Year of the Jackpot 24

planted rather than delivered. This is a tentative theory
but" They passed into a deep cut and lost the rest.
When the squawk box again came to life it was a new
voice: "Conelrad," said a crisp voice, "coming to you over
the combined networks. The rumor that Los Angeles has
been hit by an atom bomb is totally unfounded. It is true
that the western metropolis has suffered a severe earth-
quake shock but that is all. Government officials and the
Red Cross are on the spot to care for the victims, butand I
repeatthere has been no atomic bombing. So relax and
stay in your homes. Such wild rumors can damage the
United States quite as much as enemy's bombs. Stay off the
highways and listen for" Breen snapped it off.
"Somebody," he said bitterly, "has again decided that
'Mama knows best.' They won't tell us any bad news."
"Potiphar," Meade said sharply, "that was an atom bomb
. . . wasn't it?"
"It was. And now we don't know whether it was just Los
Angelesand Kansas Cityor all the big cities in the coun-
try. All we know is that they are lying to us."
"Maybe I can get another station?"
"The hell with it." He concentrated on driving. The road
was very bad.
As it began to get light she said, "Pottydo you know
where we're going? Are we just keeping out of cities?"
"I think I do. If I'm not lost." He stared around them.
"Nope, it's all right. See that hill up forward with the triple
gendarmes on its profile?"
"Gendarmes?"
"Big rock pillars. That's a sure landmark. I'm looking for a
private road now. It leads to a hunting lodge belonging to
two of my friendsan old ranch house actually, but as a
ranch it didn't pay."
"Oh. They won't mind us using it?"
He shrugged. "If they show up, we'll ask them. If they
show up. They lived in Los Angeles, Meade."
"Oh. Yes, I guess so."
The private road had once been a poor grade of wagon
trail; now it was almost impassable. But they finally topped
a hogback from which they could see almost to the Pacific,
then dropped down into a sheltered bowl where the cabin
was. "All out, girl. End of the line."
Meade sighed. "It looks heavenly."
"Think you can rustle breakfast while I unload? There's
probably wood in the shed. Or can you manage a wood
range?"