"As a matter of fact, Mr. Porter," Feldstein said in a flat, cold voice, "in view of your record, we felt that the investigation at this time was advisable. You bought a scrap missile and used it illegally. You can hardly blame us for looking into this matter." "No," said Porter. He had transferred his level gaze to the taller of the two men, since it had suddenly become evident that Feldstein, not Granby, was the stronger of the two. "However," Feldstein went on, "I'm glad to see that we have no cause for alarm. You're obviously not fitting that up as an aircraft. By the way--just out of curiosity--what _are_ you doing with it?" He turned around to look at the big fuselage again. Porter sighed. "I had intended to hold off on this for a few days, but I might as well let the cat out now. I intend to take off in that ship this week end." * * * * * Granby's eyes opened wide, and Feldstein spun around as though someone had jabbed him with a needle. "_What?_" Porter simply repeated what he had said. "I had intended to make application to the Space Force for permission to test it," he added. Feldstein looked at him blankly for a moment. Then: "The _Space_ Force? Mr. Porter, civilian aircraft come under the jurisdiction of the CAA." "How's he going to fly it?" Granby asked. "No engines, no wings, no control surfaces. It's silly." "Rocket motors in the rear, of course," said Feldstein. "He's converted the thing into a rocket." "But the tail is closed," Granby objected. "There's no rocket orifice." "Dummy cover, I imagine," Feldstein said. "Right, Mr. Porter?" "Wrong," said Porter angrily. "The motive power is supplied by a mechanism of my own devising! It has nothing to do with rockets! It's as superior to rocket power as the electric motor is to the steam engine!" Feldstein and Granby glanced at each other, and an almost identical expression of superior smugness grew over their features. Feldstein looked back at Porter and said, "Mr. Porter, I assure you that it doesn't matter what you're using to lift that thing. You could be using dynamite for all I care. The law says that it can't leave the ground unless it's airworthy. Without wings or control surfaces, it is obviously not airworthy. If it is not a rocket device, then it comes under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aeronautics Authority, and if you try to take off without our permission, you'll go to jail. "If it _is_ a rocket device, then it will be up to the Space Force to inspect it before take-off to make sure it is not dangerous. "I might remind you, Mr. Porter, that you are on parole. You still have three years to serve on your last conviction. I wouldn't play around with rockets any more if I were you."