"In that case," said Jake, his grey eyes flickering like chalcedony, "we'll make a new hole." * * * * * They landed on Japetus. "Now, one of us has to deliver the ultimatum," said Jake. "One of us has to go back to Titan and tell them our terms." "Isn't that pretty risky?" said Matt. "They'll hold that guy hostage." "No, we aren't doing it that way." Jake withdrew an envelope from his coat. "We just get there and mail this registered letter to the city manager. It says, deliver the money to Hyperion, and no monkey business or we destroy the oxygen. That means, the city dies if anyone tries to tail us or pull a double cross." "They won't take a chance when so many lives are at stake," said Henry. "And we'll each make ten million on the deal." "All right," said Matt. "Which of us goes?" Jake cut up three slips of paper. "Let's draw lots," he suggested. "That's the fairest way." Henry drew the assignment. "Be sure to bring back some whiskey," said Matt. "We forgot to lay in a supply." Henry took off for Titan. Jake turned to Matt. "Look," he said, "I arranged it so Henry would take the letter because I wanted to talk to you. When you come right down to it, Matt, what need do we have for three people in the deal?" Matt slowly nodded his thick black head of hair, as comprehension spread over his features. "With just two people to divide up the pot, our shares would be fifteen million apiece," said Jake. "And less chance of getting caught afterwards," Matt added. They shook hands. Henry returned from Titan eight hours later. "I mailed the letter," he said. "And I bought the whiskey." "Good," said Matt, "pour us all a drink." Henry started to uncork the bottle. Jake and Matt reached for their guns and shot him simultaneously. A look of bewilderment crossed his baby face as he fell dead. The whiskey bottle tipped over, but Matt retrieved it quickly, before more than half had spilled. With an amused look at the dead partner, he lifted the bottle to his lips and took a deep swig. Matt handed the bottle to Jake, who drank several ounces. But his enjoyment was interrupted by a bleating sound from the ship's proximity alarm. "There's another ship nearby!" said Jake in alarm. A rocket ship appeared suddenly overhead. "That's a police ship from Titan!" Matt exclaimed. "But how on Saturn could they have known we were here?" "They must have trailed Henry. That stupid fool probably took his time about buying the whiskey, and the letter got delivered before he left Titan!" He strode to the ship's radio. "It won't do them any good, though. I'll tell 'em I'll blast the entire cargo if they land!" Abruptly, Jake felt a sharp pain in his belly. His throat and windpipe were dry, terribly dry and scorched. "What's wrong with me?" he exclaimed. Then he turned to see Matt doubled over in agony. "The whiskey," Matt whispered hoarsely. "Henry...." "Poisoned!" Jake gasped. "The dirty double-crosser!"