And—for better or worse—Steve responded as he had been told.
"Aye," he said, his eyes searching Amarro's face, "I have many brothers."
And his breath caught in his throat as the guarded light in Amarro's eyes lifted, and his captor said firmly but clearly, "The brave never lack for brethren, O Dwain!"
A cry of gladness almost escaped Duane's lips. Okuno had spoken truly when he said that even in the most unexpected places might he find allies.
"Then you," cried Steve, "are one of us. You, too—"
"Hush!" Amarro warned him sharply. "Careful, O Dwain! Warn them not. We must move swiftly.
"When we reach the barricade, I will pause to remove your bonds, and motion you toward the prison camp with leveled ray-gun. You must seize the gun and strike me senseless with it. Stay not your strength, but strike hard and true that none may suspect me. It is important I should remain at this post I have held ever since the former Amarro visited Earth."
"I get it," breathed Steve. "Then what shall I do? Where shall I go?"
"Flee to the swamp-edge," Amarro's nod designated the direction. "There, beside a small dock, you will find a motor-skiff. Leap into this, press the red stud on the instrument panel, and its automatic controls will speed you to my private refuge hidden in the fens. There await me. I shall come to you as soon as possible."
"And the other prisoners?"