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103 At first, Steele said, American defense officials had been completely baffled by the disk reports. Then the British, learning about the sightings, had hastily explained to top-level American officials. An agreement had been {p. 121) worked out. We were to have the benefit of their research and testing and working models, in return for helping to conceal the secret. We were also to aid in tracking and controlling the missiles when they passed over this country. "And I gather we paid in other ways," Steele said. "My source says this played a big part in increasing our aid to Britain, including certain atomic secrets." That could make sense. Sharing such a secret would be worth all the money and supplies we had poured into England. If America and Great Britain both had a superior long-range missile, it would be the biggest factor I knew for holding off war. But the long ranges involved in Steele's explanation made the thing incredible. "That's the one thing I couldn't get," said Steele. "This man told me it was the most carefully guarded secret of all. They've tapped a new source of power." along." "No, no," Steele said earnestly, "he said it wasn't that. And the rest of the story hangs together." "I don't see any harm," Steele answered. "The Russians undoubtedly know the truth. They have agents everywhere. It might do a lot of good for American-British relations. Anyway, it would offset any fear that the saucers are Soviet weapons." Steele laughed. "No, but it had me going for a while. It was a big relief to find out the disks are British." "Oh--sixty thousand feet, at least," said Steele. After a moment he added quickly, "That's just a guess--they probably operate much higher. I didn't think to ask." "How are they powered? What fuel do they use?" I asked him. "If he means atomic engines," I said, "I don't believe it. I don't think anyone is that far Privately, I thought of two or three holes, but I let that go. "Tf it's British," I said, "do you think we should even hint at it?" "Then you're not worried about that angle any more?" "What's the disks' ceiling?" I asked, abruptly.