hing of a
cold fury that was new to him in his friend. The young scientist was
bitterly resentful of the attitude of the public.

"Can we see you, Van?"

"No, nor call me either. Better hang around the hotel and wait for a
call from me. So long now, Bart. I've got to get busy."

"So long."

Bart gazed solemnly at Bill Petersen, who had been listening
abstractedly to the one-sided conversation. Bill had given up hope and
was resigned to the inevitable.

"Says he may need us, Bill," said Bart.

"Yeah? Well, we'll be ready for anything he wants us to do. It's no
use though--anything."

"What do you mean--no use? You never saw Van licked yet, did you?"

"Sure I did. By his super-telescopes and the rocket ship."

"But this is different." Bart was a staunch defender of his friend. He
glared at Bill for a moment and then switched on the news broadcast
which he knew he detested.

* * * * *

The progress of the moon weed continued unabated. In the city of New
York a million souls were reported as having lost their lives, and
this in spite of the difficulty experienced by the uncanny moon weed
in obtaining a foothold in Manhattan. It had been thought that the
asphalt and concrete would prove an effective barrier, and so they did
for a time. But, with the seed active in the parks and along the water
fronts, it was not long before the powerful roots of the greedy plants
worked their way underneath, ripping up pavements and wriggling into
cellars as they progressed. The city was a mass of wreckage and a
maelstrom of fighting, dying humanity.

Whole regiments of the National Guard were wiped out as they fought
off the weed with ax and bayonet, in the effort to provide time for
the refugees to clear from their homes in certain localities. All
transportation facilities to the south and west were taxed to the
utmost. There was fighting and killing for the possession of
automobiles and planes and for room in trains and buses. Air-line
terminals and railroad stations were the scenes of dreadful massacres
as the police and military guards fought off the crazed and desperate
creatures who attacked them en masse. And still the news announcers
prated of the responsibility of one Carl Vanderventer.

The telephone bell rang, and Bart answered it in relief. At last they
were to see some action! But no, it was merely the desk clerk,
notifying him that all employees were leaving the hotel and that th