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“You must be a big wheel in New York’s Medievalist organization, maybe even in the planetary setup. Maneuver them in the direction of the colonization of space. You can see the propaganda line, can’t you? We can go back to the soil all right—but on other planets.”
“I don’t understand,” mumbled the Commissioner.
“It’s what the Spacers are after. And God help me, it’s what I’m after now, too, since a small conversation I had with Dr. Fastolfe. It’s what they want more than anything. They risk death continually by coming to Earth and staying here for that purpose. If Dr. Sarton’s murder will make it possible for you to swing Medievalism into line for the resumption of Galactic colonization, they’ll probably consider it a worthwhile sacrifice. Do you understand now?”
R. Daneel said, “Elijah is quite correct. Help us, Commissioner, and we will forget the past. I am speaking for Dr. Fastolfe and our people generally in this. Of course, if you should agree to help and later betray us, we would always have the fact of your guilt to hold over your head. I hope you understand that, too. It pains me to have to mention that.”
“I won’t be prosecuted?” asked the Commissioner.
“Not if you help us.”
Tears filled his eyes. “I’ll do it. It was an accident. Explain that. An accident. I did what I thought right.”
Baley said, “If you help us, you will be doing right. The colonization of space is the only possible salvation of Earth. You’ll realize that if you think about it without prejudice. If you find you ca
Baley got to his feet. “And remember, I’m not the only one who knows the truth, Commissioner. Getting rid of me will ruin you. All Spacetown knows. You see that, don’t you?”
R. Daneel said, “It is u
“All right. Then I’ll go home. I want to see Jessie and Bentley and take up a natural existence again. And I want to sleep.—Daneel, will you stay on Earth after the Spacers go?”
R. Daneel said, “I have not been informed. Why do you ask?”
Baley bit his lip, then said, “I didn’t think I would ever say anything like this to anyone like you, Daneel, but I trust you. I even—admire you. I’m too old ever to leave Earth myself, but when schools for emigrants are finally established, there’s Bentley. If someday, perhaps, Bentley and you, together…”
“Perhaps.” R. Daneel’s face was emotionless.
The robot turned to Julius Enderby, who was watching them with a flaccid face into which a certain vitality was only now begi
The robot said, “I have been trying, friend Julius, to understand some remarks Elijah made to me earlier. Perhaps I am begi
He hesitated, then, almost as though he were surprised at his own words, he said, “Go, and sin no more!”
Baley, suddenly smiling, took R. Daneel’s elbow, and they walked out the door, arm in arm.