room and proceeded to the safe, but it was opened as
they had expected. The six-inch tungsto-iridium wall had been melted
through. Even this unbelievable fact no longer surprised them. They
only glanced at the metal, still too hot to touch, and looked about the
room. The bonds had been taken. But now they noticed that over the
mail-clerk's desk there had been fastened a small envelope. On it was
printed:

To the Officials of the San Francisco Airport

Inside was a short message, printed in the same sharp, black letters:

Gentlemen:

This plane should land safely. If it doesn't, it is your
fault, not mine, for the instruments that it carries
should permit it. The passengers are NOT dead! They have
been put in a temporary state of suspended animation.
Any doctor can readily revive them by the injection of
seven c.c. of decinormal potassium iodide solution for
every 100 pounds of weight. Do NOT use higher
concentrations. Lower concentrations will act more
slowly.

You will find that any tendency toward leprosy or cancer
will have been destroyed. It will kill any existing
cancer, and cure it in about one week. I have not
experimented with leprosy beyond knowing that it is
cured very quickly.

This is an outside job. Don't annoy the passengers with
questions.

The gas used cannot be stopped by any material I know
of. You can try it with any mask--but don't use the
C-32L. It will react with the gas to kill. I would
advise that you try it on an animal to convince
yourselves.

I have left stock in my new company to replace the bonds
I have taken.

Piracy Incorporated is incorporated under my own laws.

The Pirate

On the desk beneath the note was a small package which contained a
number of stock certificates. They totalled $900,000 face value of
"Piracy Preferred", the preferred stock of a corporation, "Piracy, Inc."

"Piracy! Pirates in the air!" The field manager forced an unnatural
laugh. "In 2126 we have pirates attacking our air lines. _Piracy
Preferred!_ I think I'd prefer the bonds myself. But thank God he did
not kill all those people. Doctor, you look worried! Cheer up. If what
this pirate says is true, we can resuscitate them, and they'll be better
off for the experience!"

The doctor shook his head. "I've been examining your passengers. I'm
afra