"I--I don't know. A robot surprised me. He took my picture."
"A robot!" she said in alarm, drawing away from him. "They probably
already know who you are. Were you followed?"
"Part of the way, but I think I dropped him."
"You _think_?" Her tone was worried. "Do you realize you might have led
him here. We can't go to the meeting place now. They'll be searching
for you."
"And they'll find me if I stay here," he said mournfully. "Now, you've
got to take me, Julie. I've got to go someplace."
* * * * *
"Where?" she said. "Where can anyone go--except up there?" With a
motion of her head she indicated the moon, hanging like a grim reminder
of the Prison Colony it contained. She shook her head. "I should've
suspected it when that WBI man showed up. Somehow they've gotten wise
to you. Do you realize you've jeopardized our entire position?"
"I didn't mean to--"
"It matters very little whether or not you meant to," Julie said
sharply; "the fact is, you've done it." Her tone softened, "I'm sorry,
Arthur, it's just that--"
"I understand how you feel," Arthur said gently, taking her in his
arms. "Believe me, Julie, everything will turn out all right."
"I hope so," Julie said. "Well, we have to do something; we can't stay
here."
"Take me to the hiding place, Julie," he begged; "we can work out
something from there."
She looked at him briefly, considering the alternatives, her mind torn
between affection for him and fear for the underground's safety. He
knew she was recalling the many plans they had made for when all this
was over, the legal matter of Helen, their home in a world where the
air was free.
"If I stay here they will get me," he reasoned. "At least we have a
chance the other way--if we hurry!"