"Your metabolism is not too different," he observed. "At least your digestive system is about as unselective as the Terran. That is normal for any reigning race of a system. Undoubtedly you do have a close approximation of the molecular structure, since I know that your planet is very much like Terra. "Unfortunately I am not as deeply versed in organic chemistry as I might be or I'd be able to make a few tests. But, Rhine, the idea that two races in the galaxy being so similar in every way that they are cross-fertile is preposterous!" "Eternity," said Rhinegallis with a murmur, "is that length of time necessary to permit everything to happen at least once." Carroll grinned. "And that will be the last probability--and furthermore eternity will be sitting on its fundament for ten thousand galactic years after everything else has happened waiting for that little item to show up so it--eternity--can fold up and go home!" * * * * * He turned away from her and addressed himself to the equipment again. He worked at it for an hour and then turned to her with a cryptic smile. "You're a rather dangerous responsibility," he said. "I know but it was your idea." "What bothers me," he said thoughtfully, "is whether you will hinder in the end. You will not help now. But will you give me trouble later on?" "I don't understand." Carroll thought for a moment before answering. And when he did, it was on another subject. "I need more information," he said. "But why might I hinder?" Carroll smiled widely. "If you don't know," he said, "I'll not be the one to suggest it. But I need information." "Don't ask me to get it for you." "I won't. I have little need. I can get it myself!" he said with a deliberate show of independence. Rhinegallis looked at him steadily. She nodded. "I'm going too," she said. "No--and why if you deny me help?" "Because you aided me." He shook his head. "That was because you were in trouble for having aided me." "I aided you in the first place because you deserved it," she said softly. "And it does not negate my debt." "But what do you hope to accomplish? Do you hope to trap me?" "No." "Rhine," he said, standing up and stretching, "you do not really understand Terrans. Remember this--I took you out of that concentration camp because I needed your aid in getting free--the guards, the garage attendant, to say nothing of the way home. "I took you along because you were in danger--because of helping me, regardless of your reasons. Therefore I shall see that you are protected--now, against your own race--later against mine." "Later?" "After I unravel this mad pattern." "You always insist upon some mad pattern," she smiled. "Really, it is very simple." He looked at her angrily. "Just ignore it and maybe it will leave, huh? Bosh!" "You can do very little against a phantom," she said.