My mind was on Miko's plans. I ventured, "This treasure on the Moon--did you say it was on the Moon?" "Don't play the fool," he retorted. "I know as much about Grantline as you do." "That's very little." "Perhaps." "Perhaps you know more, Miko. The Moon is a big place. Where, for instance, is Grantline located?" I held my breath. Would he tell me that? A score of questions--vague plans were in my mind. How skilled at mathematics were these brigands? Miko, Coniston, Hahn--could I fool them? If I could learn Grantline's location on the Moon, and keep the _Planetara_ away from it. A pretended error of charting. Time lost--and perhaps Snap could find an opportunity to signal Earth, get help. Miko answered my question as bluntly as I asked it. "I don't know where Grantline is located. But we will find out. He will not suspect the _Planetara_ so when we get close to the Moon, we will signal and ask him. We can trick him into telling us. You think I do not know what is on your mind, Haljan? There is a secret code of signals arranged between Dean and Grantline. I have forced Dean to confess it. Without torture! Prince helped me in that. He persuaded Dean not to defy me. A very persuasive fellow, George Prince. More diplomatic than I am. I give him credit for that." I strove to hold my voice calm. "If I should join you, Miko--my word, if I ever gave it, you would find dependable--I would say George Prince is very valuable to us. You should rein your temper. He is half your size--you might some time, without intention, do him injury." He laughed. "Moa says so. But have no fear--" "I was thinking," I persisted. "I'd like to have a talk with George Prince." Ah, my pounding, tumultuous heart! But I was smiling calmly. And I tried to put into my voice a shrewd note of cupidity. "I really know very little about this treasure, Miko. If there were a million or two of gold leaf in it for me--" "Perhaps there would be." "Suppose you let me have a talk with Prince? I have some scientific knowledge myself about the powers of this catalyst. Prince's knowledge and mine--we might be able to come to a calculation on the value of Grantline's treasure. You don't know. You are only assuming." I paused after this glib outburst. Whatever may have been in Miko's mind, I cannot say. But abruptly he stood up. I had left my bunk but he waved me back. "Sit down. I am not like Moa. I would not trust you just because you protested you would be loyal." He picked up his cylinder. "We will talk again." He gestured to the scrolls he had left upon my desk. "Work on those. I will judge you by the results." He was no fool, this brigand leader. "Yes," I agreed. "You want a true course to the asteroid?" "Yes. And by the gods, I warn you, I can check up on you!" I said meekly, "Very well. But you ask Prince if he wants my calculations on Grantline's possibilities."