The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Solar Magnet, by Sterner St. Paul Meek

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Title: The Solar Magnet

Author: Sterner St. Paul Meek

Release Date: July 13, 2009 [EBook #29401]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SOLAR MAGNET ***

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Transcriber's Note: This e-text was produced from Astounding Stories
October 1931. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

[Illustration: _Pistol in hand, the two men watched the oncoming lights._]

The Solar Magnet

By Capt. S. P. Meek

+------------------------------------+
| Another episode in Dr. Bird's long |
| scientific duel with his country's |
| arch-enemy, Saranoff. |
+------------------------------------+

The milling crowd in front of the Capitol suddenly grew quiet. A tall
portly figure came out onto the porch of the building and stepped before
a microphone erected on the steps. A battery of press cameras clicked. A
newsreel photographer ground away on his machine. Wild cheers rent the
air. The President held up his hand for silence. As the cheering died
away he spoke into the microphone.

"My countrymen," he said, "the Congress of the United States has met in
extraordinary session and is ready to cope with the condition with
which we are confronted. While they deliberate as to the steps to be
taken, it is essential that you meet this danger, if it be a danger,
with the bravery and the calm front which has always characterized the
people of the United States in times of trial and danger. You may rest
assured--"

A slightly built, inconspicuous man who had followed the President out
onto the porch was surveying the crowd intently. He turned and spoke in
an undertone to a second man who mysteriously appeared from nowhere as
the first man spoke. He listened for a moment, nodded, and edged closer
to the President. The first man slipped unobtrusively down the Capitol
steps and mingled with the crowd.