"Kane," said Mantley, "there may be nothing to this wild yarn. But to stop any wild talk on the part of observers here, I'm going to investigate thoroughly." "Please do. I'm certain that it will kill any rumors. Guy went through part of the Martian idea of torture, I think, and it may have deranged his mind somewhat." "I'll look into it," said Mantley. "We can permit no ugly rumor to mar the record of Guy Maynard," insisted Kane. "He is too high a figure now to permit rumors--and there are those who would spread such rumors." Mantley nodded. "Some of them are here, and they have heard." "You don't mind a bit of scorn?" "Of what kind?" "My publications will break this, of course. We'll do it in the light of an investigation made over the statements made in jest by Sector Marshal Maynard. You may find yourself an object of some scorn since you are willing to accept the prattlings of a slightly-drunken man, suffering from battle-shock, as basis for a formal investigation." "If you'll paint me as an unwilling investigator, I'll take it." "Well," smiled Kane, "you are unwilling, I know. You'll be portrayed as a friend of Maynard's who is forced to investigate and is doing so only because your duty to the Patrol insists that you do. Correct?" "Yes. But let's get it over with. I wouldn't want this dragged out too far." XIV. Guy Maynard faced the President of the Court, who said to him: "Maynard, your story is absurd. That you spent a year on an unknown planet sounds impossible. But--there is one bit of evidence which, if you can explain, will be discarded. Early medical records claim that you have a MacMillan burn beneath your right arm. It is further stated that if this scar is not removed, it will turn into cancer. No record can be found of its removal--yet it is gone. To clear yourself, name the surgeon that removed the dangerous scar." Maynard blinked. He'd forgotten the scar entirely. It had been a minute speck that had never given him a bit of trouble. "The record states that you got that scar at age twenty-two. You were a junior aide at the time, and you received the burn in a fight with the Martians during the Martio-Terran Incident." He'd gotten it before he went to Ertene! "Can you recall the name of the doctor?" Guy shook his head. "I can not believe that you would visit a disreputable doctor for such treatment when the Base doctor is available--and the expense is no answer. Having received the wound in service, its treatment is a responsibility of the government. Yet we have searched the records of all reputable doctors and find no mention." Guy shook his head again.