She nodded and started to say something, but before she could answer,
he said: "Okay; I'll tell you. We--you and I, and all the others of
the Group--are being led by the nose. Skardoth is using us for his own
purposes."
Rapidly, he explained what he knew about the leader of the group. When
he had finished, he held his breath. If the girl didn't believe him--
Elizabeth nodded slowly. "I know," she said softly. "I've known for a
long time. So have most of the others. We knew he was controlling us."
Then her blue eyes flashed hatred. "But we didn't know he was framing
us. We knew that what he was doing was wrong, but we didn't realize
that it was Skardoth who got us into this."
"Then you believe me?" he asked.
She turned to him, her deep blue eyes looking straight into his. Her
voice was low and whispering when she spoke. "Of course I believe
you, you idiot! But what could I do? I've been on this planet a long
time; nearly seventy years. I know what Skardoth wants. He wants to
take over this planet and then take over the Galaxy. These people--the
Earthlings--have more potential power than any other race in the
universe. Given another century, they'll outdo us in almost every
field. If they're on the side of the Condelari Federation, we'll be all
right; but if they're on the side of Skardoth, then the Federation is
helpless."
Stern nodded. "That's right. The Federation has misjudged these people.
The Council of Judges still thinks that they're stupid barbarians--and
they're not."
He took a deep breath. "We're in one hell of a jam, Liz; we've both
been framed for something we haven't done. I _know_ that Skardoth is
responsible for the whole thing. He must be much older than he looks.
How old would you say he was?"