Zarlah the Martian | Page 8

in reviewing what
I had heard, and speculating the rare knowledge that the morrow would bring. The secrets
of another world would be unfolded to me, and the scientific achievements of a people
over a thousand years in advance of us would be mine. What glorious possibilities this
disclosed! What a brilliant future as a scientist such knowledge would assure me! And in

the exuberance of my spirits I little thought that the possession of this knowledge would
come to mean naught to me; for I had yet to learn that man cannot share the riches of
another world without also becoming a partner in its sorrows and its passions.
CHAPTER IV.
THE STORY OF MARTIAN LIFE.
With a determination of finding a room from which I could command a longer view of
Mars, the next day I visited several studios which were for rent, and finally succeeded in
securing one formerly occupied by a photographer, which was located on the top floor of
a house in the immediate vicinity of my old rooms.
The room was large, in fact it occupied the entire top floor of the building, and this
feature pleased me greatly. The only communication with the house was by a door which
had every appearance of an outside door, so heavy were the hinges and lock. The
landlord, in drawing my attention to this, had smiled and remarked that the former tenant,
who lived in another section of the city, had been very careful always to leave his studio
securely locked. The ceiling of half the room was entirely of glass, sloping down to the
floor at the angle of the roof, and this was the only means of obtaining air and light. It
was constructed in two sections, which would slide back and forth, for the purpose of
ventilation. This arrangement, I found, would give me an unobstructed view of Mars for
several hours each night. Nothing could be better adapted to my requirements; I could not
be observed by anyone outside, and I need not fear being overheard while conversing
with my Martian friend.
I therefore determined to have my instrument moved at once, in order to be installed in
my new quarters that evening.
I next bought a crate, used for large oil paintings, and upon its delivery at my old rooms, I
immediately commenced packing my instrument in it. Owing to its great weight this was
no easy work, and it would express the procedure better if I said that I placed the crate
around the instrument. Making sure that it was all covered carefully, I had it moved to my
new quarters and set in place, the impression of the carriers being that it was a painting
which I was very anxious that no one should see until it was completed.
As it was now within an hour of the time when I expected Mars to appear, I decided to
leave my books and other belongings at my former rooms until the next day. I uncovered
the instrument, and got everything into readiness, being careful to see that the batteries
were all in place, so that nothing might occur to interrupt the long talk with the Martian
which I was anticipating.
Having turned on the current, and opened the sliding section of the glass roof, I now
awaited the appearance of Mars. There occurred to me question alter question that
seemed of sufficient importance to prompt immediate inquiry, only to be forgotten as
others came into my mind; until the presence of the increasing faint glow on my
instrument found me unprepared with any single question of actual importance.

Consequently I decided to allow my distant informant to continue with the account of
Martian observations of Earth, as being at once the most instructive and surest way of
suggesting important questions.
As my eyes got accustomed to the brilliancy I saw the Martian waiting for me, with his
instrument in readiness. We greeted each other with the affection we both now sincerely
felt, and though I could not clasp his hand, I endeavored in every way to show him the
brotherly warmth of feeling I entertained for him.
It now occurred to me that in the excitement of our first communication with each other,
we had completely overlooked an important conventionality. I therefore announced that I
was known on Earth as Harold Lonsdale.
"My name is Almos," he responded, his dark eyes sparkling as he quickly entered into the
spirit of the occasion. "Although it was customary once for us to have two or three names,
we found it in better harmony with the changed conditions of the present time to have but
one. This you will more easily understand when you have become better acquainted with
this planet and its people."
"And