"Blame it on me if it will make you feel any better," Retief said, "but don't be fool enough to trust them." He pulled on a cape, opened the door.
"I'll be back in a couple of hours," he said. Miss Meuhl stared after him silently as he closed the door.
It was an hour before dawn when Retief keyed the combination to the safe-lock and stepped into the darkened consular office. He looked tired.
Miss Meuhl, dozing in a chair, awoke with a start. She looked at Retief, rose and snapped on a light, turned to stare.
"What in the world—Where have you been? What's happened to your clothing?"
"I got a little dirty. Don't worry about it." Retief went to his desk, opened a drawer and replaced the needler.
"Where have you been?" Miss Meuhl demanded. "I stayed here—"
"I'm glad you did," Retief said. "I hope you piled up a supply of food and water from the dispenser, too. We'll be holed up here for a week, at least." He jotted figures on a pad. "Warm up the official sender. I have a long transmission for Regional Headquarters."
"Are you going to tell me where you've been?"