"Not only is life entirely possible," stated the doctor quietly, "but
I'll bet you this sky-car against an abandoned soap-stone mine that we
find humans, or near-human beings there when we land tomorrow!"



II

SPEAKING OF VENUS


The architect was still dressed in the fashionably cut suit of men's
clothes she had worn while in the car. Van Emmon thought of this when he
said, somewhat awkwardly:

"Well, I'm going to fix something to eat. It'll be ready in half an
hour, Miss--er--Jackson."

She looked at him, slightly puzzled; then understood. "You mean to give
me time to change my clothes? Thanks; but I'm used to these. And
besides," with spirit, "I never could see why women couldn't wear what
they choose, so long as it is decent."

There was no denying that hers were both becoming and "decent." Modeled
after the usual riding costume, both coat and breeches were youthfully,
rather than mannishly, tailored; and the narrow, vertical stripe of the
dark gray material served to make her slenderness almost girlish. In
short, what with her poet-style hair, her independent manner and direct
speech, she was far more like a boy of twenty than a woman nearing