an, wearing the Twin Comets of a Regional Admiral, was sitting behind a desk, studying some papers. He continued sit

ffly at attention, awaiting the other's pleasure. S

ied all these years on account of this man. He wanted to stalk out, but ingrained discipline chained him to

ly grey where the latter was blond, assured from long, bitter experience where

eanor, he could not be blamed. "However, I think your experience of the past hour might have prepared you for sight of me in uniform. Yes," as he saw the

is eyes were still hard and stormy, "was it

Spence, all these years. I've been prayerfully waiting for the day when I could explain to you. I can

ow be

ish explaining. No, Spence," his voice was still, emphatic but softer now, almost

f which doubt predominated. His mind touched that of his father, and he seemed to

ed to her, with the Corps' permission, about my going into Secret Service work. With her death so near, it could be done convincingly. Believing you wou

gradually lost their hardness, and at the en

t been for the long talks Pa and Ma Hanlon had with me, I

n hugged his

now everywhere you've been, everything you've done. You've been watched over constantly. I engineered your adoption by t

ay, now I can change my name back, can't I? The Hanlo

r leave it that way, for now, at least. However, you'll find need of an alias from time to time

ll this frank expression of their em

ever seen you around the b

cial occasions. Outside, I'm always disguised. When I come into a Reservation I'

s, and his face sobered as

ion and get it all in this one interview, for there can't be another at this time.

let me congratulate you, officially on your decision,

n sat down and leaned forward attent

to attend to it. But when it does come you will recognize it almost instantly, and you must play it up big. Don't let on in any way that you suspect or know it is anything but genuine. You must im

s quailing at thought of that public disgrace. He had been so proud here ... how

m to buy your civilian clothes and kit after your dismissal. Buy a few shares of some stock, too-the amount or

t things you do in each city on any planet to which you may be sent on assignment. Now, here are two keys that fit box number 1044 in all the I-S banks. They are special master keys

s the red button on the mechanism. Go back a few hours later and it will have been attended to. So now, when you get into the bank, put a note there listing your hotel room number and also your new deposit key number.

d insurance policy in my

ugh the envelopes for any with your name on them. The same key also locks the sound-proof and spyray-proof

atters; key fits both boxes and cubicles;

each box you'll find quite a lot of money at all times. You take what you need for expenses and get your salary that way. If you

," Hanlon gulped. "I hope

to join us if we weren't sure. As your father, I'm mighty proud to have you

imonides Four will be delivered to your hotel room. Simonides Four is your first assignment. There's someth

were asked into the SS, believe me, it will be tremendously important in your work with us-it'll help us where no other agent can get to first check station. And I have a feeling, too, that yo

, "I'm beginning to realize

th you for emergencies. Live well, although not extravagantly unless the occasion of

out, hasn't it?" Admiration shon

an interview with, any officer of the rank of Rear Admiral or above. The words 'Andromeda Seven' are the passwords to let h

Then, "I'm sure I have it all. Get civilian kit; hotel room; stocks and insur

e formation of the Snyder Patrol. He realized almost at once that such an unknown, undercover echelon would be a must. There's usually not more than t

es. When not on any special assignment we keep busy on some planet not our original home, checking the background of cadets or especially-

s in the extreme, but without exception we are all men with high mental ability-quick-thinking, clever, and unusually ad

onally highly satisfying. We know we are the guardians of the peace of the Federat

You and Admiral Rogers both spoke about how secret all this is

to where his son had also risen. "I may not see you again before you leave, Spence ... George, I mean," he smiled ruefully, then brightened. "But the best

too much responsibility for a cub like

han you have to until you learn the ropes, which you will, faster than you may now thin

of living I want to do first, especially now I've got my dad ba

one or the other of us is on a long

of mine, Dad. Can you g

h, yes, I almost forgot. The paper we use is a digestible plastic, so make a meal off all orders and confidential communic

ey on feed

you understand each step you take first, and don't try to

nt you to know I'm so glad to have all those hor

too. But 'vast r

ough the beautiful park that surrounded the great stainless-steel skyscraper that housed the cadets during th