"Okay," Riddell said. "Would you care to repeat to me what you said about the government of Northburg?" "We didn't say anything." "Yes we did," said the outspoken one. "They're going to put us away anyway, so we might as well speak up." He stared defiantly at Riddell. "We don't like you, and we don't like Barr. And we don't want war. It's--it's _madness_. Why can't we rebuild the country the way it used to be? Why--" "That'll be enough," Riddell said. "You're speaking treason, you know. Such words can condemn you." The two men began to quiver. Riddell looked with pity on the one who hadn't spoken, the one who had desperately tried to silence his friend before it was too late. A scowl came to his face. Barr was ruling with an iron hand here, but there was a chink in his armor. The people didn't want this war. Riddell grinned. "Tell me something. Where can I find David Barr?" "What? But you're a--" "Don't mind the uniform," Riddell said. "Better keep your voices low. You're not arrested. I want you to tell me where Barr is." "This is a trick, Clyde. He's trying to trap us." "We already _are_ trapped," the other farmer pointed out. "Who are you?" he asked. "The name is Riddell. Of Center City. I want you to tell me where I can find David Barr, and then I want you to go home and stay there." "Riddell? I've heard of you. You're the--" "Look, friends, I can't waste time--_talk_! Where's Barr?" "His headquarters is at the corner of State and Main--three blocks down. You can't get to see him, though." "Don't worry about that," Riddell said. "Just go home and keep quiet. Maybe by nightfall things will be different in Northburg. Let's hope so." * * * * * Cautiously, he made his way down Main, heading for the big brick building that was undoubtedly Barr's headquarters. He felt encouraged with the realization that Barr's influence was based on a grip of fear. It was infinitely more easy to destroy a tyrant than to try to change the mind of an entire town. These people wanted peace--but Barr drove them on to conquest, putting guns in their hands and uniforms on their backs. Riddell planned to stop it. Suddenly, a trumpet sounded. Riddell looked up, startled, and stood still. "_Attention!_" a blaring voice cried, from what seemed to be a thousand loudspeakers. "_Attention! All off-duty members of the Army of Northburg are to assemble outside GHQ at once for combat briefing. Plan 102 is to be accelerated._" Riddell rubbed his jaw. That meant they probably had found the stripped guard outside the walls, and knew that another Center City spy was loose somewhere in Northburg. It meant they would probably launch the attack on Center City ahead of schedule. Riddell started to move at a fast half-trot. He didn't have much time now.