Edmond Hamilton

“ At nine o'clock I came up the walk to the Copperd home. This time the security agent was leaning against a tree, lighting a cigarette. I made certain that he saw my face clearly.
One upstairs window showed a light, and the faint murmur of voices drifted down. That had to be Copperd's room. Then a porch light flashed on and Beth came out of the door. She was wearing a white dress and the overhead light seemed to create a golden halo above her head.
I momentarily forgot about her father.
How much can a man learn in a few weeks? I had to be so very careful. ”

“ This girl was no fool.
"That's what I meant, Marko. You aren't being modest. You're acting as though you're used to such feats, and take them as a matter of course. And there's your accent. I can't quite place it."
"Some day I'll tell you all about it," I said lightly. "When we know each other better."
"That's going pretty fast, isn't it?"
"Some of us have found that we don't have all the time we should like. We must go fast, or not at all."
It was a platitude, slightly jumbled, but none the less true. Beth was looking up at me. ”

“ Our weapons, such as we have, are of limited range and power.
"When it became known that Earth was developing monstrous weapons of aggression we realized that we must be prepared for the worst. There was only one way to discover what you already had and what you were working on. Once we arrived here we found that a man named Copperd was the prime figure in his country's atomic weapons research. It became our duty to seek him out."
"I see," Copperd grunted. "And now you expect me to reveal secrets which I am bound by oath to protect with my very life?"
"You will reveal them," Ristal told him. ”

“ Mrs. Mara and I were right. The day was hot, and the men who were supposed to be watching the entrance were sitting in the shade of the stands and quenching their thirst with soft drinks. I walked right in, looking straight ahead.
It was a large pool, used for skating in winter, and there were stands built on three sides. Instead of going down to the locker rooms, I merely slipped out of my shirt and trousers, rolled them into a ball and dropped them beside the pool. A good many others had also worn their swim suits underneath. ”

“ Ristal's tall figure was framed in the doorway, and behind him stood Kresh, broad and ungainly. The others crowded up behind them.
"Good work, Marko," Ristal said. We went into the ship, which filled the whole interior of the barn.
"This is Commander Ristal, of the Venusian Intelligence," I told Copperd and Beth.
"What's your official title?" Beth asked bitterly.
"I am a special agent and language expert," I told her. Then I explained why I had brought them here.
"Our civilization is in some way far in advance of yours. As you see, we have mastered interplanetary travel. ”

“ Copperd didn't notice, but I made a mental note to watch my step. And another not to go swimming again. Beth would be watching me, and if she were close enough she might see the webbing pop out between my fingers and toes when I got into the water.
"That's my father," Beth said after he and I had shaken hands and he had left. "Demands exactness. He's a scientist, you know. A physicist."
"Oh?" I said. As if I hadn't known. "Is he always this busy?"
"Busier. If he isn't working at the lab till all hours, he's working at home in his study. ”

“ I hadn't ever worked with him before, or with Kresh, who was Ristal's second in command, but I didn't like the methods their manner implied. Copperd looked worried.
"I told you we were a peaceful people," I put in.
"Let me handle this," Ristal said. He pointed to a machine which stood in a corner.
"That," he explained to Copperd, "is a device which we ordinarily use in surgery and diagnosis. It has the faculty of making the nerves infinitely more sensitive to stimuli. Also to pain. Do you understand?" ”

“ Eldeth Copperd would have been surprised at the extent of my knowledge. I even knew why his government considered it wise to have several of its security agents near him at all times.
"Can't you stay a minute and get acquainted with Marko?" Beth was saying. "He's really a remarkable fellow. He can swim faster than you or I could run." ”

“ Historical matters had to be avoided at all costs. Contemporary affairs were fine. Philosophy was best.
Philosophy is always the best. Good and evil are present everywhere. They can be discussed in the vaguest terms. ”