There was a small metal box underneath the table, but
that was all.
"That must contain some of that marvelous red substance which
gives light, heat and power," declared Mr. Roumann. "I must
certainly get a supply of it. In fact, that is what I came to
Mars for. That is the object of my trip, and if we can get a
sufficient quantity of it, our fortunes are made."
"Is it so valuable?" asked Mark.
"It is the most valuable treasure in the universe," replied the
German. "Long ago I suspected some such thing must exist on
Mars, or else how, receiving only half the light and heat from
the sun that we receive, can the inhabitants exist? And that
they do live, and live well, we have seen. It must be due to the
red substance, and if we could only get some back to earth it
would be worth millions. Think of simply putting a bit of it in
a stove and having heat, or hanging up some in a room and getting
light from it. But, more than this, think of having it move
machinery, I would not be surprised but what I could transform
it into energy that would operate the motors of the Annihilator.
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