He didn't mention the remarkable gun from Roger Hunter's gun case. The gun was still in the spacer's pack he had slung over his shoulder; he had not mentioned it when the Patrolmen had taken their stunners away. Now as he talked, he felt a twinge of guilt in not mentioning it.... But he had a reason. Dad had died to keep that gun secret. It seemed only right to keep the secret a little longer. When he came to the part about their weapons, he simply spoke of "Dad's gun" and omitted any details. And through the story, the Major listened intently, interrupting only occasionally, pulling at his lip and scowling. "So we decided that the best way to convince you that we had the evidence you wanted was to bring Tawney back with us," Tom concluded. "A brilliant maneuver," the Major said dryly. "A real stroke of genius." "But then the Patrol ship intercepted us and told us we were under arrest. And when we landed, they let Tawney drive off without even questioning him." "The least we could do, under the circumstances," the Major said. "Well, I'd like to know why," Greg broke in bitterly. "Why pick on us? We've just been telling you...." "Yes, yes, I heard every word of it," the Major sighed. "If you knew the trouble ... oh, what's the use? I've spent the last three solid hours talking myself hoarse, throwing in every bit of authority I could muster and jeopardizing my position as Coordinator here, for the sole purpose of keeping you three idiots out of jail for a few hours." "Jail!" "That's what I said. The brig. The place they put people when they don't behave. You three are sitting on a nice, big powder keg right now, and when it blows I don't know how much of you is going to be left." "Do you think we're lying?" Greg said. "Do you know what you're charged with?" the Major snapped back. "Some sort of nonsense about piracy...."