Transcriber’s note:

This story was published in Galaxy magazine, June 1960. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

[p148]Mars had gifts to offer and Earth had much in return—if delivery could be arranged!

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148

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Mars had gifts to offer and Earth had much in return—if delivery could be arranged!

EARTHMEN BEARING GIFTS

By FREDRIC BROWN

Illustrated by CARTER

DHAR Ry sat alone in his room, meditating. From outside the door he caught a thought wave equivalent to a knock, and, glancing at the door, he willed it to slide open.

It opened. “Enter, my friend,” he said. He could have projected the idea telepathically; but with only two persons present, speech was more polite.

Ejon Khee entered. “You are up late tonight, my leader,” he said.

“Yes, Khee. Within an hour the Earth rocket is due to land, and I wish to see it. Yes, I know, it will [p149]  land a thousand miles away, if their calculations are correct. Beyond the horizon. But if it lands even twice that far the flash of the atomic explosion should be visible. And I have waited long for first contact. For even though no Earthman will be on that rocket, it will still be first contact—for them. Of course our telepath teams have been reading their thoughts for many centuries, but—this will be the first physical contact between Mars and Earth.”

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Khee made himself comfortable on one of the low chairs. “True,” he said. “I have not followed recent 

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