 What was Retief's ultimate mistake?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, March 1962. I've been tied up every off-duty hour since I got here—" "You can't offend the Groaci," Miss Meuhl said sharply. "Whaffle left here three months ago," Retief said, "leaving me in charge." "Since I'm cutting out the culture from now on," Retief said, "I won't be so busy." "Mr. Retief, those are just the sort of questions we avoid with the Groaci. "The impossibility of access to outworlders. Outside, Retief stood for a moment looking across at the deeply carved windowless stucco facades lining the street, then started off in the direction of the Terrestrial Consulate General. Retief went in. He looked at Retief and froze in mid-motion, a metal tube poised over a waiting pot. "To enjoy a cooling drink," Retief said in Groacian, squatting down at the edge of the pit. "To not worry," Retief said, irritated. "To get the lead out," Retief said, placing a thick gold-piece in the dish provided. "To not be angry, fragrant native," Retief said. Retief backed into the opening to a narrow crossway and offered further verbal familiarities to the drunken local, who followed, furious. Retief backed, rounded a corner into a narrow alley-like passage, deserted, silent ... except for the following Groacian. Retief stepped around him, seized his collar and yanked. Retief stood over him. The downed native half-rose; Retief put a foot against his chest and pushed. "To not be going anywhere for a few minutes," Retief said. Two Groaci wearing heavy eye-shields and elaborate crest ornaments indicative of rank rose as Retief entered the room. "Have you ever heard," Retief said, looking steadily at Fith, "of a Terrestrial cruiser, the ISV Terrific , which dropped from sight in this sector nine years ago?" "I wash my hands—" "Just keep that recorder going," Retief snapped. "I'll not be a party—" "You'll do as you're told, Miss Meuhl," Retief said quietly. "You reopen an old wound, Mr. Consul. "All our efforts," Miss Meuhl said, "to live down that terrible episode! I understand that a Terrestrial task force stood off Groac and sent a delegation down to ask questions. Fith rose; Shluh followed suit.
 Trusting Miss Meuhl to do what he said
 Asking too many questions  Trusting Miss Meuhl to do what he said  Making the Groacians show him the ship  Breaking into the Foreign Ministry