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The captain flushed "It's a great honor"

"Not the key to the city, you fool!" snapped Mr Iii "Just a key to the House Go down that corridor, unlock the big door, and go inside and shut the door tight You can spend the night there In theI'll send Mr Xxx to see you"

Dubiously the captain took the key in hand He stood looking at the floor His men did not move They seemed to be emptied of all their blood and their rocket fever They were drained dry

"What is it? What's wrong?" inquired Mr Iii "What are you waiting for? What do you want?" He ca "Out with it, you!"

"I don't suppose you could even--" suggested the captain "I mean, that is, try to, or think about" He hesitated "We've worked hard, we've co way, and maybe you could just shake our hands and say 'Well done!' do you--think?" His voice faded

Mr Iii stuck out his hand stiffly "Congratulations!" He sratulations" He turned away "I o now Use that key"

Without noticing theh the floor, Mr Iiia little manuscript case with papers He was in the rooain addressed the soleing, the light dwindling from their eyes When Mr Iii went out the door he was busy looking at his fingernails

They straggled along the corridor in the dull, silent afternoon light They cae burnished silver door, and the silver key opened it They entered, shut the door, and turned

They were in a vast sunlit hall Men and woroups At the sound of the door they regarded the four uniformed men

One Martian stepped forward, bowing "I am Mr Uuu," he said

"And I am Captain Jonathan Williams, of New York City, on Earth," said the captain without emphasis

Immediately the hall exploded!

The rafters tre forward, waved and shrieked happily, knocking down tables, swar theed about the hall six ti a full and wonderful circuit of the roo

The Earth Men were so stunned that they rode the toppling shoulders for a full h and shout at each other:

"Hey! This is more like it!"