He slid out of the plane while it was still rolling. He didn't want to argue with the passengers, when they found they were on the wrong coast and he was to blame. Nor did he particularly want to explain to the authorities. Later he would have to, but by then he would have powerful interests behind him to smooth over the incident. It was late and there were no cabs in sight, in air or on surface. He crossed the landing strip into the station and out of it and swept along the dark streets with a loose-jointed stride that made the distance seem less than it was. Presently, he broke into a trot and his speed was encouraging. A hoppicopter--one of the little surface cars that could rise and fly for a short time to avoid traffic jams--bounced down and rolled alongside. A window slid open and a head popped out. "In a hurry, mister?" He bobbed his head. "Hospital." "Jump in and we'll take you. We're not doing anything special--just riding around." The hoppicopter stopped. This was luck--he'd get there faster. The man in the front seat opened the door and stepped out, flashing a light on him. "Just a check. We don't mind taking you, but we want to be sure we don't pick up some rough character." The man didn't look so gentle himself--and the light was trained on Dan too long. If they were afraid, he'd have to refuse their offer and go on. "Hey, Carl," the man with the flash called out puzzledly. "Haven't we seen this guy somewhere before?" He should have expected something like this and not stopped--but maybe it would have been worse if he hadn't. So far, he had been lucky that no one had spotted him--and now was not the time to be discussing terms with _Interplanet_. He began to edge away. Carl climbed out of the hoppicopter and circled in the same direction Merrol was inching toward. "I guess I have at that," said Carl slowly. He was a big man. "Can't say where, though." Merrol breathed more easily. He couldn't make a break for it, but perhaps he wouldn't have to. They might not have seen the broadcast. "I've got to hurry," he said. "I'll go on." "Don't get sore," said Carl soothingly. "We'll take you. Climb in." The man with the light was frowning indecisively. "The guy on the broadcast?" he asked sharply. "Nah," said Carl disgustedly. "That guy--you look at his picture and you have to bust out laughing. Now this fellow here--while he's a long way from handsome--is clearly the executive type, a man you can trust." Carl scrutinized him thoughtfully. Before Merrol could stop him, he reached out and plucked off the hat. "There's only one guy with three-colored hair, though, and you've got it," he said unbelievingly. Merrol started to back away, but the body of the hoppicopter stopped him. "Mister, you've sure got some disguise," said the other man in an awed voice. "I could look right at you all day and not tell who it was." * * * * *