"Quite deliberately, I built up the feeling that the new course was the course to X, the hibernaculum of my criminal ancestors. All of you were convinced. Therefore Bailes became convinced.
"Had he known the Unterzuyder map was a fake, he would have taken it out on you by looting the ship. I sent him off on a wild goose chase!"
Some of the settlers were looking at him with cautious interest. Beecher rose at this point.
"I can say something in favor of Mr. Unterzuyder," he said. "His intentions were good. Mr. Unterzuyder was only after the reward money. He did not intend to free the Unterzuyders, even though he is an Unterzuyder himself. And half of the reward money was to go into the treasury of Titan Settlers!"
Unterzuyder looked pop-eyed at Beecher. But now the settlers were frankly staring at him. After a moment, they began eating again. In several minutes more, the hall was full of chatter again.
After the most uncomfortable meal of his life, Unterzuyder headed for the door. Beecher caught up with him, grinning companionably.
"We did a good job, mister," he said. "I had my own reasons for backing you up. This thing'll blow over. Then I've got some ideas. You and I are sharpies, Unterzuyder. We could set up in business on Titan and build up one of the biggest fortunes in the System, eventually. What do you say?"
Unterzuyder smiled wanly and said he would think it over. Then he went to his cabin. In two hours, he had plotted X's location to the dot.
Then he leaned back, nibbling nervously at the pencil eraser.
In five days, with good fortune, the infamous Unterzuyders would be awake and free....