Part 18 (2/2)

I paused after this glib outburst. Whatever may have been in Miko's mind, I cannot say. But abruptly he stood up. I had left my bunk but he waved me back.

”Sit down. I am not like Moa. I would not trust you just because you protested you would be loyal.” He picked up his cylinder. ”We will talk again.” He gestured to the scrolls he had left upon my desk.

”Work on those. I will judge you by the results.”

He was no fool, this brigand leader.

”Yes,” I agreed. ”You want a true course to the asteroid?”

”Yes. And by the G.o.ds, I warn you, I can check up on you!”

I said meekly, ”Very well. But you ask Prince if he wants my calculations on Grantline's possibilities.”

I shot Miko a foxy look as he stood by the door. I added, ”You think you are clever. There is plenty you don't know. Our first night out from Earth--Grantline's signals--didn't it ever occur to you that I might have some figures on his treasure?”

It startled him. ”Where are they?”

I tapped my forehead. ”You don't suppose I was foolish enough to record them. You ask Prince if he wants to talk to me. A hundred million, or two hundred million--it would make a big difference, Miko.”

”I will think about it.” He backed out and sealed the door upon me.

But Anita did not come. I verified Hahn's figures, which were very nearly correct. I charted a course for the asteroid; it was almost the one which had been set.

Coniston came for my results. ”I say, we are not so bad as navigators, are we? I think we're jolly good, considering our inexperience. Not bad at all, eh?”

”No.”

I did not think it wise to ask him about Prince.

”Are you hungry, Haljan?”

”Yes.”

A steward came with a meal. The saturnine Hahn stood at my door with a weapon upon me while I ate. They were taking no chances and they were wise not to.

The day pa.s.sed. Day and night, all the same of aspect here in the starry vault of s.p.a.ce. But with the s.h.i.+p's routine it was day. And then another time of sleep. I slept fitfully, worrying, trying to plan. Within a few hours we would be nearing the asteroid.

The time of sleep was nearly pa.s.sed. My chronometer marked five A.M.

original Earth starting time. The seal of my cubby door hissed. The door slowly opened.

Anita!

She stood there with her cloak around her. A distance away on the shadowed deck Coniston was loitering.

”Anita!” I whispered it.

”Gregg, dear!”

She turned and gestured to the watching brigand. ”I will not be long, Coniston.”

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