mly. And I
tried to put into my voice a shrewd note of cupidity. "I really know
very little about this treasure, Miko. If there were a million or two
of gold leaf in it for me--"

"Perhaps there would be."

"Suppose you let me have a talk with Prince? I have some scientific
knowledge myself about the powers of this catalyst. Prince's knowledge
and mine--we might be able to come to a calculation on the value of
Grantline's treasure. You don't know. You are only assuming."

I paused after this glib outburst. Whatever may have been in Miko's
mind, I cannot say. But abruptly he stood up. I had left my bunk but
he waved me back.

"Sit down. I am not like Moa. I would not trust you just because you
protested you would be loyal." He picked up his cylinder. "We will
talk again." He gestured to the scrolls he had left upon my desk.
"Work on those. I will judge you by the results."

He was no fool, this brigand leader.

"Yes," I agreed. "You want a true course to the asteroid?"

"Yes. And by the gods, I warn you, I can check up on you!"

I said meekly, "Very well. But you ask Prince if he wants my
calculations on Grantline's possibilities."

I shot Miko a foxy look as he stood by the door. I added, "You think
you are clever. There is plenty you don't know. Our first night out
from Earth--Grantline's signals--didn't it ever occur to you that I
might have some figures on his treasure?"

It startled him. "Where are they?"

I tapped my forehead. "You don't suppose I was foolish enough to
record them. You ask Prince if he wants to talk to me. A hundred
million, or two hundred million--it would make a big difference,
Miko."

"I will think about it." He backed out and sealed the door upon me.

But Anita did not come. I verified Hahn's figures, which were very
nearly correct. I charted a course for the asteroid; it was almost the
one which had been set.

Coniston came for my results. "I say, we are not so bad as navigators,
are we? I think we're jolly good, considering our inexperience. Not
bad at all, eh?"

"No."

I did not think it wise to ask him about Prince.

"Are you hungry, Haljan?"

"Yes."

A steward came with a meal. The saturnine Hahn stood at my door with a
weapon upon me while I ate. They were taking no chances and they were
wise not to.

The day passed. Day and night, all the same of aspect here in the
starry vault of space. But with the ship's routine it was day. And
then another time of sleep.