"I'll think it over," Mary said, darkly.
"Where's old Adam March?" Craig said suddenly. "Have you seen him?"
"Not since the ship landed," Mary answered. "He was up in the front line cheering himself hoarse. Why?"
"For years he has been asking about the Andromeda. From the interest he took in the ship you would think he owned it. Now the ship has arrived, but he's not here taking part in the celebration." Mild concern rose in him as he sensed something wrong in the old man's absence. "I'm going to find him."
Asking questions, he discovered no one had seen Adam March. He went directly to the old man's quarters. The door was closed. He rapped. There was no answer. He tried the knob.
The door was locked.
"Who is it?" a voice quavered from inside.
"Craig Randall. Open up."
There was a moment's hesitation, then the door opened a crack. March peered through the opening. It seemed to Craig that the old man had aged years in hours. He had a heavy monkey wrench in one hand. "What's wrong?" Craig said. "The Andromeda is in?"
The old man opened the door. "Come in," he said. "Yes, the Andromeda is in. That's what's wrong."