all citizens of a civilization that was dependent for its life on
turning wheels and on power surging through bright wires across hundreds
of miles of open country. Without those turning wheels, and the power in
those wires there was no food, there was no warmth, there was no life.

They listened to the radio again at midnight. There was little that was
new. The President's council had found no solution, nor had they come to
any decisions. Scattered riots and public disorders were springing up,
both in Europe and America. On the high seas, the captain of the _White
Bird_ was begging for assistance, demanding to know what had happened
that no ship could be sent to his aid.

Word finally came from Ken's father and his companions that their car
had failed after leaving the dam to return home. They had reached a
farmhouse where they would spend the rest of the night. They would try
to find some kind of transportation in the morning.

In the early-morning hours Ken's friends drifted away, one by one, to
their own homes, and as dawn approached, Ken finally went up to his own
room and slept. Maria and her mother, with Ken's mother, had retired
only a short time earlier.

When he awoke at 9 o'clock Ken had no idea whether or not the school
officials planned to hold classes that day, but he felt that for himself
and the other members of the science club there would be no return to
normal activity for a long time. Since his father would not return for
an indefinite time Ken determined to approach President Lewis of the
college regarding the use of the idle blower and ventilation ducts in
the Science Hall.

He had met President Lewis a number of times and believed the president
would listen to him.

Another matter had disturbed Ken since last night. As soon as he was
awake he called the office of Mayor Hilliard. The Mayor's secretary
answered and said, "Mayor Hilliard is in conference. He will not be
available today."

Ken hesitated. "Tell him it is the Maddox residence calling. I think
Mayor Hilliard will answer."

In a moment the Mayor's voice boomed on the phone. Normally hearty, it
was now weighted with overtones of uncertainty and fear. "Professor
Maddox, I was just about to call you. Would you...."

"This is not Professor Maddox," said Ken. "I'm his son, Kenneth."

"My secretary said...." The Mayor sounded angry now, although he knew
Ken well.

"I didn't say my father was calling," said Ken. "I've got something