X MARKS THE ASTEROID
By Ross Rocklynne
Deep in space Ralph's ancestors lay in suspended
animation—a price on their heads. They left him a
map and a problem: awaken them—or collect the reward!...
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
January 1954
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The Unterzuyder map was out of hiding. Relayed on a grapevine thatspanned the planets, the news caught on big in Marsport.
Bigger Bailes sat at a beer-bottle-colored glass desk in his underworldretreat, announcing his intent to claim the reward money that foreighty-five years had been piling up at compound interest in theTerra-First National Bank of New York.
"Ralph Unterzuyder is here in Marsport," he stated. "Like allUnterzuyders, he's clever and he's dangerous and he's shifty. He'lltravel the crookedest course you ever saw. At the moment, he's got hisidentity pretty well covered up under the name of Carruthers Straley.In the last three weeks he's organized a band of settlers fromSatterfield City who call themselves Titan Settlers, Ltd.
"Not that I'm fooled! I'm not saying the Unterzuyder hibernaculum ison Titan. I'm not even saying Unterzuyder has the map. But I'm willingto bet he's got a pretty good idea where the map is. I'm also willingto bet that his father died without leaving him a cent, and that heorganized Titan Settlers, Ltd., just to get himself a free ride outSaturn-way. He's capable of that kind of reasoning."
Bigger Bailes smiled rosily and reached for his hat. One of his menheld the door open for him.
"Right now, I'm on my way to see Carruthers Straley. Maybe he will cutin with me. If not—" he thoughtfully rubbed at the fat of his big jaw"—if not, I'll help him hang himself."
Ralph Unterzuyder, fourth generation descendant of the infamousUnterzuyders, emerged testily from the Glass & Sand Bldg. where hehad just set up a law office under the name of Carruthers Straley. Nosooner had he set foot to the glass sidewalk than he was aware a big,smiling man had fallen into step beside him. He backed up against thewall of the building, his eyes wide and cautious behind dark glasses.
"What do you want?" he snapped.
Bigger Bailes smiled, introduced himself. Unterzuyder looked around asif ready to make a break for it. Bailes stood in front of him. He shookhis head.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Mr. Unterzuyder."
At mention of the name, Unterzuyder smiled arrogantly.
"Really, does one have no privacy? But perhaps one of your caliber iswell acquainted with the advantages of using an alias!"
"There are advantages," Bigger nodded. "Your advantage lies in headinga group of settlers who don't know you're using them to help you findthe asteroid where your ancestors have been sleeping for the pasteighty-odd years."
Unterzuyder's cane whipped around nervously. "I know nothing about amap!"
Bigger's jowls quivered with mirth. "Seven weeks ago," he pointed out,"your father died. He told you the map was hidden in an old book calledTertium Organum, A Key To The Enigmas Of The World. By somebody namedOuspensky."
Unterzuyder's eyes moved desperately to the street, down which a singlegyromobile moved.
"I have an appointment," he said stiffly. "Now if you will permit me tobe on my way before they turn the rain-makers on—"
"It won't rain for ten minutes. Better let me finish—if you