A lithe, inordinately well dressed young man rose from his seat in the rear of the hall. "Frederic Ostrander, C.I.A.," he said. "I might as well tell you now, Crawford, and you other American citizens here, this meeting will not meet with the approval of the State Department." Crawford's eyes went up. "How do you know?" The C.I.A. man said evenly, "We've already had reports that this conference was going to be held. I might as well inform you that a protest is being made to the Sahara Division of the African Development Project." Crawford said, "I suppose that is your privilege, sir. Now, in accord with the reason for this meeting, can you tell us why your organization is present in Africa and what it hopes to achieve?" Ostrander looked at him testily. "Why not? There has been considerable infiltration of all of these African development organizations by subversive elements...." "Oh, Brother," Cliff Jackson said. "... And it is not the policy of the State Department to stand idly by while the Soviet Complex attempts to draw Africa from the ranks of the free world." Elmer Allen said disgustedly, "Just what part of Africa would you really consider part of the Free World?" The C.I.A. man stared at him coldly. "You know what I mean," he rapped. "And I might add, we are familiar with your record, Mr. Allen." Homer Crawford said, "You've made a charge which is undoubtedly as unpalatable to many of those present as it is to me. Can you substantiate it? In my experience in the Sahara there is little, if any, following of the Soviet Complex." An agreeing murmur went through the room. Ostrander bit out, "Then who is subsidizing this El Hassan?" Rex Donaldson, the British Commonwealth man, came to his feet. "That was a matter I was going to bring up before this meeting." Homer Crawford, fully accompanied by Abe Baker and the rest of their team, even Elmer Allen, burst into uncontrolled laughter. V When Homer Crawford, Abe Baker, Kenny Ballalou, Elmer Allen and Bey-ag-Akhamouk had laughed themselves out, Frederic Ostrander, the C.I.A. operative stared at them in anger. "What's so funny?" he snapped. From his seat in the middle of the hall, Pierre Dupaine, operative for the French Community, said worriedly, "_Messieurs_, this El Hassan is not amusing. I, too, have heard of him. His followers are evidently sweeping through the Sahara. Everywhere I hear of him." There was confirming murmur throughout the rest of the gathering. Still chuckling, Homer Crawford said, a hand held up for quiet, "Please, everyone. Pardon the amusement of my teammates and myself. You see, there is no such person as El Hassan." "To the contrary!" Ostrander snapped. "No, please," Crawford said, grinning ruefully. "You see, my team _invented_ him, some time ago." Ostrander could only stare, and for once his position was backed by everyone in the hall, Crawford's team excepted.