Walther stopped and waited.
The footsteps behind him drew closer. A slight shadow bulked out of the darkness, and Walther heard Willy Fritsh say in German:
"Don't be alarmed, young man."
Willy came up and linked his arm through Walther's.
"Keep on walking—It's a cold night."
The chill air rattled in Willy's throat as he panted from the pace of overtaking Walther. When he caught his breath, he asked:
"What sort of world do you come from? It's quite amazing that someone from the Andromeda galaxy should ask for the original Rigoletto!"
Walther told the old producer something of his home and family. Willy questioned him closely on several points, and finally seemed satisfied.
"When they come from the stars," he murmured.