Air Wonder Stories, May 1930 — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

against the sudden onslaught. from below. One~ single -anti- aircrift-gun roared and-a shell-smashed high above the silvered hulk. Then the big gun sileneed, fearful lest its missiles take harvest in the government’ planes, Like a swarm: of flies attacking an eagle, the army planes swung straight for the hovering hulk, machine guns spitting and rattling, but sending slugs that were wholly ineffectual against the thick metal of the Sky Urchin’s hulk The Sky Ruler aimed his guns and raked the ranks of his attackers. Seven planes hurtled earthward in flames, but the fighting spirit of the American pilots kept the others in the hopeless fray. Presently, as though tiring of sending the whirling planes down in flames, the Sky Urchin heeled and swung away from the earth in a graceful: half-turn that would have torn to shreds any air-liner less rigid. The buzzing planes continued after her but were outdistanced almost at once, Ten miles up the huge monster hovered and dropped a missile into a Washington square, The United States: was -given one more chance to meet the obligation, Without waiting for a reply, yellow flames shot from the stern of the Sky Urchin, and tnder the pressure of its driving exhausts it shot across the skies like a comet, vanishing in the distance. Around ‘the world went the Sky Urchin, visiting every na- tion of any importance on the globe. From what was cabled, the United States learned that-every nation had met the. de- mands without a single attempt to destroy the daring ruler of the skies, A Sky Ruler he was indeed! For one man-and one great ship to be able to stand off and dictate to the world was beyond a doubt the most daring piece of piracy civilization had ever known, Word leaked to America from Russia that the ship had fanded there to take on supplies, as it had on-two ‘occasions landed at the Dunmar Chemical Works in New Jer- sey to fake on fuel. The raiders had ‘even gone so far as to order the factory to prepare a great store of fuel, and had: paid for it in advance, Company officials refused to disclose where it was to be delivered, fearing that the-leakage would be de- tected and the entire plant-blown to destruction by the Sky Ruler for revenge. A Sudden Recognition UCH was the state of affairs when ore day a serious-faced young tan walked up the spotless white steps-in-front of the ° Capitol and demanded an interview with the Secretary of War. For more than an: hour he waited until finally his im- patience was getting the best of him and-he got up-and renewed his demands, stating that his mission was one of great impor- tance to the world, and:that if the Secretary: did not wish to see him, he would at onée set sail for England. Needless to say that he was admitted at once, and that he stared at the official with open: contempt when: he beheld him sitting in an’ easy chair in-his sanctum nochalantly. smoking an aromatic cigar, as though his mind was free from the trying cares ofthe nation’s affairs. “T am. Jack Reeves, who acted as superintendent for Pro- fessor Markleson during the construction of the Sky Urchin, sit!” he introduced himself with little formality. “I dislike to interrupt your little afternoon siesta, but I thought the United States might be interested in a little invention I have perfected.” “Well... 1” the Secretary boomed, appraising him sus- piciously, “As I said, I was superintendent to. Professor Markleson dur- ing the construction of the Sky Urchinl” the young man re- plied, tmshaken by the severity of the other’s voice. “So Iam pretty well acquainted with the ship which is now creating so much anxiety in all parts of the world, though, as you are probably aware, I am not so familiar with the craft as to be able to outline all its internal details, I have been an under- study of Professor Markleson for five years at the American Institute of Physics, and for along time I have studied the THE SKY RULER plausibility of a magnetic ray by which to attract aircraft to earth,” “What has that got to with the “Sky Urchin?” the Secretary asked, laying his cigar aside and_peering into: the young: man’s face quizzically. “Just this, your honor,” Jack Reeves replied, meeting his Stare on. equal terms, “I believe I’ve perfected a magnetic ray of such power an that I can force the Sky Urchin to earth ” under the influence: of its attraction!” * * * * While young Jack Reeves, calm and-confident, was interview- ing the Secretary of War, a pathetic drama in the lives of two of the world’s most brilliant men was being enacted in the lounge of the Scientists’ club. For a week every known effort had been resorted-to in order to effect a return of memory in the brain of Professor Markle- son. Many old acqtiaintances were brought before him, but while his eyes would seem to brighten occasionally at sight of some friend, recognition refused to assert itself in his. stunned, deadened mind. Friends had beguiled “him to visit his old haunts in the hope that the sight of these would restore his memory. On this particular day he had been taken to the lounging room of the: Scientists’ Club, where for hours he sat in-a big loose-chair, while doctors stood about hoping he would recognize the appointments in the room with which he had once been very familiat, He stared curiously. at familiar faces, but for'the life of him he could not recall ever having known a-single one of them. There was not a man-in that room who was not appraised by the blank eyes of the famous scientist; and many of those present could boast of knowing him intimately, Presently another familiar face and figure came into the lounge from the wide hall beyond. He too came under the ap- praising eyes of Professor Markleson, There was something familiar about the gray, pointed Van Dyke as worn by Dr, Jorgstedt! Yes, Professor Markleson felt deep within his soul that he had seen that beard and those deep set features be- fore.—He covered his aching eyes with a trembling hand and then looked again at the man approaching him. With eyes upon the gray, pointed tip-of that Van Dyke, nerves tensed to the snapping point, his-brain whirling with a maelstrom of faces, objects and events, the-scientist.suddenly seemed to grow rigid—then leapt from his chair with a blood-ourdling yell! Roaring with the cry of a blood-thirsty beast, Professor Markleson Junged- forward. Despite his weakened: condition and taxed-strength, he dashed across the lounge: with: astound- ing swiftness and with a half dozen bounds his once powerful fingers-clutched the throat under the gray Van Dyke! AKEN unawares in the act of greeting his old: friend, Dr, Jorgstedt seemed stunned by this unexpected out- burst of ‘hostility on the part of the famous physicist, Before he had a chance ‘to defend himself from the other’s savage tush, cruel fingers were biting into his jugular vein, cutting off jhis wind and throttling him mercilessly; He went down at © ones tinder the superior weight of the scientist, whose weakened legs tried vainly to hold him while his hands began to choke the life from the astronomer’s body. Friends galvanized into action after-a moment of astonish- ment and pulled them apart,. Professor Markleson struggled “to break: loose and get at the astronomer once again, but he was held tightly. He vented his rage in stinging epithets, Dr. Jorgstedt- shook himself free and stared at his former friend in open-mouthed astonishment, “You might at least have shaven off your, filthy whiskers, Doctor Jorgstedt !” Professor, Markleson raged. “I recognized you and you know it! Let me loose, my friends! My fingers itch to tear open his dirty throat!” Doctor Jorgstedt stared in amazement around the circle of