"Quite so. Then you need sleep now. I want you to go at once to the Tappan Fieldhouse. The commander there will make you comfortable. Eat, and sleep if you can. We want you in good shape. You're to keep out of this night's activities here in the city; you understand?"
"Yes sir."
An orderly was approaching behind Brayley. "I'll be back in a moment, Rollins."
He shook hands with us. "I may not see you again before it's over. Good luck, lads. Grantline, they need you for a moment in the hall; something about electronic space weapons, further equipment for the Cometara. Then you'd better go to Tappan House too, and get some sleep."
We were dismissed. Snap and I regarded each other hesitantly. I said impulsively, "Mr. Brayley, Detective-Colonel Halsey is using two girls."
"Yes, we're watching that, Haljan."
"They're the girls we're to marry," I added. "May we communicate with Colonel Halsey?"
"Yes. Call him from here." He smiled wanly. "But keep out of it; we need you at dawn."
The Tappan departure-stage was only a few miles up the Hudson; we could get there in half an hour. It was now nearly trinight, halfway between midnight and dawn. I had my portable audiphone and got Halsey at once.
"You Gregg?"