ela Kossuth laughed gently. "Ah, ha, but this led to one of the
ironies of fate, my friend. Because as the Sov-world expanded its
borders it assimilated peoples of far more, ah, sharpness, shall we
say? than our somewhat dour Russkies. In time, bit by bit, inch by
inch, intrigue by intrigue--"

"I know," Joe said. "The capital of the Sov-world is now not Moscow,
but Budapest."

"Correct!" the Hungarian beamed. "At the very first, we Hungarians
tried to fight them. When we found we couldn't prevail, we joined
them--to their eventual sorrow. However, the central problem has not
been erased. We have finally achieved, here in the Sov-world, to the
point where we have the abundant life. The affluent society. But we
have also reached stagnation. The Party, like a living organism,
refuses to die. Cannot even admit that its death is desirable."

He held his hands out, palms upward, as though at an impossible
impasse.

Joe said, suddenly, "What's all this got to do with me, Colonel
Kossuth?"

The Hungarian pretended surprise. "Why, nothing at all, Major Mauser.
I was but making conversation. Small talk."

Joe didn't get it. "Well, why come here at all? Max said you were
rather insistent about seeing me, in spite of doctor's orders."

"Ah, yes, of course." The Sov officer came to his feet again and
clicked his heels. "My superiors have requested that I deliver this
into your own hands, as well as copies to the West-world Ambassador,
to General Armstrong and Dr. Haer." He handed a document to Joe.

Joe turned it over in hand, blankly. It was in Hungarian. He looked up
at the other.

Lieutenant Colonel Bela Kossuth said formally, "The government of the
Sov-world has found Major Joseph Mauser, Dr. Nadine Haer, and General
George Armstrong, _persona non grata_. As soon as your health permits,
Major, it is requested that you leave Budapest and all the lands of
the Sov-world, never to return."

He clicked his heels, bowed again, and started for the door. Just as
he reached it, he turned and said one last thing to Joe Mauser.

XXII

In spite of Nadine Haer's protests, Joseph Mauser insisted that they
abide by the Sov government's expulsion order on the following day. A
special plane took them to London, and they there caught the regular
shuttle to Greater Washington. At least, Joe, Nadine and Max did,
General Armstrong remained on in London.

The flight itself was largely uneventful, Joe having retreated into
his tho