Men Without a World

By John Russel Fearn

Professor Grant Denham, the famous archaeologist, had sent a desperate radio call from the remotest part of Peru for help. He swore he had discovered something of enormous interest, but was lost and needed assistance immediately.

His daughter and two friends rushed from New York to try to find him. All had gone well until the guides deserted, stealing most of the equipment and leaving the three stranded. But still they pressed on...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wildside Press
• Release date: Jun 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781479461424

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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

MEN WITHOUT A WORLD

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Copyright © 1940 by John Russell Fearn; copyright © 2020 by Philip Harbottle.

Originally published in Science Fiction, March 1940 issue.

Reprinted by permission of the Cosmos Literary Agency.

Published by Wildside Press LLC.

wildsidepress.com | bcmystery.com

MEN WITHOUT A WORLD

JOHN RUSSELL FEARN

The blazing South American sun had passed the meridian as the little party mounted to the top of the twining mountain road through the Peruvian Sierras. What kit they had was on their backs. There were no mules, no guides; the three of them were quite alone.

Fletcher Grey, lean-faced and of uncertain age, pushed his Panama hat further over his eyes and breathed hard. His bare mahogany arm pointed towards the valley ahead.

Maybe that’s it? he suggested hopefully.

If not, it darned well ought to be! Dick Whittle had his field-glasses to his eyes as he spoke, studying the view with a thoroughness which stamped him for what he was—a research scientist.

The third member of the trio pushed a stray golden curl further up under her topee, then sat down languidly on a rock and fanned herself. Dick had said that the Peruvian wastes is no place for a girl: now she was commencing to believe it. In the few moments of respite her mind went swiftly back over the period since they had left New York.

First, her father, Professor Grant Denham, the famous archaeologist, had sent a desperate radio call from these very wastes, had given the exact longitude and latitude, had sworn he had discovered something of enormous interest, but was lost and needed help.

The dash from New York had followed. All had gone well at first, then the guides had deserted, stealing most of the equipment, leaving the three stranded with only a few instruments and very little food. She shuddered at the remembrance. Struggle and flood; jungles and sweat. Onward, day after day.

I believe it is it! Dick said suddenly, handing the glasses to Fletcher—and whilst he stared through them Dick pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket and studied it earnestly.

Fay Denham recognised it as the message which had come over the radio from her father; the message that had brought her fiancé and his friend from their normal occupation in London’s research laboratories to this forsaken spot in the jungle.

Gazing over Dick’s arm, Fay read:

"—Valley, situated approximately immediately below western limb of Peruvian Sierras. Latitude and longitude details will follow in separate report. In the centre of the valley is a curious upright column of metal, unlike anything we know in the civilised world, and