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.Mindes paused and Lucky prodded him. Seen what, Dr.Mindes? I wish I could say for sure.I saw it only from a distance each time.Something moving.Something that looked human.Something in a space-suit.Notone of our inso-suits, our special insulated jobs, you know.It looked morelike an ordinary space-suit.Ordinary met-al, you know. Did you try to get closer? Yes, and I lost it.And the photographs showed nothing either.Just spots oflight and dark that might have been something, or nothing.But it wassomething, all right.Something that moved under the Sun as though it didn tcare a thing for the heat and radiation.It would even stand still in the Sunfor minutes at a time.That s what got me. Is that strange? Standing still, I mean?Mindes laughed shortly. On the Mercury Sun-side? It sure is.Nobody standsstill.Insulated suit and all, you go about your business as fast as you canPage 22ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmland get out from under as fast as you can.This near the Terminator the heatisn t so bad.It s the radiation, though.It s just good practice to take aslittle of it as possible.The inso-suits aren t complete protection againstgamma rays.If you must stand still, you move into the shade of a rock. What s your explanation of it all?Mindes s voice fell to an almost shamed whisper. I don t think it s a man. You re not going to say it s a two-legged ghost, are you? said Bigmansuddenly, before Lucky could nudge him into silence.But Mindes only shook his head. Did I use that phrase on the surface? I seemto remember No, I think it s a Mercurian. What? cried Bigman, sounding as if he thought that were worse. How else could it endure the Sun s radiation and heat so? Why would it need a space-suit then? asked Lucky. Well, I don t know. Mindes s eyes flashed, and a restless wildness settledupon them. But it s something.When I got back to the Dome, every man andevery suit could be accounted for each time.Dr.Peverale won t authorize anexpedition to make a real search.He says we re not equipped for it. Have you told him what you told me? He thinks I m crazy.I m sure of it.He thinks I m seeing reflections andbuilding men out of them in my imagination.But that s not so, Starr!Lucky said, Have you contacted the Council of Science? How can I? Dr.Peverale wouldn t back me.Urteil would say I was mad andthey would listen to him.Who would listen to me? I would, said Lucky.Mindes sat up in bed with a jerk.His hand shot out as though it were readyto grasp the other s sleeve but then held back.He said, in a choked voice, Then you ll investigate it? In my way, promised Lucky, I will.The others were already at the banquet table that evening when Lucky andBigman arrived.Above the hum of greeting that rose as they entered and thebeginning of the introductions, there were obvious signs that the gatheringwas not entirely a pleasant one.Dr.Peverale sat at the head of the table, his thin lips set and his sunkencheeks quivering, the picture of dignity maintained under difficulty.At hisleft was the broad-shouldered figure of Urteil, lounging back in his chair,thick fingers playing delicately with the rim of a drinking glass.Toward the foot of the table was Scott Mindes, looking painfully young andtired as he stared with angry frustration at Urteil.Next to him was Dr.Gardoma, watching with an anxious and thoughtful eye as though ready tointerfere in case Mindes grew rash.The remaining seats, except for two empty ones at Dr.Peverale s right, werePage 23ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmloccupied by several of the senior men of the Observatory.One in particular,Han-ley Cook, second in command at the Dome, leaned his tall, lean bodyforward and took Lucky s hand firmly in his own.Lucky and Bigman took their seats and the salads were served.Urteil said at once in a harsh voice that effectively took over theconversation, We were wondering just before you came in whether young Mindesought not to tell you of the great wonders in store for Earth as a result ofhis experiments. No such thing, snapped Mindes, and I ll do my own talking if you don tmind. Oh, come on, Scott, said Urteil, grinning broadly, don t be bashful.Well,then, look here, I ll tell the man.Dr.Gardoma s hand fell, as though by accident, on Mindes s shoulder, and theyoung engineer swallowed a cry of indignation and remained silent.Urteil said, Now I warn you, Starr, this is going to be good.It Lucky interrupted, I know something of the experiments.The grand result ofan air-conditioned planet is quite possible, I think.Urteil scowled. That so? I m glad you re optimistic.Poor Scott can t evenmake the pilot experiment work
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