took notes and acted as a front and cover for the
organization. Nyjord is a fine planet, but a gentle guiding hand
behind the scenes is needed, to help them find their place in the
galaxy before they are pulverized."

"What's your dirty game, Hys?" Lea asked, scowling. "I've had enough
hints to suspect for a long time that there was more to the C.R.F.
than the sweetness-and-light part I have seen. Are you people
egomaniacs, power hungry or what?"

"That's the first charge that would be leveled at us if our
activities were publicly known," Hys told her. "That's why we do
most of our work under cover. The best fact I can give you to
counter the charge is _money_. Just where do you think we get the
funds for an operation this size?" He smiled at their blank looks.
"You'll see the records later so there won't be any doubt. The truth
is that all our funds are donated by planets we have helped. Even a
tiny percentage of a planetary income is large--add enough of them
together and you have enough money to help other planets. And
voluntary gratitude is a perfect test, if you stop to think about
it. You can't talk people into liking what you have done. They have
to be convinced. There have always been people on C.R.F. worlds who
knew about our work, and agreed with it enough to see that we are
kept in funds."

"Why are you telling me all this super-secret stuff," Lea asked.

"Isn't that obvious? We want you to keep on working for us. You can
name whatever salary you like--as I've said, there is no shortage of
ready cash."

Hys glanced quickly at them both and delivered the clinching
argument. "I hope Brion will go on working with us too. He is the
kind of field agent we desperately need, and it is almost impossible
to find."

"Just show me where to sign," Lea said, and there was life in her
voice once again.

"I wouldn't exactly call it blackmail," Brion smiled, "but I suppose
if you people can juggle planetary psychologies, you must find that
individuals can be pushed around like chessmen. Though you should
realize that very little pushing is required this time."

"Will you sign on?" Hys asked.

"I must go back to Anvhar," Brion said, "but there really is no
pressing hurry."

"Earth," said Lea, "is overpopulated enough as it is."

* * * * *

72
HOURS
IN HELL

Dis was a harsh, inhospitable,