Watkins said, "He looked down on Earth. That argues another planet."
"But how did they get us here? In two days?"
Watkins scratched his bristled chin and thought aloud. "It must have been instantaneous. Remember, we went through a quarantine and were healed of just about everything that was wrong with us. That must have taken a while."
"The octopus was still wet," said Adam, "and the grubs and locusts were still kicking. They must focus that rig on Earth and push a button and here it is, like that. Instant transmission of matter." He smiled weakly, as though he were proud of the phrase. He looked very frightened, thought Watkins, and unhappy.
Tom Watkins was scared, too, but not especially unhappy. For the first time in almost twenty years, he was free of worry about the bulls, the law. He only wished he knew what had happened to his loot.
"The planet," said Cal, "whatever its name is, must have the same gravity and atmosphere as Earth. Same water, too."
"That's right. So it's produced a race of critters with plenty of human characteristics," said Watkins.
"Have they done this before?" asked Mrs. Full. "I mean do you think we're the first to be snatched up?"
"No, I don't," said Watkins, surprised that she was talking directly to him. "People disappear all the time. Look at the famous ones: Judge Crater, Ambrose Bierce—"
"Somebody mention the Marie Celeste," growled Summersby.