The swamp was upside down

by Murray Leinster

Young Lieutenant Barnes said gravely:

"Yes, sir. I'll take care of it. You remember me, sir! I'll take care of it."

Hardwick said:

"Barometer's up a tenth." His eyes did not quite focus. "All right, lieutenant. Go ahead. Promising young officer. Excellent. I'll sit down here for just a moment."

When Barnes came back, Hardwick was asleep. And a last one hundred and fifty frozen sausages of brine and ship-fuel went out of Headquarters within a matter of hours, and then a vast quietude settled down everywhere.

Young Barnes sat beside Hardwick, menacing anybody who even thought of disturbing him. When Sandringham called for him. Barnes went to the phone-plate.

"Sir," he said with vast formality. "Mr. Hardwick went five days without sleep. His job's done. I won't wake him, sir!"

Sandringham raised his eyebrows.

"You won't?"

"I won't, sir!" said young Barnes.