Marlowe flashed back, "Sorry about Donovan. Nothing trivial, I hope? Yes, have one order, _Saturn_. From S.S.C.B. headquarters. To Inspector-Commander Cooper. 'If Lt. Biggs passes examination, assign him immediately to command of--'" _Thump-thump-thump!_ * * * * * Damn! Of all the times to be interrupted. Just at the happy, crucial moment when I was about to learn the ship to which Biggs was going to be assigned! And some idiot had to come banging at my door! _Thump-thump-thump!_ "Just a minute!" I howled. I switched off the unit and shoved the mattress back into place, rumpled the sheets, tousled my hair and pulled my shirt off. I stumbled to the door, unlocked it and stood back yawning and rubbing my eyes as if I had just hopped out of the arms of Morpheus. "C'mon in!" I said. "Whuzza big idea--Oh! How do you do, sir?" My visitor was Inspector Cooper. He pushed past me into the room, glared around suspiciously, turned and heaved me an extraordinarily evil glare. "What were you doing in here, Sparks? Don't lie to me! What were you doing at the exact moment I knocked?" Behind him, ashen-faced, stood Cap Hanson. _He_ knew about the auxiliary unit. One more bite, and his forefinger nail would be bitten off to the second joint. "The _exact_ moment?" I stalled. "That's what I said." I held my breath, which is one way to create a most maidenly blush. I said, "I--I respectfully decline to answer, sir. My reputation--" "Your reputation," roared Inspector Cooper, "is not worth a damn anyway! Answer, sir!" I shrugged. I said, "Well, after all, you can't be court-martialed for dreaming. You see, there was this blond kitten named Dolly. Sweet kid, but--well, reckless. And I was--" Cooper turned crimson, and he wasn't a bit happy. "What! You claim you were sleeping? We distinctly heard you talking, Donovan! Who were you talking to?" I said plaintively, "Well--it was this way. Dolly was putting up an argument--" That stopped him. He glowered about the cabin once more, helplessly, then he grunted and turned toward the door. "Very well, Donovan. But if I ever find out you've been engaging in any skull-duggery--Come, Captain Hanson!" And they left, Hanson tossing me a swift "saved-by-the-bell" glance that meant undying affection and a bonus in next month's salary. So I muttered, "I hope you don't," and when their footsteps faded from earshot, I made a dive for the concealed set. But I'd missed the important part. Joe Marlowe was just signing off when I got the phones on. "--Captain Biggs will then lift his command," came the closing sentence, "from Mars Central, in accordance with orders which await him there! That is all, _Saturn_!" And he was gone.