 What was Retief's ultimate mistake?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, March 1962. "Whaffle left here three months ago," Retief said, "leaving me in charge." "Mr. Retief, those are just the sort of questions we avoid with the Groaci. 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 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. 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! Fith rose; Shluh followed suit. It was just after the task force paid its visit, and before the arrival of the first Terrestrial diplomatic mission." It has outdone itself—" "—to keep the Terrestrial consul and his staff in the dark," Retief said. "I can talk no more of this matter—" "You'll talk to me, or there'll be a task force here in five days to do the talking," Retief said. "Answer me this one," Retief said, looking at Shluh. Shluh retracted his eyes, shrank down in his chair. Cut them open to see what made them yell...." "One by one...." "We'll deal with that question later," Retief said.
 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