"But supposing evolution could be speeded up on Venus," Twilken
continued. "Supposing the inhabitants could be developed as much in
two months as would ordinarily take a thousand years. They would soon
emerge to a state of intelligence as to be of immense value and aid to
our cause. I have something that will do this very thing, Tod!"
* * * * *
I leaped from my chair and wrenched the door open, just about scaring
Professor Twilken out of a year's growth.
A short, fat Jovian fell into the room and lay grinning up from the
floor. His pink, shaggy-browed eyes searched our faces briefly, then he
arose, bowing deeply.
"Gendlemen," he intoned. "I hope I am nod indruding. I was leaning
wearily againsd dis door, half asleep, and den I suddenly find myself
lying here on de floor!" He gestured at the bare planks and laughed. It
sounded like a snake hissing. "Mosd clumsy of me!"
The Jovian's inability to pronounce the letter "T" made his speech
sound like that of a Venusian gunman. I wondered how much he had
overheard.
The Jovian bowed again, brushing dust from his gleaming, spun-metal
tunic.
"I drusd I have nod inconvenienced you gendlemen. I musd be more
careful, in de fudure. I have a nasdy habid of falling asleep ad odder
people's doors! Now, if you will excuse me..."
The Jovian slid through the door and lost himself in the hubbub beyond.
I had a hunch we were going to have trouble from him. People just
didn't go around 'falling asleep' against strange doors without a
purpose.
Twilken had sat all this time, his milky eyes looking about for a hole
to crawl in to and his hand clutched his breast, as though about to
have a heart attack.
"Is that your formula?" I indicated his tunic pocket.
"Yes! It must never fall into the hands of the Jovians, Tod. They
could make fearful use of it! We must carry out my plan quickly, or
that son-of--" Twilken clapped a hand over his mouth, to stifle the
strong words he had been about to utter. "--that mad devil will warn
his consorts and they'll be after us like hounds. In all fairness, Tod,
you must know the Allied Worlds Council is not endorsing my venture.
The diplomatic relations between worlds are stretched to the breaking
point, and, if the Jovian government thought the Council was supporting
such a plan, they might strike immediately with devastating results
to the morale of our people, for there are some who think we can't
possibly stand against such an efficient organization as Xan's. That's
why I need you. You have a fast ship; you have courage and the brains
to carry out my course of action if I should fall by the wayside. Will
you help me?"