The World with a Thousand Moons Page 12

told the others. "We can report thereto the Patrol."

  "If you don't mind," Holk Or put in hastily, "I'd just as soon youdropped me at some asteroid before then. I've no desire to meet thePatrol."

  Captain Walls told the Jovian, "Nonsense! After what you've done,you'll get a full pardon from the Patrol."

  "You can count on it," Hugh Murdock told the doubtful Jovian. "We havesome influence, back at Earth."

  "Well, I guess I'll have to go honest, then," sighed Holk Or. "All thereal pirate outfits are gone now, anyway." He shook his head heavilyas he walked away. "The System sure isn't what it used to be."

  Captain Walls was asking Ricky earnestly, "You're quite sure yourformula will cure my son? All these years, I've hoped and prayed--"

  "I'm certain," Ricky smiled. "Within a few weeks after we get back toEarth, gravitation-paralysis will be a thing of the past."

  They moved off with the others. But Gloria lingered in the bridge withKenniston.

  "Where will you be going, after we get back?" she asked him quietly.

  "Oh, back to space," he answered, a little uncomfortably. "There'snothing to hold me on Earth now that Ricky's work has succeeded."

  "Nothing to hold you on Earth?" Gloria repeated. "That, I would say,is about the most ungallant speech on record."

  He flushed. "You don't mean--that night on the _Sunsprite_--youweren't in earnest, surely--"

  "Your passionate proposal is accepted," Gloria said calmly.

  Kenniston was aghast. "But I didn't propose! I mean--I do love you,and you know it, but you're an heiress, and I--"

  "We'll have all the way back to Mars to argue _that_ out," she toldhim. "And I have an idea you'll lose."

  Kenniston had the same idea.

  The End.

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