o that they could
communicate in low voices.

Braun said, "One thing is definite. We must not allow him to secure
further serum. For all we know, he might be planning to inject some of
those gangsters he's affiliated himself with."

Patricia shook her head thoughtfully. "I still think you underestimate
Don. He must realize he can't trust them. At this stage, he has had to
confide in at least two or three, fully to utilize his invisibility. But
in the long run it isn't to his advantage to have _anybody_ know about
it. If the authorities, such as the F.B.I., began looking for an
invisible man, sooner or later they would penetrate the field of
invisibility."

"You mean you think Crowley will use these men for a time and then ...
destroy them?"

"He'll have to, or sooner or later the secret will be out."

Braun said in soft logic, "If he can't allow anyone to know about it,
then we, too, must be destroyed."

Ross growled, "Then we've got to finish him first."

Patricia said, "Now, I don't know. Don is showing considerably more
sense than you two evidently give him credit for. I think in many ways
what he's done is quite admirable. He's seen his chance--and has grasped
it. Why, I wouldn't be surprised that Don will be the most powerful man
in the country within months."

The two men were staring at her. Ross sputtered, "Have you gone
completely around the bend? Are you defending this ... this...."

* * *

A voice chuckled, "Mind your language, Buster. Just take it easy or
you'll wind up with some missing teeth."

Ross jumped to his feet as though couched with an electric prod. Dr.
Braun stiffened in his chair and his eyes darted about the room.

Patricia alone seemed collected. "Don Crowley!" she exclaimed. "You
should be ashamed of yourself, listening in on private conversations."

"Yeah," the voice said. "However, it's handy to know what the other side
is dreaming up in the way of a bad time for you. Sit down, Buster. I've
got a few things to say."

Muttering, Ross resumed his place. The doctor sighed deeply and sank
back onto the sofa he had been occupying. The three could see an
indentation magically appear in the upholstery of an easy-chair across
from them.

Crowley's voice said confidently, "You know, from the first, I've kept
telling you eggheads that I'm not stupid, but none of you've bothered to
listen. You think just because you spent six or eight years of your life
in some c