You who condemned me to ten years of solitude aboard this abandoned hulk—are yourselves going to spend the rest of your lives here!

The avenger pointed to Marshal Rossu . . .

I brought you here, one by one! Rossu, I discovered things about you that would have meant your ruin. You were only too glad to do anything I demanded of you . . .

He explained . . . “At my instructions, you wore the yellow overalls of a mechanic on the day of the flypast. When you landed, you slipped off your flying kit and clambered, unseen, out of the craft.”

“You were there, lost among the other yellow-garbed figures, when they made their astonishing discovery.”

The Marshal—he—he’s disappeared!

Nothing here but his flying kit!

Similarly with the rest of you. I played upon your individual  weaknesses and vices, to make you do my bidding.

Janno had been listening, spellbound. One question came to his mind.

But, why the bizarre manner of the disappearances? Surely, the authorities will find the connection between these eight people?

That is my hope. Sooner or later, the link between these eight will be established, and all Elekton will know of my vengeance. But that will take years.























A knife slashed the bonds that held Janno.

And now, I will free you all—to begin what  may well be a life imprisonment in this abandoned hulk!

The young Trigan reacted like a released spring—he leapt!

No life imprisonment for me, my friend!

In that case, fool . . .

There was a report—but not from the weapon that was aimed at Janno . . .

Into the compartment streamed a contingent of Trigan guardsmen, and the scientist Peric.

Janno, my young friend! It seems that we have arrived in the nick of time!

Janno stared in relief and astonishment at Elekton’s top scientist.

How did you solve the mystery, Peric?

In my own head, Janno. I quickly reasoned that the eight must have some connection in the past. But it was your claim to have been fired on from this abandoned weather station that provided the missing clue.

Some time later . . .

That poor fellow’s trial was held today. Happily, I was able to pardon him. After all, his experience has cruelly unbalanced his mind,

Your Imperial Majesty is merciful.

What about Marshal Rossu, Uncle Trigo? It can scarcely be said that he’s come out of this affair with his reputation intact.

The Emperor Trigo smiled grimly.

Following upon a little hint from myself, Marshal Rossu has resigned for reasons of ill-health!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 760 on 7 August 1976.