"That is all for now."

Glawen rose to his feet, bowed stiffly and departed the office.

On Milden afternoon, three wagons driven by Kirdy, Uther and Glawen conveyed all the Bold Lions save Jardine Laverty north along relationship between us. I tried not to believe it but now I know that you are right."

"And that's how you want it?"

"What an odd thing to say! My inclinations have never been considered at any time. Why are they under investigation now?"

Wayness laughed.

"Through an oversight I neglected to notify you that I've been reassessing the situation."

A sardonic chuckle rose in Glawen's throat, which he wisely held back.

"When will we know the results?"

"A few of them are in now."

"Would you like to meet me down on the beach and tell me about them?"

"I don't dare." Wayness looked over her shoulder.

"About the time I was climbing out the window, Mother and Sunje and Dame Clytie would come peeping in to see if I was resting nicely."

"My best ideas turn out to be impractical."

"Now, then: tell me what I did to infuriate you."

Glawen said: "I'm just a bit puzzled why you invited me to Riverview House in the first place."

"Poof!"--a flippant feckless sound.

"Could it be that I wanted to show you off to Sunje and Julian?"

"Really?"

"Really. Is that all?"

"Well--no. I can't understand why you're so mysterious about your trip to Earth."

"It's simple. I can't trust you not to tell someone else."

"Hmmf," said Glawen.

"That's not a nice thing to say."

"You asked, and I told you."

"I didn't expect to hear anything quite so honest."

"It's more a matter of realism. Think, now. Suppose you swore silence by everything you held sacred, which induced me to tell you what I know and what I want to do. After thinking it over, you might decide that your higher duty lay in breaking faith with me and notifying your father. For the same high motives, your father might then inform Bodwyn Wook, and then who knows how far the information might travel? If it reached the wrong ears, very serious consequences might be the result. I avoid this worry by telling no one. Now I hope you understand and are no longer angry with me, at least on that account."

Glawen thought for a moment, then said: "If I understand you correctly, you are involved, or plan to involve yourself, in a matter of importance."

"That's true."

"Are you sure that you can take care of the business alone?"

"I'm not sure of anything except that I must do what needs to be done without attracting attention. It's a real dilemma for me; I want and I may need help, but only on my own terms. Milo is the best compromise and he is coming with me, for which I'm grateful. Now, then: have I made everything clear?"

"I understand what you've told me, yes. But suppose you and Milo are killed: what happens to your information?"

"I've already made arrangements."

"I think you should consult your father."

Wayness shook her head.

"He'd declare that I was too young and inexperienced for such a venture, and I wouldn't be allowed to leave Riverview House."

"Is it possible that he might be right?"

"I don't think so. I believe that I am doing exactly the right thing Anyway, that's the situation and I hope that you feel better."

"I don't feel anything, which is better."

"Goodnight, Glawen."

The following morning Wayness called Glawen again.

"Just to bring you up to date: Warden Ballinder and Dame Clytie quarreled this morning. As a result Dame Clytie, with Julian in tow, is returning early to Stroma."

"Indeed! What of Julian's investigation of Mad Mountain?"

"The subject never arose. It's either been postponed or forgotten."

In response to a question from Bodwyn Wook, Glawen stated:

"I'm not at all comfortable with the Bold Lion assignment. I feel a spy and a sneak."

"Why should you not?" snapped Bodwyn Wook.

"That is your function. A Bureau B agent never fools himself with words.

Forget the terminology; just do the work."

"Meanwhile I must consort with the Bold Lions. They grow more tiresome by the hour."