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For a space of ten seconds or so, the two men stared at one another. And then Saul Hartz, once more the human animal, took himself strongly in hand.

Automatically his fists clenched. A revolver a knife a corrosive acid  unless he sprang at once he would not be given a chance to get one in before the Vehmgericht put up his number!

"I beg your pardon!" The intruder's polite voice came not an instant too soon. "If I have disturbed you I am sorry. I thought this was my room. It must be next door."

"An easy mistake to make in the dark." Almost at once Saul Hartz was in full command of the situation.

Endor prepared to withdraw.

"Off to bed late, aren't you? What's the time?" The Colossus looked at his watch. "Nearly a quarter to four."

Surprise flashed across Endor's dark face "So late!" he said.

"Given up to highbrow talk down below, eh?" Hartz's cold laugh did not try to conceal the sneer