ings out, the door opened and the
man he had thought of merely as "the leader" came in and sat down in one
of the chairs. He gestured, and the men pushed Hanlon into the facing
seat, and adjusted the glo-light so it shone in his eyes. Then ranged
themselves behind him.

"So, you got back?" the Leader said softly.

"Sure," Hanlon made himself act as though nothing was out of the way,
but it was an effort to smile and talk naturally when his mouth was
suddenly dry and his nerves tightened almost to the screaming point. "My
time was up, so Mr. Philander sent me back. I've got a letter for you
from him."

He started to reach into his pocket, but Panek slapped his hand down,
and snaked the letter out, handing it to the Leader, who opened it and
read it silently.

Then the man looked up, his face puzzled. "You seem to
have ... uh ... done very well there," he said almost pleasantly. "Our
superintendent reports you made an excellent guard. He seems very pleased
with you."

"I told you I'd do everything I could to make good," Hanlon answered,
but now he made his voice sound very aggrieved. "What's the big idea of
all this? Seems like a mighty funny reception, after I tried so hard.
Why that light in my eyes, and those thugs ready to slug me if I bat an
eye-lash. It's almost like you don't trust me, or something?"

"I'm still not altogether sure we do," the Leader said slowly.

"Still harping on that?" Hanlon demanded hotly. "What makes you think
I'm not on the up and up? I worked hard on that stinking hot planet. I
got out more ore'n anyone else ever did. And my suggestion about
nitrates ..."

"Ah, yes, the matter of the ... uh ... fertilizer. What made you bring
that up?"

"The minute I saw those Greenies I guessed they were animated trees.
When I saw how they fed themselves by sticking their fingers in the hut
floor, I figured the dirt would gradually lose whatever nourishment it
contained, same as a farmer's fields soon lose their fertility. All
plants I know about extract nitrogen and other minerals from the soil.
So I figured the Greenies would need fertilizer to make up for the
depleted soil in their huts. It seemed simple to me."

"Ummm. You were right, apparently. It was a great contribution to our
work, and we are grateful." He looked at Hanlon a long moment, then
asked sharply, "How did Rellos die?"

"A dog tore out his throat."

"We know that--but you said you killed him."

"Who d'you suppose sicced