VI
Lesbee discussed the disappearance with Browne.
It was an abrupt decision on his part to do so. The question of where Dzing might have got to was not something he should merely turn over in his own head.
He began by pointing at the dials from which the immense speed of the ship could be computed, and then, when that meaning was absorbed by the older man, said simply, "What happened? Where did he go? And how could we speed up to just under 186,000 miles a second in so short a time?"
He had lowered the big man to the floor, and now he took some of the tension from the tractor beam but did not release the power. Browne stood in apparent deep thought. Finally, he nodded. "All right," he said, "I know what happened."
"Tell me."
Browne changed the subject, said in a deliberate tone, "What are you going to do with me?"
Lesbee stared at him for a moment unbelievingly. "You're going to withhold this information?" he demanded.
Browne spread his hands. "What else can I do? Till I know my fate, I have nothing to lose."
Lesbee suppressed a strong impulse to rush over and strike his prisoner. He said finally, "In your judgment is this delay dangerous?"