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Astounding Stories of Super-Science, August 1930
·
Various
115
"Greetings,"
he
said,
in
perfect
English
and
in
a
soft
voice,
"to
the
domain
of
Theros.
You
need
fear
no
harm
from
our
people
and
will
be
returned
to
the
upper
world
when
the
time
comes.
We
hope
to
make
your
stay
with
us
enjoyable
and
instructive,
and
that
you
will
carry
back
kind
memories
of
us.
The
morning
meal
awaits
you
now."
So
taken
aback
were
the
two
young
Americans
that
they
stared
foolishly
agape
for
a
space.
Then
a
tinkling
laugh
from
the
tall
stranger
set
them
once
more
at
ease.
"You
will
pardon
us,
I
hope,"
apologized
Frank,
"but
this
is
all
so
unexpected
and
so
unbelievable
that
your
words
struck
me
speechless.
And
I
know
that
my
friend
was
similarly
affected--We
place
ourselves
in
your
hands."
The
handsome
giant
nodded
understanding.
"No
offense
was
taken,"
he
murmured,
"since
none
was
intended.
And
your
feelings
are
not
to
be
wondered
at.
You
may
call
me
Orrin."
He
turned
toward
the
open
door
and
signified
that
they
were
to
follow
him.
They
fell
in
at
his
side
with
alacrity,
both
suddenly
realizing
that
they
were
very
hungry.
They
followed
in
silent
wonderment
as
Orrin
led
the
way
to
a
broad
balcony
that
overlooked
a
great
underground
city--a
city
lighted
by
the
soft
glow
from
some
vast
lighting
system
incorporated
in
its
vaulted
ceiling
high
overhead.
The
balcony
was
many
levels
above
the
streets,
which
were
alive
with
active
beings
of
similar
appearance
to
Orrin,
these
speeding
hither
and
yon
by
means
of
the
many
lanes
of
traveling
ways
of
which
the
streets
were
composed.
The
buildings--endless
rows
of
them
lining
the
orderly
streets--were
octagonal
in
shape
and
rose
to
the
height
of
about
twenty
stories,
as
nearly
as
could
be
judged
by
earthly
standards.
There
were
no
windows,
but
at
about
every
fifth
floor
there
was
an
outer
silver-railed
balcony
similar
to
the
one
on
which
they
walked.
The
air
was
filled
with
bowl-shaped
flying
ships
that
sped
over
the
roof
tops
in
endless
procession
and
without
visible
means
of
support
or
propulsion.
Yet
the
general
effect
of
the
busy
scene
was
one
of
precise
orderliness,
unmarred
by
confusion
or
distracting
noises.
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