Page:Amazing Stories Volume 10 Number 13.djvu/58

56 "Why worry about the Far East? We're getting along fine here. They're sending us plenty of men and money. In a few months we'll have this new model of Mikhailloff's finished and we'll be able to travel ahead in time at a governed speed."

The Russian looked up impatiently. "Don't you see, you fool!" he snapped angrily.

Earl regarded him in surprise. "Why no. What do you mean?"

"There's a Treaty Conference due next week in Moscow. Japan has agreed to send a representative but promises nothing. If she refuses to sign the Peace Treaty, it means war. Russia doesn't want war, at least not yet. She isn't prepared for it. We'd rather spend the money for industrial development and the betterment of the conditions of our people. If we have to fight, it means the end of all our experiments, perhaps forever."

Earl pursed his lips in a silent whistle of surprise. "So that's why Mina was called to Moscow last night. I thought she went to try for our permission to marry."

Vassily nodded grimly. "If there's war, she'll be put to work immediately in the counter-espionage department. You;ll never see her—"

"He won't, eh?" came a clear voice from the doorway.

Earl sprang from his chair and ran to greet his fiancee. The Russian regarded them balefully. "What's news from Moscow?" he rasped.

Mina's smooth features clouded. "We don't know," she sighed. "It all depends on what happens at the Treaty Conference. If it's war, no permission will be given to members of Gay Pay Oo to marry, and I'm afraid you'll get no further support here."

Earl's active brain began to attack the germ of an astounding idea. "Where is the conference to be held in Moscow?"

"At the Administrative Building in the Kremlin. Why do you ask?"

The American smiled but said nothing.

"Come, Earl," begged Mina, "If you have an idea, let's have it now, not later."

Vassily looked at him questioningly.

Peter Mikhailloff entered at this moment, his old eyes bright with interest. "It works, my friends. The new attachment is a success—" He glanced at the assemblage. "Why all the gloom?"

Mina related the news from Moscow.

The old man shrugged his shoulders. "In the past fifty years we've had many revolutions and plenty of wars. It made no difference to me. My work went on uninterrupted."

Earl drew nearer and stared into Mikhailloff's eyes. "But suppose we could prevent this war?"

"How?" asked Mina. The others looked their puzzlement.

"Why not install one of our time projectors in the conference room and see for ourselves just what the outcome of the Treaty Council will be?"

Vassily smashed his fist on the table. "Marvelous!" he gasped.

Mina looked up proudly at her sweetheart and smiled with satisfaction. Mikhailloff beamed approvingly.

They should have saved their rejoicing until after the experiment and perhaps they would have been prepared for the disappointment that followed.

HE day before the conference, the council-chamber in the Administrative Building was bare and quiet. On the balcony that completely extended around the hall, Earl was supervising the installation of a small