"Come, now! It can't be that bad. Speak!"

Glawen's story came out in a rush.

"Here is what happened.

We had finished netting the wings. Then just as we started back to the flyer, a big black tangle-top came out of the forest. It spotted us right away and began to stalk us, approaching really close. I had the gun ready but I didn't need to shoot, because it turned away and ran down to the shore, where it ate a yoot. Sessily says she chased it away by telepathy; for all I know, she did; I was too scared for anything even that sensible." Glawen took a deep breath.

"I

had buck fever so bad I could hardly hold the gun."

"A very moving tale," said Chiike.

"Is there more?"

"Just a bit. We left Maroli Meadow at full speed, and glad to get away. About ten miles north we got some of our nerve back and put down on a hilltop for our lunch. I was still annoyed with my seif I thought I'd practice shooting the gun, and getting a feel for it. I aimed at a rock, and pulled the trigger. The gun went click! I examined the chamber and found that there was no ammo in the gun."

Chilke's jaw dropped.

"Isn't that a situation! You wasted your buck fever on an empty gun!"

"I didn't think of it quite that way."

For a moment Chiike whistled tunelessly through his teeth.

At last he said: "If there's a need for blaming people, we can start with you. Checking ammo in the gun is the operator's responsibility; that's the rule."

Glawen hung his head.

"I know. I missed it."

"Second on the list is me. I stood here and watched you go past the gun. My only excuse is that I charged that gun myself three days ago. We've both learned a lesson, so I hope. And now we'll get down to brass tacks. Why was there no charge of ammo in the gun? Here we must look to that scoundrel Sisco. Ah! It's a great aggravation! I'll beat that Sisco well. First, we've got to find him. It's pure pleasure listening to the Yips lie, especially when they suspect that they're caught dead to rights."

Chiike looked into the hangar.

"Sisco? Where are you?

Asleep? Oh, I see. Not asleep. Just lying down resting. Why are you tired? You haven't done any work. But never mind that. Come out here; I want to talk to you."

Sisco emerged from the hangar: a young man with tawny golden skin, hair of almost the same color, a fine physique and features of classic beauty. If his appearance were to be faulted in any wise, it might be said that his eyes were spaced a trifle too widely apart. He looked back and forth between Glawen and Chiike, then, smiling the vague Yip smile, came gingerly forward.

Chiike spoke gently.

"Sisco, do you know the difference between a Class A beating, a Class B beating and the beating of a lifetime?"

Sisco smilingly shook his head.

"You talk in riddles. I know nothing of these bad things, which are never nice in the polite conversation."

"Do you know the difference between what is yours and what is mine?"

Sisco's face clouded over with puzzlement." For my answer to be right you must say what thing of yours and what thing of mine. Or is it another vulgarity, that you are talking, and even in front of this boy?"

Chiike gave his head a sad shake.

"Sometimes, Sisco, you make me blush for your odd notions."

"That is not what I started to do."

"No matter. What I want is for you to come with me now, to where<s| you put the ammo from the gun." | Sisco said blankly: "Gun? Ammo?" '| "I want to get it now, before I start beating on you."

"} "Ha, ha, ha." I "What's funny?" "All your jokes, about things like ammo. They are funny."

"They're not jokes. Glawen isn't laughing. You watch him.

When he laughs, you laugh."

"Certainly, sir. Shall I watch him now, at this time, or shall I go to my work?"

"First: the ammo from the gun in the Mitrix. Where is it?"

"Oh! That ammo! Why didn't you say so? You caused me worries! It wasn't any good and I took it out to put in much better stuff for protection, and then I was asked to do a thousand duties. When I came back the ammo was gone. Someone had seen it was bad and thrown it away."

"Glawen, have you ever heard such lies? Fetch me dial rope, so that I can tie Sisco up."

"Now, then," said Sisco uneasily.

"I know that you like to make jokes between friends, but sometimes it is nicer to use what I call happy words. Otherwise, what will this boy think? I am a fine person."

"For the last time: where is the ammo?"

"Oh, that stuff! I think I saw something like it at the back of the shop. Some unruly person, or maybe a thief, must have put it there."

"That's just about right. Today Glawen tried to shoot a tangle-top which was charging him. He pointed the gun and pulled the trigger, but there was no ammo, because you had stolen it. Luckily, the tangle-top was frightened and ran away."

"That was a brave adventure!" said Sisco.

"You, young sir, have a deep power! I can feel it! Can you feel it, my friend Chiike? It is a noble force! What a blessing for you! And now I am rested and I have my duties."

Chiike said: "Let's get the ammo before the beating. At the back of the shop, you say?"

Sisco held up a tremulous finger.

"It has just come to my mind! Without thinking I believe that I took the useless old stuff to my room! You may sit still and rest! I will run to fetch it!"

"I will come too, but not on the run. Glawen, what about you?"

"I've had enough excitement for the day. I'm going home."