"Real nice, Danny," it said. "You went through it without a stumble. Even came up with something of your own. You're learning, Kid." Stern glared at the scrawny man. "I thought you picked those people up at Riandar. I thought you said they knew how to do things." The other shrugged and spread his hands. "Well, Danny," he said, "you know how it is. Once in a while, we underestimate the opposition, and they slip one over." He leaned back in his chair, staring at Stern. "But maybe this way, it's even better," he added. "We get a few in the net we didn't even suspect existed, you see?" He paused. "I think you should have a talk with this Masterson yourself," he went on. "Maybe you should tell him to give us some of this information he has, eh?" Stern looked at him in annoyance. "I expect you and the rest of the people around here to do some work, Gorham. After all, I'm the regent. Do I have to do everything?" Gorham got to his feet and brushed some of the dust from his trousers. "I tell you, Danny," he said seriously, "some of these little things, you have to be doing. Some of these things, only your talent will take care of, no?" He held up one hand, waggling a finger in the air. Stern glared at him. "Gorham," he snapped, "I think I'll have to remind you of your place." He tapped himself on the chest. "I'm the regent, remember? I'm the kingpin here. You're just a senior executive secretary. You wanted it that way, and that's the way it is. But I expect you to start doing some work. I don't care how you get information out of that man, Masterson, but I expect you to get it. I certainly don't intend to do your work for you. Now get at it!" Gorham considered him for a moment, then walked slowly across the room till he stood before Stern's desk. "Now, Danny-boy," he said softly, "don't you go trying that funny stuff on old Jake. It don't work so good, remember? Nobody ever tells old Jake he should do things. Nobody!" He planted his left hand on the desk before Stern and leaned over a little. "We got an agreement, you and I, remember? I do the thinking. Me--old Jake Gorham--I'm the brain. You got this talent, see. You tell people they should go do something, they go do it. But not old Jake. No, no. With him, it don't work so good. Everybody else, maybe, but not old Jake." He waved his head to and fro, keeping watchful eyes on Stern. The younger man slammed his hands to his desk, pushing himself back. "You listen to me, old man," he snapped. "We had an agreement--once. And you've been using it to ride my back ever since. It's come to an end. Right now." He got to his feet, his deepset eyes seeming to flame. "From now on, I'm the top man, do you understand?" His lip curled. "I'm the regent. I'm the law. I tell these people what to do, and they do it. And I can tell them to take you out and shoot you. Don't forget that." His hand started toward a button on his desk. * * * * *