1940’s story: "Lost Treasure of Mars" by Edmond Hamilton

Thanks to Doc Mars of the amazing French-language website Mars & la Science Fiction, you can download and read American science fiction writer Edmond Hamilton’s short story "Lost Treasure of Mars" (pdf) as it was originally published in the August 1940 issue of Amazing Stories magazine. Set among the ruins of the once-magnificent city of Rylik, the plot revolves around a young archaeologist from the Institute of Planetary Science as he searches for lost treasure of Mars! Here are the opening lines:

"WHAT they’ll say on Mars when we bring all this back!" Gareth Crane exalted. "The greatest Martian archaeological find on record—a treasure worth millions!"

In his excitement, he did not feel the bone-penetrating chill of the bitter Martian night crowding sullenly down on the little camp in the ruins. His lanky, felt-clad figure was bent tautly, his lean, serious, spectacled young face feverish with excitement as he surveyed the glittering baubles spread out on the red sand.

A shapeless figure, huddled in heavy felt blankets close to the atomic heater, spoke in a high shrill voice...

Merci beaucoup, Doc Mars!