Johnny Billings opened his mouth to say something, but shut it with a snap. Westland looked up at Burbank, but she said nothing. Arden gave Channing a sly smile, and Channing smiled back. There were grins about the table, too, for everyone recognized the boner. Burbank had just sent a letter from the interworld communications relay station by special delivery _mail_. It would not get to Terra for better than two weeks; a use of the station's facilities would have the message in the hands of the Commission within the hour. "That will be all, gentlemen." Burbank smiled smugly. "Our next conference will be next Monday morning!" * * * * * "Mr. Channing," chortled the pleasant voice of Arden Westland. "Now that the trifling influence of the boss versus secretary taboo is off, will you have the pleasure of buying me a drink?" "Can you repeat that word for word and explain it?" grinned Don. "A man isn't supposed to make eyes at his secretary. A gal ain't supposed to seduce her boss. Now that you are no longer Acting Director, and I no longer your stenog, how about some sociability?" "I never thought that I'd be propositioned by a typewriter jockey," said Channing, "but I'll do it. What time is it? Do we do it openly, or must we sneak over to the apartment and snaffle a snort on the sly?" "We snaffle. That is, if you trust me in your apartment." "I'm scared to death," Channing informed her. "But if I should fail to defend my honor, we must remember that it is no true failure if I try and fail!" "That sounds like a nice alibi," said Arden with a smile. "Or a come-on. I don't know which. Or, Mr. Channing, am I being told that my advances might not be welcome?" "We shall see," Channing said. "We'll have to make a careful study of the matter. I cannot make any statements without first making a thorough investigation under all sorts of conditions. Here we are. You will precede me through the door, please." "Why?" asked Arden. "So that you cannot back out at the last possible moment. Once I get you inside, I'll think about keeping you there!" "As long as you have some illegal fluid, I'll stay." She tried to leer at Don but failed because she had had all too little experience in leering. "Bring it on!" "Here's to the good old days," toasted Don as the drinks were raised. "Nope. Here's to the future," proposed Arden. "Those good old days--all they were was old. If you were back in them, you'd still have to have the pleasure of meeting Burbank." "_Grrrr_," growled Channing. "That name is never mentioned in this household." "You haven't a pix of the old bird turned to the wall, have you?" asked Arden. "I tossed it out." "We'll drink to that." They drained glasses. "And we'll have another!" "I need another," said Channing. "Can you imagine that buzzard asking me to invent something big in seven days?"