Someone prodded him roughly with a toe, said, "Get up!"
Joel scrambled to his feet, stood there weaving. His hands were manacled. His head felt as if it must burst.
Then he drew in his breath sharply.
Just behind him stood a yellow tree and beneath it a deal table with the shaggy figure of Walt Eriss bending over it!
The ex-surgeon was talking over a portable televisor. A dozen men surrounded the giant. They were wearing scarlet armbands.
Joel could hear Eriss saying, "Yes, we're pushing on the palace now. No. I'm using runners." He clicked off the set, looked up, staring coldly at Joel.
"Where are the Ganelons?" he demanded in a harsh voice.
Joel's eyes widened. There wasn't a Ganelon in sight. Then he caught their alien unhuman scent. They were all around, invisible to the mind's eye! What did it mean?
A thrill of alarm rippled up his spine. He shrugged, said, "How would I know?"
"You're one of their spies," stated Eriss flatly. "I want to know what they're up to!"