ed from the port behind the Captain's head. It blazed too
brilliantly for the naked eye.

With a strangled exclamation, Scott stumbled for the port, clutching his
eyes. His fingers clawed nervelessly for the light control.

There was a sharp snap as the port closed. They felt, rather than saw,
the light flick abruptly out. Elderburg tore at the door.

They lurched into the corridor. Green-yellow lights flashed before their
dazzled eyes. Scott located the wall and began to run, using his finger
tips as guides.

"A magnesium flare!" The Captain's words drove at Scott, hard as
fragments of metal. "What fool set off a magnesium flare with the
_Kastil_ on top of us?"

They stumbled through the cool corridor to the second level air lock. As
they approached, the lock clanged open. A space-suited figure waddled
into the corridor. The helmet opened back, revealing the vivid red hair
of Second Mate Vaugn.

"Light don't bother those cats a bit," he announced. Then his grin
faded. "What's the matter?"

The Captain croaked, "You set off a flare--when--when the _Kastil_ has
been hunting our claim for weeks. When they're right on top of us!"

Max's face blanched. "The _Kastil_! Scott, you never told me...." Sudden
cunning swept his face. "Why didn't you tell me the _Kastil_ was so
close, Scott? Why did you tell me to try light on the cats when you
knew--"

"Scott told you!" Elderburg snarled. But at that moment Scott cried out
sharply, pointing out through the port by the air lock.

Two miles beyond the _Bertha_, settled a black cigar. Blue-white fire
flared from its base. "The _Kastil_!" Scott gasped. Useless rage flooded
his chest. "The _Kastil_--and she's found us!"

* * * * *

Under the hurtling jet, the surface of the asteroid was a jagged tangle
of stone. Scott, staring tensely from the observation port, felt a swift
moment of wonder. Two hours since the IPM ship had landed. And he was in
trouble with a vengeance.

As he had left the ship with a party of picked men, he had felt
Elderburg's cold eyes on him. Eyes that thought--and threatened.

It was easy enough to read the Old Man's mind. An officer might make one
vital mistake. But not two--not introducing the cats into the ship; not
permitting a flare to be set off. Unless....

Unless he wanted the _Bertha_ to lose time. Unless he wanted the
_Kastil_ to find the precious claim.

Cold raced through Scott's veins. His hands lock