He jerked erect, blinked, and gave the Press Secretary his famous smile--half-apologetic now. "Sorry. I was napping I guess. Didn't hear you. Sit down--sit down." The Press Secretary did as instructed and the President was struck by the tight, stricken look on his gray face. "Good Lord, Jim! What happened? You look as though somebody just dropped a bomb on New York City." He could afford to speak lightly because he knew any news of grave import would not come through the Press Secretary. The latter appeared to have difficulty with his reply. With the President's eye upon him--sharp but friendly--he floundered for a moment, then said, "I might as well give it to you straight, Mr. President. Then we can go on from there." "An excellent idea." "All right--here goes. A man contacted me and requests that you come to the top of Mount Ranier for a conference." The President couldn't find any words. The silence was heavy. "And I think you'd better go," the Press Secretary finished in a voice charged with sheer misery. He sat mute, wondering what was going on through The President's mind. Finally the chief executive said, "Jim--I--really--" The Press Secretary leaned forward, his whole being tense. "Mr. President. Please answer one question--honestly. Do you think I've lost my mind? Do you think I've suddenly gone crazy?" * * * * * The reply was in a quiet tone. "No, Jim--I don't. I know you too well for that. I think you're saying something you have to say--doing a job you feel you have to do--even if it puts you in a position where you have to ask a question like that." "Thank you." "And now--why don't you just sit back and explain it? I'll be frank. It makes no sense to me. But I'm listening." A warm feeling swept the Press Secretary. This president we had. This solid rock of a guy. You just couldn't beat him! The homely, earnest ex-journalist leaned forward again. "The success of this mission, Mr. President--my visit here--hinges upon whether or not you believe I'm telling the truth. I'm going to tell you some strange things. And if you doubt my word--" he shrugged, "well--I will have just wasted your time." "Go ahead with it, Jim." The words were almost sharp now. "All right, sir." He took a deep breath and plunged in. "I've just had a briefing such as no man on this globe ever went through. I've been to the top of Mount Ranier." "When?" "Tonight." "Go on." "I'll tell you step-by-step exactly what happened--or what seemed to happen. Then you can make your decision." The Press Secretary began to talk. He talked for a long time. The President listened, his face a mask giving no clue whatever to his inner thoughts. This was a trick he learned over conference tables through the years. His skill at this would have made him a great poker player but he never cared for the game.