"Of course. I've a place in mind across the court, closer to the shrine." "All right, then." But again, as before, tension rose within Burke. A guard's shouted challenge somewhere far off started him sweating. When the low, mingled laughter of a man and a woman drifted from a nearby window, he froze in his tracks. The role of hero, he decided, ill became him. He thought too much of consequence and peril; found it too difficult to lose himself in an emotional haze of recklessness. Yet here, now, he had no choice--not feeling the way he did about Ariadne; not knowing the things he knew from that brief session before the inverter's scanning screen. And the time remaining was so short ... less than an hour, as of this moment. "This way, my lord Dion." Wordless, once more Burke fell in behind the girl. Their destination proved to be an ornate suite where Burke stumbled over furniture in the darkness. Ariadne squeezed his hand. "No one will disturb us here--those who occupy this apartment are visiting at Phaestos." And then, changing position: "I've a lamp. Give me fire." Burke fumbled out his lighter; flicked the wheel. The flame showed his companion close beside him. In seconds, the lamp she held was sputtering to life. The girl turned quickly. "There's a manhole back here, in the ante-room to the bath." She led Burke to it as she spoke; held the lamp low so he could see the cover-slab. Dropping to his knees, he heaved the heavy stone aside. Instantly, new air-currents swirled about him. A mustiness assailed his nostrils. Somewhere, along that black tube below or another like it, the Minotaur was waiting. * * * * * A knot drew tight in the pit of Burke's stomach. Rising, he tossed Daedalus' thick skein of cord down by the base of the nearest lamp-stand, then faced Ariadne. "Thank you for your help, my princess," he said gently. "Now, though, it's time for you to go." "To go--?" She stared at him, dark eyes suddenly wide. "What byplay is this, my lord Dion? Surely you'd not ask me to leave you now, in the hour when your worst danger is upon you?" Burke forced a wry smile. "Do you remember what happened the other time when you refused to carry out my orders?" "You mean--when you hit me?" Gingerly, the girl's fingers moved along her bruised jaw as she spoke. "Precisely." "But my lord Dion--" Burke stopped smiling. "I'm sorry, Ariadne. You're not going with me. That's final. If you try, if you won't promise to go back to your own apartment, I'll knock you out and tie you up. Is that clear?" He started forward as he finished--face set, fist doubled. But the girl gave not an inch before him. Stepping in, instead, she stood very close, face upturned to his. "My lord Dion," she said softly, "I tell you now: you're the bravest man I've ever seen." It threw Burke off balance. He could find no words with which to answer.