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Whatever Kane's activities were, they must show a profit.

    The cage came to a gentle halt. " This way, please, gentlemen," said Dreebly. He led the way into a short alleyway, to a door with a sign, captain, written above it. The door opened, admitting them into a spacious day cabin. Drongo Kane rose from an easy chair to greet them, but did not offer to shake hands.

    He was as tall as his lanky bean pole of a mate, but there was a little more flesh on his bones. He moved with a decisive sort of grace, like an efficient hunting animal. He wasted no time on courtesies.

    "Well, Commander Grimes?" he demanded.

    "Captain Kane, I thought that we might combine forces . . . ."

    "Did you, now? You've very kindly seen me down to the surface in one piece—not that I needed you—an' now you can go and play soldiers off by yourself, somewhere."

    Grimes's prominent ears flamed. He was aware that Captain Philby and the Marine were looking at him, were thinking, What's the old man going to say (or do) now? Well, what was the old man (Grimes) going to say (or do) now?

    He said, "I represent the Federation, Captain."

    "An' this planet, Commander, is not a Federated World."

    "Yet," said Grimes.

    "If ever," said Kane.

    "I was sent here by the Federation . . ." Grimes began again.

    "To claim this planet—possibly against the wishes of its people?"

    "To conduct a survey."

    "Then conduct your survey. I'm not stoppin' you."

    "But I'm responsible for your safety, and that of your ship, Captain. You're a citizen of Austral, a Federated World, and your vessel's port of registry is Port Southern, on that planet."

    "I don't need any snotty nosed Space Scouts to see me across the road."

    "Maybe you don't, Captain Kane—but you're here, and I'm here, and I am obliged to carry out my duties to the best of my ability."

    "Cor stiffen the bleedin' crows!" swore Kane disgustedly. Then, to somebody who had come in silently and was standing behind Grimes, "Yes, Myra?"

    Grimes turned. So this was the Myra Bracegirdle of whom Hayakawa had talked. She was a tall girl, but thin rather than slender (this Southerly Buster must be a poor feeding ship), her face with its too prominent bones, too wide mouth and too big, dark eyes framed by silky blonde hair.

    She said, "A word with you, Captain. Alone."

    "Oh, don't worry about the Space Scouts, Myra. They're here to look after us. We have no secrets from them ."

    "They are on the way here, Captain. They saw the ships land. They have heard about spaceships, of course, but have never seen one . . . ."

    And what about Corgi? Grimes asked himself. But she could have landed on the other side of the world from here.

    He said, "Captain Kane, do you mind if I call my ship?"

    "Go ahead, Commander. This is Liberty Hall; you can spit on the mat and call the cat a bastard."

    But as Grimes was raising his wrist transceiver to his mouth it buzzed sharply, then Saul's voice issued from the little instrument. "First lieutenant here, Captain. Mr. Hayakawa reports that parties of natives are approaching the landing site from both villages."

    "I'll be right back," said Grimes.

    "Don't let me keep you," said Kane. "Mr. Dreebly, please show these gentlemen off the premises."

    "Oh, Captain," Grimes said, pausing in the doorway, "I shall take a very dim view if you act in a hostile manner toward the natives."

    "And what if they act in a hostile manner toward me?"

    "That," said Grimes, "will be different."

8

    Grimes did not hurry back to his own ship, neither did he dawdle. He would have liked to have hurried, but was aware that Kane would be watching him. He walked at a moderately brisk pace, with Philby at his side and the other Marines marching after them.

    "Sir," asked Philby, "do you think they'll be hostile?"

    "Corgi's crew didn't find them so, Captain Philby. But she landed on another part of the planet, among different people. We'll just have to play it by ear . . . ."

    "A show of