"It is precisely because you cannot," Ortine told him, "that I have been sent to rescue you from your predicament--with the help of each of you summoned here, of course." "And just how do _I_ figure in this mission of yours, Mr. Ortine?" Justin inquired. "You have been brought here because a fanatic named Dubois appealed to you for financial backing during what seems to you to be yesterday afternoon," Ortine informed him. "So ..." said Justin thoughtfully. "He's that important?" "He will be," replied the other, "if you give him the money he is seeking--and I have received information that you intend definitely to come to some sort of arrangement with him." * * * * * Justin said, "I must say, everyone seems to know more about my intentions than I do myself. But let's say I do arrange to let him have some money--just how is that going to drive the sun into nova?" "Henri Dubois," Ortine stated, "is perhaps the most dangerous type of madman that exists. His madness takes the form of a fanatical oversimplification of the virtues through which mankind can hope to attain happiness." "I have already considered that angle," said Justin. "I feel certain you have," said Ortine. "However, it is not Dubois' oversimplification that represents peril to your world and mine--it is his persuasive ability to bring others to act as he would have them act, without thought of the consequences." "Then you think," Justin said curiously, "that if mankind follows the Golden Rule it will destroy the world--how?" "Because," Ortine replied patiently, "neither Dubois nor any other man will be able to get _enough_ people to do as he wishes. Yet if he obtains backing from you he will be able to spread his doctrine to enough people so that the natural enemies of the Golden Rule will be forced to take action against them. "Consider then the results of a Missionist success, Mr. Justin. It would mean that your world would be torn asunder by a hot war--a war in which biological techniques and fission weapons must inevitably, within a five-year period, send a blasted planet spinning into the sun. Result--nova and catastrophe in my own universe." "You seem to have it all figured out," said Justin. "That is what will happen if you give Henri Dubois the backing he asks," Ortine continued. "Now consider what will happen if you do not. Take my word for it, other banks will be slow to give him credit once the Ninth of Boston has turned him down. He will be forced to use the contributions sent in by his followers to maintain himself. Consequently, before he has become too dangerous to the Marxist leaders, they will be able to whittle down his prestige through a carefully planned series of smears and exposés." "And this will be good for the world?" Justin asked.