of us chose to attempt
the extrasensory powers--particularly teleportation--was that we were
not qualified in genetic research and this seemed a field in which we
stood a chance to contribute along alternate lines. The effort should be
followed along both lines."

"The government managed to capture all the scientists at the time of
your disappearance, and it was assumed that you had been captured, too,"
said the Chief. "We don't have any scientists in the Phoenix who are
capable of doing Goat Hennessey's type of research."

"You say he's in Mars City? I wonder if it would do any good for me to
contact him."

"I told you that he was the one who betrayed the whole thing to the
government, and he's been working under government supervision these
last twenty-five years. I wouldn't trust him."

The Chief surveyed Dark's strong face with speculative green eyes, then
added:

"As a matter of fact, we've made a certain amount of progress following
your line of research. Since there are probably a good many things you
discovered in this work that we haven't stumbled on yet, we could use
your help in developing it, if you're interested."

"Very definitely," answered Dark. "I'm interested in seeing what you've
done, and I'll be glad to help in any way I can."

"There's one thing," said the Chief, measuring his words. "I've held
this organization together despite some pretty severe reverses for more
than fifteen years now. The reason I've been able to do it is that I
expect and must insist on absolute obedience to my orders."

Dark smiled. "I said that I would be willing to help you," he replied
gently. "I follow no man's orders."

The green eyes fixed themselves unwinkingly on the pale-blue ones for a
long moment. The blue ones did not waver.

At last, to Fancher's utter amazement, the Chief nodded agreement.

5

Maya Cara Nome looked from her furnished room through cracked shutters
at the building across the street.

A barber college. The building at 49 Sage Avenue, Mars City, was a
barber college.

That surprised her. She didn't know exactly what she had expected: a
hospital, perhaps, or even a kindergarten. But a barber college!

But the source of the information she had received that 49 Sage Avenue
was the address she sought was unimpeachable. She had ferreted it out,
after a long time and through devious ways, and she was sure she could
trust it.

"The Childress Barber College" read the neatly let