Parrish also grew still. The forearm Westervelt had crossed over the hand grabbing at his shirt fell as Parrish let him go. The man was staring over Westervelt's shoulder. He looked almost frightened. Westervelt looked around--and a thrill shot through him, like the shock of diving into icy water. Lydman was standing there, staring through him. When he looked again, as he shrank instinctively away from the doorway, he realized that the ex-spacer was staring through all of them. After a moment, he seemed to focus on Beryl. "They'll let you out, I think," he said in his quiet voice. Parrish stepped back nervously, and Westervelt edged further inside the doorway to make room. Beryl did not seem to have heard. She gaped, hypnotized by the beautiful eyes set in the strong, tanned face. Lydman put the palm of one hand against Westervelt's chest and shoved slowly. It was as well that the file cabinet behind the youth was nearly empty, because it slid a foot along the floor as his back flattened against it. Lydman reached out his other hand and took Beryl gently by the elbow. She stepped forward, turning her head from side to side as if to seek reassurance from either Parrish or Westervelt, but without completely meeting their eyes. Lydman led her into the hall and released her elbow. She started uncertainly up the corridor toward the main office. Lydman fell in a pace or two behind her. Westervelt heard a gasp. He looked at Parrish and realized that he had been holding his breath too. Then, by mutual consent, they followed the others out into the hall. "Listen, Willie," whispered Parrish, watching the twenty-foot gap between them and Lydman's broad shoulders, "we have to see that she doesn't forget and try to leave. If he won't let me talk to her, you'll have to get her attention." "Okay, I'll try," murmured Westervelt. "Look--I was really looking for him I never meant to--" "I never meant to either," said Parrish. "Forget it!" "It was none of my business. I should have shut up and left. Tell her I'm sorry when you get a chance; she'll probably never speak to me again." He wondered if he could get Smith's permission to move his desk. On second thought, he wondered if he would come out of this with a desk to move. "Sure she will," said Parrish. "She's really just a good-natured kid. It wasn't anything serious. You startled us, that was all." Beryl and Lydman turned the corner, leaving the two followers free to increase their pace. They rounded the corner themselves in time to see Lydman going through the double doors. "It was too bad he came along when she was yelling to be let out," said Parrish. "He didn't understand." "You mean he actually thought we were trying to keep her there against her will?" asked Westervelt.