“Well, what Dad did was to figure out a counter-acceleration device, which he called the ‘contracel’ for short. All I know is that it blankets the effects of really terrific acceleration so far as our feeling it goes.” “Have you any idea, Nick,” asked Dorothy Gilbert, suddenly serious, “where the Hartnett party is?” He shook his head. “They were outward bound for Alpha Centauri, just as we’ll be after we get home and check these results. I’ve no idea how far they got, because I don’t know how to check distances by wave n. In fact, I don’t think it can be done; the damned thing doesn’t travel right. “You, Dorothy, and Bob, Edgar, and I are all members of the family of the original Hartnett expedition. The reason I wanted you three was because I really expect to look for Dad and his friends on our way to Alph. You. Fred, and Grenville and Timbie aren’t exactly family members in our little circle, but you’re next thing to it. We’ll have to have a bigger crew for the outing, of course.” Dorothy ran her fingers through her hair. “It’s been over twelve years since I last saw Harry,” she whispered. “I wonder what he looks like now?” * * * * * Joe Timbie was sucking laboriously on a water-tube as they pulled themselves into the control room. He laid it aside at their entrance, and wiped his face furiously. “The interference is terrific,” he began, “but I sounded the alarm because I’m definitely getting something every now and then, although it’s hard to say what.” “Any idea as to the source?” “You know how wave n is. Edgar’s been cooped up in his cage for about seven hours now, and, if he survives, I damn well think he’ll have taken wave n to pieces and put it together again. Then we’ll know how to trace the signals.” Dorothy Gilbert sat on a bench swinging her legs thoughtfully. “How’s the intensity, Joe?” Timbie clutched his hair. “O gawd!” he groaned. “It just shouldn’t happen to a dog. This wave has the most unholy variations ever conceived by Lucifer. You remember how it was on Earth?” “Yeah,” agreed Nick. “Pretty wavy to say the least.” “Well it’s all of that here—only the little jigger has got itself another twist. Not only does the intensity vary according to no laws whatsoever, but every now and then, she comes through full blast, sans interference, backwards!” “What!” There was a chorus on that.