"But there must be some reason—?"
General Unger looked up nervously. "Radioactivity?" he said.
"But to collect that much radioactivity," said Hohmann, "would take time. And why was it not noticed sooner?"
"That I do not know."
"Come—we'll read the Intelligence News Report," said Hohmann, leaving on a dead run.
He had the tape in his hand as they came up with him; they listened to his voice read the words from the tape.
"... mail carriers resign as mailboxes are hot to touch. Minor fire in business offices of Greggham & Son, no damage done. Fire departments in all cities are rushed to danger points. Conference called to discuss the outbreak of spontaneous fires in government offices. Professor Haldrick claims all fires not dangerous—"
Hohmann turned to Unger. "You're the head of Nuclear Physics," he stormed. "I want a complete report in twenty-four hours!"
The hours passed. The fires grew. No longer were they merely hotboxes, but in some important cases open flames broke out and consumed the paper. The charred ash continued to be too hot to the touch, and there was panic in the country.