They stood there, their faces impassive, their tones matter-of-fact as though they had asked him to pass the salt.
"Accompany you? I understood that you were going to deliver—"
"S-Council, Department of Security, sir. You appreciate our position. We have our orders. The Prelatinate-Attorney suggests an interview immediately, sir. If you will accompany us, please."
"You may tell the—the Prelatinate-Attorney that I'm quite busy, but that I shall be glad to make an appointment for him later tomorrow."
They stood there. There was a questioning look on Dot's face, and he had no answer for it. Somehow, they'd gotten onto something. Jane. No. Tayne again—
"We are sorry, sir."
"I'm afraid I fail to understand. You make it sound actually as though I'm to have no choice in the matter. Who issued your orders?"
"Office of the Director, sir. And actually, sir, you have no choice. If you will please accompany us."
They stood, immobile, waiting. There were only two of them. But he knew that in minutes there could be two hundred.
He went with them.