asted."

But afterwards, when the two of them were alone by the screen, Silvers
spoke to Hockley soberly. The mathematician had lost some of the wild
exuberance he'd had at first. It had been replaced by a deep, intense
conviction that nothing must stand in the way of Earth's alliance with
the Rykes.

"We all understand why you wanted us to come," he said. "We know you
believe this delay will cool our enthusiasm. It's only fair to make
clear that it won't. How you intend to change us by taking us to the
home of the Rykes has got us all baffled. The reverse will be true, I am
very sure. We intend to make it clear to the Rykes that we accept their
offer. I hope you have no plan to make a declaration to the contrary."

Hockley kept his eyes on the screen, watching the green sphere of Earth.
"I have no intention of making any statement of any kind. I was
perfectly honest when I said our understanding of the Rykes would profit
by this visit. You all agreed. I meant nothing more nor less than what I
said. I hope no one in the group thinks otherwise."

"We don't know," said Silvers.

"It's just that you've got us wondering how you expect to change our
views."

"I have not said that is my intention."

"Can you say it is not?"

"No, I cannot say that. But the question is incomplete. My whole
intention is to discover as fully as possible what will be the result of
alliance with the Rykes. If you should conclude that it will be
unfavorable that will be the result of your own direct observations and
computations, not of my arguments."

"You may be sure that is one thing that will not occur," said Silvers.

* * * * *

It took them a month to reach a transfer point where they could change
to a commercial vessel using Ryke principles. In the following week they
covered a distance several thousand times that which they had already
come. And then they were on Rykeman III.

A few of them had visited the planet previously, on vacation trips or
routine study expeditions, but most of them were seeing it for the first
time. While well out into space the group began crowding the vision
screens which brought into range the streets and buildings of the
cities. They could see the people walking and riding there.

Hockley caught his breath at the sight, and doubts overwhelmed him,
telling him he was an utter and complete fool. The city upon which he
looked was a jewel of perfection. Buildings were no