.

"Yes, Mr. Hanlon," that silky voice mimicked meaningly, and venomously.
"We have ... uh ... ways of making people talk. This Abrams, like a
fool, was not content to continue working as my secretary. He had to get
foolish notions of ethics and patriotism, and try to ... uh ... object
to some of my policies. Why did you let him think you were still a
Corpsman ... if you're not?" he snapped suddenly.

Hanlon made himself stare back insolently. Maybe they would kill
him ... no, be honest, undoubtedly they would ... but by the Shade of
Snyder they weren't going to make him show the fear he felt.

"Use your head, Pal. I had to make an impression on Panek so he'd
introduce me to someone here on Sime who'd show me how to make some
fast, big money, which is all I'm after," he retorted with a bravado he
certainly didn't feel, but which he hoped would make them think he did.
"When I found Panek was going to bump off Abrams, I horned in on it. And
what easier way to make Abrams play ball with me--I had nothing against
him, and didn't want to really kill him--than to let him think I was
still a Corpsman, after he'd seen me when I was still a cadet. I didn't
know he'd turn yellow and squeal."

He looked contemptuously at Abrams, then turned back to the leader and
made his voice very earnest, very emphatic. "But I've told you the
truth! I am not still connected with that rotten outfit, and you're
wrong if you think I am!"

"Don't lie to His Highness!" Panek interjected. "He don't like to be
lied to--he don't like it."

"Aw shut up and keep out of this, small fry!" Hanlon sneered, and was
rewarded with a hard blow on the side of his head that made him wince.
But His Highness intervened.

"That will do, Panek. I'll handle this. Now, Hanlon, I think you had
better do some very serious thinking. You can see why we are still
skeptical of you. Everything points against you ... uh ... except your
own word, and the fact that you so apparently did work hard and for our
best interests at the mine. That point, I readily grant you, is very
much in your favor. I am being very patient with you because, if you are
telling the truth, you can be a very valuable man to me. You do have
real ability, and other assets. But if you are not wholly for us, you
are distinctly in our way."

"I tell you ..."

"Don't interrupt, please. I might inform you that I sent you to the
other planet both to test you and to keep you out of the way while we
in