Part 5 (2/2)

”A pleasant voyage so far,” he said to me as he started his meal. His voice had the heavy, throaty rasp characteristic of the Martian. He spoke perfect English--both Martians and Venus people are by heritage extraordinary linguists. Miko and his sister Moa, had a touch of Martian accent, worn almost away by living for some years in Greater New York.

The shock to me came within a few minutes. Miko, absorbed in attacking his meal, inadvertently pushed back his robe to bare his forearm. An instant only, then it dropped to his wrist. But in that instant I had seen, upon the gray flesh, a thin sear turned red. A very recent burn--as though a pencil ray of heat had caught his arm.

My mind flung back. Only last night in the city corridor, Snap and I had been followed by a Martian. I had shot at him with a heat ray: I thought I had hit him on the arm. Was this the mysterious Martian who had followed us from Halsey's office?

V

Shortly after that midday meal I encountered Venza sitting on the starlit deck. I had been in the bow observatory; taken my routine castings of our position and worked them out. I was, I think, of the _Planetara's_ officers the most expert handler of the mathematical calculators. The locating of our position and charting the trajectory of our course was, under ordinary circ.u.mstances, about all I had to do. And it took only a few minutes every twelve hours.

I had a moment with Carter in the isolation of his chart room.

”This voyage! Gregg, I'm getting like you--too fanciful. We've a normal group of pa.s.sengers apparently, but I don't like the look of any of them. That Ob Hahn, at your table--”

”Snaky looking fellow,” I commented. ”He and the Englishman are great on arguments. Did you have Princes' cabin searched?”

My breath hung on his answer.

”Yes. Nothing unusual among his things. We searched both his room and his sister's.”

I did not follow that up. Instead I told him about the burn on Miko's thick arm.

He stared. ”I wish we were at Ferrok-Shahn. Gregg, tonight when the pa.s.sengers are asleep, come here to me. Snap will be here, and Dr.

Frank. We can trust him.”

”He knows about--about the Grantline treasure?”

”Yes. And so do Balch and Blackstone.” Balch and Blackstone were our first and second officers.

”We'll all meet here, Gregg--say about the zero hour. We must take some precautions.”

Then he dismissed me.

I found Venza seated alone in a starlit corner of the secluded deck. A porthole, with the black heavens and the blazing stars was before her.

There was an empty seat nearby.

She greeted me with the Venus form of jocular, intimate greeting:

”Hola-lo, Gregg! Sit here with me. I have been wondering when you would come after me.”

I sat down beside her. ”Why are you going to Mars, Venza? I'm glad to see you.”

”Many thanks. But I am glad to see you, Gregg. So handsome a man. Do you know, from Venus to Earth, and I have no doubt on all of Mars, no man will please me more.”

”Glib tongue,” I laughed. ”Born to flatter the male--every girl of your world.” And I added seriously, ”You don't answer my question.

What takes you to Mars?”

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