"Thanks, Irving," said Jaro without removing his eyes from the elderly Venusian or the red-headed singer. The Venusian, he noticed, had two blue stars tattooed on his forehead. Probably, Jaro thought, he was the leader of the mercenaries. The Venusian said, "That was a very neat shot," in perfect English. He turned to Jaro. "I think we have met before." Jaro frowned. "In the services of Chaldmar, Zealot of the Venusian state of Zeld," the Fazoql prompted. "You were Captain of the Imperial Guard at the time." Jaro's eyes lighted with recognition. "Certainly, Colonel. How stupid of me. I'm really very sorry that we're on opposing factions." "Fortunes of war," the Colonel smiled. "Though with Albert Peet dead the game is up, anyway." * * * * * During the conversation the Red Witch's green eyes had first widened, then narrowed. "You getting ready to sell me out, Colonel?" she asked angrily. The Venusian turned to her, said, "Miss Mikail, I couldn't possibly sell you out. I was never cognizant of any contract between us. My men were hired by Albert Peet. So were yours. With him dead, our bargain ends." "Colonel," said Jaro, "would you mind telling me what was the nature of your agreement with Peet." "Not at all," said the Venusian. "We were hired to fake a revolution--a convincing revolution, you understand--in order that the Earth Congress would abandon the idea of giving the Mercurians their independence. Mr. Peet, I believe, had extensive holdings here that would have been jeopardized had the Mercurians recovered their freedom." Landovitch whistled softly. "Who wrecked the offices of the Latonka Trust?" asked Jaro. The Venusian smiled. "That was my idea. An artistic touch to divert suspicion. You see, before the Earth forces could arrive my men were to escape aboard a space liner. The entire blame for the revolution was to be cast on Karfial Hodes." "Colonel," said Jaro, "I regret the necessity very much, but I'm going to ask you to command your men to lay down their arms." The old Venusian smiled, said: "Hardly that, Captain. As I said before, with Albert Peet dead, so is the revolution. Our job is done. If you'll be good enough to excuse me I'll recall my men and get them aboard the space liner." He stood up slowly. For a moment the two men were silent, then Jaro moved aside from the door. "Good luck, Colonel. You know that you'll be outlawed by the Earth Congress." "Yes," said the Colonel. "Thanks for the sporting chance." He shook hands with Jaro, nodded to Landovitch, passed out the door. "I suppose you know what you're doing," said Landovitch when he was gone. "Don't be so conscientious," Jaro grinned. "You couldn't arrest all the Venusian mercenaries by yourself. The Earth Patrol can hunt them down. Anyway, I owed the old gentleman that. If it hadn't been for him I still would be rotting in a Venusian jail." "What about me?" said the Red Witch.