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mistake. I'm not going to begin this investigation in the drainage sump.
"I'm going to begin it in your uncle's office.'*
We dropped to Deck Four Plus, the three of us, as soon as Harley Danthorpe
returned.
We didn't speak; there was nothing to say. There didn't seem to be much panic
among the working people of the city. Radial Seven was still rumbling with
heavy electric trucks. The factories and warehouses were busy; the air still
reeked with the aromatic tang of the great sea's produce, baled and stored.
I guided the lieutenant and Harley Danthorpe up the gloomy stairs between the
warehouses at number 88. We marched, in clattering quick-step, down the hall
to the door of Eden Enterprises, Unlimited.
I hesitated.
"Go ahead," ordered Lt. Tsuya sharply.
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I pushed the door open and we walked inside.
Gideon Park was sitting at a third-hand wooden table in the bare little
anteroom, laboriously pecking out some-
thing on an old mechanical typewriter. He looked up, saw me, and almost
knocked it over.
"Jim!" he cried. "Boy, we've been hoping you'd come!"
And then he saw that I was not alone.
His wide grin vanished. His black, friendly face be-
came blank and impassive. He put the plastic cover over the old typewriter,
concealing whatever it was he had been writing, and he stood up with a
politely curious expression.
I said awkwardly: "This is Lieutenant Tsuya, Gideon."
"I'm pleased to meet you, Lieutenant," Gideon said politely.
But the lieutenant was having none of that. He de-
manded: "We want Stewart Eden. Why isn't he here?"
Gideon pursed his lips. "But he is, Lieutenant," he said civilly. "He's in his
private office."
"Good," snapped Lt. Tsuya, starting for the inner door. But Gideon moved
quickly in front of him.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "Mr. Eden cannot be dis-
turbed fust now. You see, he's asleep."
"Wake him up!"
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"Oh, no, Lieutenant. Tm afraid that's impossible. You see," explained Gideon,
still polite, still impassive, "Mr.
Eden isn't well. His doctor's orders. He's supposed to rest every afternoon at
this time. I suggest you come back in an hour or so." he said, nodding
politely.
The lieutenant snapped: "You're hiding something, Mr.
Park! Get out of my way!"
But Gideon didn't move. Still calm, without any shadow of expression on his
broad dark face, he stood immovable in front of the door.
Lt. Tsuya was pale, almost trembling with excitement.
For a moment, I thought there was going to be a physical collision.
But then the lieutenant mastered his emotions and, still pale, stepped back.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Park," he said. "This is a
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rather critical matter, and Fm afraid I am acting too hastily. But I am here
on behalf of the Sub-Sea Fleet."
Gideon's expression flickered slightly. "The Fleet?" he repeated.
"On a very important investigation, Mr. Park. If Stew-
art Eden is actually here, you had better get him up. He is in serious
trouble, I assure you.
"And for that matter, Mr. Park, so are you. According to Cadet Eden, here, you
are involved in some very mysterious behavior including the possession of a
MOLE and what appear to be nucleonic explosives!"
Gideon Park noded slightly. He turned, slowly, and looked at me.
"You followed us then, Jim," he said gently, after a moment.
I nodded. "What the lieutenant says is true, Gideon. I
think you had better wake up Uncle Stewart."
Gideon sighed: "Perhaps so, boy. All right."
He turned to the sea-green door and rapped on it.
There was no answer.
After a moment he turned the knob and the door swung open.
The first thing I saw was the huge steel safe in the far corner of the room,
and a narrow cot beside it. My uncle's sea-boots stood beside the cot. And on
it
My uncle Stewart leaned on one elbow, looking up at us, his old blue eyes
still foggy with sleep.
"Jim!" His sea-faded face brightened suddenly as he recognized me. "Jim, it's
good to see you!"
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And then he, like Gideon, saw that I was not alone;
and the same quick change in his expression happened. It was like a misty veil
that was suddenly pulled down between us, hiding what he felt.
When he spoke, his voice was controlled. "Is anything wrong?" he asked.
"A great deal!" rapped Lt. Tsuya. "Cadet Eden, is this your uncle?'
"Yes, sir.
1
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"Then permit me to introduce myself! I am Lieutenant
Tsuya of the Sub-Sea Fleet, here on official business."
He scanned the room, taking his time. He scowled
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