A
perfect duplication of engraving and paper identically the same. The
counterfeiters have even evidently gone to the extent of putting a certain
amount of artificial wear on the bills before putting them into
circulation."

Larry Woolford said, "This is out of my line. How were they able to check
further, and how many more did they turn up?"

"The new I.B.M. sorters help. Secret Service checked every fifty dollar
bill in every institution in town both banking and governmental. Thus far,
they have located ten bills in all."

"And other cities?"

"None. They've all been passed in Greater Washington, which is suspicious
in itself. The amount of expense that has gone into the manufacture of
these bills does not allow for only a handful of them being passed. They
should be turning up in number. Lawrence, this reproduction is such that a
pusher could walk into a bank and have his false currency changed by any
clerk."

"Wow," Larry whistled.

"Indeed."

"So you want me to work with Secret Service on this on the off chance that
the Soviet Complex is doing us deliberate dirt."

"That is exactly the idea, Lawrence. Get to work, please, and keep in
touch with me. If you need support, I can assign Walter Foster or some of
the other operatives to assist you. This might have endless
ramifications."

-------------------------------------

Back in the anteroom, Woolford said to the Boss' receptionist, "I'm on a
local job, LaVerne, how about assigning me a girl?"

"Can do," she said.

"And, look, tell her to get hold of every available work on counterfeiting
and pile it on my desk."

"Right. Thinking of going into business, Larry?"

He grinned down at her. "That's the idea. Keeping up with the Jones clan
in this man's town costs roughly twice my income."

LaVerne said disapprovingly, "Then why not give it up? With the
classification you've got a single man ought to be able to save half his
pay." She added, more quietly, "Or get married and support a family."

"Save half my pay?" Larry snorted. "And get a far out reputation, eh? No
thanks, you can't afford to be a weird these days."

She flushed--and damn prettily, Larry Woolford decided. She could be an
attractive item if it wasn't for obviously getting her kicks out of being
individualistic.

Larry said suddenly, "Look, promise like a good girl not to make us
conspicuous and I'll take you to the Swank Room for dinner tonight."

"Is that whe