Chapter V: A Desperate Act (6)

The helmet was strapped on Saranoff. Instantly an expression of the utmost anguish crossed his face. Shriek after shriek of agony came from his writhing lips. Relentlessly the king applied more power. The cries of the Russian grew heartrending. Suddenly he grew rigid and slumped forward in his chair. Astok impassively manipulated his instrument. After half an hour, he opened the switch and removed the helmet. Under the ministrations of Jumor the Russian revived. The king sat in secret thought for an hour.

"I have examined the brains of all of you," he announced at length, "and I find hopeless contradictions. Each of you believes thoroughly in his own social order. Both tell me of hopeless misery on the part of a large portion of his people. Both tell of horrible wars and suffering beyond my comprehension. The thoughts of all of you teem with modes of bringing death to your fellow beings. Your entire science his been perverted to the ends of destruction. Nothing of the sort can be realized by the Selom where truth, justice and mercy prevail. Each of you holds that his form of government is better than the other, and will cause less suffering and misery than the others'. None of you hold out hope of happiness for your fellow beings. I do not know which system is less obnoxious. My decision is made. The Selom will not interfere in the affairs of the upper-earth. You may fight out your battles without aid and without interference.

"I will operate on both Ivan Saranoff and Dr. Bird. I will remove from their minds all knowledge of our science and instruments and leave them in the same condition that they were when they entered my realms. Each of you will then be returned to upper-earth, Ivan Saranoff to Russia, Dr. Bird and Mr. Carnes to the United States. The pilots, whom I hold prisoners, will have their mentalities restored and be returned to their homes. The planes we have captured, I will send off into time so that they can never be used for the misery of upper-earth men again. Jumor, you will carry out these orders."

* * * * *

"I wish I could remember how that time machine was built and operated," said Dr. Bird reflectively, as he sat in his private laboratory in the Bureau of Standards some time later, "but Jumor did his work well. I can't even remember what the thing looked like."

"Well, Doctor, our trip below wasn't a loss. We removed a very real menace to the established order of things and we have got rid of Saranoff temporarily. It will take him some time to return here from Russia."

"Three weeks or less," said Dr. Bird pessimistically. "However, we have gained one other thing. Did you notice this?"

He pulled what looked like a watch from his pocket. Carnes regarded it with a puzzled expression.

"No, Doctor, what is it?"

"It is a very small camera which takes pictures one-half inch by seven-eighths. I had several opportunities to use it. I wasn't sure that it would work on such short waves, but it did. When Saranoff tries to return to this country, he will find that every immigration inspector and every member of the border patrol has an excellent likeness of him. That may hinder his entrance into the country for a little while."

A CLASSIFICATION OF THE UNIVERSE

A classification of everything in the universe, from the smallest thing yet measured, the electron, less than a millionth of a millionth of an inch in extent, to the biggest, a star system of a thousand million trillion miles, was described recently by Prof. Harlow Shapley of Harvard in a lecture at the commerce center of the College of the City of New York.

Looking forward to a time when man will be able to measure even smaller things than the electron and larger than the greatest star system, Prof. Shapley explained that he had left the classification "open at both ends."

Man, Prof. Shapley said, occupies a very small place in all this system, although, beside an electron or an atom, he is not so negligible, at that.

"The survey," it was explained, "aims toward giving perspective. It gives a sane and modest view of man's place in the scheme.

"The significance of the classification lies in the skeleton which is afforded all science to bring some measure of order out of the world's present chaotic knowledge of the systems of various kinds.

"All systems find a place in this synthesis--atoms, comets and galaxies; man, radiation and the space-time complex. When looked at in this objective way, human beings, and all associated terrestrial organisms, appear only parenthetically in one of the subdivisions of the class of colloidal aggregates."

Prof. Shapley discussed the concept of the cosmoplasma.

"This," it was explained, "is at once the most mysterious and fundamental part of the universe, and only recently has come under direct experimental study. In brief, it is the substratum of materials throughout the universe, between planets, stars and the galaxies.

"It has no obvious systematic organization. Hence it includes such diverse constituents as the high speed shooting stars, interstellar calcium gas and radiation itself.

"Though no one has even seen an electron, the smallest thing included in the classification, they have been proved to exist in several ways. They give forth flashes of light that can be photographed. They have caused the bending of X-rays as they pass through a substance."

_A Meeting Place for Readers of_ Astounding Stories]

_Likes the "Corner"_

Dear Editor:

This month's issue, May, has the best collection of letters
you've ever published. All it lacked was a letter from
Bernard J. Kenton, that master of epistles and super-science
stories. One of your Readers would like to have "The
Readers' Corner" omitted. For heaven's sake, don't take it
out! I recognize it as one of the best features of our mag,
and whenever I open the covers, turn to it directly after
having glimpsed the table of contents and the announcement
of the stories to appear in the forthcoming issue.

Mr. Joseph R. Barnes--whose letter I enjoyed immensely,
incidentally--will be interested in knowing that "The Mascot
Deep" is already in book form and that "The Disintegration
Machine" and "When the World Screamed," all by the same
author, are under the same covers. He also will be
interested in learning that Ray Cummings' fine story, "Sea
Girl," is also between hard covers.

The idea of putting out a quarterly is a dandy. The other
science fiction quarterlies are mere text-books; there are,
occasionally, of course, a few exceptions. The thought of
the sort of fantastic action stories Astounding Stories
publishes, put together in a magazine doubly thick, is a
pleasing one to contemplate. Reading a story the length of
"Brigands of the Moon" and of such literary merit, complete
in one issue, is a thrill to be looked forward to. By all
means put out such a magazine and have stories by Jack
Williamson, R. F. Starzl and Edmond Hamilton, three of your
best writers, in the first issue.

I'm glad to see that Starzl is coming back with the next
issue. More from him, please. And Hamilton and Williamson
should appear more frequently, too.

A question, Mr. Cummings: Shades of Polter and Tugh!--why
must you always have a deformed character in your stories?
Do they appeal to your dramatic sense?

The news that we're going to have a story from Francis Flagg
brings raptures of delight to my homely face. If it's a
dimensional story, I'll cheer twice. When it comes to
writing that kind of a story, Flagg's the king of them all.
For sheer interest and originality, he's got his
contemporaries in that field outdistanced with a distance
that can only be counted by light-years.

A pat on the back for Booth Cody and Sears Langwell, two
staunch supporters.

All our magazine needs is a story about time crusaders, or a
planet of mechanical men.

Omitting the authors already mentioned, I considered my
favorites to be Rousseau, Eshbach, Diffin, Ernst, and Hal K.
Wells.

The best story you ever published? Who am I to answer? Why
not put it up to the Readers for popular vote?--Jerome
Siegel, 10522 Kimberley Ave., Cleveland, Ohio.

_Explanation Wanted_

Dear Editor:

This is my first letter to you, but I am a consistent Reader
of Astounding Stories, and look forward to all of the coming
issues. I have in mind a question, a friendly one, not one
that I expect to or hope will seem to be trying to dampen
any theories. This rocket-ship propulsion: as I understand
it, there is a void between all planets, etc. If this is the
case, how then can a rocket-propelled space ship go across
this void? Since the exhaust of the rockets must rely on
some material of a sort, or rather some sort of resistance
to push the ship along, how does it push on nothing? Of
course, near Earth it has the ground and then the atmosphere
to push from, but out in the void, why not cut off and save
fuel, therefore saving an extra heavy load of explosives, if
rocket-ships were really practical in space flying? Yours
for a thicker Astounding Stories--H. M. Crowson, Jr.,
Sumter, S. C.

_Better Than Love Stories_

Dear Editor:

I have started to read the Astounding Stories and enjoy it
very much, although I do not find very many girls writing in
to the "Corner." This mag is a thousand times better than
all those love story magazines, and besides these stories
are educational.

I would rather read Astounding Stories than eat. They are
not too scientific to be boresome, but they are just good
enough to be real interesting.

I wish you would publish some more stories like "The Lake of
Light," "Dark Moon," etc. I especially like stories of the
future and interplanetary novels.

Anyone wishing to correspond with me will be welcome, as I
love to write letters, and especially to anyone interested
in the same things that I am.--(Miss) Bernice Goldberg, 147
Crescent Drive, Mason City, Iowa.

_Kidding the Editor_

Dear Editor:

I have just finished your January, 1932, issue of Astounding
Stories. It was superb.

Imagine my delight and surprise when I purchased the first
issue this year! Smooth edges! Good quality of paper! I had
a few other articles to purchase but I forgot all about
them when I saw your magazine and rushed home to read it.

It had a most admirable cover design by your best artist, H.
W. Wesso. I turned to the Contents Page. The first story was
by my favorite author, Ray Cummings, and called "The Space
Car to Mars." Hot dog! My favorite theme, interplanetary
travel.

All the rest of the Authors were my favorites too! Edmond
Hamilton, Capt. S. P. Meek, S. P. Wright, A. J. Burks and a
short story by Jack Williamson.

I turned to the next page and lo and behold, what do I see
but an editorial. Wonders after wonders! It was called "The
Possibilities of Space Travel." I was by this time beginning
to think that at last the Editor had achieved a perfect
magazine, and when I turned to the first story, the one by
Ray Cummings, I knew it. There was a double-page
illustration by Wesso in soft and realistic _colors_! Think
of it! _Colored_ illustrations for each story!

Well, I was so excited that I could hardly read, but at last
I began. Boy, can Ray Cummings write interplanetary stories!
Y como! (And how!) He wove scientific explanations into the
story so very skillfully that one learned the scientific
facts without knowing it. When he thought that the
explanation of some invention would be boresome, he put a
little note at the foot of the page. This, I remembered, was
an admirable feature in his story "Brigands of the Moon,"
which you published two years ago.

I then turned to "The Readers' Corner" only to discover that
its name had been changed to "The Observatory." (I expect
this name was taken from the suggestion of P. Leadbeater in
the March, 1931, issue.) I discovered also, to my delight,
that at the end of each letter the Editor made a few
comments. I finished reading the Readers' letters and on the
next page I found this leadline: "Science Questions and
Answers." I read these with enthusiasm.

I forgot to mention the raise in the price to twenty-five
cents, but that is immaterial to me now since I have the
perfect science fiction magazine. You have surely hitched
your wagon (magazine) to a star now!--Clay Ferguson, Jr.,
510 Park St. S. W., Roanoke, Va.

_Sugar Candy_

Dear Editor:

It is very seldom that I write to any page like "The
Readers' Corner" but I have gotten rather tired of all those
knocks. So I am writing to say that I have missed only one
of your issues since the second, (Feb. 1930) and have found
only one not to my liking, and I have forgotten what that
is.

I have no comment to make on your Authors. I don't care who
writes it or what his literary reputation is--as long as
the story is good; and you wouldn't print it if it weren't.

As for exact scientific data--away with it. Some may wish to
be bored with it, but I prefer action. I like your pictures.
They are bizarre and give one an idea of what the Author is
trying to convey. And they intrigue the interest before the
story is read. I also like the size, because it is not
awkward, and I like the edges because they make the pages
easy to turn.--Mrs. Margaret M. Phinney, 1632 W. 3rd,
Plainfield, N. J.

"_Becoming a Habit_"

Dear Editor:

The May Astounding Stories seems to have nothing but
complimentary letters in it. Mr. Magnuson probably tore out
his hair when he saw all those letters. Not that Astounding
Stories fully deserves all that praise. As one Reader said,
words are inadequate to describe how wonderful your magazine
is; however, I do not agree with those who denounce some of
the Readers for making criticisms and suggestions. No
magazine can be absolutely perfect, although Astounding
Stories comes pretty near it. Even if it were perfect, the
Readers would have to keep on making criticisms and
suggestions in order to keep it that way. Besides, "The
Readers' Corner" would become pretty dull and lifeless if
you printed nothing but flattering letters. Most of the
Readers who make unfavorable criticisms really have the
welfare of the magazine in mind, else they wouldn't write at
all. All of them aren't grouches. For example: a certain
person sent one of the Science Fiction magazines about the
most vicious and uncomplimentary letter that magazine had
ever received. Yet in this issue of Astounding Stories he
jumps on the knockers for daring to say anything against
Astounding Stories! So you see that all knockers are not
hopeless!

I notice that you have complied with one of my requests, and
have published an autobiography of Mr. Wentzler, although
there is no picture. Perhaps, as Mr. Wentzler suggests, that
is for the best. The readers of Astounding Stories are
accustomed to pictures of grotesque and weird-looking
inhabitants of other planets, but a picture of Mr. Wentzler
may prove to be too much. Or, if you do put it in, you might
entitle it "Wesso's Conception of a Martian."

I hope Mr. Wentzler does not take the above paragraph too
seriously. Like him, I was hit on the head when I was but a
babe. In my case, it was a bronze statue that proved to be
my undoing. Unfortunately, they were never able to
straighten out the bend in that statue, which was the result
of its contact with my dome.

As for the stories in the May issue, they were all perfect,
every one of them. Having all the stories perfect in each
issue is becoming a habit with you. Keep up this habit. For
first place I nominate "When the Moon Turned Green." I
considered Mr. Wells' previous story, "The Gate to Xoran"
the best short story you had ever printed, but the later one
surpasses it. You will not be making a mistake if you give
us many more stories by this Author. I do not need to say
anything else about the rest of the stories--they are all
excellent.

Don't you think that it is about time for Astounding Stories
to become a semi-monthly?--Michael Fogaris, 157 Fourth
Street, Passaic, N. J.

_Located at Last_

Dear Editor:

I read every Science Fiction magazine on the market, and can
truthfully say that yours is the best of them all.

Of course, there is always room for improvement, and some of
the stories published in the May issue were not so hot. Meek
always gives me a pain in the neck, but Cummings is an ace,
though the installment in this issue dragged considerably.
In Diffin you have a master writer; and I was tickled to
death to see finally in "our" mag a story by that peerless
team, Schachner and Zagat.

I was wondering how long it would take you to locate them,
as you have done with most of the other stars in Science
Fiction.--Bill Merriam, Ocean Front, Venice, Cal.

_"Stories Aid Considerably"_

Dear Editor:

I cannot rightfully say what story was the best in
Astounding Stories. For the man who balances stories for
their values is just kidding himself. That is my theory and
I am ready at all times to stand in back of it.

Though I have only been reading Astounding Stories since
January, I am a thoroughly convinced fan. For the past two
years I have been puttering with chemistry and physics in a
laboratory of my own, and the science mentioned in these
stories aids considerably.

I would sincerely appreciate letters from Readers of
Astounding Stories. I will answer all.--Lawrence Schumaker,
1020 Sharon St., Jamesville, Wis.

_To the Rescue, Somebody!_

Dear Editor:

You're getting better all the time. The April number was the
best yet, and the May issue is not far behind it. The cover
on the May issue was wonderful.

"Dark Moon" is the best story by Diffin that you have yet
printed. "When the Moon Turned Green" and "The Death Cloud"
are both masterpieces.

"The Exile of Time" is a fine story, but I cannot understand
the explanations. How could the murder of Major Atwood be
mentioned in the records of New York? Why could not one see
events in which he participated? Of course, Ray Cummings
perhaps knows more about it than I, but I think a lot of his
ideas are the bunk.

I do not think that your stories should be full of science
and nothing else, but they should at least observe known
scientific facts.--J. J. Johnston, Mowbray, Man., Can.

_A "Two-Timer"_

Dear Editor:

I was surprised but pleased to receive the answer to the
question I asked in my letter to you. It is indeed a
pleasure to read a magazine that takes enough interest in
its patrons to personally answer a letter written to it.
Thank you very much.

And I am certainly glad that we are to get a sequel to "Dark
Moon." I wish that I could personally tell Mr. Diffin what I
think of his writing.

I am anxiously awaiting the next issue of "our mag." It
certainly does seem a long time between issues. When are you
going to start putting it on the stands twice a month? I
know that thousands of Readers would bless the day you did
it.

Please keep up the good work; and I know you will, for the
longer I read A. S. the more I enjoy it.

The serial, "The Exile of Time," is a story par excellence.
But I know the forthcoming sequel to "Dark Moon" will be a
super-story.

My idea of reading is that if a story is worth reading once
it is worth reading twice, and I have never seen any story
in your book that was not worth reading once. Nuff said.

I will answer any letters written me. I hope to hear from
plenty of Readers--C. G. Davis, 531 S. Millard, Chicago,
Ill.

_And Sequel It Has_

Dear Editor:

I have just finished the May number of Astounding Stories,
and want to send my contribution to "The Readers' Corner."

The novelette, "Dark Moon," by Diffin, is rather an
outstanding story, in my opinion. It is plausible and
convincing, and the literary quality is high. I have a
feeling that this should have a sequel, and wonder if others
will not agree with me. That Astounding Stories is the best
of the Science Fiction Magazines is something that scarcely
lends itself to argument. Without questions, it leads them
all. Take the present number for instance: Diffin, Meek and
Cummings, three top-notchers, all in one issue.--A. J.
Harris, 1525 Bushnell Ave., South Pasadena, Cal.

_I'm Afraid Not_

Dear Editor:

I have read every one of your Astounding Stories and think
there is no other magazine on the market like it. Only one
kick: it doesn't appear often enough. I should like to see
it every week; every two weeks, anyway. I like every story
you print, and I think the size of your magazine is perfect.
I have saved every issue I read, and now have seventeen of
them.

"Phalanxes of Atlans" and "Marooned Under the Sea" were
especially good. "The Readers' Corner" is fine, but I don't
like so many brickbats thrown. I should like to see more
bouquets given to you.

There is one thing I'd like to see you print. You probably
have heard of the Fox Movietone picture, "Just Imagine," an
interplanetary story of 1930. I'd like to see it printed in
Astounding Stories more than anything else. It would make a
fine serial. I don't suppose it would be possible for you to
print it, though, would it?--Ernestine Small, 1151 Brighton
Ave., Portland, Ore.

_Better to Verse_

Dear Editor:

Astounding Stories can't be beat;
Its every issue is a treat.
The finest authors of the age
Appear upon Astounding's stage.
There's Diffin, Cummings, Leinster, Burks;
An all-star cast that's sure the works.
Harl Vincent, Wells, and Starzl, too,
Belong among this famous crew.
Ed Hamilton and Vic Rousseau
With Captain Meek complete the show.
Together they are sure the best;
That's why Astounding leads the rest!

--Booth Cody, Bronx, N. Y.

_Another "Two-Timer"_

Dear Editor:

I have just finished reading the May issue of Astounding
Stories for the second time. I have been reading Astounding
Stories for over a year, and so far I can find only one
thing wrong with it, and that is that it is not thick
enough. In other words, you do not put enough stories in it.

Some people who write in to the "Corner" say that the paper
is rotten. I still have all my magazines, and the paper is
as good as new. The paper is also good on the eyes, as it
does not reflect light like a mirror, as some paper does.
Some people say the pages are uneven and hard to turn. Like
Mr. H. N. Snager, I become so interested in the stories I do
not notice such trifles. Anybody who yells about the color
of the cover, the durability of the paper, is not very
interested in Astounding Stories.

Why don't you either print a full page picture at the
beginning of each story or else keep the half page picture
at the beginning and put another picture halfway through the
story?--Wm. McCalvy, 1244 Beech St., St. Paul, Minn.

_A Buttercup for Paul_

Dear Editor:

Congratulations! Astounding Stories has scored again! Not
satisfied with illustrations by the mighty Wesso only, you
have secured a drawing by the equally mighty Paul! May we
see many more by him?--Thomas L. Kratzer, 3595 Tullamore
Rd., Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

_Nerves Now Better?_

Dear Editor:

In Gould you have a fine illustrator; in Wesso a better one,
but as I skip the page on which the story, a truly
remarkable one by R. F. Starzl, "The Earthman's Burden" is
on, my eye is caught by--yes! a drawing by Paul, good old
reliable Mr. Paul, the king of Science Fiction illustrators.
Now that you have him on your artist's staff I wouldn't feel
at all bad seeing a painting of his on the cover.

The June issue was a dazzler. "Manape the Mighty" held me
spellbound. The others were all excellent stories. The cover
painting by Wesso was good, but I have already seen one of
that sort in a previous issue. Why not give us more
interplanetary illustrations of space ships and the like as
in "Brigands of the Moon"?

Another thing, it is nine-thirty. I must be asleep by
eleven-thirty in order to start for school early the next
morning. I allow myself two hours in which to read
Astounding Stories. I turn to the contents section; I see a
story there which I wish to read. It is on page 604. I turn
the pages: 599, 601, 607 come in rapid succession, all but
the page I look for. This goes on for some time until at
last the roughened edge of 604 comes into view. By then my
nerves are on edge and I find it is almost eleven-thirty!

But I cannot say that you do not stand up with the foremost
of all magazines, and the way you are improving now you'll
soon forge far in front.--Arthur Berkowitz, 763 Beck St.,
New York City.

_Some Goal!_

Dear Editor:

Permit me to congratulate Mr. Diffin on his latest
masterpiece, "Holocaust."

Every once in a while Mr. Diffin produces a story that bids
fair to eclipse all its contemporaries. His former story,
"The Power and the Glory," could also be placed in that
category. Somehow, that story has become indelibly written
on my memory. The philosophy expressed in it was
overwhelming. It would have done justice to a Shakespeare.

And now, you can imagine how delighted I am to learn that
Mr. Diffin has once again graced us with a yarn of the same
class.

Man, if you continue to publish such stories as these
frequently, you'll have the public terming Astounding
Stories literature of the highest grade! However, I won't
entreat Mr. Diffin to write these stories spasmodically, as
the long wait between tales adds lure to the stories.

And now for Mr. Burks. Ah--here is an extraordinary chap!
Mr. Burks is your most versatile author. Of his several
stories, each has opened up a new vista in the field of
Science Fiction, and he is a thoroughbred in each endeavor.
If you want to be convinced, read the opening chapters of
"Manape The Mighty," and I will wager any sum you won't lay
down the story until you've read every word.

As a matter of fact, all the stories are good. And the bill
for next month appears to be exceptionally unusual. It is
very evident that you are on the road to perfection. Smooth
cut edges, the acquisition of the greatest of artists, Paul,
all point to the accelerating progress Astounding Stories is
achieving.

We Readers are frequently asked as to how we would run the
magazine if we were Editors. Well, here is my conception of
the ideal magazine:

Smooth paper, no advertisements whatsoever, the interior
illustrations done by an artist with the talent of a Paul
and a Wesso combined, and made in water colors, too. Then I
would only have such renowned Authors as Burroughs, MacIsaac
and a few others. I suppose that's the eternal dream of the
modern Editor, but who can say that you, Mr. Bates, won't
evolve Astounding Stories in the same manner. At any rate,
there's a goal to aim for.--Mortimer Weisinger, 266 Van
Cortlandt Ave., Bronx, N. Y.

_Guilty_

Dear Editor:

You are hereby summoned to appear in Court on attempt of
murder. Following are the charges: Stopping my heart from
beating when I saw the smooth edges in Astounding Stories,
and making my heart miss five beats when I saw "The
Earthman's Burden" illustrated by Paul!

I now think Astounding Stories has reached its highest peak.
Arthur J. Burks' story was a wow. I hope he works on a story
as he said he would in "The Readers' Corner" if he gets
enough requests.

And Charles Willard Diffin! Here's a writer for you. I think
the first story he ever wrote was published in Astounding
Stories. Don't lose him. His "Holocaust" is his best, with
the probable exception of "The Power and the Glory." I don't
think the last mentioned ever got enough praise. I expect to
see it reprinted some day in The Golden Book Magazine. It's
distinctly smooth paper style.

And of course Sewell Peaslee Wright's "John Hanson" stories
are top-notchers.

And Ray Cummings. Must we mention his story? We all know
what to expect when we read one of his stories. I hope you
have another serial by him soon.

I'm sure you'll be deluged with letters because of the even
edges and the illustrations by Paul (who should draw at
least two in every issue), but I hope you'll print my
letter, because I never had a letter of mine in print, and
want to get a thrill seeing this published.--Anthony
Caserta, 4575 Park Ave., New York, N. Y.

"_Very Pretty Problems Here_"

Dear Editor:

The letters by P. Schuyler, J. N. Mosleh, and Jackson Gee in
the last number sure do raise some very neat possibilities
in Science. Anent travel in time, just what would you, Mr.
Schuyler, expect to see if "John Doe" at 40 years (1931)
went back to 1892 and met "John Doe" of that date on Main
Street of his old home town? I suspect that two bodies
cannot simultaneously contain the same ego, constant-entity,
personality, or soul.

Which brings me to Mr. Mosleh, to ask: Just how is the
self-realizant ego, which is conscious that "I am I"
unchangingly for life, in any sense a derivative of the
unstable, rapidly changing body?

Mr. Burks and Mr. Lee elucidate a very pretty little problem
on the same lines. The cranial transplantation and the
"atomic patterns" are admittedly scientifically and
reasonably possible. But there is a real point of doubt:
Would the personality accompany the brain in
transplantation? True, the brain is the control room; but--?

And would the "atomic patterns," perfectly as they could
duplicate a body, which is unstable by nature, work on the
essentially stable ego (relatively) with its inherent
capacity for continuity?

If not, would not the synthetic "Extra Man" be a human being
minus personality? Some very pretty problems here. I'd much
like to see a story along the lines of item 3 in Mr. Burks'
letter.--L. Partridge, Box 84, Cornish, Me.

_What Price Smoothness?_

Dear Editor:

I have just finished the June issue of Astounding Stories.
The cover was excellent, as were all the illustrations,
except perhaps Manape's arms should have been a little
larger.

I see that the edges of the paper are now smooth, but still
the leaves stick out beyond one another, so what good does
that do?

"Manape the Mighty," by Arthur J. Burks, was superb,
gripping. I suppose a lot of Readers will rise violently
against the love interest, but, I ask you, just where would
this particular story be without the romance in it? This
particular story, you understand; not every story.

"Holocaust," by Charles Willard Diffin, was next best with
"The Man from 2071" a close second.

"The Earthman's Burden" was at least entertaining, which
this installment of "The Exile of Time" was not.--Robert
Baldwin, 359 Hazel Ave., Highland Park, Ill.

_Time Trouble Answers Wanted_

Dear Editor:

I have read your magazine for nearly two years, but this is
my first letter to the "Corner." The first and second
installments of Ray Cummings' "Exile of Time" prompted me to
write this. There is a story you can well be proud of. I
should like to obtain it in book form. Mr. Cummings is a
wonder. I have read many time stories, but his is at the top
of my list.

If there is any other "time" fan in A. S.'s "Readers'
Corner" I should like to have a letter discussion on it with
him. None of my acquaintances care a whoop about that type
of story, so I have to thrash out all my problems by myself.

There are some questions I would like to ask about "The
Exile of Time."

1--In the event of the appearance of the time-traveling
cage, the story ran, to use Ray's own words: "Suddenly
before me there was a white ghost. A shape. A wraith of
something which a moment before had not been there. The
shape was like a mist. Then in a second or two it was
solid."

Why should the cage appear as a mist at first? If there is
any amount of time separating two things, those two things
are invisible to each other, are they not? Any amount of
time would include a second, and even a millionth part of a
second. In that case, the cage should suddenly appear in the
twinkling of an eye, with no trace of a blur.

2--Supposing I were standing at a spot five feet from a
time-traveling vehicle. The latter would be traveling
through time at 3 P. M., while I am at 2 P. M.--an hour's
difference between us. It would be invisible to me then, but
an hour later when I would be at 3 P. M. and the machine at
4 P. M., then I would see it as it appeared at 3 P. M.
Whatever movement it would make in space, I would not see
until an hour later. Is that right? Then is it not possible
that each individual is existing in a different time realm?
And we see them, or I see the other fellow as he appeared
when my time caught up with his? I had better quit before I
get hooted off the stage.

3--If a man invented a time-traveler and went back to the
year of the beginning of the World War, knowing all he has
read in history, could he not take steps to prevent a war
that has already happened? Or would that power be denied
him? Somewhere in the story is said that the past cannot be
changed, and that any effort to do so would be useless. In
my belief, no matter where or when a man goes into the past,
if he appears in a year or day that has already gone by, he
is changing the past. Then there should be no room for
doubt: time-travelling is impossible. It never will be done
(An Astounding Stories fan should be kicked for using the
word "impossible"!).

Let's have more good thought-provoking time tales. And get
lots of stories from Cummings--he's a wow. I sure would like
to spend an evening at a campfire with him.--Allen Spoolman,
613--4th Avenue, W., Ashland, Wisc.

"_Eh, What?_"

Dear Editor:

Just got my June issue of our good mag, Astounding Stories,
and I think that it is great. One thing you should do,
however, is have a more mechanical cover design.

In regard to Miss Gertrude Hemkin's letter in the June issue
of A. S., let me say that I just wonder what she would like
to expect in our "The Readers' Corner" if she does not like
to hear what others think of our Astounding Stories. Maybe
she would like to read about checker debates or the like.
Eh, what?

If Rex Wertz of Oregon, who is now located somewhere in Los
Angeles, will drop me a line, perhaps we can become
acquainted as he suggested.--Edward Anderson, 123 Hollister
Ave., Ocean Park, Cal.

_Hope He Does_

Dear Editor:

I have never been interested before in a magazine enough to
write to their departments, like "The Readers' Corner," and
I have read plenty of magazines.

"Beyond the Vanishing Point" stands head and shoulders above
any story I have ever read. I have only one thing to say
about your other stories: they are almost as good as the one
I just mentioned.

I have a few words to say about these people who throw
brickbats at every story they read. I wouldn't be surprised
if they just read the story so they could find something
wrong with it. There's one in particular who wrote a few
lines in the June issue about your taking the word "science"
off the front page, saying there was no science in the
magazine, anyway. What does the title say? Well that's what
90% of the Readers want, anyway. I hope that chap reads
this.

Well, I'll sign off. Here is a little toast to the magazine:
"Long may it live."--Earl Rogers, 409--16th St., Galveston,
Tex.

_Two, Better Than One?_

Dear Editor:

The two outstanding stories in the May issue of A. S. were
"The Death Cloud," by Nat Schachner and Arthur L. Zagat, and
"Dark Moon," by Charles W. Diffin. Common reasoning tells me
that the heads of two Science Fiction writers can formulate
a story better than one. I couldn't help admire Mr.
Schachner and Mr. Zagat when I read their story because of
the cleverness shown in it.

Please give us a story by them every month.--Ray Y. Tilford,
Rockport, Ky.

"_And Here I Am_"

Dear Editor:

It's about time for me to concede that your or "our"
magazine is the best I have read. Ten issues have come into
my hands and I am perfectly well satisfied with the line of
fiction that you publish. I have read about fifty different
magazines on the market, and I am sure that Astounding
Stories is the best of them all. I have followed the
magazine for seven months and that is the best amount of
reading any magazine can boast for me. In your case, if the
magazine lasts seventy years, you can be sure that I will
read it for that period of time (provided I live that long).

I notice that several brickbats have come into your hands
and that you have printed them. Well, that shows
sportsmanship on your part. I would suggest to those who are
not satisfied with Astounding Stories to duck their head in
a pail of water and pull it out after a period of ten
minutes. Those who criticize the stories because of the lack
of science have no idea what it takes to write a story.
Please be willing to concede the Author the right of way. He
is giving his theories and not yours. However, in some cases
where the truth is an established fact, I can see where the
Readers may present a justified argument. But they should
remember that we are not all perfect and that mistakes are
made by all. It is not fair to criticize an Author by
denouncing him.

I don't favor reprints at all, but I can stay with the
majority if they do. It is a foregone conclusion that you
can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't
fool all of the people all the time. In this case substitute
the word "please" in the saying for "fool."

I am at present reading Charles W. Diffin's novel "The
Pirate Planet." It is one of the best interplanetary novels
that I have ever read. Give us some more of Diffin; he has
the goods. I must say that you have an immensely long list
of popular authors, and it must cost quite a little amount
of money to maintain them.

Keep the size of the magazine as it is now; it fits
conveniently into my bookcase, and I believe many of your
Readers will say the same.

Now some of my favorite stories. "The Ape-Men Of Xlotli" was
one of the best stories that I have read in years. Give us
some more along this line. It offers rest after one has just
finished reading an interplanetary novel.

"Monsters of Moyen" was another story that I greatly
enjoyed. Very few people believe that the world shall ever
have a conqueror again, and I am one of them; but it is
interesting to see if there ever will be a conqueror and
what means he shall employ to get that title.

"Brigands of the Moon" was the worst story I read in your
magazine. That must have been Mr. Cummings' off story. But
he certainly has come back fine through his later stories.

"The Tentacles from Below" was another great masterpiece.
Anthony Gilmore's tale was the first that I have read of
that author, and I will be delighted to see more.

Funny how I developed into a Reader of Science Fiction. I
exhausted all other fields of reading, and having nothing
else to read I delved into a science magazine and here I
am.--Michael Racano, 51 Brookwood St., East Orange, N. J.

_Turns to It First_

Dear Editor:

The June issue of Astounding Stories can't be beat. What an
issue! As it seems to be the usual thing, I'll start at the
front and go to the back.

The cover: very colorful: another proof of Wesso's talent.
And speaking of artists, I was very pleasantly surprised at
the unexpected illustration by Paul. I certainly hope you
can get him, if not for cover pictures, at least for the
inside illustrations. (Too bad you are modest about printing
complimentary letters, for I mean this to be all roses, no
brickbats.)

"The Man from 2071"--another good story of "John Hanson's."
"Manape the Mighty," although somewhat like the Tarzan
series, is a wonderfully fine story. "Holocaust"--good. "The
Earthman's Burden," as all of Starzl's, was exceptionally
good. "The Exile of Time"--getting better every issue.

"The Readers' Corner" as usual was one of the most
interesting parts of the magazine. I always turn to it
first, for I know I will have an enjoyable time reading
every letter. And, by the way, the significance of "Manape"
just came to me. Don't know why I didn't see it
before.--Linus Hogenmiller, 502 N. Washington St.,
Farmington, Mo.

_Likes the "Joke"_

Dear Editor:

Although I have read only two issues of Astounding Stories,
I feel the urge to write a line. The June number was better
than the May issue. Arthur J. Burks' story, "Manape the
Mighty," was excellent, though I am not so strong for the
idea of having Barter escape the apes and carry on his
experiments as suggested by the Author. It would be against
common sense to have the apes allow him to make a getaway.
The prize winner in the May issue was "Dark Moon." There
might be a sequel to that, and I'd like to see it.

I like a little variety in a magazine. The Readers who say
they do not care for stories scientifically impossible may
be right; in that case "The Exile of Time" is the greatest
joke ever written--yet I like it immensely. One thing that
is impossible is the destruction of matter. It can be broken
up, or condensed as in "When Caverns Yawned," but not
destroyed completely.

Mr. W. H. Flowers evidently has a grudge against the fair
sex. The love interest is not necessary in short stories,
it's true; but what kind of a long novel would it be if the
hero had no incentive, nothing to risk his life for, except
a possible word of praise from the scientific world?

No matter how much a man loves his work it is my opinion
that he would not die for the purpose of proving his point.

Not being able to take a hint, the knockers still appear to
mar an otherwise perfect day--this time in the person of
Harry Pancoast. If Astounding Stories ever gets so bad that
not even one story in it is of interest to me--I'll just
drop out of the waiting line--and keep my mouth
closed.--Richard Waite, 8 South Ave., Warsaw, N. Y.

_Never Noticed That_

Dear Editor:

Just bought my latest copy of Astounding Stories, and what
an edition! First, the cover (Wesso has all others beat by a
mile). Then, the stories. Well, take "Manape the Mighty": it
is one of the best Science Fiction stories I have ever read.
"The Exile of Time" was great.

Have you ever noticed that almost every critic of Science
Fiction is either a teacher or a female? Jim Nicholson and I
certainly know that.--Billy Roche, Sec. Interplanetary Dept.
of the B. S. B., 101 St. Elmo, San Francisco, Cal.

_Sunflowers for All_

Dear Editor:

Miracles do happen! I was never so thoroughly astounded in
all my life as when I received the great June issue of "our"
magazine with _straight_ edges! Thank you and all concerned
for publishing "our" magazine sans rough edges. The smooth
edges ought to cut the reading time of Astounding Stories
down to an hour and forty-five minutes as we always used to
waste a lot of time fumbling about with the pages.

But if I was astounded at the long awaited straight edges, I
was still more amazed at the great innovation of an
illustration by Paul! Let's have more and more of his
remarkable drawings. Astounding Stories is truly great now
with its fine Editor, splendid Authors, excellent stories,
worthy illustrations, essential "Readers' Corner," Paul
(Ah!) and good binding! Yes! You heard right! I said good
binding! Of course it makes amusing material to write about
the binding and remark that it comes off after once handling
it, or that the paper is soon worn to shreds, but such
matters shouldn't be honestly believed. I have every issue
of Astounding Stories (eighteen great numbers!) and each and
every issue is as good as new. I have never had any trouble
with the covers departing from the rest of the magazine or
the pages becoming moldy.

Sewell Peaslee Wright's "The Man from 2071" is just perfect.
I enjoy nothing more than one of his realistic stories of
Commander John Hanson. We want more! Arthur J. Burks'
novelette, "Manape the Mighty," was clever. I had a
premonition that I wouldn't like this story, and in fact
told a friend so. It just goes to prove that hunches can be
wrong. Charles Willard Diffin should be proud of his
"Holocaust." I'm sure that most Readers enjoyed it as much
as I did. Of course, Starzl's "The Earthman's Burden" was a
peach. His stories of other planets are always weird,
bizarre, and yet they seem to ring true. That is the magic
of R. F. Starzl! Paul illustrated it in his own
unapproachable style. "The Exile of Time," as everyone
agrees, is Cummings' best. I am waiting for its thrilling
conclusion.

I am one who would like Astounding Stories to be a large
size magazine, but it can easily be seen that everyone can't
be pleased. If you'll just leave it the way it is--i. e.,
straight edges, illustrations by Paul, same authors and same
excellent Editor--I'll be satisfied.--Forrest J. Ackerman,
530 Staples Ave., San Francisco, Cal.

"_Great Relief_"

Dear Editor:

The story, "Manape the Mighty," by Arthur J. Burks, was by
far one of the most thrilling and educational stories that
ever appeared in Astounding Stories. Of course, others will
disagree, but an Author cannot please all. It is of great
relief to change from the monotonous every day kind of
stories that appear in Collier's, Liberty and The Saturday
Evening Post to the refreshing and soothing "impossible"
type of A. S.

Ever since the January issue, I've been an ardent pursuer of
Astounding Stories. To me it is even more astounding that I
seem to like it more and more each succeeding issue. I find
it, undoubtedly, the best magazine of its type. I've tried
others of similar type, but it seems as if my mind couldn't
grasp the knack of their stories, which were either boresome
with scientific and technical explanations, or, as one might
say, "not a darn thing to them."

R. F. Starzl is a wonderful author. Ray Cummings, Sewell
Peaslee Wright, Charles Willard Diffin, Captain S. P. Meek,
Edmond Hamilton, F. V. W. Mason and Murray Leinster are
excellent.

There is one thing that I'd like to see in Astounding
Stories, and I'm sure many of the Readers would, too. It is
always my habit to read while eating. To finish the story in
time, I pick the shortest one. Sad to say, Astounding has
rather long stories. How about an occasional short story?
I'm sure your readers will approve. They would go over with
a bang!--P. Nikolaioff, 4325 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, Ill.

_Sometimes Gets Mad_

Dear Editor:

Although I have been an interested reader of Astounding
Stories since its inception, this is the first time I have
written. Astounding Stories have been so good lately that I
just had to write and compliment you on your good work.
There are, however, some criticisms I have to make. The
first is: I think Mr. W. H. Flowers of Pittsburgh, Pa, is
right when he says you sometimes have too much love in some
of your stories. The second is, I think it would be a good
thing to put notes at the end of a page to explain some of
the terms for the Readers who read mostly for the science
part. That is what I do, and I get mad when I read something
that does not give me the inside dope on it. Outside of that
I think Astounding Stories can't be beat.

One more thing before I close. Keep Capt. S. P. Meek on your
staff or I will stop reading Astounding Stories, as much as
I would hate to do that. I think he is your best author by a
long shot.--Wilson Adams, Seat Pleasant, Md.

_From a "Female Woman"_

Dear Editor:

The comment of Jim Nicholson in the June issue that it is
only "the females" who consider him "cracked" for reading
Science Fiction, and only women who do not care for science
in the stories, moves me to break into "The Readers' Corner"
for the first time.

I happen to be a "female woman," and it is the men in our
family and circle of friends who laugh at me for buying
every Science Fiction magazine and book that I can find.
They call them my "nutty magazines." I have to admit that I
do not understand much of the scientific explanation, since
my mind does not run along mathematical or scientific lines,
but I do not mind having that in stories, for those who do
care for it and can understand it, as I can simply skip over
it, taking what I can grasp and letting the rest go. It
doesn't spoil the story for me.

I have no criticism, constructive or otherwise, to make. I
enjoy the stories with some romance involved, and enjoy
those without equally well. My own preference would be that
you continue using rough paper and your present mechanical
construction, so that more money will be available to pay
for the stories. Few of us keep the magazines anyway, so
there isn't so much need for expensive paper. I like
interplanetary stories best, I think; but I was intensely
interested in "Beyond the Vanishing Point," "Manape the
Mighty" and "Holocaust." All different, but all very good. I
can't remember one I did not like.

My work requires much study and concentration. I have
recommended to several men who do similar mental work that
they follow my plan of securing delightful relaxation by
losing themselves in another world through Science Fiction
magazines. Most of them find it as restful as I
do.--Berenice M. Harrison, Angola, Ind.

_Likes R. F. Starzl_

Dear Editor:

It has been my purpose to write to you before, but due to an
extraordinary amount of detail work which I have had to do,
I have been unable to.

I have read your marvelous magazine ever since the first
issue came into my hands, and I can honestly say that there
is no other book on the market which has held my attention
as long as yours has. I congratulate you on your very
interesting magazine.

Arthur J. Burks, in his latest story, has conceived an
entirely new type of story, and I, for one, think it very
interesting. Plenty of science for the laymen and enough
interest for the others.

I liked R. F. Starzl's story, "The Earthman's Burden," very
much, and I hope you will have more by this author soon. His
stories are perfect. Starzl is a deep thinker, and I am
right here to say that there is a man who understands men
and men's longings and inhibitions.--A. W. Gowing, 17
Pasadena St., Springfield, Mass.

"_The Readers' Corner_"

All readers are extended a sincere and cordial invitation to "come over in 'The Readers' Corner'" and join in our monthly discussion of stories, authors, scientific principles and possibilities--everything that's of common interest in connection with our Astounding Stories.

Although from time to time the Editor may make a comment or so, this is a department primarily for Readers, and we want you to make full use of it. Likes, dislikes, criticisms, explanations, roses, brickbats, suggestions--everything's welcome here; so "come over in 'The Readers' Corner'" and discuss it with all of us!

_The Editor._

* * * * *

A LIVING, DISEMBODIED HEART