In a small town in Vermont, a man named Tedder finds himself fleeing from a constable due to vagrancy charges. In his desperate escape, he stumbles upon an abandoned farm where he encounters a mysterious, deflated object that once contained a creature. This creature, which had arrived from another world, had caused a series of strange events, including the unconsciousness of the townspeople. As Tedder explores the area, he discovers two unusual items: a cold, metallic pot and a gun-like device. The pot, which he places on his head, inadvertently grants him a form of invulnerability but also isolates him, as anyone who comes near him falls unconscious. The gun-like device has destructive capabilities, obliterating everything in its path when activated. As chaos ensues in the town, with people collapsing and vehicles crashing, Tedder realizes he is at the center of a growing disaster. He attempts to help the unconscious townsfolk but is hindered by the pot on his head, which he cannot remove without risking his own unconsciousness. He embarks on a frantic search for help, pedaling through neighboring towns, only to find them similarly affected. Over time, Tedder becomes increasingly aware of his predicament. He is both a menace and a victim, trapped in a cycle of fear and isolation. The military becomes involved, bombarding the area in an attempt to eliminate the source of the chaos, which they believe to be Tedder himself. In a climactic moment, Tedder manages to remove the pot, but not before a massive explosion occurs, destroying the mysterious sphere that had landed in the woods. The explosion leads to his unconsciousness, and when he awakens, he is treated as a victim rather than a perpetrator. Ultimately, the townspeople and authorities remain baffled by the events, with differing opinions on the nature of the "Devil" that had caused the turmoil. Tedder, now free from the pot, disappears back into obscurity, leaving behind a mystery that continues to perplex those who witnessed the strange occurrences in East Lupton.
By Murray Leinster · First published 1948 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure