ntosaurus herd trumpeted madly and barged for the
higher ground of safety. Too late did instinct warn it of the widening
fissure underfoot. Before it could stop the pressure of the herd drove
it into the crevice.

* * * * *

Carruthers drew back to the extreme inside edge of the boulders trying
to still his ears against their insane bellowings. A cloud of heavy,
choking smoke enveloped him for a moment then passed away. Then it was
that he saw a new star in the atomic heavens,--a star that seemed to
burn with the brilliance of a meteor. Even as he watched he was
conscious of it drawing closer.

The planet was now in a continuous uproar. The ground was heaving and
trembling as if from some inward strain. This was the end. Carruthers
realized it with a sinking heart. In another minute the electron would
disintegrate into a flaming mass of matter and fling itself from its
orbit around the atom.

And then the light from the approaching star struck them in a blinding
radiance of vermilion flames. Carruthers held his breath. Some
invisible force seemed to take possession of his body and that of the
girl at his side. The rocky plateau, now a boiling mass of rocks,
dropped from under their feet. Clear, cold air enveloped their bodies.
Then with the speed of light their bodies were hurled through
planetary space, up, up, up into the vast reaches of the higher ether.

Darkness assailed them. The flames from the jungle fire vanished into
nothingness. The electron moon paled to the size of a pin point, then
went out.

Carruthers had the feeling of expansion and growth. It was as if his
body was taking on the size of the whole world. It seemed to last for
hours, days, ages. But all the while he clung fast to the slender,
quivering body of Nanette.

* * * * *

Mountains and hills suddenly blazed before his eyes. Straight up and
down mountains. He tried to stir his sluggish mind into action. What
did they mean? Where had he seen them before? And while yet his mind
struggled with the problem the mountains dwindled like melting snow.
The pressure around his body relaxed. A blinding glare of steady light
played upon his face. Then all was quietness and peace.

"Nan! Aaron!" The voice was Karl's.

Dazedly they looked around. What had once been mountains were now
desks and chairs. They were back again in the laboratory. Several
agonizing minutes passed before either