Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Astounding Stories October 1931. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. [Illustration: At this the titanic thing went wholly, colossally mad.] The Red Hell of Jupiter _A Complete Novelette_ By Paul Ernst * * * * * CHAPTER I _The Red Spot_ [Sidenote: What is the mystery centered in Jupiter's famous "Red Spot"? Two fighting Earthmen, caught by the "Pipe-men" like their vanished comrades, soon find out.] Commander Stone, grizzled chief of the Planetary Exploration Forces, acknowledged Captain Brand Bowen's salute and beckoned him to take a seat. Brand, youngest officer of the division to wear the triple-V for distinguished service, sat down and stared curiously at his superior. He hadn't the remotest idea why he had been recalled from leave: but that it was on a matter of some importance he was sure. He hunched his big shoulders and awaited orders. "Captain Bowen," said Stone. "I want you to go to Jupiter as soon as you can arrange to do so, fly low over the red area in the southern hemisphere, and come back here with some sort of report as to what's wrong with that infernal death spot." He tapped his radio stylus thoughtfully against the edge of his desk. "As you perhaps know, I detailed a ship to explore the red spot about a year ago. It never came back. I sent another ship, with two good men in it, to check up on the disappearance of the first. That ship, too, never came back. Almost with the second of its arrival at the edge of the red area all radio communication with it was cut off. It was never heard from again. Two weeks ago I sent Journeyman there. Now _he_ has been swallowed up in a mysterious silence." An exclamation burst from Brand's lips. Sub-Commander Journeyman! Senior officer under Stone, ablest man in the expeditionary forces, and Brand's oldest friend! Stone nodded comprehension of the stricken look on Brand's face. "I know how friendly you two were," he said soberly. "That's why I chose you to go and find out, if you can, what happened to him and the other two ships." Brand's chin sank to rest on the stiff high collar of his uniform. "Journeyman!" he mused. "Why, he was like an older brother to me. And now ... he's gone." * * * * * There was silence in Commander Stone's sanctum for a time. Then Brand raised his head. "Did you have any radio reports at all from any of the three ships concerning the nature of the red spot?" he inquired.