Read Online Captain Future 05 - Captain Future and the Seven Space Stones (Winter 1941) by Edmond Hamilton - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Edmond Hamilton
Tags: Sci Fi & Fantasy
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flared and blared all through the circus and the side-shows. Crowds of curious, chattering Venusians began streaming into the grounds.
“You’ll go on fourth, after the Moon Wolf,” Ul Quorn told Grag. “Your Thinking Machine will follow you.”
When the Moon Wolf had finished its turn, speaking patiently in its husky voice to exhibit its human intelligence, it was Grag’s cue to go on. He had already prepared an act with bars and weights.
“I’m the Strong Man of Space,” he roared at the audience. “See that bar? Watch me break it in half.”
A ripple of amazement came from the spectators as Grag seized a steelite bar and actually snapped it into two pieces. The applause mounted as Grag lifted colossal weights, bent girders, and concluded by lifting a light platform on which twenty men were standing.
“Now the Thinking Machine!” shouted the barker. “The automaton that actually answers your questions.”
The cylinder that contained the hidden Brain was brought out and the audience began firing questions at it. It replied hesitantly in a deliberately artificial voice.
“Why doesn’t my husband get back from Earth?” asked a woman.
“Husband — Earth — pretty girl,” answered Simon.
A roar of laughter went up. In replying to questions, the Brain was careful not to make the answers too appropriate. He didn’t want anybody there to think he was anything but a cleverly faked machine. Then he felt himself lifted off the stage to make way for the Chameleon Man’s turn. Resting unnoticed in the wings, Simon heard the Hearer and Ul Quorn speaking close beside him.
“I tell you, it’s Captain Future in disguise, right here in the circus!” Ul Quorn was saying in a low tense voice. “That devil is on our trail. I’m going to put him out of the way right now.”
Chapter 8: Death Cage
NOISILY blaring a raucous Martian march, the brilliantly uniformed band of the Interplanetary Circus marched around the big main pavilion. Krypton lights glowed on the metal walls for the thousands of people who jammed the innumerable rows of seats.
“Big show about to begin!” barkers outside could be heard shouting. “Hurry, hurry! Don’t miss it, folks!” Jur Nugat, the thin, blue Saturnian proprietor of the Interplanetary Circus, stepped into a spotlight as the band’s music ceased.
“Introducing the greatest galaxy of interplanetary acrobats ever gathered together!” he bellowed at the mob.
The crash of brass from the band and eager applause from the packed audience greeted the half-hundred men and girls who ran out and nimbly climbed to the high, swinging trapezes and wires.
“Each and every performer wears a standard gravitation equalizer!” Jur Nugat was announcing loudly. “A committee of reputable witnesses inspects them before each show. No gravitation fakery in this circus, folks!”
The band swung into a soft Earth waltz. The acrobats — Martians, Earthmen, a few Venusians, and a great number of swarthy Mercurians, began the giddy leaps and swings above the copper-gauze safety nets spread far below. They somersaulted, hung by one finger, danced on wires.
“Look at that bunch of amateurs,” growled Otho, eyeing with disdain the feats that held the spectators breathless. “They ought to be ashamed of taking money for such childish stunts. Wait till I show that audience something.”
Otho, disguised as a white-skinned Ganymedean, was wearing tight-fitting trunks. He stood casually beside Captain Future, who lounged negligently as a Venusian swamp man.
“Quiet, Otho, don’t seem to be talking to me,” whispered Curt without moving his lips. “I think Ul Quorn is watching us.”
Future’s keen eyes had noticed Ul Quorn standing with the Hearer in the shadow of the pavilion entrance. The mixed-breed’s handsome red face was imperturbable, but Curt saw him say something, and noticed the Hearer slip hastily away.
“Quorn’s up to something,” Captain Future mused.
“You’ll go on fourth, after the Moon Wolf,” Ul Quorn told Grag. “Your Thinking Machine will follow you.”
When the Moon Wolf had finished its turn, speaking patiently in its husky voice to exhibit its human intelligence, it was Grag’s cue to go on. He had already prepared an act with bars and weights.
“I’m the Strong Man of Space,” he roared at the audience. “See that bar? Watch me break it in half.”
A ripple of amazement came from the spectators as Grag seized a steelite bar and actually snapped it into two pieces. The applause mounted as Grag lifted colossal weights, bent girders, and concluded by lifting a light platform on which twenty men were standing.
“Now the Thinking Machine!” shouted the barker. “The automaton that actually answers your questions.”
The cylinder that contained the hidden Brain was brought out and the audience began firing questions at it. It replied hesitantly in a deliberately artificial voice.
“Why doesn’t my husband get back from Earth?” asked a woman.
“Husband — Earth — pretty girl,” answered Simon.
A roar of laughter went up. In replying to questions, the Brain was careful not to make the answers too appropriate. He didn’t want anybody there to think he was anything but a cleverly faked machine. Then he felt himself lifted off the stage to make way for the Chameleon Man’s turn. Resting unnoticed in the wings, Simon heard the Hearer and Ul Quorn speaking close beside him.
“I tell you, it’s Captain Future in disguise, right here in the circus!” Ul Quorn was saying in a low tense voice. “That devil is on our trail. I’m going to put him out of the way right now.”
Chapter 8: Death Cage
NOISILY blaring a raucous Martian march, the brilliantly uniformed band of the Interplanetary Circus marched around the big main pavilion. Krypton lights glowed on the metal walls for the thousands of people who jammed the innumerable rows of seats.
“Big show about to begin!” barkers outside could be heard shouting. “Hurry, hurry! Don’t miss it, folks!” Jur Nugat, the thin, blue Saturnian proprietor of the Interplanetary Circus, stepped into a spotlight as the band’s music ceased.
“Introducing the greatest galaxy of interplanetary acrobats ever gathered together!” he bellowed at the mob.
The crash of brass from the band and eager applause from the packed audience greeted the half-hundred men and girls who ran out and nimbly climbed to the high, swinging trapezes and wires.
“Each and every performer wears a standard gravitation equalizer!” Jur Nugat was announcing loudly. “A committee of reputable witnesses inspects them before each show. No gravitation fakery in this circus, folks!”
The band swung into a soft Earth waltz. The acrobats — Martians, Earthmen, a few Venusians, and a great number of swarthy Mercurians, began the giddy leaps and swings above the copper-gauze safety nets spread far below. They somersaulted, hung by one finger, danced on wires.
“Look at that bunch of amateurs,” growled Otho, eyeing with disdain the feats that held the spectators breathless. “They ought to be ashamed of taking money for such childish stunts. Wait till I show that audience something.”
Otho, disguised as a white-skinned Ganymedean, was wearing tight-fitting trunks. He stood casually beside Captain Future, who lounged negligently as a Venusian swamp man.
“Quiet, Otho, don’t seem to be talking to me,” whispered Curt without moving his lips. “I think Ul Quorn is watching us.”
Future’s keen eyes had noticed Ul Quorn standing with the Hearer in the shadow of the pavilion entrance. The mixed-breed’s handsome red face was imperturbable, but Curt saw him say something, and noticed the Hearer slip hastily away.
“Quorn’s up to something,” Captain Future mused.
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