Triplanetary | Page 8

explained them to you, and they
are merely two of our smaller developments. I have no serious designs
upon the earth nor upon the Solar System, nor have I any desire to rule
over, or to control the destinies of masses of futile and brainless men. I
have, however, certain ends of my own in view. To accomplish my
plans I require hundreds of millions in gold, other hundreds of millions
in platinum and noble metal, and some five kilograms of the bromide
of radium--all of which I shall take from the planets of this Solar
System before I leave it. I shall take them in spite of the puerile efforts
of the fleets of your Triplanetary League.
"This structure, floating in a planetary orbit, was designed by me and
built under my direction. It is protected from meteorites by certain
forces of my devising. It is undetectable and invisible--your detectors
do not touch it and light-waves are bent around it without loss or
distortion. I am discussing these points at such length so that you may
realize exactly your position. As I have intimated, you can be of
assistance to me if you will."
"Now just what could you offer any man to make him join your outfit?"
demanded Costigan, venomously.
"Many things." Roger's cold tone betrayed no emotion, no recognition
of Costigan's open and bitter contempt. "I have under me many men,
bound to me by many ties. Needs, wants, longings and desires differ
from man to man, and I can satisfy practically any of them. Personally,
I take delight in the society of young and beautiful women, and many
men have that same taste; but there are other urges which I have found
quite efficient. Greed, thirst for fame, longing for power, and so on,
including many qualities usually regarded as 'noble.' And what I
promise, I deliver. I demand only loyalty to me, and that only in certain
things and for a relatively short period. In all else, my men do as they
please. In conclusion, I can use you two conveniently, but I do not need
you. Therefore you may choose now between my service and--the
alternative."

"Exactly what is the alternative?"
"We will not go into that. Suffice it to say that it has to do with a minor
research, which is not progressing satisfactorily. It will result in your
extinction, and perhaps I should mention that that extinction will not be
particularly pleasant."
"I say NO, you...." Bradley roared. He intended to give an
unexpurgated classification, but was rudely interrupted.
"Hold on a minute!" snapped Costigan. "How about Miss Marsden?"
"She has nothing to do with this discussion," returned Roger, icily. "I
do not bargain--in fact, I believe that I shall keep her for a time. She has
it in mind to destroy herself, if I do not allow her to be ransomed, but
she will find that door closed to her until I permit it to open."
"In that case, I string along with the Chief--take what he started to say
about you and run it clear across the board for me!" barked Costigan.
"Very well. That decision was to be expected from men of your type."
The gray man touched two buttons and two of his creatures entered the
room. "Put these men into separate cells on the second level," he
ordered. "Search them to the skin: all their weapons may not have been
in their armor. Seal the doors and mount special guards, tuned to me
here."
Imprisoned they were, and carefully searched; but they bore no arms,
and nothing had been said or thought of communicators. Even if such
instruments could be concealed, Roger would detect their use instantly.
At least, so would have run his thought had the subject entered his
mind. But even Roger had no inkling of the possibility of Costigan's
"Service Special" phones, detectors and spy-ray--instruments of minute
size and of infinitesimal power, but yet instruments which, working as
they were, below the level of the ether, were effective at great distances
and caused no vibrations in the ether by which their use could be
detected. And what could be more innocent than the regulation,
personal equipment of every officer of space? The heavy goggles, the

wrist-watch and its supplementary pocket chronometer, the flash-lamp,
the automatic lighter, the sender, the money-belt?
All these items of equipment were examined with due care; but the
cleverest minds of Triplanetary's Secret Service had designated those
communicators to pass any ordinary search, however careful, and when
Costigan and Bradley were finally locked into the designated cells, they
still possessed their ultra-instruments.
CHAPTER II
In Roger's Planetoid
In the hall Clio glanced around her wildly, her bosom heaving, eyes
darting here and there, seeking even the narrowest avenue of escape.
Before she