h a power over me because of what you did for
Shmuel that it is _I_ who will jump through _your_ hoop if ordered, not
the other way around. I was quite angry." BenChaim relaxed a little
before going on. "Actually, I'm sorry I blew up. He's a well-meaning
man, I think."

"No doubt," the detective said. "Did he tell you what the job was?"

"With most heart-rending particulars," said BenChaim. "I was told all
about how this Nipe has been killing and eating people, as if I didn't
know already. But it wasn't until I heard him talk that I realized how
scared people are back there on Earth. You know, Martin, we're insulated
out here. We don't feel that terror, even when we read about it or see
the reports on the newscasts. If everybody on Earth is as scared as that
Mr. Nguma is, it's a wonder they haven't all panicked and taken to
running around in circles."

"As a matter of fact, Mr. BenChaim," the detective said levelly, "they
have begun to do just that. Mr. Nguma and his friends have been after me
for a long time to take their job. They have pulled every trick they can
think of--including this last one with you--to get me to go back to
Earth and find that monster. I have refused them so often and so firmly
that they are convinced I'm afraid to tackle the Nipe. They are
convinced that I know I'll fail. And yet they keep after me. If that
isn't running around in circles, it'll do until a better example comes
along."

"They're out of their minds," BenChaim said flatly. "Of _course_ no man
in his right mind would try to face down that thing! It would be as
silly as trying to outrun a bullet or do arithmetic faster than a
computer. That's common sense. That's showing a healthy respect for the
Nipe--not fear. At least, not fear in the way that those men are
afraid."

Suddenly the detective knew why the industrialist had come. He knew that
Moishe BenChaim wanted to reassure Stanley Martin, to tell him that he
was doing the sensible thing in turning down so dangerous an assignment.
He could almost have predicted word for word what BenChaim was going to
say next.

"Nguma may be here at any minute," said the industrialist. "He told me
that he was going to come as soon as the trial was over. What are you
going to tell him this time? I know it's none of my business, but I'm
asking, just the same."

"I'm going to tell him _no_," the detective said. "I will not return to
Earth for any reason whatever."

"Good," said BenChaim.