The Deadly Daughters Page 2

You've got to stay alive to talk toimportant people. Tom and I will round them up secretly, and you canpresent your case to them. My brother is the senior Senator, you know,and he's been itching to bolt the Humanist Party for the last twoterms."

  "What can I accomplish in secret conferences? The people are the oneswho must be aroused."

  "I know, I know, from a soapbox in Times Square, I suppose. Darling, youcan't accomplish this alone. They've proved they are willing to take thechance of killing you, so they must be stronger than you think. Yourfacts must come to the attention of the right people. Over a period oftime we can organize a truly effective underground."

  "Toppinhout is a girls' college."

  "So?"

  "I've never taught anthropology before."

  "You've never been married before, either," she pointed out, "but Ipredict you'll be a success at both."

  "Married?" Long popped his head up.

  * * * * *

  She smiled at him in the rear-view mirror. "Get your head down beforeyou get it blown off. Yes, I said married. I'm not trusting thatpug-ugly, beautiful mug of yours out of my sight from now on. And I'mafraid Tom will shoot you himself if you don't make it conventional.Tom's old-fashioned."

  "But--I couldn't support you on--"

  "A full professor's salary? Don't be foolish. Besides, I'm retiring frommy agency. Selling out. That'll set us up housekeeping."

  That such a prosaic term as "set us up housekeeping" should send moltenlava racing through his veins, did not seem strange to Dr. Hubert Long.How could a man successfully keep his mind on dying when at last a workof art like Julie seemed within his reach? He knew that his plans wereirrevocably changed.

  * * * * *

  Emily Bogarth turned to the phone speaker as her assistant made thecircuit and signalled to her.

  "On the Hubert Long mission--" the speaker said. "Mission accomplishedfrom this end. I trust you have a likely story for the press?"

  "Never mind that. Did it come off as planned?"

  "Precisely. Your marksmen were quite effective."

  Emily Bogarth sighed. "Sorry to sacrifice you, honey, but the other wayis just too messy."

  "Don't mention it. This chap has a very interesting mind. He's achallenge--in more ways than one. By the way, get word to Senator Stone,will you? Have him fly down to his winter home at once. He'll be needed.Some Party members, too."

  "Of course. That's all set up. Good luck!"

  "Thanks, but you can put your mind at rest. Dr. Hubert Long ispositively liquidated."

  * * * * *

  Julie stepped from the phone booth and paid the service attendant forthe gasoline. He looked at her as he dropped the change into her handand wondered who the lucky chap in the back seat might be. A man wouldsell his soul for the right kind of a look from those green eyes.

  THE END

  Transcriber's Note:

  This etext was produced from _Amazing Science Fiction Stories_ October 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note.