Ken protested. He hated to see his father go out again on such a cold night. Dr. Smithers grumbled when Professor Maddox reached his house and explained what he wanted. As one of the town's two veterinarians, he had been heavily overworked since the disaster struck. The slightest sign of injury or illness in an animal caused the Mayor's livestock committee to call for help. "Probably nothing but a strained ligament," Smithers said. "You could have taken care of it by wrapping it yourself." "We think you ought to come." When the veterinarian finally reached the side of the animal, he inspected him carefully by the light of a gasoline lantern. The horse was lying on his side in a bed of hay; he was breathing heavily and his eyes were bright and glassy. Dr. Smithers sucked his breath in sharply and bent closer. Finally, he got to his feet and stared out over the expanse of snow. "It couldn't be," he muttered. "We just don't deserve that. We don't deserve it at all." "What is it?" Ken asked anxiously. "Is it something very serious?" "I don't know for sure. It looks like--it could be anthrax. I'm just afraid that it is." Dr. Smithers' eyes met and held Professor Maddox's. Ken did not understand. "I've heard that name, but I don't know what it is." "One of the most deadly diseases of warm-blooded animals. Spreads like wildfire when it gets a start. It can infect human beings, too. How could it happen here? There hasn't been a case of anthrax in the valley for years!" "I remember Dave Whitaker saying his uncle got two new horses from a farmer near Britton just a week before the comet," said Ken. "Maybe it could have come from there." "Perhaps," said Smithers. "What can we do?" asked Professor Maddox. "Can't we start a program of vaccination to keep it from spreading?" "How much anthrax vaccine do you suppose there is in the whole town? Before we decide anything I want to get Hart and make some tests. If he agrees with me we've got to get hold of the Mayor and the Council and decide on a course of action tonight." Hart was the other veterinarian, a younger man, inclined to look askance at Dr. Smithers' older techniques. "I'd just as soon take your word," said Professor Maddox. "If you think we ought to take action, let's do it." "I want Hart here first," said Smithers. "He's a know-it-all, but he's got a good head and good training in spite of it. Someday he'll be a good man, and you'll need one after I'm gone." "I'll go," said Ken. "You've already been out, Dad. It's only 4 or 5 blocks, and I feel fine." "Well, if you feel strong enough," said his father hesitantly. Fatigue was obvious in his face. Dr. Hart was asleep when Ken pounded on his door. He persisted until the veterinarian came, sleepily and rebelliously. Ken told his story quickly.