I said, "Look, did you expect me to carry a bell and cry unclean? I didn't mean to break in. I'll go at once...."
In a voice that shook, Slovetski said: "Wait one moment." He pressed a bell-button on the wall; we all stood there silent, the five of them staring at me, me wishing I was dead.
There was a patter of feet outside, and Rena peered in. She saw me and her hand went to her heart.
"Tom! But—"
Slovetski said commandingly, "Why did you permit him his liberty?"
Rena looked at him wide-eyed. "But, please, I asked you. You suggested letting him study the exhibits."
Benedetto nodded. "True, Slovetski," he said gravely. "You ordered her to attend until our—conference was over."
The flame surged wildly in Slovetski's eyes—not at me. But he got it under control. He said, "Take him away." He did not do me the courtesy of looking my way again. Rena took me by the hand and led me off, closing the door behind us.
As soon as we were outside, I heard a sharp babble of argument, but I could make out no words through the door. I didn't need to; I knew exactly what they were saying.
This was the proposition: Resolved, that the easiest thing to do is put Wills out of the way permanently. And with Slovetski's fiery eyes urging the positive, what eager debater would say him nay?