ame to attention and
saluted.

The foremost of the three, his tunic so small at the waist that he
could only have been wearing a girdle, answered the salute by tapping
his swagger stick against the visor of his cap. "Major Mauser," he
said in acknowledgment. He made no effort to shake hands, turning
instead to his two companions. He said, "Lieutenant Colonel Krishnalal
Majumdur, of Bombay, Major Mohamed Kamil, of Alexandria, may I
introduce the"--there was all but a giggle in his tone--"celebrated
Major Joseph Mauser, who has possibly reintroduced aircraft to
warfare."

Joe saluted and bowed in proper protocol. "Gentlemen, a pleasure." The
two neutrals responded correctly, then stepped forward to shake his
hand.

Colonel Lajos Arpid added, gently, "Or possibly he has not."

Joe looked at him. The Hungarian seemed to make a practice of turning
up every time Joe Mauser was about to take off. The Sov-world
representative said airily, "It will be up to the International
Disarmament Commission to decide upon that when it convenes shortly,
will it not?"

The Arab major was staring in fascination at the sailplane. He said to
Joe, "Major Mauser, you are sure such craft were in existence before
1900? It would seem--"

Joe said definitely, "Designed as far back as Leonardo and flown in
various countries in the Eighteenth Century." He looked at the
Hungarian. "Including, so I understand, what was then Czarist Russia."

The Sov-world officer ignored the obvious needling, saying merely, "It
is quite true that the glider was first flown by an obscure inventor
in the Ukraine, however, that is not what particularly interests us
today, major. Perhaps the commission will find that the use of the
glider is permitted for observation, however, it is obvious that
before the year 1900 by no stretch of the imagination could it be
contended that they were, or could have been, used for, say,
_bombing_." He turned quickly and pointed at Freddy Soligen, who,
already seated in the sailplane, was watching them, his face not
revealing his qualms. "What has that man been hiding within the
craft?"

Joe said formally, "Gentlemen, may I introduce Frederic Soligen,
Category Communications, Sub-division Telly News, Rank Senior
Reporter. Mr. Soligen has been assigned to cover the fracas from the
air."

Freddy looked at the Sov-world officer and said innocently, "Hiding?
You mean my portable camera, and my power pack, and my auxiliary
lenses,