was inconceivable that the seven men all had the same disease, the
same gene deficiency or the same hereditary shortcomings. So his own
answer must be much closer to the truth. He'd have to wait until morning
to put it to a test. If he was right he would call Colonel Waters and
dump the whole bizarre set-up right into the army's lap where it
belonged.

Again he found himself hoping he was not right, and, more important,
that Paula Ralston wasn't what he was beginning to think she was.

* * * * *

Miss Conway was already in when Harry arrived at the office. He managed
a half smile for her.

"Miss Conway, two of the seven men are coming back this morning and ..."

"And Mr. Boles is the one who's getting the job."

"Who called you this time?" he asked with exasperation.

"Colonel Waters."

Harry's stomach muscles contracted. "Colonel Waters?"

"That's right. When you were gone yesterday the colonel dropped in to
see you. He asked me if you were working on the replacement for George
Fisher ... I told him you were right on the job. And I showed him the
information sheets you had on all seven men."

"You did what!!"

"And Colonel Waters liked the man named Boles best of all. So I guess
when Mr. Boles comes in you can tell him the job is his."

"You nitwit!" he bellowed. "You brainless, knuckleheaded ..." He stomped
into his office, and slammed the door.

It was difficult for him to think clearly. He knew he had to make a
move. And fast.

He stood by the window and gazed at the Weapons Development Center
across the parade ground. The low gray buildings had a quiet peaceful
aura about them. If it weren't for the guards marching in front of the
great wire fences anyone might think the place was used for
manufacturing can-openers, automobile parts, any one of a thousand
harmless products.

But it wasn't. Weapons Development represented a vital link in the
country's defense program. He no longer figured they were developing a
weapon to counteract Soviet aggression. They were working on something
far more important. He was just ninety percent sure of that.

* * * * *

Mr. Boles was the first to arrive. He sat in an easy chair which Harry
had moved close to his desk in order to better observe the man.

"Mr. Boles, my secretary tells me Colonel Waters was looking at your
qualifications yesterday and was very impressed. I gather from that that
the jo