A gasp went up from the great men assembled there. Erickson's colleagues nodded in helpless agreement. "But how?" The question came from all sides. Famous engineers looked at each other questioningly. "Gentlemen." This was a new voice, young and full of energy. "Mr. Holden," responded the chairman. "Professor Erickson was so kind as to confide in me several years ago, and since then I have been at work on this problem. I have solved it." Eager interest shone on all faces. Jack Holden was known and liked by many of these men, despite his youth. His discovery of _hexoxen_, the chemical which turned solid matter into almost intangible vapor, had created quite a stir in scientific circles. He now continued his address. "If all the resources of Earth are made use of, it would be possible to produce hundreds of tons of _hexoxen_ and sufficient amounts of the element Europium to act as a catalyst. That would be plenty to reduce the moon to a gaseous state. The clouds of gas could then be penetrated by anti-gravitational screens, which would cause the smaller pieces to drift off into space, where they will do no harm whatsoever." Several distinguished engineers nodded their heads. One of them spoke. "Mr. Secretary, the plan is entirely feasible. I move that Mr. Holden be given permission to make use of all the necessary resources to carry out his plan, and that he be placed in sole charge, assisted by an advisory board of which Professor Erickson shall be chairman." The motion was carried, the papers drawn up, and the meeting adjourned. Holden grasped Professor Erickson firmly by the arm and hurried him to the elevator. "We've got just five minutes to get to the port. We're catching the first airliner for San Francisco. There are three of the latest model Mars-Earth freighters there, which we will use for our expedition. We will also be near the best source of Europium. Hurry." As the elevator shot downward, the old professor endeavored to congratulate Holden on his appointment. "Forget it. This was your idea, and they should have named you leader of the expedition, but that really doesn't make much difference. Anything you say goes, see?" A crowd was milling around the entrance to the Western Hemisphere tunnel. An official tried to stop Holden and his companion as they pushed their way through the crowd. "The liner is leaving. You can't go in there." "Oh, we can't, huh? Here." A single glance at the paper shoved under his nose, and the gatekeeper came to life. "Right this way, you're just in time." The three ran out on top of the building, where the beautiful silver shape of the liner floated at the top of a short tower. An officer was just giving the command to cast loose, but as Holden shouted to him, he countermanded it, for special orders from the Union had to be obeyed, even if schedules were spoiled. * * * * *