"No--the Pink one. We're still not far enough in. Your father's murderer was waiting for us somewhere inside. He's following us now." * * * * * Nathan was filled with pain for either he had slain Tabor unjustly or else he would shortly kill him to avenge the murder of his father. The ramp leveled out shortly and they made a sharp turn. Then Firebird halted. "This is where we stop. Be careful. He's behind us somewhere." "Yes, right behind you." Out of the darkness came the unmistakable voice of Tabor. Nathan whirled, reaching for his guns, but Firebird gave him a mighty shove that sent him sprawling into the corner of a deep niche in the cavern wall. "I thought you went to Venus," Nathan gasped in hate and rage. "What do you want, Tabor?" "The Jewels of Chamar. I'm your friend and your father's friend, Nathan, but first I'm a spaceman, and the Jewels of Chamar are above all friendship to a spaceman. Still, I'm an honorable man. I'll fight you for them, Nathan." "Why didn't you just shoot us in the back as you did my father?" "Why will you misunderstand me, Nathan? I had to do what I did to force Thymar to reveal where he had hidden the Jewels of Venus. He always said it was better for just one man to know that at a time. I agreed with him, but it was too bad that we didn't have the same man in mind." "You dirty killer--" "He'll accept your challenge on one condition," said Firebird. "Provided that you place the Pink Jewel in here in a pile with the others." "You'll accept on no conditions at all!" roared Tabor, "if I say so. But I'd rather like to see them all together. Put them on the floor." Firebird placed the five Jewels on the floor. Their rainbow phosphorescence seemed to Nathan to be a living force that touched him with strength and with peace. From his hiding place behind a jagged boulder Tabor threw in the Pink Jewel and it landed beside the others. "Now, I've got something to fight for--!" Firebird's flame lance aimed at the point where she had first seen the glowing Pink Jewel. A bubble of flame exploded. Tabor's bellowing laugh ended in a roar of anger. "I'd know your touch anywhere, Firebird. Your honor was born in a pig pen." Nathan tried to sense the direction of the sound. Then he aimed the rifle carefully. A ball of flame spattered upon the boulder and washed over its edges. He engraved the lighted scene in his mind. "That was you, Nathan? You remember well what I told you about blackout combat. Use the rifle to illuminate the scene of battle. That is good. But do you remember what a rifle flame will do in a small space?" Instantly, a rifle flame sped towards them. It blasted against the wall of the niche and flowed around in a sheet of blinding whiteness that gave off an intolerable heat before it died. Nathan and Firebird crouched low at opposite sides of the opening.