cumstances
were normal I would certainly not report a piece of work in this stage.

"I feel optimistic, however, that we are on the verge of a substantial
breakthrough in regard to the precipitant we are looking for. I would
like you to repeat the work I have reported and go on from there, using
your own ideas. I wanted you to have it, along with the people in
Pasadena, in case anything should happen here. In my opinion it could be
only a matter of days until we have a solution."

"I certainly hope you are right," said Professor Maddox. "Why do you
speak of the possibility of something happening. Is there trouble?"

"Yes. Rioting has broken out repeatedly in the entire Bay Area during
the past 3 days. Food supplies are almost non-existent. At the
university here, those of us remaining have our families housed in
classrooms. We have some small stock of food, but it's not enough for an
indefinite stay. The rioting may sweep over us. The lack of food may
drive us out before we can finish. You are in a better position there
for survival purposes. I hope nothing happens to interrupt your work.

"Our local government is crumbling fast. They have attempted to supply
the community with seafood, but there are not enough sailing vessels.
Perhaps two-thirds of the population have migrated. Some have returned.
Thousands have died. I feel our time is limited. Give my report your
careful attention and let me know your opinion tomorrow."

They broke contact, uneasiness filling the hearts of Dr. French's
listeners in Mayfield. Up to now, the Berkeley scientist had seemed
impassive and utterly objective. Now, to hear him speak of his own
personal disaster, induced in them some of his own premonition of
collapse.

When Maria had typed the report Professor Maddox stayed up until the
early-morning hours, studying it, developing equations, and making
calculations of his own. Ken stayed with him, trying to follow the
abstruse work, and follow his father's too-brief explanations.

When he finished, Professor Maddox was enthusiastic. "I believe he's on
the right track," he said. "Unfortunately, he hasn't told all he knows
in this report. He must have been too excited about the work.
Ordinarily, he leaves nothing out, but he's omitted three or four
important steps near the end. I'll have to ask him to fill them in
before we can do very much with his processes."

The report was read and discussed at the college laboratory the next
day,