Her brother, who could have been only slightly her senior, was obviously enraged. "Are you suggesting that I am not welcome to stay in this, our family home, simply because the property is in your name?" "Not at all," she sighed. "You are always at home here, Balt, I simply demand that you exercise common courtesy to my guests." He turned and walked stiff kneed from the room. * * * * * "Sorry," Joe said to Nadine. "Why?" she said simply. "The fact of the matter is that Balt and I are continually at each other. He is quite the active member of the Nathan Hale society." Joe frowned his ignorance and looked at Holland. Holland chuckled. "An ultra-conservative--reactionary might be the better term--organization devoted to witch hunting and such in its efforts to maintain the _status quo_, major. Once again, history repeats itself. Such groups invariably evolve when basic change threatens a socio-economic system." He looked at Nadine. "I must be going, my dear. My, how charming you look. If this is the customary garb whilst going a-gliding, I shall have to take up the sport." "Why Phil, inane words of flattery from serious old you?" Joe squirmed inwardly, wondering again upon what basis was the friendship of Nadine Haer and Philip Holland. The butler entered and said, "A call for Major Mauser, if you please." Only Max Mainz, his batman during his last fracas and now permanently attached to Joe, knew that he might be found at this address. Joe said to Nadine, "Would you pardon me for a moment? I assume it's something important, or I wouldn't be disturbed." She said, demurely, "Undoubtedly one of the feminine members of a Joe Mauser buff club." He snorted amusement and followed the butler to the library and the tele-screen. Max Mainz's face loomed in the viewing screen. As soon as Joe appeared, he said, "Major, sir, the marshal's been trying to get hold of you ever since you left the hotel." "The marshal?" Joe scowled. "Marshal Cogswell. That one they call Stonewall Cogswell. And when he wants somebody, he really wants 'em, and I got a feeling it's a good idea to come on the double." Joe laughed. "Stonewall Cogswell's a tough one all right, Max." "You ain't just a countin' down, major, sir. He says when I get hold of you to come on over to his headquarters soonest." "All right, Max, thanks." Joe flicked the set off. Actually, Max was right. You didn't ignore a summons from Marshal Cogswell. Not if you were in the Category Military and ambitious. The date with Nadine was off. And just when he was beginning to detect signs of her meeting him on his own level. VI