“It would give me much pleasure––”
“Thank you, not tonight.” And in the same, level, pleasant voice: “Don’t look immediately, but from where you sit you can see in the mirror opposite two women seated in the next room.”
After a moment he nodded.
“Are they watching us?”
“Yes.”
“Mr. Neeland?”
He reddened with surprise.
“Get Captain Sengoun and leave,” she said, still smiling. “Do it carelessly, convincingly. Neither of you needs courage; both of you lack common sense. Get up, take leave of me nicely but regretfully, as though I had denied you a rendezvous. You will be killed if you remain here.”
For a moment Neeland hesitated, but curiosity won: