rth American Senate. It has been observed for years
that the published reports of your organization have left much unsaid.
It is common knowledge that high-handed outrages have been perpetrated;
if not by your men themselves, in such circumstances that your agents
could not have been ignorant of them. Therefore it has been decided to
make a first-hand and comprehensive investigation, in which matter your
Mr. Fairchild has not been at all cooperative."

"Who decided to make this investigation?"

"Why, the North American Senate, of course, through its Pernicious
Activities...."

"I thought so." Samms interrupted. "Don't you know, Senator, that the
Hill is not a part of the North American Continent? That the
Triplanetary Service is responsible only to the Triplanetary Council?"

"Quibbling, sir, and outmoded! This, sir, is a democracy!" the Senator
began to orate. "All that will be changed very shortly, and if you are
as smart as you are believed to be, I need only say that you and those
of your staff who cooperate...."

"You need say nothing at all." Samms' voice cut. "It has not been
changed yet. The Government of North America rules its continent, as do
the other Continental Governments. The combined Continental Governments
of the Three Planets form the Triplanetary Council, which is a
non-political body, the members of which hold office for life and which
is the supreme authority in any matter, small or large, affecting more
than one Continental Government. The Council has two principal operating
agencies; the Triplanetary Patrol, which enforces its decisions, rules,
and regulations, and the Triplanetary Service, which performs such other
tasks as the Council directs. We have no interest in the purely internal
affairs of North America. Have you any information to the contrary?"

"More quibbling!" the Senator thundered. "This is not the first time in
history that a ruthless dictatorship has operated in the disguise of a
democracy. Sir, I _demand_ full access to your files, so that I can
spread before the North American Senate the full facts of the various
matters which I mentioned to Fairchild--one of which was the affair of
the _Pelarion_. In a democracy, sir, facts should not be hidden; the
people must and shall be kept completely informed upon any matter which
affects their welfare or their political lives!"

"Is that so? If I should ask, then, for the purpose of keeping the
Triplanetary Council, and through i