Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

Gedso said, “Are there any other tunnels leading out from this chamber?” “Il suppose there may be. It is too dangerous to scout. And there is no need to go beyond.” “| see,” said Gedso. “And within another month we will probably have to abandon this place,” said Blufore, in a lower tone. “The wall out there was high enough once. Now it isn’t. The arc cannon have less and less effect upon the ‘things.’ Each weapon has at first been adequate and then has become useless. And now there is no weapon to replace the arc cannon. We'll have to abandon the Crystal Mines and the Empire can go to hell for its catalysts. And, between us, | can’t say as | particularly care.” “| see,” said Gedso, blinking his eyes like a sleepy pelican grown elephant size. “That’s all | can tell you,” said Blufore. “Thank you,” said Gedso. Gedso put a couple of apples in his pocket and shuffled out into the gaseous light. He stood for a little while listening to the arc cannon crackle and blast and then moved slowly toward the wall, stepping off the road when cars and line trucks dashed by. He climbed a stairway up to an observation post and hesitated near the top when he saw an army lieutenant and a signalman there. “No visitors allowed,” snapped the lieutenant. “Excuse me,” said Gedso and backed down. He went to the outer wall and climbed to a command post there which he made certain was empty. He wiped his glasses and gazed through the dome out across the broken plain. Somehow he could not get the “things” in focus at all and, for him, they moved as gigantic blurs, agleam with the CORniclooo SS CO