The Russian said, "Don't you understand? If you don't tell me, I shall shoot you. Just for the example of it. I can get your number by picking up this telephone. But you've got to tell me yourself."
"Why?" asked Dugan.
"Because I order you to. I'll get your section overseer to come here and we will find out how you got into the quarters for the scientists. You're a brave man. I watched you back there. But don't you realize that your number is already up? We treat you guinea pigs pretty well. You all volunteered for it out of the northern camps. What do you want — a free ticket to Potsdam?"
"No," said Dugan. He measured this distance between himself and the Russian but did not betray his thought by the movement of his eyes.
"Well, then, your number?"
Dugan stayed quiet.
"I will shoot you. Now." The Russian's voice had authority but no heat. Dugan doubted he would do it — not that second.
Dugan stayed quiet.
"You want to die easy with a bullet?"
Dugan nodded.