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came into the room, looked at me, ignoring Phipps. I saw the redheaded marine in the hall behind him. I
felt my pulse start to beat a little faster.
"What is it you want here?" he snapped.
"Ah, Mr. Clomesby-House, Mr. Jones, of the American Treasury Department," Phipps said, adjusting a
look of alert interest on his dried-out features. I surmised that Clomesby-House was his boss.
"Mr. Jones was just lodging a complaint regarding a um dog," Phipps said.
Clomesby-House narrowed his eyes at me. "What dog is this?"
"I realize it sounds a little strange," I said, smiling diffidently, "but well, let me start at the beginning."
"Just one moment." The black-eyed man held up a hand. "Perhaps we'd better discuss this matter in
private." He stepped back, waved a hand toward the door. Phipps looked surprised.
"Certainly," I said. "It sounds crazy, but "
I followed Clomesby-House along a corridor, with Joel beside me and the marine trailing. At the door to
a roomy office, I paused, eyeing the marine.
"Ah this is pretty confidential," I said behind my hand. "Perhaps the guard should wait outside?"
Clomesby-House shot me a black look, opened his mouth to object.
"Unless you're afraid I might be dangerous, or something," I added, showing him a smirk.
He snorted. "That's all, Davis. Return to your post."
I closed the door carefully, went across and took a chair by the desk behind which the black-eyed man
had seated himself. Joel sat on my left.
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"Tell me just what it is you've seen," Clomesby-House said, leaning forward.
"Well." I laughed shyly. "It sounds pretty silly, here in a nice clean office but some funny things have
been happening to me lately. They all seem to center around the dogs . . ."
He waited.
"It's a secret spy network I'm sure of it," I went on. "I have plenty of evidence. Now, I don't want you
just to take my word for it. I have a friend who's been helping me "
His dark eyes went to Joel. "This man knows of this, too?"
"Oh, he's not the one I meant. He just gave me a lift over. I've told him a little." I chuckled again. "But he
says it's all in my head. I had a little accident some months ago have a metal plate in my skull, as a
matter of fact But never mind that. My friend and I know better. These dogs "
"You have seen them often?"
"Well, every now and then."
"And why did you come here to the British Consulate?" he shot at me.
"I'm coming to that part. You see well, actually, it's a little hard to explain. If I could just show you . . ."
I looked anxious like a nut who wants to reveal the location of a flying saucer, but is a little shy about
butterfly nets. "If you could possibly spare the time I'd like you to meet my friend. It's not far."
He was still squinting at me. His fingers squeaked as he tensed them against the desk-top. I remembered
Julius exhibiting the same mannerism a nervous habit of the not-men when they had a decision to make.
I could almost hear him thinking; it would be simplicity itself for him to summon the strait-jacket crew, let
them listen to my remarks about intelligent dogs, and let nature take its course. But on the other hand,
what I had to say just might alert someone, cause unwelcome inquiries, invite troublesome poking
about . . .
He came to a decision. He stood, smiling a plaster smile.
"Perhaps that would be best," he said. "There is only one person besides yourselves " he glanced at
Joel "who knows of this?"
"That's right; it's not the kind of thing a fellow spreads around." I got to my feet. "I hope it's not too much
trouble," I said, trying to look a little embarrassed now. Flying-saucer viewers aren't accustomed to
willing audiences.
"I said I would accompany you," Clomesby-House snapped. "We will go now immediately."
"Sure swell," I said. I scrambled to the door and held it for him. "I have my car "
"That will not be necessary. We will take an official vehicle."
I showed him a sudden suspicious look. After all, I didn't want just anybody to see my saucer. "But no
driver," I specified. "Just you and me and Joel here."
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He gave a Prussian nod. "As you wish. Come along."
He led the way to the Consulate garage on the roof, dismissed the marine on duty, and took the controls
of a fast, four-seater dispatch heli. I got in beside him, and Joel sat in the rear.
I gave directions for an uninhabited area to the northwest Yerkes National Forest and we lifted off,
hurtled out across the sprawl of city lights and into darkness.
* * *
Forty-five minutes later, with my nose against the glass, I stared down at a vast expanse of unbroken
blackness spread out below.
"This is the place," I said. "Set her down right here."
Clomesby-House shot me a look that would have curdled spring water. "Here?" he growled.
I nodded brightly. It was as good a place as any for what I had in mind. He hissed, angled the heli
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