The Skylark of Space: The Original 1928 Edition

In a fortuitous laboratory accident, crack scientist Richard Seaton has unlocked the secret of atomic energy. Now, partnered with his wealthy engineering-genius friend Martin Crane, he’s preparing to give the world the gift of limitless, virtually free energy — and of space travel.
But others want Seaton’s secret for themselves. Backed by an evil industrial trust, the sinister and unscrupulous “Blackie” DuQuesne has a plan to kill Seaton and Crane and seize their invention for himself.
When DuQuesne makes his move, things go wrong, and the three of them soon find themselves lost in the farthest reaches of outer space ....