Part 5 (1/2)

And there was general doubt.

Now the questions came. From whence? To what purpose? Hostile? Benign?

Dangerous? Harmless?

”What other information was gained from the creature?”

”Very little. He knows our language. He is here for a definite and clear-cut purpose. Probably hostile. But what he was supposed to do or how he was supposed to accomplish it we do not know.”

”Do you think you will eventually get these answers?”

”I think,” and there was an ominous note in Brent's voice, ”that we will. If not from the creature himself, then in some sudden and far more violent manner.”

This statement also had impact. It seemed that the group had overlooked Brent's previous revelation that ten of the creatures had arrived and only eight had been accounted for.

”Perhaps,” Jones said hopefully, ”whatever their plan, it required the partic.i.p.ation of all ten.”

”In that case,” Brent said quietly, ”we have nothing to worry about. At least, at the moment.”

”Are you of the opinion that these creatures have been dropped anywhere else on earth?”

”All I can say on that score is that all seems quiet around the world.

Of course, if Russia has rounded up a quota of these two-hearted characters they wouldn't be likely to tell us. They certainly haven't shown up in the European countries with whom we consult. All I can say about the situation behind the Iron Curtain is that they have made no inquiries of us relative to the matter--and we certainly have made no inquiries of them. Also, our people in the sensitive Eastern areas report nothing indicative.”

Pender bobbed his throat and said, ”You told us you're sure the creatures are from outer s.p.a.ce. That makes our interests with Russia mutual. Therefore, why shouldn't open inquiry be made?”

Brent frowned. ”An entirely logical question. As a matter of fact, I recommended that course. Nothing has been down in that direction, however. At least, not to my knowledge.”

”I a.s.sume the White House knows about this.”

Brent nodded but did not elaborate, perhaps because to have done so would have tended to clarify his own connection with the top spot in the nation; a relations.h.i.+p accepted but not thoroughly understood by any man present.

”May I inquire as to Senator Crane?” Bright asked.

”I see no reason why you shouldn't.”

”He was in your anteroom when I entered. Obviously he was mad. I a.s.sume that was because you excluded him from this meeting.”

”Correct.” Brent Taber's eyes turned a trifle steely. ”In fact, I'd like to know exactly how he found out about the meeting.”

No one offered any data on this point and Bright asked, ”Is it wise to keep information of this vital nature from the United States Senate?”

”The information has not been kept from the United States Senate,” Brent corrected. ”Let's say it has been kept from certain United States Senators on the theory that the interests of the nation can best be served by a closed-door policy on this matter until it becomes clarified.”

Whether they agreed or not, the men present accepted this as coming from the top, and they would automatically abide by it.

”I suppose,” Pender said, ”that every effort is being made to apprehend the missing pair.”