"
"You're sure?" At the emphatic nod the doctor frowned. "We are
forced to conclude that Capellette is not as round as our earth. No
other way to account for such a difference in gravitation as the two
clocks indicate. Roughly, I should say that the planet's diameter,
at the place where I saw the clock, is fifty per cent greater than
at the point where Van's agent is located; maybe ten thousand miles
in its greatest diameter, Capellette.
"Having greater gravitation would explain why that disabled aircraft
which Smith saw fell so very slowly; the planet has much more air
than the earth, which means far greater density near the surface. It
also explains those big sailing cruisers; nothing else can.
"At any rate, we can guess why we have seen no surface travel. The
people of Capellette never tried to work out such a thing as an
automobile; why should they, with the birds to imitate, and extra
dense air all about them?
"I think we have found the key." The doctor cogitated for a second
or two.
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