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"With a positive physical determination of sex?"

"Yes."

The Mistress returned to her desk and made a note on a small note pad. "And you think it will live—this embryo?"

"I am certain of it. The cell division is vigorous and perfect in every way."

"Who else knows about this experiment?"

"My two assistants."

"What are their names?"

"Eupharia and Tosta. Do you want their registration numbers?"

The Mistress shook her head. "With an experiment of this type, particularly when successful, we have to make sure that there can be no possible leakage of information. You may take it, I think, that the Ministery will transfer Eupharia and Tosta almost immediately. They will also change the site of the experiment—the incubator and its associated equipment will be moved to a more secure location."

Cordelia blinked and opened her mouth as if about to speak, but said nothing. The Mistress of Applied Cytology smiled shallowly.

"This is not the first time we have had promising indications, of course. On many occasions cytologists have succeeded in creating a forty-seven chromosome embryo which divided and grew—for a short time. Naturally we are most anxious to avoid the spread of rumor and false information. Therefore we take stringent precautions."

"I understand," Cordelia murmured.

"We have a special laboratory reserved for what we define as alpha projects. What is more, we have a special staff of skilled and trained cytologists to take over such projects and develop them under carefully controlled conditions."

"You mean, I am to be relieved of my part in test four-six-five?"

"Not at all, Cordelia. You will work in liaison with our