e." He smiled with what evidently was
intended to be warmth, again showing those rows of teeth like picket
fences. "I suppose we're all here on the same mission: to find a
solution for the mystery of the world's paralysis." The apparition lit
a long and bloated cigarette and through the acrid smoke surveyed them
quizzically.

"I'm Jack Baron, formerly on the staff here, and this is June Manthis,
daughter of Dr. Frank Manthis, head of the chemical research
department." The engineer winced as Solinski enfolded his hand in a
clammy grip.

"Ah yes, I know the doctor by hearsay. A great scientist. He has a
lovely daughter"--bowing deeply to June as he let his beady eyes
wander over her face and figure. "Perhaps we can join forces, although
I must admit I have abandoned hope. It is God's will." He rolled his
eyes toward heaven, then riveted them once more upon June.

"Why, certainly." Jack was striving to overcome his growing dislike.
"We'll be driving back in a few minutes. Would you care to come with
us?"

"No." The pupilless eyes skittered toward Baron for a moment. "I know
the doctor's address. I will come to visit you soon. Now I must be
going." Solinski turned as if to depart, then strode to the desk and
looked down at the mass of equipment. "Ah, super-short wave tubes, I
see. Very clever." His dexterous fingers lingered over them a moment.
Then he bowed and was gone.

* * * * *

The two remained staring at the empty doorway.

"I--I wish he'd been dead--sleeping," whispered June at last, twisting
her handkerchief with trembling fingers. "He--I didn't like the way he
kept looking at me."

"He seemed all right to me." Jack tried to forget his own prejudice.
"He's willing to help us."

"Might he not be one of the hashish addicts? Those eyes--the pupils
were mere pinpoints--and those evil-smelling cigarettes."

"Then why should he have offered to help?" puzzled Jack. "He could
have killed us."

"Nevertheless I hope we've seen the last of him. Are you about
through? Let's get out of this awful place. He looked like a mummy!"

They drove back to the apartment so completely preoccupied that both
forgot to obtain the drug which the doctor had requested.

"Yes, I've heard of him," Manthis said after he had been informed of
the encounter. "A naturalized Russian. Used to do quite a bit of
valuable work in various fields of physics. But he was some sort of
radical--seems to me an old