This had happened not a moment too soon because Mickey?s resistance was almost breaking down. His stomach ached from laughing so much and his jaw was caught in such a way that he feared he would not be able to close his mouth again.

?What types are these?? he asked while he struggled desperately for air. ?Your interrogation methods are strange. And how are you so sure that I know where Moroa?s formula is? If you can believe you can make me talk, you have made a mistake.?

And the interrogation continued. The Boss plugged cottonwool in his ears and gave one of his men a sign.

Screeeeeech! The sound pierced through poor Mickey?s eardrums.

One of the men held a piece of chalk in his hand and scraped it against a blackboard. Mickey recalled this from his school days. And he could never forget that horrible sound that came when not only the chalk but also the thumb nail of the teacher screeched across the black board.

Screeech? screeeeech! It set Mickey?s teeth on edge. He grit his teeth but that did not make it any more endurable. He then tried to yell out to counter that murderous squeaking, ?I will remain silent! I will not say a word to you!? he screamed till the man had used up the chalk and the hen had fluttered off the table and was seeking cover. However, the Boss still had a trump card up his sleeve. He beckoned to a man who was carrying a laser gun.

?Come on, speak,? he ordered Mickey.

?No, never!? retorted Mickey obstinately.

The laser hissed and Mickey thought, ?a laser consists of many light rays which can cut even metal plates into small pieces. They could turn me, without much ado, into Swiss cheese or cut me as thin as wafer slices.?

Slowly, the laser beam cut into the wood of the rack. It powdered a corner of the massive wood in less than a second. Then the beam changed direction and burnt a fine line through the rack, in line with Mickey?s throat.

?This is the end,? thought Mickey, ?and I haven?t even said goodbye to Minnie.?

He shut his eyes so as not to see the machine anymore?

Suddenly, he heard loud laughter and opened his eyes in astonishment when he heard the voice of the Boss say, ?Bravo Mickey! You have done well!?

He could not understand this at all! The boss was Moritz Moroa himself and without the hood he did not look at all dangerous anymore. He quickly untied Mickey.

?You have withstood the test bravely, my dear old friend.?

?The? test??? asked Mickey astonished.

?Well, the secret service is looking for a courageous man who can keep silent. Naturally, I knew from the beginning that you are the right one but this gentleman here wanted to be convinced of it.? He was referring to a tubby-looking man, who now gave him a friendly nod.

?May I introduce you to Colonel Wetter, the head of the Duckburg Security Services,? said Moroa. ?I have staged this whole scene here for his benefit. And, as for your friend Sharpwit, he is fine. He is as present sailing across the South Polar Sea and had permitted us to write the letter in his name, because he knew that you would react immediately.?

If ever a situation had changed for the better, it was this one. Mickey had just thought that he was going to meet his end, and now the famous Colonel Wetter welcomed him with open arms. This was incredible. Delighted, he greeted the colonel and then to Mickey? relief, they finally left the ?torture chamber? and stepped into another room.

The difference was like night and day because this room was equipped with the most modern gadgets. On a wall hung an electronic city map of Duckburg, on which blinked bright coloured lights. Everywhere there were computer tables and men with earphones bustled around busily. They seemed to be receiving and forwarding information continuously.

?The situation is very grave,? explained the colonel. ?The chemical formula has been stolen from Moroa?s laboratory. He is sure that the thief is one of his earlier employees, whose services he had to terminate. Unfortunately, we have no evidence. He will, however, try in any case to sell the formula. As you know, if it is misused, it can lead to a catastrophe!?

Colonel Wetter paused meaningfully. ?And this is where you come into the picture, Mr Mouse,? he continued. ?Someone must have warned the thief about us because ever since we have been observing him, his movements are completely inconspicuous. We would therefore gladly hand over the case to you. Your friend Minnie will certainly be the best one to look after the detective agency in your absence and??

?That I am sure of,? Mickey interrupted the colonel. ?Who is the suspect??

Colonel Wetter showed him a photograph. ?Look at this properly. The fellow?s name is Cuthbert Crosspatch. We could naturally arrest him but then his accomplices would be forewarned. One of our agents has been successful in fitting transmitters into Crosspatch?s wristwatch. We always know where he is because of this.? The colonel pointed to a green light on the electronic city map which kept blinking frantically.

To be continued