“Can you suggest any other way out of the thing? That is much more to the point.”

“You shall not risk your life in this mad way.”

“Hush!” I held up my hand. My ear had caught the sound of grating steps on the stone outside the door. We stood and listened, and the sound came again, followed by a gentle knock at the door.

I led her a few paces away.

“I’m going to answer that knock myself. Trust me. I will not betray you. Go into the room to Boreski.”

“Not for a thousand worlds,” she answered vehemently.

“Let this misunderstanding cease. I will run no unnecessary risks.”

There are moments when many things are made plain; and that was one of them for Helga and me.

“I cannot trust you—to run no risks, I mean. I cannot.”

“In other things?” She was silent. “Helga?”