"Because I don't _want_ to flit, that's why. Use your head, pal." This was better. Mendonai had shifted the conversation into a line upon which the Lensman could do a bit of steering. "I had to leave the First Galaxy because it got too hot for me, and I got no connections at all, yet, here in the Second. You folks need certain kinds of stuff that I've got, and I need other kinds, that you've got. So we could do a nice business, if you wanted to. That was what I had in mind with Harkleroy, but he got greedy. I don't mind saying that I'd like to do business with you, but I just got bit pretty bad, and I'll have to have some kind of solid guarantee that you mean business, and not monkey business, before I take a chance again. See?" "I see. The idea is good, but its execution may prove difficult. I could give you my word, which I assure you has never been broken." "Don't make me laugh." Kinnison snorted. "Would you take mine?" "The case is different. I would not. Your point, however, is well taken. How about the protection of a high court of law? I will bring you an unalterable writ from any court you name." "Uh-huh," the Gray Lensman dissented. "There never was no court yet that didn't take orders from the big shots who kept the fat cats fat, and lawyers are the crookedest crooks in the whole Universe. You'll have to do better than that, pal." "Well, then, how about a Lensman? You know about Lensmen, don't you?" "A Lensman!" Kinnison gasped. He shook his head violently. "Are you completely nuts, or do you think I am? I _do_ know Lensmen--a Lensman chased me from Alsakan to Vandemar once, and if I hadn't had a dose of Hell's own luck, he'd have got me. Lensmen chased me out of the First Galaxy--why else do you think I'm here? Use your brain, mister, use your brain!" "You're thinking of Civilization's Lensmen--particularly of Gray Lensmen." The officer was manifestly enjoying Thyron's passion. "Ours--the Black Lensmen--are different--entirely different. They have as much power, or more, but they use it as it should be used. They work with us right along. In fact, they have been bumping Gray Lensmen off right and left lately." "You mean that he could open up, for instance, your mind and mine, so that we could see that the other guy wasn't figuring on running in no stacked decks? And that he'd stand by and sort of referee this business deal we got on the fire? And do you know one yourself--personally?" "He could, and would, do all that. Yes, I know one personally. His name is Melasnikov, and his office is on Kalonia III, not an hour's flit from here. He may not be there at the moment, but he will come in if I call. How about it--shall I call him now?" "Don't work up a sweat. Sounds like it might work, if we can figure out an approach. I don't suppose that you and him would come out to me in space?" "Hardly. After the way you have acted, you wouldn't expect us to, would you?"