Чужак в чужой стране

           "I’llrubit."

           "Doesn’thelpmuch.Whyareyoualwaysfiddlingaroundinmycloset?Issomethingwrong?"

           Jilltriedtoreswallowherstomach.Thewomanwasn’treallysuspicious,shetoldherself."Mice,"shesaidvaguely.

           "’Mice?’Oh,Ican’tabidemice!I’llhavetohaveanotherroom,rightaway!"

           Jilltorethelittleinstrumentofftheclosetwallandstuffeditintoherpocket,jumpeddownfromthechairandspoketothepatient."Now,now,Mrs.Fritschlie-Iwasjustlookingtoseeiftherewereanymouseholesinthatcloset.Therearen’t."

           "You’resure?"

           "Quitesure.Nowlet’srubtheback,shallwe?Easyover."

           JilldecidedshecouldnotplantthebuginthatroomagainandconcludedthatshewouldriskattemptingtoplaceitintheemptyroomwhichwaspartofK-12,theSuiteoftheManfromMars.Butitwasalmosttimeforherreliefbeforeshewasfreeagain.Shegotthepasskey.

           Onlytofindthatshedidnotneedit;thedoorwasunlockedandheldtwomoremarines;theguardhadbeendoubled.Oneofthemglancedupassheopenedthedoor."Lookingforsomeone?"

           "No.Don’tsitonthebed,boys,"shesaidcrisply."Ifyouneedmorechairs,we’llsendforthem."Shekepthereyeontheguardwhilehegotreluctantlyup;thensheleft,tryingtoconcealhertrembling.

           Thebugwasstillburningaholeinherpocketwhenshewentoffduty;shedecidedtoreturnittoCaxtonatonce.Shechangedclothes,shiftedittoherbag,andwenttotheroof.OnceintheairandheadedtowardBen’sapartmentshebegantobreatheeasier.