human
While we're waiting, I'll explain something of this to you, Carnes, said the doctor.
gpt
At four hundred-yard intervals are men with electroscopes like this one. My attempt to locate Saranoff by means of wave detectors was a failure. That proved that the ray he was using is not of the wave type. The other common ray is the cathode ray type which does not consist of vibrations but of a stream of electrons, negative particles of electricity, traveling in straight lines of high velocity. He must be knocking loose some of the electrons when he collapses the atoms. The rate of discharge of these electroscopes will give us a clue to the nearness of his device.
human
Once you locate him, how do you propose to attack him?
gpt
The obvious method, that of using his own ray against him, fell down. However, in attempting to produce it, I stumbled on another weapon which may be equally effective. I am going to try to use an exact opposite of his ray. The cathode ray, when properly used, will bombard the atoms and knock electrons loose. I perfected last night a device on which I have been working for months. It is a super-cathode ray. I tested it on the yellow powder and find that I can successfully reverse Saranoff's process. He can contract matter together until it occupies less than one one-thousandth of its original volume. My ray will destroy this effect and restore matter to something like its original condition.
human
And the effect will be?
gpt
Use your imagination. He blasts out a hole by condensing the rock to a pinch of yellow powder. He moves forward into the hole he has made. I come along and reverse his process. The yellow powder expands to its original volume and the hole he has made ceases to exist. What must happen to the foreign body which had been introduced into the hole that is no longer a hole?
human
At any rate, I hope that I am never in a hole when that happens.
gpt
And I devoutly hope that Saranoff is. I met with one difficulty. My ray will not penetrate the depth of solid rock which separates his borer from the surface.
human
Then how will you reach him to crush him? You don't expect to drill down ahead of him?
gpt
That is my stroke of genius, Carnes. I am going to make him bore the hole down which my ray will travel to accomplish his destruction. The cathode ray and rays of that type--
human
Pardon me, Doctor, interrupted the radio operator.
gpt
I have just received a message from the squadron leader of the planes patrolling the bay. He states that every inch of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River have been examined and no submarine is visible.
human
I expected that. He will have opened a cavern under the earth, in which his craft is safe from aerial observation. Once the borer has left it, it is invulnerable no longer.
gpt
What reply shall I make?
human
Tell him to keep up a constant patrol. Three navy subs with radite-charged torpedos are on their way up the bay, together with half a dozen destroyers. The subs will scout for such a hole as I have described and will attack his sub if they find it. The destroyers will stand by and support them.
gpt
There is a steady leak here, Doctor, he said.
human
I get a discharge in eleven minutes.
gpt
Probably a result of his work in opening the hiding place for his submarine last night. Keep it charged, Jones.
human
What did you say about the cathode ray, Doctor?
gpt
The cathode ray? Oh, yes. I said that rays of that type were attracted by--Hello, look there!
human
It works, Carnes! cried the doctor as he rushed for the car.
gpt
We've got him this time!
human
What is your discharge rate?
gpt
Eight minutes. Doctor.