Boarder and the other directors of the Institution did not share Underwood's reluctance for publicity. They were accustomed to the ways of the publicity writers, for much of the income of the Institute depended upon such publicity which drew substantial contributions.
So it was that the arrival of the Lavoisier was widely announced. A crowd of ten thousand gathered to watch the removal of the protoplasm that had once been a great and alien being.
Underwood stood in the control room watching the landing area beside the Carlson as the ship settled deep into Earth's atmosphere. Gradually he made out the identity of the black smear covering the landscape about the white stone building that gleamed like a Grecian temple.
Terry, beside him, exclaimed, "Look at that mob! The whole town must be out to welcome our guest."
"If they don't get out of the landing area, they'll be smeared over the landscape. Collins, contact the base and get that field cleared!"
The communications officer put the call in. The laboratory ship circled idly while the mob moved slowly back to permit the ship to touch down beside the building.
Underwood raced out of the ship and into the building. His technicians were standing by. Each one in turn reported his position operating properly. Then Underwood called back to the ship and ordered the portable lock released.
At once the massive cargo hold was thrown open and the thick-walled lock, bearing the container of protoplasm, was wheeled out.
The crowd caught sight of it as it rolled swiftly into the building. Someone in the far ranks sent up a cry. "Hail the Great One! Welcome to Earth!"