreams. He must not be found wanting.
“Quick! The emperor!” said Modah, tensely, appearing suddenly, as from nowhere.
Pressing the princess’ hand in hasty farewell, Robert followed Modah quickly. Down the long hallway they hurried. At a dark and forbidding doorway Modah halted and signaled Robert to follow. The next moment they had plunged into the darkness of a narrow passage leading off the main one. Groping blindly along the wall in the wake of Modah’s hurrying footsteps. Robert narrowly missed flattening his nose against the opposite wall as they turned a sharp bend. A moment later, however, a faint light glimmered ahead, revealing Modah scurrying along, a few yards in advance.
A moment later Modah stopped. Together they listened for some sound of pursuit. But the silence of the massive, walled passage was unbroken save for their own bated breath. Once more they hurried ahead, and soon Robert recognized with relief the passage leading into their apartment.
Both Taggert and the professor were eagerly awaiting him. Briefly Robert explained the result of his excursion, and suggested his plans for their escape with the princess and her father. It developed that Modah had taken a different and roundabout route back for greater safety, though the divers dim passages all had looked much alike to Robert. He was only certain that it had taken them longer to return. He resolved to substantially reward the vigilant Modah at the first opportunity. Had the emperor discovered him with the princess, all would have been lost.
Early in the morning Taggert left to examine theSphereand survey the ground for an escape. Ostensibly he went to obtain some needed articles of wearing apparel. Robert and the professor took the precaution to instruct him as to what articles they wanted at breakfast, while Modah and Numid were both present.
Immediately after breakfast, and during Taggert’s absence, they were visited by the emperor. Fearing to hear of his own clandestine call upon the princess, Robert prepared himself for the worst.
But the emperor apparently was ignorant of the matter, for he merely inquired regarding their welfare and begged them to accept an invitation to attend a meeting of his learned men to discuss life on the two planets; he seemed much pleased over their progress in the Martian tongue.
While he was there Taggert returned with the articles mentioned that morning. Those he made no effort to conceal. After a few words with him the emperor bid them adieu.
“When is this meeting he’s spouting about?” Taggert inquired anxiously.
“Tomorrow evening,” said Robert. “Too bad we must miss it. Professor Palmer could gather a great deal of interesting data regarding Mars from those men.”
“He would if those pirates would give him a chance to ask a question,” said Taggert. “But the chances are that they’d keep him dizzy satisfying their own curiosity.”
“Never mind, boys. I’ll no doubt have other favorable opportunities to gather all the data I want from our polar friends when we reach their country. What is more important now is the condition of theSphere. You haven’t told us what shape you found things in, Taggert.”
“Oh, everything looks all right, thank goodness,” answered Taggert. “I took a peep into the petrol tanks, too, and turned the gyrostats over a few revolutions. Saw a couple of these runts hanging around, but I guess we’ll be able to pull off our party O. K. I tried to act as if there was something out of order for their benefit in case they were spies.”
“Good idea. That will offer a plausible reason for my going over this afternoon,” said Robert.
Having laid all their plans carefully, Robert and Taggert visited theSpherelate that afternoon, and together they tinkered and tested for the benefit of the two or three Martians who were ever about, as well as for their own benefit to see that everything was in working condition. Fortunately everything was in the same shape as when they had left it. About sunset Taggert left, taking word that Robert was engrossed in making some delicate repairs and would not return for dinner.
As the twilight rapidly faded Robert observed with uneasiness that three Martians remained within the building where theSpherewas placed. His suspicion that they were spies was strengthened when one of them engaged him in conversation and inquired whether he might accompany him within theSphereto learn something of its intricacies. The note of insistence in the Martian’s voice convinced Robert that a refusal would be useless. He granted the request gracefully, biding his time until he felt sure the princess would be ready. Then it would be up to him to get rid of the spies in some manner. Just how he was to accomplish this he did not yet know.
The time agreed upon was immediately after the first sign of the rising moon, Phobus, above the horizon. Explaining the various features of theSphereas vaguely as possible, Robert watched closely for the first glow of the planet’s little moon. The several windows in the western end of the building offered a fair view of the horizon in that direction.
As the fateful hour approached, Robert determined to get theSphereoutside the building in some manner, in order that he would be best prepared to make a dash to the palace at the proper moment.
Accordingly, he informed the Martian with him that he intended to take theSphereoutside for a trial flight before leaving it, asking him whether he desired to accompany him or not. He was hoping, of course, that the Martian would say “no.” He did not wish to seem desirous of getting rid of him for fear that his suspicion would be aroused.
As Robert had half expected, however, the Martian informed him politely that it was the emperor’s wish that theSpherenot be taken out of the building for the present. It was plain that Robert would have to resort to strategy to carry out his plans.
Accepting the Martian’s statement with apparent readiness and good nature, he remarked that he could just as well test theSpheresome other time, and prepared as if to leave it. He succeeded in maneuvering so as to follow the other out, though the Martian preceded him with evident reluctance.
Upon reaching the exit in the outer shell of theSpherethe spy turned as if minded to request Robert to precede him there. Realizing that it was now or never, Robert leaped upon him suddenly, delivering a sharp blow to the spy’s jaw that sent him reeling down the few remaining steps and through the open trap on to the floor of the building. Simultaneously with the Martian’s cry of baffled rage, Robert slammed the trap-door shut and raced up the steps. A moment later he had the gyrostats in motion.
His heart sank, though, as he saw all three of the Martians tugging at the massive door that stood between theSphereand freedom. Already it was sliding to with their efforts. His escape was cut off!
For a moment Robert was tempted to press into service the automatic that reposed in a locker but a few feet away. But the thought of firing upon them in cold blood was repugnant to him. Apparently the Martians were unarmed. During their sojourn on Mars, Robert and his companions had not found out what kind of weapons the Martians used. Two of the Martians remained inside the great door, shouting to him to come out of theSphere. The third had slipped out, no doubt to inform the emperor of his attempted escape.
The Martians’ probable ignorance of the power of his automatic made it impracticable for Robert to attempt forcing them to open the door again. Then, suddenly, he remembered the tremendous lifting power of theSphere, and a possible solution came to him. Carefully he maneuvered theSphere, raising it slowly to the roof. As he felt the jar of the shell against the rafters he increased the lift. He could hear the building groan with the immense pressure. Then he opened the disk’s surface to its maximum and switched on the current!
For a moment theSphereswayed uncertainly as the stout rafters writhed against the tremendous power of the disk. Robert caught a glimpse of the Martians flattened against the door in consternation. The next instant theSphereshot upward with a crash as the roof of ths building collapsed behind it!
Instantly Robert shut off its lifting power, and began maneuvering theSphereback downward and toward the palace.
Fortunately theSphereseemed undamaged by its unusual exit from the building. Within a minute after his escape Robert had it immediately over the palace gardens where the princess and his companions were to join him. The gardens were dark and forbidding-looking beneath him, though the ruddy orange rim of Phobus already was visible over the horizon’s edge. As yet there was no sign of pursuit.
Softly theSpheresettled like a round, dark cloud. As it reached a level of perhaps thirty feet Robert saw a darker blotch on the expanse of lawn in back of the princess’ quarters. Being sufficiently familiar with the garden to know that this was not a part of the shrubbery, he suspected and hoped that it was his friends awaiting him. He dared not show a light yet, but continued to settle as rapidly as was safe.
Then, to Robert’s relief, a small, carefully shaded flashlight winked twice at him from below. This was the signal agreed upon.
A moment later theSpherecame to rest on the turf. A glance through the windows was sufficient to recognize his friends. Taggert came close and rapped on the glass. His low “Hurry” reached Robert in spite of the double panes.
Hurrying down the narrow steps he opened the manhole. The next instant he was helping the princess into the dark passage which he dared not light yet. The flashlight which he also carried for this very emergency, however, enabled all to see their way quite well.
But their good fortune was not to continue indefinitely. Hardly had the princess and her father stepped into theSpherewhen there came a sound of excited pursuit on the other side of the garden wall which divided the princess’ section from theirs, and the garden gate burst open!
Urging the professor and Taggert into theSpherehurriedly, Robert slipped the automatic out of his pocket, thanking his lucky stars that he had brought it with him. Without hesitation he blazed away over the heads of their pursuers as they rushed forward, hoping to halt them for an instant. But they seemed undaunted. On they came in great bounds, shouting excitedly.
Having done what he could to keep them away from theSphere, Robert hurried into the passage just as the leader came up. As the latter darted after him Robert fired. The Martian went down, but the others pressed forward, brandishing saberlike weapons. Unable to lift the trap-door into place because of the body of the wounded Martian upon it, Robert was about to shout to Taggert to raise theSphere, when one of the Martians leaped over his prostrate fellowman and struck at Robert with his weapon.
By an unlucky bit of chance the blade struck the automatic from Robert’s hand even as he fired again. He could hear the gyrostats humming and had just presence of mind enough to yell to Taggert to raise theSpherewhen there came a roar and a flash by his ear and the vicious Martian’s weapon clattered on to the steps as he staggered back, blocking for a moment the others behind him. The rays from the small globe in the ceiling now lighted the passage.
“Close shave, Robert,” came Professor Palmer’s voice, and once more the roar of his firearm deafened them in the narrow passage.
The Martians’ rush was checked for a moment, and in that instant they had lost. TheSpheretrembled. As a great shout of baffled rage welled up from without, Robert knew that they finally were off. Stung by their failure, two Martians rushed at the manhole. One of them managed to grip the rungs outside. The next instant he was precipitated forcibly back to the ground as theSphereshot upward, wrenching the rungs from his grasp. But Robert’s earlier assailant still sprawled, wounded and partly dazed, upon the lower steps. Then, abruptly, before they could prevent it, he rolled off into space with a wild cry!
Slamming the manhole cover shut, Robert and the professor made their way up into the main chamber. The princess was waiting for Robert with great anxiety. There, for the first, time, Robert met Hakon, her father, a dignified and robust man of middle age, with an imperious though pleasant manner. The beard, as affected by the emperor, was absent, but he wore a short, gray mustache that matched his heavy, graying hair.
“I can not express my gratitude for the service you and your companions are doing for my daughter and me, my friend,” he said in a pleasing, resonant voice. “I can only say that you shall all be fittingly rewarded upon our arrival in my country.”
“The privilege of rescuing your Highness and the princess is sufficient reward,” replied Robert.
“Can’t we go back and lick their army for you or something?” asked Taggert, looking at the princess in vast admiration.
“Our zealous companion possesses more enthusiasm than discretion,” said Professor Palmer, at which they all laughed.
Reaching a height of about a thousand feet, Robert started theSpheretoward the region of the planet’s north pole, having taken his direction from the slowly rising Phobus in the west after consultation with Professor Palmer and Zola’s father.
Taggert volunteering his culinary services, they all indulged in a light repast of canned salmon, fresh baked biscuits, in which Taggert excelled, jelly and tea.
The distance from their previous position just south of the equator being roughly 3,500 miles from the northern pole, Robert estimated that they could easily reach Zola’s country within six hours. However, as it would be more convenient as well as interesting to arrive after dawn he did not push theSphere. Their royal passengers were greatly interested in its mysteries, and far into the night Robert explained the intricacies of the wonderful machine to Zola and her father. Finally, however, they accepted Robert’s invitation to rest a few hours in one of the small rooms adjoining the main chamber, upon his promise to awaken them at dawn.
Shortly after they had retired, the gyrostats developed an overheated bearing, with the result that Robert was obliged to descend to a convenient expanse of desert to safely correct the trouble.
The remedy proved more difficult than expected and dawn was almost upon them by the time theSpherewas again ready for flight. Thereupon Robert decided to call their guests before taking flight.
The princess, in some manner unknown to most women, appeared looking fresh and lovely as she stepped from theSphereout into the rosy flush of the new dawn.
“Oh, it’s so good to get out into the open once more, and to know that we are free,” she cried. “It seems ages since we were made prisoners by that frightful usurper. How can we ever thank you enough?”
“Ah, princess, your happiness more than repays me,” replied Robert, who found himself strolling beside her.
Together they watched the eastern sky grow rapidly brighter while the others stood apart as if understanding their unvoiced desire to be alone.
“A strange dream came to me recently,” she murmured. “This brings it all back. I dreamed that I was alone in a vast jungle of horrible, twisted growths of huge thorns from which I could find no escape.”
“Then you came upon a small clearing,” Robert interrupted before he thought.
“Why—how did you know?” she breathed, her eyes alight with astonishment.
“I—I was there. That is, I, too, dreamed that I was there and that you came.”
The sun’s dazzling edge peered over the rim of the horizon, its warm rays nestling in her pale gold hair.
“And did—did you—oh, I know it sounds absurd—but did you not see me one night off in space as you journeyed to me in your wonderfulSphere?”
“That is how you knew I would come to you? How well do I remember! But then, as before, you slipped away from me. I have a terrible fear you will fade away, leaving me but a dream to remember you by.”
“No, no, no!” she cried earnestly; and then, as if suddenly embarrassed by the subtle admission just made, she flushed and turned away. As they walked quietly back toward theSpherewhere the others waited there was a song in Robert’s heart.
Once more they embarked on their journey toward the polar region. The gyrostats now operated faultlessly. Robert rose slowly to an altitude of about 2,000 feet.
Since their arrival on Mars Robert and Professor Palmer had established the existence of the canals, or ducts, thereby settling for all time—provided they succeeded in returning safely to Earth—the controversy over the most noted characteristic of Mars as seen from the Earth, the curious network of lines. Incidentally, they had seen the Martian deserts as well as both rural and city life on the planet. They were informed as to the correctness of their original conjecture as to the method of pumping the water from the poles to all sections of the globe. This was accomplished by means of electric pumping stations at intervals along each duct, the rays of the sun being absorbed and converted into electric energy for this purpose by the big checker board structures.
But the feature which, so far, had defied plausible explanation by all experts of our world, still remained a riddle to the adventurers. This was the “carets,” or triangular-shaped points which existed wherever the canals were seen to connect with one of the large, shaded regions.
These shaded regions also were a riddle. A theory that the latter were seas was exploded by the fact that in some instances the canal lines were visible running across them. For another thing it was agreed by practically all experts that the seas on Mars had long since dried up.
It was, therefore, with considerable excitement that Professor Palmer observed that they were nearing one of these regions. From a height of several thousand feet one of the “carets” could be seen plainly as they approached it.
As Robert lowered theSpheretoward it, Hakon showed signs of uneasiness. Still he held his peace until it became quite evident to him that his hosts intended approaching close to this section. Zola, too, was evidently perturbed.
“There is danger there, gentlemen,” said Hakon, finally. “I beg of you, do not go too close.”
“What is it?” questioned Professor Palmer, now intensely interested. Both he and Robert received the impression that some terrible physical force connected with the phenomenon threatened their safety. But in this they were quickly disillusioned by Hakon.
“We are now in the region of the usurper’s strongest support,” he told them. “It was the hotbed of traitors before he stole the throne, executing many of my loyal leaders. These people have, no doubt, been notified to be on the lookout for us and will try to destroy us with theirhilwaiif we approach within range.”
Hakon explained further thathilwaiwere a kind of large gun, electrically operated, in lieu of the obsolete kind in which explosives had been used in previous centuries, before the planet’s mineral supply had been virtually exhausted. These guns had a range of about twenty miles horizontally. Though this was not a very great distance, considering the weak gravity on Mars, it was sufficient to make it uncomfortably dangerous for them if they undertook to view the “caret” at close range.
Hakon was surprized to learn of their curiosity regarding the dark blotches and their caret-shaped junctures wherever they were joined to a canal, and readily explained this phenomenon.
“The dark regions are vast, low sections which were covered by seas ages ago,” he informed them. “The carets are formed by two branches from the main canal where it enters the low region. From these fanlike branches, and the main canal which crosses the bottom, the low country extending beyond is fed. Thus the lowlands, which formerly formed the sea bottom, are cultivated, resulting in the largest, richest and most productive regions on the planet. Even small, precious lakes are formed in the lowest spots, and occasionally there are light falls of rain, which are unknown in any other parts of the planet.”
Circling this region at a comfortable height, the adventurers examined it in turn through a telescope. What they saw tallied with Hakon’s explanation. The denser vegetation, fed directly from the main canal running across the bottom, appeared as a slightly darker strip. Two small lakes were visible. Both of these appeared to be only a mile or two in circumference. The western edge of the low region was hidden in a light cloud bank.
Leaving this region behind, Robert pushed on toward the polar region ahead at full speed. After an hour had passed thus, Hakon suggested descending closer to the surface, that he might watch for landmarks to direct them to their objective. Though the country here looked much like that near the equator, there seemed to be fewer canals; at any rate, there were fewer latitudinal canals, for they had crossed very few during the last half hour. However, they had the opportunity of observing one of the “double” canals, which was really two canals running parallel, some seventy-five miles apart. Hakon explained that this was in order to take advantage of exceptionally productive districts which justified this deviation from the regular scheme.
In this manner they neared what was perhaps the most northerly intersection of canals on the planet. Hakon directed Robert to land within the metropolis, which he called Svergad, situated in the center of the great oasis at this intersection.
Any doubt which Robert and his companions might have had regarding their reception in this new region was dispelled by the happy expression of anticipation on the princess’ countenance as they approached the large oasis which extended over the entire section between the two parallel canals where a third canal intersected them. It was plain that she was overjoyed at the prospect of returning to her beloved country.
They dropped swiftly. Guided by Hakon, Robert finally brought theSphereto rest in a large, open area paved with huge, grayish stones. These formed a vast courtyard behind a huge building of similar material. All around them reared impressive buildings, while the roofs of still others extended as far as they could see in all directions. They appeared to be in the heart of a metropolis that compared favorably with the one in which they had been captives. The large building adjoining the courtyard Robert correctly judged to be Hakon’s palace.
There was almost a total absence of foliage. This, Robert subsequently found out, was due to the odd indifference of the people of this country to the beauties of foliage, though water in this region was more plentiful than in the equatorial regions.
A number of men appeared from within the palace and approached them as Robert assisted the princess to alight from theSphere, followed by Hakon and the others.
As those approaching recognized them they hurried forward with evident delight, greeting them with demonstrations of deep regard. Hakon presented Robert and his companions to those assembled, telling of their aid and praising Robert especially in highest terms. That they were from another planet seemed no news. It was evident that the information as to theSphere’sarrival on Mars had already reached its farthest corners through the excellent system of wireless communication of which the Martians were masters.
They were promptly established in the palace as guests of highest honor. While separate apartments were offered each of them, at their mutual request Robert, Professor Palmer and Taggert were once more installed in one apartment where they could be constantly in one another’s company. Every convenience and luxury were theirs. At Hakon’s suggestion, an instructor called upon them every day to help them improve their knowledge of the Martian tongue, which service they were glad to avail themselves of, particularly Robert, who wished to be able to talk to the princess with less awkwardness.
The princess and her father visited them once or twice every day, while Professor Palmer became a great favorite with the learned men of the city, to whom he delighted in talking of the two planets, comparing astronomical data. In addition, the princess insisted upon Robert’s being with her every evening, and their acquaintance ripened into a great friendship. Robert found himself deeply in love with her, as indeed did everyone who knew her. But with Robert it was different. He felt as if he had known her always. He was ready to make any sacrifice for her, and began to wonder where all this was leading.
Meanwhile, Hakon had dispatched an ultimatum to the emperor, and was awaiting his response. Controlling, as he did, the water supply to virtually the entire northern hemisphere and part of the southern one, Hakon possessed a powerful weapon, though the usurper had by far the larger army.
It was during this period of tense waiting that Robert asked Hakon whether he had any objection to their visiting the reservoirs from which the canals were supplied, before the winter season was upon them. With customary acquiescence the latter readily offered to furnish them with a guide and any other assistance which they required for the trip.
Robert took leave of the princess with considerable reluctance. Never had he been able to entirely overcome a strange foreboding that sometime they would be separated and never see each other again.
Something of the same premonition must have been present in the princess’ mind that morning, for she seemed reluctant to let him go.
“I am sure that I’m selfish in saying it, but I do so wish you were not going on this journey. I won’t rest until I see you back.”
Her solicitude touched Robert deeply. As yet he had not told her of his love. Who was he to declare love to a princess? But he was sorely tempted to take her in his arms then and there—to tell her what was in his heart.
“It is but little more than a day’s journey there and back,” he replied, his voice a-quaver with the lure of her. “This is one of the chief features of your planet which the professor determined to defy the dangers of space to see. We must not disappoint him.”
“But it has proved fatal to many, and even your wonderfulSpheremay not return. Will you not let them go alone—Robert?”
She pronounced his name quaintly, like “Roe-bert.” It was the first time she had attempted to call him by his name, which she had heard his companions use. His pulse beat madly.
“Tell me,” he breathed, “do you care—Zola?”
She blushed adorably.
“Yes—Robert.”
His arms were suddenly about her. She buried her head on his shoulder with a little sigh, and clung to him.
“Now, you will not go?” she asked presently.
“I must, beloved,” he replied, tenderly. “They still depend upon me to operate theSpheresafely in an emergency. I can not refuse the professor this service. Why, if it hadn’t been for him, I could not have come to Mars, and you would still have been the emperor’s prisoner.”
“You are right. I’m afraid I am just a selfish girl with foolish fears. You must hurry now and come back to me quickly, dear.”
So they parted, Robert promising to come back to her as soon as possible, each striving to conquer a nameless fear that they would never see each other again.
A few hours later found theSphereapproaching the pole at a tremendous speed. Accompanying Robert and his companions were three Martian experts. Two of these were astronomers; the other, a professor of physics, acted as their guide.
Far away to the north a comparatively small expanse of white indicated what remained of the great polar cap of ice and snow that, during the winter, extended over the entire region.
“How is the water from the melting snows accumulated for distribution?” Taggert asked.
“As the spring advances, and the edges of the vast polar cap of snow begin to melt, the water is collected in the sea basins,” explained the professor of physics.
“But the task of running the great ducts beneath the shores of these seas in order to connect with and drain their lowest points seems almost an impossible one.”
“Quite true. That plan was finally rejected for that very reason. A system of siphons was built instead. Even this must have been a tremendous task—our history records that it required more than a century to complete it; yet so remarkable was this construction that the original work, now many centuries old, still remains in perfect condition.”
Robert dropped theSphereto within a half mile of the surface. They were passing over what appeared to be a great basin of some sea. Continuing northward they passed beyond the first great basin and over several smaller ones. The white polar cap was less than thirty miles away. As they neared it a small expanse of water in the lowest depressions of the basin became visible.
“Ah, that must be one of the siphons!” exclaimed Professor Palmer, pointing.
A small, sinuous ridge ran from the south along the bottom of the basin, disappearing in the little patch of water.
“Yes, that is one of them,” confirmed their guide. “No doubt it is perplexing to you as to how each canal is supplied with water without interruption as the water in the seas and the polar cap is consumed and recedes.”
“That is true,” admitted Professor Palmer.
“The people of our planet have long been masters of electricity. In fact, it has been the only available source of power on Mars for centuries. This power is utilized to manipulate the valves in the various siphons which feed each canal, insuring its usefulness until the last portion of the polar cap is virtually exhausted. Accurate maps of all polar sea basins exist, of course. The pumping station nearest the pole, on each canal, has one of these maps indicating every siphon and valve feeding that canal. As the water from the nearest basin is exhausted, the valve of that feed is closed by manipulation of a corresponding switch in the station, and one of the other feeds is opened. A chart of the retrogression of the seas with the declining season enables the attendant to drain each sea basin completely in its proper turn as the melting snow recedes.”
“Wonderful!” exclaimed Robert and Professor Palmer in unison.
Taggert was busily scribbling in his notebook.
In a short while theSpherehad reached the edge of the snow-cap. Immediately below, and stretching away some distance to the south and west, was a small sea, still well filled but covered with a smooth sheet of ice which reflected the rays of the low sun in a blinding, yellow blaze.
At the suggestion of their guide, Robert raised theSpheretill it was perhaps a mile high. From this point of vantage they could see the full extent of the polar cap. It seemed to be about twenty-five miles in diameter. They fancied they could see some of the canals beyond its farthest edge, though they could not be certain, because of a slight murkiness in the atmosphere in that direction.
Robert now lowered theSpherealmost to the surface of the snow and for a time they hovered over various parts of the cap. Quite different was this polar region from that of the Earth, for it was almost entirely one continuous, level sheet of snow and ice, without the great, towering icebergs and the mountain peaks which we associate with the arctic regions of our own world.
So far, their polar excursion had proved quite tame. Remembering the princess’ anxiety, Robert wondered whether it had been due entirely to imagination. He questioned the Martians as to the possible dangers of the region. They replied that, during the winter season, the region was noted for its sudden and terrific blizzards, which lasted for weeks at a time. According to them, the approaching winter was not expected to break for some weeks yet.
By common consent, theSpherewas landed on the shore of the sea which seemed to surround the shrunken cap. A layer of crystallike ice stretched off in three directions, unbroken except along the shore, where it was evident that the water beneath the ice was still being withdrawn, for the ice cakes were deposited in huge blocks on the sloping shore for several hundred yards beyond its present edge.
As they stepped from the protection of theSphere’scomfortable warmth the cold surprized them in its intensity, in spite of the heavy coats which they had donned for the occasion. A sharp breeze blew from across the polar cap. The horizon in that direction was partly hidden by the increasing murkiness which they had observed before from above.
A short walk along the shore before resuming their way back to the capital was suggested. Accordingly the little company picked their way over the rugged bottom above the broken incline of ice.
Queer shells and curious bits of rock were strewn about underfoot. Robert picked up a quantity of the prettiest specimens and put them in his pocket. Some were of the most beautiful tint, ranging from a delicate pink to an intense cerise, while others were of equally delightful shades of almost every color in the rainbow.
While their progress was slow over the rough ground, they found that they had covered nearly a mile at the end of some twenty minutes. The sea-bottom offering little further interest, it was decided to return to theSphere, especially as the sky was assuming a peculiar aspect. It seemed as if they were surrounded by a shrinking circle of darkness. The evident uneasiness of the Martians was anything but reassuring to Robert and his companions. All were plainly anxious to get back safely into the protecting walls of theSphere.
“I hope one of these Martian blizzards doesn’t surprize us,” remarked Taggert, eying the horizon speculatively, as they hurried along.
The blackening horizon seemed to be racing toward them.
“Frankly, I don’t like the looks of it,” said one of the Martians. “I believe we are in for a winter storm, which is likely to be none the less severe for its earliness.”
“I have observed the progress of one of these polar storms from the Earth,” contributed Professor Palmer. “Within twenty-four hours it had transformed this very pole from a cap of insignificant size to an expanse of snow extending over nearly a quarter of the northern hemisphere.”
A sudden flurry of large but scattered flakes of snow seemed to burst out of nowhere as he spoke.
“Well, it looks as if you are going to have a taste of one anyway,” Taggert cried.
TheSpherewas still quite plainly visible in the distance. But, probably because of the falling snow, theSphereseemed rather to have got farther away during the last few minutes instead of closer. Robert was conscious of a strange foreboding as he quickened his pace over the rough ground with the others.
The flurry quickly became a determined snowfall. The beautiful big flakes swirled round them dizzily, all but obscuring theSphereentirely from view. However, the ice would serve to guide them in case theSpherebecame invisible.
Resort to this method of guidance soon was a necessity. It proved to be not so simple as expected; for, as the flakes fell faster and faster, the great cakes of ice were not visible until they were almost upon them, and then they had an awkward habit of appearing only after the adventurers had fallen over them.
Stumbling along, with Professor Palmer keeping pace with difficulty beside him, Robert felt that surely they must have passed theSpherealready. It seemed to him that they had walked two miles or more since they had turned back, and still theSpherecould not be seen. He turned an instant and looked back half expecting to catch a glimpse of it behind. Taggert trudged along a few feet back; the others were strung out two or three yards in the rear.
A minute later Robert heard a muffled cry behind him. He turned just in time to see Taggert fall and slip from view in the blinding snow. Robert took a quick step to the reporter’s aid. The next instant his feet shot from under him and he tobogganed down the slippery incline of ice toward the sea.
One thought reassured him as he felt the smooth surface racing past him: the level, unbroken expanse of ice over the sea would surely stop him when he reached it. But, hard on the heels of this thought, came the realization that, with all sense of direction lost out on the expanse of ice in a blinding snow, he might blunder farther and farther away from theSphere. He earnestly hoped that the end of his slide would at least bring him close to Taggert.
Presently he reached the bottom of the incline and shot out over the smooth, frozen surface of the sea. Here his momentum was quickly checked. As soon as he could regain his feet he stood up and peered round him. But only the driving snow, which all but obscured his hand before him, rewarded his gaze. He shouted several times, listening intently after each call. The snow seemed to muffle his cries in the making. Nothing was visible round him but a mil of snowflakes. His ears tingled with the bitter cold even under the fur cap he wore. He shouted again, removing his cap to listen afterward.
A faint answering cry floated back to him; but whether this was simply the rebound of his own cry from the dense wall of snow he did not know. As he continued to listen the same faint cry again came to him, this time a bit stronger, seemingly from away to his left. He clapped his cap on and strode off in that direction.
Several times he called out again, stopping to listen each time. Again that faint echo mocked him, but this time it seemed to come from behind. The well-known difficulty of determining the direction from which a sound comes in a fog came to Robert’s mind, and he despaired as he realized the same difficulty in attempting to find a distant call in the falling snow.
Just then the cry sounded again, and this time it was undeniably plainer. Robert shouted in reply and was overjoyed to hear it once more increased in volume. He hurried toward it, shouting and listening alternately.
A moment later Taggert strode from out of the white veil.
“The wandering echo found at last,” Robert greeted him, while they pounded each other on the back in joyous relief.
“Where in Sam Hill are we?” Taggert wanted to know.
“Question is, in which direction is theSphere?” cried Robert.
“Well put. What’s the answer?”
“Have you any idea from what direction you slid out here?”
“Nope. Have you?”
They stared at each other blankly. Then the ridiculousness of their cross-questioning struck them and they laughed together. For the moment the seriousness of their plight was forgotten. The white flakes swirled about them, settling upon their heads and shoulders till they looked like snow-men.
An idea suddenly occurred to Robert.
“This storm arrived from ahead of us when we were on our way back to theSphere, didn’t it?” he asked.
“Believe it did,” agreed Taggert.
“Well, then, unless the direction of the wind has changed, we have only to push on at right angles to it, with it blowing on our left, to eventually come upon the shore which we left.”
“Right you are!” exclaimed Taggert, after a moment’s reflection.
So they pushed ahead in the direction indicated for several minutes, making fair progress in spite of the rapidly increasing wind which swept the smooth ice clean, leaving a difficult footing. Each minute they expected to come upon the slope up the shore, where they hoped to find a crevice in the raised cakes which would offer sufficient footing to scramble up the slick incline to the ground beyond. Still the blank wall of driven white revealed nothing but the level floor of ice, ever stretching a few feet ahead of them as they shuffled along.
“Seems as if we should have raised something by this time,” said Taggert presently.
“The wind must have shifted,” said Robert. “If it hasn’t changed much, though, we should reach the shore anyway soon.”
So they continued onward, half blinded by the snow, the bitter wind whipping round their bodies. With each step the hope of reaching theSpherebecame weaker. The princess’ anxiety recurred to Robert as he plodded doggedly on ahead of Taggert. He wondered dully whether he should ever see her again. Well, at any rate, she was once more safely within her own country. He was thankful for that much. His reflections were cut short suddenly as he sprawled forward upon the ice, tripping up Taggert, who was following him closely. Caught unawares, Robert fell on all fours, knocking the breath out of him.
“’T’ell!” spluttered Taggert, scrambling up.
As Robert also struggled to his knees he saw that he had tripped over a crevice in the ice. It was the edge of a slightly higher block which sloped upward. The realization came to him suddenly that they had finally reached their first goal!
After some difficulty they managed to clamber up one of the perpendicular cracks between the slippery blocks.
Upon reaching the ground, where the snow had now collected several inches deep, they looked about eagerly but in vain for some sign of theSphere, or of their erstwhile companions.
“There is nothing for us to do but to plod on against the wind until we reach the point where we left theSphere,” said Robert. “We should be near where we slipped down before.”
“Lead on,” said Taggert.
Once more they plodded ahead, keeping close to the ice blocks on their left. The now fine snow drove directly into their faces with stinging force, making it almost impossible to keep their eyes open enough to see.
For half an hour they pursued their way painfully. Only the exertion kept them from freezing in the increasing cold. The fierce wind whined about them hungrily, pitilessly, as if eager to make an end of them, while the eddies and drifts of snow round each depression or rock grew steadily deeper and more nearly impossible for them to plow through as their strength waned.
Robert realized that ere this they should certainly have reached the vicinity of theSphere, but the snow restricted their view to a radius of less than ten feet. Unless they were fortunate enough to run right up on theSphere, their chances of sighting it were remote. Even now they had lost touch with the border of ice, and, but for the uniform slope of the ground, and the general direction of the wind, would not have known whether they were still following the shore in the original direction or not. They shouted together many times but got no response. The snowfall and howling wind so muffled their cries that they despaired of being heard. Having continued on for some minutes longer they decided finally to go no farther, as they were convinced that they had already passed the point where they had left, theSphere. A convenient rock, some ten feet high and of about the same breadth, offered temporary shelter.
“If Professor Palmer fired a shot we should hear it here,” Taggert suggested.
“I doubt it,” replied Robert. “This hubbub and the muffling effect of the snowfall might drown a report within a hundred yards.”
Here a startling thought occurred to Robert. What if the Martians took advantage of Professor Palmer’s isolation and made off with theSphere?
“Why the silence and corrugated brow?” queried Taggert “An idea?”
“An idea, but no good,” Robert responded, forcing a grin.
“Well, you needn’t grin about it. I don’t see anything comical about the prospect of being buried under several tons of snow,” chided Taggert.
The wind had fashioned a sheltered hollow in the lee of the rock where they had taken refuge. The intense cold which prevailed in spite of the heavy snowfall, however, made it imperative that they keep in motion to avoid being frozen. Already Robert recognized a warning feeling of drowziness. He shook himself alert with an effort.
“Can’t sit here,” he said, suiting the action to the word by rising and stamping his feet. Stabbings as of a thousand needles seemed to run through them at first. If only there were some fuel! Matches they had in plenty.
Taggert struck a listening attitude. A familiar humming was faintly audible above the whine of the blizzard!
Together they listened with bated breath as the humming grew plainer. Alas, a few moments later it passed away, and with it went their hopes.
“Missed us,” ejaculated Taggert, with an involuntary oath.
The realization that theSpherehad just passed them by in a vain search for them brought their already drooping spirits to zero for a while. Here had been safety and comfort within perhaps a few rods, and they had been unable to make their presence known. Robert pictured Professor Palmer’s anxious gaze as he peered downward into the veil of flying snow.
“Cheer up, Tag,” Robert admonished, with an attempt at enthusiasm which his feelings belied. “The professor will be doubling back trying to find us. He’ll run up on us yet.”
“Maybe he will—if he doesn’t bounce the old ball into the lake,” replied Taggert, doubtfully. “Say, I wish one of us had brought a ‘gat’ along so that we could signal him if he gets near us again.”
For several minutes they stamped about their cramped shelter, beating their arms round their bodies in an effort to keep up their circulation. As the time slipped by without further sound of theSpheretheir hopes dropped still lower. The situation was becoming desperate.
Their dismal reflections were abruptly interrupted by a resumption of the humming sound, heralding the approach of theSphereagain. Both men stiffened, listening intently, the spark of revived hope burning again within their breasts as the fleeting moments passed. Would theSpherecome close enough in this game of blind man’s buff to discover them? Or would it pass them by again, leaving them finally to their doom?
The prospect of freezing to death in the arctic region of a strange planet seemed a dreadful thing. In the heat of battle a man may find death in the midst of wild enthusiasm and patriotism. But here, hemmed in by a wall of beautiful, but deadly, flying flakes, there was no excitement to mask the death awaiting them—only a fearful realization of their fate, millions of miles away from their countrymen—alone! Yet in those fateful moments Robert’s thoughts were mainly of Zola. Would he ever see her again?
With leaping heart he realized that theSpherewas coming closer—closer than before. He strained his eyes as he endeavored to pierce the intangible walls of their vast prison. Ah, what was that dark blur hurtling through the white froth? It was passing them by again. He joined with Taggert in his shouts. Fools, to think their muffled cries could rise above the tumult of the gale and the whir of theSphere’smachinery, piercing its thick, metal walls!
The fast-fading blur seemed to pause in its flight a moment. But even as they dared to hope, it passed out of sight again. Then quite abruptly it appeared again, this time moving toward them slowly, less than a dozen feet above the ground. TheSphere’sbulging walls plowed through the snow as it swooped down, sending up a great flurry of the fine flakes. Robert caught himself idly likening it to a cannon ball fired into a great bin of flour.
His next recollection was of stumbling up the short flight of metal stairs into the comfortable warmth of theSphere’smain chamber, aided by Professor Palmer.
The Martians seemed genuinely concerned over their plight, and offered a confusion of advice. Fortunately, neither Robert nor Taggert had suffered any serious damage from their severe buffeting in the elements and were soon quite comfortable.
Robert, unable to shake off a strange feeling that the princess was in danger, and anxious to return to her in all haste, insisted on operating theSphereagain. The big metal ball fairly quivered as he utilized its maximum power to reduce the distance between them and the capital as rapidly as possible.
Exerting the full power of the disk, Robert shot theSphereupward. Suddenly they emerged from the gray twilight of flying flakes into the sunshine. Beneath them the turbulent mists boiled and tumbled as if with anger over the escape of their prey.
A few minutes later Robert checked theSphere’supward flight, darting southward toward the metropolis and his princess at a terrific speed.
Darkness came on quickly after leaving the pole as they passed into the night which had long since enveloped that part of the planet toward which they were headed. Like a cannon ball theSphereroared southward, the dim topography of the planet swaying dizzily below.
Prevailed upon by Robert, the others had decided to snatch some rest after a light repast. But he felt no fatigue in his anxiety to reach the princess.
The sun’s edge was peeping over the horizon once more as they neared Svergad. The others woke up and watched their approach interestedly. Soon the spires and domes of the northern metropolis appeared in the distance. A few minutes later they were drifting preparatory to landing.
Suddenly one of the Martians gasped.
“The enemy!” he cried, pointing.
All eyes followed his outstretched arm. Thousands of tents dotted the level plain beyond the city’s distant boundary, extending in all directions and partly encircling the city!
Upon their arrival in the palace, Robert and his companions found the royal household in an uproar. The emperor’s army, vastly superior in numbers and weapons, had already fought its way round two sides of the city and was fast surrounding it. Striking with unexpected promptness, and transported swiftly the greater part of the distance by rail, the advance forces had appeared before the city shortly after theSphere’sdeparture for the pole. Thus did the emperor elect to reply to Hakon’s ultimatum. In another day the Svergadians expected to be in a state of absolute siege.
It must not be supposed that the Martians had done away with arms and soldiers, even though they enjoyed one universal government. Rebellions were not unknown, and the central government had its hands full keeping all factions quiet. Emperor Kharnov, himself a usurper, maintained a strong army, ostensibly for policing and preserving order, but in reality to protect himself against the aspirations of his numerous enemies.
With but some seventy hours of food supply within the city boundaries, the situation seemed desperate. So far, Kharnov had made no specific demands, but it was expected that the conditions which he would dictate after encircling the city would hinge upon the possession of Zola.
It was in this hour of impending disaster that Robert had greatness thrust upon him. With implicit confidence in Robert’s ability, Hakon begged him to take charge of his forces to resist the invader. Zola’s trustful belief in him and her urging decided Robert. He became chief commander of the besieged forces.
Immediately upon his appointment Robert in turn appointed Taggert as his aid and placed Professor Palmer in charge of the palace defenses. His next step was to organize an immediate surprize counter-attack upon the invaders. Though he had not slept in many hours, during which time he had endured much, Robert felt no desire for sleep. The excitement and emergency confronting him buoyed him up for the time. He refused to rest until forced to.
Another hasty ascent in theSphererevealed to them the exact situation. The emperor’s main army had pushed northward along the fertile region of one of the two great parallel canals. It had stopped south of the metropolis, sending out smaller contingents in either direction to begin the encircling movement. This movement had already made considerable progress, encountering little resistance in the nearly deserted, small outlying towns whose loyal defenders had all rallied to Hakon’s main forces in Svergad. The right spur of the invaders had made the most progress, having succeeded in pushing more than half-way round the metropolis.
It was at this right spur that Robert decided to strike first, in an attempt to take it by surprize, cutting it off from the main army, with the hope of defeating it before the main army could come to its aid. He also planned to launch an attack simultaneously upon the main army in an effort to divert its attention from the spur.
A brief council of war with Hakon and his leaders followed, in which the exact point of attacks were determined upon. Also, orders were wired to all loyal pumping stations situated near the southern edge of the regions loyal to Hakon to shut off the water supply. This would deprive Kharnov’s supporters in the region of the equator of all water supplied by ducts leading from the northern polar cap; thus the emperor’s armies and his present supporters would soon be confronted with the difficult problem of existing without water in many regions. An ultimatum, demanding the immediate withdrawal of his forces and informing him of the discontinuance of the water supply until his retreat was well under way, was dispatched to Kharnov at once.
A system of signals from theSpherewas decided upon. It was agreed that, as a weapon of destruction and direction, theSpherewas their most powerful aid. The greatest concern was over the dwindling supply of petrol in its tanks, and the extreme difficulty which Hakon’s best chemists were having in obtaining enough of the planet’s meager supply of mineral oils to produce any quantity of this fuel. Robert was facing the alternative of either remaining to help defend Zola and her people with the possibility of never being able to return to the Earth, or of returning at once with the now barely sufficient supply of petrol to make the trip. He felt that he owed his companions the chance to decide, though he himself was determined to stand by the princess in any event.
“Old man, I’m with you to the finish. Aren’t we all partners in this adventure anyway?” was Taggert’s reply when Robert told him of their quandary.
And Professor Palmer echoed him.
Without further delay the attacks were launched. Lacking any means of observation from above, the invaders were at a disadvantage in spite of their superior numbers. The separation of the spur from the main body was accomplished as planned, and a second body of Hakon’s men striking at the head of the column of invaders completed their rout, killing many and taking the rest prisoners.
The arms captured were a welcome acquisition; but the problem of feeding several thousand prisoners was a difficult one. Fortunately, a small food supply train was captured with them. They were immediately put to work throwing up earthworks and conveying heavy equipment about.
One general and several other high officers were captured. A special guard was set over these valuable hostages, for their possession would be of advantage to Hakon when terms came to be considered.
During the attack Robert had directed his forces by means of a simple smoke tube apparatus with which theSpherewas equipped, and by means of which long or short puffs of dense black smoke were ejected by manipulation of a plunger. The smoke was produced in a small oven chamber from ignited briquettes.
As the attack progressed perfectly, Robert did not utilize the terrible destructive force of the Norrensen Tube. Owing to the small reserve of petrol and consequently of electric energy depending upon it, he decided to withhold all knowledge of this weapon from their enemies until a particularly opportune time for its use presented itself. The enemy was not so considerate of him, however. Several times projectiles fired by their artillery screamed uncomfortably close past theSphere. Fortunately these had no means of bursting, there being no explosives available on the planet.
The immediate effect of their successful attack upon the invaders was the latters’ withdrawal of their left encircling spur, and an evident preparation for a concentrated frontal attack.
Having looked to all important details of preparation to resist such an attack, Robert snatched a few hours of sleep. He lay down with his clothes on, exacting the promise that he would be wakened upon the first signs of an actual attack. Pickets were posted so that the enemy could not approach closer without their knowledge. TheSpherehad been brought down again and Robert and his companions rested in their quarters within the palace.
It was not till close upon dawn that Robert was aroused by Taggert’s shaking him vigorously.
“Hate to do it, Bob,” he was saying, as Robert sat up suddenly, “but those Wops are getting ready to raise hell again. Old Kharnov has sent a note of defiance, stating that as he will shortly be in possession of Svergad the temporary shutting off of the water supply doesn’t matter.”
Robert was on his feet in a moment and was striding through the doorway when he became aware of a hesitant restraining hand upon his arm. He turned to see Zola at his side. She crept into his arms.
“Darling!”
“Ah, my Robert, they would not let me come to you because Zola’s love does not matter when everyone is so busy fighting. But I couldn’t let you go away again without seeing you.”
“Little ghost! You come and go like a dream. How did you get here at this time?”
“Taggert, he helped me. No one else knows but my maid.”
“Good old Tag! But now I must hurry, dear, to help fight for you.”
“Take me with you, Ro-bert.”
“Not now, sweetheart. Stay here in safety till I return, and then you shall go back home with me if you wish,”
“And be with you always, my Robert?”
“Always!”
Here Taggert appeared suddenly, as from nowhere.
“Sorry to interrupt your tête-à-tête, people, but we must be getting on.”
A hurried leave-taking followed. Zola placed in Robert’s hands a small package, which he did not have time to examine then.
A thick haze hung over the dark landscape, which was just visible in the dim starlight. A tense quiet prevailed.
TheSphere’sstall was readied quickly. All was well, and a few minutes later Robert and Taggert were rising rapidly in it above the sleeping city. The package given Robert by Zola was discovered to contain a small bottle of excellent wine and somelana, a nutritious cake, both of which were quite welcome, as he had not eaten anything for several hours.
Rising to a height of about four thousand feet, Robert allowed theSphereto drift slowly over the enemy’s lines. With the ports open, the sound of activity below came to them with startling clearness. It was plain that preparations were being made for an attack on the city.
Robert had reduced the speed of the gyrostats to a minimum in order that the invaders might not be aware of its proximity. Every light in theSpherewas extinguished. It hung above the busy Martians—a great, dark globe of unsuspected menace.
Suddenly a sharp command rang out below. Immediately there followed a series of flashes accompanied by a corresponding series of dull thuds—sounds of the curious Martian electric artillery in action. Robert’s heart sank as he thought of Zola’s danger.
With the first thuds of the artillery below and the answering fire from the metropolis, the entire plain seemed fairly to seethe with activity. Bugles were blown, and commands rang out above the other sounds.
Robert switched on theSphere’sgiant searchlight. A blinding shaft of light shot down upon the broiling mass of humanity beneath. A great cry of consternation was wafted up to them.
“Not exactly elated at our presence,” remarked Taggert, dryly.
“We’ll be about as welcome as a plague a few minutes from now,” remarked Robert.
Swinging the reflector about, he followed every movement of the army of invaders, pausing at intervals to flash instructions to the defenders by a prearranged code of signals corresponding to the smoke signals of the day. Already the enemy was swarming upon the small force of defenders in the outskirts of the metropolis.
Several projectiles sang past theSphere, indicating that the invaders were not going to submit to its presence idly. A number of smaller searchlights were directed upon it from beneath, almost blinding Robert and Taggert as their eyes sought to pierce the darkness below. The invaders were not without defense.
Adopting a swift, staggered course, Robert managed partly to avoid the blinding beams of light. Instructing Taggert to continue these tactics, Robert prepared to use theSphere’spowerful weapon, the Norrensen Tube, against their enemies. He prayed only that it would not fail him now, and that their power would hold out long enough.
Calling out to Taggert to steady theSphere’scourse, Robert carefully aimed the tube into the thickest of the invaders where Taggert played the searchlight’s shaft back and forth. Robert pulled the lever releasing the lightning bolt!
A blinding flash, and a rending crash followed! TheSpherevibrated like a violin string. Only the goggles which they wore made it possible for Robert and Taggert to look upon the jagged pillar of incandescent flame which spattered upon the plain below with terrific force. So swift and brilliant was its course, that almost ere it had registered upon the retina of their eyes, it was gone, leaving them nearly powerless to see.
When they were again able to see and hear with fair distinctness, they became aware of a great hubbub below. The firing of the artillery had ceased and the attack of the invaders had turned into a rout. Hakon’s men were driving them back like sheep!