"Not so long," said Red Brace a little while later. "They're coming over the crest right now." "Who's with him?" "Looks like Carsing." "I might have guessed that." Harvey watched a while at the window, then turned back. "Okay, everybody, masks out of sight." * * * * * There was a pause; a sound on the outside step. Then into the doorway walked Carsing. His hand made a swift motion inside his coat and out again. The squat, ugly barrel of an explosive scatter-gun glinted at them. "Everybody back against the wall," Carsing said. "Colonel Baker doesn't want to be crowded." Slowly, tensely, staring at each other, they moved to the wall opposite the doorway. Baker walked in. His eyes made a quick circuit of the room, stopped briefly at the box, then turned to them. "What's the gun for?" Harvey said bitterly. Baker smiled. "You didn't trust me, hence I didn't trust you. Mistrust begets mistrust. Now, gentlemen," he said briskly, "explain this invention you told me about." "Before we do any explaining, we want you to know what we want." "Go right ahead." Baker pulled a chair to the doorway and sat down. "Name your price." "We'll take the gun." Baker's eyebrows rose. "Impossible. This is the only weapon on the planet." "That's all right with us. Hand it over and we'll tell you all about our invention." "I'm sorry, this weapon must remain in our hands. We're responsible for maintaining order and stability--it wouldn't make sense for anyone else to have custody of it. Now let's get on with the business. This box, I presume--" "Not a word until we get the gun," Harvey said. Baker's eyes narrowed. "Young man, you'd better hold your tongue. Dr. Lurie, I'm talking to you. I want the facts--immediately. And I must tell you, you're in no position to negotiate. Now speak up." "I, sir--I--" Dr. Lurie's voice broke--he began again--"I'll do what Mr. Flanders says--" "We'll see about that," Baker said grimly. He stood up. "You're coming with me. Carsing, take the box." Carsing, holding the gun out warily in front of him, moved to the table. "Don't you dare open it!" Ruth cried out. Carsing stared at her. Then, holding the gun against his armpit with one hand, a finger on the trigger, he reached with his free hand and unhooked the lid-- Something sprang out of the box at his face-- "Watch out, Carsing!" Baker shouted--but Harvey was already halfway across the room. He dove across the table, one hand aimed at Carsing's chest, the other slamming against the moving weapon, knocking it upward, backward-- Shot spattered through and around the doorway. Baker had leaped aside as he saw the muzzle swinging in his direction. Now he made a quick move toward Harvey and Carsing, tangled and struggling on the floor--but a blow from Brace's fist caught him on the cheekbone and sent him crashing back against the wall.