“Monsters of Mars” a 1931 novelette written by Edmond Hamilton

Thanks to the industrious folks at Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks.net, you can read online or download “Monsters of Mars,” an old novelette written by Edmond Hamilton. Originally published in the April 1931 issue of Astounding Stories magazine and based on the science of the age of radio, the plot involves three Earthmen who visit the Red Planet and unexpectedly find hostile Martians who are eager to conquer Earth. Here are the opening lines of the story:

Allan Randall stared at the man before him. "And that's why you sent for me, Milton?" he finally asked.

The other's face was unsmiling. "That's why I sent for you, Allan," he said quietly. "To go to Mars with us to-night!"

There was a moment's silence, in which Randall's eyes moved as though uncomprehendingly from the face of Milton to those of the two men beside him. The four sat together at the end of a roughly furnished and electric-lit living-room, and in that momentary silence there came in to them from the outside night the distant pounding of the Atlantic upon the beach. It was Randall who first spoke again.

"To Mars!" he repeated. "Have you gone crazy, Milton--or is this some joke you've put up with Lanier and Nelson here?" …

Pictured: April 1931 issue of Astounding Stories, depicting a scene in “Monsters of Mars.”