Page:Amazing Stories Volume 10 Number 13.djvu/128

126, the famed men you have named cannot defend something which discards all present theories and substitutes a new plan, using mere fragments of others.

"Your theory of the Nuclear Hypothesis, and especially that part of it which deals with its instability and lack of cohesion when small unbalanced forces are introduced, cannot be accepted for obvious reasons. Your claims are utterly ridiculous on their face. Why, the Council of Science have found it impossible to accept all of your formulas as being mathematically correct. As a mere cog in the scientific machine, or if you rather,—as an individual,—you are presumptuous to try to prove to this learned body that our self-sustaining relativity, our inter-planetary relationship, can be even shaken by the diversion of a small fraction of Cosmic Energy to human needs."

"Yes," Dr. Howell's voice was calm, even in the face of this bitter indictment, "I remember the old saw, 'Prophets without honor,' etc., but I am not seeking the glory of achievement. I do not wish to take the laurels others have earned. I merely wish to prevent the Universal Cataclysm which must follow the use of even a few of the Cosmic Rays for power purposes. Nature has use for all of them, or they would never have been created."

"But, Dr. Howell! Industry must have new sources of energy! Power is needed for mills and factories. We cannot continue indefinitely with the present economic set-up. Cosmic Energy will supply the cheapest power ever known, and it must be harnessed. And no one,—yourself excepted,—has yet found anything to indicate that its use will disrupt the Universe."

"Industrial progress represents but one phase of life, Dr. Furner," said Howell, earnestly, "but at present everything is being sacrificed to the tinsel god, Production. And the present motto of production engineers seems to be, 'more and greater profits.

"Your ideas are too socialistic for this day and age, Doctor," Furner's tone was withering. "No one has time to waste proving your theory, there's no percentage in that! The profit lies in the other direction, to make this Cosmic Ray generator work successfully," Furner became increasingly sarcastic. "Perhaps your real reason for publicly propounding this fallacious idea is to save your own life,—if worst comes to worst. You should not let fear dominate you." "I am sorry, Dr. Furner, that you misconstrue my intentions. But, really, I fully realize the fact that my own life is not of great moment in this world, or perhaps in any other. And neither is the life of any other single individual,—even yours," he concluded, with a slow smile.

"Well, I must admit that just at this time my fear of great danger from the cause you mention is not great," the tension had relaxed, and Dr. Furner arose to take his departure.

"Perhaps,—and then again, perhaps not," said Dr. Howell, enigmatically.

"Well, Alan," Dr. Howell turned to Winters as the outer door closed, "it looks like the sidewalks of Chicago for us."

"You mean—?" Winters questioned. "Yes, just that. There is no doubt that you will not be asked to come back next year. You know a change in the head of a Department usually means a change all the way down the line. As for myself, I am rather glad