s true," I admitted. "Still, I believe we should put
it up to Base, and through Base to the Council, before doing anything
more. Much, if not all, of what she said was perfectly true."

"It was that," nodded Kincaide. "There were scores, if not hundreds of
doors leading into that big chamber; I imagine it can be reached,
underground, from any point on the continent. And those winding
passages would be simple to defend from any form of invasion."

"But could these Lakonians fight?" asked Correy. "That's what I'd like
to know. I doubt it. They look like a sleepy, ignorant lot."

"I think they'd fight, to the death, if Liane ordered them to," I
replied thoughtfully. "Did you notice the way they stared at the
flame, never moving, never even winking? My idea is that it exercises
a sort of auto-hypnotic influence over them, which gives Liane just
the right opportunity to impress her will upon them."

"I wondered about that," Kincaide commented. "I believe you're right,
sir. Any idea as to when we'll shove off?"

"There's no particular hurry; Fetter will be busy until evening, I
imagine, so we won't bother him until then. As soon as we've had a
chat with him, we can start."

"And without Hendricks," said Kincaide, shaking his head sadly. "I
wonder--"

"If you don't mind, Mr. Kincaide, we won't mention his name on the
_Ertak_ after this," I interrupted. "I, for one, would rather forget
him. Wouldn't you?"

"I would, sir, if I could," said Kincaide softly. "But that's not
easy, is it?"

It wasn't easy. As a matter of fact, it was impossible. I knew I would
never forget my picture of him, standing there shaken and miserable,
beside the woman for whom he had disgraced his uniform, hiding his
head in shame from the eyes of the men he had called comrades, and who
had called him friend. But to talk of him was morbid.

* * * * *

It was late in the afternoon when I called Correy and Kincaide to the
navigating room, where I had spent several hours charting our return
course.

"I believe, gentlemen," I remarked, "that we can call on Mr. Fetter
now. I'll ask you to remain in charge of the ship, Mr. Kincaide, while
Mr. Correy and I--"

An attention signal sounded sharply to interrupt me. I answered it
instantly.

"Sentry at exit, sir," said an excited voice. "Mr. Hendricks and the
woman stowaway are here asking for you. They say it is very urgent."

"Bring them both here at once, under gu