d several drafting boards with blue-prints and
drawings pinned on them. Behind one of the larger desks was a heavy-set
man with a great, angry scar across his left cheek and neck, running
from the bridge of the nose to below the ear.

Something about the man brought a sense of distrust to Hanlon--perhaps
his looks, for that terrible scar made him look like a blood-thirsty
pirate.

Hanlon discreetly let none of these things show in his voice or demeanor
as he stepped forward, a smile on his face and his credentials in his
hand. "Mr. Philander, sir? I'm George Hanlon, a new guard."

The other nodded without a word, and snatched at the papers, glaring at
Hanlon in a squinting, suspicious manner.

Hanlon probed toward the mind behind that frown, and could sense a
feeling of fear, suspicion and unrest. He caught a fragment of
thought--"another one after my job?"--and in a flash of inspiration
guessed what was wrong. This superintendent must have a terrible
inferiority complex, which that disfiguring scar certainly didn't help.
He was undoubtedly competent, or he would not be here, but felt every
new man was a possible challenge or replacement.

Knowing that his papers made no mention of his having been a cadet,
Hanlon took a chance on a course of action. "Gee, Mr. Philander, sir, I
envy you," he said the moment the man looked up. "Knowing all about
metals and ores and mining and stuff like that. I sure wish I'd had the
chance to learn something valuable like that. But me, I guess I'm just a
'strong back; weak mind' sort of guy."

The superintendent looked at him piercingly for a long moment, as though
trying to decide whether this was genuine or subtle sarcasm. He must
have decided it was the former, for he relaxed a bit. "Yeah," he growled
in a deep bass that seemed meant to be pleasant now. "It takes a lot of
study and a good mind to learn what I know. Very few men can make the
grade."

And Hanlon, who was by necessity swiftly becoming a good judge of
character, knew he had this man pegged, and that while he would be
dangerous if crossed, could be handled adroitly.

"Just what will my duties be, sir? Or have you delegated the handling of
us guards to some lesser man?"

"No, I handle 'em myself. 'If you want a job well done, do it yourself',
you know. I'll take you out and show you around. Are you all settled and
comfortable?"

"Oh, yes, sir. I have a very nice room, number 17, and am all unpacked.
Hunting your