"Will Harry Starbuck please step forth and make his report?" One of Keleher's assistants brought the command to the Shining Ones who had joined the larger group near Hamilton Village.
There was a silence.
"Where is Starbuck?"
No one knew. The assistant shook his head and returned to Keleher for further instructions. Had anyone seen Starbuck? A short while ago, yes. Not for the past hour, though. Keleher next called for Diane, who had found Johnny Hope, the alleged traitor, along with Starbuck.
Some of them had seen her marching toward the rear of the column with Tom Burwood not long since. She did not answer the summons. And Burwood could not be found anywhere.
"Is everyone going crazy?" Keleher stormed. "Fetch the prisoner himself. We'll see what's going on."
Moments later: "Hope, charges have been brought against you concerning our raid on Hamilton Village."
"I know all about the charges. I refuse to discuss them now."
Keleher smiled without mirth. "You—refuse?"
"They were looking for Diane. They couldn't find her. They were looking for Starbuck too, and couldn't find him. It is Starbuck who has made the accusation, so we'll have to wait until he's found. I don't care one way or the other about Starbuck, but I want to find Diane."