anical through the
electronic emanations of thought waves. Because of his investigations
into this power, men were able to direct great ships by merely
"thinking" them on their proper courses.

[Illustration]

These were only two of his contributions to progress, there being many
others. And now, Sam was facing the mystery neither he nor any other
scientist had ever been able to solve.

Mortality.

There was a great deal of activity near the point at which the men
stood. Drills and rock cutters had formed three sides of an enclosure in
a ridge of solid rock, and now a giant crane was lowering thick slabs of
metal to form the walls. Nearby, waiting to be placed, lay the slab
which would obviously become the door to whatever Sam was building. Its
surface was entirely smooth, but it bore great hinges and some sort of a
locking device was built in along one edge.

Carter Hagen watched the activity and considered Sam's reply to his
question. "Then this is to be a mausoleum?"

Sam chuckled. "Only in a sense. Not a place to house my dead bones if
that's what you mean."

Carter Hagen, understanding this lonely old man as he did, knew further
questions would be useless. Sam was like that. If he wanted you to know
something, he told you.

So Carter held his peace and they returned to the mansion where Sam gave
him a drink after they concluded the business he had come on.

Sam also gave Carter something else--an envelope. "Put that in your
safe, Carter. You're comparatively young. I'm taking it for granted you
will survive me."

"And this is--?"

"My will. All old men should leave wills and I'm no exception to the
rule. When I'm dead, open it and read what's inside."

* * * * *

Carter Hagen regarded the envelope with speculation. Sam smiled. "If
you're wondering how much I left you, Carter, I'll say this: You might
get it all."

Hagen strove to appear nonchalant but his eyes widened regardless. Sam
enjoyed this. He said, "Yes, you'll have as much chance as anyone else."

"You mean as much chance as any of your relatives?"

"I mean what I said--as much as anyone. I've given them no more
consideration than anyone else."

Carter Hagen stared, puzzled. "I'm afraid I don't understand you."

"I didn't expect you to, but that will come later. I'll tell you this
much, though. No one will be barred. The winner will take all, and the
winner may be anyone on this planet. My one regret i