he straps that held Hyrst to the table. "It has an ominous sound. I'll
bet you that locating the Titanite will be child's play compared to
getting it out. Well, we'll do what we can."

"The first thing," said Christina grimly, "is to get rid of Bellaver. If
he has the slightest suspicion where we're headed he'll radio ahead and
have all Titan alerted."

Hyrst, sitting up now on the edge of the table, hanging on against the
lurching of the ship, said, "That's right--he owns the refinery now,
doesn't he? Is it still working?"

"No. The mines around there played out, oh, ten, fifteen years ago. The
activity's shifted to the north and east on the other side of the range.
That is what may possibly give us a chance." Shearing staggered with
Hyrst across the bucking deck and sat tailor-fashion in the bunk, his
eyes intent. "Hyrst, I want you to remember everything you can about the
refinery. The ground plan, exactly where the buildings are, the hoists,
the landing field. Everything."

Hyrst said, showing the edges of his teeth, "When do I get Vernon?"

"You'll get him. I promise you."

"What about Bellaver? He's still behind us."

Shearing smiled. "That's Christina's job! Let her worry."

Hyrst nodded. He began to remember the refinery. Christina and the other
two went out.

A short while later a number of things happened, violently, and in quick
succession. The ship of the Lazarites, pursuing its wild and headlong
course through the swarming debris of the Belt, was far ahead of
Bellaver's yacht but still within instrument range. Apparently in
desperation it plunged suddenly on a tangential course into a cluster of
great jagged rocks all travelling together at a furious rate of speed.
The cluster was perhaps two hundred miles across. The Lazarite ship
twisted and turned, and then there was a swift bright flowering of
flame, and then nothing.

"She's blown her tubes," said Bellaver exultantly, on the bridge of his
yacht. The instruments had lost contact, chiefly because the cluster was
so thick that it was impossible to separate one body from another.

Vernon said, "They're not blanking my mind any more. It stopped, like
that."

But he was still doubtful.

"Can you locate the ship?" asked Bellaver.

"I'm trying."

Bellaver caught his arm. "Look there!"

There was a second, larger and more brilliant, flash of flame.

"They've hit an asteroid," he said. "They're done for."

"I can't locate them," Vernon sai