Fiend Without a Face Page #4

about what's happened.

Cut out the soft soap, Melville.

Let's get down to brass tacks.

All I know is, before this air base

came here, we were doing fine.

Now you and these Air Force fellows

tell us that it's not radiation at all.

Well, maybe you're right at that.

I don't know.

But forgetting about the deaths,

how do you explain the change in quality

of the cows' milk, even the quantity?

Let the major tell me about that.

Go ahead, Major.

No one can make anyone believe something

if they don't want to believe it.

But it has been proven

that there has been no radiation

affecting anyone in Winthrop.

- Hmm.

- Not even the cows.

As for the milk... I don't know enough

about farming, but I would assume...

Griselle did.

He knew his business.

So do I. It was the noise

of the jets that did it.

It frightened the herd.

But I can tell you

that the herd is normal again.

They've got used to it.

Thank you.

As for the deaths, gentlemen, we are

equally at a loss to give an answer.

Now, there's been some talk

of a mad G.I. On the prowl.

This, I can assure you,

is not true.

We've checked and rechecked

our personnel.

We know how you feel,

but we're trying to protect our

countries from a guided missile attack.

If you'd only help us

instead of fighting us.

Ah, it's all a waste of time.

Let's get rid of the base.

We had no trouble before they came here.

I think that's rather extreme...

Gibbons!

It was terrible, Jeff.

What could have happened to him?

I don't know.

- Would you like a drink?

- No. No, thanks.

Barbara, I think Prof. Walgate

is involved in these deaths.

- I don't understand.

- Neither do I. Maybe it's just a hunch.

But his background, his training...

- Oh, Jeff!

- Look, Barbara, I checked on Walgate.

This research of his...

Somehow I think it ties in with

what's happened in Winthrop.

- Oh, that's crazy.

- Is it?

- Mind if I borrow this?

- Where are you going?

I'd like to take a look

at your cemetery.

Hey! Hey!

Anybody out there?

I'm locked in here!

Hey!

Hey!

- Any word yet from Major Cummings?

- Not a thing yet, sir.

- Well, keep trying.

- Hello?

Hello, Miss Griselle.

This is Captain Chester.

I've been trying

to locate Major Cummings.

- He left here about 7:30.

- Well, did he say where he was going?

Yes. He borrowed a flashlight and said

something about going to the cemetery.

Look, I don't like

the sound of all this.

You wait there.

I'll be over right away.

Are you sure this is the place?

Oh, this is the place all right.

Hey, listen.

- Huh?

- Listen.

I don't hear anything.

Wait a minute.

Over this way.

There's someone inside all right.

It's jammed.

Here, hold this.

- Oh, hurry! Come on!

- Hold the flashlight closer.

There, it's coming.

Here he is!

Jeff! Jeff!

There's no air in here.

Keep the door open.

- He'll be all right.

- Jeff, it's me... Barbara.

- Are you all right?

- Barbara.

Yeah, you're not dreaming,

buddy, it's Barbara.

- I was locked in, no air.

- Take it easy now.

Come on, we'll get you

back to the base.

- I gotta see Walgate.

- You're in no shape to see anybody.

I've got to see Walgate.

Come in.

Good evening.

Major Cummings.

Oh, Barbara...

It's very late.

I hope you don't mind, sir.

Oh, on the contrary,

I'm glad to see you. Sit down.

We missed you

at the town council meeting.

I saw Gibbons afterwards.

His mind was gone completely mad.

- It was dreadful.

- I was hoping maybe you could help us.

- Me? How can I help you?

- You're an atomic expert.

- Who told you that?

- Our files in Washington.

- Have you been checking on me?

- Yes.

- Oh.

- Here, would you care

for a cigarette, Professor?

No, thanks.

I'm attached to my pipe.

Uh, Professor,

I read one of your books...

on the materialization

of thought.

You denied that it was possible,

but the thought was intriguing.

Yes, if it could be done, why,

man could create power by thought.

He could will a door to open.

He could perform useful work

without moving from this chair.

- Practically anything.

- I said it was impossible, didn't I?

Is it? Perhaps with atomic power

it could be done.

Oh, please. I'm tired and sick.

Stop badgering me.

I will if you'll answer me

a few questions.

- Jeff!

- I'm sorry, but I've got to go on.

What were you doing

in the cemetery tonight?

Were you, uh, looking for this?

I didn't mean to shut you in,

close the door on you.

I was frightened when I heard you.

I only wanted time to get away.

I only realized later

that you might be shut, trapped.

- I called Barbara, but...

- If she hadn't rescued me,

I wouldn't be alive.

- Jeff!

- What were you doing there, Professor?

I had to examine the mayor's body.

I had to find out the truth.

What was that?

Professor, what's the matter?

- Here, sit back.

- Professor, can you hear me?

It's a terrible story.

Shut down

your atomic plant, Major.

Call Dr. Bradley right away.

I'm going back to the base.

Jeff... be careful.

I'm afraid.

I'll be back right away.

I'd like to try that again

when I have more time.

But the thing's fantastic.

You can't shut down a whole atomic

power plant on such a wild theory.

We can't deny the facts, sir.

Griselle, the Adams couple, the mayor.

They all died a few minutes

after the peak of our radar tests,

right after our atomic plant

was operating under full power.

But it'll take months to get

the plant operating again.

That's better than risking

any more lives or madmen like Gibbons.

Okay, let's put it on ice.

How soon will you be ready, Pete?

We'll shut her down in five minutes.

- The rods are all smashed!

- What happened?

- I don't know.

- We'll never be able

to shut her down now.

- What about spares?

- We have no extras of anything.

There must be some way

of controlling the reaction.

Without the rods,

we don't stand a chance.

The nearest supply would be at

the Hanford Works on the Columbia River.

- How soon can we get

a shipment flown in?

- Four to six hours.

Get me the Hanford Works

on the Columbia River right away.

Well, Doc, how is he?

Oh, there's no question.

It's another attack, a little

more serious than the last.

- He'll be all right?

- Oh, sure, sure, sure.

See he gets plenty of rest.

Call me if there's any change.

For goodness sake, get somebody

out here to stay with you.

Jeff... Major Cummings

said he'll be back soon.

Jeff? Major Cummings?

Mm-hmm.

Obviously, those rods were destroyed.

How and for what reason we don't know.

But we do know that

we're in trouble up here.

Serious trouble.

Hello. Yes, put her through.

It's for you, Jeff.

Barbara Griselle.

Thank you.

Hello, Barbara.

Okay, good.

We'll be right over.

Right. Bye.

Walgate's regained consciousness.

I think we better get over there.

- Right.

- Al, we better get some sidearms.

Kasper, get hold of Dr. Bradley

and Melville right away.

Have them meet us

at Walgate's house.

I should feel better

after I've told you everything.

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