"Holdreth Khain," I said, "I'm bringing in a man to see you—one of your fellow Damakoi. We've got a sneaking hunch that he may be Zorvash Pedrik. Do you think you're up to identifying him?"

He seemed to grow a little stronger almost immediately.

"Certainly," he said. "Bring him in."

"Will you be all right, do you think?" I asked. "The doctor has to attend to another patient."

It was an out-and-out lie, but I wanted to get the doctor out of the room. The physician started to say something in protest, but I silenced him with a glance.

"I'll be all right," said Holdreth Khain.

The doctor took the hint and got out.

I pointed at a door across the room. "I'm going to bring the man in through that door. I want you to take a good look at him—the way he walks, the way he acts—notice everything about him. I want to be absolutely sure of our identification."

"Very well," said the Damakoi. "I'll watch him carefully. If it's Zorvash Pedrik, I'll know him."

"Good. I'll get him now." I went for the alien.