[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Astounding Science-Fiction, April 1945.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Gerd Lel Rayne stood in the arched doorway of the living room of his
home and smiled at the Terran. Andrew Tremaine smiled up at his host
with an almost microscopic feeling of annoyance. The Terran was a large
man, well proportioned, but the other was somewhat larger and somewhat
in better proportion. The annoyance was the usual jealousy of the
better man.
Tremaine knew that Gerd was a better man, and he stifled his feeling of
annoyance because hating Gerd was unjust. Besides, Tremaine wanted a
favor and one does not irritate a favor-giver.
Gerd Lel Rayne was of a breed that could know when a man disliked him
no matter how well it was concealed. Therefore--