ival. We're
also pretty sure that there's another one roaming around. It's my
opinion that the last one, the tenth one, may have had something to do
with what happened in Dr. Corson's room. I don't know whether your lives
are in danger or not, but _please_ co-operate with us. Please report
immediately anything of a suspicious nature that you see."

"Of course, we will," Frank Corson said. "I didn't see any signs of
hostility in the other one, though."

"Be that as it may, we _must_ get our hands on him."

"If he did kill the one with the broken leg," King said, "wouldn't he
have left town?"

"If he thinks like a murderer, yes. But he probably doesn't. That's the
trouble. We don't know how he thinks or what he's here for. We're
playing it by ear."

"I think we understand," Frank Corson said.

"Thank you. And I'm sorry if I antagonized you. That wasn't my purpose.
I'm just trying to do my job." He smiled and held out his hand. "This is
all strictly confidential, of course."

"Of course."

"Thanks for coming."

They left, but Brent Taber's frustrations remained with him. Earlier
that day, in Washington, he'd stood on the carpet himself, before higher
authority, and played the part of the reprimanded schoolboy.

"It would appear," Authority said, "that you went out of your way to
antagonize Senator Crane."

"I'm sorry if that's the opinion up above."

"It is not a matter of opinion, one way or another. It's a matter of
expediency. The Administration has to get along with Congress. Senator
Crane is in a powerful position. He is on three committees that can
hamper legislation the Administration is vitally interested in."

"I understand. And I didn't pick the quarrel with Senator Crane. He
picked it with me. In my judgment, he is not the kind of person to be
trusted with information of this vital nature."

"You consider Senator Crane an unreliable demagogue?"

"I didn't say that."

Authority smiled wryly. "I'll concede that the Senator's type is rare in
American politics--at least among those who get elected to high office.
But the fact remains--he is a power."

"If you agree that the information should have been withheld--"

"I didn't agree on that at all," Authority said quickly. "And don't
quote me as having said so. I'll deny it."

Brent Taber smiled also, but inwardly, where it wouldn't show. He should
have expected that denial. After all, Authority had Higher Authority to
account to. Authority co