brought it died almost before he had finished.

"That is the message. You are the man we have picked to accept their
challenge. Remember, though, that there are but the four of us in this
room. There are but four of us who know these things. If you for any
reason do not wish to accept this mission, there will be none to judge
you, least of all, any one of us, who know best of all the perils."

"You say, sir," I said quietly, although my heart was pounding in my
throat, and roaring in my ears, "that there would be none to judge me.

"Sir, there would be myself. There could be no more merciless judge. I
am honored that I have been selected for this task, and I accept the
responsibility willingly, gladly. When is it your wish that we should
start?"

The three presiding members of the Council glanced at each other,
faintly smiling, as though they would say, as Kellen had said a short
time before: "Youth! Youth!" Yet I believe they were glad and somewhat
proud that I had replied as I did.

"You may start," said Kellen, "as soon as you can complete the necessary
preparations. Detailed instructions will be given you later."

He bowed to me, and the others did likewise. Then Kellen picked up his
menore and adjusted it.

The interview was over.

* * * * *

"What do you make it?" I asked the observer. He glanced up from his
instrument.

"Jaron, sir. Three degrees to port; elevation between five and six
degrees. Approximate only, of course, sir."

"Good enough. Please ask Mr. Barry to hold to his present course. We
shall not stop at Jaron."

The observer glanced at me curiously, but he was too well disciplined to
hesitate or ask questions.

"Yes, sir!" he said crisply, and spoke into the microphone beside him.

None of us wore menores when on duty, for several reasons. Our
instruments were not nearly as perfect as those in use to-day, and
verbal orders were clearer and carried more authority than mental
instructions. The delicate and powerful electrical and atomic mechanism
of our ship interfered with the functioning of the menores, and at that
time the old habit of speech was far more firmly entrenched, due to
hereditary influence, than it is now.

I nodded to the man, and made my way to my own quarters. I wished most
heartily that I could talk over my plans with someone, but this had been
expressly forbidden.

"I realize that you trust your men, and more particularly your
offi