"Perhaps," Gulver said grimly, "perhaps they'll manage without it."
"By the way," Retief said. "There was another funny mix-up. There were some tractors—for industrial use, you'll recall. I believe you co-operated with Croanie in arranging the grant through MEDDLE. They were erroneously consigned to Lovenbroy, a purely agricultural world. I saved you some embarrassment, I trust, Mr. Gulver, by arranging to have them off-loaded at d'Land."
"D'Land! You've put the CSU's in the hands of Boge's bitterest enemies!"
"But they're only tractors, Mr. Gulver. Peaceful devices. Isn't that correct?"
"That's ... correct." Gulver sagged. Then he snapped erect. "Hold the ships!" he yelled. "I'm canceling the student exchange—"
His voice was drowned by the rumble as the first of the monster transports rose from the launch pit, followed a moment later by the second, Retief watched them out of sight, then turned to Gulver.
"They're off," he said. "Let's hope they get a liberal education."
V
Retief lay on his back in deep grass by a stream, eating grapes. A tall figure appeared on the knoll above him and waved.