"The Admiral must have been furious, about the reward," I said. "He'll hunt us harder than ever."
That old reckless grin lit the Earthman's face.
"He was," he whispered happily. "And he will." Then his gray eyes became very sober. "I was sorry to do it, Barihorn. For it put us back in danger. And makes the quest for Verel and the Stone more difficult."
His yellow head shook gravely.
"But I could not let men believe that we were dead—for we are their only champions against the robots. And I wanted more of them to know of your miraculous return, Barihorn. We must keep hope alive, at whatever cost. Or men will yield to slavery and death, and our cause will be lost."
"I see," I told him, "And now what?"
His jaw set grimly.
"Still," he said, "we must search for Verel and the Stone. Malgarth fears you and the Stone, Barihorn—else he would be less anxious for our death. And we know that all the rebellion of mankind will be crushed, as surely as steel is stronger than flesh—unless we have the aid of the Stone."
"But how can we continue the search," I demanded somewhat apprehensively, "—now?"
Kel Aran grinned.