"It shouldn't happen to a dog," said Joe, "then--or now." He glanced once more toward the kitchen. Then he began to read, but as he read, a gnawing worry began to creep through his mind. There was a Devil downstairs, and once before a woman had loosed him. The next evening Pearl greeted him at the door with excitement. "Did you hear the news?" she asked. Joe looked alarmed. "He hasn't escaped?" he demanded. "The Devil? No. Not a sound out of him. It's got everybody excited. The newscasters have been giving it a big coverage." "What's got everybody excited, and who's covering who?" "The disarmament agreement! The United States and Russia have agreed to scrap all armaments, disarm all the atom bombs, stop making them, and put in a foolproof system of inspection that will make it impossible for anybody in the world to make another atom bomb, or a missile, or even a bomber. Isn't it wonderful!" "Sure is," agreed Joe. "But maybe it's just another Russian agreement. When the chips are down, they'll probably claim they never said any such thing." "No! They've submitted plans and maps of all their atomic installations, their stockpiles, plans and details of their intercontinental ballistics missile, everything. The United States is going to do the same thing...." Joe looked incredulous. "You mean the Russians _voluntarily_ instituted this whole thing, and actually delivered the information...?" "Yes. A team of scientists, diplomats and military men selected by the U. N. flew in, and the Russians showed them everything. Russian scientists, statesmen and military men are already on their way here to inspect our installations." "It looks like, with the Devil tied up downstairs, this old world is headed for peace at last," said Joe. "I'm so happy!" exclaimed Pearl. She looked at Joe closely. "Aren't you?" He nodded. "Of course. But I'm a little worried, that's all." "About what?" "Finding a job isn't going to be easy. I'll bet I tried every plant in town today, and at every one, the story's the same. They aren't hiring--in fact, they are laying men off." "Laying them off?" "Yes. As one personnel man put it: 'The men are working like beavers--every one of them putting in an honest day's labor. We're over-producing like mad.' The Union fined twelve bricklayers today for laying more than ninety-six bricks an hour." "You'll find something tomorrow," Pearl said reassuredly. "I've got to go to the bank first," said Joe. "Tomorrow's mortgage payment day. Just how much do we have in the bank?" "About seven hundred dollars," said Pearl. "Enough to last us for three months, if we scrimp," said Joe. Pearl looked shocked. "You will find a job before _that_!" she exclaimed positively. * * * * * The day Joe paid the second mortgage payment out of savings deposit funds, she was forced to admit that he might not.