termine, however, from Gorman's
outward appearance. It could have been bitter disappointment or a
fierce joy.

* * * * *

Joshua Lake walked into Lee Gorman's office, removed his hat and said,
"With your permission, this is the day."

"What time?"

"It translates into 4:07 and 30 seconds, Greenwich time."

Gorman scowled. "I suppose you've arranged quite a party."

"Nothing too spectacular. We'll leave for the blasting pits at 3:00
o'clock. I'd be honored if you'd ride with me."

"Do you still own a car?"

"A small one. Its value is negligible."

"We'll go in one of mine. Be here at five minutes to three."

"Certainly." Joshua put his hat on and walked out....

They rode across the Nevada desert in a black Cadillac with the
chauffeur sitting at attention and staring straight ahead. Joshua stared
straight ahead also. He asked, "Are you going to stop the flight?"

Beside him, leaning forward, clutching with both hands the silver knob
on a black mahogany cane, Gorman replied, "I haven't made up my mind
yet."

A dot on the desert expanded into a pit, a tower, and some small
buildings. The car followed the ruts of the tractors that had hauled the
rocket to the launching site, and came to a halt. "That small,
glass-encased platform," Joshua said. "We'll view the proceedings from
there."

Gorman snorted. "I'll view them from where I please."

They were standing beside the car, Joshua slightly behind his
benefactor. "From the platform."

Gorman scowled and half turned. "What are you doing?"

"I'm holding a gun against your back. It is a very small gun. No one can
see it and it probably wouldn't kill you. Then again, it might. We will
walk to the platform and stand together to watch the blast-off."

"You'd actually--_kill_, to get that ship into the air?"

"If I committed murder, I would certainly regret it the rest of my life,
but the rocket must be launched."

They stood in the glass enclosure on the platform and no one came near
them. Several people veered close and waved. Joshua waved back with his
free hand and the people went on their way.

An hour passed. There was vast activity on the field. Gorman said, "I'm
tired. I want to sit down."

"It was thoughtless of me. I should have provided chairs. It won't be
long now."

It wasn't long. Five minutes later there was a roar, an explosion of
color, and a silver rocket flash up into the sky almost faster than the
eye