"Not in so many words," I told him. I put my hand on the butt of my automatic pistol.
His eyes followed the move. There was fear in his face. "I don't know what to do," he confessed.
"Do nothing," I said. "That's all I ask."
He gulped. He seemed a little relieved. "I don't see how I can do anything," he replied.
"Stand up!" I said.
He looked frightened again. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm taking your gun," I said. "Just to make sure you won't try anything."
He stood up and I made him turn around. Then I took his gun. "You'll sleep in the lower cabin tonight," I told him. "Gail and I will take turns doing guard duty."
The next morning, Dr. Joel was a very subdued man. He ate breakfast silently and then volunteered to tidy up the cabin. He went about his tasks eagerly, anxious to please. All of the truckling he had done for Dr. Spartan now seemed to be transferred to Gail and me.