Read Online Three to Conquer by Eric Frank Russell - Free Book Online

thought.
     
                  He sat in darkness until he could see faint, diminished beams racing up a slope four miles away. Then he reversed, got back onto the road, and made off in the way he had come. Reaching the crossroads over which he had recently blundered, he turned to the right and continued along this new route.
     
    -
     
                  Without further incident, he reached Washington late in the morning, planted the car in a park on the outskirts and took a bus into the city. There he found a phone and called his office.
     
                  Either the office visiscreen was out of order, or had been switched off; his own' screen remained blank, and Moira's response was equally blank.
     
                  "Harper plant. Can I help you?"
     
                  "Only God can help me," he said. "This is your boss."
     
                  She let out a distinct gasp.
     
                  "What's so soul-shaking about that?" he demanded. "You've spoken to me many times before."
     
                  "Yes, Mr. Harper. Of course, Mr. Harper." she sought desperately for words. "I didn't expect you just yet."
     
                  "Tsk!" He grinned wolfishly at the dead screen. "Why not? I told you I'd ca ll , didn't I?"
     
                  "Certainly, Mr. Harper, but—"
     
                  "But what?"
     
                  She hadn't the vaguest idea what. She was tongue-tied, and in a tangle.
     
                  "You've been reading the papers," he observed grimly. "But no matter. Has anything turned up?"
     
                  "Turned. up ?"
     
                  "Look, Moira, pay no attention to those fat-butted dicks sitting on my desk. Listen to me: has anything come along in the mail that requires my personal handling?"
     
                  "N-n-no, Mr. Harper."
     
                  "Any complications I'm needed to clear up?"
     
                  " N-n-no. "
     
                  "All right. Put one of those guys on the phone."
     
                  She got into a worse tangle. "I don't understand, Mr. Harper. There isn't—"
     
                  "Now, now, no lies!" he ordered.
     
                  At that point, she gave up; he heard her say weakly to somebody else, "He knows you're here and insists on speaking to you."
     
                  He heard a deep grunt that somehow conveyed disgust. Harper's screen suddenly cleared and showed a beefy face scowling at him.
     
                  Before the other could speak, Harper said, "When I can't see a thing in my own office I know that somebody doesn't want me to look. I also know Moira's been told to keep me on as long as she can, while this call is being traced. Well, you're wasting time for which suffering taxpayers are paying; better pack up and get busy on the local sinners. Tell Riley I love him, despite all his faults."
     
                  The face scowled more deeply. "Now, see here, Harper— "
     
                  " Listen to me, for once," continued Harper impatiently. "I'm calling from Washington, and I'm making for F.B.I. headquarters to give myself up."
     
                  Incredulity expressed itself on the distant features. "You mean that?"
     
                  "Check with the F.B.I, in about fifteen minutes' time; they'll tell you they've got me. And don't celebrate by pawing Moira around. She draws her pay from me, not from you!"
     
                  He pronged the phone, walked out and joined the crowds on the sidewalk. He had covered two blocks when a tall, dark-haired, neatly dressed young man threw him a brief but penetrating glance in passing; the man did a swift double-take, continued a few yards beyond, then turned and