us one more small inconvenience?" The tone of his
voice seemed to imply that nothing more than a routine question was
forthcoming, some sad necessity, painless and quickly over. But some
deeper instinct warned her that the time had come.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Would you go back into the bedroom and take off your clothes? One of
my guards will search you; he shouldn't be too rough. You see, I want
to lie with you tonight."

Her mouth opened as if to speak, but no words would form. The final
attack had come so softly and suddenly that she found she could not
react. Through the liquor her blood went pale. She turned to Morgan,
but he could not help her now. She had to gather herself. Somehow.
Somehow. "Is that what you really want?"

"Yes, it is." She brushed back her face with her hands.

"All right." She got up slowly, did not collapse.

"Snipes."

"Yes, sir."

"Do it."

"Yes, sir." The guard took her by the arm and led her past the other,
who held open the bedroom door.

"What's the matter, Morgan? Surely you knew I would want her?" Morgan
said nothing. His eyes were cold and hard.

After several minutes, the Secretary got up and made his way to the
bedroom. The guard, returning out of it with a nod, passed by him and
shut the door. He resumed his seat beside the other and the two looked
straight ahead. Several moments later the door opened again, from the
inside, and Hunter's head appeared.

"Oh by the way," he said. "Don't let him into the study. You won't go
anywhere will you, Morgan?" The doors closed for the last time.
Morgan gripped the arms of the chair, burning up inside.

*

After several minutes he got up and began pacing back and forth,
pulling angri-nervoursly at a heavy ring on his right hand. The guards
watched him. Sounds still came from the bedroom at irregular
intervals, horrible to hear. That they were muffled didn't help. At
last he felt that he must make his move.

"May I go into the kitchen? I want another drink."

The guards exchanged glances. The larger of the two said, "Go with
him." The other rose and followed him into the kitchen.

"You want one?" asked the Undersecretary gruffly.

"You know I can't."

"Of course." He looked past the standing man's shoulder. "Wait a
minute. Sergeant, what's that?"

The guard half turned to look behind him. There was a flash of metal
as Morgan brought the blade-tipped ring across his neck. Th