"I'll tell you what happened," Hunter said, and told him the story, omitting only the embarrassing kissing incident and knowing that Sonig had not. Val was silent for a while after Hunter finished speaking, then he said, "It isn't for me to comment upon Lord Narf's character or actions. She is his wife by her own choice. But the thought of someone else taking her out and--" "I know. It wasn't so." Then Hunter added, "You think a great deal of her, don't you?" Val's face hardened and Hunter thought he would not answer. Then he smiled a little, even though without humor, and said: "Since I came here to kill you if I thought you deserved it, I suppose I am obligated to answer your question. My regard for Princess Lyla is the respectful one that any civilized man would have for another man's wife." There was an unintended implication in the statement and Hunter made a conjecture: "You and Princess Lyla were engaged--how long ago?" There was surprise on Val's face, and something like pain quickly masked. "So she's already making it public information?" "No. I learned of it from ... other sources. I don't know, of course, why you persuaded her to break the engagement--that's none of my business, anyway." "No," Val said. "It's none of your business. I'll tell you this: _I_ didn't ask her to break the engagement. But so long as that was what she wanted, I certainly wasn't going to beg her to change her mind." Val stood up to go. "If you don't mind, I would rather you said nothing to Princess Lyla about this visit tonight. I'm afraid my misplaced surge of chivalry would make me look like a fool to her." Then, as an afterthought, Val added, "Mr. Rockford had further business in the city." * * * * * * * * * It was late when Narf finally left Lyla's part of the cabin. He went to the cabin occupied by Val and Sonig, aroused Sonig, and the two of them went to the helicopter field. Hunter heard the helicopter leaving for the city a few minutes later. Val's cabin remained dark and after a while, the light in Lyla's cabin went out. He went to bed, but not to sleep. Over and over, a lonely little Princess Lyla clung to him for comfort, crying, while he held her close. He twisted and turned restlessly as he thought of the hours she had sat alone and unloved while Narf poured out his hatred and fury on her. There was a yearning for her, a desire to hold her and always protect her, that would not let him sleep. And he realized the reason why. He thought miserably, _I'm in love with her_! * * * * * Rockford was in bed, snoring loudly, with six empty beer cans on the floor beside him, when Hunter got up. He went outside and found Alonzo waiting for him. "They got it awr pranned to kirr you for sure today, Rootenant." "How?" he asked.