the memory back with the savage
blasphemies of a hundred worlds.

* * * * *

On the rough floor of Mytor's place, Dura-ki stirred and groaned.

Ransome didn't like the way things were going. He hadn't planned to
return to the Cafe Yaroto, to wait with Mytor for the arrival of the
priests.

"There are a couple of my men outside," Mytor told him. "When the
priests are spotted you can slip out through the rear exit."

"Why the devil do I have to be here now?"

"As I have told you, I am a businessman. Until I have turned the girl
over to the priests I cannot be sure of my payment. This girl, as you
know, is not without friends. If Captain Jareth knew that she was here
he would tear this place apart, he and his crew. Those men have rather
an impressive reputation as fighters, and while my guard here--"

"You've been drinking too much of your own rotten liquor, Mytor. Why
should I try to save her at the eleventh hour? To hand her back to her
lover?"

"I never drink my own liquor, Mr. Ransome." He took a sip of his kali
in confirmation. "I have seen love take many curious shapes."

Ransome stood up. "Save your memoirs. I want a guard to get me to the
ship you promised me. And I want it now."

Mytor did not move. The guards, ranged around the walls, stood silent
but alert.

"Mytor."

"Yes, Mr. Ransome?"

"There isn't any ship. There never was."

The Venusian shrugged. "It would have been easier for you if you
hadn't guessed. I'm really sorry."

"So you'll make a double profit on this deal. I was the bait for
Dura-ki, and Irene was bait for me. You are a good businessman,
Mytor."

"You are taking this rather better than I had expected, Mr. Ransome."

Ransome slumped down into his chair again. He felt no fear, no emotion
at all. Somewhere, deep inside, he had known from the beginning that
there would be no more running away after tonight, that the priests
would have their will with him. Perhaps he had been too tired to care.
And there had been Irene, planted by Mytor to fill his eyes, to make
him careless and distracted.

He wondered if Irene had known of her role, or had been an unconscious
tool, like himself. With faint surprise, he found himself hoping that
she had not acted against him intentionally.

* * * * *

Dura-ki was unconscious when the priests came. She had looked at
Ransome only once, and he had stared down at his hands.

Now