Hanson wiped his hand across his forehead.
"Suppose there'd been more time? An' suppose'n the transmutation had gone on a step farther? What then?"
"Well, now, there's an interesting question. The next element down the ladder is platinum.[2] It's quite possible that—"
"Wait a minute," interrupted the skipper. "Did you say platinum?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Nothin'. That is, nothin' much."
The skipper rose and strode to the intercommunicating phone.
"Ross?" he yelled. "Listen—I want you to get this crate ready to roll again. We're takin' off for Venus first thing in the mornin'. An', hey, Ross! Send to the warehouse for about five—no, make it six—dozen Forenzi jars. Yeah, Forenzi jars, I said.
"And Ross—get the biggest ones they got! The Corporation ain't found it out yet, but we're goin' into the transmutin' business. And Mister Biggs comes aboard as First Mate!"