"So," Bill interrupted, "When the Interworld Government was formed, Uva was restricted. We capitalized on nothing but their brains, eh?" "Oh, it wasn't as easy as that," Webster shook his head. "We had to grant them autonomy. They're very revolutionary. Intergovernment laws don't apply on Uva. Even now there are difficulties. The only way we maintain any control is by judicious doles of caviar. But sometimes, when they all get the caviar bug at the same moment, a few lively anti-world government wars break out. You're not here for that, are you?" "I'm here to get an _equals_ formula," replied Bill. "The Fuel Monopoly is in a hole. The Venus etheroel supply is about run out." "Etheroel!" Commissioner Webster jerked back suddenly, spilling his cup of liquor. "Yeah, how do I get an _equals_?" Webster shook his head worriedly. "You'll have to go to the _Uvan Thought Clinic_. Just present an _equals_ there and they'll give you a completed answer." Webster hesitated a second, fished into his pocket and brought out a personal calling card. He handed it to Bill. "There's liable to be some trouble," he added. "If you get in trouble, here's my card." Webster jumped back again at the sound of footsteps shuffling near the door. He hastily hid the brandy flask and three cups, and not a moment too soon for Castlebottom and an Uvan guard who lugged a stubby radium-plate gun around without the vaguest notion of why he carried it, burst into the office. "So! Stealing my fiancé, you despicable freebooter," he cried, shaking his fist at Bill. "Tut, Tut," Bill grinned. "Watch out. You're under arrest. Whatever you say'll be held against you." Castlebottom smouldered pinkly. "Arrest! You'll be under arrest. I've radioed the Patrol to rescue Kitty and me." "They can't land," said Bill. "They'll land. They're getting a special permit from the government. I saw to that too." * * * * * "I say, what are you going to do about this, freebooter?" Kitty asked. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy the entire situation. She stood with her back to Webster, staring at the two younger men. Bill grinned wryly. "You asked for it," he said. "Come on!" His arm swept around her slim, belted waist, urging her toward the door and out in the market-place. "What are you doing?" cried Kitty. "I'm doing a stitch in time, gal. I never run short of ideas. We're heading for the _Uvan Thought Clinic_. If I can get the right etheroel formula before the Patrol comes, I'll have Castlebottom where I want him. That formula means his job and I have an idea the Uvans don't give out duplicates." "So that's freebooting?" The look that Kitty flashed Bill had something more in it than mere admiration. "Hey, she's my girl!" Castlebottom bleated from the doorway. He stood there powerless for the Uvan guard's radium gun was poking a little valley in his stomach. "Keep a sharp eye on him, Webster," Bill shouted back. "Dangerous type!"