He stopped before them, and leaned forward with both hands on top of his cane. His chin almost rested on his hands as he peered around at them. None of the men moved or spoke. Jim, who was nearest, was fascinated by that grayish leathery face criss-crossed with thousands of tiny lines, in which were set, like jewels, four unwinking black eyes incongruously bright and alert with cunning. There was an uncanny aura of evil about this bent little Martian, an evil made audible as he spoke: "There are only four of you--and one Martian. Strange, I thought there were more. But it is all right. Four Earthmen, intelligent Earthmen too. Earthmen are always welcome here." He pointedly ignored Kaarji and turned his eyes upon Jim. Then he chuckled, as though with secret glee. It was a dry metallic wheeze that reminded Jim of an empty rocket tube when the fuel is burned out. Jim was glad of the comfortable weight of his electro-pistol in his pocket. "My name is Jim Landor," he said. "Who are you, and why were we brought here? Did you have anything to do with it?" The old Martian gave a quirk of a smile as if faintly amused by Jim's impetuosity. But he answered the questions promptly and in order. "My name? It is Bhruulo. Here I am the Overseer--the Co-ordinator--call it what you will. As to why you were brought here, did you not seek M'Tonak, as have innumerable men in ages past? Now you have attained M'Tonak, and you should thank me. Yes, it was I who sent the surface car for you. I send it for all men who come far into the Polar Cap." "You still haven't explained why we were brought here." "That," Bhruulo said with a tinge of sarcasm, "I am sure you will learn from the others far better than you could from me." "Then there are _others_ here!" "Yes, there are others. You need not fear, you are free to come and go here as you please. I give you--M'Tonak! But you will excuse me now, I must leave you. I am sure you will find--the others." With that, the old Martian whirled upon his cane and hurried across the plaza in the direction whence he had come. * * * * * "Wait a minute, lad," Conley put out a restraining hand as Jim leaped forward. "Let him play his game for the time being. Let's see where his hangout is, so we can find him later." They watched as Bhruulo, without a backward glance, entered a columnaded building that was different from the others by reason of its imposing height. Jim nodded and decided to remember that building. "Now, Jim, let's find those others he speaks of. There are other Earthmen here, I'm convinced of it now." Conley had begun to lose his skepticism of M'Tonak--now that he had found it!--and his eyes were agleam with a growing excitement.