asked.

"I don't know. I thought _you_ might be able to tell me that. And the
second question?"

"Well, sir, I suppose I ought to ask whether you have any special
message for the Universe."

Curtis Delman chuckled. "No," he said, "nothing of importance. Just that
I'd be glad if the law remained substantially unaltered during my
absence. It's hard enough to keep abreast as things are. Now if you'll
excuse me, gentlemen--"

The tele-cameras swiveled as, cane in each hand, he hobbled toward the
Terminal Building. Security officers cleared a path for him. A group of
onlookers began to applaud. It was a reception more in keeping with a
politician than a lawyer, but Curtis Delman held a unique position.

He had been the acknowledged leader of his profession for over three
hundred years--a record no politician could ever hope to equal.

* * * * *

The Vice President of Rejuvenal Enterprises, Inc., had been speaking for
the best part of half an hour. He was a dapper little man whose white
tunic was fringed with green and purple. He had a slight Venusian
accent, very bookish, very precise and very irritating. All five
passengers sat in his office and waited with varying degrees of patience
for the departure signal.

Curtis Delman had been introduced to each of them in turn. Of the four,
only Walter Pellinger, President of Galactic Stores, had made a previous
trip. The lawyer knew of him by reputation as a shrewd businessman, but
there was little to be said in favor of his disposition, which was
rumored to be morose and unfriendly. Certainly his appearance was surly
enough to support the rumor.

"Of course," the Vice President was saying, "Mr. Curtis Delman and Mr.
Pellinger have heard all this before, but I'm sure they'll both forgive
me for repeating it." Walter Pellinger mumbled something
uncomplimentary. "And now for a last word about the ship. Most of you
will have come here by space liner, and very comfortable it is, too.
Unfortunately, we can't look after you that well. Not only would it be
uneconomical to employ a liner, it would also be impossible--there just
aren't the landing facilities. And if you can't land, there's not much
point in going, is there?" The Vice President laughed at his little
joke. No one else seemed to find it amusing.

"No," he continued, "the best we can provide is a Stellano-type
spaceboat--the very latest model, naturally--but, even so, I'm afraid
the