Give my love to Morino,' whispered Rex to Vargo, as they clasped hands.
At a distance of a hundred yards or so they stopped, turned, and watched their transport vanish like a wraith into the night sky. Then, each busy with his own thoughts, they made their way towards the house.
They had nearly reached it when a shadow loomed, hurrying, out of the gloom. Did you see that flying saucer ? ' cried a voice, stiff with excitement.
'Did we see what?' questioned the Professor.
'That Saucer. You must have seen it. I would almost swear that I saw you get out of it.'
'Who are you,' inquired the Professor, coldly. 'And what, may I ask, are you doing, trespassing on my land at this hour of night?'
'My name's Lake, sir. I'm a reporter from the Daily Mirror. There have been rumours of a UFO having been seen about here more than once, so I came up to watch for it in the hope of getting the biggest story ever.
I've been sleeping rough on the hill for a week.'
If you're prepared to watch for flying saucers you must believe in them.'
'Of course I do.'
'Very well. For being an intelligent fellow you deserve to be told the truth,' stated the Professor. We have just landed from one. But it's no use telling your readers that, young man, for they won't believe you.'
Will you tell me about it, sir?'
'Provided you refrain from frivolous remarks. But let us not stand here.
We have come a long way. Yes, indeed, quite a long way. Come along to the house. When we have rested and had some refreshment you may be able to persuade Rex to tell you all about it.'
But as soon as they were in the house and the lights were on the reporter had a surprise to spring.
'Do you know anything about this?' he asked, spreading on the table several newspapers.
The space voyagers fell silent, staring, as their eyes ran over screaming banner headlines.
All told the same story. It was doom. The approach of Vontor had been noted by the big observatories and its near-collision with Earth predicted in terms of panic or sombre resignation.
A wan smile spread over the Professor's face as he scanned the reports.
Then, pushing up his spectacles he turned to the newspaper man. 'Yes,' he said, 'we know all about it. Go home, young man, and tell your readers that all is well. The danger has passed. Also tell them this. Politicians wonder what has gone wrong with civilization when the answer is staring them in the face. The world is sick with fear. It lost its peace of mind when it became possible for one man to destroy it by pressing a button.
This they understand.
What they do not realize is that the world could always have been destroyed in an instant of time by a wandering meteor. That is beyond their understanding.'
'But. . . but what proof can I give that the danger has gone?' cried the reporter.
'You can say,' answered the Professor slyly, 'that you have had a message from Mars.'
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