Synopsis

O’Grady is a secret agent who investigates a remote moon base where a govenment official has stumbled onto a fortune in diamonds.

History

First publication: Wonder Stories Quarterly, Spring 1932

Written with Max Jergovic. Fifth prize winner in the Interplanetary Plot Contest. Max submitted the plot and Wellman wrote the story based on the plot.

Review

One of many stories from this era about interplanetary police foiling criminal enterprises—sort of James Bond in space. I feel this story shows an improved skill at writing over his other work. Still not one of the best SF stories, even for the 1930s, but enjoyable. It lacks the imagination of Wellman’s earlier stories. This could be replaced with one of Starzl’s stories and you would hardly notice the difference. So not really recommended unless you really like the 1930s SF stories or just want to read everything by Wellman.