“Not understand,” Wu Ling regretted.
Gregory sat for a moment or two deep in disturbed thought. More than anything he had ever coveted in the world he coveted that other Image.
“Look here,” he decided at last, “I accept. But we don’t need to play a game at all. Send for a pack of cards, have them well shuffled and deal a card to each of us. The highest wins.”
Wu Ling nodded approvingly.
“It is simple,” he assented. “We do that. If you win, my porters shall pack Image and you can take it to ship. If you lose you bring yours here.”
Gregory moistened his lips which were already a little dry.
“It is agreed,” he said.
Wu Ling opened one of the lower drawers of his desk. He searched for a few moments and then produced an ordinary pack of playing cards. He laid them upon the table.
“In here?” Gregory demanded, glancing at the silent forms, always moving around them.
“Why not?” Wu Ling replied. “What we do is nothing to them. They see nothing. They work.”