"Now that is true!" he admitted. "For the moment I did forget." He
looked back at Trigger. "The First Lady gives," he told her, "and the
First Lady takes away. She has given me wealth and much leisure. She
takes from me now and then a memory. Very skillfully, since she was my
pupil. But still the mind must be dim by a little each time it is
done."

His face suddenly grew concerned. He looked at Lyad again. "Two more
years only!" he said. "In two years I shall be free to retire, Lyad?"

Lyad nodded. "That was our bargain, Doctor. You know I keep bargains."

Doctor Veetonia said, "Yes. You do. It is strange in an Ermetyne. Very
well! I shall do it." He looked at Trigger's face. The black-liquid eyes
blinked once or twice. "She is almost certain she is being watched," he
said, "but she has been thinking of using the ComWeb. The child, I
believe, is prepared to attack us at any opportune moment." He smiled.
"Show her first why her position is hopeless. Then we shall see."

"Why, it's not in the least hopeless," Lyad said. "And please feel no
concern about the Doctor, Trigger. His methods are quite painless and
involve none of the indignities of a chemical investigation. If you are
at all reasonable, we'll just sit here and talk for twenty minutes or
so. Then you will tell me what sum you wish to have deposited for you in
what bank, and you will be free to go."

"What will we talk about?" Trigger said.

"Well, for one," said the Ermetyne, "there is that rather handsome
little purse you've been carrying about lately. My technicians inform me
there may be some risk of damaging its contents if they attempt to force
it open. We don't want that. So we'll talk a bit about the proper way of
opening it." She gave Trigger her little smile. "And Doctor Veetonia
will verify the accuracy of any statements made on the matter."

She considered. "Oh, and then I shall ask a few questions. Not many. And
you will answer them. It really will be quite simple. But now let me
tell you why I so very much wanted to see you today. We had a guest here
last night. A gentleman whom you've met--Balmordan. He was mind-blocked
on some quite important subjects, and so--though the doctor and I were
very patient and careful--he died in the end. But before he died, he had
told me as much as I really needed to know from him.

"Now with that information," she went on, "and with the contents of your
purse and with another little piece of information, whi