reedom and accent of Miko. "Is this George Prince's sister?"

"Yes. Her name is Anita Prince. Tell your men to take their hands off
her."

He waved his men away. They all seemed more interested in Anita than
in me. He added:

"I am Set Potan." He addressed Anita. "George Prince's sister? You are
called Anita? I have heard of you. I knew your brother--indeed, you
look very much like him."

He swept his plumed hat to the grid with a swaggering gesture of
homage. A courtierlike fellow this, debonair as a Venus cavalier!

He accepted us. I realized that Anita's presence was immensely
valuable in making us convincing. Yet there was about this Potan--as
with Miko--a disturbing suggestion of irony. I could not make him out.
I decided that we had fooled him. Then I remarked the steely glitter
of his eyes as he turned to me.

"You were an officer of the _Planetara_?"

* * * * *

The insignia of my rank was visible on my white jacket-collar which
showed beneath the Erentz suit, now that my helmet was off.

"Yes, I was supposed to be. But a year ago I embarked upon this
adventure with Miko."

He was leading us to his cabin. "The _Planetara_ wrecked? Miko dead?"

"And Hahn and Coniston. George Prince, too--we are the only
survivors."

While we divested ourselves of our Erentz suits at his command, I told
him briefly of the _Planetara's_ fall. All had been killed on board
save Anita and me. We had escaped, awaited his coming. The treasure
was here; we had located the Grantline camp, and were ready to lead
him to it.

Did he believe me? He listened quietly. He seemed not shocked at the
death of his comrades. Nor yet pleased: merely imperturbable.

I added with a sly, sidelong glance, "There were too many of us on the
_Planetara_. The purser had joined us, and many of the crew. And there
was Miko's sister, the Setta Moa--too many. The treasure divides
better among less."

An amused smile played on his thin gray lips. But he nodded. The fear
which had leaped in me was allayed by his next words.

"True enough, Haljan. He was a domineering fellow, Miko. A third of it
all was for him alone. But now...."

The third would go to this sub-leader, Potan! The implication was
obvious.

I said, "Before we go any further--I can trust you for my share?"

"Of course."

* * * * *

I figured that my very boldness in bargaining so prematurely would
convince him.