"It can't be true, this story about Campbell," I said. "There's been
some mistake."
Tomboldo's answer was soft spoken. "Much has happened. You have been
ill for many weeks. You must take our word. Do you find the news not to
your liking? Omosla is a devoted girl. And if our hero Campbell became
her husband, all of us would be proud."
There was no use talking of the EGGWE Code to him, that was plain. All
I could say at the moment was, "I'll talk with Campbell."
For the next few nights, after the whole cavern city seemed to be
asleep, I would walk forth a little distance. This was more than
pacing. It was a test of my strength and my wits, and most of all my
confidence that I would not black out. It was proof to myself that I
was a well man again. It was a willful act of striking out on my own
purposes. I would find Campbell.
Each night I ventured a little farther. The artificial lights burned
low. All was quiet. The luminous rock walls stared out from among
the cavern furnishings. I walked steadily. I was getting used to the
planet's stronger gravity. I was learning to like the sandals they had
given me to wear, cushioned with shreds of sponge-tree vegetation.
Tonight as always I walked to the right from the arch, through one
of Tomboldo's rooms, and on past the storage rooms. The way opened
into a long amber-lighted tunnel. The city branched off in little
tunneled avenues from this passageway. Would Campbell be found on guard
tonight--this way--or this way--or--
I heard light footsteps, sounds of two persons somewhere in the
distance. I moved back toward Tomboldo's part of the cave to wait until
the ways had cleared.
Two men were coming through the corridor, conversing in low whispers.