"What do you do with the males?" he asked, prompted by something in Bemmelman's voice.
"They're interesting, but they've no market value. I have them destroyed."
Cosmo bit his lip. Bemmelman was a monster. He wondered what the sealed chambers held, the chambers where his spy Penang-ihtok had never been able to penetrate.
"I suppose," said the planter unexpectedly; "you're curious about what I wanted with you?"
Cosmo nodded.
"Well sir, I could have had you killed back in the caves of the Cloud Mountains. I've had a spy among your men for some time." He paused as the Mercurian returned, deposited a tray between them. It held a silver pitcher of krudo juice, thin sandwiches, a bottle of food concentrates.
"Go ahead," said Cosmo when the Mercurian had departed. He popped two of the pills into his mouth.
"Where was I? Oh yes. I could have had you assassinated several times, but you've some information I want?"
Cosmo's green eyes narrowed warily. "What information?"
The planter leaned forward, tapped him on the knee. "That bird. The Giant Ormoo. Oh yes, I know how you escaped from the roof last night. Yes sir, and very neat, too." He beamed amiably. "I want to know where the Ormoos feed."