a warm-blooded creature like man would expire in it."

"Like man, yes," I answered; "but man was made for this world. We are
too apt to measure things by our own experience. Why should we limit the
potentiality of life by what we know of this planet?"

"In the next place," went on Gazen, ignoring my remark, "the old
astronomer's plan of signalling by strong lights was quite
impracticable. No artificial light is capable of reaching to Mars. Think
of the immense distance and the two atmospheres to penetrate! The man
was mad, as mad as a March hare! though why a March hare is mad I'm sure
I don't know."

"I read the other day of an electric light in America which can be seen
150 miles through the lower atmosphere. Such a light, if properly
directed, might be visible on Mars; and, for aught we know, the Martians
may have discovered a still stronger beam."

"And if they have, the odds against their signalling just when we are
alive to the possibility of it are simply tremendous."

"I see nothing incredible in the coincidence. Two heads often conceive
the same idea about the same time, and why not two planets, if the hour
be ripe? Surely there is one and the same inspiring Soul in all the
universe. Besides, they may have been signalling for centuries, off and
on, without our knowing it."

"Then, again," said Gazen, with a pawky twinkle in his eye, "our
electric light may have woke them up."