Page:Amazing Stories Volume 10 Number 13.djvu/56

54 Mikhailloff leaned over the panel and closed a switch. Immediately a blinding electric discharge encompassed the cage. The metal bars glowed with a hellish light and the smell of ozone tickled the nostrils of the entranced watchers.

Despite his familiarity with the sensations accompanying the experiment, Earl's flesh began to creep as he felt the usual tingling coldness move up from his toes.

E was prepared for the usual dazzling flash of light that indicated his complete subjection. All physical sensations were gone. His eyes and brain alone functioned as before. No longer could he hear the crackle of electrical discharges. All was quiet, in the midst of this soundless inertia.

He reflected that this was the first time that he had ventured into the unknown alone. Always before, Vassily had accompanied him and he missed the company of the gloomy Russian scientist. Whenever they had gone into the cage together, they had passed the time of suspension by conversing by thought transference. Here in the realm of the fourth dimension, it was the only method of conversation.

Earl could only see directly ahead of him as he was powerless to move the muscles of his eyes in any direction. He noticed the usual clarity of vision and the way every detail stood out in bas-relief.

He regretted his inability to hear, as the occupants of the room before him were apparently engaged in an animated discussion.

In the manner of foreigners, they were all waving their arms to emphasize their speeches. However he noted the expressions on their faces. Suddenly all left the room but the three Commissars. At an action of Marenin, the unfriendly inspector, Earl's brain vainly sent a message of surprise to his nervous system. He knew that if he had had his physical capacities, he would have gasped with surprise. A scintillating explosion of light informed him that the experiment was at an end.

FTER the cage and its human occupant had faded from view, Commissar Taraskin closed his gaping mouth and stammered: "Mikhailloff! Can you show us if any physical sign remains of Comrade Lyons' presence? Or has he only become invisible?"

The old scientist lifted a long rubber ferrule and slowly advanced to where the cage had formerly stood. He made several passes over and through the space which had held Lyons. Nothing arrested his movements.

Taraskin and Sarakhan applauded wildly. "Imagine its possibilities!" cried the former. "We can mask the approach of troops in war!"

"And conceal attacking battleships!" added Sarakhan. "I vote we recommend the Government's support."

"Never!" It was the voice of Marenin. His fleshy face was red with anger. "This is rank charlatanry! Some complicated trick. As long as I live it will never be acknowledged!"

Mina's dark eyes flashed dangerously. "Beware, Comrade Commissar," she snapped. "Your actions smack of superstition. It is my duty to report everything that occurs here. I shall spare no details of your stubbornness. You know what the Executive Council thinks of treasonable non-co-operation. What have you against its ac-