are the contracts." He smiled at the trim secretary who entered
the room carrying a stack of papers.

"The riders are as you asked, sir," the girl said.

"Good. Now, Doctor, if you please."

"You don't mind if I check them?" Kennon asked.

"Not at all. And when you're through, just leave them on the desk
- except for your copy, of course." Alexander scrawled his
signature on the bottom of each contract. "Don't disturb me. I'll
be in contact with you. Leave your whereabouts with your hotel."
He turned to the papers in front of him, and then looked up for
the last time. "Just one more thing," he said. "You impress me as
a cautious man. It would be just as well if you carried your
caution with you when you leave this room."

Kennon nodded, and Alexander turned back to his work.

CHAPTER III

"I'd never have guessed yesterday that I'd be here today," Kennon
said as he looked down at the yellow waters of the Xantline Sea
flashing to the rear of the airboat at a steady thousand
kilometers per hour as they sped westward in the middle traffic
level. The water, some ten thousand meters below, had been
completely empty for hours as the craft hurtled through the
equatorial air.