"Why do you _permit_ such liberties with the men you rule?" she asked. Schutler laughed delightedly, the sound rolling and booming. "A new convert, Curt?" he said, then laughed again, and swept the startled girl into the circle of his arms. "Welcome to the snake's den," he finished happily. Jean gasped in amazement, fought unsuccessfully to free herself from the burly arms, then subsided in a gale of infectious laughter. The Falcon grinned, tugged her free. "You've met Schutler," he said. "This bald-headed old space-buzzard is Crandal, better known as the Encyclopedia. And this other is Jericho Jones, my number one mate." The wizened man bobbed his head nervously. "Glad to know you, Miss," he said. "Now, Curt, about those reports." "Howdedo, Miss," Jericho said, smiled toothily. Schutler shoved forward. "How was the kid brother, Curt? Is he still dishing out the--" His voice trailed away, his gaze flicking about the group. "Sorry, Curt," he finished gently. "He was a good man." The Falcon swallowed painfully, forced a smile, wincing a bit from the hands of the men where they touched his arms. "He made his choice," he said slowly, and the words were like an eulogy. He shrugged. "Take Jean to the women's quarters, Schutler," he finished unemotionally. "Later, she and I will dine together." He made an almost imperceptible gesture with one hand, and the giant's eyes widened in surprise. "Sure, Curt," Schutler agreed. "We'll walk part-way with you." "I don't think--" Jean began, then fell silent. The Falcon grinned. "Everything's under control," he said reassuringly. "There are plenty of Earth women there. They'll fix you up with clothes or whatever you need." "Thank you, Falcon," Jean said, but fear was flickering again in her blue-green eyes. They walked down a gentle ramp, crossed on a suspended walk to a web-tier that hugged one wall of the gigantic room. Jean peered about in quiet excitement, open amazement in her face when she saw the hundreds of fighting ships cradled in rows. She watched the men that worked with a methodical thoroughness upon the gleaming hulls, fitting the coppery muzzles of space-cannon into place. Carts darted here and there on soundless wheels, carrying supplies to piles that never grew, because other men immediately and without hurry emptied the piles in steady streams into the holds of waiting ships. Long radi-light tubes striped the ceiling three hundred feet overhead, filled the room with the clear yellow glow of Earth sunlight. There was an air of competence and efficiency about the scene that was compellingly impressive. "A _throg_!" Jean gasped in sudden terror. * * * * *