Phil Mooney made his way to the ground and scowled, still obviously startled by the swelling crowd.
"Who in kert are you?" he asked.
The other motioned for two assistants to enter the ship and bring out the child. "I'm Doctor Kern," he said. "I'll see...."
"Doctor Adrian Kern, the radiation expert?" The pilot frowned worriedly. "See here, doctor, the Marshalls were friends of mine, and I've taken over the care of little Lillian, but I'm—well, I'm afraid I couldn't afford to pay you ... I mean...."
The famous doctor smiled at him. "I've been retained by the Interplanetary Golden Heart, Phil. You needn't worry about my fee. Besides," and he smiled easily, "I'm not going to accept any fee for this case. You see, I was listening to Marsha Malloy singing 'Love of White Roses' when your call came through. I believe it was the most poignant experience I have ever been through."
A girl next to the doctor gushed, "I'm Bunny Davis, Mr. Mooney. The managing editor of our newspaper chain has authorized me to buy your story for five thousand. If you'll just—"
Phil Mooney blinked. "I—I—"
A heavy-set man in a business suit grasped his hand and shook it with fervor, while flashbulbs went off blindingly. "Phil," he said huskily, as though moved by deep emotion, "as president of the board of directors of Terra-Luna Spaceways, I wish to take this opportunity to offer you a full—"
"Hey! Give us a smile, Phil," a man on top of a television truck yelled....