Adatha Za went white. Shar Bytu looked gravely unhappy. Shar Bytu whispered, "I had hoped to learn something from the Earth man--" Jonathan interrupted, "You're all conceding victory to Morka Kar. Maybe so, maybe not. That isn't just what I want to say, though. The main thing that occupies us is the problem of the flames, or shadows. "Much as I hate to admit it, I'm afraid I'm not much help against them. You see, when you gave me the powers of ultimate evolution, my scientific and other knowledge didn't keep pace with them. There are thousands of Earth men who would have made better ambassadors than I. Apparently I was more psychic, perhaps more malleable in brain structure, than they. I don't presume to know the whys and wherefores of that. I'm here and I'm glad I'm here. If I can help, I will. "But--much as I hate to admit it, I'm out of my depth. Those shadows, or whatever it is out there in space, is beyond me. So if you lose me--which I hope you don't--you aren't losing too much." Jonathan took a deep breath; went on, "A poet on Earth once said something about not loving a woman loved he not honor more. Well, I love the universe, but I'm not hiding behind any danger to it when a man wants to fight me for a woman I--love." He heard Adatha Za's quickened breathing; felt her hand touch his arm and squeeze. He stood there with her hand on his arm and looked about him, at the thought beings and the robotmen and the reptiles. On a few faces, on the faces of those who looked most like men, he read a grave applause. On the features of the others, a blank attention, as though he spoke of geology to a monkey. They just couldn't get his viewpoint at all. But Morka Kar did, and he snarled. His sullen mouth writhed and his eyes glowed fiercely as he glanced from Adatha Za to Jonathan. "Another thing," grated Jonathan, and he looked Morka Kar full in the eyes, "I may be an animal, but I know others who possess animal characteristics--no matter what they mistakenly call themselves." Morka Kar fought in the metal arms of the robotmen who flanked him. Shar Bytu turned and fixed him with a cold eye. "You will be still, Zarathzan," he whispered icily. "I have long heard your taunts to one or another of our group. As yet the deputation from Zarathza has not attempted the flames, though I have heard many words spoken by them of it." Morka Kar quieted swiftly. "The mental monomachy will occur tomorrow at this place. Until then I forbid Morka Kar and the Earthling to meet. If harm befalls either of them, the other shall pay with his life. See to it." He turned and waddled away. Morka Kar seethed a glance at Jonathan, then followed the reptile. The others split into groups, silently transmitting puzzled thoughts. * * * * * Adatha Za sat on the stone bench and looked up at him, and her red mouth was rueful. Her eyes beneath the dark fringes of her lashes accused him.