come to the bottom of the world for nothing. I think
we had better retire to discuss--"

"Sit down," the Asian growled.

"Why--" The President stopped. One of the Red deputies had produced a
gun. He sat, and stared coldly at the eastern leader. "Have your man
dispose of that weapon. This is a conference table."

The Peoplesfriend grunted an order to the other deputy instead. "Search
them."

"Stay back," Smith droned. "I can kill you all quite easily."

The deputy hesitated. The leader started laughing, then checked it. "May
I ask how?"

John smiled. "Stay back, or you will find out too quickly." He unzipped
his heavy Arctic clothing, removed a heavy container, shaped to conform
to his chest, and laid it on the table. A cord ran from the container
into his sleeve.

The Peoplesfriend laughed. "High explosives? You would not set them off.
However--Jacob, let them keep their weapons. This will be over shortly."

They glared at each other for a moment.

"There is no conference?"

"There is no conference."

"Then why this farce?"

The eastern leader wore a tight smile. He glanced at his watch, began
counting backwards: "Seven, six, five, four--"

When he reached zero, there was a long pause; then a sharp whistle from
outside.

"Your men are now disarmed," said the Asian. "Your cadre commander is
ours."

"Impossible! The recheck--"

"He joined us since the recheck. Further, three of your televiewphone
stations in the relay chain are ours, and are relaying recorded
broadcasts prepared especially for the purpose."

"I don't believe it!"

* * * * *

The Asian shrugged. "In addition, your entire defense system will be in
our hands within six days--while your nation imagines that we are here
conferring on disarmament."

"Ridiculous!" the President sputtered. "No system of infiltration or
subversion could--"

"Your people were not subverted, Smith. They were merely replaced by
ours. Your two Stand-ins, for instance, the ones that died in the fire.
They were not the original men."

"You could not possibly find exact doubles--" Something about the
Asian's smile made his voice taper off.

He picked up the container of explosives and prepared to rise. "I am
going to walk out. And you are going with me. We will return in a
helicopter to my plane. Let me explain this mechanism. I have no control
over the detonator, for it is not a suicide device. The detonator can be
triggere