Grabbing Avery fiercely by the arm, MacPherson tried to drag him to the door, but Avery broke away.
"Listen, Rothman!" Avery's breath was coming quick and shallow. "Today is the day! Zero hour is eleven o'clock this morning!"
MacPherson sagged. No one spoke or moved as they all watched Rothman.
At last Rothman sighed, once. "What time is it now?"
From the door came a scratching sound. MacPherson turned to see Joe, grinning at them through the steel lattice.
"How's things?" Joe wanted to know. "Thought I heard a commotion in here. Doc Rothman's not acting up, I hope?"
"Everything's under control, Joe," MacPherson assured him. "Just having a friendly game."
"Don't cheat while they're watching you," said Joe, and his face disappeared.
"Well, the murder's out," said MacPherson.