“All we want,” was the quiet reply, “is to see the people of your world become sufficiently mature to join the rest of us--without repeating some of the ghastly mistakes that certain other strong, primitive planetary societies have made. That is why I--and many others--have been given the assignment of trying to prepare you for your most difficult task--the early control of atomics. “You speak of ‘invasion.’ What you are witnessing is actually quite the reverse. We have done all we can on Earth. The rest is up to you. The vessels which you call flying saucers are actually here to take us home.” The Great Man was on his feet again, somehow more alarmed by Harlan’s last statement than by his previous fears. “But you’re leaving us in a terrifying mess,” he said. “Why can’t you keep on helping us a little longer. Why can’t you?” Harlan slowly shook his head. “We have guided you as far as we can,” he replied. “We cannot teach you to master yourselves. We have managed to bring you, without self destruction, to the final test. It will either take you to the stars or leave your planet a briefly glowing cinder in the skies. But we cannot take the examination for you.” “I see.” The Great Man was humble beyond his habit. He was just beginning to realize how completely he had depended on Harlan to make his decisions for him. Without him ... and without his wife ... he would be like a small boy trying to run a business. A defiant spark flamed within him. “I could give orders to have you confined--to keep you here,” he said. But Harlan shook his head. “You couldn’t. I want you to leave me now. It will be easier that way. This is goodbye, my friend, unless fate wills us to meet out there.” He nodded toward the windows and the glowing night sky beyond. There was something in his manner which forbade disbelief. The Great Man shook his hand and, unexpectedly, there were tears in his eyes. Harlan put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and said, “That is what will bring you through. You can love.” “Yes,” said the Great Man. “We can love. I only hope it is enough.” “It will have to be,” said Harlan, “for you have very little else.” And there was something--a warning, perhaps--in his tone which echoed in the Great Man’s ears long after he was back in the big car en route to his own house. The taut excitement of a half hour earlier had vanished. His aides and bodyguards were casual, and relaxed, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Wondering, more than a little frightened, the Great Man went upstairs to the apartment he occupied with his wife. He called to her but she did not answer. He searched for her but she was not there.