nodded. "That's right."

Connel offered his hand. "Major Connel, Solar Guard."

"Glad to meet you," replied the planter, gripping the spaceman's hand.
"Have something to cool you off."

"Thanks," said Connel. "I can use it. Whew! Must be at least one twenty
in the shade."

Sinclair chuckled. "This way, Major."

They didn't say anything more until Connel was resting comfortably in a
deep chair, admiring the crystal roof of Sinclair's house. After a
pleasant exchange about crops and problems of farming on Venus, the
gruff spaceman squared his back and stared straight at his host. "Mr.
James, the Solar Delegate, told me you've resisted pressure to join the
Venusian Nationalists."

Sinclair's expression changed slightly. His eyebrows lifting
quizzically. "Why--yes, that's true."

"I'd like you to tell me what you know about the organization."

"I see," mused Sinclair. "Is that an order?" he added, chuckling.

"That's a request. I'd like to learn as much about the Nationalists as
possible."

"For what purpose?"

Connel paused and then said casually, "A spot check. The Solar Guard
likes to keep its eyes open for trouble."

"Trouble?" exclaimed Sinclair. "You're not serious!"

Connel nodded his head. "It's probably nothing but a club. However, I'd
like to get some facts on it."

"Have you spoken to anyone else?" asked Sinclair.

"I just came from the Sharkey plantation. It's deserted. Not a soul
around. I'll drop back by there before I return to Venusport." Connel
paused and looked squarely at Sinclair. "Well?"

"I don't know much about them, Major," replied the planter. "It always
seemed to me nothing more than a group of planters getting together--"

Connel cut him off. "Possibly, but why didn't you join?"

"Well--"

"Aren't all your friends in it?"

"Yes, but I just don't have time. I have a big place, and there's only
me and my foreman and housekeeper now. All the field hands left some
time ago."

"Where'd they go?"

"Venusport, I guess. Can't get people to farm these days."

"All right, Mr. Sinclair," declared Connel, "let's lay our cards on the
table. I know how you must feel talking about your friends, but this is
really important. Vitally important to every citizen in the Solar
Alliance. Suppose the Nationalists were really a tight organization with
a purpose--a purpose of making Venus independent of the Solar Alliance.
If they succeeded, if Venus did break away, Mercury might follow, the