n, deserted except for police and army
patrols.

"Belton Hotel," the radio squawked. "_Judkins has been picked up at
the Belton._"

"Now I'll find out what he has told them," Thornberry exulted, "and
then we'll have no trouble finding Clarens."

* * * * *

"You know my name, you know my present address, and I'm not saying any
more until I see my lawyer." Judkins had been saying that for half an
hour and his words had not changed.

Mosby tugged at Bennington's sleeve. Together they moved to a corner
of the hotel room, and at Mosby's nod, Scott and Thornberry joined
them.

"Get out of here for five minutes. When you come back, he'll be glad
to talk."

Mosby wasn't joking.

"I want to do the same thing," Scott said bitterly, "but I can't do
it."

"You're under civil law," Mosby stated. "This town is under martial
law. I might be able to get away with it."

"Not a chance," Governor Willoughby had joined them. "It would mean
your career, general. Even the President couldn't protect you."

"Clarens is out there," Mosby argued, pointing out the window
overlooking the city. "Did you see that little girl?"

"No, but I heard about it. And I saw the man," the governor answered.

"I was there," said Thornberry abruptly. "Will you gentlemen let me,
_just_ me, alone with Judkins for five minutes?"

All four of them, the two generals, the police chief, the governor,
stared at the psychologist.

"Yes," Bennington decided for the group. "We will."

* * * * *

_Doughboy...._

Bennington stopped after his first step back into the room, was
jostled by Mosby following closely behind. He moved forward to where
he could see both Judkins and Thornberry.

The hypno-tech sat bolt upright, his face like that of a
newly-conditioned prisoner, completely blank.

Thornberry's face radiated pride.

"These technicians are all alike," the psychologist sniffed. "Their
work makes them especially sensitive to hypnosis."

Bennington looked at Judkins, then back to Thornberry. "You mean...."

"I mean that I can ask Judkins anything we want to know and he'll give
a truthful answer." Another sniff. "I've forgotten more about hypnosis
than he'll ever know."

"This won't hold in a court," Chief Scott warned.

"But it may save a life, maybe more than one," Bennington answered.
"Thornberry, you did a good job of those guards. You question
Judkins."

"Wait a minute,"