"Damnation!" Kinnison exploded; then by main strength shut himself up. "QX, ace; skip it. But listen, my spiny and murderous friend. Get this--engrave it in big type right on the top-side inside of your thick skull--what we want is INFORMATION, not mere liquidation. Next time you get hold of such a big shot as Kandron must have been, don't kill him until either: first, you get some leads as to who or what the real head of the outfit is; or, second, you make sure that he doesn't know. Then kill him all you want to, but FIND OUT WHAT HE KNOWS FIRST. Have I made myself clear this time?" "You have, and as Co-ordinator your instructions should and will govern. I point out, however, that the introduction of a multiplicity of objectives into a problem not only destroys its unity, but also increases markedly both the time necessary for, and the actual personal danger involved in, its solution." "So what?" Kinnison countered, as evenly as he could. "That way, we may be able to get the answer some day. Your way, we never will. But the thing's done--there's no use yapping and yowling about it now. Have you any ideas as to what you should do next?" "No. Whatever you wish, that I shall try to do." "I'll check with the others." He did so, receiving no helpful ideas until he consulted his wife. "Hi, Kim, my dear!" came Clarrissa's buoyant thought; and, after a brief but intense greeting: "Glad you called. Nothing definite enough yet to report to you officially, but there are indications that Lyrane IX may be an important--" "Nine?" Kinnison interrupted. "Not Eight again?" "Nine," she confirmed. "A new item. So I may be doing a flit over there one of these days." "Uh-uh," he denied. "Lyrane IX would be none of your business. Stay away from it." "Says who?" she demanded. "We went into this once before, Kim, about you telling me what I could and couldn't do." "Yeah, and I came out second best." Kinnison grinned. "But now, as the Co-ordinator, I make suggestions to even Second-Stage Lensmen, and they follow them--or else. I, therefore, suggest officially that you stay away from Lyrane IX on the grounds that since it is colder than a Palainian's heart, it is definitely not your problem, but Nadreck's. And personally, I am adding that if you don't behave yourself I'll come over there and administer appropriate physical persuasion." "Come on over--that would be fun!" Clarrissa giggled, then sobered quickly. "But seriously, you win, I guess--this time. You'll keep me informed?" "I'll do that. Clear ether, Chris!" and he turned back to the Palainian. "... so you see this is your problem. Go to it, little chum." "I go, Kinnison." XVIII. For hours Camilla Kinnison and Tregonsee wrestled separately and fruitlessly with the problem of the elusive "X." Then, after she had studied the Rigellian's mind in a fashion which he could neither detect nor employ, Camilla broke the mental silence.