Hilary Grendon is the sole survivor of mankind's first interplanetary expedition. As he returns to earth, he expects to be greeted as a hero by his fellow humans, and he eagerly awaits the embrace of his girlfriend Joan. But he returns to find alien diskoids in Earth's stratosphere, and out-world lords patrolling her cities.

This classic science fiction short novelette by Nat Schachner first appeared in Astounding Stories in September 1932.

Nat Schachner (1895 - 1955) was trained as a lawyer and a chemist. His early writings were science fiction, but he achieved his greatest success writing biographies of early American historical figures, most notably his two volume work on Thomas Jefferson. Schachner was one of Isaac Asimov's favorite authors.

Chapter 1 The Space Wanderer Returns Chapter 2 The Strange Guard Chapter 3 The Death of Amos Peabody Chapter 4 The Kidnapping of Joan Chapter 5 Outlaws of Earth Chapter 6 Mutterings of Revolt Chapter 7 In the Hands of the Mercutians Chapter 8 Rescued Chapter 9 The Weather Machine Chapter 10 Back to the Ramapos Chapter 11 Driven from Cover Chapter 12 The Vagabond Chapter 13 The Last Battle