Read Online The Unbegotten by John Creasey - Free Book Online

effective opposition or a defeat, they lose their heads.’
    â€˜You make it sound as if such men are two-a-penny,’ Maddern remarked. ‘The question is, what are you going to do?’
    â€˜I know what I would like to do,’ said Palfrey.
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Keep her here.’
    â€˜What good would that do?’
    â€˜You could begin to treat her when she came round.’
    â€˜I’m no psychiatrist.’
    â€˜You aren’t far off,’ Palfrey said. ‘Is there a good psychiatrist in Middlecombe?’
    Maddern hesitated, now being forced to think of two things at once, and wanting to give all his attention to the girl. He was fascinated by her. Even now it was hard to believe that a girl so delicate, so fragile-looking, could fight like a wildcat. He wanted to find out more about her, wanted to help her. This was simply part of his nature; he was a doctor and a healer by instinct and character as well as by training, but there was something more than that in his attitude towards this girl whom he did not know.
    â€˜Yes,’ he said at last. ‘Congleton.’
    â€˜Would he help?’ asked Palfrey.
    Maddern considered the question and then answered, ‘You mean, would he take personal risks for a patient?’
    Palfrey actually laughed.
    â€˜You go devastatingly straight to the point. Yes. Would he?’
    â€˜I should think so,’ answered Maddern. ‘I’d have to explain this particular risk.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t object,’ Palfrey said. ‘Do you yourself fully understand it?’
    â€˜Oh, yes,’ answered Maddern, without hesitation. ‘I might be pushed under a tractor by this invisible force any time!’
    He laughed, in turn. ‘I think that’s one of my chief troubles, I never have a chance to take a risk, and I’m a pioneer by nature!’
    He stood very close to Palfrey, looking down intently, while Palfrey returned his gaze with the same intentness. He looked much better. The pain and the weariness had gone from his eyes, and his cheeks had regained their healthy tan.
    â€˜Well?’
    â€˜Do I understand that you think that there is a man, or there are men, who have turned this and two other areas barren? That there are no children in the womb and so, in these parts of the world at least, there could be a gradual end of life?’
    â€˜It could happen.’
    â€˜And a man, a human being, is responsible?’
    â€˜I think so.’
    â€˜And he could spread the barrenness throughout the land?’
    â€˜Obviously there is danger that he could,’ Palfrey said. ‘Until we find who is doing it, and how we don’t know for sure.’
    â€˜If this is done by human agency, then someone has the power to control the birthrate. So, he can exert absolute control over man’s destiny.’ Maddern backed off a foot or two but did not look away. ‘Is that what you mean?’
    It was exactly what Palfrey meant and feared; it could not have been put more succinctly. This man had a mind of rare quality, rare positiveness. It was almost wrong to risk losing it in the present circumstances. There was great intentness in Maddern, too; his whole body seemed to be on edge.
    â€˜Yes,’ Palfrey said, at last. ‘That is exactly what I mean.’
    â€˜Then I will help in every way I can,’ Maddern said simply.
    â€˜The risks—’ began Palfrey.
    â€˜I don’t care about the risks. Apart from anything else, this would really give me something to live for, even if I lived only for a few days. I’d like to talk to Sue before calling Congleton. May I?’
    â€˜Don’t lose any more time than you can help,’ urged Palfrey.
    â€˜If you keep talking nonsense, I shall doubt whether you really want my help,’ Maddern said, as if anger were returning.
    It’s a pity he’s so touchy, Palfrey thought; it could be his Achilles’ heel. But he