The Revolt of the Star Men

The creatures that people this exciting story of Mr. Gallun, may seem at first blush to be impossible monstrosities. Yet, on consideration, we must realize that they are not so far-fetched. Even in our picayune little corner of the universe, we find in the insect kingdom a form of life that has survived through every possible earth catastrophe in the last 40,000,000 years. With their skeletons on the outside of their bodies instead of on the inside, insects are able to protect their bodies from heat, cold, and from accidents that would kill us. If the insect's shell were harder and thicker and made of heat-resisting material, it might conceivably be able to live in space without other protection. The point is that Mr. Gallun makes his Space Men so convincing that we can do nothing but believe in them. And he has woven about them such a thrilling story of adventure on two worlds that one will have to read and reread it, to get from it the fullest enjoyment.
It was in the reading room of the Neilson-Aldebar space liner, Ekova , that two young people came unexpectedly upon a third person who sat alone, absently skimming through a copy of the Interplanetarian . When the girl caught sight of him she uttered a little acclamation of surprise. Hekki-you! she cried.
The one addressed looked up. A smile of greeting came over his swarthy, aristocratic features. Hello, Jan. It is I—none other, he said. Aren't you glad to see me? Here he shot a quick glance at the girl's companion.
Why certainly I am, Hekki, she replied a trifle nervously. But how can it be? A week ago you left for the deepest, most mysterious part of the Taraal desert on Mars, to collect objects of ancient art, and now you are here. Where have you kept yourself during the voyage?
The other smiled again—this time a cryptic, secretive smile. Business, he said mysteriously. It called me to Earth at the last moment, and since we left the docks at Taboor, it has kept me occupied in my stateroom. This is but the third time I have ventured out of it. Alka brought me my meals. Hekki arched his finely penciled eyebrows slightly as he looked up at the lady's companion. And you too have had business, Janice, he added. A new boy friend? There was a hint of something unpleasant in his tone, but the girl ignored it.