with suppressed anger. They had stripped the cloak from
me, and flung me back in my cubby. Miko was now confronting me; at the
door Moa stood watching. And Anita was behind her. I sat outwardly
defiant and sullen on my bunk. But I was alert and tense, fearful still
of what Anita's emotion might betray her into doing.

"Not so loyal," Miko repeated. "And a fool! Do you think I am such a
child you can escape me!"

He swung around. "How did he get out of here? Prince, you came in here!"

My heart was wildly thumping. But Anita retorted with a touch of spirit:

"I came to tell him what you commanded. To check Hahn's latest
figures--and to be ready to take the controls when we go into the
asteroid's atmosphere."

"Well, how did he get out?"

"How should I know?" she parried. Little actress! Her spirit helped to
allay my fear. She held her cloak close around her in the fashion they
had come to expect from the George Prince who had just buried his
sister. "How should I know, Miko? I sealed his door."

"But did you?"

"Of course he did," Moa put in.

"Ask your look-outs," said Anita. "They saw me--I waved to them just as
I sealed the door."

I ventured, "I have been taught to open doors." I managed a sly,
lugubrious smile. "I shall not try it again, Miko."

Nothing had been said about my killing of the steward. I thanked my
constellations now that he was dead. "I shall not try it again," I
repeated.

A glance passed between Miko and his sister. Miko said abruptly, "You
seem to realize that it is not my purpose to kill you. And you presume
upon it."

"I shall not again." I eyed Moa. She was gazing at me steadily. She
said, "Leave me with him, Miko...." She smiled. "Gregg Haljan, we are no
more than twenty thousand miles from the asteroid now. The calculations
for retarding are now in operation."

* * * * *

It was what had taken Miko below, that and trouble with the ventilating
system, which was soon rectified. But the retarding of the ship's
velocity when nearing a destination required accurate manipulation.
These brigands were fearful of their own skill. That was obvious. It
gave me confidence. I was really needed. They would not harm me. Except
for Miko's impulsive temper, I was in no danger from them--not now,
certainly.

Moa was saying, "I think I may make you understand, Gregg. We have
tremendous riches within our grasp."

"I know it," I added with sudden thought. "But