That cloak--it had been hidden in Miko's room when Carter searched for it in A20--was now in the chart-room by Johnson's body. It had been repaired now; Anita thought she could get possession of it. * * * * * We worked out the details of the plan. Anita would arm herself, and come and release me. Together, with a paralyzing ray, we could creep aboard the ship, overcome these brigands one by one. There were so few of the leaders. With them felled, and with us in control of the turret and the helio-room we could force the crew to stay at their posts. There were, Anita said, no navigators among Miko's crew. They would not dare oppose us. "But it should be done at once, Anita. In a few hours we will be at the asteroid." "Yes. I will go now--try and get the weapons." "Where is Snap?" "Still in the helio-room. One of the crew guards him." Coniston was roaming the ship; he was still loitering on the deck, watching our door. Hahn was in the turret. The morning watch of the crew were at their posts in the hull-corridors; the stewards were preparing a morning meal. There were nine members of subordinates altogether, Anita had calculated. Six of them were in Miko's pay; the other three--our own men who had not been killed in the fighting--had joined the brigands. "And Dr. Frank, Anita?" He was in the lounge. All the passengers were herded there, with Miko and Moa alternating on guard. "I will arrange it with Venza," Anita whispered swiftly. "She will tell the others. Dr. Frank knows about it now. He thinks it can be done." * * * * * The possibility of it swept me anew. The brigands were of necessity scattered singly about the ship. One by one, creeping under cover of an invisible cloak, I could fell them, and replace them without alarming the others. My thoughts leaped to it. We would strike down the guard in the helio-room. Release Snap. At the turret we could assail Hahn, and replace him with Snap. Coniston's voice outside broke in upon us. "Prince." He was coming forward. Anita stood in the doorway. "I have the figures, Coniston. By God, this Haljan is with us! And clever! We think it will total a hundred and thirty millions. What a stake!" She whispered, "Gregg, dear--I'll be back soon. We can do it--be ready." "Anita--be careful of yourself! If they should suspect you...." "I'll be careful. In an hour, Gregg, or less, I'll come back. All right, Coniston. Where is Miko? I want to see him. Stay where you are, Haljan! All in good time Miko will trust you with your liberty. You'll be rich like us all, never fear." She swaggered out upon the deck, waved at the brigand, and banged my cubby door in my face. I sat upon my bunk. Waiting. Would she come back? Would she be successful? CHAPTER XVI _In the Blue-lit Corridor_