The Duplication Machine (continued . . .)

Some time later, Janno recovered consciousness and raised his aching head.

Uuuuugh . . .

Lord Janno!—Why are you here?—What’s happened to you?

Confound it, man, you know very well what I’m doing here! I came in answer to your message, and no sooner did I set foot inside the door than I was struck down from behind!

Message, Lord Janno?—What message?

Janno handed the young scientist the note that had been delivered to the air fleet base.

But, my Lord, this is not from me—it is not even in my handwriting! Someone must have lured you here to rob you!

By all the stars!

My jewelled identity medallion—gone! And my ring! And a considerable amount of money too! Curse the thief, whoever he is!

And that the thief should have used my name and my home—this puts me in a terribly embarrassing position!

Forget it, Robi—you are not to blame! Farewell.

Farewell, my Lord—you are very kind.

When Janno’s footfalls had died away, the scheming Robi flung open the door of a back room.

Ha!

There, bound and gagged, sat Janno’s exact duplicate!

You are worth a fortune to me! Trigo’s nephew! Third in succession to the proud throne of the Trigan Empire!

I can sell you to the empire’s enemies for an emperor’s ransom!

That night, Robi put out to sea in a small boat.

Caton undersea warships are patrolling every part of our coastline. If I fail to meet one tonight, I will try again tomorrow, and the next night . . .

Suddenly! . . .

It is a Trigan!—Bring him aboard for questioning!

What are you—a civilian—doing at sea in a war zone?

I came to make contact with a Caton warship!—I have a proposition to put to your rulers!

It was at dawn the following day that a Caton bombing force was chased off, with heavy losses, by Trigan fighter craft.

An early casualty in the running battle was—Janno!

I’m done for!