Crane's nerves relaxed a little. He even managed a grin.
"Good kid," he told her through the bars. "I'm not guilty and I can prove it when we reach Earth. But there're more important things at stake than my own fate, just now."
He pressed closer to the bars, lowering voice.
"Lalla Dee, I want you to do something for me. Will you?"
* * *
Her head bobbed, her clear eyes looking anxiously into his.
"I'll do anything I can," she promised.
"I want you to find out for me just what cabins are occupied by those who sat at our dining table last night," he said.
"Why, I don't see — but I can do that, all right. Wait, I'll go now," she said.
She departed and Crane waited tensely. He had not asked her simply for the location of the Jovian's cabin, because he did not even want her to suspect his paramount interest in Jurk Usk. The girl must not become involved in his desperate scheme.