"Quite a lot of the Old Galactics went along with them like Repulsive went along with me. And one of the things they did know," Trigger said, "was how to spread diseases like nobody's business. About like we use weed-killers. Wholesale. They could clean out the average planet of any particular thing they didn't want there in about a week. So it's not really too likely the Jesters will be back."
"Oh!" said Pilch.
"But if they are coming, Repulsive thought they'd be due in this area in about another eight centuries. That looked like a very short time to him, of course. He thought it would be best to pass on a warning."
"You know," Pilch said after a brief pause, "I find myself agreeing with him there, Trigger! I might turn in a short report on this, after all."
"I think you should, really," Trigger said. She smiled suddenly. "Of course, it might wind up with people thinking both of us are ta-ta!"
"I'll risk that," said Pilch. "It's been thought of me before."
"If they did come," Trigger said, "I guess we'd take them anyway. We've taken everything else like that that came long. And besides—"
Her voice trailed off thoughtfully. She studied the table top for a moment. Then she looked up at Pilch.
"Well," she said, smiling, "any other questions?"
"A few," said Pilch, passing up the "and besides—" She considered. "Did you ever actually see him make contact with you?"