Атлант расправил плечи

           Helookedatherbowedheadandsaidgently,"You’reabraveperson,MissTaggart.Iknowwhatyou’redoingrightnowandwhatit’scostingyou.Don’ttortureyourself.Letmego."

           Sherosetoherfeet.Shewasabouttospeak—butsuddenlyhesawherstaredown,leapforwardandseizetheashtraythatstoodontheedgeofthedesk.

           Theashtraycontainedacigarettebuttstampedwiththesignofthedollar.

           "What’sthematter,MissTaggart?"

           "Didhe...didhesmokethis?"

           "Who?"

           "Yourcaller—didhesmokethiscigarette?"

           "Why,Idon’tknow...Iguessso...yes,IthinkIdidseehimsmokingacigaretteonce...letmesee...no,that’snotmybrand,soitmustbehis."

           "Werethereanyothervisitorsinthisofficetoday?"

           "No.Butwhy,MissTaggart?What’sthematter?"

           "MayItakethis?"

           "What?Thecigarettebutt?"Hestaredatherinbewilderment.

           "Yes."

           "Why,sure—butwhatfor?"

           Shewaslookingdownatthebuttinthepalmofherhandasifitwereajewel."Idon’tknow...Idon’tknowwhatgooditwilldome,exceptthatit’saclueto"—shesmiledbitterly—"toasecretofmyown.