There was a bell-push at the door, but no one answered it. Kirk tried the door. It swung open, and they went in.
They went into a room such as they had never seen before. The walls were of painted wood, instead of plastic. The furniture was wooden too, and of archaic design. The room, the house, were very silent.
"Look at this," said Lyllin, in tones of surprise.
She was touching a chair, and the chair rocked back and forth on its bottom. "I thought it was a child's toy but it's not made for a child."
He shook his head. "Beyond me. And it's beyond me too why Ferdias' man isn't here!"
He called, but there was no answer. He went through all the rooms, and there was no one.
Kirk felt a mounting alarm. Had something gone wrong with Ferdias' careful plans? Where was Ferdias' agent, where was the man who should have met him in this secret rendezvous with the information and orders he must have?
Suppose that man didn't come—who then could give him warning of Solleremos' strike, if Orion did strike?
CHAPTER V