hush-hush business to it. They've got astronomers and astrophysicists
working for them, also rocket expects, technical analysts, and Air
Force Special Intelligence. We've been told they can call on any
government agency for help--and I know they're using the F.B.I."

It was building up bigger than I had thought.

"If national security is involved," I told Purdy, "they can shut us up
in a hurry."

"If they tell me so, O.K.," said Purdy. He added grimly, "But I think
they're making a bad mistake. They probably think they're doing what's
right. But the truth might come out the wrong way."

"It is possible," I thought, "that the saucers belong to Russia."

"If it turns out to be a Soviet missile, count me out," I said. "We'd
have the Pentagon and the F.B.I. on our necks."

"All right, if that's the answer." He chuckled. "But you may be in for
a jolt."

{p. 23}


CHAPTER III

JUST THE idea of gigantic flying disks was incredible enough. It was
almost as hard to believe that such missiles could have been developed
without something leaking out. Yet we had produced the A-bomb in