"Quite well, the last time I saw him," said Farradyne, quite sure that this was the right thing to say at any time.
"You're sure?"
"Of course."
"I'm very happy to hear it," said Mrs. Niles. "We knew he was with you, but we didn't know how long he stayed."
Farradyne gulped imperceptibly, and he hoped that they did not notice. "You did? Then he must have mentioned me."
"Oh, he did. Tell me, Charles, what happened to Michael?"
"Did something happen to him?"
Mr. Niles eyed Farradyne rather pointedly. "Mike took off with you from Mars. He did not land at Denver, Mr. Farradyne. So what happened to Mike Cahill?"
Farradyne gulped, and this time it was a full-throated gulp that left him with his Adam's apple high in his throat.
Carolyn cooed, "Yes, Charles, what happened to Michael Cahill?"