The Big Eye (33 page)

 

 

Ellender turned to the desk, picked up the slip of paper, and handed it
to David.

 

 

"Well, David, that's all," said Ellender quietly. "I ask only this of
you. Say nothing of our conspiracy to anyone -- not even your own wife.
Take Avhat you know to the graveyard, as we will. Let the people go
on believing that they have seen a miracle. If they ever find out the
truth they will be disillusioned. They will go back to building atom
bombs, to their prejudices and ancient fears, to wars and the same old
destructive insanity. Let them believe that they were saved from the
Big Eye only by divine will. Let them believe that they have been given
a last chance -- to make good. Let them have their miracle."

 

 

David nodded. He shook hands with the shaggy, gray-eyed man and then
walked out along the corridor to the observatory door.

 

 

As he stood on the threshold his eye strayed up toward the heavens.

 

 

The Big Eye was still there, but it was a pin point now, and very
far away.

 

 

Slowly David Hughes reached into his pocket, took out the piece of paper,
tore it into shreds, and threw the fragments into the wind.

 

 

Then he walked out into the night.