"You must understand that we have no sympathy with many of the conditions on earth. I was deeply impressed when Grandfather told me about the conference he had with you and your Earth friends, and of the plan you boys have made. The news has been broadcast all over Mars. Your success or even a partial one will be an outstanding feat of our time. "We all hope that our sincere admiration for you boys shall be an inspiration for your success. We shall encourage you and take great pride in your work. Even though you don't succeed fully, but only plant among your people the seed of the way we live our life, I will be just as proud of your achievement." We spent the whole afternoon, until late in the evening, telling each other of our love, and planning and hoping for our future. We were in a deep embrace when her mother called her on the inter-communicating instrument to come home. That was the most momentous day of my life. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 19: Reprinted from the Nov. 1946 issue of _Fortune Magazine_. _Machines Without Men_ by E.W. Leaver and J.J. Brown, by special permission from Editors, p. 165.] [Footnote 20: Ibid., p. 204.] CHAPTER VI _Auri Sacra Fames_ "_The accursed thirst for Gold_" A week after our first meeting, we again met in Sun-Rank Banard's library. Addressing Mr. Galoway, he said, "I am very sorry to hear that you have failed to find the missing element for the proposed radio transmitter. You certainly tried hard enough. But don't let this discourage us. In a conference with several of our Supreme Council members, we decided that it might be a good plan to take Lieutenant Balmore back to Earth and let him parachute down right over his home. He can disseminate the experiences he has had on our planet and, at the same time, acquire an airplane with the best high frequency radio transmitter. Then he can contact us on our airship at a prearranged time and place.