f his plans. The brigand leader
was boasting of them: of his well equipped ship, the daring of his
men. And questioning her about the size of the treasure. My thoughts
were free to roam.

While we were making friends with this brigand, the longest range
electronic projector was being assembled. Miko then could flash his
signal and be damned to him! I would be on the deck with that
projector. Its operator and I would turn it upon Miko--one flash of it
and he and his little band would be wiped out.

But there was our escape to be thought of. We could not remain very
long with these brigands. We could tell them that the Grantline camp
was on the Mare Imbrium. It would delay them for a time, but our lie
would soon be discovered. We must escape from them, get away and back
to Grantline. With Miko dead, a distress signal to Earth, and Potan in
ignorance of Grantline's location, the treasure would be safe until
help arrived from Earth.

"By the infernal, little Anita, you look like a dove, but you're a
tigress! A comrade after my own heart--bloodthirsty as a
fire-worshipper!"

Her laugh rang out to mingle with his. "Oh no, _Set_ Potan! I am
treasure-thirsty."

"We'll get the treasure. Never fear, little Anita."

"With you to lead us, I'm sure we will."

A man entered the cubby. Potan looked frowningly around. "What is it,
Argle?"

The fellow answered in Martian, leered at Anita and withdrew.

Potan stood up. I noticed that he was unsteady with the drink.

"They want me with the work at the projectors."

"Go ahead," I said.

He nodded. We were comrades now. "Amuse yourself, Haljan. Or come out
on deck if you wish. I will tell my men you are one of us."

"And tell them to keep their hands off Miss Prince."

He stared at me. "I had not thought of that: a woman among so many
men!"

His own gaze at Anita was as offensive as any of his men could have
given. He said, "Have no fear, little tigress."

Anita laughed. "I'm afraid of nothing."

But when he had lurched from the cabin, she touched me. Smiled with
her mannish swagger, for fear we were still observed, and murmured:

"Oh Gregg, I am afraid!"

We stayed in the cubby a few moments, whispering and planning.

"You think the signal room is in the tower, Gregg? This tower outside
our window here?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Shall we go out and see?"

"Yes. Keep near me always."

"Oh Gregg, I will!"

We deposited our Erentz suits carefully in a corner of