The Skylark of Space

do the research work is undoubtedly gone--but who is back of him?" "Nobody, probably. Who would want to be?" "To borrow your own phrase, Dick, Scott 'chirped it' when he called you 'Nobody Holme.' For a man with your brains you have the least sense of anybody I know. You know that this thing is worth, as a power project alone, thousands of millions of dollars, and that there are dozens of big concerns who would cheerfully put us both out of the way for a thousandth of that amount. The question is not to find one concern who might be backing a thing like that, but to pick out the one who is backing it." * * * * * After thinking deeply for a few moments he went on: "The idea was taken from your demonstration in the Bureau, either by an eye-witness or by someone who heard about it afterward, probably the former. Even though it failed, one man saw the possibilities. Who was that man? Who was there?" "Oh, a lot of the fellows were there. Scott, Smith, Penfield, DuQuesne, Roberts--quite a bunch of them. Let's see--Scott hasn't brains enough to do anything. Smith doesn't know anything about anything except amines. Penfield is a pure scientist, who wouldn't even quote an authority without asking permission. DuQuesne is ... hm-m ... DuQuesne ... he ... I...." "Yes. DuQuesne. I have heard of him. He's the big black fellow, about your own size? He has the brains, the ability, and the inclination, has he not?" "Well, I wouldn't want to say that. I don't know him very well, and personal dislike is no ground at all for suspicion, you know." "Enough to warrant investigation. Is there anyone else who might have reasoned it out as you did, and as DuQuesne possibly could?" "Not that I remember. But we can count DuQuesne out, anyway, because he called me up this afternoon about some notes on gallium; so he is still in the Bureau. Besides, he wouldn't let anybody else investigate it if he got it. He would do it himself, and I don't think he would have blown himself up. I never did like him very well personally--he's such a cold, inhuman son of a fish--but you've got to hand it to him for ability. He's probably the best man in the world today on that kind of thing." "No, I do not think that we will count him out yet. He may have had nothing to do with it, but we will have him investigated nevertheless, and will guard against future visitors here." Turning to the telephone, he called the private number of a well-known detective. "Prescott? Crane speaking. Sorry to get you out of bed, but I should like to have a complete report upon Dr. Marc C. DuQuesne, of the Rare Metals Laboratory, as soon as possible. Every detail for the last two weeks, every move and every thought if possible. Please keep a good man on him until further notice.... I wish you would send two or three guards out here right away, to-night; men you can trust and who will stay awake.... Thanks. Good night."