Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

the head of the stairs. greatly in she Eiiclty now, and I felt that matters were steadily improving. I won- dered where Miela was, and then while I was standing there I saw her coming up the stairs, a man following close behind her. I think I have never been so glad to see any one as I was to see her at this mo- ment. Her face was grave; her demeanor calm, as before. “ He is here,” she said as she came to “This is Fuero, Alan, leader of the men of science, who have the ray.” As he came out onto the roof I saw this man was easily the most dominant per- sonality I had so far encountered on Mer- cury. He was tall for his race, although several inches shorter than I, a man of sixty, perhaps, with iron-gray hair falling long about his ears. He wore sandals and a pair of the usual knee-length, wide-cut trousers. But what distinguished him in his dress was a broad panel of heavy silk, hanging from neck to _ knee, both in back and front, with an open- ing at the top through which his head was oe thrust. This silken panel was some eighteen inches wide, light gray in color, and richly embroidered in gold in various designs. It hung free, except for a slight fastening at the waist line. Beneath it the man’s naked torso—and his bare arms—showed power- ee muscled. His face was smooth shaven, with strong, regular features. I noticed, too, there was a slight cleft in his square chin. His fore- head was high, his blue eyes kindly, yet with a searching, piercing quality about them. It was not so much the man’s general appearance as his bearing that made me realize he was a forceful character. There was about him unmistakable poise. I knew at once he felt his power, his authority. That he would use it wisely I could not doubt. He stood regarding me gravely—an ap- praising regard under which I felt myself flushing a little. Miela spoke to him swift- ly, and he inclined his head to me by way of introduction, his glance meanwhile taking in the scene on the roof. With Miela as interpreter we held a hur- THE FIRE PEOPLE. ea aie 7 : — 3" af Fats. a m ( Bees. tied conversation. I care’ then Fuero and his associates had mar ny 3 before organized a society for the de ment of the light-ray in its ve iota for They had soon realized in their experi its diabolical power of destruction, a1 taken oath then that they would n no’ it, or allow it to be used, except und most critical circumstances of the r ration welfare. wz Realizing, too, the power it gave the individuals, they had sworn to remain of science only, taking no part in puk lic affairs, remaining rigidly aloof from 11 nz tional affairs. cerned the development of the light-r industrial purposes. In these far it de- veloped heat, but had very little z 7 projection. “i All this Miela told me in a few k brie sentences. a rs “How did Tao get the reyes Id a manded. “a “Some members of the society F false,” she answered. “ When Tae was bas ished to the Twilight Country they ¢ lesert- ed their brothers and joined him. — The were others with him of scienti and these soon learned how to. ma ie too.” ae Fuero was still regarding me appeal I felt suddenly very young, very ade iz as I stood there facing him. ButIn gaze squarely, and all at once he smiled. ‘* He says, ‘ Let us speak to the peop’ re oe ~ oy co =~, * = ee said Miela. ae es We went to the parapet. Only af moments had elapsed since 1] had stood ( —— oa? ee te "Ga Se there before. changed, except that the crowd ] na denser. A sudden hush fell as they * Fuero turned to me and spoke quietly his eyes seemed searching out my thought “He asks you, my husband, if 3 ‘you uw) take oath before your God to do what right for our people. He wishes to t you now in this crisis, for there is m else, and he believes in you ara “T will, Miela,” I said s fore God 1 swear it.” The man gazed | other instant, then a stead: ‘comicbooks. com