Page:Amazing Stories Volume 16 Number 06.djvu/159

Rh "You have been under observation for the past several days, Corporal. As Sergeant Shane's closest companion, we naturally put you under surveillance the moment we determined that his actions were suspicious."

As much as I'd have liked to choke Shane to death at that moment, common justice and long practice made me rise to his defense.

"See here, sir," I said with proper indignation. "Shane is one of the most trusted men in the Space Marine Corps. He loves the Service, and the Federation as he loves his own life. He would never enter into anything that even suggested dislo—"

Again the upraised hand of the stern old duck cut me off.

"Perhaps, if you are innocent, Corporal, we know factors in relation to Shane's behavior of which you remain in ignorance. Our men first noticed him dealing with the so-called Clenoka Realty Co., five days ago. At the time we had been suspicious of this firm, feeling it was a front for Martian espionage work. Shane's almost constant dealing with them in the last five days was naturally suspicious. They were quite possibly obtaining Federation Space Fleet information from him which they deemed valuable."

This was more than I could stand. The circumstantial evidence was too grossly unjust, even for a loggerhead like Shane.

"I can explain that, sir," I cut in hotly. "He told me all about it this very morning!"

HE stern old duck raised his eyebrows, but clamped his lips shut, as if inviting me to say what I could while there was still a chance. I took the invitation, driving in with a swift barrage of explanation. In less than sixty seconds I told him everything I knew. But when I looked down at the stern old duck's pan, I knew I could have chopped it up for ice cubes.

"That could be true, Corporal," he said in a voice that inferred he knew damned well it wasn't.

"But it is true!" I yelled. "Call the Federation Bank and find out if he didn't withdraw three thousand Venusian dollars just a few hours ago."

"Why," asked the stern old duck with irritating logic, "might it not be possible that Sergeant Shane, realizing we were too close on his tail, withdrew your money and his in order to have enough money to effect his desertion and flight?"

"It could be," I agreed in exasperation, "but it isn't."

"Then where is Sergeant Shane right now?" asked the stern old duck. "And why is it, coincidentally enough, that he has disappeared at the same time that Clenoka and his fraudulent real estate office workers have disappeared?"

"But he hasn't disappeared," I said, sweat beginning to pour down my spine.

"Do you know where he is?"

"No," I admitted, "but he might still be with Clenoka."

"That," said the stern old duck with a smug compression of his lips, "is just what we have figured."

I felt sick all over, and suddenly began to think of my own hide as well as Shane's.

"What about me?" I asked. "You still don't think I'm guilty do you? You don't think I have anything to do with this mess?"

The stern old duck raised his bushy white eyebrows in what was genuine surprise.

"Why," he declared, "of course you are still in this, Corporal. Until you have proved yourself innocent, you are in it well over your neck. After all,