Captain Future 05 - Captain Future and the Seven Space Stones (Winter 1941) Read Free Page B

this coincidence — if it is one.”
     

     
Chapter 3: The Third Space Stone
     
    BACK at the Interplanetary Circus, the big show was about to begin, and Ul Quorn, the “Magician of Mars,” performed his last feat of scientific legerdemain. A roar of applause burst from the audience. Then they began drifting toward the main pavilion, from which music blared.
    Ul Quorn watched them from the wings. There was contempt in his keen black eyes as he turned to the girl who had come quietly to his side. “Performing tricks for gaping fools!” he gritted. “Degrading my knowledge to provide entertainment for stupid crowds!”
    “It will not be for much longer, Master,” said the girl in her soft, slurring Martian speech.
    She was pure Martian — and pure danger. There was an indolent, mocking beauty in her perfect features, yet worry was apparent in her gaze as she anxiously watched Ul Quorn’s handsome, brooding face.
    “Yes, N’rala, it won’t go on much longer,” he replied thoughtfully. “And this freak-show of mine was the best stratagem to raise funds and provide a cover for our activities. But when I have all the space stones —”
    He was interrupted by the blue-skinned Saturnian who was called the Chameleon Man. “They are waiting in your pavilion, Master,” the freak whispered.
    The cadaverous Neptunian called the Hearer also approached.
    “Master, there is something you should know.”
    “Later,” Quorn said impatiently. “Come, N’rala.”
    The Martian girl glided after Quorn to his private dressing room. Three Martians were waiting in it. They were queer-looking men, hollow-eyed, tense. They sprang up as Quorn and N’rala entered.
    “Greetings, Sons of the Two Moons, said Quorn formally.
    “To you, too, Son of the Two Moons, greetings,” answered the oldest of the three. Ul Quorn sat down, but his black eyes were angry as he spoke to the oldest Martian.
    “Why do you come here, Si Twih? Do you want everyone to know I belong to your organization?”
    “Doctor Quorn, the High Council of the Sons of the Two Moons sent us to you. The Council demands to know why you have not made more progress.”
    “I told you it would take time.”
    “You have had time,” retorted Si Twih. “A year ago, you promised to bring complete success to the great purpose of our cult — the restoration of the glory that was ancient Mars. What purpose should command more loyalty than that? What Martian would not give all to see our world regain its rightful position?”
    “Have I not devoted myself heart and soul to that great purpose since I joined the Sons of the Two Moons?” Quorn demanded.
    “Aye. You promised that you could restore the glory of Mars soon. You have done nothing but wander from world to world with this circus. Our members grow impatient.”
     
    QUORN’S smooth face was cold as he answered.
    “The only thing that can restore the glory of Mars is the tremendous secret power discovered ages ago by Thuro Thuun, greatest scientist of ancient Mars. I told you that until I have that secret, we cannot do anything openly. The seven space stones on which Thuro Thuun wrote his secret were scattered in later ages among the worlds of the System.
    “One of those space stones was on Mercury. I got that stone last month. Another was brought recently from Jupiter to Earth. That stone I secured today. There is a third one here on Earth, which I intend to secure tonight. There is another stone on Venus, which I’ll get when the Circus goes there. That will make four of the space stones. But where are the other three? Haven’t our members located them yet?”
    “We are trying hard to locate those three,” old Si Twih answered apologetically. “We believe one is on Mars.”
    “Then my freaks and I will stay with the Interplanetary Circus until it reaches Mars,” Quorn stated. “It affords an excellent blind for my activities.”
    Si Twih stared at him gloomily.
    “I suppose we can trust you, Doctor