"Try the floor," suggested Joe. Mark dropped down and scanned the floor
minutely. Joe moved farther to the right and Zip to the left of the
door, their fingers moving gently over the surface looking for some
kind of irregularity.
St. George watched them with a mix of curiosity and amazement on his
face. His men sat at the tables playing games, paying the Starmen
little heed. Once in a while one looked up, then turned back to his
game. Others napped on the sofas.
"Look here," said Mark. Zip and Joe came over to see what he had found.
"What do you see?" he asked them, sitting back on his heels.
"Where?" asked Joe.
"You find it-see if I'm right," answered Mark.
Joe pursed his lips and squinted. Zip watched carefully. George
appeared almost impassive, but inside his heart was beating faster.
"I see it," observed Joe after a minute.
"What?" burst out St. George, then looked almost sheepish for showing
his excitement.
"The light reflects off this patch here just a little differently from
the rest of the floor. It's a perfect square about, oh, fifteen inches
on a side."
"Right," said Mark.
"How do we open it-if it's a panel, that is?" asked Joe. He pushed the
corners, tried sliding the panel in every direction, bounced the square
with his fingers, all with no result.
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