pick up your
beam. But there wasn't any, because you had it fouled up!"

Roger sat down on the side of the bunk and stared at the two men. If
what they said was true, Roger knew there could only be one outcome to
the investigation.

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Roger quietly.

"Very simple. I don't like to see _anyone_ go to the prison rock!"

"Are you"--Roger hesitated--"are you suggesting that I escape?"

Loring and Mason got up and walked to the door. Loring turned back to
face Roger. "I'm not suggesting anything, Manning," he said. "You're a
big boy and should know what's good for you. But"--he paused and
measured his words carefully--"if I were you, I wouldn't wait around for
Connel or anyone else to blast my life to pieces by sending me to a
prison for one little mistake!"

The hatch slid closed behind the two spacemen.

Roger stood up and began packing a small spaceman's bag. There was a jet
liner coming in from Atom City that would make a stop at Venusport. He
glanced at his watch. Thirty minutes. He didn't have much time.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 9

"Attention! Attention! This is a general alert!" Tom Corbett's voice was
hollow as he spoke over a solar-wide audiocast. "Wanted! Space Cadet
Roger Manning. Five feet, eleven inches tall, one hundred sixty-five
pounds. Blue eyes. Blond hair. Last seen wearing dress blues. Cadet
Manning broke confinement to quarters on Venus space station and is
believed to be heading back to Earth. He is wanted in connection with
the crash of the space freighter _Annie Jones_ and the death of two
spacemen. All information regarding the whereabouts of Manning should be
forwarded to Captain Isaiah M. Patrick, Senior Security Officer, Solar
Guard, Space Academy, Earth. This alert is to be transmitted to all
local authorities."

Tom snapped the switch off and silently watched the glowing audio tubes
darken. He turned to one side and saw Astro. The big Venusian was seated
on a desk, slumped over, his head held in his massive hands.

"You know," said Astro slowly, "I could take that guy Manning and break
him in two for running out!"

Tom didn't answer. When they had discovered that Roger was missing it
had been a terrific blow. Unaware that Roger, in his confused state of
mind, had been an easy victim to Loring and Mason's trickery and had
innocently walked into their trap, the two cadets felt that his escape
was a breach of trust. Roger had given his spac