"I employed a pocket signaler to recall my carrier--and none too soon." He touched his bruised eye gingerly. "A glance at the instruments showed me that you had visited the park. I followed and observed a TDMS Portal. Being of an adventurous turn and, of course, concerned for your welfare, I stepped through--" "Why didn't they arrest you? I was picked up for operating the carrier." "They had some such notion. A whiff of stun gas served to discourage them. Now let's hurry along before the management revives." "Wait a minute, Blote. I'm not sure I want to be rescued by you--in spite of your concern for my welfare." "Rubbish, Dan! Come along." Blote looked around. "Frightful place! No population! No commerce! No deals!" "It has its compensations. I think I'll stay. You run along." "Abandon a colleague? Never!" "If you're still expecting me to deliver a time machine, you're out of luck. I don't have one." "No? Ah, well, in a way I'm relieved. Such a device would upset accepted physical theory. Now, Dan, you mustn't imagine I harbor ulterior motives--but I believe our association will yet prove fruitful." Dan rubbed a finger across his lower lip thoughtfully. "Look, Blote. You need my help. Maybe you can help me at the same time. If I come along, I want it understood that we work together. I have an idea--" "But of course, Dan! Now shake a leg!" Dan sighed and stepped through the portal. The yellow-clad guard lay on the floor, snoring. Blote led the way back into the great hall. TDMS officials were scattered across the floor, slumped over desks, or lying limp in chairs. Blote stopped before one of a row of shimmering portals. "After you, Dan." "Are you sure this is the right one?" "Quite." Dan stepped through in the now familiar chill and found himself back in the park. A small dog sniffing at the carrier caught sight of Blote, lowered his leg and fled. "I want to pay Mr. Snithian a visit," Dan said, climbing into a seat. "My idea exactly," Blote agreed, lowering his bulk into place. "Don't get the idea I'm going to help you steal anything." "Dan! A most unkind remark. I merely wish to look into certain matters." "Just so you don't start looking into the safe." Blote tsked, moved a lever. The carrier climbed over a row of blue trees and headed west. IV Blote brought the carrier in high over the Snithian Estate, dropped lower and descended gently through the roof. The pale, spectral servants moving about their duties in the upper hall failed to notice the wraith-like cage passing soundlessly among them. In the dining room, Dan caught sight of the girl--Snithian's daughter, perhaps--arranging shadowy flowers on a sideboard. "Let me take it," Dan whispered. Blote nodded. Dan steered for the kitchen, guided the carrier to the spot on which he had first emerged from the vault, then edged down through the floor. He brought the carrier to rest and neutralized all switches in a shower of sparks and blue light.