Even the government, unappreciative before, had awakened to a belated
and almost frantic eagerness. Orders were out that everything, no
matter what, was to be at his disposal. He had been regarded as
visionary; but in the face of what had occurred, visions were now the
most practical things for mankind. Besides, Professor Williams had
sent out to the world the strange portent of Huyck’s note. For years
there had been mystery on that mountain. Could it be?
Unfortunately we cannot give it the description we would like to give.
Few men outside of the regular employees have ever been to the
Mountain of Robold. From the very first, owing perhaps to the great
forces stored, and the danger of carelessness, strangers and visitors
had been barred. Then, too, the secrecy of Dr. Robold—and the respect
of his successor. But we do know that the burning glass had grown into
the mountain.
Bob Winters and the aviator are the only ones to tell us; the
employees, one and all, chose to remain. The cataclysm that followed
destroyed the work of Huyck and Robold—but not until it had served the
greatest deed that ever came out of the minds of men. And had it not
been for Huyck’s insistence we would not have even the account that we
are giving.
It was he who insisted, nay, begged, that his companions return while
there was yet a chance. Full well he knew. Out of the universe, out of
space he had coaxed the forces that would burn up the earth. The great
ball of luminous opalescence, and the diminishing ocean!
There was but one answer. Through the imaginative genius of Robold and
Huyck, fate had worked up to the moment. The lad and the burning glass
had grown to Archimedes.
What happened?
The plane neared the Mountain of Robold. The great bald summit and the
four enormous globes of crystal. At least we so assume. We have
Winter’s word and that of the aviator that they were of the appearance
of glass. Perhaps they were not; but we can assume it for description.
So enormous that were they set upon a plain they would have overtopped
the highest building ever constructed; though on the height of the
mountain, and in its contrast, they were not much more than golf
balls.
It was not their size but their effect that was startling. They were
alive. At least that is what we have from Winters. Living, luminous,
burning, twisting within with a thousand blending, iridescent
beautiful colors. Not like electricity but something infinitely more
powerful. Great mysterious magnets that Huyck had charged out of
chaos. Glowing with the softest light; the whole mountain brightened
as in a dream, and the town of Robold at its base lit up with a beauty
that was past beholding.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account