"Oh, no, nothing," said Unterzuyder, pain wrenching his face. "But I'm not a healthy man. My heart--" "Oh, what a shame." Fayette leaned over him, dizzying him with her perfume. She put her warm little hand on his forehead. She held his wrist to feel his pulse. She shook her blonde curls vigorously. "Nope. No fever. The pulse _did_ seem to race a little when I held your hand. Outside of that--" She surveyed him judicially. "I'll bet you're as healthy as a Venusian peat-dog!" "Oh, come now," protested Beecher. "If the man says he's got a galloping heart, that's what he's got. Think of the courage, the idealism, the sheer fortitude of this man, who has gathered together a group of settlers to brave the dangers of a jungle-world like Titan--a planet no one has ever attempted to colonize! I personally _hand_ it to the man!" There was a fawning admiration on his unshaven, grinning face. Unterzuyder settled back in his chair, feeling put upon. "I'm afraid of guns," he told Fayette petulantly. "If you'd please put it away--Besides--" He drew a clipping from his bill-fold. "--I am already convinced of your prowess as explorers." The headlines on the clipping read: EXPLORERS RETURN FROM GANYMEDE ICE TUNDRA Father and daughter make unique team "It says quite a bit about the expeditions you two have headed. Needless to say, I'm impressed! I am here, of course, to make you a proposition." * * * * * He explained his purpose at some length. For several weeks he had been engaged on a project dear to his heart. He believed in the future of the human race. He wanted to spread mankind's dominion even beyond the Moons of Jupiter. Titan had been viewed by only two men, both of whom stated it was livable. It had soil. It had vegetation. Also, it had dangerous animal life. "That's for us!" said Fayette stoutly. She accidentally pointed the neutron gun at Unterzuyder. She was squirming around on her chair with repressed vitality. Her eyes melted on him. He wished he could get over the feeling that she was laying it on too thick. That perfume. He must not allow himself to be affected. He cringed from the gun. She hastily put it on the floor. He wondered how accidental it might have been. Probably these cheap opportunists were perfectly capable of killing. He would have to watch his step. They had the map, all right. The bookseller's description of Fayette had been quite correct and helpful. Fortunately, the bookseller had been willing to accept a bribe not to give anybody else the information. He spoke again. "When I received your viso-call, Miss Beecher, I at once felt that Titan Settlers could work with you. I seriously discussed with them the possibility of giving you and your father titular command of the expedition." "Uh--" said Fayette. "You've already been capitalized?"