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Oates pulled an envelope partway out of his inside breast pocket

"I have it right here"

"Keep it!" Moran snarled "I won't give you the satisfaction of bowing out gracefully Ten minutes af

ter I take the oath I' the nation of a smooth succession I intend to announce that you and the rest of the President's Cabinet planned a conspiracy to set up a dictatorship, and my first order as chief executive is to fire the whole rotten lot of you

"We expected no less Integrity was never one of your character traits"

"There was no conspiracy and you know it," Sirily

"The President was the victim of a Soviet plot to control the White House"

"No matter," Moran replied nastily "By the tie to your precious reputations will have been done

You'll never work in Washington again"

Before Oates and Simmons could retort, an aid rushed up and spoke softly in Moran's ear He dismissed his enemies with a snide look and turned away Then he stepped to the center of the room and raised his hands for silence

"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced "I've just been informed that the Senate has voted for conviction by the required twothirds

Our beleaguered President is no longer in office and the Vice Presidency is vacant The tiin anew"

As if on cue, Chief justice Nelson O'Brien rose from a chair, smoothed his black robes and cleared his throat Everyone crowded around Moran as his secretary held as dubiously touted as his family Bible

just then Sah the doorway and paused Then they spied Oates and Simmons and approached

"Any word?" Oates asked anxiously