"The effect is the same."

"Did Julian suggest the so-called accident?"

Orreduc smiled wistfully.

"What if I tell you the exact truth?"

"You are going to die. Tell the truth and you'll save your helpers."

"Kill me, then. I hope that both uncertainty and itching piles annoy you the rest of your days."

Ysel Laverty gestured to his sergeant.

"Handcuff him; take him to the flyer and put him in the after compartment. Do the same for the others. Go carefully; they might be armed."

Immediately upon Glawen's return to Araminta Station he took himself to the Bureau B offices and there conferred with Bodwyn Wook. He learned that Julian had been hospitalized with a crushed pelvis and two smashed legs.

"He is lucky to be alive," said Bodwyn Wook.

"If he. planned the event, he made a great botch of it."

Glawen shook his head.

"In spite of all, I can't credit Julian with murderous tendencies."

"This is my opinion. The situation is ambiguous, but we can take it no farther."

"He probably talked a lot of extravagant nonsense, and perhaps some sedition as well, but there would be no hard proof."

"That is what we hear from the assistant stable men though their testimony is too vague to be useful."

"What has happened to them?"

"Orreduc has been shot. The underlings are on their way to Cape Journal, where they will break a road through the rocks to Crazy Katy Lake and the Mile-High Falls."

"They got off easy."

Bodwyn Wook folded his hands and looked toward the ceiling.

"Their guilt is hard to measure. They knew what was going on but made no move to prevent it. By our doctrine, they are as guilty as Orreduc. Yips look at life differently. Even now they don't understand why they are being punished; Orreduc gave the orders; they merely obeyed, so why this cruel fate?

"But I feel no great sorrow on their behalf. The rule is simple:

"When you travel to far places, obey the laws of the land."

The Yips neglected this rule and are now enroute to Cape Journal."

Returning to Clattuc House, Glawen called Wayness on the tele phone. She seemed wan and despondent, and had little to say.

Halfway through the next morning Wayness telephoned Glawen.

"Are you busy?"

"Not particularly."

"I want to talk with you. Can I meet you somewhere?"

"Certainly. Shall I come to Riverview House?"

"If you like. I'll wait for you out in front."

Glawen drove the Clattuc power wagon south along the Beach Road. A gusty wind from the sea caused the roadside palms to dip and sway, and set the fronds to rasping. Surf roared up the beach, to retreat in hissing sheets of spume. At Riverview House, Glawen found Wayness waiting beside the road, her dark green cloak flapping in the wind.

Wayness jumped into the seat beside Glawen. He drove another mile south, then turned off the road and halted where they could look out over the tumbling sea. Glawen asked, somewhat tentatively: "How are your father and mother?"

"Well enough. Mother's sister has come to visit."

"What of your plans? Are you still set upon your visit to Earth?"

"That's what I want to talk about." She sat a moment looking out to sea.

"I've said very little about what I hope to do."

"You've said nothing."

"Only to Milo, who was coming with me. Now he's gone. It came to me that if, like Milo, I were to die suddenly, or be killed, or lose my mind, then no one would know what I know.

At least, I don't think anyone knows what I know. I hope not."

"Why haven't you told your father?"

Wayness smiled sadly.

"He would be astonished and highly concerned. He would not allow me to go to Earth. He would insist that I was too young and inexperienced for so much responsibility."

"Perhaps he would be right."

"I don't think so. But I must tell someone else, just in case something happens to me."

"It sounds like dramatic information."

"You can judge for yourself."

"You're planning to tell me?"

"Yes. But you must undertake to tell no one, unless somehow I am killed and you fear for your own life, or something similar."

"I don't like the sound of this, but I'll do as you ask."