e to unravel this
particular conspiracy if the forgery had been immediately exposed. At
that time, no one had taken any obvious action. Then, within a few
days--with the discovery apparently confirmed by our silence--normal
maneuverings in industry and finance were observed to be under way. If a
major shift in war policy was pending, if one or more key bases were to
be established in Territorial Segments previously considered beyond the
range of Geest reconnaissance and therefore secure from attack, this
would be to somebody's benefit on Earth."

"Isn't it always?" Black murmured.

"Of course. It's a normal procedure, ordinarily of no concern to
government. It can be predicted with considerable accuracy to what
group or groups the ultimate advantage in such a situation will go. But
in these past weeks, it became apparent that somebody else was winning
out ... somebody who could have won out only on the basis of careful and
extensive preparation for this very situation.

"That was abnormal, and it was the appearance of an abnormal pattern for
which we had been waiting. We find there are seven men involved. These
men will be deprived of the advantage they have gained."

Ronald Black shook his head, said, "You're making a mistake, Cranehart.
I'm signing no papers."

"Nor I," Sanford said thickly.

Cranehart rubbed the side of his nose with a fingertip, said
meditatively, "You won't be forced to. Not directly." He nodded at the
window. "On the landing flange out there is an aircar. It is possible
that this aircar will be found wrecked in the mountains some four
hundred miles north of here early tomorrow morning. Naturally, we have a
satisfactory story prepared to cover such an eventuality."

Sanford whitened slowly. He said, "So you'd resort to murder!"

Cranehart was silent for a few seconds. "Mr. Sanford," he said then,
"you, as a member of the Territorial Office, know very well that the
Geest War has consumed over four hundred million human lives to date.
That is the circumstance which obliges your government to insist on your
co-operation. I advise you to give it."

"But you have no proof! You have nothing but surmises--"

"Consider this," Cranehart said. "A conspiracy of the type I have
described constitutes a capital offense under present conditions. Are
you certain that you would prefer us to continue to look for proof?"

Ronald Black said in a harsh voice, "And what would the outcome be if we
did choose