"Your breakfast, Peter," she said calmly. "Sit here." I ate. Strange meal! Strange food of Xenephrene, but stranger still we three as we sat there. Graff sat pleasantly talking. He seemed in a high good humor; wholly frank and sincere. But I wondered; sometimes I fancied he was gently ironical. "There were two or three other earthmen besides yourself who came into my hands, Peter. All of them--unfortunately--died. You--I think--may not die. Do you know why? Firs', because Zetta has ask' me to let you live--and I would do anything to please her. That is--almos' anything. Second, because she has promise' me you will help with my campaign. Will you?" At his brusque question, I hesitated; Zetta's warning glance decided me. "Yes," I said. "I mean, really help. I will be able to guess at once you try to fool me. Do not try it, frien' Peter!" I began: "I don't see how I can help you--" "He'll help you," Zetta put in. "Information about your worl'," Graff explained. "There are many things you know, which I do not. Zetta and I have been talking over my plans--I will be the greatest man on your earth, Peter--" It decided me. A vain glory was his weakness. He wanted to impress Zetta; he seemed even to take pleasure in impressing me. Zetta was playing upon it. We would give him information, authentic enough, which would help him undoubtedly. But we would learn his plans, too. Work with him, as he wished; and once on earth-- I said: "I can see no harm in helping you. Especially if it will benefit me." I smiled shrewdly. "Will it?" I thought perhaps he swallowed my bait, but I could not be sure. He said emphatically: "If you work with me, I will make you secon' greatest man in your worl'." And Zetta? I wondered. I had only an instant alone with her that day. She whispered: "You were perfec', Peter. Work with him--learn what you can. Tell him truthfully what he asks. It is necessary--best in the end." "But Zetta, you--" "I can take care of myself. He would not harm me. He wants to make me love him. That, truly, he desired. I am letting him try." "He won't give up his plans--he'll give up nothing for you--" "No, of course, not. But I preten' I think maybe he will--move! There he comes! In a few days perhaps he will leave us more alone." "When we get to earth--" But she had moved away from me as Graff approached. * * * * * We were twelve days reaching earth. Dan, Freddie, and I had made the voyage in eleven days. In this great ship we were traveling faster; but the distance, with Xenephrene drawing away from the earth, was greater now. It was a monotonous voyage. I was housed alone in a cabin with fairly comfortable furniture. Three times a day, Graff personally came and took me to that larger room where invariably I found my meal waiting me. Of all the rest of the ship--its men, its equipment--I saw nothing.