prisoners, to face trial."

I hoped that he would accept the inevitable. Our crew could plead that
they had done nothing except follow the orders of their commanding
officer. But for Kresh and Ristal there could be no mitigating
circumstances.

They would stand trial and they would receive the harshest of
punishments, exile. It was a bleak outlook for them, and the bleakness
was reflected in their faces. Ristal's hand flicked to his gun.

[Illustration: I pulled the trigger and a sizzling bolt of energy leaped
forth]

I fired once and there was the smell of searing flesh.

"Kresh?" I asked. He looked down at the faceless figure on the floor and
shook his head.

He raised his elbows, leaving his holster exposed. I nodded to one of
the crewmen and he stepped forward and removed Kresh's _del_ gun.

"Drop it on the floor," I said. "Then tear off his insignia and lock him
in the forward cabin."

It was the end of the mutiny. But I felt no joy at that. My chest pained
intolerably, my shoulders sagged in exhaustion. And I had failed in my
mission.

Beth was all right. I went to her and tore the electrodes from her
wrists and ankles and helped her to her feet. She refused to look at me,
even allowing me to untie her father by myself.

"I regret that it turned out this way," I said.

"How could it turn out any other way?" Beth demanded suddenly. "Do you
think we'd trust you now?"

Off in the night a siren wailed. I listened while another siren joined
the first.

"They're already looking for you," I said. "Which shows how little
chance I would have had of getting to you openly. You'd better be going
now."

But as I led them to the door I knew I had to make one more attempt.

"Professor Copperd, do you think there might still be hope? We of Venus
can offer much to Earth."

"Maybe there _is_ hope," he said, and he looked brighter than I had ever
seen him look. "I was reaching the point where I had no faith in the
future. But now, knowing that you have solved the problems which we
face.... Perhaps, if the proper arrangements were made.... But you would
be risking a great deal to return. And I can assure you that for a long
time Venus will be safe. So you have no reason--"

"I have a good reason for coming back," I interrupted. Taking Beth by
the shoulders, I swung her about to face me.

"I love you," I said. "I started out to trick you and ended by loving
you."

Then her arms were about me and her lips were