eyance, since both units
seemed to have had good reason for being out after hours. Benjy Edwards
scowled but could find no reason to object to the Council's decision.
Alfie, on the other hand, broke into a smile for the first time that
morning. He turned to the Council and announced that the only point of
issue was the fight and who struck the first blow.

In the back of the room, Connel turned to Strong. "I, personally, am
going to sign the pass for a week's leave for Alfie when this is over,"
he said. "I never saw such a ding-blasted brain in operation in all my
life."

"He really slipped one over on Benjy Edwards all right," muttered
Strong, his voice tinged with pride.

In front of the Council platform, Alfie turned to the judge.

"I would like to call to the stand, if the court please," he said in a
clear voice, "Cadet Tom Corbett."

Tom walked to the chair, was sworn in, and sat down, facing Alfie.

"Cadet Corbett," Higgins paused, and then asked almost casually, "did
you strike the first blow?"

"No," replied Tom.

"Dismissed," said Higgins suddenly. "Call Roger Manning to the stand,
please."

Roger rose, and passing Tom on the way back, took his place on the stand
and repeated the oath.

Alfie looked at Roger calmly and in a clear voice asked, "Cadet Manning,
did you strike the first blow?"

"No."

"Dismissed," said Alfie. "Please call Cadet Astro to the stand."

The cadet audience began to murmur and sit forward tensely.

"What the devil is he doing?" growled Connel.

Strong grinned. "Blast me if I know, Lou," he said. "But wait and see.
I'll bet you ten credits it's a lulu."

Astro was sworn in and Alfie waited for the room to become quiet.

"Cadet Astro," he said finally, "you have heard the other members of the
_Polaris_ unit state, under solemn oath, that they did not strike the
first blow. Now, I ask you to consider carefully your answer. Did you,
Cadet Astro"--Alfie paused dramatically, and nearly shouted the final
part of the question--"strike the first blow?"

"No!" bellowed Astro.

"Dismissed," said Alfie quickly, turning to the Council. "Gentlemen," he
said, "he did not strike the first blow, nor did Cadet Corbett, nor
Cadet Manning. And I will not insist that the three members of the
_Capella_ unit be asked the same question, since I concede that they are
three impeccable gentlemen who could _not_ strike the first blow in a
common fight."

As the audience in the courtroom b