but that's the limit." Kennon's voice was flat.

"You realize I'm agreeing to give you a great deal of personal
liberty," Alexander said. "How can I protect myself?"

"I'll sign a contingency rider," Kennon said, "if you will
specify precisely what security matters I am not to reveal."

"I accept," Alexander said. "Consider yourself hired." He touched
a button on his desk. "Prepare a standard 2-A contract for Dr.
Jac Kennon's signature. And attach two riders, a full P-P-yes, no
exceptions - and a security-leak contingency, Form 287-C. Yes -
that's right - that one. And strike out all provisions of Article
Twelve which conflict with the Peeper Laws. Yes. Now - and finish
it as soon as you can." He touched another button. "Well, that's
that," he said. "I hope you'll enjoy being a member of our
group."

"I think I shall," Kennon said. "You know, sir, I would have
waived part of that last demand if you had cared to argue."

"I know it," Alexander said. "But what concessions I could have
wrung from you would be relatively unimportant beside the fact
that you would be unhappy about them later. What little I could
have won here, I'd lose elsewhere. And since I want you, I'd
prefer to have you satisfied."

"I see," Kennon said. Actually he didn't see at all. He looked
curiously at the entrepreneur. Alexander couldn't be as easy as
he seemed. Objectivity and dispassionate weighing and balancing