"Sorry," Porter said brusquely. "Well, let's make a good show of it." The CAA aircar slowed to a halt, its fans died, and it settled to its wheels. * * * * * Two neatly dressed, middle-aged men climbed out. Both were carrying briefcases. Porter walked briskly toward them, a warm smile on his face; Elshawe tagged along behind. The CAA men returned Porter's smile with smiles that could only be called polite and businesslike. Porter performed the introductions, and the two men identified themselves as Mr. Granby and Mr. Feldstein, of the Civil Aeronautics Authority. "Can I help you, gentlemen?" Porter asked. Granby, who was somewhat shorter, fatter, and balder than his partner, opened his briefcase. "We're just here on a routine check, Mr. Porter. If you can give us a little information...?" He let the half-question hang in the air as he took a sheaf of papers from his briefcase. "Anything I can do to help," Porter said. Granby, looking at the papers, said: "In 1979, I believe you purchased a Grumman _Supernova_ jet powered aircraft from Trans-American Airlines? Is that correct?" "That is correct," Porter agreed. Granby handed one of the papers to Porter. "That is a copy of the registration certificate. Is the registration number the same as it is on your copy?" [Illustration] "I believe so," Porter said, looking at the number. "Yes, I'm sure it is." Granby nodded briskly. "According to our records, the machine was sold as scrap. That is to say, it was not in an airworthy condition. It was, in fact, sold without the engines. Is that correct?" "Correct." "May I ask if you still own the machine in question?" Porter gave the man a look that accused Granby of being stupid or blind or both. He pointed to the hulking fuselage of the giant aircraft. "There it is." Granby and Feldstein both turned to look at it as though they had never noticed it before. "Ah, yes," Granby said, turning back. "Well, that's about all there is to it." He looked at his partner. "It's obvious that there's no violation here, eh, Feldstein?" "Quite," said Feldstein in a staccato voice. "Violation?" Porter asked. "What violation?" "Well, nothing, really," Granby said, deprecatingly. "Just routine, as I said. People have been known to buy aircraft as scrap and then repair them and re-outfit them." "Is that illegal?" Porter asked. "No, no," said Granby hastily. "Of course not. But any ship so re-outfitted and repaired must pass CAA inspection before it can leave the ground, you understand. So we keep an eye on such transactions to make sure that the law isn't violated." "After three years?" Porter asked blandly. "Well ... ah ... well ... you know how it is," Granby said nervously. "These things take time. Sometimes ... due to ... clerical error, we overlook a case now and then." He glanced at his partner, then quickly looked back at Porter.