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About the mark it drew a circle with a small spot on the circumference—outside that another circle with a similar spot, then a third. Still Sadul could see no meaning.
    Beside the spot on the second circle the creature drew a small sketch of a Takonian. Beside the spot on the third, a creature, itself. Sadul followed intently. It was trying very hard to convey something but for the life of him he could not see what it was. Again a paw pointed up at the light globe, then the forelimbs were held wide apart.
    The light—an enormous light! Suddenly Sadul got it—the sun—the sun and the planets! He nearly choked with excitement. Reaching between the bars, he grabbed his tablet and ran off up the corridor in search of his party. The man in the cage watched him go and as Sadul's shouts diminished in the distance he smiled his first smile for a very long time.
    Goin, the lecturer in phonetics, wandered into the study of his friend Dagul, the anthropologist in the University of Takon. Dagul, who was getting on in years as the grizzling of his silver fur testified, looked up with a frown of irritation at the interruption. It faded at the sight of Goin.
    "Sorry," he apologized. "I think I'm a bit overworked. This Dur business gives such masses of material that I can't leave it alone...
    "If you're too busy—?.
    "No, no. Come along in. Glad to throw it off for a time.' They crossed to a low divan where they squatted, folding their four legs beneath them.
    Dagul offered refreshment.
    "Well, did you get this Earth creature's story?" he asked.
    Goin produced a packet of thin tablets from a satchel.
    "Yes, we got it—in the end. I've had all my assistants and brightest students working on it but it's not been easy even so. They seem to have been further advanced in physical science than we are. That made parts of it only roughly translatable but I think you'll be able to follow it. A pretty sort of villain this Gratz makes himself out to be—and he's not much ashamed of it...
    "You can't be a good villain if you are ashamed...
    "I suppose not but it's made me think. Earth seems to have been a rotten planet...
    "Worse than Venus?" asked Dagul bitterly.
    Goin hesitated. "Yes, I think so, according to his account— but probably that's only because it was further developed. We're going the same way—graft, vested interests, private traders without morals, politicians without conscience. I thought they only existed here, but they had them on Earth—the whole stinking circus. Maybe they had them on Mars too if we only knew...
    "I wonder?" Dagul sat for some moments in contemplation. "You mean that Earth was just an exaggerated form of the mess we're in?.
    "Exactly. Makes you wonder if life isn't a disease after all—a kind of corruption which attacks dying planets, growing more and more vicious in the higher forms. And as for intelligence —.
    "Intelligence," said Dagul, "is a complete snare and delusion. I came to that conclusion long ago. Without it you are wiped out—with it you wipe out one another, eventually yourself...
    Goin grinned. Dagul's hobbyhorses were muchridden steeds.
    "The instinct of selfprotection—" he began.
    "—is another delusion as far as the race is concerned,..."
    Dagul finished for him. "Individuals may protect themselves but it is characteristic of an intelligent race to try continually by bigger and better methods to wipe itself out. Speaking dispassionately I should say that it's a very good thing, too. Of all the wasteful, destructive, pointless.....
    Goin let him have his say. Experience told him that it was useless to attempt to stem the flood. At length came a pause and he thrust forward his packet of tablets.
    "Here's the story. I'm afraid it will encourage your pessimism. The man, Grate, is a selfconfessed murderer for one thing...
    "Why should he confess?.
    "It's all there. Says he wants to warn us against Earth...
    Dagul smiled slightly. "Then you've not told him?.
    "No, not yet...
    Dagul