About noon the Mars-car rolled in. I had been waiting for the arrival in my spacesuit and, as soon as it came within view, I slipped my helmet over my shoulders, sealed it and went out to meet them.
The car bumped over the causeway and came to a stop at the base of the ramp. Spartan, holding the rifle in his hand, was standing in the locks. Axel was at the controls, putting on his helmet.
Presently Axel entered the locks. Then both men jumped out to the ground.
"Help Ludson with the samples, Drake," Spartan ordered.
As he turned his head to gesture, I brought my automatic into view.
"You're under arrest, Dr. Spartan," I said.
Axel's mouth, which I could see through the glass of his helmet, gaped with surprise as he heard my words in his earphones.
"What's the meaning of this?" Spartan cried.
"Just what I said, Dr. Spartan," I told him. "You're under arrest for the murder of Morrie Grover. And if that isn't enough, for killing Willie Zinder and trying to kill me."
"You're talking nonsense, Drake. This is mutiny, punishable by death, Axel!"