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settles down so we can get something done, we ll go ahead with our secret studies. If the Earth is
doomed to crash, there s no need
Let s assume it isn t, said Allison. The astronomers say it s being pulled through a thousand gentle
curves. It swings clear of so many danger zones that its course can t be an accident. The astronomers
think we re being towed.
Professor Haycox nodded knowingly. His beaming bespectacled countenance was reluctant to reveal
that he sometimes didn t know all the answers. Towed? Yes, of course. Indeed we re being towed. But
by what, or whom?
By something intelligent, said Allison. By something that knows about the gravitational pull of the great
bodies we re passing, and the heat of the stars, and the dangers of passing too close.
Exactly, exactly, said the professor, nodding from Allison to Kirk as if this theory were his own
brainchild.
Professor Haycox knew very little about astronomy. His eyes were habituated to microscopes, not
telescopes.
But he yielded to the persuasion of Allison and Kirk and accompanied them on a few of the frequent
space trips.
Get an earful of those astronomers goin to town, Kirk would say, as the party of scientists on the
observation level would go into conference.
And take note, Professor, Allison would add, that they re pooling their knowledge and co-operating.
It was hard to tell whether Haycox was impressed. At any rate, these trips were good for his frayed
nerves. He began to accept their viewpoint. The Earth wasn t skyrocketing through the heavens on a
blind fall. It was dodging danger too skillfully.
There was hope in that theory.
But another theory, interlocked with the first, rode in on a fresh wave of terror. The wise astronomers
themselves were chilled by the implications of their findings.
Ahead of the Earth s course something was causing a few of the heavenly bodies to bounce a little way
out of line. As if some huge object were running ahead of the Earth, bumping them or stepping on them.
It was a theory that defied proof, and the evidence was slow accumulating. By now the Earth s speed
was so much greater than the speed of light that the scientists were forced to rely on the subtle messages
of pre-light vibrations.
Gradually the facts which there was no time for light to reveal were captured by other means.
The stars were not being disturbed only a few of the large, non-burning planets around them. As if
some mammoth sky monster were running ahead of the Earth, pulling the shadowy beam attached to the
south pole of the Earth s shell as if this sky monster were bounding from one heavenly stepping-stone
to another.
As if this monster had a stride that had traversed numberless Milky Ways in a few swift bounds!
As if this monster had the sense to pick its step without treading on hot stars!
And now came a further discovery that made the scientists gasp for breath.
On three or four of the passing planets the pre-light vibrations revealed mammoth footprints, smoking
hot, as wide as a continent only one footprint to each planet!
CHAPTER XXI
Big Brains No Significance?
IT WAS a breathing spell for the Earth to be shooting through the series of galaxies at a regular speed.
Philosophically minded persons took advantage of this respite for discussion and gathered new courage
for the dangers that were doubtless ahead.
Kirk Riley went back to his New York space port. He looked for his old cronies. Many of them, like
himself, had gone to new jobs. But his girl friend found that nothing was the same in Brooklyn. The
catastrophes had struck heavily upon the eastern seaboard.
The few friends that Kirk and Diana found were glad to know of their new connections with Lester and
June Allison. Eyes would grow wide at the mention of these names. It was obvious that the Allisons were
ranked high among the leaders who offered hope to this shocked civilization.
The couple returned to the Rocky Mountain resort, and Diana remained there to assist June, who was
providing transportation for the observatory astronomers.
Allison was gone again and had not been heard from for three days. Word from the Institute was vague.
Allison is probably around, said Professor Haycox over the telephone. He s been rummaging through
the laboratory at will. The last time I remember seeing him he was taking down some notes on that
monster brain.
Will you have him call me today? June requested.
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