eman's word that he would
confine himself to his quarters. Roger had broken that trust, and now
the fact was being flashed around the entire solar system; Roger Manning
was an escaped criminal!

"There's nothing we can do now," said Tom. "The whole universe knows it.
He's finished! Washed up! The only thing that could save him now would
be absolute clearance by the investigation. But since he's run out, I
guess it must be the other way around. He was afraid he was going to get
caught." Tom's voice was cold and bitter. "And we can't blame anyone
but--"

"_But Manning!_" barked a voice behind them. Astro jumped up and snapped
to attention. Tom turned to see Major Connel stride into the room. It
was at Connel's insistence that Tom had been ordered to broadcast the
alert for Roger.

"That's the last time I ever want to hear any sympathy for a man who
broke his word!" snarled Connel.

"I have something I'd like to say to the major," said Astro in a
deliberate voice, "as man to man!"

Even at attention, Tom jerked his head involuntarily to look at Astro.
Connel's eyes narrowed. "Here it comes," he thought. "Well, I've handled
rebellion of this sort before." He stepped close to Astro. So close in
fact that the black and gold of his uniform brushed the massive chest of
the cadet from Venus.

"You have permission to speak, man to man!" snapped Connel.

Astro paused for a moment. Then he relaxed and brought his eyes down to
the level of the major.

"I am a human being, sir," said Astro in the deepest voice Tom had ever
heard. It was strong and full of emotion, yet controlled. "And as long
as I am a human being, I shall consider Roger Manning one of the finest
men I'll ever know."

"Are you finished?" snapped Connel.

"No, sir, I'm not," said Astro. "I speak in defense of the man, the
_spaceman_, not the uniform, or the trust he betrayed. And I
respectfully request of the major that if his feelings for Cadet Manning
are so violent that he finds it difficult to control them, that he make
a special effort to control them"--Astro paused and stuck out his
chin--"in my presence!"

Connel stepped back. "And if I don't?" he shouted.

"Then I shall ask for a transfer from your command, sir, and if that is
not granted, then I shall resign from the Academy."

"And?" asked Connel.

"And, sir--" Astro stumbled.

"_And what_, Cadet Astro?" roared Connel.

"I have nothing more to say, sir," said Astro.

Tom, who had at f