ing eyes. Expansively, he began
drawing diagrams, and explaining the elements of space navigation.

"Now here's the trajectory my brother and I are planning to use," he
went on, drawing a complex curve with loading figures and fuel
consumption and point of contact with the Beta Quadrant.

When he paused once, Margo touched the gold sunburst emblem on his
arm. "That's fascinating, Bill, but making a trip like yours is all a
gamble. I'm not offering you a gamble. I'm offering you a sure thing."

"Yes, I realize that." Bill got to his feet. "But just the same I want
to think your proposition over, Margo."

She leaned toward him putting her hands on his lapels. "Bill, don't
risk your neck out there in space. I need you desperately in the
company."

Suddenly, Bill was electrically aware of cool, smooth arms sliding up
and around his neck and her soft red mouth within fragrance distance.

And he was exquisitely aware of the full soft length of her pressing
against him. The scent of jasmine reached him with bewitching stealth.
That was when he closed the gap to her mouth in a sudden rush.

Bill came out of a whirling state of pure feeling to hear the
visiphone buzzing insistently.

"The phone," he mumbled.

Margo opened her eyes dreamily, then comprehended. She walked over to
the phone, picked up the receiver.

After a moment she turned around looking at him questioningly. "It's
for you, Bill."

He took the phone and said, "Captain Staker speaking."

The desk clerk said, "A gentleman to see you, sir. Shall I send him to
Apt. 5B?"

"No," Bill answered. "I'll be down to my room in a few moments and see
him there."

He turned to Margo. "I guess business comes before idyll, Margo. I've
got to go."

Her lustrous dark eyes searched his face intently. "How long must I
wait for an answer, Bill?"

"Can you wait until Thursday--three days?" Time enough to thresh
things out with Tom.

"I guess I can," Margo said, touching him with an inviting glance,
"but do I have to wait that long before I see you again?"

Bill grinned and shook his head in wonder. "My lord, what persistence!
I got an idea any visiting would not be entirely social. Somewhere
along the line business would rear its shaggy head. Okay, how about
dinner at the Wedgewood Room tomorrow night?"

"Wonderful!"

Later at his own floor to his surprise he found Tom pacing the
corridor. In a strained voice he said, "The clerk said a gentleman--"

Tom cam