using electricity for years and years before they knew anything about it. But," he said with a laugh, "enough of the manifestation of the unreal roots of variable-matrix wave mechanics. Maculay's wastrel—but interesting—nephew is about to enjoy life."

Cliff winked at Dorothy, patted Helen on a bare shoulder, and then led Alice towards the dance floor.

"Doesn't this mean anything to you?" she asked him.

"Uh-huh," he said with a smile. "At about three cents per word; that black shaft of energy is an idea coming to life."

"What kind of idea?"

"Um—let's see. That black shaft of energy was really a spacecraft, passing through the solar system at a velocity higher than the speed of light. Some extra-solar race, colonizing the galaxy. What we detected was the space-wake of such a craft. You have no idea of the energy kicked up when a body passes through space at a velocity higher than that of light. Then Our Hero, bullied by his superiors, shows that he has measured the energy-curve and solved the secret of interstellar travel."

A slight frown came to Maculay's face. "The trouble is that this super-galactic race has learned how to create negative space before the ship and re-create positive space behind it to keep from having the—the—" A bead of sweat came upon Maculay's face and he became nervous. He looked around, almost wildly, before continuing, "the—entire universe," he concluded lamely. "Negative space is self-propagating, you know." Maculay finished this last with a wince of pain.

Then Maculay straightened up with a laugh. "That's lousy," he said. "Larimore wouldn't buy it. We'll have him go out and meet some four-armed monsters who think that human meat is superb. That's crummy too, but it's an idea. C'mon, m'lady, let's dance!"

The telephone rang on Doctor Hanson's desk. It was Ava, from the outer office. "Man by the name of Redmond to see you, doctor," she reported.

"Has he an appointment?"

"No, that's why I'm calling. He claims it is a matter of impor—No, Mister Redmond, you cannot go—"

The doctor's door opened abruptly and the man called Redmond strode in. "Where is Maculay?" he demanded sharply.

Doctor Hanson looked up at Redmond calmly. With insulting deliberation, Hanson eyed the man, while Redmond began to fume. Redmond 

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