Swiftly, came the revulsion, the protest. No, not he, for I, and I alone, am responsible for whatever happens to me. If I get a low M. R., I do so because I want it that way or my dark self does. If I die, I die because I willed it so. So, forgive me, Sigmen, for the contrary to reality thoughts!

``Please pardon me again, Sandalphon,'' said Hal. ``But did the expedition find any records of the Forerunner having been on this planet? Perhaps, even, though this is too much to wish, find the Forerunner himself?''

``No,'' said Macneff. ``Though that does not mean that there may not be such records there. The expedition was under orders to make a swift survey of conditions and then to return to Earth. I cann't tell you now the distance in light years or what star this was, though you can see it with the naked eye at night in this hemisphere. If you volunteer, you will be told where you're going after the ship leaves. And it leaves very soon.''

``You need a linguist?'' said Hal.

``The ship is huge,'' said Macneff, ``but the number of military men and specialists we are taking limits the linguists to one. We have considered several of your professionals because they were lamechians and above suspicion. Unfortunately & & &.''

Hal waited: Macneff paced some more, frowning. Then, he said, ``Unfortunately, only one lamechian linguist exists, and he is too old for this expedition. Therefore & & &.''