For a time it seemed as though Brent's bombshell had been a dud. There was no comment from around the table--no sound of any kind. But each man was evaluating the information after his own fashion. The key thought, no doubt, other than a natural and instinctive moment of sheer unbelief, was that this marked a giant, forward lunge in world history. And also, no doubt, in this group of responsible men, there was a common question: It would appear that our world had at last come to grips with the universe around it. Was our world ready? And there was general doubt. Now the questions came. From whence? To what purpose? Hostile? Benign? Dangerous? Harmless? "What other information was gained from the creature?" "Very little. He knows our language. He is here for a definite and clear-cut purpose. Probably hostile. But what he was supposed to do or how he was supposed to accomplish it we do not know." "Do you think you will eventually get these answers?" "I think," and there was an ominous note in Brent's voice, "that we will. If not from the creature himself, then in some sudden and far more violent manner." This statement also had impact. It seemed that the group had overlooked Brent's previous revelation that ten of the creatures had arrived and only eight had been accounted for. "Perhaps," Jones said hopefully, "whatever their plan, it required the participation of all ten." "In that case," Brent said quietly, "we have nothing to worry about. At least, at the moment." "Are you of the opinion that these creatures have been dropped anywhere else on earth?" "All I can say on that score is that all seems quiet around the world. Of course, if Russia has rounded up a quota of these two-hearted characters they wouldn't be likely to tell us. They certainly haven't shown up in the European countries with whom we consult. All I can say about the situation behind the Iron Curtain is that they have made no inquiries of us relative to the matter--and we certainly have made no inquiries of them. Also, our people in the sensitive Eastern areas report nothing indicative." Pender bobbed his throat and said, "You told us you're sure the creatures are from outer space. That makes our interests with Russia mutual. Therefore, why shouldn't open inquiry be made?" Brent frowned. "An entirely logical question. As a matter of fact, I recommended that course. Nothing has been down in that direction, however. At least, not to my knowledge." "I assume the White House knows about this." Brent nodded but did not elaborate, perhaps because to have done so would have tended to clarify his own connection with the top spot in the nation; a relationship accepted but not thoroughly understood by any man present. "May I inquire as to Senator Crane?" Bright asked. "I see no reason why you shouldn't." "He was in your anteroom when I entered. Obviously he was mad. I assume that was because you excluded him from this meeting."