far as an answer to your present problem goes. "And for your trouble—it is a rather complimentary thing that you'd make such a try, and we'll all commend you—I'll be your guest for breakfast." "Thank you," said Carroll cryptically. "I hope I'm amusing." Rhinegallis stood up and faced Carroll. "You are quite a man," she said earnestly. "And though we must—use you—we still admire you." "One might admire the tenacity and ability of a pet dog who is working its way through a maze toward a hunk of steak," he said quietly. "Yet one does not consider the dog our equal." Rhinegallis shook her head. "Would it please you to know that you are a threat to us?" "I've known that," he returned quickly. "And so is a dog a threat to man. Dogs can kill. They do not because they know that they are dependent for life upon becoming man's friend." "And you?" He smiled sourly. "Again the question of ethics," he said. "For no matter what I say you know that I shall do anything I find necessary to defeat you." "We will never accept your word as bond," she told him. "Were it a simple matter of personal integrity and honor we could take it and be satisfied. But there is too much at stake. A man would be a complete fool to give his word and keep it when his future hangs in the balance." "I'd not give it," he said simply. And then he turned to her with a cryptic smile. "So my future and the future of Sol are really at stake?" "Yes," she replied. "Then you are a threat." Rhinegallis smiled at him. "Is one a threat that does not permit the child to play with fire?" she said coolly. "May I point out that I am not a child," he said crossly. "Ros nile ver tan si vol klys," she said in her own tongue. "And if you know what I said you'd know what you studied last night." "When a child is deprived of matches, he is told why—in many cases he is shown mildly what happens. So go ahead, Rhinegallis, treat me as a child—and tell me, Rhinegallis, why I must not play with the Lawson Radiation." "It is dangerous," she replied.
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