"Seize him--the Evil One!" shrieked the old chief, but the Mercurians sat sullen and silent, and the Plutonian sneered. Finally one of the chiefs arose and with an effort faced the Old Wise One and said: "The Strange Dreams are dearer to us than all else. Do as he says." The piping voices rose in eager acclamation, but the Old Wise One held up his claws, waiting until silence returned. "Wait! Wait! Before ye commit this folly, hear the Green Star man. Many times has he demanded audience. Let him come in." "It is not permitted," demurred one of the chiefs. "Ye permitted this being of evil to enter; let him enter also." "He is in the outer chambers now," one of the guards spoke. "His face is like the center of a ringstorm." "Let him enter!" * * * * * Morones strode into the room angrily. Blinded by the fire after the darkness of the antechambers, he did not at first see the Plutonian. He strode up to the ancient chief and glared at him. "Does the Old Wise One learn wisdom at last?" he rasped. The ancient shrank away from him, as did the nearer of the lesser chiefs. "The Old Wise One thinks less of his wisdom," he replied wearily. "Behold!" He pointed to the enthroned Plutonian. Morones started. His hand flashed to his side, and came away empty. Deft fingers had extracted his ray-tube. But he was a man of courage. Never could it be said to his shame that an Earthman cringed in the sight of lesser races. "So it's you, my sooty friend!" he snarled in English. The Plutonian, accomplished linguist, replied: "As you see. You don't look very happy, Mr. Morones." Morones regarded him impassively, his eyes frosty. "That explains everything," he said at last with cold deliberation. "First Sammis, then Boyd. Going to finish me next, I suppose?" The Plutonian twisted the end of an eyebrow and smiled. "Interested in them?" "What'd you do with the bodies?" The Plutonian jerked his thumb carelessly. "The river you call the Blue is swift and deep. But before you follow them there is certain information I wish to get from you. Where is the soldier who came to visit you?" A crafty light came into Morones' face. "He is not far from here, waiting for me." * * * * * Olear, in his cramped hiding place, could not help feeling a warm glow of admiration for Morones' nerve, because Morones thought him well on his way to Earth. "Nargyll, what did your master do with the visitor?" "Drove him back to the Green Star," Nargyll said promptly. "And the oxygen tanks. Did you empty them?" "I let them hiss." Nargyll's grin was sharkish. "News to you, eh, Morones? Your officer's corpse has probably dropped into the sun by this time. Tell me, why did you drive him off?" Morones sagged perceptibly. To gain a little time he said truthfully: