Silently Simms handed the message cylinder across the desk. The Major opened the cylinder and glanced at the scroll inside. A moment passed in silence as he read the message. "Lieutenant," he said at length, looking up, "how long have you been at Post One?" "Six weeks, sir." The Major opened a humidor and took out a Martian cheroot. "It so happens your Commandante is a very shrewd person. Lieutenant, take a look at this letter." Slowly Simms picked up the scroll and read: ... _and am sending this letter by Lieutenant Simms, a newcomer to Post One. The boy had the usual case of nerves brought about by the damnable solitude, the rain and the constant dangers here at the post, and I'm taking the usual method of curing it. Let him rest over at BeTaba for a month. Then send him back. He has the makings_ ... And across the desk the Major puffed his Martian cheroot and smiled. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Assignment on Venus, by Carl Jacobi