Chapter XII: Solid Earth

"He's coming around, Lucille. Thank God for it!"

Jim opened his eyes. For a few moments he looked about him without understanding. Then the outlines of a room etched themselves against the clouded background. And in the foreground Lucille's face. The girl was bending over Jim, one hand soothing his forehead.

"Where am I?" Jim muttered.

"Back on earth, Jim, the good old earth, never again to leave it," answered Lucille, with a catch in her voice. With an effort she composed herself. "You mustn't talk," she said.

"But what place is this?"

"It's Andy Lumm's house. Now rest, and I'll explain everything later."

But the first explanation came from Andy Lumm. "Well, Mr. Dent, my wife and me sure were glad to be on the spot when you and Miss Parrish got bogged on the edge of the Black Pool," he said. "Mean, treacherous place it is. Thar was a cow got mired thar last month, up to her belly. If us hadn't found her, and dragged her out with ropes, she'd have gone clear under. Granpop Dawes says thar's underground springs around the edge, and that it runs straight down to hell, though that seems sorter far-fetched to me.

"Yessir, and if I hadn't heard WNYC giving Miss Parrish on the list of missing persons, and as having been seen near here, I reckon I'd never have found you. Made me and my wife uneasy, that did. 'Andy,' she says. 'I got an inkling you oughter go to the Vanishing Place and see if she ain't there.' And there I found you two, mired to the waist, and Mr. Parrish dancing around and fretting, and his clothes burned to cinders.

"It sure seems strange to me, to think Mr. Parrish got away safe after that explosion five years ago, and of his wandering around with loss of memory, till you found him, and brung him back here to restore it, but thar's strange things in the world--yes, sir, thar surely is!"

In the happiness of being back on Earth once more, Jim was content to let further explanations go. The return of Parrish had been duly chronicled in the newspapers, and had provoked a mild interest, but fortunately the public mind was so occupied at the moment with the trial of a night club hostess that, after the first rush of newspaper men, the three were left alone.

* * * * *

Day after day, in the brilliant autumn weather, Jim and Lucille would roam the tinted woods, recharging themselves with the feel of Earth, until the memory of those dread experiences grew dim.

"Well, Jim, I reckon I'd better tell you and get it over," said old Parrish one morning--Parrish, quite his old, jaunty self again. "Tode had got the dials pointing to the fifth dimension--eternity, he called it, though actually I believe it's nothing more than annihilation, a grand smash. Well, he pressed that lever. But something had gone wrong.

"You remember how poor Cain seemed to take great interest in the Atom Smasher. There's no way of telling what had been going on in that brain of his, but it looks to me like he'd known that that lever meant death. It was sealed up in wax, and Tode had got it free on the way out of Atlantis.

"Well--this it what I made out from examining the thing afterward. Cain had been monkeying with the lever. He'd pried loose one of the wires that hooked to the transformer, and short-circuited it, not knowing, of course, just what he was doing. The result was that when Tode pressed that lever, instead of blowing the whole contraption to pieces, he got a couple of billion volts of electricity through his body, combined with a larger amperage than has ever been imagined. It burned him to a few grease spots. He simply--vanished. You don't remember what you did at the moment, boy?"

"I don't seem to remember anything," said Jim.

"Well, your response was an automatic one. You jumped him. Luckily you were too late, for Tode vanished like that!" Old Parrish snapped his fingers. "But you must have got into the field of magnetic force--any way, you were almost electrocuted. Lucille and I thought you were dead for hours.

"We laid you down and set a course for home. I used those dial numberings Tode had given me. He'd said they wouldn't work, but he'd lied. They did work. They brought us back to the Vanishing Place.

"We carried you out, and then I saw your eyelid twitch. We worked over you with artificial respiration till it looked as if there was a chance for you. Then I shut off the power and let the waters rush in over the Atom Smasher, and swam ashore. And there it lies at the bottom of the pool, and may it lie there till the Judgment Day."

* * * * *

"Tode was a genius," said Jim, "but he never understood that character counts for more than genius."

"Let's think no more about him," said Lucille. She had come up to them, and the two looked at each other and smiled. Love is self-centred; other things it forgets very quickly.

"To-morrow we go back to New York," said Jim. "You think you're able to face the world and take up life again?"

"I think so, Jim," said Lucille.

"You're not remembering him after all?"

"No, Jim. I was thinking of poor Cain. He died for me."

"But that was twelve thousand years ago, my dear, and to-day's to-day," said Jim. "And to-morrow a new life begins for you and me."

He drew her closer to him. No, he would never quite forget, but that was twelve thousand years ago ... and to-morrow was his wedding day.

_A Meeting Place for Readers of_ Astounding Stories

_An "Astounding" Career_

Dear Editor:

A friend introduced me to your new magazine, and it is
wonderful. The best story in the magazine, or, rather, the
one I liked best, outside of the serial, which I didn't
read, is "The Cave of Horror," by Capt. S. P. Meek. Next
comes Ray Cummings' story of the Fourth Dimension, "Phantoms
of Reality." Other good ones are, "Tanks," "Invisible
Death," and "Compensation."

I did not like "The Stolen Mind." It seemed to me to be a
mixture of superstition and magic. A fairy tale. I am glad
that you are publishing this magazine, and I think that it
is worth double its present price. You have my good wishes
to the magazine for a long and astounding career. My way of
reading a serial is to save copies and to read the story at
one time. I do not like to wait a month for a story to end
or continue.

Your next issue seems to sound quite interesting. "The Spawn
of the Stars," a very interesting and, I am sure, a fit name
for the story. "Creatures of the Light" is a very vague
name--you don't know what to expect. The others will prove
to be as interesting as any that I have named. I prefer
interplanetary stories the most, as any amount of science
can be injected in them.--Nathan Greenfield, 318 East 78th
St., New York, N. Y.

_Prefers Long Stories_

Dear Editor:

I got your first issue of Astonishing Stories, and, although
I like the stories, I do not like the way you have it bound.
(This is supposed to be criticism, so don't take it to
heart.) The pages are uneven and hard to turn. But the
stories in the first copy were good. And you'll have a swell
magazine if you have stories by Harl Vincent and Ray
Cummings. The aforesaid men are two of the best in the
science fiction field. Another thing: don't have any short
stories. If you have about 3 or 4 l-o-n-g stories, I'd like
it better. I hope your magazine enjoys much success!--Linus
Hogenmiller, 502 N. Washington Street, Farmington, Mo.

_Another Who Likes Interplanetary Stories_

Dear Editor:

I have read the first issue of Astounding Stories with much
pleasure, and if the first issue is any indication of what
is to follow I will continue to be a reader.

You inquire as to the kind of stories that your readers
think should be published. I think you will find the most
popular brand to be interplanetary stories and stories along
the line of the "Beetle Horde." Best wishes for success in
your new endeavor--F. C. Cowherd, Room 333, L. & N.
Railroad, Louisville, Ky.

_Attention, Joiners!_

Dear Editor:

I have just finished one of the stories in your magazine,
and could not resist the temptation to write and tell you
how much I enjoyed it. The stories are great and are just
the thing to give one rest and recreation. At the same time
they fire imagination and are not trashy love stories.

The main purpose of the letter is to revive an old idea and
see if I can put it through. I propose to organize a
correspondence society for readers interested in science. We
would use Astounding Stories as our official medium. Each
member would receive a list of members' names and addresses,
a quantity of official stationery for inter-correspondence,
and a certificate of membership suitable for framing.

The object would be the discussion of scientific topics and
the latest advances.

I would suggest an annual fee of $2.50 to cover the cost of
printing stationery, certificates, application forms, copy
of the constitution, lists of members and official pins.

All those interested in the formation of such a society are
earnestly requested to write me, giving suggestions as to a
suitable name, etc. They will receive full information, and
a sample of the certificate of membership and an application
form.

I trust you will publish this letter at your earliest
convenience--M. R. Bercovitch, B. Sc., 4643 St. Urbain
Street, Montreal, Canada.

_Sound Criticism_

Dear Editor:

You ask for readers to write you regarding types of stories
desired. Well, I am an electrical engineer and of course
like my yarns to have a touch of science in them. Also I
like my authors to make an original contribution to whatever
theory of science they develop fictionally. This Ray
Cummings doesn't do in his very interesting story, "Phantoms
of Reality." His beginning is palpably borrowed from Francis
Flagg's story, "The Blue Dimension," which appeared in a
Science Fiction magazine in 1927. Flagg developed the theory
of vibrations, reverberation, etc., and contributed
something new to speculative science. Cummings merely seizes
this point and dives into a series of improbable adventures.

Now I am not quarrelling with their improbability: I like my
stories improbable, but I am asking for something more
original than the old rehash of kings and queens, intrigues,
and returning princes, etc. Again, Cummings seems to lack
enough scientific acumen to make his other world different
than this. Even a superficial thinker will readily see that
the terrain of the other world would not faithfully follow
our own in its salient features. However, forgive me for
knocking--the story wasn't so bad, and Cummings doubtless
can do better than this--or has.

"The Beetle Horde"--so far--is a gem, and holds the
interest. Furthermore, its science is splendid. I am looking
forward to its conclusion. "The Cave of Horror" is a damn
good yarn, well written, interest sustained: but I didn't
care for "The Stolen Mind." The truth is that that
particular story didn't hang together very well. It left one
up in the air, as it were, and far from satisfied me. Too,
the science involved, to say the least of it, was not very
sound or plausibly put. In reading the story I felt that the
author was one who should be encouraged to write
more--nothing wrong with his imagination or ability to fling
words--but that he should be gently coerced into writing
with better continuity and intelligence. "Compensation"
didn't click--too loose--not compact enough. Splendid idea
ruined by hasty writing. Another author needing a gentle
hint. But "Tanks" was another sure-fire hit with me. Held me
to last word. The story sounded real.

So for the stories in your first issue. You see, on the
whole, I liked all of them. Still, I also like variety.
Can't you give us some of the Francis Flagg type of fiction?
H. Hyatt Verril is another of my favorites, also Dr. Keller
and Clara Harris. I have read mighty good tales by those
authors. I believe you could do worse than to run an
occasional H. G. Wells story, and if you gave us "The First
Men in the Moon" serially, I for one would be delighted. I
have tried in vain to get that story and never have. Well, I
guess I have said enough. Best wishes for the New Year. May
Astounding Stories grow and prosper--and its Editor.--C.
Harry Jaeger, 2900 Jeedan Road, Oakland, California.

_Likes Interplanetary Stories_

Dear Editor:

Having read the first issue of Astounding Stories, I am
about to pronounce a sentence on it. It is guilty of being
"Astounding" to the Nth degree!

I enjoyed all the stories immensely and will be anxiously
awaiting the next issue.

Now as for some suggestions which I think would improve the
magazine.

I. Try to have an interplanetary story in each issue.

II. Publish a number of interesting letters concerning
Astounding Stories in each issue.

III. Have several illustrations in long stories.

I think this would improve the magazine, although it is
perfect just the way it is.

Hoping Astounding Stories has a long and successful
life!--Forrest Ackerman, 530 Staples Avenue, San Francisco,
Cal.

_Watch the Coming Issues, Miss Miller!_

Dear Editor:

Saw your new magazine at the newsstand and bought it at
once. I like the following stories in this issue: "The
Beetle Horde," "Phantoms of Reality," "The Stolen Mind." I
did not care much for the others, and least of all for
"Tanks."

I believe that readers, like myself, who are interested in
scientific fantasies, prefer stories of interplanetary
travels and fourth dimensional stories, and variations of
these themes. Such as various space-ships and vibration
machines for visiting other planets and traveling backward
and forward in time. Stories of lost continents and of
strange races of people living in unknown places on our own
Earth are interesting also.

A magazine of this kind has unlimited possibilities for
stories of the aforementioned types, and I believe that
readers who buy magazines of these subjects expect to find
therein really Astounding Stories. Best wishes for the
success of your magazine!--Ruth Miller, St. Regis Hotel,
Cleveland, Ohio.

"_The Scienceers_"

Dear Editor:

This is to inform you that we have formed a club which we
named "The Scienceers." The object of this club is to bring
together members who are interested in science in general,
also to talk the stories of your magazine over. We have no
means of reaching those who are interested except through
your magazine. We hope you will grant us space to print this
letter in your magazine. We would appreciate it if every
reader of your magazine living in New York City or nearby
towns would drop us a card with his name and address. We
then would be able to send him information of our club. We
hope you will print this letter, as we are all readers of
your magazine.--Louis Wexeler, 1933 Woodbine Street,
Brooklyn, New York.

_We Examine All Science Very Carefully_

Dear Editor:

In the first edition of your periodical, you invite
criticism from its readers. I am extremely pleased to note
that Ray Cummings is among its contributors. His short crisp
sentences and word pictures are most interesting. As to the
type of stories, I would not be particular; but there is one
thing which must be observed: Since this magazine is about
science every story must be examined to discover any false
statements by the author concerning present-day science.

I think that discoveries and inventions to be made in the
future--by the author, of course--cannot be censored.--James
Brodent, New York, N. Y.

_Young Mr. Wright Writes In_

Dear Editor:

I am accepting your offer to write and tell you what kind of
stories I like. So I did.

I prefer stories of the Fourth Dimension.

I hope to find plenty of these fascinating stories in your
coming issues.--Billy Wright, Age 11, Sheppard Place,
Nashville, Tenn.

_Likes His Science Fiction_

Dear Editor:

Allow me to congratulate you on your fine magazine, it being
one of the seven (more or less) magazines in print that are
the best on the market.

I am glad to say that I can't throw you any brickbats, only
bouquets, and thought I would tell you the kind of stories I
would like to see in "our" magazine, if I may take the
liberty of calling it that.

I like stories of the type A. Merritt and Edgar Rice
Burroughs write, particularly A. Merritt, and if you could
reprint "Through the Dragon Glass," by A. Merritt, I wish
you would, and give it a cover illustration, as I have
everything by him except that one. Please give it a cover
illustration as well as any by Merritt and Burroughs you
ever print.

You certainly have a good title, and in my opinion the
magazine need not be changed one iota, except perhaps you
might have the background a different color every month;
that is, the background of the cover, using every color in
the solar spectrum, which might make it sell better, and, at
any rate, would make a nice looking magazine in my opinion.
Everything in Science Fiction that comes out I have to get,
and pretty soon I will have so much that I will probably
have to pay storage space for it. I have a pretty good
amount now; four stacks two feet high each, but I can't
resist it and will keep on buying as long as there is
anything in that line to buy, and as long as I can.

Put this in the proverbial waste-basket if you don't want to
print it, as that is probably its ultimate destination
anyway, as my ideas are not worth much or less than that.
But I do wish you would read it through and act on my
suggestions soon.

Thanks--from an ardent devourer of Science Fiction, who
reads everything in that line he can get his hands on, your
and our magazine being one of the best in that line.--Worth
K. Bryant, 406 North Third Street, Yakima, Washington.

"_A Great Magazine_"

Dear Editor:

I have just come across a copy of your new magazine
Astounding Stories, and to say that it is a great magazine
is putting it mild. I enjoy stories of the distant future.
The first instalment of "The Beetle Horde" by Victor
Rousseau was great. I hope to hear more of this author in
coming issues. I would like to see stories by such authors
as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Harl Vincent, Otis Adelbert Kline,
Garret Smith, also Ray Cummings. I wish Astounding Stories a
long life.--Wilbert Moyer, 533 N. 7th Street, Allentown, Pa.

_Mr. Anderson's Favorites_

Dear Editor:

Just a word referring to your "What kind of stories do you
like?" in Astounding Stories. I like stories with some facts
based on true science of to-day, but let the author's
imagination wander a little, because anything might be
possible to-morrow. I do not like love stories or much humor
in this type of stories.

Stories of other worlds or of the Fourth Dimension always
interest me, because there is no limit to the imagination
there.

Why not have a discussion column and print some of the
letters? It would encourage more to write, and give you
their opinion: and, whether good or bad, should help you
please the majority.

Some will maybe say the cover is too vivid--but that was
what attracted my eye when I picked it out from among many
others.

Most of your stories in the first edition were good. I liked
"The Beetle Horde" and "Phantoms of Reality" best. Also
noticed the "Spawn of the Stars" next issue, which sounds O.
K. Hoping you all success in this type of stories.--C. E.
Anderson, 3504 Colfax Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.

_A Young Reader's Favorites_

Dear Editor:

I am writing you, per your request in your first issue of
Astounding Stories. They are most entertaining. I have read
three of the stories and they are excellent. You asked the
readers to tell you the kind of stories we liked best. I
like stories that concern the future of aviation. I like
interplanetary stories, also the stories about the Fourth
Dimension. I like Cummings', Rousseau's, Leinster's Meek's,
Vincent's and Starzl's writing. Your magazine is sure worth
twenty cents. You could put more science in your stories.

Please hold H. Wesso, your artist. He can really draw. I
have seen his drawings in other magazines. And you may
console yourself with the thought that you have one
continuous reader. I feel that your magazine is going to be
a success. I am also expressing the thoughts of other
readers. I am only 15 years old, but I like to read good
science stories, nevertheless. I hope to see you in next
month's magazine.--Ward Elmore, 2912 Avenue J. Ft. Madison,
Iowa.

_A Contented Reader_

Dear Editor:

Congratulations on your new publication, Astounding Stories.
I certainly enjoyed reading the January issue. I believe
that this magazine is the answer to the prayer of those
readers who are desirous of something different, something
unique. Another feature is that you are charging only 20¢ a
copy for a magazine that is really worth several times that
amount. You may count on me as a steady buyer of the
Astounding Stories as long as future issues are up to the
standard of the January issue.

Let me urge you that you give us the magazine on time every
month. I do not want to postpone my enjoyment of reading the
Unique Magazine on the first Thursday of each month.

Keep up the good work, and remember me as a contented
reader of your publication--T. J. Creaff, Jr. P. O. Box 734,
Phoenix Arizona.

"_A Lallapaloozer_"!

Dear Editor:

Well, I've got to say something, and I might as well get it
over with. Your new magazine, Astounding Stories, is a
Lallapaloozer. I'm sorry I didn't get the first edition of
the new magazine, but I suppose you have some in stock and
I'm sending in my twenty cents in stamps to get one. I might
as well tell you how I found out about this new wonder.

One dreary, dreary night I walked into my newsdealer's store
to get a paper. While there I happened to glance upon the
bookstand--I saw the word Astounding and, my curiosity
aroused, I walked over to the stand and pulled the magazine
out. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found out what
it was! Well, I bought the book then and there without even
taking a look inside. When I got home I opened the book, and
the first story that caught my eye was "Old Crompton's
Secret," by Harl Vincent. I knew the story was good before I
read it, because I've read quite a few of Mr. Vincent's
novels and they were all excellent. The best stories I like
are interplanetary stories.

Why not have a "Reader Talks" in Astounding Stories, where
each reader gives his point of view on the stories in the
magazine? I know everyone would enjoy that, as it gives the
readers a chance to comment on stories and, also, see what
the other reader thinks about any story in particular.

I wish you success in your new enterprise and hope my first
edition of Astounding Stories arrives soon.--Joseph
Kankowsky, 35 Columbia Street, West Orange, New Jersey.

"_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._

* * * * *