they didn't--couldn't--do any
thing about it at all. Kedy, will you please tell this big goofus that
even though you have got Jarvis Hilton's brain you aren't Jarvis Hilton
and never can be?"

* * * * *

The atmosphere of the room vibrated in the frequencies of a deep bass
laugh. "You are trying to hold a completely untenable position, friend
Hilton. Any attempt to convince a mind of real power that falsity is
truth is illogical. My advice is for you to surrender."

That word hit Temple hard. "Not surrender, sweetheart. I'm not fighting
you. I never will." She seized both of his hands; tears welled into her
glorious eyes. "It's just that I simply couldn't _stand_ it to go on
living without you!"

"I know, darling." He got up and lifted her to her feet, so that she
could come properly into his arms. They stood there, silent and
motionless, for minutes.

Temple finally released herself and, after feeling for a handkerchief
she did not have, wiped her eyes with a forefinger and then wiped the
finger on her bare leg. She grinned and turned to the Omans. "Prince,
will you and Dark Lady please conjure us up a steak-and-mushrooms
supper? They should be in the pantry ... since this _Sirius_ was
designed for us."

After supper the two sat companionably on a davenport. "One thing about
this business isn't quite clear," Temple said. "Why all this tearing
rush? They haven't got the booster or anything like it, or they'd have
used it. Surely it'll take them a long time to go from the mere analysis
of the forces and fields we used clear through to the production and
installation of enough weapons to stop this whole fleet?"

"It surely won't. They've had the absorption principle for ages.
Remember that first, ancient skeleton that drained all the power of our
suits and boats in nothing flat? From there it isn't too big a jump. And
as for producing stuff; uh-_uh_! If there's any limit to what they can
do, I don't know what it is. If we don't slug 'em before they get it,
it's curtains."

"I see.... I'm afraid. We're almost there, darling."

He glanced at the chronometer. "About eleven minutes. And of course I
don't need to ask you to stay out of the way."

"Of course not. I won't interfere, no matter what happens. All I'm going
to do is hold your hand and pull for you with all my might."

"That'll help, believe me. I'm mighty glad you're along, sweetheart.
Even though both of us know you shou