"That describes Kaarji, all right," Conley nodded emphatically. "Jim, three times in the past year he's left here abruptly and trekked alone up into those Polar wastes. He'd be gone for days and then show up here again, exhausted and brooding, as if he'd just missed his goal. And the last time was with Frank Landor. That mean anything to you?" Jim shook his head puzzledly. "Now I wonder," Conley murmured, "what he always finds so interesting up there in that wilderness?" "Probably doesn't find anything. Maybe he's only--seeking. Perpetually seeking." "Seeking M'Tonak?" "Maybe." Conley scoffed. "Now what would Kaarji do with the emerald of M'Tonak if he did find it? Of what value would it be to _any_ Martian, to the whole dying Martian race?" "Maybe it isn't the emerald the Martians are interested in." Conley was startled, glanced sharply at him, but Jim kept his eyes on the huge bulk of Kaarji ahead. They reached the black cliffs and entered a narrow defile that led gradually upward, tortuously. The rock was a soft, igneous basalt which at times made footing extremely hazardous. After an hour of this Kaarji stopped abruptly in a level place. They leaned thankfully against the cliff wall, and stared out upon the curving gleam of the Red Desert far below. There the hazes of pinkish dust were beginning to drift and the sun was beginning to bite. They continued when Kaarji continued. An hour later the air had become a chilling blast sweeping down the widening ravine. Luckily the ascent was becoming less steep as they neared the top. It levelled off into a shallow little gorge, then they were beyond that, emerging out onto the plateau. Scattered patches of dark rocky terrain showed here, where green growing things struggled pitifully to maintain a meagre existence. Less than a mile away the real Cap began, dazzling white and forbidding. Reaching there, the two sleds were assembled in a few minutes. The five who were to make the trip now readjusted their packs and put on the priceless coats of Praaka fur, unbelievably light and cold repelling. They also painstakingly tightened the high fabricord leggings Conley had insisted they wear. Jim wondered why, but asked no questions as he followed suit. The supplies were on the sleds, but each man carried a fully charged electro-pistol and a small, light metal tank strapped to his side. "Acid spray," Conley explained laconically. "Don't worry, you'll realize the use for it before long." * * * * * Now the real trip began. "Kaarji, you and Lewis take the first sled," Conley instructed. "We'll follow." The Martian nodded. The motors purred and the sleds moved slowly away.