"Durn!" Chip said softly.
Retief opened one eye. "Sorry you came, Chip?"
"Left my best carvin' knife jammed up 'tween Marbles' ribs," the chef said. "Comes o' doin' things in a hurry."
V
The blonde girl brushed her hair from her eyes and smiled at Retief.
"I'm the only one on duty," she said. "I'm Anne-Marie."
"It's important that I talk to someone in your government, Miss," Retief said.
The girl looked at Retief. "The men you want to see are Tove and Bo Bergman. They will be at the lodge by night-fall."
"Then it looks like we go to the lodge," Retief said. "Lead on, Anne-Marie."