«I think so. So does Capek.»

«Hey! In that case it would mean that Quiroga himself is the man behind the kidnapping — and that we've had a gangster running the Empire!»

Rog shook his head. «Not necessarily. Not even probably. But it would indeed mean that the same forces who control the Actionists also control the machinery of the Humanity Party. But you will never pin anything on them; they are unreachable, ultra-respectable. Nevertheless, they could send word to Quiroga that the time had come to roll over and play dead — and have him do it. Almost certainly,» he added, «without giving him a hint of the real reason why the moment was timely.»

«Criminy! Do you mean to tell me that the top man in the Empire would fold up and quit, just like that? Because somebody behind the scenes ordered him to?»

«I'm afraid that is just what I do think.»

I shook my head. «Politics is a dirty game!»

«No,» Clifton answered insistently. «There is no such thing as a dirty game. But you sometimes run into dirty players.»

«I don't see the difference.»

«There is a world of difference. Quiroga is a third-rater and a stooge — in my opinion, a stooge for villains. But there is nothing third-rate about John Joseph Bonforte and he has never,ever been a stooge for anyone. As a follower, he believed in the cause; as the leader, he has led from conviction!»

«I stand corrected,» I said humbly. «Well, what do we do? Have Dak drag his feet so that the Tommie does not reach New Batavia until he is back in shape to do the job?»

«We can't stall. We don't have to boost at more than one gravity; nobody would expect a man Bonforte's age to place unnecessary strain on his heart. But we can't delay. When the Emperor sends for you, you come.»

«Then what?»

Rog looked at me without answering. I began to get edgy. «Hey, Rog, don't go getting any wild notions! This hasn't anything to do with me. I'm through, except for a few casual appearances around the ship. Dirty or not, politics is not my game — just pay me off and ship me home and I'll guarantee never even to register to vote!»

«You probably wouldn't have to do anything. Dr. Capek will almost certainly have him in shape for it. But it isn't as if it were anything hard — not like that adoption ceremony — just an audience with the Emperor and — »

«The Emperor!» I almost screamed. Like most Americans, I did not understand royalty, did not really approve of the institution in my heart — and had a sneaking, unadmitted awe of kings. After all, we Americans came in by the back door. When we swapped associate status under treaty for the advantages of a full voice in the affairs of the Empire, it was explicitly agreed that our local institutions, our own constitution, and so forth, would not be affected — and tacitly agreed that no member of the royal family would ever visit America. Maybe that is a bad thing. Maybe if we were used to royalty we would not be so impressed by them. In any case, it is notorious that «democratic» American women are more quiveringly anxious to be presented at court than is anybody else.

«Now take it easy,» Rog answered. «You probably won't have to do it at all. We just want to be prepared. What I was trying to tell you is that a “caretaker” government is no problem. It passes no laws, changes no policies. I'll take care of all the work. All you will have to do — if you have to do anything — is make the formal appearance before King Willem — and possibly show up at a controlled press conference or two, depending on how long it is before he is well again. What you have already done is much harder — and you will be paid whether we need you or not.»

«Damn it, pay has nothing to do with it! It's — well, in the words of a famous character in theatrical history, “Include me out.”»

Before Rog could answer, Bill Corpsman came bursting into my cabin without knocking, looked at us, and said sharply to Clifton, «Have you told him?»

«Yes,» agreed Clifton. «He's turned down the job.»

«Huh? Nonsense!»

«It's not nonsense,» I answered, «and by the way, Bill, that door you just came through has a nice spot on it to knock. In the profession the custom is to knock and shout, “Are you decent?” I wish you would remember it.»

«Oh, dirty sheets! We're in a hurry. What's this guff about your refusing?»

«It's not guff. This is not the job I signed up for.»

«Garbage! Maybe you are too stupid to realize it, Smythe, but you are in too deep to prattle about backing out. It wouldn't be healthy.»

I went to him and grabbed his arm. «Are you threatening me? If you are, let's go outside and talk it over.»

He shook my hand off. «In a spaceship? You really are simple, aren't you? But haven't you got it through your thick head that you caused this mess yourself?»

«What do you mean?»

«He means,» Clifton answered, «that he is convinced that the fall of the Quiroga government was the direct result of the speech you made earlier today. It is even possible that he is right. But it is beside the point. Bill, try to be reasonably polite, will you? We get nowhere by bickering.»

I was so surprised by the suggestion that I had caused Quiroga to resign that I forgot all about my desire to loosen Corpsman's teeth. Were they serious? Sure, it was one dilly of a fine speech, but was such a result possible?

Well, if it was, it was certainly fast service.

I said wonderingly, «Bill, do I understand that you are complaining that the speech I made was too effective to suit you?»

«Huh? Hell, no! It was a lousy speech.»

«So? You can't have it both ways. You're saying that a lousy speech went over so big that it scared the Humanity Party right out of office. Is that what you meant?»

Corpsman looked annoyed, started to answer, and caught sight of Clifton suppressing a grin. He scowled, again started to reply — finally shrugged and said, «All right, buster, you proved your point; the speech could not have had anything to do with the fall of the Quiroga government. Nevertheless, we've got work to do. So what's this about you not being willing to carry your share of the load?»

I looked at him and managed to keep my temper — Bonforte's influence again; playing the part of a calm-tempered character tends to make one calm inside. «Bill, again you cannot have it two ways. You have made it emphatically clear that you consider me just a hired hand. Therefore I have no obligation beyond my job, which is finished. You can't hire me for another job unless it suits me. It doesn't.»

He started to speak but I cut in. «That's all. Now get out. You're not welcome here.»

He looked astounded. «Who the hell do you think you are to give orders around here?»

«Nobody. Nobody at all, as you have pointed out. But this is my private room, assigned to me by the Captain. So now get out or be thrown out. I don't like your manners.»

Clifton added quietly, «Clear out, Bill. Regardless of anything else, it is his private cabin at the present time. So you had better leave.» Rog hesitated, then added, «I think we both might as well leave; we don't seem to be getting anywhere. If you will excuse us — Chief?»

«Certainly.»

I sat and thought about it for several minutes. I was sorry that I had let Corpsman provoke me even into such a mild exchange; it lacked dignity. But I reviewed it in my mind and assured myself that my personal differences with Corpsman had not affected my decision; my mind had been made up before he appeared.

A sharp knock came at the door. I called out, «Who is it?»

«Captain Broadbent.»

«Come in, Dak.»

He did so, sat down, and for some minutes seemed interested in pulling hangnails. Finally he looked up and said, «Would it change your mind if I slapped the blighter in the brig?»