"That's a glass ball," he said harshly, accusingly. "No, it isn't," the orderly chattered. "That's water! I filled the carafe with water." The Speaker looked at it again, and then walked to the sphere, the Conclave watching him in fascination. The Speaker scooped up the ball in two hands. Then he tried to drop it. He couldn't. His fingers seemed curled around the ball, crushed close together. His hands couldn't draw apart. He tried to shake the sphere away. He tried harder, and then violently, working himself into a sudden frenzy. The sphere of water clung to his hands, and his hands were locked as effectively as if handcuffs had been placed around the wrists. He got control of himself and turned to face the Conclave, white-faced. "It can't be water," he said hoarsely, "but I think it is!" And looking at the glass ball, he was conscious of a sudden thirst; but he knew he couldn't drink, although he held in his hands four times more water than he needed to quench his thirst. * * * * * In the Martian Legation Building, Olduk faced his seven associates. "It is done," he said, in the Martian dialect of his native state. "The Earthmen have chosen their hell and will soon experience it. You have your tickets? Then go at once." The youngest of the attaches said pleadingly, "Sir, we can't go and leave you. Who knows how long the Earthmen will hold out?" "All that will happen will happen to Olduk. Go, before you are refused permission to leave. Tell our people they are to be relentless, until the Earthmen give in. Now go." The attaches no longer questioned his commands. Olduk was left alone. The gong sounded on his television screen; Olduk threw the switch. The face of the manager of World Broadcasters appeared. "You will appear and speak in two minutes," he said. Olduk stood before the television screen, waiting until the proper second. He had planned the time of this speech and the "hell" chosen by Earth would not begin until he was well into it. The Speaker of the Conclave had not yet thirsted. The moment came, and Olduk was introduced briefly, as his image broadcasted. "Olduk, the Martian ambassador, speaking for his people--" Olduk said gutturally, "Olduk greets you, people of Earth, and regrets that he cannot drink with you. "All read story of Tantalus, people of Earth. An old Grecian myth it is, come true. Interesting, see? "Olduk is sorry. Will you believe Olduk? He is sorry. Olduk says, please do not touch water. Please do not touch water...." * * * * * The diving champion of the world puffed out his chest, feigning complete nonchalance as five thousand admiring people looked up at him where he stood as resplendant as an angel on the diving platform.