“Max Robinson, of the Space Ship Star Wanderer, speaking.”
Max Robinson, of the Star Wanderer! The faces of the two brothers paled under their helmets. The most notorious raider of the space lines! Plunderer extraordinary. Cut-throat bandit of the void. How had he learned of the wondrous treasure on the little asteroid?
* * *
There was nothing to say. The two young miners at first did not realize the true significance of this visit from Robinson. It all came so suddenly that it was impossible to think clearly, impossible to grasp the true possibilities of the situation.
“You damned robber!” said Vernon bitterly.
He felt his brother’s hand upon his arm, squeezing with a vicelike grip.
“Men don’t talk like that to Max Robinson,” the voice came coolly, unflustered, “and get away with it”.
Warned by the pressure on his arm, Vernon did not reply.
The two stood silently, watching the great craft settle slowly to a berth only a short distance from where the Space Pup lay. Through the lighted ports they could see men in the ship, while here and there heads were outlined against the circles of light, men off duty looking out upon the tiny world where they had landed.
Smoothly a gangplank came down and the outer door of an air chamber swiftly unscrewed and swung free.