ly beautiful! You wouldn't
think it had the disposition of a fiend, would you?"

* * * * *

A general laugh relieved the nervous tension, and Seaton stepped
impulsively toward DuQuesne with his hand outstretched.

"You've squared your account, Blackie. Say the word and the war's all
off."

DuQuesne ignored the hand and glanced coldly at the group of eager,
friendly faces.

"Don't be sentimental," he remarked evenly as he turned away to his
room. "Emotional scenes pain me. I gave my word to act as one of the
party."

"Well, may I be kicked to death by little red spiders!" exclaimed
Seaton, dumbfounded, as the other disappeared. "He ain't a man, he's a
fish!"

"He's a machine. I always thought so, and now I know it," stated
Margaret, and the others nodded agreement.

"Well, we'll sure pull his cork as soon as we get back!" snapped Seaton.
"He asked for it, and we'll give him both barrels!"

"I know I acted the fool out there," Margaret apologized, flushing hotly
and looking at Crane. "I don't know what made me act so stupid. I used
to have a little nerve."

"You were a regular little brick, Peg," Seaton returned instantly. "Both
you girls are all to the good--the right kind to have along in ticklish
places."

Crane held out his steady hand and took Margaret's in a warm clasp.

"For a girl in your weakened condition you were wonderful. You have no
reason to reproach yourself."

Tears filled the dark eyes, but were held back bravely as she held her
head erect and returned the pressure of his hand.

"Just so you don't leave me behind next time," she returned lightly, and
the last word concerning the incident had been said.

Seaton applied the power and soon they were approaching another planet,
which was surrounded by a dense fog. Descending slowly, they found it to
be a mass of boiling-hot steam and rank vapors, under enormous pressure.

The next planet they found to have a clear atmosphere, but the ground
had a peculiar, barren look; and analysis of the gaseous envelope proved
it to be composed almost entirely of chlorin. No life of an earthly type
could be possible upon such a world, and a search for copper, even with
the suits and helmets, would probably be fruitless if not impossible.

"Well," remarked Seaton as they were again in space, "we've got enough
copper to visit several more worlds--several more solar systems, if
necessary. But there's a nice, hopeful-looking