The Bell Tone

"The Bell Tone" by Edmund Harry Leftwich is an early 20th-century science fiction story that examines how communication and obsession can dangerously affect someone's mind when science goes too far. The story follows Professor Howard E. Edwards, a radio expert, as he gets deeply involved in trying to understand how ants communicate. Using his radio technology, he tries to send thoughts to ants, accidentally creating a mental link that changes how he sees things and acts. His experiments become dangerous as he realizes he's hurting the ants, leading to a mental battle within him. The story reaches a sad end when the conflict between his scientific curiosity and his moral duty leads to Edwards's death, showing the risks of wanting knowledge without limits.