"Just a minute," said Orne. "About us—" He swallowed.
She withdrew her hand. "I think my parents already suspect. We Bullones are notorious love-at-first-sighters." Her overlarge eyes studied him fondly. "You don't feel feverish, but maybe we'd better—"
"What a dope I am!" snarled Orne. "I just realized that I have to be a Nathian, too."
"You just realized?" She stared at him.
There was a hissing gasp in Orne's transceiver.
"The identical patterns in our families," he said. "Even to the houses. And there's the real key. What a dope!" He snapped his fingers. "The head! Polly! Your mother's the grand boss woman, isn't she?"
"But, darling ... of course. She—"
"You'd better take me to her and fast!" snapped Orne. He touched the stud at his neck, but Stetson's voice intruded.
"Great work, Lew! We're moving in a special shock force. Can't take any chances with—"
Orne spoke aloud in panic: "Stet! You get out to the Bullones! And you get there alone! No troops!"