"They didn't the first time," Heraga said. "Sloppy of them. Well, they're just gun hands. Anyway, once we're inside I shuck off the uniform and get out. Heraga delivers his goodies, and leaves again--" Reetal gave him a look. "You'll get shot down the instant you're seen, dope!" "I think not. There're two groups in there--around a hundred men in all--and they haven't had time to get well acquainted yet. I'll have my gun in sight, and anyone who sees me should figure I belong to the other group, until I run into one of the Brotherhood boys who knows me personally." "Then that's when you get shot down. I understand the last time you and the Duke of Fluel met, he woke up with lumps." "The Duke doesn't love me," Quillan admitted. "But there's nothing personal between me and Movaine or Marras Cooms--and I'll have a message for Movaine." "What kind of a message?" "I'll have to play that by ear a little. It depends on how things look in there. But I have a few ideas, based on what you've learned of the operation. Now, just what I can do when I get that far, I don't know yet. I'll simply try to louse the deal up as much as I can. That may take time, and, of course, it might turn out to be impossible to get word out to you." "So what do we do meanwhile?" Reetal asked. "If we start lining up our attack group immediately, and then there's no action for another five or six hours, there's always the chance of a leak, with around twenty people in the know." "And if there's a leak," Quillan agreed, "we've probably had it. No, you'd better wait with that! If I'm not out, and you haven't heard from me before the _Camelot_'s actually due to dock, Heraga can still take the group--everyone but yourself--in as scheduled." "Why everyone but me?" Reetal asked. "If nothing else works, you might find some way of getting a warning to the liner's security force after they've docked. It isn't much of a possibility, but we can't afford to throw it away." "Yes, I see." Reetal looked reflective. "What do you think, Heraga?" The little man shrugged. "You told me that Mr. Quillan is not inexperienced in dealing with, ah, his enemies. If he feels he might accomplish something in the Executive Block, I'm in favor of the plan. The situation certainly could hardly become worse." "That's the spirit!" Quillan approved. "The positive outlook--that's what a think like this mainly takes. Can you arrange for the diner and the uniform?" "Oh, yes," Heraga said, "I've had myself put in charge of that detail, naturally." "Then what can you tell me about the Executive Block's layout?" Reetal stood up. "Come over to the desk," she said. "We've got diagrams." * * * * *