to
the kill, but (Mr. Hamilton simply loves "buts") our brave
heroes glance over the strange controls of the captured
craft and without hesitation pick out the right levers and
hold the enemy at bay. After annihilating most of them, and
after the zero hour has come, the heroes prevent the great
invasion and return to their native land.

It is interesting to note that the heroes, though greatly
outnumbered and with strange weapons, always down many of
the enemy while they themselves escape unscathed. Also, Mr.
Hamilton loves narrow escapes, and phrases such as these
appear frequently in his story: "But even as he raised his
deadly ray-tube, I leaped and knocked it from his hand. They
charged, but I was too quick and dodged as the foremost
hurtled at me."

These incidents are supposed to get the reader all excited,
but after a while they grow monotonous.

The second story in the April issue, "The Exile of Time,"
promises to be excellent in every way. It would be
interesting if George Rankin, in his time-traveling, should
witness the signing of the Declaration of Independence or
the Battle of Bunker Hill.

"Four Miles Within" was good also, save that the heroes'
escape from being marooned and James Quade's death savored
unpleasantly of Edmond Hamilton.

Sewell Peaslee Wright's adventures of the space patrol are
always fascinating, and "The Ghost World" is a splendid
example of this.

On the whole, your magazine is practically perfect.--Robert
Baldwin, 359 Hazel Ave., Highland Park, Ill.

_Likes 'Em to Seem Real_

Dear Editor:

I've been reading Astounding Stories since the November
issue, and I think that, on the whole, it is a very good
magazine. It is of a handy size, convenient price, and O.
K., except that you might cut the edges of the pages
smoother. Wesso is an excellent artist.

I think your best authors are Harl Vincent, Ray Cummings and
Capt. S. P. Meek. I like Capt. Meek's Dr. Bird stories
immensely. Also among your best authors are Charles W.
Diffin aid Murray Leinster. And now about the stories
themselves.

I've noticed that quite a few in "The Readers' Corner" are
all for fiction and no scientific explanation. I like
fiction, too, but anybody can make up a pretty good plot