rpose of this visit."

"I came to you because I need money."

Gorman's eyes snapped open--wide. He opened his mouth to speak. He
failed, tightened his throat and tried again. "You came here after
_what_?"

"Money. I'm broke, Lee. I haven't enough to meet my payroll."

"You expect me to bail you out--clean up your debts--put you clear?"

"I came after more than that. Merely bailing me out wouldn't help a bit.
I need three hundred thousand to put my rocket in the air."

Gorman collapsed gently back into his chair like a balloon mercifully
relieved of some of its content. When he spoke, it was with a slow,
controlled viciousness. "I've heard of guts, Joshua. I've heard of
gall--plain unmitigated nerve. But this tops anything--why, man, you
threw me out! You robbed me! You left me standing in the street with a
bookful of names and addresses under my arm--nothing more. Now you come
here and ask for money!"

"I'm glad you've done well, Lee. There was nothing personal in what I
did. I'm glad you've gone on to even bigger things than we would have
achieved together."

"You're glad I've done well! Why, you pious hypocrite! I ought to have
you thrown through the window instead of merely ordering you out!"

"There is no reason why I should expect any better treatment, Lee. But I
had to come here. You were my last hope. I had to ask."

Joshua turned slowly from the desk. He had taken but three steps when
Lee Gorman said, "Wait a minute. I'm curious. Are you _really_ still at
it--beating your brains out against that stone wall?"

"It's my dream, Lee. I've got to be the first man to put a rocket on the
moon."

"But now you're broke--washed up. What's with the dream now?"

"I guess it's finished." Joshua turned and took another step; but Gorman
was loath to let him go.

"Tell me," Gorman said. "What have you got in that briefcase?"

"Progress reports. Plans. I wanted to show them to you."

Gorman grinned. "All right. I've got a few minutes. Come and do it."

Joshua Lake retraced his steps. He sat down in a chair next to Gorman's
desk. He laid his hat on the desk and snapped open the case.

"No," Gorman said. "Stand here by my elbow. The chair is for people I
meet on even terms."

Joshua got obediently to his feet and placed himself as directed.

"And your hat," Gorman added. "You'd better hold that. You might forget
it when you leave."

"Of course, Lee."

It was a ludicrous, pitiful sight but, withal, a grim