"I believe we are all here now. If everyone will sit down we'll begin the meeting."
When everyone was seated Dan nodded to Professor Corbett.
"You all know by now," Professor Corbett began, "that Ben's group was discovered and probably destroyed. We've been able to find no trace of them. Things have been going pretty badly for us, friends, and that is why we asked you all to make the effort to come here tonight. For many of you it's been hard; you've come a long way. But we have to make a stand and we must make that stand together."
Applause greeted Professor Corbett's introduction and, after hesitating a moment, he continued.
"It is likely that Ben and the others were taken to Dreamtown and psychwashed. In the past few days we have received no word from Jennings either. It is possible that he has been found out and is unable to contact us. At any rate, we must operate on that assumption until we hear from him again.—If we do," he added solemnly.
Every eye in the group was fixed on Professor Corbett and every ear strained to hear each word he spoke.
"The Watchers have been patrolling an increasingly wider area around Dreamtown, which necessitates moving our outposts farther away. This will make communications between our groups more difficult, but it is a necessary maneuver. Another thing. Take your books and music and paintings and anything else which might give you away, and hide them in some safe place. It is most important that we preserve what we have left. It must not fall into the hands of the Watchers."
A woman in the group spoke. "We can't just keep running and hiding! We should do something!"
"That is exactly the reason I asked you here tonight," Professor Corbett replied. "Dan and I have formulated a plan and we submit it to you for your consideration, approval, and cooperation. Dan, will you explain what we have worked out?"
Dan rose and came to stand beside the Professor.