y chief
aid. Carry on and do anything necessary to get things cleared away."

"Very well, sir," said Williams.

"Have communications been destroyed?"

"Yes, sir. Communications was located in the tower, but Cadet Manning
has converted the equipment on ship for long-range audio transmission."

"Very good!" said Strong. "As soon as you get a chance, I want you to
make out a full report on the attack, including your personal opinion of
who attacked us and why."

"I don't know who manned that ship, sir," said Williams, "but I can tell
the reason all right. Every prisoner on the asteroid has escaped!"

"Yes," mused Strong. "I thought that would be the answer. But how did
that ship get through your defenses?"

"Captain Strong," said Williams grimly, "I don't think there is any
question about it. Someone broke the asteroid code. The attacking ship
identified itself as the regular supply ship."

"A Solar Guardsman?" asked Strong.

"No, sir," said Williams. "I'd bet anything that none of our men would
do that!"

"Then who?" asked Strong.

"Only one man would be smart enough to get the code and break it, and
then sneak it off to the attacking ship!

"Who?" asked Strong.

"Bull Coxine!" answered the young officer through clenched teeth.

They were interrupted by a guardsman. "Sir, we found this in prison hut
twenty-four."

"What is it?" asked Strong.

Astro's eyes suddenly widened and he stepped forward. "Why,
that's ... that's Tom's uniform!" he stammered.

"Tom!" gasped Strong. "But where is he?"

"We've searched the immediate area, sir," replied the guardsman. "Cadet
Corbett isn't here."

"Are you sure?" demanded Strong.

"Yes, sir," said the guardsman stoutly.

Strong took the uniform and examined it carefully. Then he turned to
Roger and snapped, "Prepare the audioceiver for immediate transmission
to Space Academy, Manning. Astro! Get aboard our ship. Check her for
damage and let me know how soon we can blast off!"

The two cadets saluted and raced for the small spaceship.

Thoughtfully holding Tom's uniform in his hand, Strong turned back to
Williams. "I'm going to leave as soon as I can, Williams. I'll tell
Space Academy about the attack and see that a relief ship is sent out to
you right away. Meantime, I'm leaving you in command." He paused and
looked at Tom's uniform again. "If Cadet Corbett isn't on the asteroid,
he must be on the attacking ship with the prisoners. The only question
now is