here be this hypocrisy between you and me?"

"I don't know what you mean. I only know I called you to evolve specific
plans and you have embarked instead on windy platitudes and personal
insult."

He sat for a long time quietly, his drink untouched before him. I did
not disturb his meditation, but indulged in one on my own account,
thinking of all I had done for him and his family. But only a foolish
man expects gratitude, or for that matter any reward at all for his
kindnesses.

At last he broke his silence, speaking slowly, almost painfully. "I
have not had what could be called a successful life, even though today I
am a wealthy man." He resumed his drink again and I wondered what this
remark had to do with the subject in hand. Perhaps nothing, I thought;
he is just rambling along while he reconciles himself to the situation.
I was glad he was going to be sensible afterall. Not that it mattered; I
could get many able lieutenants, but for oldtime's sake I was pleased at
the abandonment of his recalcitrance. He relaxed further into the chair
while I waited to resume the practical discussion.

"When you first came to me in Washington, Albert, seeking warcontracts
for your microscopic business, I suppose there was even then a mark upon
your forehead, but I was too heavy with the guilt of my own affairs to
see it. We all have our price, Albert, sometimes it is another star on
the shoulderstraps or a peerage or wealth or the apparent safety of a
son....

"I have come a long way with you since then, Albert, through shady deals
and brilliant coups and dark passages which would not bear too much
investigation. I'm afraid I cannot go any further with you. You will
have to get someone else to kill civilization."

"As you choose, General Thario," I agreed stiffly.

"Wait, I'm not finished. I have always tried, however inadequately, to
do my duty. Articles of War ... holding commission in the Armies of the
United States...." Emotion seemed to be sobering him rapidly. "Duty to
you ... Consolidated Pemmican ... resign commission. Must mention spot
... try Sahara...."

He stood up.

"Thank you, General Thario," I said. "I shall certainly consider the
Sahara as location for depots."

"You won't change your mind about this whole thing, Albert?"

I shook my head. How could I fly in the face of commonsense to gratify
the silly whim of an old man whose intelligence was clearly not what it
had once been?

"I was afraid not,