.

In the barracks, later that first evening, he got into a card game and
concentrated on trying to win by this method. Nor was it consciously
that he chose a game being played for low stakes--he just wouldn't have
thought of trying to win large sums by such "cheating".

For some time he won consistently and easily. He couldn't know what
cards his opponents held, by suit or number, but he could tell without
any difficulty whether each of the other players felt he had a poor,
medium or good hand. By playing his own accordingly, his wins were far
greater than his losses. After an hour or so of play had proved he could
do it, and had given him considerable practice, Hanlon closed his mind
to their impressions. He now played his cards so recklessly he soon lost
his winnings. Then he got out of the game on a plea of having to study.

The next morning during first class, the door opened and Admiral Rogers
entered the classroom.

"'Ten-shun!" the teacher called, springing to his feet.

"As you were. I want to borrow one of your young gentlemen for the day,
Major. A VIP is in town, and we want to give him an aide." He looked
about the room, as though to pick out a likely-looking candidate. "How
about Cadet Hanlon? Does he especially need today's lesson?"

"Oh, no, sir, he's one of our top students."

Admiral Rogers looked directly at Hanlon, who had risen to attention
when his name was mentioned. "In my office, in full dress uniform, on
the double."

"Dismiss, Hanlon," the instructor said, and the cadet ran out.

In Admiral Rogers' office ten minutes later, Hanlon received his
instructions. "Report to the Simonidean Embassy and put yourself at the
disposal of Hector Abrams, First Secretary to the Simonidean Prime
Minister. But first, hang this stuff on you. This dress sword is a
little unusual--the scabbard is rounder than yours, but not noticeably
so. It's really a blaster; the trigger is here on the handle as you
grasp it. Put on these aide's aguillettes--the metal tips are police
whistles. No," seeing Hanlon's questioning look, "we don't expect any
trouble today--these are just routine, for we like to be ready for
emergencies."

Hanlon fastened the braided cords to his shoulder tabs, and belted on
the twenty-inch-long blaster-sword. The admiral touched a switch on his
desk and spoke into a microphone. "My personal car to take Cadet Hanlon
to the Simonidean Embassy, then return."

At the Embassy, Hanlon reported