Dr. Collins calls attention to the theory that life reached Earth as minute spores borne along on light waves. He also pointed out the coincidence of Nova Centauri. Although the star burst over two hundred years ago in a great super Galaxy in the region of Centaurus, the light of the explosion has just reached Earth. If malignant life spores were carried on the exploding light rays of Nova Centauri, then it would account, Dr. Collins maintains, for the fact that the plague struck almost simultaneously in every corner of the globe.... Again Matt's voice trailed off. The five men and the girl eyed each other in awed consternation. III "Malignant life spores!" Captain Bascom's deep set black eyes were troubled, frightened. "Here, give me the paper, Matt. We'd better take it back to the ship with us." He turned to Sawyer. "You're the biologist, Jesse. What do you think?" Sawyer was a fat bald man with popping green eyes. He said, "Ed, I don't like to make a snap judgment. We haven't seen much yet. But it's possible, of course. "The theory is that life spores, propelled by light rays, lodged on Earth a few million years ago. The conditions were favorable, and they multiplied, developed. "The result of our expedition to Mars favors the theory somewhat. The same spores must have bathed the entire solar system, but conditions were too unfavorable for life on the other planets. "After all, life is a fermentation, a festering on the surface of a planet. The other planets were highly antiseptic. But Earth couldn't repel the parasitic growth!" "What a horrible theory!" Lynn burst out. Matt asked, "If that's the case, then Mars must have been smothered in the life spores this time, too. Why didn't we catch the plague?" The biologist said, "We were sealed in the _Argus_ or our space suits all the time. The spores couldn't get at us." "But isn't there a chance we might catch the disease now?" "If there is," said the biologist with a shrug, "we've already been exposed. There's nothing we can do about it." An uneasy silence possessed them. Matt was conscious of a faint wind rustling the tree leaves outside. "Suppose we look around," he said at length. Almost reluctantly, they followed him back through the house. Dirty dishes were piled on the dining room table, more dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. Dirt and dust lay thick on everything. They climbed the stairs. Matt pulled the first door open. A strong fetid stench met his nostrils. He hastily shut it. "There's another one in there," he said. "The pigs couldn't get to the body, I suppose." "Let's get out of here!" Lynn pleaded. "We've seen enough!" Matt saw that they all appeared pale and sick. He wasn't feeling too robust himself. "O.K. Let's go!"