d!"
Chambriss shot back. "Hunter, I demand that you take us off planet at
once! And it is only fair to inform you that I also intend to prefer
charges against you and against the Guild. Empty world! Just how empty
have we found this world?"

"But, Gentlehomo," Starns showed no signs of any emotion but eager
curiosity, "to be here at this time is a privilege we could not hope
to equal except by good fortune! The T-Casts will be avid for our
stories."

What had that to do with the matter, puzzled Vye. But he saw Starns'
reminder produce a quick change in Chambriss.

"The T-Casts," he repeated, his expression of anger smoothing away.
"Yes, of course, this is, in a manner of speaking, a truly historic
occasion. We are in a unique position!"

Had Yactisi smiled? That change of lip line had been so slight Vye
could not call it a smile. But Starns appeared to have found the right
way to handle Chambriss. And it was the same little man who offered
his services in another way when he said, diffidently to Hume:

"I have some experience with coms, Hunter. Do you wish me to send your
message and take over the unit until you return? I gather," he added
with a certain delicacy, "that it will not be expedient for your
gearman to engage in that duty now."

So it was that Starns was installed in the com cabin of the spacer,
sending out the request for Patrol aid, while Rovald was locked in the
storage compartment of the same ship, pending arrival of those same
authorities. As Hume sorted out supplies and Vye loaded them into the
waiting flitter, Yactisi approached the Hunter.

"You have a definite plan of search?"

"Just to cast north from their camp. If they've been gone long enough
to hit the foothills we may be able to sight them climbing. Otherwise,
we'll go all the way up to the valley, wait for them there."

"You don't believe that they will be released after they have
been--processed?"

Hume shook his head. "I don't think we would have been free,
Gentlehomo, if it hadn't been for a series of fortunate accidents."

"Yes, though you didn't give us many details about that, Hunter."

Hume put down the needler he had been charging. He studied Yactisi
across that weapon.

"Who are you?" His voice was soft but carried a snap.

For the first time Vye saw the tall, lean civ really smile.

"A man of many interests, Hunter--shall we let it go at that for the
present? Though I assure you that Wass is not one of them in the