Air Wonder Stories, May 1930 — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

= ” : AIR WONDER STORIES faces that regarded him inquiringly, He was suddenly be- wildered at the strange, hostile attitude of Professor Markle- son, and. was plainly alarmed. A man near him spoke softly, “As you know, Professor Markleson has been under extreme ‘physical difficulties, doctor,” he said, “and is not accountable for his actions, He is probably laboring undet an- illusion and does not recognize you.” “That's a lie!” the physicist. shouted, struggling to release himself. “He is Doctor Jorgstedt! I recognize everything now! You, my good friend, are Professor Brandon! I can name every one of you now! My memory was restored by a sight of the filthy features before me! Doctor Jorgstedt, you are responsible for hideous treachery! For the sake of our long-standing friendship, I-swore not'to disclose your degener- acy! But I will change that sworn oath here and now! I will maintain the secret on one condition and that is—that the Sky-Urchin be returned to me within forty-eight hours!” “But, my dear professor!” replied Jorgstedt-inthe most com- plete bewilderment, “I don’t know a thing-in-the world about the Sky Urchin other than what has appeared in the newspapers! T don’t know what you're talking about, though quite plainly you accuse me of something in which I must. deny all guilt. Qn the day before the scheduled take-off of the Sky Urchin, T was instructed by the Astronomical Society to investigate a me- teorite which had fallen in Southern Texas. Until my return this very morning I have been there continuously. I left here in such haste that I could not accompany-you on the ship's maiden flight, Hence my failure to be on hand for such a glori- ous event, You simply have confused me with somebody else! I can prove in short order the length of my stay in Texas. Understanding the terrible experiences you have gone through, déar Professor Markleson, all I can say is that I am sorry from my heart and that I will overlook this great-personal in- justice you have just forced upon me, who have been your dearest friend since boyhood!” Professor Markleson shook himself loose from the arms that had held hitn and stood free; glaring into the troubled con- tenance of the astronomer. He noted that Jorgstedt’s face had taken on a heavy coat of tan that had not been there before, Nor could such a nut-brown color be obtained within the con- fines of the Sky Urchin unless: he had-stood:in the sun light on:the control bridge exposed-to the violet rays that beat down through. the transparent observation bands. Even then many weeks of coustant exposure could-hardly create such a deep tone. As. the scientist’s mind clearly considered all’ this, he felt puzzled and downcast, as though his mind had been playing him tricks. “Did he really, now, remember the Van Dyke beard? “Do you mean to say you were not on the Sky Urchin at any time, Dr. Jorgstedt?” he asked, his eyes suddenly becoming moist and glassy. “Are you-certain of at?” “Perfectly certain, my friend!” he replied, meeting his eyes squarely, “Beyond seeing her pictures in the newspapers I have never set eyes on the SAy Urchin!” “Then will you-accept my sincerest, my profoundest, apology for my actions, my- dear friend?” said Markleson earnestly, striding forward with hand outstretched, “I will try to make amends by explaining a case of mistaken identity.” “T concluded that ‘your actions resulted from something like that,” Jorgstedt replied, grasping the hand of his friend-in a warm, affectionate clasp. “The other party must certainly have been aringer for me!” “From what L could see-of him he was!” the physicist replied, taking the astronomer by the arm and leading him to a far corner where they sat down out of earshot of the others, OR a long time they sat in earnest, friendly conversation, F What was being said between them: no one in the room seemed to hear, nor to care about, for that matter, All were too much engaged in discussing their own affairs to eavesdrop on others, Professor Markleson explained himself. thoroughly, omitting not a single detail of his experience. He ifinstrated the close similarity between the famous astronomer and the Sky Ruler himself, although he had only seen enough of the latter's beard to arouse his suspicions, He conceded presently that that _ alone was insufficient for his restilting conclusions, But in ad- dition the voice had sounded amazingly like the doctor's! “Then the Sky Ruler still remainsa mystery!” said Dr, Jorg- stedt, by way of closing the unpleasant incident of the recent past, “What a wonderful ship he must have stolen!” “Still a mystery, Doctor!” the. physicist said, suddenly tired and weary. "The Sky Urchin is a wonderful ship indeed! I doubt if Icould:ever build another, because of one complicated mechanical system. The thief took the plans—the ship—every- thing! It must ‘be recaptured without damage to protect the plans, which-are doubtlessly on board, If by any chance they have been disposed of toa foreign power—and I don’t think they have been—then we must haye the ship itself so that we can build more like her. She is immune to present methods of attack, though I know that I-could devise a means to destroy her. But we must have her intact!” “Do you stippose that this Sky Ruler is by any possibility one of the men you had working for you on the ship’s con- struction?” Dr. Jorgstedt asked. Professor Markleson- shook his: head, , “My men were all students from the American Institute of Physics,” he replied. “Not one of them had-a chance to grow a Van Dyke. -Of course that might have been a disguise, but I doubt if any of or boys had ever thought of such a daring scheme as the Sky Ruler has pulled, No, Doctor, I don't be- lieve: so!” é “Have you any other suspicions?” the astronomer queried. The scientist regarded him with curiosity. Somehow he did not seem satisfied with the sincerity of that last question. It appeared to have been asked guardedly as though trying to feel him out for all he could give. His eyes. narrowed as he beheld a slight, unnatural tremble in his friend's hands. “No, my friend,” the physicist replied, trying to speak casnal- ly, but watching the-other’s face intently. “I have no other suspicions!” The astronomer smiled: oddly, his lips drawn tightiacross firm, white teeth: The scientist’s turned his head to regard a group of men-standing nearby. He could have sworn that he felt \again a pair of horing eyes penetrating his back, Turning quick- ly he discovered that Dr, Jorgstedt had been-studying him in- tently, The fatter’s face reddened above his tan and he smiled curiously. “Well, Professor,” -he said, rising and flexing his arms, “Pm mighty*tired and I must-make a report to the Society. Guess I’ run along. “Meanwhile, take good care of yourself and forget the-events of the evening, Good day, my friend!” Professor Markleson’s eyes followed him a little suspiciously ashe strode swiftly across the floor and vanished beyond the curye in the hall, There was, he decided,.a mighty close simi- larity between that figure and the athletic frame of the Sky Ruler! He slapped a knee and swore at his suspicions, He squared’ his shoulders; then, feeling the sudden effects of the strenuous events that had made his mind normal again, he got up and went out. CHAPTER V Markleson Returns N the Sky Urchin,-the self-asserted Ruler of the Heavens O lolled lazily in the big, spacious chair in the rear -cab-\ in lighted through the transparent bank, and casually studied a sheaf of plans. The huge silver hulk was cruising across the higher. reaches at moderate speed. Far below lay the earth which at the Sky Urchin’s great altitude: appeared like a tremendous ball glowing slightly under the effects of a =coml cbooks.com esa i) hy Spee gee ote} te ere = het) eta sé ete ec 1 Ces ‘