Alan returned to his seat. He murmured to Powl: "Let's talk about that later—not now."
Lea touched his arm. She whispered: "Yes—yes, understand—not now."
The thing startled them all. There was a brief silence; they could hear Lentz moving normally about the other room.
Alan asked Powl at last: "Can you operate your instrument here? Without Lentz to do it?"
"Lea and San can," said Powl. "Though not so well as Lentz."
"Let's try it again, but wait a minute."
Alan went to the door. "Lentz, how soon will you be ready?"
Lentz looked up from his work. "Quite shortly."
"Good. I'll close this door. Knock when you're ready." He ignored the fellow's surprise, and dropped the door closed with a bang.