The man disappeared down the hall. Paul sat quietly, and then heard the elevator open. There were footsteps, and a tapping sound. The footsteps stopped at the door. "Come on in," he called sharply. "Bob'll be with you in just a minute." The door swung open and Senatorial Councilman Ben Towne walked into the room, followed by two tight-faced men. One of the men had a hand in his jacket pocket. Towne blinked at Faircloth, and his grin began to fade into alarm. "Who in the hell are you?" "One of Roberts' men." "Roberts said you had the Alien," Towne snarled. His green eyes peered around the room. Marino swung on the man to the right, bringing him down with a blow to the temple. Paul slapped Towne's cane to the floor, and pounced on the other guard like a cat. The Councilman staggered against the door jamb, trying desperately to reach his cane. Moments later the guards were helpless, and Paul and Marino dragged Towne out to the middle of the room. "The files," Paul said sharply. "Where do you keep them?" Towne's breath came heavily. "You damned snakes can't get away with this--" "The files, Councilman." His eyes went around the room fearfully. "The boys know where they are," he said finally, his voice so low it was hardly audible. "Any duplicates?" "Not of the files you want." Paul nodded to the two men. "Take them down and get the files. Then turn the men and files over to Roberts. Tell him to see that the men forget all about this." He turned back to Towne. "You're taking a little ride." "When this hits the papers it'll be the end of the road for you freaks," Towne snarled. "You can't stop it now--" "We'll see," said Faircloth. "Now shut up and get moving." They left the cane in the room. Paul helped Marino load him aboard the jet scooter. "Take him up to Eagle Rock. Keep him there. Dismantle the engine, if you have to, to keep him there. I'll be there in a few hours." Marino nodded. "Should I report to Roberts?" "Don't bother. Roberts would have a stroke. I brought Towne over here on a dummy visiphone film of Roberts, which will put him in enough hot water as it is." "And where are you going?" "I'm taking a plane west. I've got a visit to make. I've got to see a man about a dog." VIII The farmer blinked across the table at him, red eyed and fearful. "I don't know what you want," he was saying. His voice was high and querulous. "I didn't ask no trouble of the Federal Men. They asked me all them questions, and I told them--" "That's all right," said Faircloth. "We're just rechecking. You were the first party the Alien contacted as far as we can tell. The ship landed on your property, didn't it?" The farmer nodded. "Over by the river. Scrub oak and elms standing over there on the bluff. Haven't never cleared it because it'd be too rocky to farm." "All right, all right," said Faircloth sharply. "I want you to tell me what happened that night."