Project Pope

'By the time I got through with it, it would make a book.

'How did you run into it in the first place?

'Things I picked up here and there. Over several years. I kept hearing things. Fu

'So you've been digging at it for years. Trying to pick up clues.

'That's true. I worked hard at it. Not all the time, of course, but whenever I had a chance. I did a fair amount of thinking. The more I thought about it, the more the facts seemed worth going after. I may, as a matter of fact, have hypnotized myself with my thinking on it. It may turn out there is little here, no more than a bunch of silly robots embarked on a nonsensical enterprise.

Both of them fell silent for a moment, giving their attention to the food.

'How is your room? asked Jill. 'Mine is quite satisfactory.

'So is mine, said Te

'There aren't any telephones, said Jill. 'I asked about it and was told there are no phones at all. A phone system has never been set up. There are electric lights, though, and I asked about that. I said how come electricity but no phones? No one seemed to know.

'Maybe no one ever felt the need of phones, said Te

'Pardon me, sir, said a voice. 'Pardon the intrusion, but it is important…

Te

'I understand, said the man, 'that you are a physician. At least, I am told you are.

'That's right, Te

'My name, said the man, 'is Ecuyer. I'm from Vatican. Our physician was killed several days ago in a hunting accident.

'If there is some way in which I can be of service…

'You'll pardon me, ma'am, said Ecuyer. 'I dislike to interrupt your di

'I have to get my bag, said Te

'I took the liberty, said the man from Vatican, 'of asking the manager to have it brought down for you. It will be waiting in the lobby.

Eight

The woman was old. Her face resembled a withered apple, the mouth pinched in, the puffy cheeks showing an unhealthy, hectic pink. The black button eyes stared at Te

The gray-garbed nurse handed the chart to Te

'This woman is important to us, Doctor, said Ecuyer.

'How long has she been this way?

'Five days, said the nurse. 'Five days since…

'Anderson should not have gone on his hunting trip, said Ecuyer. 'He told me she'd be all right; rest was all she needed.

'Anderson is the man who was killed?

'He and the two others. They tried to talk him out of going. He was new here; he did not recognize the danger. I told you it was an Old One of the Woods, did I not?

'No, you didn't. What is an Old One?

'A huge carnivore. Bloodthirsty, ferocious. Attacks a man on sight. The other two went along in an effort to protect the doctor-

'The temperature has held for the last three days, said Te

'None at all, Doctor. Small fluctuations. Nothing that could be called significant.

'And the respiratory difficulty?

'It seems to be getting worse.

'The medication?

'It's all on the chart, Doctor.

'Yes, I see', said Te

He picked up the woman's scrawny wrist. The pulse was rapid and shallow. The stethoscope, when he held it against her chest, communicated the rasping of the lungs.

'Food? he asked. 'Has she taken nourishment?

'Only the IV the last two days. Before that a little milk and some broth.

Te

'Well? asked the Vatican man.

'I 'think pneumonia, said Te

'We have a laboratory, but no technician. He was with Anderson and Aldritt. 'All three were killed? 'That's right. All three. Perhaps you, Doctor… 'I do not have the expertise, said Te

'Yes, a wide range of them. Ordinarily, we do not run so thin on medical staff. We did have two technicians, but one resigned several months ago. We've not been able to replace him. End of Nothing, Doctor, apparently is not the kind of place that attracts good people.

'My best diagnosis, said Te

'You mean protein-X, said the nurse.

'Exactly. Do you have it?

'Some came in on the last trip Wayfarer made. The trip before this one.

'It could be effective, Te

'What you are saying, said Ecuyer, 'is that you ca

'No physician can make a guarantee.

'I don't know, said Ecuyer. 'Somehow or other, we must save her. If we don't use the protein…

'She still may live, said Te

'She's old, said the nurse. 'She hasn't much to fight with. 'Even with the protein, asked Ecuyer, 'we can't be sure? 'No, we can't, said Te

'About the protein agent? You want to think about it further? The decision is up to you. But I'd judge we haven't too much time. What is your recommendation, Doctor?

'As a physician, if the decision were mine alone, I would use the protein. It may not help. But so far as I know, it is the only thing with which to fight an unknown virus. I have to be honest with you. The protein could conceivably kill her. Even if it helped, it might not help enough. He moved to Ecuyer's side, laid a hand on his arm. 'This woman means a great deal to you?

'To all of us, said Ecuyer. 'To all of us. To Vatican.

'I wish I could help you more. I'm in no position to insist on anything. Is there something I can do or tell you that would help you in reaching a decision?

The woman on the bed moved, raising her head and shoulders from the pillow, fighting for a moment in an attempt to raise herself even further, then falling back again. Her face twisted and her lips moved. Words came from her. 'The towers, she cried. 'The great and shining staircase. The glory and the peace. And the angels flying…

The face untwisted, relaxing. The words shut off.

Te

Ecuyer was pawing at Te