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Read Ebook: The Clean and Wholesome Land by Sholto Ralph
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Ebook has 72 lines and 5662 words, and 2 pages
Keeley, with a gesture, requested the floor. "I wonder if you could go into a little more detail concerning the formula--for those of us who--"
"Of course," Pardeau said. "The formula is a combination of six chemicals and the process of transformation is relatively simple, yet highly dangerous to both subjects involved. It means sure death for the proposed host, and if not delicately handled will also result in death for the usurper. The transformation requires three hours to perform. Once completed successfully, the usurper can never return to his own body. It must be destroyed. Also, the mentality of the host vanishes after it is pushed from its original brain tissue through the influence of the formula."
"Then if Wyckoff didn't give the formula to Lenster, it was stolen from our vaults--or wherever it was kept?"
"Exactly. Certain investigations I have made prove beyond doubt that Lenster got to my Deputy, Hillerman. I never considered Hillerman very bright, but I thought him to be honest and loyal. But beyond all doubt, with his aid, Lenster stole the formula--possibly got it verbally--and used it to take Hillerman's body from him." Pardeau smiled grimly. "Therefore, gentlemen, we have a traitor in a high place. My Deputy of Vital Intelligence."
Pardeau sat silent now, seeming to enjoy the fear he had engendered in his colleagues--sat silent until Leiderman said, "You've arrested him of course."
"No. I have not."
"Then get at it, man--get at it."
"I have no intention of arresting Hillerman."
Leiderman's eyes widened as did those of the rest of the company. But Blanchard, even under the impact of such a bombshell had the presence of mind to glance at his watch. Immediately he snapped on the loudspeaker. The voice of Professor Cargill blared forth:
"--and upon this anniversary of the New State, we can look with pride upon a clean and wholesome land--"
It was the rebroadcast, from recordings, of Cargill's speech and no man in his right mind would have refrained from tuning it in because everyone wanted to hear it at least twice.
Leiderman, almost apoplectic, ignored the speech. "Not arresting him! Are you mad?"
"I'm quite sane, and the situation is well in hand." Pardeau grinned and there was wickedness in the grin--wickedness and intelligence. "As I said before, Hillerman was not a smart man. His job was too much for him and I would have been faced, soon, with the necessity of replacing him regardless. Lenster, on the other hand, is of grade-A intellect. But, gentlemen, he is frightened--badly frightened in his new environment--and, in order to insure his own safety, is doing an excellent job. Ever since the transformation, that department has gained in efficiency until it now ranks as one of the highest in our entire government."
Slowly, Pardeau's strategy dawned on the group. Blanchard suddenly smiled. Then Pardeau scowled and went on with a new and sudden ferocity. "I have the proof, and I have Lenster-Hillerman under my palm. So he stays--continues to do a good job for us. But he'll be watched, gentlemen. He won't be able to go to the bathroom without being under surveillance. We will learn a great deal from him. All we need to know."
"Then you'll arrest him?" the boss of the state larder wanted to know.
"--in which Lenster and his ilk are forever crushed and beaten," the speaker said.
Blanchard took the floor. "Gentlemen--I move a vote of thanks and confidence for our colleague, Neal Pardeau."
The Director of Public Security stood at attention and assayed a sharp, military bow. It was a moment of rare triumph. "Thank you, gentlemen," he said.
An hour later, Lenster-Pardeau was alone in his apartments. He stripped off his uniform with an air of grim satisfaction. While he undressed, he thought of the martyrs to the Cause; the men who had died. He thought of Wyckoff and wished Wyckoff could have had the pleasure of knowing who had usurped the body of Neal Pardeau--Pardeau the Butcher--the infamous Pardeau.
From the speaker came the third and final rebroadcast of Cargill's speech:
"--a clean and wholesome land--"
"A clean and wholesome land," Lenster murmured, and the tone of his voice was a prayer.
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