"And it was you," challenged Muldoon, "who stumbled and fell at the Space Patrol port, almost ruining our escape? You, too, who suggested we turn back when Venus refused us _neurotrope_--" "And it was also you," said Dr. Kang gravely, "who from the engine room tampered with the controls of the force-shield on Jupiter, imperiling all our lives? You who insisted we should set our course toward Proxima Centauri rather than Sirius--" Boris Anjers, or "Borisu", as he now designated himself, bowed mockingly. But his grip was still firm upon the butt of the Haemholtz pistol, and his eyes carefully guarded against sudden movement by his erstwhile comrades. "Yes, my friends," he taunted. "It was I who did these things. Your belated recognition of my exploits is amusing ... but not significant. For it was _also_ I who, a short while ago, reset the verniers of the Jovian quadridimensional drive. In a few short moments I shall press the red key which unfolds the space warp. When that happens, success will finally crown my efforts. For in this room are gathered the half dozen Earthmen capable of staying your solar system's destruction. With your passing dies the last hope of saving your universe." O'Day's eyes were narrowed slits. He rasped dryly, "Haven't you forgotten something else, Dr. Anjers. _You_ are one of our party. When that red stud is depressed _you_ will share our fate." The Magogean traitor asked proudly, "Do you think, scavenger of the spaceways, _that_ consideration would in any way alter my act? When I was assigned to espionage service in your universe, I knew and accepted the perils of my post. The death of one Magogean is a small price to pay for the complete and final destruction of your hated empire. And now--" * * * * * A smile of fanatic triumph touched his lips as he moved toward the banked studs. But Gary, staring beyond him, had been watching with a glimmer of hope the frantic gesturings of Captain Hugh Warren. While the Magogean spy boasted, Warren had been inching toward the _Liberty's_ intercommunicating audio system. He was now but a few feet from the diaphragm over which his voice could be borne to every nook and cranny of the ship. His eyes pled desperately with Gary to stall the small Magogean a while longer. Gary answered with no sign but with action. He cried, "But Dr. Anjers--" "The name, my foolish young Quixote, is not 'Anjers' but 'Borisu'. The second name I adopted to comply with your silly Earth tradition of two names for a single entity. It is an amusing joke. In our tongue the word 'anjers' means 'the fox'." "Fox," growled Lark O'Day, "spelled r-a-t." "But tell me, Borisu," persisted Gary, "if we are to die, there can be no harm in our knowing now ... why do your people bear such fierce hatred for those of our universe?"