Curt didn't think so either. They returned to the room of machines, closing the door carefully. Lorine stared around, perplexed.
"There must be an exit somewhere!"
"Quite right, young lady. And now that you are here, I'll be glad to show you."
It was a strange, mocking voice that came from behind them. They whirled about, peering into the shadows.
From a little alcove beneath a tier of machines stepped an Earthman. He was tall, young, blond. Four electros swung instantly up to cover him.
Only Curt didn't hold an electro, and now he snapped, "Put those guns away!" He peered again. "I know this man!"
The stranger's smile vanished. Puzzlement came across his face as he turned gray eyes upon Curt. He seemed searching his mind, trying to recall something deeply imbedded in the matrix of the past.
"Robert Frane," Curt said. "Good lord, man, don't you recognize me? Curt Emmons! You knew me at Government Spacer School—"
"Robert Frane ... yes. That is my name." It seemed an effort for him to recall it. It was apparent he didn't recognize Curt. Curt gave it up for the moment, studying him, wondering at the strange, puzzled look of the man. Frane spoke in clipped phrases.