Matt looked around for a gun emplacement. But, if there was one, it was hidden among the trees. He closed the outer and inner ports, locking and sealing them. "We'd better count noses!" he said, frowning, as they returned to the messroom. "It's damn queer, those ports being open." A hasty check up revealed that three of the younger men were missing--Sparks and two of the pilots. Matt said grimly, "The fools! I suppose there's nothing to it but to set a guard at the airlock. And it'll have to be a woman!" V Isaac Trigg, looking badly shaken, sank into the chair behind his desk. "Matt we can't stay here!" Matt Magoffin raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything. Faith Hutton, the genial middle-aged nurse, comfortable, stout and jolly, sat in another chair at the end of the desk, smoothing her skirt nervously. The pair of them, Isaac and Faith, had just returned from visiting the women's camp down the valley. Faith had gone, because as she had said with a twinkle in her gray eyes, the Amazons had no interest in women, certainly not gray-haired ones anyway. Isaac explained dryly that his gray hairs should protect him, too--not to mention certain other perfectly natural infirmities that were associated with old age. So the pair had gone off to reconnoiter the Amazons' strength and ferret out their intentions. They had returned an hour later, frightened and upset, summoning Matt into the director's office. Isaac said again, "It's impossible to remain here. You may wonder, Matt, why we called you in. But the past three years have given me a rather unique opportunity of judging your especial abilities." The old man cleared his throat, combing his Van Dyke nervously with his fingers. Matt glanced in surprise from his face to Faith's pinkly healthy complexion and back again. "What are you driving at, Isaac?" Isaac Trigg gave him a shrewd glance. "We need someone to see that our plans are carried out--to meet emergencies. An executive, who can carry out our wishes. We think you can handle it, Matt." His eyes twinkled suddenly. "While your botany leaves a great deal to be hoped for, you do have an amazing audacity, an ability to get things done." "Thanks," said Matt dryly. "Don't take offense. You're young, only thirty-four. There's plenty of time to master your subject. But at the moment it's youth and courage we need. "Your courage, Matt, although on the foolhardy side, is unquestioned. And we particularly need someone with your unscrupulous--er--temperament, who can seize opportunity by the forelock--without any qualms or moral--er--indecision." Matt burst out laughing. "It's a damn good thing for our egos that we aren't mind readers." Still chuckling, he asked, "Have you consulted the others about this proposal? You know, there's no earthly way we can force them to stay and work, if they don't want to."