had no
scientists. Those who once went by that name have become for the first
time honest students knowing the pleasure of studying at the feet of
masters."

"You have set up laboratories in which your researches are supervised by
the Rykes?"

"Laboratories? We have no need of laboratories. We have workshops and
study rooms where we try to absorb that which the Rykes discovered long
ago. Maybe at some future time we will come to a point where we can
reach into the frontier of knowledge with our own minds, but this does
not seem likely now."

"So you have given up all original research of your own?"

"How could we do otherwise? The Rykes have all the answers to any
question we have intelligence enough to ask. Follow them, Sherman. It is
no disgrace to be led by such as the Ryke teachers."

"Don't you ever long," said Hockley, "to take just one short step on
your own two feet?"

"Why crawl when you can go by trans-light carrier?"

Thar sipped the last of his drink and glanced toward the wall clock. "I
must go. I can understand the direction of your questions and your
thinking. You hesitate because you might lose the chance to play in the
mud and count the pretty pebbles in the sand. Put away childish things.
You will never miss them!"

They shook hands, and a moment later Hockley said goodbye to Thar at the
entrance to the field. "I know Earth will accept," said Thar. "And you
and I should not have lost contact--but we'll make up for it."

Watching him move toward the dark hulk of the ship, Hockley wondered if
Thar actually believed that. In less than an hour they had exhausted all
they had to say after twenty years. Hockley had the information he
needed about the Ryke plan, but he wished he could have kept his old
memories of his student friend. Thar was drunk on the heady stuff being
peddled by the Rykes, and if what he said were true, it was strong
enough to intoxicate a whole planet.

His blood grew cold at the thought. This was more than a fight for the
National Laboratories. It was a struggle to keep all Mankind from
becoming what Thar had become.

If he could have put Thar on exhibition in the meeting tomorrow, and
shown what he was once like, he would have made his point. But Thar,
before and after, was not available for exhibit. He had to find another
way to show his colleagues and the Senators what the Rykes would make of
them.

He glanced at his watch. They wouldn't like being wakened at this h