"The East Office also, Friend Jason--Rita's guarding it." Jason Day was local president of the society. Without turning his long dark face, he assented, "Good. We must work fast, now, and with all possible caution. The Quest has been checked a hundred times; almost everything is ready. I assume you've all had your quota for the evening meal. Dinner is the last meal you'll get on Earth. We'll breakfast on the ship." Little more than an hour later, the great roar of the Starterocket tubes announced the beginning of the outlawed excursion. Having succeeded in catapulting their burden into space, the incipient rockets now settled down, smouldering, to rest. A thick, black smoke hid them from view. "Starterockets cleared, Friend Jason," announced young Bowan. No tears now. The lad's face was beaming with a mixture of happiness and perspiration as he awaited further instructions. Jason threw the switch that started the ship's rocket engines almost before the boy's words were finished. Blanche Holm, the pretty co-pilot, bustled about getting things in readiness for the long, forbidden journey. Humming happily, she set gears and levers in preparation for her turn at the controls. Rita Balter, the only other girl aboard ship, was unpacking and re-packing tools and gear while others were similarly occupied in the after-compartments of the Quest. * * * * * In his observatory, where he had paced the floor ceaselessly all night, Dr. Neist watched with deep emotion as the Rocketeers sped into the infinite. Painted along the ship's side in ragged blue he had read: URANUS OR BUST. He smiled sadly at their youthful exuberance. The young fools.... He knew they'd do it. Those old fossils on the Board must have been mad to think they were going to give up the idea after these exhaustive weeks of careful planning. He wished they had. Jason Day was his favorite protege: brilliant, ambitious--they were all a lot of fine kids. He shrugged his shoulders wearily.... * * * * * A gleaming bronze bullet sped smoothly through space, seeming to nose into the very stars. Inside the bullet Jason was getting ready to take his turn at the controls. He found Blanche weary yet cheerful, looking forward to a rest in the sleeping quarters. "Look at the indicator, Blanche!" he cried. The needle was quivering madly. "We're nearing it!" "I know," she replied. "I've been watching it all night. It's been motionless until now. We must just have entered the range of its magnetic field." "I'll take over," Jason said, excitedly. "You'd better get some sleep." "I can't sleep now. Let me have a stimulette, will you? I've used all mine." "Sure ... here." He handed her a capsule. "Blanche--?" "Yes?" "I'm thinking it wasn't far from here--" "Yes, Jay, I know. We'll find out soon enough." "Perhaps too soon. Blanche, you know how I feel about you." "Of course." "Maybe we should have married before we left."