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address out of Kurt. He didn't want to let me have it at first. I explained
that it was something of an emergency."
"That's all right," said Eli. "You're the one man I don't mind Kurt letting
know. I'll ask you to keep the information to yourself, though, if you don't
mind. Did he tell you anything except where I was?"
"No," answered Alan. "I couldn't get another word out of him. He seemed
worried." And he looked at Eli keenly as if he hoped this statement would
surprise a reaction out of the older man that would be more informative. Eli's
expression, however, remained unaltered. "What's on your mind, Alan?" he said.
"Frankly," the younger man leaned forward with his elbows on the arms of his
deck chair and folded long, sinewy hands together, "I'm out horse-trading."
"That sounds interesting," said Eli.
"I hope so," said Alan, bluntly."Because I'm not going to pussyfoot around
the business. It boils down to this: Tony Sellars has made Communications an
offer."
"Communications,or you?" asked Eli.
"Myself as communications," replied Alan. "Naturally, I can't tell you
anything more about it than that it's a proposition for combining forces from
now on. But you're capable of reading what you need between the lines on
that."
"Well? Why come to me?"
"I haven't accepted yet. As I say, I'm out horse-trading. I thought I'd see
what you had to offer."
"Officially," said Eli cautiously, "I couldn't, of course, offer anything.
Underseas, of course, would be glad to have Communications on her side."
"That's not what I'm talking about," said Alan. He leaned back in his deck
chair. "Understand me, now, Eli. I'm not a cherisher of personal ambition. I'm
a representative of a small, but vitally important group who can't afford to
make the wrong decision. If things were to go on as they have for the last
half century, with the groups balancing the world power between them, I'd
never abandon our traditional stand of remaining unconnected with any power
association of groups. But you and I know that we're in for a change; and
quite bluntly, I want to be on the winning side."
"I see," Eli looked down and rubbed his bad knee thoughtfully, from long
habit. "I see I'm going to have to trust you with some further information if
you'll promise to keep this under your hat also until the official
announcement is made."
"Certainly," said Alan.
Eli looked up at him. "I've given up the spokesmanship," he said.
Alan sat perfectly still for a long moment, looking at him. Finally he spoke.
"I don't understand."
"I've quit retired gotten out of the job," amplified Eli. "Kurt has my
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resignation. It should, in fact, have been made public before this.
Officially, I haven't even the right now to be discussing Underseas business
with you."
Alan's chiseled face showed bewilderment.
"I still don't understand," he said.
Eli sighed.
"I never really wanted the spokesmanship," he said. "No, I quit. Kurt is
temporarily in charge and there's a very good chance the various Domes will
confirm him in the position. I suggest you go back and talk to him."
Alan frowned.
"No," he said slowly. "I don't believe I will."
"Why not?" said Eli. "You wanted Underseas on your side. And Underseas is
Kurt, now."
Alan shook his head.
"You evidently don't understand, Eli," he said. "It wasn't Underseas I
wanted. It's you. Without you, Underseas is just another little two-bit
group and with even less than ordinary influence because it has no mainland
connections."
"Now hold on," said Eli. "Underseashas eighteen other small groups in
coalition!"
"And how many will it have once your resignation is announced?" asked Alan.
"Be honest, Eli. We all know Kurt on theIsland ; and he's a nice fellow, but
he's not even average spokesman material. Expecting him to step into your
shoes is sheer fantasy."
Mentally, Eli bit his lip. Alan's serving of unpalatable facts was
undeniable. And worse than that, it was merely a reflection of the reactions
all the group spokesman would be showing when the news broke.
"What I don't understand is this retirement business of yours," Alan went on.
He glanced at the wheel chair. "What is it, Eli?Health?"
"No, no," said Eli wearily. "It's what I told you. I just want out."
There was a slight pause. Then Alan spoke again, with meaning. "I thought I
recognized Seth Maguin," he said. "He's a Member, isn't he?"
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