sir."

"Then that takes care of everything." The great lawyer rose creakily to
his feet. Though bent with age, he was still an impressive figure, tall
and powerfully built, his white hair spilling out over the massive
forehead. "I suppose the press is here?"

"I'm afraid so, sir."

"Well, one can't dodge them on Jupiter. There's no room to move as it
is."

* * * * *

The Captain laughed sympathetically. No one knew better than himself the
limitations of the planet. He'd lived here as a child, grown up under
that plastic bubble which Man had built to preserve an atmosphere--two
thousand acres of habitable land in a wilderness of millions of square
miles. It was enough to break the heart of any boy.

Delman stooped to pick up his two heavy canes. The Captain leaped
forward and handed them to him. Then lawyer and skipper left the suite
and moved slowly toward the gangway. As they reached the steps, the
Captain broke the silence.

"It's been a privilege to have you on board, sir, and perhaps we may
hope to take you home again on your return from Rejuvenal."

Curtis Delman smiled. "Well, Captain, it's foolhardy for me to plan
nearly two years ahead, but I hope so, too."

They shook hands.

With a steward supporting him on either side, the ancient lawyer climbed
carefully down the steps.

A spacelines official had thoughtfully provided a chair. He sat down.
The usual array of microphones and tele-cameras was grouped around him.
Someone appealed for silence. In the hush that followed, only his own
persuasive voice was heard.

[Illustration]

"I have no prepared statement," he said, "but I assume you gentlemen
wish to ask me some questions. In that event, I'd just like to stress
that I'm not as young as I used to be--or perhaps I should say, _as I
hope to be_--and I'd be obliged if you kept them short and to the
point."

There were about thirty reporters present and among them he recognized
several faces that he had seen before. A few would belong to the local
network, but most of them were probably attached to one of the Universal
syndicates. It was a red-headed youngster who got in the first question;
the others were quick to follow.

"Is it true, sir, that this will be your fourth visit to Rejuvenal?"

"Yes, perfectly true."

"Has anyone else been there four times?"

"No. To the best of my knowledge, I'm the first person to attempt it.
Several others have been at least