"Not us, I don't think. I think the rat's after our space station. Now what better spot could they pick? Visibility clear as a bell out here--" "Think he's from the Eastern Bloc, Ceec?" "Course he is. Where else could he come from?" * * * * * The voice of a more logical hanger-on came from somewhere in the greatening group. "But it doesn't make sense to come over here to do it. Too risky. They've got deserts over there--just as good visibility." * * * * * Cecil was annoyed. Always some guy goofing things up. "Is that so? Well listen to me. Just what in the hell do you know about the mechanics of space-fire and locations and--and things? Seems to me you take a mighty lenient view of things in general mister. It sure does." "Gosh, Ceec--I didn't mean--" "Then keep your trap shut." Cecil Bates glanced around. Plenty of people here now. Quite a crowd. "Me--I'm going out and get him. I'll have him back in town in an hour. We'll show those rats we got pretty alert law around here." "You going alone, Ceec?" "Sure am." Bates got up and walked importantly toward the door. There, he stopped and turned. "Course, if a body of citizens tagged along to see how justice works, I guess there's nothing I could do about it." He grinned and winked. A shout of approval went up and last drinks were hurriedly slopped down and additional quickies ordered. Then they followed Cecil Bates out into the street, moving with drunken anticipation of excitement. Loaded with the dynamite of irresponsibility. They streamed out of town behind Cecil Bates' car, not stopping to get other cars or mount horses for fear of being left behind. There was no danger of that however. Bates was not eager to face the strange man in the cave without some show of force in his wake so he traveled slowly enough for all to follow.... * * * * * Dan and Jane Parker stood on their porch watching the town empty out into the desert. Jane said, "Dan! You must do something. They're--they're dangerous!" Dan Parker frowned. "But it's not my job. Cecil Bates is the sheriff--" "Bates is a slovenly, dishonest--_hoodlum_. You know that Dan. They'll do something out there--" "What? What will they do? Bates is just going out to arrest that man for questioning and I think he's got a right to do it." Jane Parker looked at her husband in new surprise. There was something in her face that had never been there before. A look he would have done well to heed. She said, "Dan--I just don't understand you any more. This isn't you. There's an--an evil coming into you." "That's nonsense. Just because I won't stick my nose into the sheriff's business--" "At least do this for me, Dan. Go out and tell Sam Taber what's happening. If Sam refuses to act, then I'll be satisfied. But go and tell him."