"Jones, perhaps I'd best clarify a point or two for you," General Marcher said in measured tones. "We've been searching the nation over, seeking a man who can fulfill our exacting requirements. We have found that man. There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Smith possesses the greatest single store of knowledge about this planet and its people. So far as I'm concerned, which is considerable, it doesn't matter that this man has chosen the way of a philosopher instead of seeking an occupation. It doesn't matter that he lacks the necessary status to be listed on your IBM cards. It doesn't matter that you failed to find this man, because Dwindle succeeded. And, it doesn't matter whether I ever see you again!" "Yes, sir," Jones said, and picked up his hat and left. "Now, back to the business at hand, Dwindle. You say these prospects don't know the reasons behind the test?" "That is correct, sir. I feared there might be some temptation for the prospects to not do their best, if they knew that success might result in their being removed from the face of the Earth." "Wise. Then I suggest we approach Mr. Smith on the idea, cautiously, to determine his sentiments. If he doesn't want to go, of course, we've got to draft him." * * * * * Freddy cracked the peanut, put half in his mouth and tossed the other half to the sparrows. "I might be going away for a while, Willy," he said, ending a rather long silence. "You ain't gettin' a job, are ya Freddy?" "Watch yer language," Oscar scolded. "Naw, not really a job. At least not the kind you think of. Sort of an all-expense-paid vacation, with a change of scenery." "Ya ain't had a run-in with the bulls, have ya?" the stricken Willy asked. "Me? You know me better, Willy. Nothing like that. And I'm not even sure the thing will pan out, but you know all those newspaper stories about messages from another planet?" "Yeh! Yeh! Ya read it to me!" Willy jabbered excitedly. "And that test I took that you sent in and the fellas talked to me about?" "Yeh! Say, I hope that didn't make you trouble, Freddy, 'cuz me 'n' Oscar was just kinda jokin', see, and--" "It's O.K., Willy. Well, one of the fellas I talked to was General Marcher, who's been mentioned in the newspaper stories in connection with ... here, Willy, take these," he interrupted himself when he saw the two men approaching. "See that new guy at the bench over yonder? Give him these peanuts. I think he'd like to feed my sparrows while I'm gone. Name's Jones, and he'll probably be around for a spell." Freddy stood up to greet the two arrivals. "Hello, general," he said, tipping his battered cap. "It's about the trip to Ganymede, I suppose?" Transcriber's Note: