Rocky said levelly, "Not 'Doctor Roswell,' Grossman. My name is Russell. Captain Russell of the S.I.D. And it is my duty to advise you that you stand self-convicted of armed assault upon the persons of legal officers engaged in the performance of their duties. Anything you say may later be used against you." Grossman laughed. "My soul, Captain, you _are_ a cool one! Not the same man at all as the learned doctor who was afraid of firearms! It is too bad you have blundered into this situation. I rather admire your effrontery. We could have been friends, I think." "The question," said Rocky dryly, "is open to argument." Lynn Graham bridled, "This is all very high-handed, Mister Grossman, and very mysterious. What is all this talk of 'capturing' someone? What do you intend to do with us?" Grossman said soothingly, "Have no fear, Miss Graham, you will come to no harm. But I fear that for the present I shall be compelled to take you into--well, shall we call it, 'protective custody'? You see, I have--ah--_certain plans_. It would not do for these plans to be overthrown at the final moment. Therefore, I must request you to be my guests until I have succeeded in gaining my objective--" "Which is," interrupted Rocky harshly, "complete control of Titan?" "Exactly, Captain Russell." "And its wealth." "And its--" Grossman stopped abruptly, the tone of his voice altering. "Ah! Then you know?" "Enough," said Russell. "Enough to warn you, Grossman, that it won't work. This isn't the first time, you know, that an individual has tried to discard interplanetary law and seize control of some rich plum. The penal colonies are full of ambitious men like yourself who thought they could defy the Space Control. But it won't work, Grossman. No man, or group of men, wields sufficient power to defeat the forces of justice and order--" Grossman chuckled again, this time delightedly. "You know a little, Captain--yes. But not enough! Titan will be mine--and soon!--because I have found an ally powerful enough to win me my demands. You doubt? Very well, you shall see for yourself. Come!" He spun to his little coterie of followers, snapped commands in the strange, guttural tongue of Titan. The oddly assorted creatures, some humanoid in form, some frighteningly animalistic, formed a rough guard about Rocky and Bud. Grossman hesitated before Lynn. "You have no protective suit? That is unfortunate. It would, of course, be fatal for you to accompany us across the sands without one. Yet I cannot permit you to go free--Grushl!" "Yes, Master?" "Take the girl to my office building in the city and keep her there until I come. She must not escape, nor may she communicate with any other humans. You understand?" "Yes, Master." "Very well. Take her away. And now, gentlemen, if you are quite ready--Forward, march!"