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The princess of the atom

Chapter 1: The Princess of the Atom
By Ray Cummings
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About This Book

The narrator, Frank Ferrule, recounts how his sister Dianne's mysterious disappearance and sudden return triggers an extraordinary collision between ordinary life and atomic-scale menace. Her uncanny connection to a microscopic realm brings towering intruders to the coast and draws the family into conflicts with an ambitious alien antagonist named Togaro. Brothers Frank and Drake undertake perilous ventures, including a shrinking journey into cellular caverns, to forestall invasion, protect unsuspecting worlds, and resolve personal tensions stirred by love and rivalry. The narrative combines speculative atomic science with adventure and battles that span extremes of size and consequence.

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Title: The princess of the atom

Author: Ray Cummings

Release date: March 23, 2025 [eBook #75690]

Language: English

Original publication: New York, NY: Avon Publishing Corp, 1929

Credits: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS OF THE ATOM ***

The Princess of the Atom

By Ray Cummings

AVON PUBLISHING CORP.
119 W. 57th St.
New York 19, N. Y.

Published by arrangement with the Author

THE PRINCESS OF THE ATOM
COPYRIGHT, 1929, BY THE FRANK A. MUNSEY CO.

AVON REPRINT EDITION
COPYRIGHT, 1950, BY AVON PUBLISHING CO., INC.

PRINTED IN U. S. A.

To my son, Hal, and to Russ, my son-in-law—both
chemists—this story is appropriately
and affectionately dedicated.

Her Love Destroyed One World and Threatened Another!

Giants appeared off the coast of New England on the day beautiful Dianne returned from oblivion. That mysterious beauty had disappeared from the home of her guardian, Dr. Ferrule, and had been sought in vain. But with her return, she brought terror to two worlds and an astounding adventure to the two young men who loved her.

In this breathtaking excursion into atomic mysteries, you will be enchanted by the unearthly beauty and peril of Dianne, princess of a world too small to be seen. You will be thrilled by the startling journey Frank Ferrule makes into infinite smallness to save an unsuspecting planet. You will be astonished at the terrific fight of Drake Ferrule against the lustful Togaro, the man who would rule the universe.

Here is a masterpiece of science-fiction by a dean of fantasy, Ray Cummings. Unavailable for many years, this unforgettable story of atomic warfare and invasion from an alien world is the first of the new series of AVON FANTASY NOVELS, selected by Donald A. Wollheim, editor of the famous AVON FANTASY READER, and specially designed for the growing public that has discovered the new thrill of Science-Fiction.

Table of Contents

  Prologue
I. The Coming of the Giants
II. The Mysterious Visitor
III. The Signal Fire
IV. The Strange Island
V. Princess of the Atom
VI. The Chase into Smallness
VII. The Flight in the Cellular Caverns
VIII. Death of the Giants
IX. Tiny Fragment of Rock
X. The White Flag
XI. Giant in Ambush
XII. The Meeting
XIII. The Stowaway
XIV. The Locked Door
XV. Togaro at Bay
XVI. Frank's Plan
XVII. The Tiny Prowler
XVIII. The Escape of Togaro
XIX. Night of Turmoil
XX. In the Blood Light of Dawn
XXI. Riding the Giant
XXII. "Vengeance of Togaro!"
XXIII. Doomed Little Planet!
XXIV. The End of a World
XXV. In the Campfire Light
XXVI. The Black and White Flags
XXVII. The Fight on the Rock Summit
XXVIII. The Return to Earth
XXIX. The Theft of the Rock
XXX. The World at Bay
XXXI. Togaro Strikes
XXXII. The Fugitives
XXXIII. The Combat of Titans
XXXIV. Princess of the Cottage