"I am Sharls Davis Kendy," the face said. "I~brought your ancestors here to the Smoke Ring and abandoned them when they made mutiny against me. I have the power to send you into Gold, to your deaths. Speak and tell me why I should not do so."

Too many were looking at the Scientists. Was this some trick of Lawri's? The Grad could feel the hair rising in a halo around his head

but somebody had to speak. He said, "I am the Quinn Tribe Scientist-"

"And I am the London Tree Scientist," Lawri said firmly. "Can you see us?"

"We are lost and helpless. If you want our lives, take them."

"Tell me of yourselves. Where do you live? Why are you of different sizes?"

The Grad said, "We are of three tribes living in two very different places. The three tall ones-" He kept talking while his mind sought a memory. Sharis Davis Kendy?

Lawri broke in. "You were the Checker for DLcciplina"

"I was and am," said the spectral face.

"The Checker's responsibility includes the actions, attitudes, and well-being of his charges,'" Lawn quoted. "If you can help us, you must."

"You argue well, Scientist, but my duty is to the State. Should I treat you as citizens? I must decide. How did you come in possession of the CARM? Are you mutineers?"

The Grad held his breath . . . and Lawri said, "Certainly not," contemptuously. "The carm belongs to the Navy and the Scientist. I'm the Scientist."

"Who are the rest of you? Introduce me."

The Grad took over. He tried to stick to lies he could remember, naming the copsiks of London Tree-Jayan, Jinny, Gavving, Minya- as London Tree citizens; Clave and Merril as refugees who had become copsiks; himself as a privileged refugee; the jungle giants as visitors. Too late, he remembered Mark tied motionless in his chair.

Go for Gold-"Now, Mark is a mutineer," he said. "He tried to steal the carm."

Would the dwarf brand him a liar? But the rest would back him up except Lawri. . . Mark let his eyes drop. He looked sullenly

dangerous.

Sharis Davis Kendy began to question Mark. Mark answered angrily,

belligerently. He created a wild tale of himself as a copsik barred from citizenship by his shape; of trying to steal the carm by activating the main motor, hoping to immobilize all but himself, then finding that the ferocious thrust left him as helpless as the rest.

The face seemed satisfied. "Scientist, tell me more of London Tree. You keep some who are barred from citizenship, do you?"

Lawri said, "Yes, but their children may qualify."