Ajax put on a placating air. “Now, now, Mr. Cranch. Dennis was just telling us how much he enjoyed working with you. He was telling us all about his mental gymnastics, you might call it.” Cranch’s face became less suspicious. This speech by Ajax caused Dennis to frown as if faith had been shattered, but a wink from Ajax which Cranch could not see restored it. Cranch fumbled with his frayed string tie. “He’s ... been telling how I’m training him, eh?” “Yes, sir! A brilliant piece of work! Brilliant.” “Well! Hem! I wouldn’t say—although I will admit, Dennis has a splendid future ahead of him, if he is properly handled.” “I agree. He was also telling us that he has been in competition with a cybernetic brain on Venus, and solved problems more rapidly than the machine was able to do.” “Quite right,” Cranch replied. “Have a cigar,” Ajax effused. “Here’s my card, too. Ajax Enterprises.” The confusion of paraphernalia thrust upon Cranch gave Ajax time to press his point home. “It appears to me, Mr. Cranch, that the public would be interested in a boy like Dennis. Why, I think they’d pay _money_ to watch him beat a big brain. Culturally, you know,” Ajax went on, spinning something out of nothing, “mankind is getting rather worried about the superiority of machines. It would be refreshing to see a mere lad who could make a monkey out of a mechanical contraption.” “What is all this talk about the public?” Cranch scowled. “The ‘public’ has never fostered genius.” “But everybody likes kids,” the Sailor put in helpfully. Ajax ran his eyes suggestively over Ellsworth Cranch’s frayed lapels. “Tell me, Cranch old boy. How’s the take? Managing a genius, I mean. A good racket?” “Racket? I don’t—ah! Well—hem—Mr.—Ajax is it? I confess that the financial aspect is rather discouraging. The small fund which Dennis’ father left for his care has almost run out, and I have always considered myself too talented a man to stoop to labor in the market place.” “Haw!” ejaculated the Sailor. Ajax nudged him to silence, scowling venomously. “Here is my proposition,” he said to Cranch. Although it was decidedly important from the aspect of his pocketbook, Ajax added casually, “You can take it or leave it. I have plenty of other enterprises to hold my attention, but such a project interests me. Also, it would give you а chance to gain cash to further Dennis’ education.” * * * * * Ajax went on to outline his scheme. He concluded, “For the services of Dennis for one week, plus the investment of the remainder of the fund money, you would collect fifty percent of the profits, which I am sure would be enormous.” Cranch scratched his angular chin. “It-it _would_ be better than working,” he said, as if in meditation. “_Psst!_” Dennis was shaking Ajax’s sleeve. He motioned Ajax down to his level and whispered so that Cranch could not hear: “I have _my_ conditions also.” “Spill it,” Ajax whispered furtively.