"I've been on a few like that, too, Mr. Taine."
Taine studied Retief's face. "I can believe that," he said. "However, I think you'd better rejoin the main party."
"I might be of some use here, if your missing men arrive under fire."
"Missing men?" Taine's mouth twisted in a sour smile. "You fail to grasp the picture, Mr. Retief. There'll be no missing men arriving."
"Oh? I understood you were waiting here to meet them."
"Not men, Mr. Retief. It happens that Corasol has twin daughters, aged nineteen. They haven't been seen since the trouble began."
V
Half an hour passed. Retief leaned against the tunnel wall, arms folded, smoking a cigar in silence. Taine paced, ten yards up the corridor, ten yards back....
"You seem nervous, Mr. Taine," Retief said.