Page:Astounding Science Fiction (1950-01).djvu/16

 said Stoddard, studying the diagram. "We didn't get any transmission beyond twenty thousand angstroms because there wasn't any radiation to transmit."

"That's it! Our universe only had a diameter of twenty thousand angstroms. All radiation of longer wave length was cut out."

"About one ten-thousandth of an inch," said Stoddard, doing some fast mental arithmetic. He chuckled. "No wonder old Fosberg was worried!"

"You see the Xi effect does give a consistent explanation of all the phenomena," said Arnold triumphantly. "In any case, we can't be in doubt much longer."

"How's that?"

"Why because the universe will have shrunk so much the optical spectrum will be affected. The landscape will change color."

"Well, maybe you're right," Stoddard agreed reluctantly, "but so far everything looks just the same to me as it always has." Absently he began doodling a series of circles and squares across Arnold's diagram. "What I wish," he said with a yawn, "is that somebody would find a way to shorten the time from one pay day till the next."

Arnold waved his arms in a helpless gesture and walked to the other fend of the room. Stoddard sat motionless as if half asleep. Presently he took a brief case from one of the drawers and began exploring its contents. "Here're those snapshots we took at the zoo the other day," he said. "Haven't had time to develop 'em yet."

His partner eyed the rolls of film without interest. "My wife was asking about them at dinner. She wants to see that one where she's feeding the eagle."

"If you want to wait, I can develop 'em now."

Arnold glanced at his wrist watch. "Sure, go ahead. It's only eight-thirty."

Stoddard turned off the overhead light plunging the little room into total darkness. Arnold could hear him searching for the switch that operated the safelight, but when he snapped it on there was no result. He snapped it several times but still without result.

"Globe's probably burnt out," said Arnold.

Stoddard jerked the screen back revealing the light inside burning brightly. "Now what?" he muttered. They stood staring at the light in puzzled silence. Suddenly Arnold leaned forward, his face tense in the white glare from the lamp.

"Stoddard."

"Yeah?"

"Put the screen back over the lamp."

His partner hesitated then obediently shoved the screen back in place until not a chink of white light was visible. Gradually as their eyes gained sensitivity in the dark the oblong shape of the safety screen became faintly visible.

But the screen was no longer ruby red. It was a dull colorless gray. 16