destination." Deborah moved within my arm. Her voice was deep with sympathy for them. "They are going to Venus, Steve, with this story. As a gentleman," he went on, "you can respect a trust." "You have my word," I said. "But what's the good of telling me if you don't want the story told?" "Some day," he smiled, "it will occur to you that the time has come to tell this story, when people will not be at all interested in its implications. Though they should be." I did not understand him, then. But I agreed. "And what will you do with us?" "Send you down in an 'egg.' The space-raft will hold the four of you. Once we are over Faleeng we'll release it." "And just how will I explain the disappearance of the Starfish?" "I don't think there will be any trouble," Vechi smiled. "You can tell them you caught Vechi and Raeburn in a diranium conspiracy, that Vechi pulled a double-cross and got away. It will explain the pilots Raeburn slugged back in Marsport, too. It will do for popular consumption; they expect something like this of me anyway." "You still don't mind being called a rat?" I said. Vechi drew Laapet closer to him. "No," he said. "But why did you drag Raeburn in on this?" "He's my peace offering to the ambassador, and to Pundra. There's a complete file on Raeburn in my office in Marsport. The ambassador and Pundra will arrive at a diplomatic understanding about the rest, I'm sure. It won't get out that I left with Laapet." A buzzer sounded in the Starfish. "That'll be Faleeng," Vechi said. Rocz carried Raeburn, and then Charley into the "egg." They were still unconscious. Before we got in Deborah impulsively took Laapet's hands in hers. "I hope you make out, Vechi," I said. Some of the strain shucked off him. "Thanks, pal," he smiled and while I was shaking hands with him I realized I admired him tremendously. But I did not envy him. When the door to the "egg" had screwed shut, I turned to Deborah. We were almost alone—Charley and Raeburn were beyond reach. I took her in my arms and I
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