“Well, just that. Cavesway has become universal. Even the economists in Washington have privately thanked us for what we’re doing to reduce the population. There’s a theory that by numerous voluntary deaths wars might decrease since ... or so the proposition goes ... they are nature’s way of checking population.” “Perhaps you’re right.” I assumed a troubled expression as I made the first move of my counteroffensive. Paul looked away from the crowd to regard me briefly, shrewdly. “You don’t think I trust you, do you?” I shrugged, “Why not? I can’t change Cavesway now.” Paul grunted. I could see that he did not believe this spurious _volte-face_; nevertheless, an end to my active opposition would force him to revise his plans; this would, I hoped, give me the time I needed. I pressed on: “I think we can compromise. Short of rigging my death which would cause suspicion, you must continue to put up with me for a while. You’ve nothing to fear from me since you control the Establishment and since the one weapon I have against you I will not use.” “You mean....” “My having witnessed the murder of Cave. If I had wanted to I could have revealed this before the cremation. An autopsy would certainly have ruined everything for you.” “Why didn’t you?” I could see that Paul was genuinely interested in my motives. “Because it would have meant the end of the work. I saw no reason to avenge Cave at such a cost: you must remember he was not a god to me, any more than you are.” This twist of a blunt knife had the calculated effect: “What a cold devil you are!” said Paul, almost admiringly. “I wish I could believe you.” “There’s no reason not to. I was opposed to the principle of suicide. It is now firmly established. We must go on from there.” “Then tell me where Iris is.” “I haven’t any idea. As you know, I’ve been trying to get in touch with her for days; your people intercepted everything. How _did_ she manage to get away?” “One of the guards let her out. I thought he was one of our boys but it seems she worked on him and he left with her. I’ve alerted all the Centers; so far no one’s seen her.” Just before Grand Central Station, the crowd began to roar with excitement and Paul held up the jar of ashes which glittered in his hands; the crowd went wild and tried to break through the police lines. The cortege drove a bit faster and Paul set the ashes down; he looked triumphant but tired, as though he’d not slept in a month: one eyelid, I saw, was twitching with fatigue. “When are we to have a directors’ meeting?” I asked as we crossed the bridge which spanned the Hudson. “We’re still legally a company. We must elect a new board chairman.” “As soon as we find Iris,” said Paul. “I think we should all be there, don’t you? Two to two.”