[Illustration: Henshaw approached the window, his incredulity vanishing.] THE COLOR OF SPACE By Charles R. Tanner Illustrated by Frank R. Paul FIRST PRIZE $150.00 Awarded to THE COLOR OF SPACE In awarding Mr. Tanner the first prize of $150.00 in our very interesting cover contest, we were impressed, in the first place, with the excellent way in which he developed his story. It is a pity that too few science fiction authors consider the story or fiction element of their work to be important enough to demand a great deal of careful thought and preparation. We want emphatically to encourage these writers, who have the knack of developing an interesting story, one that carries you breathlessly through its incidents and comes to a natural climax. Mr. Tanner further was not content to take the cover at its face value, but he tried to analyze its meaning and penetrate its possible significance. This he does in a very convincing manner and we think our readers will agree that the startling conclusion to his story was foreshadowed by what went on before. Mr. Tanner is, we believe, a newcomer to science fiction; yet by the exercise of his splendid powers of observation and facility for developing incidents, he can become a writer of no mean excellence. THE COLOR OF SPACE Dr. Henshaw faced his captor wrathfully. “Have _you_ kept me here, doped for a week?” he began. The Russian interrupted him with a quieting gesture. “Wait, Doctor,” he said, “there is much that must be explained before you indict me. Have you no curiosity regarding your kidnapping or this room in which you find yourself?” His eloquent gesture took in the strange metal walls, the two doors and the immense, shuttered, circular window that covered almost all of one wall. “I think I understand clearly why I was kidnapped,” growled Henshaw. “It’s that secret process of mine. Russia and France have both been making frantic efforts to persuade me to sell. But I won’t.” “Really, Doctor. After my explanation I do think you will agree to sell it to Russia. Much has happened in the week that you have been unconscious.” And seating himself in the room’s only chair, Godonoff went on: