Then, satisfied that she had covered the field of catastrophe sufficiently to capture the attention of even the most unimaginative cop, she stopped and settled comfortably back in her seat. Noting that the cop was already on his way toward the car, she folded her arms complacently and smiled at Cecil. "Now we'll see who gets taken into custody," she said smugly. The cop stuck his head in the window, looked bewilderedly at Marc and Toffee, then took in the Blemishes. His face widened with a grin. "Hello, boys," he said amiably. "What's the trouble? Read any good plans lately?" "No, they haven't," Toffee put in quickly. "But they're trying to. Officer, arrest these two." * * * * * The cop's smile faded into an expression of purest astonishment. "Arrest _them_?" he asked incredulously. "What on earth for?" "They're abducting us," Toffee said. "That's what for." For a moment the cop just stared at her, then he threw back his head in a roar of laughter. "Those two?" he gasped. "Abducting you?" "That's what I said," Toffee snapped. "What's so funny?" "That's right, officer," Marc said. "They're trying to steal a valuable formula from me." "Of course they are," the cop said with amusement. "They're always trying to steal a valuable formula from someone. And every once in a while they actually get one. But what difference does it make? They couldn't do anything with it if they wanted to. Now why don't you just make them out a copy like a good fellow and hand it over? It'll make them happy as hell, and it won't do you any harm." "No harm, you dumb flatfoot!" Toffee said, losing control. "Just step inside here for a minute and I'll hammer that thick skull of yours till you can use it for a serving platter." "There's no call to get nasty," the cop said. "But you don't understand," Marc said earnestly. "These men mean to use my formula to destroy the city. They're going to float it off into space." The cop turned and observed Marc closely. He nodded to Gerald. "Better keep a close watch on this one," he said. "He's got some funny notions in his head. He might do you harm." "My God!" Toffee cried. "Now _we're_ crazy!" "That's a good sign, lady," the cop said soothingly. "They say if you realize your condition and are willing to fight it there's hope of a cure." "I'll kill him!" Toffee cried. "I'll kill him with my own two hands! Look here, you jelly-headed gendarme, these two are dangerous criminals!" "Criminals?" the cop said. "Them? Why they wouldn't hurt a fly. Just look at their faces." Toffee looked at the Blemishes, then came close to choking. The twins had assumed expressions of angelic innocence such as might have been equalled only by Little Eva in the moment of her ascension. "Why, you dirty little frauds!" she hissed. "All right," the cop said, "you'll have to get along now; you're blocking traffic."