The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Devil's Asteroid, by Manly Wade Wellman

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Title: The Devil's Asteroid

Author: Manly Wade Wellman

Release Date: September 8, 2007 [EBook #22538]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Transcriber's note.
This etext was produced from Comet July 1941. Extensive research did
not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication
was renewed.

DEVIL'S ASTEROID

by MANLY WADE
WELLMAN

[Illustration: _The Rock Bred Evolution in Reverse_]

It was not very large, as asteroids go, but about it clung a silvery
mist of atmosphere. Deeper flashes through the mist betokened water, and
green patches hinted of rich vegetation. The space-patroller circled the
little world knowledgeably, like a wasp buzzing around an apple. In the
control room, by the forward ports, the Martian skipper addressed his
Terrestrial companion.

"I wissh you joy of yourr new home," he purred. Like many Martians, he
was braced upright on his lower tentacles by hoops and buckles around
his bladdery body, so that he had roughly a human form, over which lay a
strange loose armor of light plates. In the breathing hole of his
petal-tufted skull was lodged an artificial voice-box that achieved
words. "I rregrret--"

Fitzhugh Parr glowered back. He was tall, even for a man of Earth, and
his long-jawed young face darkened with wrath. "Regret nothing," he
snapped. "You're jolly glad to drop me on this little hell."

"Hell?" repeated the Martian reproachfully. "But it iss a ssplendid
miniaturre worrld--nineteen of yourr miless in diameterr, with
arrtificial grravity centerr to hold airr and waterr; ssown, too, with
Terresstrrial plantss. And companionss of yourr own rrace."

[Illustration: _"You! They drive you out?" A thick, unsure voice
accosted him._]

"There's a catch," rejoined Parr. "Something you Martian swine think is
a heap big joke. I can see that, captain."

The tufted head wagged. "Underr trreaty between Marrs and Earrth,
judge