"I don't doubt that," Fairchild said. "I don't doubt it at all. I sympathize with you, but I have my job to do, you know." "I'll bet you sympathize with us," Dorothy said worriedly. "But I do, really," Fairchild said. "And to prove it I'm going to make you a nice offer. I don't have to, but I can, and I will. Give me the paper and I'll promise not to toss it into the Flame for a whole year. That will give you a year of happiness. It won't do any harm in the long run, because the instant that paper is consumed everything goes right back to the instant of the crash, and world events go on as they should have in the first place. But I'll stick to my bargain. If you give me the paper without trouble." "But we don't have it!" Dorothy blurted. "You don't?" Fairchild exclaimed. His eyes widened in sudden comprehension. "That fellow...." He half rose and looked toward the exit. He glanced back at their faces and saw that he had guessed right. Waiting for no more he leaped across the room, bumping into a waiter and causing him to spill a tray of drinks. Then he was out the door before anyone could stop him. "I hope Phil had sense enough to get far away, and quick," Lin groaned. "Come on, Dorothy, let's see." He dropped enough money on the table to take care of the check and, taking her arm, hurried after Fairchild. Twenty feet away a crowd had gathered about a central point. They ran to the crowd and pushed their way toward its center. Dorothy gasped and Lin tensed at what they saw. Phil was getting slowly to his feet, nursing a large bruise under one eye with gentle fingers. "The other guy just vanished!" someone said unbelieving. "I saw him! He just vanished in thin air where he was standing!" "Did he get it?" Lin said, helping Phil to his feet. Phil nodded, then muttered, "Let's get away from here. I think I need another drink." Lin's legs were suddenly watery. Dorothy's lip was trembling. "A drink," Lin said dully, then, determinedly, "Yes, a drink." He took Dorothy's arm in his fingers. "Come on, honey. Maybe we'll have time." "A drink?" Dorothy said shrilly. "We're going to be dead in another minute and all you want is time enough to have a drink?" "That isn't it at all," Lin said. "Let's get off the street." * * * * * He guided her firmly through the crowd, Phil following in their wake. They went back into the Shangri-La once more and back to their table where their unfinished drinks still rested. "I'm sorry you took what I said the wrong way," Lin said. "Believe me--" "It's all right, darling," Dorothy said. "I know you didn't mean it that way. It's just that, well, we haven't had a chance together...." Her lips started to tremble again, then she was smiling bravely. "That's the girl," Phil said. "You should talk," Lin growled. "You aren't going to die." "Let's drink to that, or something," Phil said. "I need one, and I'm sure you both do too."