June gasped. “Everyone’s collar?”

“Everyone. There’s a gigantic manhunt going on now, with the whole city out trying to find this guy. If we don’t get him and turn him in, those three madmen are liable to choke us all as a punitive measure.”

As he spoke, he winced and put his hand to his throat. “They’re starting now!”

A moment later, June uttered a little cry as the remote-control torturers went to work on her collar as well. I went almost insane with rage at that.

I got off the floor and went inside.

“I’m the man they’re looking for,” I announced loudly. Jim turned, startled, and flicked a glance from me to June and back to me again.

“Where’d he come from, June?” Jim asked coldly.

“He’s the fugitive,” she said hesitantly. “He was running from the Tax Guards and practically ran into me. I brought him here.”

“Great Scot!” he shouted. “Of all the crazy stunts! Come on—let’s turn him in before they choke us all.”

He started toward me, but I held up a hand. I’m a big man, and he stopped, giving me the respect my size deserves. “Just one moment, friend. Don’t be so quick to turn people in. Suppose you tell me who you are?”

“What does that matter to you?” he snapped.

“Jim’s my brother,” June said. “Have you heard what they’re going to do unless they find you?”

I nodded grimly. “I heard you talking from inside.”

“I’m going to call the Guards,” Jim said. “We can’t let you roam around free while our lives are in danger. It’s for the good of the whole city.”

He moved toward the phone, but I tripped him and shoved him into a chair. “Hold on a second, buddy.”