By the time I finished my check-up, I was sure of one thing: This
particular saucer had been real.

I was almost positive of one other point-that the thing had been over
30 miles high during part of its flight. I found that after Mantell's
death it was reported simultaneously from Madisonville, Elizabethtown,
and Lexington--over a distance of 175 miles. (Professor Hynek's
analysis later confirmed this.)

How low it had been while hovering over Godman, and during Mantell's
chase, there was no way to determine. But all the evidence pointed to
a swift ascent after Mantell's last report.

Had Mantell told Godman Tower more than the Air Force admitted? I went
back to the Pentagon and asked for a full transcript of the flight
leader's radio messages. I got a quick turn-down. The reports, I was
told, were still classified as secret. Requests for pictures of the
P-51 wreckage, and for a report on the condition of Mantell's body,
also drew a blank. I had heard that some photographs were taken of the
Godman Field saucer from outside the tower. But the Air Force denied
knowledge of any such pictures.

Puzzling over the riddle, I remembered John Steele, the former
Intelligence captain. If by any chance he was a plant, it would be
interesting to suggest the various answers and watch his reaction.
When I phoned him to suggest luncheon, Steele accepted at once. We met
at the Occidental, on Pennsylvania Avenue. Steele was younger than I
had expected--not over twenty-five. He was a tall man, with a crew
haircut and the build of a football player. Looking at him the first