VITHE COMMANDER OF THE Patrolship Sirius was Lt.-Col. Travers, third ranking officer of the Belt Fleet. He shook Pop’s hand heartily.
“Glad to meet you, Dr. Moseley. I’ve heard so much about you, I feel as if I already know you. My nephew was a student in several of your classes at Midland U. He said you were a very capable instructor ... and if I may judge from what we noted from above, I might add that you are an extremely capable colonist as well as professor.”
Pop wriggled. “Why—why, thank you, Colonel.”
“This fine farmland,” smiled the space officer, “and that artesian well I see across the river ... these silos, and your magnificent dwelling....”
Pop hrrumphed, even more embarrassed.
“Colonel,” he faltered, “I think I’d better explain immediately that all is not mine. There are
