The Comet's Terror

During the next few days Ralph passed midway between Earth and Venus. This was the spectacle that at times greatly increased the transport space flyer travel between Earth and Mars, many of the inhabitants of both planets making the long journey simply to get a view of the beautiful planet Venus.

Over the next few days, Ralph passed midway between Earth and Venus. At times, this spectacle greatly increased travel on transport space flyers between Earth and Mars. Many inhabitants of both planets made the long journey simply to see the beautiful planet Venus.

Ralph ran almost parallel for a time with the two planets (see diagram), Venus to his left, Earth to his right. Although he was quite near the former he could hardly see it, as the bright rays of the sun precluded detailed observation. A few days later, however, it had swung sufficiently far enough to the left to afford him occasional glimpses of its beauties.

For a time, Ralph traveled almost parallel to the two planets (see diagram). Venus was to his left and Earth to his right. Although he was quite close to Venus, he could hardly see it. The sun’s bright rays kept him from seeing it in detail. A few days later, however, Venus had swung far enough to the left for him to catch occasional glimpses of its beauty.

Ralph worked almost continuously in his laboratory in the conning tower. In the course of the week since he had left the Earth, he had only catnapped for about two hours, since sleep was impossible.

Ralph worked almost continuously in his laboratory in the conning tower. In the week since he had left Earth, he had only managed about two hours of naps because sleep was impossible.

He constructed several new pieces of apparatus, which he considered might be useful in case of a possible encounter with Llysanorh'. He knew that Llysanorh' could not be as easily subdued or caught as Fernand. This tall Martian was an inventor himself and knew much about handling modern death-dealing weapons. It would be useless to try the Radioperforer as he probably would carry a Silonium armor, proof against all Radium emanations.

He built several new devices that he thought might be useful if he encountered Llysanorh'. He knew Llysanorh' would not be as easy to subdue or catch as Fernand. The tall Martian was an inventor himself and knew a lot about handling modern deadly weapons. It would be useless to try the Radioperforer because Llysanorh' would probably wear Silonium armor, resistant to all Radium emissions.

One of the first things he had done was to lead wires from the steering apparatus up to the conning tower. On the floor of the tower he arranged contacts in such a manner that he could press them together with his feet. The control was similar to the foot pedals of an organ. He then practised for some days until he could steer the flyer wholly with his feet. Thus his hands were free to control any apparatus he would need for attack or defense. With his feet he could so control the machine as to avoid projectiles if necessary.

One of the first things he had done was run wires from the steering controls to the conning tower. On the tower floor, he arranged contacts so he could press them together with his feet. The controls worked like the foot pedals of an organ. He then practiced for several days until he could steer the flyer entirely with his feet. This left his hands free to operate any equipment he needed for attack or defense. With his feet, he could control the machine well enough to avoid projectiles if necessary.

As the days rolled by, however, Ralph became more and more disturbed. He now took observations hourly, his eyes glued to the indicator. With a sinking heart he saw that he was not gaining on the Martian. The latter had his machine well tuned up and was covering almost 90,000 miles an hour. At this rate Ralph could never catch up with Llysanorh'. It was maddening. The days became a long, drawn-out agony. Ralph had done everything in his power to accelerate the speed of his flyer and to strain the machinery further meant inviting certain death. Within eight days Llysanorh' would land on Mars—his course now plainly showed that he was headed for the planet. At best Ralph would be ten hours behind—time enough for the Martian to accomplish his purpose. And he, Ralph 124C 41+, the greatest inventor the world had ever produced, was powerless.

As the days passed, however, Ralph grew more and more worried. He now checked the indicator every hour, keeping his eyes glued to it. His heart sank as he saw that he was not gaining on the Martian. Llysanorh' had his machine well tuned and was traveling at nearly 90,000 miles an hour. At that rate, Ralph could never catch up with him. It was maddening. The days became a long, drawn-out agony. Ralph had done everything he could to make his flyer go faster. Pushing its machinery any harder would mean certain death. Llysanorh' would land on Mars within eight days. His course now clearly showed that he was heading for the planet. At best, Ralph would be ten hours behind. That would give the Martian enough time to accomplish his purpose. And Ralph 124C 41+, the greatest inventor the world had ever produced, was powerless.

Again he took observations, and again the results were the same. A weariness of the spirit swept over him. The dark waters of despair seemed to inundate his very soul. To have been physically exhausted would have been a relief. To know the blessedness of but an hour's sound sleep, to be free from this terrible tension—

Once again, he took observations, and the results were the same. A deep weariness swept over him. The dark waters of despair seemed to flood his very soul. Physical exhaustion would have been a relief. To have just one hour of sound sleep, to be free from this terrible tension...

He sank down upon a seat and buried his head in his hands, and as he sat, striving to quiet his worn and troubled mind there came to him an idea—nay, more than an idea, an inspiration, by which he would overcome the formidable difficulties that beset him.

He sank into a seat and buried his head in his hands. As he sat there, trying to calm his tired, troubled mind, an idea came to him. More than an idea, it was an inspiration that would help him overcome the daunting difficulties he faced.

An idea, so simple that, having once formulated it, it seemed ridiculous not to have thought of it before.

The idea was so simple that, once he put it into words, it seemed ridiculous not to have thought of it before.

His soul-weariness fell from him like a discarded garment. He sprang to his feet, once more the scientist, the man of action, triumphant, dominant.

His exhaustion fell away like a discarded coat. He sprang to his feet, once again the scientist and man of action, triumphant and in command.

His marvelous ingenuity saw the way out. His mind would again triumph over time and space. He would achieve the impossible, surmount the insurmountable.

His remarkable ingenuity showed him a way out. His mind would once again triumph over time and space. He would do the impossible and overcome what could not be overcome.

The battle was not lost—it had but begun!

The battle was not lost. It had only begun!

He knew he could not overhaul Llysanorh'. Neither could he intercept him. A wireless decoy message was futile. Llysanorh' would never be caught by such a flimsy trick. But he must do something to prevent Llysanorh' from reaching Mars.

He knew he could not catch up with Llysanorh'. He could not intercept him either. A wireless decoy message would be useless. Llysanorh' would never fall for such a flimsy trick. But he had to do something to stop Llysanorh' from reaching Mars.

How could it be accomplished? By sending a message to the Martian authorities? A futile thought. Even if the distance could be bridged, which was doubtful, Llysanorh' would, in all likelihood, intercept the message with his recorder. He would simply send a message to his friend to board a space flyer and to rush to him at top speed. The marriage ceremony could then be performed out in space.

How could it be done? Could he send a message to the Martian authorities? That was a hopeless idea. It was doubtful that a message could reach them across such a distance. Even if it could, Llysanorh' would most likely intercept it with his recorder. He would simply send a message to his friend, telling him to board a space flyer and rush to him at top speed. The marriage ceremony could then take place in space.

No, Llysanorh' must not know that he was pursued and still he must be prevented from landing.

No, Llysanorh' must not know he was being pursued. But he still had to be prevented from landing.

Ralph would literally move the heavens. He would threaten Mars with a comet! Llysanorh's patriotism could be depended upon to make an effort to divert the comet from its course, to avoid the imminent collision with Mars. This, Llysanorh' could do without danger to himself, simply by steering his flyer close to the head of the comet—within a few hundred kilometers. The gravitational action of his machine on the comet would deflect the course of the latter enough—even a few degrees would be sufficient to change the path of the meteor.

Ralph would literally move the heavens. He would threaten Mars with a comet! Llysanorh's patriotism would surely lead him to try to divert the comet and prevent its imminent collision with Mars. Llysanorh could do this without danger to himself. He only had to steer his flyer within a few hundred kilometers of the comet's head. His machine's gravitational pull would deflect the comet's course enough. Even a few degrees would be enough to change the meteor's path.

But where was the comet to come from? To Ralph this was simplicity itself. He did not need to "catch" a comet—he would manufacture one for himself—a comet more unique than ever rushed through space.

But where would the comet come from? For Ralph, the answer was simple. He did not need to "catch" a comet. He would make one himself. It would be more unique than any comet that had ever raced through space.

He knew that comets had been reproduced artificially on a small scale, centuries ago;¹¹ however, no one had ever tried to make a real comet. He also knew that the largest comets have a very small mass, and that the tail is composed mainly of gas and dust, which is so thin that the stars may be readily observed through the tail of almost any comet.¹²

He knew that comets had been artificially reproduced on a small scale centuries ago.¹¹ But no one had ever tried to make a real comet. He also knew that even the largest comets have very little mass. Their tails are made mostly of gas and dust. The tails are so thin that stars can easily be seen through the tail of almost any comet.¹²

Ralph thus became the first human being to create a heavenly body. As comets are composed mainly of hydrogen gas and dust, the creating of Ralph's artificial comet was absurdly simple to the scientist.

Ralph became the first human to create a heavenly body. Comets are made mostly of hydrogen gas and dust, so creating an artificial comet was absurdly simple for the scientist.

By means of scraps of zinc and iron filings, over which sulphuric acid was poured, Ralph produced a great quantity of hydrogen. This he filled in tanks and when he had generated enough of the gas he connected the tanks with a large metal stop cock in the wall of the space flyer. As soon as the stop cock was opened the hydrogen rushed out into the open with a roar.

Ralph poured sulfuric acid over scraps of zinc and iron filings to produce a large quantity of hydrogen. He filled tanks with the gas. Once he had enough, he connected the tanks to a large metal valve in the wall of the space flyer. As soon as he opened the valve, the hydrogen rushed out into the open with a roar.

Immediately Ralph connected his high frequency apparatus with the outside aerials of the space flyer and the expected phenomenon took place.

Ralph immediately connected his high-frequency apparatus to the space flyer's outside antennas. The expected phenomenon occurred.

The hydrogen particles which heretofore had been invisible, began to glow with a wonderful light, enveloping the entire flyer. For thousands of miles behind the machine stretched a true comet's tail, the flyer forming its head or nucleus. The tail, as in all comets, was turned away from the sun, and although Ralph could not see the end of the tail, he knew that what he had created could be seen for hundreds of thousands of miles, like any natural comet.

The hydrogen particles, which had been invisible until now, began to glow with a wonderful light, enveloping the entire flyer. A real comet’s tail stretched thousands of miles behind the machine, with the flyer forming its head, or nucleus. As with all comets, the tail pointed away from the sun. Although Ralph could not see the end of the tail, he knew his creation could be seen for hundreds of thousands of miles, like any natural comet.

Ralph, however, was not fully satisfied, and he therefore started to "improve" the comet. He manufactured several other gases in large quantities, which he ejected into space, greatly enhancing the brilliancy and size of the comet's head as well as of its tail.

Ralph was still not fully satisfied, so he began to "improve" the comet. He produced large quantities of several other gases and released them into space. This made the comet's head and tail much brighter and larger.

The head, however, he thought was not "solid" enough as yet, and so he set about correcting this defect.

However, he thought the head was not "solid" enough yet, so he set about fixing it.

Comets are composed chiefly of gases, but contain a large amount of dust. The dust particles act very much like the dust particles upon which a sun ray falls, and it is these particles which create the comet's appearance. If the atmosphere is eliminated and the same dust placed into outer space, a small comet will result. The small particles will be highly electrified by the sun and begin to glow. Each particle repels the other and thus even a handful of light dust will form a respectable comet in space.

Comets are made mostly of gases, but they also contain a large amount of dust. The dust particles act much like dust particles in a sunbeam. These particles create the comet’s appearance. If the atmosphere were removed and the same dust placed in outer space, it would form a small comet. The sun would highly electrify the small particles, and they would begin to glow. Each particle repels the others, so even a handful of light dust would form a respectable comet in space.

Ralph made his dust by grinding paper and wood and other materials on a fine carborundum wheel.

Ralph made his dust by grinding paper, wood, and other materials on a fine carborundum wheel.

After he had made a few pails full, he blew the dust out into space, and if his comet had been a magnificent sight before, it was really awe-inspiring to look upon now from a great distance.

After he had filled a few pails, he blew the dust out into space. His comet had been magnificent before. Now, seen from a great distance, it was truly awe-inspiring.

The heavier particles clung close to the flyer, on account of gravitational action, but completely enveloped it. The machine was now a true planet, while the fine dust particles had become little satellites, revolving around their central body, the flyer.

The heavier particles stayed close to the flyer because of gravity, but completely enveloped it. The machine was now a true planet. The fine dust particles had become little satellites, revolving around the flyer as their central body.

The lighter dust particles found their way into the tail, as the powerful pressure of the sun's light overcame the attraction which the flyer brought upon them.

The lighter dust particles drifted into the tail because the pressure of sunlight overcame the flyer's attraction.

Ralph turned off the high frequency current and yet the comet was not extinguished and its brilliance was not in the least dimmed. The gas and dust particles had no way to dissipate their initial electrical charge, being in an absolute vacuum; and Ralph's artificial comet had become a real one.

Ralph turned off the high-frequency current, but the comet did not go out. Its brilliance did not fade at all. The gas and dust particles were in a perfect vacuum, so they had no way to lose their initial electrical charge. Ralph's artificial comet had become a real one.

Inasmuch as the dust was quite dense immediately around the flyer, Ralph's outlook was not as clear as it had been before. He could just see the stars, which seemed enveloped in a haze. This, however, pleased him greatly, as he knew that his artificial comet must look like a natural one from a great distance.

The dust was thick around the flyer, so Ralph could not see as clearly as before. He could just make out the stars, which seemed covered in haze. This pleased him greatly, though, because he knew his artificial comet must look like a natural one from a great distance.

In this he had not been mistaken. As he afterwards learned, his comet had been "discovered" simultaneously on Earth, on Venus, and on Mars the same day he had made it. It had been charted and named, and on account of its great brilliance and long tail, had been immediately termed "The Great Comet of 2660."

He had not been mistaken about this. As he later learned, his comet had been "discovered" on Earth, Venus, and Mars on the very day he made it. It had been charted and named. Because of its great brilliance and long tail, it was immediately called "The Great Comet of 2660."

That Llysanorh' would see the comet Ralph never doubted for a second. He headed his comet-space flyer exactly toward the point where it would collide with Mars at the end of six days. He figured that the Martians would be on the lookout, and inasmuch as Ralph's careful search did not reveal another space flyer anywhere near him, he knew that the Martian officials would surely locate and attempt to communicate with Llysanorh'.

Ralph never doubted for a second that Llysanorh' would see the comet. He aimed his comet-space flyer directly at the point where the comet would collide with Mars in six days. He figured the Martians would be on the lookout. Ralph had carefully searched for other space flyers nearby but found none. So he knew the Martian officials would surely locate Llysanorh' and try to communicate with him.

In this he was not mistaken. His chronometer pointed to 5 p.m. when he first recorded weak signals coming from Mars. Several messages were exchanged between the Martians and Llysanorh'. Llysanorh' gave his number and position in the heavens and he in turn received instructions to approach as near to the "comet's" head as feasible in order to change its course. He was also instructed to bombard the comet's nucleus with time-set torpedoes, if he could not deviate the comet from its course. Llysanorh' answered that he would follow instructions as far as his equipment allowed.

He was not mistaken. His chronometer showed 5 p.m. when he first detected weak signals from Mars. Llysanorh' and the Martians exchanged several messages. Llysanorh' gave his number and position in the sky. The Martians instructed him to approach the "comet's" head as closely as possible to change its course. They also told him to bombard the comet's nucleus with timed torpedoes if he could not change its course. Llysanorh' replied that he would follow their instructions as far as his equipment allowed.

During the next few days Ralph was relieved to note that the distance between him and Llysanorh' diminished with great rapidity. His trick had worked. Llysanorh' was rushing at top speed toward Ralph's flyer, firmly believing it a comet.

Over the next few days, Ralph was relieved to see the distance between him and Llysanorh' shrinking rapidly. His trick had worked. Llysanorh' was racing toward Ralph's flyer at top speed, convinced it was a comet.

Confident of success, sure of victory, Ralph was jubilant. Hope, so long deferred, flooded his spirit. He whistled cheerily at his work.

Confident that he would succeed and win, Ralph was overjoyed. After waiting so long, he was filled with hope. He whistled cheerfully as he worked.

Was not every minute bringing him closer to his sweetheart, his Alice? Was not every second drawing nearer to that moment when he would hold her in his arms?

Wasn't every minute bringing him closer to his sweetheart, his Alice? Wasn't every second bringing him closer to holding her in his arms?

What wonder that he whistled all day long, and laughed to himself from sheer joy and relief.

No wonder he whistled all day and laughed to himself out of sheer joy and relief.

At last the Martian came into range. Llysanorh' approached the "comet" up to about 150 kilometers and then receded. He then took observations, but somehow or other the "comet," instead of being deflected, commenced to pursue him. This was opposed to all astronomical knowledge and reasoning, and Llysanorh', fearing collision with the "comet" began to fire explosive torpedoes into its nucleus. As the distance between it and his machine was only 100 kilometers, he could watch the torpedo in its flight. Through his telescope he could see the torpedo rushing toward the "comet's" head.

At last the Martian came into range. Llysanorh' approached within about 150 kilometers of the "comet" and then moved away. He then made observations, but somehow the "comet" began to pursue him instead of being deflected. This went against all astronomical knowledge and reasoning. Fearing a collision with the "comet," Llysanorh' began firing explosive torpedoes into its nucleus. The "comet" was only 100 kilometers from his machine, so he could watch the torpedo in flight. Through his telescope, he could see it rushing toward the "comet's" head.

But the "comet" dodged, and the torpedo shot far above the nucleus! It was uncanny. His aim had been accurate, he could have sworn. The distance was short. Yet he had missed. The "comet" had moved out of the projectile's path.

But the "comet" dodged, and the torpedo shot far above the nucleus! It was eerie. He could have sworn his aim was accurate. The distance was short. Yet he had missed. The "comet" had moved out of the torpedo's path.

He had fired again, with equal accuracy. The torpedo would surely strike now. But the "comet" this time "side-stepped," as it were, and the torpedo sped on through space, missing its target by a wide margin.

He fired again, just as accurately. Surely the torpedo would hit this time. But the "comet" seemed to "side-step," and the torpedo sped through space, missing its target by a wide margin.

Llysanorh' was bewildered. Fear gripped him.

Llysanorh' was confused. Fear gripped him.

Gravitational action had not made the "comet" act in this strange manner. He fired one torpedo after another, but the "comet" dodged them all.

Gravity had not caused the "comet" to move so strangely. He fired one torpedo after another, but the "comet" dodged them all.

He suddenly stopped firing torpedoes. He next tried to destroy the infernal "comet" by electricity.

He suddenly stopped firing torpedoes. Next, he tried to destroy the damned "comet" with electricity.

Soon his aerials were white hot with the energy he threw into them. He then turned his flyer into such a position as to direct the outflowing energy towards the "comet's" head. The only result was to increase the luminosity of the "comet."

Soon his aerials glowed white hot from the energy he sent into them. He positioned his flyer to direct the energy toward the "comet's" head. The only result was that the "comet" grew brighter.

Suddenly Llysanorh' realized that the "comet" was only fifty kilometers away. He noticed with horror that the head of the "comet" now seemed to fill up almost one-quarter of the "sky." Another discovery that came simultaneously was that instead of the "comet's" head being solid, there was a mysterious small black speck in the center of the nucleus. This was against both knowledge and theory of comets.

Suddenly, Llysanorh' realized that the "comet" was only fifty kilometers away. To his horror, its head now seemed to fill almost a quarter of the "sky." At the same time, he noticed something else. Instead of being solid, the "comet's" head had a mysterious small black speck at the center of its nucleus. This went against both knowledge and theory about comets.

When Ralph had brought his "comet" within fifty kilometers of Llysanorh', he felt that the time had come to throw off the mask. He had lured Llysanorh' to within striking distance. It was now time to strike.

When Ralph brought his "comet" within fifty kilometers of Llysanorh', he knew it was time to drop the disguise. He had lured Llysanorh' within striking distance. Now it was time to strike.

He had one great advantage over Llysanorh'. The latter was wholly unprepared, believing he had to deal with a comet. This facilitated Ralph's movements.

He had one great advantage over Llysanorh'. Llysanorh' was completely unprepared because he believed he was dealing with a comet. This made it easier for Ralph to move.

He carefully insulated himself by sitting on a tall glass tripod. He then attached to his ears the telephone receivers that were connected with the induction balance,¹³ which he had attached to one of the glass port-holes.

He carefully insulated himself by sitting on a tall glass tripod. He then put the telephone receivers to his ears. They were connected to the induction balance,¹³ which he had attached to one of the glass portholes.

He then started to turn the glass wheel of the ultra-generator, connected to the outside aerials.

He then began turning the glass wheel of the ultra-generator, which was connected to the outside antennas.

A terrible screaming sound came from the generator and the whole flyer shook. Ralph continued to turn the wheel quickly. The generator shrilled higher and higher, until the frequency had become so high that no sound could be heard. The vibrations had passed 35,000.

A terrible screaming sound came from the generator, and the whole flyer shook. Ralph kept turning the wheel quickly. The generator shrieked higher and higher until its frequency was too high to hear. The vibrations had passed 35,000.

Ralph turned the wheel a few more notches and everything became pitch-dark over a space sixty kilometers in diameter.

Ralph turned the wheel a few more notches. Everything went pitch-dark across an area sixty kilometers in diameter.

As in his Switzerland exploit, two months before, Ralph's aerial on the space flyer due to the powerful action of his ultra-generator, attracted the ether so fast that it could not be replenished quickly enough. It acted much like an immense vacuum pump on the atmosphere.

As in his Switzerland exploit two months earlier, Ralph’s ultra-generator powered the aerial on his space flyer. The aerial attracted the ether so quickly that it could not be replenished fast enough. The aerial acted much like an immense vacuum pump on the atmosphere.

Darkness spread over a large area as the inky fluid of the octopus blackens the sea. Both flyers became invisible to each other.

Darkness spread over a large area, like an octopus’s ink darkening the sea. The two flyers could no longer see each other.

Ralph, however, pointed his machine on its former course and speeded it up.

Ralph, however, turned his machine back to its previous course and sped up.

Llysanorh', dismayed by the unexpected darkness, had brought his machine to a dead stop. He was almost frantic with terror and stood like one paralyzed, unable to think or to act.

Llysanorh' was alarmed by the unexpected darkness and brought his machine to a complete stop. He was almost frantic with fear and stood as if paralyzed, unable to think or act.

Within a few minutes Ralph's induction balance caused his telephones to emit higher and higher notes, indicating, despite the pitch-black darkness, just how near he was to the other flyer.

Within a few minutes, Ralph's induction balance made his telephones emit higher and higher notes. Despite the pitch-black darkness, the notes told him exactly how close he was to the other flyer.

When he was certain that he had approached Llysanorh's machine, he suddenly shut off his ultra-generator. Quick as lightning he had grasped his radioperforer, and although the light which returned instantly blinded him for a few seconds, he had glimpsed Llysanorh's terrified face, just a few meters distant, his forehead pressed tight against the glass plate of the port-hole.

When he was sure he had reached Llysanorh's machine, he suddenly switched off his ultra-generator. Quick as lightning, he grabbed his radioperforer. The light returned instantly and blinded him for a few seconds. But he had glimpsed Llysanorh's terrified face just a few meters away, his forehead pressed tightly against the porthole glass.

Ralph took quick aim and pressed the trigger.

Ralph aimed quickly and pulled the trigger.

There was a silent flash and Llysanorh' seemed to topple over. Simultaneously the glass of the port-hole turned green.

There was a silent flash, and Llysanorh' seemed to fall over. At the same time, the glass in the porthole turned green.

In a flash Ralph jumped up and peered anxiously out one port-hole, then another, hoping to catch sight of Alice.

Ralph jumped up at once and looked anxiously out of one porthole, then another, hoping to see Alice.

There was nobody to be seen.

No one was in sight.

He rushed to the wireless and signaled frantically for several minutes. Breathlessly he clasped the receivers to his ears.

He rushed to the radio and signaled frantically for several minutes. Breathless, he pressed the receivers to his ears.

There was no answer—no sound—nothing.

There was no answer, no sound, nothing.

With sinking heart, he rushed to the connecting tube. In his excitement it took him twenty minutes to make the connection between the two machines and the tube air-tight. Before crawling into the connecting tube he grabbed up his radioperforer as a precaution.

His heart sank as he rushed to the connecting tube. In his excitement, he took twenty minutes to make the connection between the two machines and the tube airtight. Before crawling into the tube, he grabbed his radioperforer as a precaution.

The sight that presented itself to him as he crawled into Llysanorh's machine drew from him an involuntary agonized cry.

As he crawled into Llysanorh's machine, what he saw made him cry out in agony.

Llysanorh's dead body lay across that of Alice, his sharp dagger sunk into the upper part of her arm. Ralph hurriedly moved the rigid body aside.

Llysanorh's dead body lay across Alice, his sharp dagger buried in her upper arm. Ralph quickly moved the stiff body aside.

There lay Alice in a terrible pool of her own blood, her eyes closed—dead.

Alice lay in a terrible pool of her own blood, her eyes closed. She was dead.