Frank nodded. "Of course. And I think you should drop in on her alone." "Oh, no--I--" "A goodbye like this one should be said alone. You go up. I'll give you fifteen minutes and then call for you." Dee's eyes were misty. "You're so understanding. Oh, why couldn't we have--" Frank grinned. "Come on, angel. Heads up. Eyes bright." They walked up the street, others around them going quietly about their business. The people were very calm. * * * * * The conference of astronomers and scientists realized their ghastly blunder at 11:59 a.m. For a long moment, there was stunned silence in the room. None of them could believe that such a progressive series of errors could have been passed from man to man and been added to by each. Through every mind went the dread of what would come out of this. In the future it would be called the greatest hoax of all time. There would be gigantic investigations. Possibly a goat would have to be found. The world would never believe the truth. "We might as well make the announcement," someone said. "You make it," another scientist said. "I'm leaving for the North Pole." * * * * * Frank Allison heard the announcement from a loudspeaker in a store window on his sixth trip around the block. He'd been walking slowly, deep in his own thoughts and regrets--giving Dee a little more time with her mother. Then-- "--so the great danger is passed, ladies and gentlemen. The why and the wherefore of it is not known at this time. We are only sure of one thing: The comet will swing away into space. Rumor has it that the size of the invading body was what threw our scientists off. But whether the earlier announcement was sincere or merely a cruel joke will not be known immediately. The main thing is to be thankful that an error existed--whatever its cause--" Frank straightened his shoulders, turned and started briskly up the street. * * * * * The President of the United States put a call through to the Russian Premier. He awaited expectantly with the phone in his hand. But the connections slipped into place slowly and five minutes later a voice came across half a world. "The Premier is busy. Please inform the President of the United States that the Premier is engaged. Inform the President that I am able to connect him with the Premier's secretary. Ask him if that will be satisfactory." The frost in the voice seemed to chill the President's ear. "I will talk to the Premier's secretary." The Secretary's voice was careful, guarded. "May I help you, Mr. President?" "Perhaps you can. I had a conversation with the Premier a little over an hour ago. We were planning a joint statement--a joint television appearance." The secretary's voice stiffened. "I'm sorry, but I know of no such statement nor of any such plans on the part of the Premier.'" "May I speak to the Premier?"