Evans and Calden laughed despite themselves. "Well, you may get your wish, Hartley," Evans told him. "Remember, Seaworth will be with us, and the Hawk wants him bad."
Hartley looked at him blankly. "You don't mean that he'd ever try holding us up? Us? An Earth-Guard rocket?"
Evans shrugged. "It's Commander Cain's idea, not mine. Here he comes now, to see us off. Evidently going to give us a final warning."
And that proved in fact to be the white-haired Commander's purpose when he reached them through the throngs of hurrying mechanics around the giant ship. He drew Evans aside from the others.
"Don't forget what I told you, Evans," he warned. "Keep double-watches in the lookout-cells at all times, and if the Hawk does appear, send out a general radiophone alarm before you engage. Remember, it isn't a question of personal glory, but a matter of catching him."
"I'll remember," Evans promised. "I guess we're set to go—here comes Seaworth now."
The secret agent's eyes were shining as he strode across the station to them. When he reached Evans and the commander he tapped the black leather case he carried.
"Got it!" he exclaimed. "My tip was a straight one and I've got the dope from beginning to end. You're ready to go?"
Evans nodded, and Commander Cain shook hands with him and with Seaworth, as he turned away.
"Good luck to the both of you," he told them, "and if you've really got anything that will enable you to nab the Hawk, I'll resign cheerfully on the day he's taken and you can shoot dice between you for my job!"