"Awk!" said Joan, choking on the Latonka.
"It was self-defense," he hastened to assure her. "He took a pot shot at me with that poisoned dart gun."
"But the police!" she cried, as she caught her breath.
"There'll never be an investigation. Albert Peet will see to that. I was called here on what I supposed was a legitimate revolution. Instead I was offered ten thousand Earth notes to assassinate the leader of the revolution."
"What revolution? I'm going around in circles."
"The Mercurians, of course."
"I don't believe it," said the girl. "The Mercurians are the most peaceable people in the Universe. They've been agitating for freedom, yes. But they believe in passive resistance. I don't believe you could induce a Mercurian to kill, even in self-protection. That's why Albert Peet and the rest of the combine had such an easy time gaining control of the Latonka trade."
"Score one," breathed Jaro, "I begin to see light. Miss Webb—ah, Joan—I've a notion that we're going to be a great team. How do you happen to be Albert Peet's private secretary?"
"A gal's gotta eat. But the truth is, I was quitting. The Latonka Trust is almost on the rocks. Their stock has been dropping like a meteor."
Jaro Moynahan raised his oblique brows but did not interrupt.