it out. That started a chain reaction. It happened that the
Patrol wanted Wass. But he was too big and slick to be caught in a
case which couldn't be broken in court. They thought that here was
just the bait he might snap at, and I was the one to offer it to him.
He could check on me, learn that I had excellent reason to do what I
said I was doing. So I went to him with my story and he liked it. We
made the plan work just as I had outlined it. And he planted Rovald on
me as a check. But I didn't know Yactisi was a plant, also."

The Patrol officer smiled. "Insurance," he waved the viv-root, "just
insurance."

"What we didn't foresee was this complicating alien trouble. You were
to be collected as the castaway, brought back to the Center and then,
once Wass was firmly enmeshed, the Patrol would blow the thing wide
open. Now we do have Wass, with your tape we'll have him for good,
subject to complete reconditioning. But we also have an X-Tee puzzle
which will keep the services busy for some time. And we would like
your tape."

Vye watched Hume narrowly. "Then you're an agent?"

Hume shook his head. "No, just what I said I am, an Out-Hunter who
happened to come into some knowledge that will assist in straightening
out a few crooked quirks in several systems. I have no love for the
Kogan clan, but to help bring down a Veep of Wass' measure does aid in
reinstating one's self-esteem."

"This victim compensation--I _could_ claim it, even though the deal
was a set-up?"

"You'll have first call on Wass' assets. He has plenty invested in
legitimate enterprises, though we'll probably never locate all his
hidden funds. But everything we can get open title to will be
impounded. Have something to do with your share?" inquired the
officer.

"Yes."

Hume was smiling subtly. He was a different man from the one Vye had
known on Jumala. "Premium for the Guild is one thousand credits down,
two thousand for training and say another for about the best field
outfit you can buy. That'll give you maybe another two or three
thousand to save for your honorable retirement."

"How did you know?" Vye began and then had to laugh in spite of
himself as Hume replied:

"I didn't. Good guess, eh? Well, zoom out your recorder, Commander. I
think you are going to have some very free speech now." He got to his
feet. "You know, the Guild has a stake in this alien discovery. We may
just find that we haven't seen the last of that valley after al