Whitey Burnet's face was still white. "Look," he said. "I don't like Joe, but it's something personal. The tribunal found him innocent, so why not give him a chance?"
Arden turned to Joe who still stood by the side of the door, his handsome bronzed face stiff.
"Well?" Arden asked.
Joe smiled. He said, looking at the red-headed Herd:
"You're right as far as you went. I was taken to the Rock. I did try to break loose. The tribunal found me not guilty and apologized. I was released. And here I am."
Herd looked back at Joe, and then he smiled, half-apologetically:
"I'll take you at face value. You look all right."
"Thanks," Joe said.
Bob and Ronnie Guetschow, the bulky professor twins, broke the ensuing silence with:
"Come on and eat." The ice broke silently. Arden motioned Joe toward an empty chair at the table. Joe moved forward, then stopped as his eyes counted the men at the table.