f wall switches and junctions. Neutro-lighted
sconces glowed at intervals, providing dim
direction to their flight.

Scuttling in single file and dodging cables slung
between supporting columns, they covered distance
swiftly. Brad moved up behind Drummer, replacing
Hodak who dropped back to rear guard immediately
behind Zolan.

"Scarf knows about these utility passages, and that
we would head for them," Drummer gasped over his
shoulder. "What he doesn't know is which access and
branches we took and where we'll surface. A slight
advantage, if we act quickly."

They scampered and slithered for more than half
an hour. "Looks like we're the only ones down here,"
said Brad.

Drummer halted to recover breath. The line closed
up.

"Normal," Drummer gasped. "These passages were
abandoned years ago, after we switched to local
transmission from control modules suspended
beneath the dome. Too much trouble to collapse
the subsurface tunnels, I suppose. Also, we had
to consider the surface effects of a collapse.
Couldn't afford the chance. As you see, the
network is still useful."

He shot a quick glance at Brad, then ahead along
their route.

"Don't get the impression I've got to run from
Scarf," Drummer said, heaving another deep breath,
"or even to avoid him under ordinary circumstances.
Obviously, he was drunk. My presence in the bar-room
gave him an opportunity to enhance his image.
Your companion's intervention, I admit, relieved
the pressure, but the method he chose may prove
unfortunate."

"Why this melodramatic escape?"

"To avoid a confrontation in which Scarf, backed
up by his troops, would be in complete control; a
confrontation in which you couldn't possibly hold
your own. The encounter has already caused
me embarrassment. I don't relish a repetition."
Drummer paused. "And there's another reason."

"Oh?"

"I know who you are, and the circumstances that
brought you and your associates to Planet Pluto.
I want to know more."

"Why?"

"My answer to that depends on what I learn about
you and your companions."

Drummer slowed to a fast walk, searching spaces
between the bundles of the thick cables.

"So that you know," he said, "we're heading for my
villa-dome about five kay from the city."

Drummer grunted that he'd found what he had
searched for. Clawing under a flap, he uncovered
a depression in the wall alongside a cable junction.
He pressed himself in behind the junction and
into a cr