[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
December 1956
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
When Conway Kroll reached his office that morning, there were three
prisoners waiting to be interrogated. He smiled coldly at the sight of
them, standing in the large bare room awaiting their fate.
"Good morning," he said, with steely politeness. "My name is Kroll.
It is my job to conduct the interrogation to which you three will be
subjected today."
One of the three--a tall, youthful-looking man--glared up at him
bitterly. "Interrogation? _Torture_, you mean!"
Kroll brought his eyes to rest on the man who had spoken slowly, almost
scornfully. "You have the wrong idea completely, my friend. It is
necessary to persuade you to divulge certain facts. The State requires
it of you. If you refuse--" He gestured sadly--"we must compel you.
But you are all so determined to make things hard for us. I don't
_want_ to hurt you, you know."
"But you _will_ hurt us," said another of the prisoners. She was a
girl, no more than twenty, slim and darkhaired. Even in the dreary
prison garb, thought Kroll, she retained her beauty. "You're going to
torture us!"