He said wearily, "Well, we did our best. If it hadn't been for that crazy Biggs, we'd still have our cargo. But as it is--" "I wonder if International Stratoplanes need any radio operators?" I said gloomily. We were grounded now. As we walked down the corridor the motors went off, and I could hear the hiss of the airlock opening. We reached the port just as the committee entered. Doc Challenger was there, and Col. Brophy, and old Prendergast Biggs himself. I knew, then, that things were in a bad state, or all the big bugs would not have come out. Challenger stepped forward, beaming. "Happy landing, Captain!" he chortled. "I need not tell you how glad we are you came in safely. We've been experiencing bad times in New York, sir, bad times! But everything's all right now." Hanson said, "Yes, sir. But I've got something to tell you, sir--" "Later, Captain, later! First we must take up this cargo question. Approximately $50,000 worth of _mekel_ and _clab_--is that right? We have our appraisers here. If your estimate is right, the Corporation will weather this--er--mild storm." Hanson coughed nervously. He hedged. "Well, now, you see--about that there cargo--" You never saw three faces lose their smiles so suddenly. There was stony silence for a minute. Then Col. Brophy said in a deep voice, "Captain Hanson, there's nothing _wrong_ in your estimate of the cargo's value, is there?" "No, sir. I mean the _estimate_ was right, but--" * * * * * IT was right here that young Lancelot Biggs interrupted. "Excuse me, gentlemen," he said, "but I don't quite understand. Is it important that we land a cargo of _clab_ and _mekel_?" Captain Hanson whirled on him. "Biggs!" he snapped sternly. Then he turned to old Prendergast Biggs. "Sir," he said, "I've delayed telling this as long as possible. But now I must tell you. This precious nephew of yours--" The old man smiled fatuously. "Yes, yes, Captain Hanson. A fine lad, isn't he? What was it you were starting to say, Lancelot?" I grabbed Hanson's arm. I thought he was going to blow his tubes and hit somebody right then and there. But before he got a chance, Lancelot Biggs was talking again. To the Captain. "Captain Hanson," he said seriously, "I wish you'd told me this before. I didn't realize that our cargo was so important--" Then he turned to the committee. "I hope you will not be surprised to learn, gentlemen, that our cargo is not vegetable. At the last minute, Captain Hanson decided to make a change--" Hanson's face turned white. He squawked, "What! Are you trying to shift the blame to--" Biggs' voice drowned out his protest.