When but a child of seven my uncle placed me in a private school in which one of the so-called redeemed sub-sailors was a teacher of the German language. As I look back now, in the light of my present knowledge, I better comprehend the docile humility and carefully nurtured ignorance of this man.
He had striven to perfect the faultless man of the future, and had succeeded--too well. For in the pitilessly cold eyes of Adam, his super-human creation, Dr. Mundson saw only contempt--and annihilation--for the human race.
Mr. Chambers, once a professor of metaphysics, had for the twenty years since his dismissal lived a reclusive, solitary life, only venturing outside his room for his daily walk and cigar. Then one day, inexplicably, he forgot to buy the cigar, the walk took fifteen minutes less.Determined to make sure he doesn't make the same mistake again and miss the street where he buys his daily cigar he sets out the next day. Then the truth hits him - the street isn't there anymore.
Interplanetary commerce, if and when it begins, will be fraught with all of the dangers that accompany pioneering expeditions. There will be the terrible climatic conditions on other worlds to be faced, strange beasts and plants; and perhaps desperate and greedy men. That was the case when every new land was opened on Earth and it may be expected to be true when we conquer the solar planets.
