Matt's eyes were bright. "We'll release you. You can go talk to them yourself. Of course we'll keep these other women as hostages. You can have three hours. At the end of that time, if you haven't returned, we'll hang one of your girls at the front gate every hour until you do!"
Margot stared at him in disbelief, then gradually realized that he was serious. "When can I go?"
"Now."
"Now?" she said. "Where do I bring them?"
"Into the freight entrance—unarmed!—and in three hours."
"What about these irons?"
"We'll strike them off." He sent the chief engineer after the torch. They waited in tense silence until the chief returned.
"Wait a moment," said Matt. "Hadn't we better put this to a vote?"
"Yes," agreed Isaac. He stood up. "Any objections?" They were too stunned to offer any.