The Earth-Tube Read Online Free Page B

is filled with a viscous mass, simulating the viscosity of the earth. The outer shell is made in proportion, both as to weight and thickness. The oceans, simulated in jelly, are approximately correct. In the model I have also placed powerful magnets in such positions that they roughly represent gravity, attracting toward the center. Unfortunately, I have been unable to overcome the force of the real gravity, but I have compensated for it, and in a measure offset its importance for the purposes of this experiment.
    “You will observe, if you look closely, that there is a small opening in the earth on an unexplored and hitherto unknown island in the Japanese Sea. There is another exactly opposite it in a small hypothetical island near South America. These openings are connected by a long tube which passes directly through the center of the model, and through which I will drop this iron bullet when we have got the model to rotating at the proper speed.”
    The lights in the laboratory suddenly went out, except for a single bright glow at one side of the globe, which might have represented the sun. The huge model began to revolve. It gained speed rapidly, until a small instrument which Dr. Scott held in his hand gave a sharp click. At that point he kept the speed of the model constant.
    “We have now reached a rotation,” he explained, “approximately proportional to that of the. earth, reckoning the size of the model in relation to that of the larger sphere. We have spent much time refining these instruments and insuring the accuracy of this experiment. I will now permit the bullet to drop into the tube, where it will respond to the electro-magnets, being iron, as an object dropping into the real earth would respond to gravity.”
    There was a click, a slight train of sliding sounds as of metal touching metal at growing speed, then silence. Dr. Scott turned off the power and brought his earth model gently to a stop. Quickly he took the reading of the tiny seismograph located at Washington and flashed it on the screen, greatly magnified, beside the one already showing there. The similarity between them was apparent.
    The Secretary looked at the two readings, then at the model. With a puzzled expression he turned to the scientist.
    “You have reproduced the tremor,” he admitted, “but still I do not see. “
    Dr. Scott laid down his pointer with an air of patience. “Mr. Secretary,” he said, “you have had a great deal of interest in this problem as an amateur scientist. But it was not in this capacity that I called you here to-day. It was because of your duty as a defender of the Americas.
    “In short, I am telling you that certain mysterious and hostile peoples on the other side of the earth, fearing to attack us in the air or on water for reasons I shall explain, have dug a tunnel directly through the hot center of the earth, and at this moment are preparing to land a hostile force in South America, in the first drive of a war which may wipe out all of the white population on both of the American continents, and which may, if they are not careful, destroy the earth as well!”
    The Secretary rose, his face red and furious.
    “You are joking with me,” he said. “I did not come here for that kind of entertainment. A tunnel through the earth! Impossible!”
    “Please, please,” said Professor Scott, standing in front of his guest firmly, “do not be so sure that it is impossible until I have explained further. Impossible for us. yes, I will admit that. But that it was impossible for those people who have so cunningly sought to attack us in this manner it certainly was not, and that I can show you also, if you care to hear.”
    The anger of the Secretary was genuine. “My good man,” he exclaimed, “you don’t know what you are saying. If this story ever gets out they will make a worse fool of you than ever before. Please stop this nonsense while you still have a shred of reputation left!
    “Your own words