t and make some tests. If he
agrees with me we've got to get hold of the Mayor and the Council and
decide on a course of action tonight."

Hart was the other veterinarian, a younger man, inclined to look askance
at Dr. Smithers' older techniques.

"I'd just as soon take your word," said Professor Maddox. "If you think
we ought to take action, let's do it."

"I want Hart here first," said Smithers. "He's a know-it-all, but he's
got a good head and good training in spite of it. Someday he'll be a
good man, and you'll need one after I'm gone."

"I'll go," said Ken. "You've already been out, Dad. It's only 4 or 5
blocks, and I feel fine."

"Well, if you feel strong enough," said his father hesitantly. Fatigue
was obvious in his face.

Dr. Hart was asleep when Ken pounded on his door. He persisted until the
veterinarian came, sleepily and rebelliously. Ken told his story
quickly.

Hart grunted in a surly voice. "Anthrax! That fool Smithers probably
wouldn't know a case of anthrax if it stared him in the face. Tell him
to give your horse a shot of terramycin, and I'll come around in the
morning. If I went out on every scare, I'd never get any sleep."

"Dr. Hart," Ken said quietly. "You know what it means if it is anthrax."

The veterinarian blinked under Ken's accusing stare. "All right," he
said finally. "But if Smithers is getting me out on a wild-goose chase
I'll run him out of town!"

Smithers and Professor Maddox were still beside the ailing horse when
Ken returned with Dr. Hart. No one spoke a word as they came up. Hart
went to work on his examination, Ken holding the lantern for him.

"Here's a carbuncle, right back of the ear!" he said accusingly. "Didn't
anybody notice this earlier?"

"I'm afraid not," Ken admitted. "I guess I haven't taken very good care
of him."

"Ken's been in the hospital," Professor Maddox said.

"I know," Hart answered irritably, "but I think anybody would have
noticed this carbuncle; these infections are characteristic. There's not
much question about what it is, but we ought to get a smear and make a
microscope slide check of it."

"I've got a 1500-power instrument," said Ken. "If that's good enough you
can use it."

Hart nodded. "Get some sterile slides."

* * * * *

Afterward, Smithers said, "We've got to get Jack Nelson first and find
out how much anthrax vaccine he's got in his store. Nobody else in town
will have any, except maybe so