friendly. "Why don't you space drift blast out of here?" asked one of
them.

"Yeah," agreed the other, "your kind aren't welcome in Luna City."

Roger shrugged his shoulders and turned away. The two customs officers
continued down the gangway. "Those young punks," muttered one, "they get
themselves a berth on a crummy freighter and think they're real hot
space aces when they're nothing but wet fire-crackers!"

Strong had appeared at Roger's side and heard the last remark.

"What was that about, Roger?" he asked, nodding toward the disappearing
customs men.

Roger smiled. "Just seeing if I could get by."

"They certainly gave us a good going over," said Strong grimly. "I think
our disguise is perfect. Those fellows don't miss much."

"I heard them talking, Steve," said Roger. "They recognized the ship and
know its reputation for smuggling."

"Yes," agreed Strong. "And your remark will make them sure to watch
every move we make. But that's just what we want. News of that sort has
a way of getting around. And anyone interested in a ship with a
reputation for smuggling is someone we're interested in."

Astro walked up, and with a brief nod Roger followed the big cadet down
the gangway. As they walked across the concrete surface of the
spaceport, Tom appeared at Strong's elbow.

"I'm ready to go, Steve," he said. "The ship's secure."

"Very well, Tom," said Strong. "But from now on, keep your eyes and ears
open. It only takes one slip to make a dead spaceman!"

CHAPTER 8

"See that fellow over there, Steve?" whispered Tom. "The one with the
scar on his face?"

"Yeah," replied the disguised Solar Guard officer. "I've been watching
him too. And I think he's had his eye on us."

Tom and Captain Strong were sitting in a small restaurant near the
spaceport, drinking Martian water and discussing the shadowy characters
that lounged around the stuffy little room.

"I'll walk over to the bar," said Strong. "Maybe he doesn't want to talk
to two of us together. You go over and see if you can strike up a
conversation."

"Good idea, sir--uh--Steve," said Tom.

Strong got up and with an exaggerated swagger walked to the small bar.
From the mirror in back of the bar, he could see Tom rise and saunter
over to the man who sat on the opposite side of the room.

For three days, Roger, Astro, Tom, and Strong had wandered through the
bars, restaurants, and cheap hotels of Spaceman's Row in Luna City
searching for