Zarlah the Martian | Page 2

important results. I now had a substance
resembling glass in appearance, though vastly different in composition, which I made
into a film, extremely thin and highly sensitive to vibrations. Running through this film
were slender wires made of various metals, about one inch apart, which served not only
to give rigidity to the film, but also to conduct a current of electricity through it,
engendering a high state of atomic agitation. The current was controlled by a small
switch placed in a heavy box-like frame, which bounded the film on its four sides and
contained the batteries, coils, etc. To this were attached four legs, supporting it about the
height of an ordinary table from the floor. The whole device measured about seven feet
square.

This film substance contained certain elements which I had found to be necessary to
secure the desired intensity of agitation. It had taken me almost a month to secure the fine
quality I desired, and I looked forward to the test with the feeling that results would prove
that I was nearing the goal, if I had not actually attained it.
At last the day arrived when my device was ready for the test. I had worked all the
afternoon giving the finishing touches and it had grown dusk without my realizing it. But
everything was now ready, and moving the switch, I turned the current of electricity
through the composition. Just as I was about to begin my test, I noticed what appeared to
be a faint shadow of a man move across the surface of the film. My first thought was that
someone had entered the room without my knowledge, and his figure had been reflected
on the surface of the film, which was highly glazed, but a glance around the room assured
me that this explanation was untenable. Moreover, I found, upon further investigation,
that the film was lying in such a position that it would be impossible to reflect any person
in the room. I then examined the skylight, only to find that, owing to the sharp inclination
of the roof, it would be an utter impossibility for anyone to reach it from the outside
without the aid of a ladder. I investigated this source further, thinking to find the
reflection on the film to be from some street in the city below, but on account of the
extent of the roof, no street was visible from the skylight.
Completely baffled, I descended into the room again and turned on the current.
Immediately the shadow appeared on the film, and this time, in consequence of the room
now being quite dark, I noticed that it was surrounded by a phosphorus-colored glow.
The figure was certainly that of a man, although very faint, and it became evident to me,
after watching it for a while, that he was trying to signal with his arms.
I now noticed that, in addition to the peculiar light on the film, the entire surface seemed
to vibrate with frequent, but scarcely audible, humming sounds. Upon turning off the
current all disappeared, only to reappear when I switched it on again. It was evident then
that the phenomenon was caused only when the instrument was charged with electricity,
and consequently was no ordinary reflection, as I had at first supposed.
Everything pointed to its being the manifestation of some outside agency; possibly
electrical waves which my apparatus received and in a measure responded to, coming
through the open skylight from--where? The question reiterated itself in my mind, as I
stood gazing perplexedly at the phenomenon. I might have been satisfied with the
supposition that, unknowingly, I had made an instrument which was capable of receiving
wireless waves from another instrument of similar tone in or near Paris, if I had had only
the humming sounds to contend with, but the shadow impelled me to look for the reason
further than this. I glanced upward, eagerly seeking some explanation. One star was
visible through the open skylight--Mars. Clear and bright it shone in the inky blackness
framed by the window.
Once more I climbed to the skylight, feeling that I must seek the explanation in that
direction, when my attention was suddenly turned to the apparatus below me. The glow
was slowly passing off one side of the film. I hastily descended and examined the
batteries, thinking I would find the cause of this in a failing current, but all was

apparently in perfect order. Still the glow and shadow moved steadily off, growing fainter
every moment, until it disappeared completely.
With a sudden impulse, born of a weird and almost terrifying thought, I bent over until
my eyes were on a level with the film, then I looked upward; the star was no longer
visible from the position of