"The
ring must be inclined at an angle with the sun's rays," she
observed. "That being the case, Sanus has two periods each year when
there is continuous darkness on the inner face; might last a week or
two. Do you suppose the people all hibernate during those seasons?"
But no one had an answer to that.
Van Emmon said he would give all he was worth to explore the
Sanusian mountains long enough to learn their geology. He said that
the rocks ought to produce some new mineral forms, due to the
peculiar condition of strain they would be subjected to.
"I'm not sure," said he thoughtfully, "but I shouldn't be surprised
if there's an enormous amount of carbon there. Maybe diamonds are as
plentiful as coal is here."
At the word "diamonds" Smith glanced covertly at Billie's left hand.
But she had hidden it in the folds of her skirt. Next moment the
doctor warned them to be quiet; Somat and Rolla were talking again.
He was telling her about his world. She learned that his people, who
had never concerned themselves with her side of the planet, had
progressed enormously beyond the Sanusians.
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