n his genius into the right channels,
he would be a blessing to the world."

* * * * *

He paused as the door swung open and the Russian girl appeared with
their food. She placed the cart against the wall and suddenly turned and
faced them.

"Dr. Bird," she said in excellent English, "I am Feodrovna Androvitch."

"I'm glad to know you," said Dr. Bird with a bow.

"Do you recognize my name?"

"I'm very sorry, my dear, but it simply doesn't register."

"Do you remember Stefan Androvitch?"

A sudden light came into Dr. Bird's face.

"Yes," he exclaimed, "I do. He used to work for me in the Bureau some
time ago. I had to let him go under peculiar circumstances. Is he
related to you?"

"He was my twin brother. The peculiar circumstances you refer to were
that you caught him stealing platinum. Instead of turning him over to
the police, you asked him why he stole. He told you his wife was dying
for lack of things that money would buy and he stole for her. You
allowed him to quit his position honorably and you gave him money for
his immediate needs. For that act of mercy, I am here to reward you."

"Bread cast upon the waters," murmured Carnes. The Russian girl turned
on him like a wildcat.

"Unless you wish to deprive yourself and your companions of my help, you
will not quote the Bible, that sop thrown by the church to their slaves,
to me," she said venomously. "I am a woman of the proletariat!"

"Respect the lady's anti-religious prejudices, Carnesy, old dear," said
the doctor with a smile. "How do you propose to aid us, Miss
Androvitch?"

"I will give you exactly what you gave my brother, your freedom and
money for your immediate needs."

"Thanks. But, er--haven't you considered what your position here will
be if you aid us to escape? Saranoff doesn't deal kindly with traitors,
I fancy."

The girl spat on the floor.

"That swine!" she hissed, "I would like to kill him. I would have done
so long ago had not the hope of the people rested on his genius. When
the people finally triumph, I will feed his heart to my cat."

"Nice, gentle, loving disposition," murmured the doctor. "All right, my
dear, we're ready for anything. What's the first move?"

* * * * *

The girl whisked the covers from the food cart and displayed three
pistols and belts of ammunition.

"Put these on," she said, "and take this food with you. I will take you
to a hiding