"That rocket ship," said Uncle Andy, "seems to be the main issue of the battle."
"Andy!" exclaimed Valerie Roagland. "Are all of us insane?"
"I say there!" cried the officer in charge of the detail surrounding them. His accent was unmistakably British. "Who are you and whence came you?"
"That would be a better question if we asked it," replied Burley. "What the devil is this!" He waved his hand in an all-inclusive gesture.
The officer's eyes narrowed. "Why do you evade the question?" he almost growled. "You are certainly not of New Bretania. Therefore, you are Texanian spies! You are under arrest!"
"Good Lord!" exclaimed Henry, turning pale. "Oh no!"
"What, Henry? What is it?" insisted Martia. Uncle Andy, Valerie, Miss Hollenbeck and Pee Bee crowded close, listening to the two and watching their captors at the same time.
Burley drew himself up and addressed the officer. "I am an official representative of the government of the United States of America," he said. "I demand—"
"My dear sir," flamed the officer. "You are not in a position to make demands. You will follow me promptly and obey orders under penalty of death! Can you not understand that we are under martial law here?"