"The hell with Thurman. Haven't you heard the news?"
"What news? About Bryant, you mean? How—"
"No, not about Bryant," Raymond snapped. "I mean about the project. Hell, I guess you haven't heard yet. It only broke about five minutes ago."
Harker stared strangely at the receiver in his hand. In as level a voice as he could manage he said, "Mart, what are you trying to tell me?"
"Mitchison!" Raymond gasped. "Mitchison and Klaus—they issued a public statement about five minutes ago, telling the world all about the project! The lab is swarming with reporters! Jim, you've got to get out here at once!"
He hung up. Harker let the receiver drop into its cradle. He moistened his lips.
The mask of secrecy was off. From now on, they were accountable to the world for their every move.
CHAPTER VIII
Harker had thought Idlewild was in a state of confusion, but he realized he still had a lot to learn about ultimate chaos when he reached Litchfield, an hour later. Cars clogged the highway for a quarter of a mile on each side of the private road leading to the laboratories. He saw television cameras, sound trucks, men who looked like reporters.