And his hand reached for the second control lever, that which would open the passageway between the _Liberty's_ interior and the outer darkness. But even before the activating machinery could throw the massive door open, a single voice raised above those others which muttered outside. And the words it spoke startled all the _Liberty's_ equipage into stunned immobility. For in clear, unmistakable terms, the voice repeated a single phrase in three languages ... Jovian, Solar Universal, and Amer-English. "_Phaedu m'akki; toratu'sl!... Amiji sumo; ammité!... We are friends; let us in!_" Gary gasped, "Good Lord! English!" "A trick!" Lark warned. "Don't take any chances!" But then the great door swung open. And even _he_ allowed his ready weapon to fall to his side as there stood outlined in the bright oblong of the portal a group of azure-tinted men similar in trappings and appearance to their Jovian benefactors. * * * * * Dr. Bryant choked, "Men of Jupiter! But how come _you_ here?" The leader of the newcomers, both arms widely outstretched in token of pacific intent, smiled with happiness at learning which tongue he should employ. In precise and only faintly accented English he said hesitantly, "No, not uff Jupiter, Misser. We are chilttren of the planet Gog." "Gog!" exclaimed Gary. "But that planet has not existed for--" A cloud darkened the stranger's eyes. He nodded sorrowful agreement. "For many centuries your time ... for long years, ours. Nor did any uff us here ever see our parent planet. We are the children and the children's children uff our forefathers who once ruled Magog." Warren, suddenly remembering his obligation as space captain and host, said, "Gad, this is incredible! But we can't talk here. Come into the ship where we can be comfortable while we get acquainted." The Gogean leader turned to the doorway, raised his voice to an assemblage of attendants. Muttered replies and the stirring of many bodies in the darkness betold acceptance of his command. Then, designating one or two to be his companions, he followed Warren to the _Liberty's_ lounge. And there in an ultramodern Earthly space-cruiser was held the strangest conference ever attended by humans. A conference between adventurers of two solar worlds and representatives of an alien galaxy whose ancient culture had long since vanished from mankind's ken. It was a give-and-take exchange exciting to both sides. "We haff been looking for you," said the Gogean leader, Tsalnor, "and hoping against hope we might somehow get in touch with you. When we saw your ship and recognized it to be no space vessel of the Magogean fleet, our hearts leaped with joy. Joy which increased when you landed scarce four _talus_ from our encampment." "Saw our ship?" exclaimed Nora. "In this impenetrable darkness?" * * * * *