The Latonka Trust building was a wreck. When Jaro, with Landovitch at
his elbow, prowled the gutted offices he was shocked at the extent of
the damage wrought. He paused in what had been Albert Peet's private
office. The desk was smashed in, the carpet ripped to shreds. The
entire contents of a filing cabinet which lined one wall had been
dumped on the floor.
"I give up," Landovitch said in disgust. "We've been over this building
with a fine toothed comb. Albert Peet isn't here. He's probably halfway
to Earth by this time."
Jaro regarded him sadly. "How you obtained your present eminence in
what is supposed to be the most intelligent of intelligence services is
the biggest unsolved mystery in the history of the T.I.S." He paused,
raised his hand. "Quiet!"
The noise came again. It sounded like a mouse gnawing at the
wainscoting behind Albert Peet's wrecked desk. Both men had their
eyes glued to the polished wood paneling. Slowly, a section of the
wainscoting was sliding aside. A Venusian Fazoql stepped out, caught
sight of the two men, whipped a dart gun from a shoulder holster.
The bell-shaped ray rifle in Jaro's hand flamed yellow. The Fazoql
was wrapped in a blinding glare. He fell like a stone, the death ray
destroying the very life forces of the man.
Jaro picked up the Fazoql's dart gun, tossed it to Landovitch.
"Here, I've a hunch you're going to need this."
Landovitch whistled. He said, "Next time I contradict you, kick me." He
tucked the dart gun in his waist band. "Lead on, camarade. Last Ditch
Landovitch is right behind you."
A flight of steps yawned just beyond the false wainscoting. Warily, the
two men descended the stair. There was a second door at the foot. It
wasn't locked. Jaro flung it open, covered the room with the ray rifle.
An elderly Venusian sprang halfway to his feet, sank warily back in
his chair. He was seated directly across a desk from Albert Peet. The
third occupant of the room, Jaro saw with astonishment, was the Red
Witch.
For a tense second they observed each other narrowly. Albert Peet
hunched his shoulders.
"Don't try anything, Albert!" cried the Red Witch, her voice shrill
with fright. "You fool, that's Jaro Moynahan!"
But Peet was tugging at his pocket. Before Jaro could press the button
of the ray rifle, something went "pop!" just behind him. Albert Peet
slowly toppled sideways onto the floor. A small dart gun dropped from
the dead Latonka Czar's fist.
"Thanks, Irving," said Jaro without removing his eyes from the elderly
Venusian or the red-headed singer.
The Venusian, he noticed, had two blue stars tattooed on his forehead.
Probably, Jaro thought, he was the leader of the mercenaries.
The Venusian said, "That was a very neat shot," in perfect English. He
turned to Jaro. "I think we have met before."
Jaro frowned.
"In the services of Chaldmar, Zealot of the Venusian state of Zeld,"
the Fazoql prompted. "You were Captain of the Imperial Guard at the
time."
Jaro's eyes lighted with recognition. "Certainly, Colonel. How stupid
of me. I'm really very sorry that we're on opposing factions."
"Fortunes of war," the Colonel smiled. "Though with Albert Peet dead
the game is up, anyway."
* * * * *
During the conversation the Red Witch's green eyes had first widened,
then narrowed. "You getting ready to sell me out, Colonel?" she asked
angrily.
The Venusian turned to her, said, "Miss Mikail, I couldn't possibly
sell you out. I was never cognizant of any contract between us. My men
were hired by Albert Peet. So were yours. With him dead, our bargain
ends."
"Colonel," said Jaro, "would you mind telling me what was the nature of
your agreement with Peet."
"Not at all," said the Venusian. "We were hired to fake a revolution--a
convincing revolution, you understand--in order that the Earth Congress
would abandon the idea of giving the Mercurians their independence.
Mr. Peet, I believe, had extensive holdings here that would have been
jeopardized had the Mercurians recovered their freedom."
Landovitch whistled softly.
"Who wrecked the offices of the Latonka Trust?" asked Jaro.
The Venusian smiled. "That was my idea. An artistic touch to divert
suspicion. You see, before the Earth forces could arrive my men were to
escape aboard a space liner. The entire blame for the revolution was to
be cast on Karfial Hodes."
"Colonel," said Jaro, "I regret the necessity very much, but I'm going
to ask you to command your men to lay down their arms."
The old Venusian smiled, said: "Hardly that, Captain. As I said before,
with Albert Peet dead, so is the revolution. Our job is done. If you'll
be good enough to excuse me I'll recall my men and get them aboard the
space liner." He stood up slowly.
For a moment the two men were silent, then Jaro moved aside from the
door. "Good luck, Colonel. You know that you'll be outlawed by the
Earth Congress."
"Yes," said the Colonel. "Thanks for the sporting chance." He shook
hands with Jaro, nodded to Landovitch, passed out the door.
"I suppose you know what you're doing," said Landovitch when he was
gone.
"Don't be so conscientious," Jaro grinned. "You couldn't arrest all
the Venusian mercenaries by yourself. The Earth Patrol can hunt them
down. Anyway, I owed the old gentleman that. If it hadn't been for him
I still would be rotting in a Venusian jail."
"What about me?" said the Red Witch.
"You?" said Jaro grimly. "You are going to be the star witness in the
greatest case on Landovitch's record." He paused, added; "for which you
might get off with a light sentence--say five years."
The red-headed singer obdurately set her mouth. Landovitch looked
startled.
* * * * *
Jaro turned to the T.I.S. agent. "You heard the Colonel say that
Karfial Hodes was to be the goat for the fake revolution. There was
only one fly in Peet's ointment. As long as Karfial Hodes was alive,
he could present himself before the Earth Congress, denounce the
revolution, and the whole scheme would blow up like a dum-dum shell.
Hodes simply had to be put out of the way. But the Mercurian patriot
couldn't be found. Peet was desperate. His campaign of propaganda had
been started. That was when I was called in."
"I never wanted to call you," the red-headed singer broke out. "I told
Albert he was a fool, that you were utterly unpredictable."
"By the way," said Jaro, "why did Karfial Hodes have you abducted?"
She shrugged. "He had the wind up, but he didn't know Albert Peet
was behind the scene. He had learned, though, that I was one of the
principal agents. He wanted to question me. I suppose he thought he
might as well keep me out of mischief while he had me."
"Red," said Jaro coldly and catching the girl's eye. "Where is Joan
Webb?"
"Joan Webb?" The Red Witch's eyes narrowed. "I suppose you mean that
attractive brunette my men caught in the secret passages of Nemi's
Temple when they came to release me."
Jaro said nothing.
The red-headed singer looked frightened, but determined. "She's my ace
in the hole!"
Jaro took a step toward her.
"Don't touch me," she cried, "you'll never get her if you do!"
He halted in mid-stride.
Landovitch said: "Turn State's evidence. I can guarantee you complete
amnesty."
"Not just a light sentence?"
"Complete amnesty," he assured her.