Атлант расправил плечи

           "He’sgone,"shesaid."Theygothim.Aweekismuchlongerthantheyneed.Idon’tknowhowtheylearnwhenthetimeisright,butthis"—shepointedattheletter—"thiswastheirtimeandtheywouldn’thavemissedit."

           "Who?"

           "Thedestroyer’sagents."

           "Areyoubeginningtothinkthattheyreallyexist?"

           "Yes."

           "Areyouserious?"

           "Iam.I’vemetoneofthem."

           "Who?"

           "I’lltellyoulater.Idon’tknowwhotheirleaderis,butI’mgoingtofindout,oneofthesedays.I’mgoingtofindout.I’llbedamnedifIletthem—"

           Shebrokeoffonagasp;hesawthechangeinherfacethemomentbeforeheheardtheclickofadistantreceiverbeingliftedandthesoundofaman’svoicesaying,acrossthewire,"Hello?"

           "Daniels!Isthatyou?You’realive?You’restillthere?"

           "Why,yes.Isthisyou,MissTaggart?What’sthematter?"

           "I...Ithoughtyouweregone."

           "Oh,I’msorry,Ijustheardthephoneringing,Iwasoutinthebacklot,gatheringcarrots."

           "Carrots?"Shewaslaughingwithhystericalrelief.

           "Ihavemyownvegetablepatchoutthere.UsedtobetheInstitute’sparkinglot.AreyoucallingfromNewYork,MissTaggart?"

           "Yes.