"You?" said Jaro grimly. "You are going to be the star witness in the greatest case on Landovitch's record." He paused, added; "for which you might get off with a light sentence--say five years." The red-headed singer obdurately set her mouth. Landovitch looked startled. * * * * * Jaro turned to the T.I.S. agent. "You heard the Colonel say that Karfial Hodes was to be the goat for the fake revolution. There was only one fly in Peet's ointment. As long as Karfial Hodes was alive, he could present himself before the Earth Congress, denounce the revolution, and the whole scheme would blow up like a dum-dum shell. Hodes simply had to be put out of the way. But the Mercurian patriot couldn't be found. Peet was desperate. His campaign of propaganda had been started. That was when I was called in." "I never wanted to call you," the red-headed singer broke out. "I told Albert he was a fool, that you were utterly unpredictable." "By the way," said Jaro, "why did Karfial Hodes have you abducted?" She shrugged. "He had the wind up, but he didn't know Albert Peet was behind the scene. He had learned, though, that I was one of the principal agents. He wanted to question me. I suppose he thought he might as well keep me out of mischief while he had me." "Red," said Jaro coldly and catching the girl's eye. "Where is Joan Webb?" "Joan Webb?" The Red Witch's eyes narrowed. "I suppose you mean that attractive brunette my men caught in the secret passages of Nemi's Temple when they came to release me." Jaro said nothing. The red-headed singer looked frightened, but determined. "She's my ace in the hole!" Jaro took a step toward her. "Don't touch me," she cried, "you'll never get her if you do!" He halted in mid-stride. Landovitch said: "Turn State's evidence. I can guarantee you complete amnesty." "Not just a light sentence?" "Complete amnesty," he assured her. She hesitated, said, "Your words." "You've my word," said Jaro. His voice was cold. "I don't threaten, Red, but if she's been harmed you won't come to trial." The girl pulled her eyes from Jaro's, turned to Landovitch. "Yours," she said, "yours too." "I give you my word, of course," he replied. With a sigh of relief she sank back in her chair. "In there, boys." She motioned towards a door at the left of the chamber. Jaro sprang forward, swung it open, revealed a large closet. Joan Webb, gagged, bound to a chair, regarded him from wide brown eyes. Behind him, the red-haired singer burst into laughter. "She's been there all the time," she laughed. "You were bound to have found her. Jaro, Jaro, that was the most magnificent bluff I've ever pulled. And you fell for it. You, Jaro Moynahan, fell for it." * * * * *