The other licked his lips. His fingers clenched, unclenched, gripped tight. "I don't know!" he protested. His eyes widened as he saw the Hawk's left hand stir slightly, and he started as he heard the whip-like word: "Talk!" "Carse. I swear it! No one knows where he is. When he wants to see me personally, he comes out of darkness--out of empty space. I don't know whether it's done by invisibility or the fourth dimension, but one moment his ship's not there; the next it is; I don't know where his base is; and if he knew I'd told you what I have, he'd--" "How do you arrange your meetings, then?" "They're always in a different place. The next is in seven days. I don't remember the figures: they're in the log of my ship." Carse nodded. "All right. I believe you. And now--there are a few accounts to be settled." * * * * * During the few minutes the Hawk had questioned Judd, the brigand crew in the cabin had stood silent, their breath bated, their eyes watching fascinated. But now they started, and shifted uneasily. They suspected what was coming. The inexorable, seemingly inhuman adventurer went on emotionlessly: "Six of my men were killed on Iapetus, treacherously, without a chance. Four more were slaughtered by the fungus. That's ten. Back up to your men, Judd." Judd knew all too well what that order portended. He could not move. His cunning eyes protruded with fear as they shifted down and riveted on the shabby holster that hung on Carse's left side. His breath came unevenly, in short, ragged gasps through parted lips. "Back, Judd!" The stinging, icy force of the voice jolted him back despite his will. One short retreating step after another he took, until at length he was standing with his three men against the side wall of the cabin, the dividing line between it and the engine room. Friday's guns were still covering the pirates. "You goin' to shoot us down in cold blood?" one of them asked hoarsely. The Hawk surveyed the speaker until the man shivered. Beneath their coldness, his gray eyes were faintly contemptuous. "No--I leave that for yellow-streaked hi-jacking rats such as you. I'm going to give you a chance: more than a chance. Friday," he called. "Yes, suh?" "Do you want to come in on this?" Without the slightest hesitation the negro answered, grinning: "Yes, suh!" "I thought you would. Come here alongside me, then sheathe your guns." Friday did so. He stood in position beside his master, just in front of the opening that led below. The four brigands were some fifteen feet away. The two groups faced each other squarely. "Good," whispered Carse. * * * * *