Lightning is merely
the etheric electricity, drawn to the earth whenever there is enough
water in the air to promote conductivity."
"Yes," agreed Smith; "but--what of it?"
Kinney went on unheeding. "As for volcanoes--probably the same
explanation accounts for the lack of these also. You know how the earth,
even, is rapidly coming to the end of her 'volcanic period.' Time was
when there were volcanoes almost everywhere on the earth.
"The same is likely true of Sanus as well. The point is," and the doctor
paused significantly, "there have been no volcanic eruptions, and no
lightning discharges within the memory of Sanusian man!"
What was he getting at? The others eyed him closely. Neither Van Emmon
nor Smith could guess what he meant; but Billie, her intuition wide
awake, gave a great jump in her chair.
"I know!" she cried. A flood of light came to her face. "The Sanusians--
no wonder they let the bees put it over on them!
"They haven't got FIRE! They've never had it!"
VIII
FIRE!
From the corner of his eyes Kinney saw Van Emmon turn a gaze of frank
admiration at his wife. It lasted only a second, however; the geologist
remembered, and masked the expression before Billie could detect it.
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