"Yes. They chose a freight pilot to avoid taking a man off real work. It's our principle of the Economization of Kinesis. Without its operation we'd have all sorts of superfluous men who did only half a man's work. And do not forget that to a people of only fifty millions that is no small matter. We need every man all the time." "As to the treaty necessary," said the woman, "would you prefer it to be secret or published?" "Secret," promptly replied the Jovian. "It'll be more fun that way." Up dashed a very young sub-attache from the Earth Embassy. "Excuse me," he shrilled, his voice breaking. "But you have to come at once. It's important as--as the very devil, sir, if you will excuse--" He found himself addressing empty air and an amused Jovian. The two Earthpeople had flown to their sand car. They had been waiting for the summons. * * * * * The Ambassador was waiting for them, grim and white. He was no fool, this Ambassador; his punishment for that was the dusty job on Mars instead of an office on Terra. He had just removed the ear-phone clamps, they saw; the diplomatic receiver set was on his desk. Without waiting for a question from them he said: "The good word is--_ultimatum_." "God!" said Dr. Carewe, her old face quite white. "When?" snapped Weems, taking out pencil and paper. "Note delivered to Venus F. O.--that's the note from Earth--and ten minutes or so later lynching of Venusians on the staff of the Earth Embassy by an outraged populace. Foolish defense by Earthmen attached to the Embassy. Several of them killed. Stronger note from Earth. Why didn't Venus F. O. notify immediately and offer indemnities? _Very_ strong reply from Venus F. O.--chip on the shoulder. Earth knocks off chip. That's the last you saw at your party. Then ultimatum from Venus giving Earth twelve _dicenes_ to apologize profoundly and offer an indemnity in good faith." "And when is the time up?" "The twelve _dicenes_ will come to an end--" the Ambassador consulted his watch "--about forty-eight hours from now." There was a long pause, broken at last by a muffled groan from the Ambassador. "Damn it--oh, damn it!" he wailed. "Why do the idiots have to fight? There's trade enough for everybody, isn't there?" "And, of course," said Weems, "Earth will never back down. Not in a million years. They're built like that. And if they did back down Venus would be sure of herself and force a war." "Well," said the woman quietly. "Are you just going to _sit_ here?" "Suggestions are in order," said the young man unhappily. "You'll have to work like hell to stave this off," warned the woman. "Ready and willing, doctor. Tell me what to do." * * * * *