osed behind Fred and Mother.

"You were right about Fred, Anita," I said. "Thank you for saving my
life."

"Oh, Gyp," she said, tears trying to brim over her eyelids. "He's such a
cutthroat!"

"Sure," I said. "But now we know it. Get me an appointment with George
Kelly, will you, Anita?"

She compressed her lips. "That's more like it!" she said angrily. "Get
Fred kicked clear out of the Bureau. George Kelly is a great Director,
Gyp, and he'll do it if you insist."

"Maybe," I said. I stewed over what to tell the boss until Anita came
back in.

"Mr. Kelly can see you now, Mr. Tinker," she said, all calmed down
again.

I got up and came around the desk and took her by the elbow, standing at
my door. "Just in case," I said, leaning down to kiss her lightly on the
lips. "I love you, too."

"Too?" she said.

I froze. It was the kind of slip that sooner or later trips up every
snake. My grin was a sick one. I walked out without another word.

* * * * *

The Director's office is on the fourth floor, I climbed the single
flight, and his girl let me in. George affects long slim cigars. I say
affects. He seldom lights them, but he waves them like batons,
conducting some kind of a symphony of words and ideas all day.

"Welcome, stranger," he said, calling on the fiddles for a little
pizzicato. "What's up, Gyp?"

I sat down across from him at his desk and tried to put a smile on my
face. "I want to submit my resignation, George," I said. "Effective
immediately."

"Not accepted," he said, without a second thought. Then his face grew
solemn. "What's this about?" he demanded. "I can't lose _you_, Gyp. My
right bower!"

"One favor," I said, not answering him. "Don't move Fred Plaice up to my
old spot. Any of the other Section Chiefs, but not Fred."

"Well, well," George said, whipping up the brasses with his cigar.
"This begins to sound like cause and effect." He hushed the whole
orchestra to a whisper. "I thought Fred was your fair-haired boy, Gyp.
You two get in a hassle?"

I shook my head. "Not directly, George," I told him. "I want you to know
two things. They'll explain why I'm quitting. My mother is a telepath.
We arrested her early this morning, here in the District. I just
sentenced her to transportation and detention in Oklahoma."

"Good heavens," he gasped. "Your own mother! Gyp, no wonder you're
upset. Didn't you know she was a snake?"

My smile was a little tired. "O