The Barrier

Marian was missing and Bert was determined to find her! He never expected it would lead him to a mysterious barrier and interplanetary intrigue. 


Excerpt

"Sure this is it, Pete?" he asked his companion.
"Positive." Peter Canfield gripped the arms of his seat and peered anxiously through the floor port.
"Looks harmless enough. I think you've been dreaming."
"Would I waken you in the middle of the night to bring me out here if I wasn't sure? I tell you something's wrong, Bert."
"Marian is down there?"
"Just as I told you. The government planted her boss here for some special research. Daniels, you know. Of course he brought her along."
Albert Peyton, prosaic advertising man and confirmed bachelor, could hardly work himself up over his friend's worries. Nor could he bring himself to believe the incredible tale Pete had brought to him in the small hours. "This wall of yours," he drawled. "I don't see it. How'd you say you come to find it?"
"I told you it's invisible," returned Pete wearily. "I didn't hear from Marian for a few days so tried the radiophone. There was no reply. Anxious about her, I came out in the speed boat--my aircab's laid up, you know. Had a devil of a time getting inland on foot too. Then the wall held me back, so I went after you."
"What's it like, glass?"
"No-o. It's yielding, rubbery-- seems to be alive if you get what I mean. Pulsating, sort of. As invisible as the air."
"No surface reflections?"
"No, just nothing. I heaved a rock at the stuff and it bounced off without a sound. Was flung upward too."
"HM-M." Bert strained his eyes but still could see no sign of unusual purport below. "It surrounds grounds and all, you say?"
"Positively. I'm scared stiff about it."
Pete looked scared. His usually bright gray eyes were dull and shadowed. His hands trembled and bleak lines were around his tight-lipped mouth. Bert knew of his feelings toward Marian Persons.
"What's your plan?" asked Bert "We're here now."
"Drop inside this barrier. See?-- it's a wall and well land inside. Find out what's what."