r-middle-class of
income. Anyway why should the people squawk? They took less and less
interest in the elections.

"When the proportion of voters turning out for elections got down to
thirty percent those that did turn out passed laws disenfranchising
those who hadn't voted for two Presidential elections. So if things
aren't being run to suit those who lost their rights to vote they've
got no one to thank but themselves."

Bill MacDonald looked at his wife and said in a voice filled with
incredulity, "My lord, Carol, if the people back there only knew what
their careless and negligent disinterest would one day do to their
country!"

Philon looked from one to the other, saying, "You sound as if you were
talking about the past."

MacDonald said hurriedly, "I--er--was referring to the history books."

That night Philon did not sleep well for the morrow would be a day
he'd never forget. Even to his calloused mind the dangers involved in
the exploit were considerable.

In the morning he went into John's room and stood looking down at the
boy, who sleepily opened his eyes.

Philon said, "I'm going to be gone from my office all day. And if
anyone calls or comes to see me here at the house tell him I'm sick.
If necessary I'm ordering you to swear in court that I was here all
day and night. Ursula's gone for the weekend to the seashore, so I'm
depending on you. Do you understand?"

John frowned in confusion. "You say you're sick and staying home all
day?"

Impatience edging his words Philon went over the explanation again.

"What d'you mean 'swear in court?' What are you planning to do, Phil?"
John's eyes were wide open now and full of apprehension.

"Never mind what I'm doing. Just tell anybody inquiring that I'm sick
at home."

"You mean _lie_, eh?"

Phil lifted his hand, then swung, leaving the imprint of his four
fingers on the boy's left cheek. "Now do you understand?"

The boy blinked back a tear and nodded wordlessly.

* * * * *

In the late afternoon Philon landed at Washington and under an assumed
name made his way to the government building housing the big Election
Tabulator. At the technical maintenance offices Philon asked, "Is Al
Brant around?"

"Nope. He doesn't come on duty until tomorrow."

At Brant's address Philon knocked on an apartment door. Footsteps
approached inside and the door was opened by a medium-sized man with
black tousled hair. He appeared les