She nodded and started to say something, but before she could answer, he said: "Okay; I'll tell you. We--you and I, and all the others of the Group--are being led by the nose. Skardoth is using us for his own purposes." Rapidly, he explained what he knew about the leader of the group. When he had finished, he held his breath. If the girl didn't believe him-- Elizabeth nodded slowly. "I know," she said softly. "I've known for a long time. So have most of the others. We knew he was controlling us." Then her blue eyes flashed hatred. "But we didn't know he was framing us. We knew that what he was doing was wrong, but we didn't realize that it was Skardoth who got us into this." "Then you believe me?" he asked. She turned to him, her deep blue eyes looking straight into his. Her voice was low and whispering when she spoke. "Of course I believe you, you idiot! But what could I do? I've been on this planet a long time; nearly seventy years. I know what Skardoth wants. He wants to take over this planet and then take over the Galaxy. These people--the Earthlings--have more potential power than any other race in the universe. Given another century, they'll outdo us in almost every field. If they're on the side of the Condelari Federation, we'll be all right; but if they're on the side of Skardoth, then the Federation is helpless." Stern nodded. "That's right. The Federation has misjudged these people. The Council of Judges still thinks that they're stupid barbarians--and they're not." He took a deep breath. "We're in one hell of a jam, Liz; we've both been framed for something we haven't done. I _know_ that Skardoth is responsible for the whole thing. He must be much older than he looks. How old would you say he was?" Elizabeth shrugged. "Middle-aged, I'd say. Maybe nine hundred years." Stern shook his head. "More than that. I've been keeping tabs on what has happened here on Earth for the past few centuries. By careful analysis, I've spotted the first time that Skardoth came to this planet." He reached out and touched her hand. "He's been here for more than twelve hundred years." Her eyes narrowed. "That means that he's had some method of escape all these years. He's got an interstellar ship planted somewhere." "Sure. He framed all of us; he's managed to get all of us sent here as criminals. Liz, I tell you, he's _using_ us!" She started to say something, but, at that moment, the car radio broke into life. A harsh voice said: "Very pretty. I'm sorry to have to deal with both of you this way." It was as though Skardoth's voice had galvanized him into action. Stern heard the voice, and, before it had finished, he had opened the door of the car and flung himself out. He tried to push Elizabeth out the other way, but it was too late. Just as John Stern tumbled out of the car, a greenish-yellow cloud of radiance appeared in the front seat for a fraction of a second. When it faded, Elizabeth was gone. * * * * *