"I want to talk about, about some private matters. I can wait until he can see me." Herb felt the gun, heavy and reassuring.
"The Senator isn't in right now. Perhaps I can help you?"
"No," Herb said sharply. "My business is with him. It's just between the two of us."
"He just left with his sister and George, the starman."
Herb bent forward intently. Time telescoped. An hour was no longer a practical infinity. "Where did they go?"
"I don't know, sir."
To the spider ship, Herb thought. They came back to Washington. They came back—to give Bud his reward for betrayal....
Herb was at the door. He almost tore it from the hinges when he jerked it open.
John picked up his telephone and placed a call to the C.I.D. "The starman, Herb," he said, "has just left Senator Council's office. You can pick him up outside. If you hurry."