The food lodged in Herb's throat. There seemed no moisture anywhere in his body. He fought down an irrational impulse to get to his own feet and scream forever. Once again at his private table, the Oligarch was amazed to find that the complete justification of his own logic left him feeling empty and unsatisfied and disappointed. The matter was behind him. In the future could he expect equal success? Insatiable doubt grew. He stood up. The compulsion to wash his hands was irresistible. He left the mess hall hurriedly. As he watched the cool cleanness of the water flow over his hands, he felt at peace. He was a god, playing with men, knowing them as they would never know themselves, seeing into their inmost souls, moving them to his will. He was tempted to greater accomplishment. Could he--could he--? Unsure of himself, he was doomed to seek endless reassurance. Herb. Now Herb. There was a dangerous man. At least, he would become one, in another three days. It would be like playing with fire to play with Herb. It would be exciting, too. He dried his hands. His heart was beating faster. Herb would soon begin to doubt. William was already doubting. He should have done something about them both before now. About Leslie before now.... I will see that Herb ... that Herb ... what? His mouth was dry. Excitement swelled and made his breath catch. His throat ached. He would help William to doubt. None of them must return to Brionimar. It was intensely rewarding to play God, if you could get your hands clean. The Oligarch rang the buzzer. He would leave the mike tapes and the dream forms until this afternoon. He would interview William now. He was washing his hands when William entered. * * * * * After the interview, William came in and sat on Herb's cot. In recent days, their common knowledge had drawn them together; before, they had scarcely spoken. Whenever they talked now, they used English, partly as a recognition of their kindred uniqueness, partly as a futile subconscious attempt to outwit the spy tapes. "It's a ridiculous planet," Herb said. "Yes, a ridiculous planet," William agreed. "Freedom," Herb said. "That is nonsense." "Equality," William said. "Equality. They are down right silly." "You wouldn't think a place like that could exist, a silly place like that, where a man can actually say whatever silly idea pops into his mind." "Yes," William said. "They should be destroyed--even if it wasn't necessary, they should be destroyed." Herb was silent for a moment. The microphones listened. Then: "Imagine how awful it would be to live down there, with no one to do your thinking for you." "The natural leaders aren't even recognized. You can't tell an Oligarch from a Subject."