Getting Axel back aboard the Jehad was not as much of a task as we had expected. After we blasted to the Jehad's orbit, we slid him across space between the rocket and the plasma ship without hurting him. After all, what is there in space to hurt anyone? Axel computed our route home on the electronic calculator, and we blasted off exactly twenty-one months from the day we left the earth. "How about our duty shifts on the way home?" Gail asked as we were at last in space again. "Whatever you say, my dear," I told her. "Me? I'm not in charge." "Axel's injured," I said, "and you're my wife. That makes you top banana." "You fool!" she laughed. "But it'll be nicer going home than it was going away." "Yes," said Axel. "There is enough water for all, Miss Loring." "I wasn't thinking of the water. And you can either call me Gail or Mrs. Drake from now on. I'll never be Miss Loring again." Axel threw back his head and laughed. "I was sure it would happen this way," he said. The End * * * * * _A Destroyer From Another Planet--Bent On Mastery Of The World_ ENCOUNTER By J. Hunter Holly Author of THE GREEN PLANET It came plummeting out of the sky--a soundless, streaking, purple glow, moving faster and faster until it ripped at the trees, crashed through them and struck sickeningly against a hill. Momentarily it flared brightly, then went out. It was not long after that the murders began--strange, inexplicable deaths, all the victims found with their heads crushed as if their skulls had exploded outward. The trail of victims lead from Arkansas to Tennessee, to Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan--sixteen unrelated people who had only one thing in common: All of their brains were withered, as if sucked dry of their contents.... And somewhere wandered an evil stranger from another planet, his personality expanding, his brain power increasing, preparing for the inevitable encounter that could make him master of the world! A Science Fiction Thriller From MONARCH BOOKS, INC. Available at all newsstands and bookstores 35¢ If you are unable to secure this book at your local dealer, you may obtain a copy by sending 35¢ plus 5¢ for handling to Monarch Books, Inc., Mail Order Division, Capital Building, Derby, Connecticut. * * * * * Now--You Can Read These Famous MONARCH AMERICANA BOOKS Save Money On Good Books! Use the coupon below worth 5¢ toward purchase of any MONARCH Americana Book listed if sent with 30¢ for the book ordered to: MONARCH BOOKS, INC., Mail Order Department Division Street, Derby, Connecticut