I said, "Aren't you afraid to leave this stored here?" I knew that this pile of ingots--the quicksilver in its radiumized form--was worth four or five hundred thousand dollars in American gold-coin at the very least. * * * * * Spawn shrugged. "Who would attack it? But of course I will be glad to be rid of it. It is a great responsibility--even though it carries international insurance, to protect my and the Nareda Government share." He was sealing up the heavy barred portals of the little strong-room. There was an alarm-detector, connected with the office of Nareda's police commander. Spawn set the alarm carefully. "I have every safeguard, Grant. There is really no danger." He added, as though with sudden thought. "Except possibly one--a depth bandit named De Boer. Ever you have heard of him?" "Yes. I have." We climbed into Spawn's small automatic vehicle. The lights of the mine faded behind us as we coasted the winding road down to the village. "De Boer," said Spawn. "A fellow who lives by his wits in the depths. Near here, perhaps: who knows? They say he has many followers--fifty--a hundred, perhaps--outlaws: a cut-belly band it must be." "Didn't he once take a hand in Nareda's politics?" I suggested. Spawn guffawed. "That is so. He was once what they called a patriot here. He thought he might be made President. But Markes ran him out. Now he is a bandit. I have believe that American mail-ship which sank last year in the cauldron north of the Nares Sea--you remember how it was attacked by bandits?--I have always believe that was De Boer's band." * * * * * We rolled back to Nareda. Spawn's manner had again changed. He seemed even more friendly than before. More at his ease with me. We had supper, and smoked together in his living room for half an hour afterward. But my thoughts were more on Jetta than on her father. There was still no evidence of her about the premises. Ah, if I only had known what had taken place there at Spawn's that afternoon while I was at the mine! Soon after supper Spawn yawned. "I think I shall go to bed." His glance was inquiring. "What are you going to do?" I stood up. "I'll go to bed, too. Markes wants to see me early in the morning. You'll be there, Spawn?" "Yes. We will go together." It was still no more than eight o'clock in the evening. Spawn followed me to my bedroom, and left me at its door. "Sleep well. I will call you in time." "Thanks, Spawn." I wondered if there were irony in his voice as he said good night. No one could have told. * * * * *