Did they understand? Diane couldn't tell. The Robots with the noose reached down and grabbed her, drawing her aloft again. She wanted to scream, but all her energy could bring forth only a whimper. She wanted to shut her eyes tightly and wake up, trembling but otherwise all right, in her tent. She could feel a lurching motion as the Robot began to move. Burwood hung slackly now, twisting gently from side to side, like a rag doll, with the motion of the rope. Diane fainted. Within half an hour, all the Robots had filed into their waiting ship. It blasted skyward on a jet of flame which was all but lost against the fires which consumed Hamilton Village. CHAPTER V "Will Harry Starbuck please step forth and make his report?" One of Keleher's assistants brought the command to the Shining Ones who had joined the larger group near Hamilton Village. There was a silence. "Where is Starbuck?" No one knew. The assistant shook his head and returned to Keleher for further instructions. Had anyone seen Starbuck? A short while ago, yes. Not for the past hour, though. Keleher next called for Diane, who had found Johnny Hope, the alleged traitor, along with Starbuck. Some of them had seen her marching toward the rear of the column with Tom Burwood not long since. She did not answer the summons. And Burwood could not be found anywhere. "Is everyone going crazy?" Keleher stormed. "Fetch the prisoner himself. We'll see what's going on." Moments later: "Hope, charges have been brought against you concerning our raid on Hamilton Village." "I know all about the charges. I refuse to discuss them now." Keleher smiled without mirth. "You--refuse?" "They were looking for Diane. They couldn't find her. They were looking for Starbuck too, and couldn't find him. It is Starbuck who has made the accusation, so we'll have to wait until he's found. I don't care one way or the other about Starbuck, but I want to find Diane." Plump Gilbert came forward, said, "I may be able to shed some light on this. After Starbuck gave me charge of the column he conferred with Tom Burwood for a time, then disappeared. But Burwood whispered something to Diane and she joined him, heading for the rear of the column." "You see?" Johnny demanded. "Starbuck went someplace with Diane. From the looks of it, she was tricked into going with him." "Mere supposition," said Keleher, "although I wouldn't trust Starbuck particularly." "Listen," Johnny went on, "that girl saved my life. I want to find her. Since you can't try my case until Starbuck is found, let me look for them and--" "How do we know you will return?" "My word," said Johnny, but the look on Keleher's face said that would never satisfy him. "If the lad promises and if meanwhile he cannot be tried ..." began Gilbert. "When I want your advice, I'll ask for it," Keleher said curtly. "The boy stays here." "But he merely wants to find Diane," persisted Gilbert.