"I'm sure of it," Diane nodded agreement. She didn't want to be bothered by Starbuck today, not when her thoughts were all on the night and Johnny. She was so nervous she couldn't keep from looking anxious. If only Starbuck, all wrapped up in himself the way he was, would fail to see it for a few hours longer. "I suppose you wonder how I can advance so rapidly. It is quite simple, Diane. I look around me. I make contacts. I miss nothing. As an example, I even know of your meeting with Johnny Hope last night." "What!" "I wouldn't really mind it, except that my informant said you are considering escape from the Citadel. That, of course, is out of the question." In his short time at the Citadel, Diane realized, Starbuck had affected a way of speaking which hardly fit his booming voice or boyish face. It was as if he had decided to ape the Shining Ones who stood highest in the Robots' confidence. To Diane it was contemptuous, although now her mind was awhirl with the thought that she and Johnny had been discovered. "What are you going to do?" she asked in a small, helpless voice. "Hope will be arrested. Naturally, he will never be permitted to see you again." Diane stared at Starbuck in horror. Johnny must be found and warned. There was still time. They could alter their plans, this time in secrecy, without any women around who could spy on them for Starbuck. But she had to find Johnny before it was too late. In sudden despair, she realized she didn't even know where to look. CHAPTER VIII _Stop! Stand perfectly still._ The thought was unexpected, peremptory, driving into Johnny's brain with more authority than any words. He wanted to stop, wanted to immobilize the Robot in which he hid--but where had the thought come from? Westler's Robot was pointing a many-jointed metal arm at the supervising Robot which rushed toward them. Then, did the thought originate there? Could the Robot somehow send a soundless message to them? _Stop! Let me dismantle you._ The urge to render his own Robot motionless became stronger within Johnny. It was as if the unbidden thought originated outside his head but tried to direct his own muscles, as surely as his own mind. Something made soft beeping noises in his ear and it took a while before he realized Westler wanted to break their radio silence, so soon after they had started. The other Robot was almost upon them. Awkward and uncomfortable in his cramped quarters, Johnny found the radio switch and pulled it. "We've got to destroy that Robot, Johnny. Now, at once, or we're finished." "But how--" The Robot was upon them, its unbidden thoughts stronger. _Halt_....