Thin Edge Page 7

I--" Fergus began with a sickly sound in his voice. ButTarnhorst interrupted him.

  "We don't want it, commodore. Forget it."

  "Forget it?" Morgan's voice was as cutting as the filament he had beendiscussing. "Forget that Jack Latrobe was murdered?"

  "We will pay indemnities, of course," Tarnhorst said, feeling that itwas futile.

  "_Fergus_ will pay indemnities," Morgan said. "In money, theindemnities will come to the precise amount he was willing to pay forthe cable secret. I suggest that your Government confiscate thatamount from him and send it to us. That may be necessary in view ofthe second indemnity."

  "Second indemnity?"

  "Mr. Fergus' life."

  Tarnhorst shook his head briskly. "No. We can't execute Fergus.Impossible."

  "Of course not," Morgan said soothingly. "I don't suggest that youshould. But I do suggest that Mr. Fergus be very careful about goingthrough doorways--or any other kind of opening--from now on. I suggestthat he refrain from passing between any pair of reasonably solid,well-anchored objects. I suggest that he stay away from bathtubs. Isuggest that he be very careful about putting his legs under a tableor desk. I suggest that he not look out of windows. I could makeseveral suggestions. And he shouldn't go around feeling in front ofhim, either. He might lose something."

  "I understand," said Edway Tarnhorst.

  So did Sam Fergus. Morgan could tell by his face.

  * * * * *

  When the indemnity check arrived on Ceres some time later, a short,terse note came with it.

  "I regret to inform you that Mr. Samuel Fergus, evidently in a stateof extreme nervous and psychic tension, took his own life by means ofa gunshot wound in the head on the 21st of this month. The enclosedcheck will pay your indemnity in full. Tarnhorst."

  Morgan smiled grimly. It was as he had expected. He had certainlynever had any intention of going to all the trouble of killing SamFergus.

  * * * * *