"We'll go to the rescue of Inverness and Brady, of course. Mr. Correy, place Tipene under arrest, and bring him here at once. Mr. Kincaide, take over the ship; give orders to set her down where we were. And you, Mr. Hendricks, will take personal command of the forward ray tubes." My officers sprang to obey orders, and I paced restlessly up and down the room, thinking. Just as the _Ertak_ settled softly to earth, Correy returned with his prisoner. Two men stood on guard with drawn atomic pistols at the door. "What's the meaning of this indignity, sir?" flared Tipene. He had dressed hurriedly, and was by no means an imposing spectacle. He drew himself up to his full height, and tried to look domineering, but there was fear in his eyes. "I shall report you--" "You'll do no reporting, Tipene," I broke in coldly. "I'll do the reporting. You see, we know all about your little plan to desert your comrades, held by the Aranians as hostages, and to grasp all the glory of your findings for yourself. But--the plan doesn't work. We're going back." * * * * * Tipene's face drained a dirty yellow--a Zenian can never be actually pale. "You ... how...." he floundered. "A menore, under your pillow," I explained crisply. "But that doesn't matter, now. You will guide us to the spot where you found the Aranian city, and establish communication with the Aranians. When that's done, I'll give you further orders." "And if I won't?" breathed Tipene, his teeth clenched in a shaking rage. "But you will. Otherwise, we'll permit you to continue your explorations on this interesting little sphere--minus your protective suit." Tipene stared at me with horror-stricken eyes. I think he saw that I meant exactly what I said--and I was not bluffing. "I--I'll do it," he said. "Then watch the river carefully," I ordered. "Kincaide, lift her just enough so we can get a good view of the river. Tipene will tell you where to set her down." Navigating visually, Kincaide followed the winding course of the river, covering in a few minutes a distance it had taken the scientists a day to navigate. "There--there is the place," said Tipene suddenly. "Just this side of the patch of vegetation." "Very good. And remember what happens if you play any tricks," I nodded grimly. "Descend to within a few yards of the ground, Mr. Kincaide; we'll drop Tipene through the trap." Correy hurried the prisoner away, and I ordered the trap in the bottom of the _Ertak's_ hull to be opened.