“Of course, I wouldn’t rely on that if you come up before the Mortality Conference on a regular basis,” Kender said thoughtfully, pulling at his ear.

“I won’t.”

“I don’t think you will. Well, what can I do for you?”

“I think I’d better learn something about this end of it,” Adam said. “Is there anything I can do around here?”

Kender cast him an interested glance. “When you’ve been here as long as I have, you’ll learn never to refuse when somebody volunteers to work.” He went to a cabinet and took out a tray full of small bottles. “Fourteen new drugs. We get them by the dozens from the cancer people. All over the world investigators are developing chemicals to fight cancer. We’ve found that most agents that are effective against tumors also will kick the hell out of the body’s ability to reject or fight foreign tissue.” He selected two books from his shelf and handed them to Adam. “If you’re really interested, read these. Then drop around again.”

Three evenings later Adam was back in the animal lab, this time to watch Kender transplant a canine kidney and to exchange the two books for a third. His next visit was delayed by greed and the opportunity to sell his free time in Woodborough. But a week later, coming off duty one night, he found himself walking to the lab and pushing open the old, paint-chipped door. Kender gave him an unsurprised greeting and coffee and talked with him about a new series of animal experiments he wanted begun.

“. . . Do you think you understand all that?” he asked finally.

“Yes.”

He grinned and reached for his hat. “Fine and dandy. Then I’ll go home and shock my wife.”

Adam looked at him. “You want me to start it alone?”

“Why not? A medical student named Kazandjian will be here in half an hour. He works as a technician and knows where to find everything.” He picked a notebook from the shelf and slapped it down on the desk. “Keep careful notes. If you get confused, the whole shmeer is outlined here.”

“Fine and dandy,” Adam said faintly.

He sank into a chair, remembering that he was scheduled to cover the Emergency Room in Woodborough the next day.