Dowland nodded. "That's one thing we agree on. Now, just who was this
man you were expecting, and just why were you expecting him?"
The girl's lips twisted reluctantly for a moment; then words broke
out again. "Carter is to send a man to the ranch with some pieces of
equipment. The equipment either was unloaded at Columbia spaceport this
afternoon, or will be, early tomorrow morning. I thought you were the
messenger. Strange grid-cars don't come through this area more than
once every few weeks. If you'd been the man, you would already have
attempted to call our house communicator by the time I saw you...."
"To make sure the coast was clear before coming in with odd-looking
equipment."
"Yes. You would then have reported to Carter that there was no
answer, which would have resulted in an immediate investigation. I was
attempting to warn the messenger that he shouldn't come closer, that
something was seriously wrong here."
Dowland reflected, nodded. "That would have worked--if I'd been the
man. And now it seems it's a good thing I inquired about this, Miss
Trelawney. Because the messenger actually may have arrived this
evening, received no answer from the ranch, reported the fact, and gone
away again--mightn't he?"
"Yes, that may have happened." Her eyes were furious with frustration.
"And what would Carter do then?"
"He would rush a few squads of Troopers here to investigate."
"Hedgehopping," Dowland nodded, "in approved Trooper style to avoid
detection. They hit the power-failure area, and the first few cars
crash. They report the matter. What would happen then, Miss Trelawney?"
"Damn you, Dowland.... They'd scout around Lion Mesa to see how close
they could get by air. Carter would have horses and climbing equipment
flown in to that point, and they'd continue on horseback."
* * * * *
There were other methods, Dowland thought. Parachutes, gliders--they
could even try ditching a few cars on the mesa as he'd done. He
considered, and mentally shook his head. Aside from the difficulties,
the Troopers would be warned to avoid spectacular stunts in the
vicinity of the mesa. They'd come exactly as she'd said. It was a
completely unobtrusive form of approach, even for a large body of men,
and it would still get them here fast.
He said, "Well, let's suppose all that has happened. Carter's Troopers
are on their way here at this minute, riding pellmell. Giving them
every break, what's the earliest moment we can expect them to show up?"