ere closed. Dr. Frank
was in advance of Snap and me now. He paused at the sound of Captain
Carter's voice behind us.

"Was it from in there? Wait a moment!"

Carter dashed up. He had a large heat-ray projector in his hand. He
shoved us aside. "Let me in first. Is the door sealed? Gregg, keep
those passengers back!"

The door was not sealed. Carter burst into the room. I heard him gasp,
"Good God!"

Snap and I shoved back three or four passengers. And in that instant
Dr. Frank had been in the room and out again.

"There's been an accident! Get back, Gregg! Snap, help me keep the
crowd away." He shoved me forcibly.

From within, Carter was shouting, "Keep them out! Where are you,
Frank? Come back here! Send a flash for Balch!"

Dr. Frank went back into the room and banged the cabin door upon Snap
and me. I was unarmed. Weapon in hand, Snap forced the panic-stricken
passengers back to their rooms.

Snap reassured them glibly; but he knew no more about the facts than
I. Moa, with a nightrobe drawn tight around her thin, tall figure,
edged up to me.

"What has happened, _Set_ Haljan?"

I gazed around for her brother Miko, but did not see him.

"An accident," I said shortly. "Go back to your room. Captain's
orders."

She eyed me and then retreated. Snap was threatening everybody with
his cylinder. Balch dashed up. "What in hell! Where is Carter?"

"In there." I pounded on A22. It opened cautiously. I could see only
Carter, but I heard the murmuring voice of Dr. Frank through the
interior connecting door to A20.

The Captain rasped, "Get out, Haljan! Oh, is that you, Balch? Come
in." He admitted the older officer and slammed the door upon me again.
And immediately reopened it.

"Gregg, keep the passengers quieted. Tell them everything's all right.
Miss Prince got frightened--that's all. Then go to the turret. Tell
Blackstone what's happened."

"But I don't know what's happened."

Carter was grim and white. He whispered, "I think it may turn out to
be murder, Gregg! No, not dead yet.... Dr. Frank is trying ... don't
stand there like an ass, man. Get to the turret! Verify our
trajectory--no--wait...."

The Captain was almost incoherent. "Wait a minute. I don't mean that!
Tell Snap to watch his radio room. Arm yourselves and guard our
weapons."

I stammered, "If ... if she dies ... will you flash us word?"

He stared at me strangely. "I'll be there presently, Gregg."

He slammed the door upon me.