“Right!” said Jim, cutting his motor. “More later!”
And to Professor Wentworth he called:
“All right, that’s enough! That ray was stronger than you knew!”
But there came no answer, and mounting to the wing-tip, Joan following, Jim saw a sight that froze him with horror. They beheld the professor, slumped against the tube, his whole body glowing a pale, fluorescent green.
“Father!” screamed Joan, rushing to his side. “Oh, Father!”
The man stirred, motioned her away, gasped weakly:
“Do not touch me, child—until the luminosity goes. I am highly radio-active. I had no time to—insulate the tube. No time to find out how. Had to—hurry—”
His voice waned off and they knew he was dead. The two stood there stunned by the realization of his great sacrifice.
He and Joan had set forth on this venture knowing they stood at least a chance, thought Jim, but Professor Wentworth had known from the start that it was sure death for him.