This must be it. The plotters have let the ether back to broadcast their demands."

The news channel button on the visa-phone glowed brightly. Denton snapped the instrument on, and adjusted the wave length. The screen glowed—empty! Whoever was broadcasting was not projecting his image. The voice that spoke was harsh, cruel:

"Citizens of the System," it said bluntly. "The Terra Council for Freedom has struck for your liberation. We are citizens of Earth who rise in indignation against the corruption, hypocrisy, and inefficiency of the Congress of Specialists. Most especially, we rise against the dictatorship of the man who has used the Congress as his tool—the man who today holds your alleged representatives prisoner—Marshal Denton, your ruler, unmasked, at last, in this moment when we strike for your freedom!"

The voice paused. For a space there was no sound from behind that glowing, empty screen.

"Dictator!" Marshal Denton bellowed. His handsome face colored, and he took an involuntary half step toward the visa-phone. "Dictator! Of all the—the—" He choked off the rest, regaining his poise.

"Very nice, Jon," murmured Almira. "Your suggestion certainly played into their hands."

"One lie is as good as another," he answered. "You should know that propaganda works on lies." He grinned at them suddenly. "We can guess from that tirade, that we have the leaders—or some of them imprisoned with the Congress."

Almira flushed, and was silent. Denton nodded. "Yes, Jon, I think we have. But how did they communicate with the others."

The Captain shrugged. "Probably telegraph. An instrument could be hidden there, and wires laid well in advance. Listen—"

From the visa-phone, the hard voice spoke again: "We, the Terra Council for Freedom demand the immediate surrender of the Congress, and of Marshal Denton. When Denton has informed the Congress of his acceptance, our committee will communicate further instructions."

Another long pause, before the speaker concluded. The words were deadly with menace: "Citizens of Terra, revolt and overthrow your oppressors! Until they surrender, Terra will remain a dark, silent world. If they do not surrender, it will become a dead world soon!"

The screen brightened suddenly. A man's head and shoulders formed. The 

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