[Footnote 2: Sir James Jeans' view of the cosmic rays is that they are causing the material universe to dissolve into radiation. "The whole of the available evidence," he writes, "seems to me to indicate that the change is, with possible insignificant exceptions, forever in the same direction--forever solid matter melts into insubstantial radiation, forever the tangible changes into the intangible ... there can be but one end to the universe ... the end of the journey cannot be other than universal death!"--Sir James Jeans: _The Mysterious Universe_.] "But--" And his voice tightened--"but two days ago, for the first time, a clue was found as to the possible nature of these rays; pictures were taken which may pave the way toward an understanding of this ancient mystery. And then what happened? Was it sheer coincidence that almost immediately Flick Muldoon, who hasn't an enemy in the world, should be murderously assaulted here in the heart of his own bailiwick? And that an attempt should be made to destroy this incriminating evidence? "No! That coincidence is too great for me to swallow. It only strengthens my belief that it is not simply blind nature which is responsible for the doom to which our galaxy is being driven." Muldoon was an easy-going man. In the tightest spots his carefree nature was wont to assert itself in gibe and cheerful banter. But now his laughter-crinkled eyes were wide with awe and wonderment. He made a vague, sweeping gesture. "You mean, Gary, that out ... there ... _something_ or _someone_--?" Gary nodded. "Yes. That is what I am forced to believe. That _They_--whoever _They_ are, and wherever They may exist--are making a deliberate effort to destroy us." "But," interpolated the ever-cautious Dr. Anjers, "you cannot be sure of these things, my young friend. You cannot prove them." "Not now, no. But by the gods, I'm going to try!" "Going to--!" Dr. Bryant looked at his young assistant, startled. "Going to try, Gary? What do you mean?" Lane spoke slowly, putting into words for the first time the idea which had been growing within him ever since he and Muldoon had, upon Luna, chanced upon their amazing discovery. "I mean I'm going _out there_, as Flick put it, in search of _Them_ and of that weapon which is slowly but surely bringing death to our civilization. I am going to leave Earth and this galaxy and hunt in the dark depths of the Beyond for the reason conspiring against us."