Passage of Arms

"Let us hope the bad times are ended for good," [said Mr. Tan.]

"Good business for one is good business for all," said Girija.

"Very true." Now, Mr. Tan decided, they were coming to the point. Reference to mutual advantage was the accepted preliminary to a squeeze.

Hallett drew a deep breath. "Mr. Nilson," he said, "I wish you could tell me something. Why is it that when an apparently normal, intelligent, law-abiding citizen like you gets hold of a passport and a steamship ticket, he suddenly turns into a juvenile--"

"Okay, Mr. Hallett," Greg broke in irritably. "You can't say anything I haven't already said to myself."