The Lonely Astronomer by John Russell Fearn

Author:John Russell Fearn [Fearn, John Russell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, sci-fi, mystery, pulp, Adventure
ISBN: 9781479404841
Publisher: Wildside Press
Published: 2015-02-17T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

Quirke Examines a Corpse.

For a long moment Molly just could not take the situation in at all. Sasmo of Procyon? Here? Halfway up the column and conveniently in time to save her from certain death? Indeed, from what she knew of him—which was little—the surprising thing was that he had even taken the trouble to save her.

“I gather,” his quiet, cynical voice remarked, “that you were in difficulties, young woman? Who are you and what were you doing?”

“My name’s Molly Brayson. As to what I was doing… Well, never mind. I was making an experiment.”

“Apparently a dangerous one. Swinging on a wire a mile above ground is not a good idea unless you’re trained to it. Molly Brayson, you said? Assistant to Adam Quirke, the scientific detective?”

“Yes.” Molly pinned her anguishing hands between her arms and her body and gritted her teeth. “Now you know that, I suppose you feel like kicking me into the depths?”

“I have no such intention. It would seem more expedient to get you medical aid immediately. I gather your hands are paining you considerably. Since I am ascending the column you had better come with me. If you are not able to walk—or rather climb—you can trust yourself to me.”

Molly did not say anything. She was confused, both with the situation and the pain in her hands. The column was so devised that the upper half had no means whatever of communicating with the summit, except by helicopter. This had been done to prevent possible saboteurs from below trying to wreck the costly astronomical equipment, whilst the lower half was provided with an internal ladder so that constant supervision could be maintained over the contracting and expanding section upon which the column’s security depended.

“Did you say—climb?” Molly asked at last.

“I did. I had intended to make the ascent alone, of course, but your extra weight will not incommode me in any way. I have strength which you of Earth would consider supernormal, but that is purely the outcome of the high-gravity planet from which my ancestors came.”

Again Molly was silent. The first question that leapt to her mind was to ask why Sasmo was behaving as he was and what he was doing here. Then she decided that perhaps the questions were better left to Adam Quirke.

“You mean climb up the outside of the column?” she asked abruptly.

“Naturally. From this halfway point there is no way up the interior of the column: I have already made sure of that. But there are sufficient projections and metal brackets on the outside of the structure to provide ample foot and handhold. Do you care to trust yourself to me?”

Molly looked at the solidly-built, round-headed figure against the stars, then whatever hesitation she had vanished as her burned hands gave an extra vicious twinge.

“All right,” she said quietly. “I don’t know how you propose to carry me. I can’t possibly hold on to you with my hands.”

“You can with your arms locked under my chin.” Sasmo went down on hands and knees.

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