Zarlah the Martian | Page 9

as I am most anxious to learn more about the conditions of life in your world," I
added, eagerly, "I trust you will continue the account of Martian observations of Earth,
which was barely commenced last evening when the wave contact ceased. But first let me
ask how you located my whereabouts, for this morning I moved to another section of the
city."
"Ah!" he replied, with a smile, "I was not aware you had moved. Experience has taught
me about where to look for the large city you call Paris, on the side of Earth that is now
exposed to us, and then by systematic search I soon located the response of your
instrument.
"As our observations of Earth with projected light-rays have been carried on for seven
hundred years, it will be necessary to give you an outline of our history and the progress
of science covering that time. This will not only be of interest as a forecast of your own
world's future, but will also prove of the greatest value to you, if you decide to visit this
planet, an undertaking which I am convinced lies within your power."
His words wrung an exclamation of astonishment from my lips, but, as though not
wishing to be interrupted, he went on:
"Seven hundred years ago, a power derived from that substance known on Earth as
radium, was discovered on Mars. This power was found to be capable of projecting light
rays almost instantaneously through space for inconceivable distances, at the same time
preserving their integrity to such a remarkable degree that they would reach the farthest
planets without diffusion or diminution. Thus my image, thrown upon the instrument
before me, is conveyed to Earth in light-waves by this flow of super-radium with such
tremendous speed as to be practically instantaneous; these are received in your instrument,
which is responsive to the flow of super-radium, in the same condition as when they left
Mars, consequently depicting the image life-size.

"Having come in contact with another body in the heavens, this outward-flowing current
of super-radium is changed to an inward-flowing current. In making this change it frees
the light-waves it conveyed from Mars, and retains the light-waves of the objects about it,
which is merely repeating its performance upon leaving Mars. These light-waves of
objects on another globe it now conveys on its return journey to Mars, entering a
receiving instrument and depicting the objects therein life-size.
"Possessing rays invisible to the human eye, except when agitated by a substance of its
own nature, daylight on a planet becomes an entirely unnecessary adjunct to observations
made with super-radium, and we are able to explore the dark side of planets and other
heavenly bodies, just as effectually as those illuminated by the sun.
"Thus have we, for seven hundred years, been able to study the country, cities, streets,
and people of Earth. And not only did we note a remarkable similarity in the people,
buildings, and scientific progress to early Martian ages, but, by the advertisements,
placards, and other street signs we were able to learn the principal languages spoken on
your planet, and these were found to correspond in a remarkable degree to those in use on
Mars, before conditions on our planet made the adoption of a composite language an
absolute necessity. And undoubtedly these same conditions in due time will face the
people of Earth."
I could not restrain an exclamation of astonishment at this prediction, but Almos at once
reassured me by stating that when the time did come, it would be the beginning of
universal peace and happiness on Earth.
"Am I to understand, then," said I, "that a condition of perfect happiness prevails on
Mars?"
"Unhappiness is considered a disease with us," Almos rejoined. "It is heard of, but very
rarely, and is treated as a serious malady. But you will understand these things better as
you gradually become acquainted with the conditions here. You must remember that you
are in the position of a man over fifteen hundred years in advance of his day.
"Having become convinced, through close observations, that the progress of Earth was
identical with that of Mars, and that Earth, being the younger planet, was consequently
following our lead, we anxiously watched for the discovery on Earth of the wonderful
power that had been the means of bringing us into such close visual contact with you.
When you discovered radium, we realized that this would eventually lead to the
discovery of the higher power, but we feared that this might not be for hundreds of years.
"That communication was possible through the medium of radium and electricity, we
were totally ignorant of. It was the responsive properties of radium in your instrument,
however, that first attracted my attention while searching