"Dick is right, Kitten. He must make the long trip first. Then, after the machine is proved reliable, you may go with him. I can think of no better way of spending a honeymoon--it will be a new one, at least. And you needn't worry about the boys getting back safely. I might not trust either of them alone, but together they are invincible. Good-night, children. I wish you success, Dick," as he turned away. Seaton took a lover's leave of Dorothy, and went into the lawyer's study, taking an envelope from his pocket. "Mr. Vaneman," he said in a low voice, "we think the Steel crowd is still camping on our trail. We are ready for them, with a lot of stuff that they never heard of, but in case anything goes wrong, Martin has written between the lines of this legal form, in invisible ink A-36, exactly how to get possession of all our notes and plans, so that the company can go ahead with everything. With those directions any chemist can find and use the stuff safely. Please put this envelope in the safest place you can think of, and then forget it unless they get both Crane and me. There's about one chance in a million of their doing that, but Mart doesn't gamble on even that chance." "He is right, Dick. I believe that you can outwit them in any situation, but I will keep this paper where no one except myself can ever see it, nevertheless. Good-night, son, and good luck." "The same to you, sir, and thank you. Good-night." +--------------------------------------+ | | | _The author of this story, being a | | chemist of high standing and an | | excellent mathematician, gives us a | | rare gem in this interplanetary | | tale. For one thing, he suggests an | | interesting use of the action of | | acceleration. In this instalment it | | is made to take the place of gravity | | when the interplanetary vehicle is | | out in open space. In order to get | | the gravity effect, a positive or | | negative acceleration could be given | | out. | | | | This instalment retains its easy | | flow of language and continues to | | develop surprise episodes with a | | remarkable degree of realism._ | | | +--------------------------------------+ CHAPTER VIII Indirect Action