Glawen marched from the room, through the outer office and down the stairs. In the rotunda he walked back and forth, inclining first toward one desperate plan, then another. At last, cursing under his breath, he went into the travel office and picked up his vouchers for passage aboard the Sagittarian Ray.

During the evening he kept his problems to himself, and Scharde asked no questions. In the morning, Glawen walked down to the Bureau B offices and along the way met Kirdy, turned out in a spanking-new Bureau B uniform, with the captain's red piping prominent. Kirdy looked Glawen up and down in disfavor.

"Why are you not in uniform?"

"Because I don't choose to be, and because it is not at all appropriate to the mission."

"That is not for you, but for me, to determine." Kirdy turned away and strode off to the Bureau B offices, with Glawen coming behind more slowly.

Arriving at Bureau B, Glawen reported to Hilda, who placed a folder containing his documents in front of him. Glawen glanced though them; all seemed in order.

"Now, then, where is my money?"

With hands trembling in reluctance, Hilda tendered him a packet.

"Count the contents. You will find a thousand sols.

It is a great deal of money. Be very careful with it; you will be issued no further sums."

Glawen counted the money, tucked documents and packet into the inner pocket of his jacket. Hilda watched with cold amusement.

"If you carry your money in that pocket, it will be stolen immediately. Have the seamstress sew pockets on the inside of your trouser legs. This is where you should carry your funds."

"These pockets are already in place, but I delayed using them," said Glawen.

"I feared that removing my trousers in your presence might offend you."

"Pish," sneered Hilda.

"What do I care, one way or the other?" She jerked her head toward the inner office.

"You may go in; the Supervisor is expecting you."

Glawen went through the door to find Bodwyn Wook standing by the window.

"Sir, it is I, Glawen."

Bodwyn Wook turned and slowly came to his desk. He seated himself and at last deigned to take note of Glawen.

"You are ready to go?"

Glawen looked at him sharply; was he mistaken, or did Bodwyn Wook's demeanor seem constrained? Glawen said firmly: "No, sir. I am not ready to go. I can only reiterate that Kirdy is incapable of conducting sensitive work. I just met him dressed in a new uniform, advertising to all the Reach that he is employed by Bureau B. What is worse, he chided me for being out of uniform."

"Ah yes! Poor Kirdy is perhaps a trifle distrait. I rely on your sturdy common sense to even the balance. You have received your documents? And your money? Also your rectification pills?"

"I picked up a kit at the pharmacy."

"Throw away the stuff called Erythrist; it's useless, especially against Soumian itch. They'll give you a specific at the Soum spaceport; you'll get it as you pass through the wicket. So then: you are all ready."

Glawen began to feel desperate.

"Sir, I cannot work with Kirdy under present conditions."

"Come, now, Glawen! We must take the long view. The experience will not only help Kirdy but may well expand your own capacities."

"What, then, is my mission? To investigate the Thurben Island case or to provide therapy for Kirdy?"

Bodwyn Wook's voice sharpened.

"Come, Glawen! Your anxieties are fast becoming tiresome. Does your question truly need an answer?"

"I'm sorry to annoy you, sir, but perhaps it can't be helped. Does Kirdy carry his own money?"

"He has been issued a substantial sum."

"How much, exactly?"

"Two thousand sols, if you must know. It is a great deal of money, but bribes might be necessary."

"But I was issued only a thousand sols."

"That should be sufficient."

"You have made it absolutely clear that I am in charge?"

"Well--I believe that was more or less implicit."

Glawen heaved a deep breath.

"Be good enough to write me an exact definition of my authority, stating that Kirdy must obey my orders in every detail."

Bodwyn Wook performed a small airy gesture.

"In this business we must deal with practicalities. I left the subject of authority a trifle vague. As you know, I want to augment Kirdy's self-esteem in every possible way. In fact, I might even have hinted that he was in charge of the operation."

Glawen threw documents and money down on the desk.

"In that case, my presence can only have an adverse effect upon the mission. The effort Kirdy puts in trying to murder me, and my efforts trying to avoid death, are both counterproductive. With enormous relief I definitely withdraw from the operation."

Bodwyn Wook's eyes snapped with anger.

"You are singing a brassy song! I advise you to moderate your legato."

"Even better, I shall do my singing elsewhere. I bid you good day." Glawen bowed and strode furiously for the door.

In a sullen voice Bodwyn Wook called out: "Come back here!

Can't you take a joke? You are as humorless as Hilda. You shall have your memorandum."