It had been her patriotic urge to give Varda a chance at no matter what cost to herself. But he suspected there was also a shrewd feminine attempt to involve him emotionally in the fate of her world. It was most disconcerting. Then that other thought--that most surprising thought of all. So she loved him. So what? He had not encouraged her. He tried to shrug it off, tried to tell himself he had no responsibility whatsoever in the matter. But his heart spoke otherwise. He tried to grow angry at Krasna for the unfair advantage she had taken--and failed miserably. * * * * * He made no resistance as he was led back into the hall. Memories of the Thin World, of the nature of interacting bound charges, were arranging themselves in his mind. And he understood how to use that knowledge. His was a triple mind with an understanding of Earth, of Varda, and of the Thin World. But somehow there was little satisfaction and no happiness in the belief that soon he could return to Earth. The old man began, for the benefit of the crowd, with a lengthy explanation that there was still some doubt in Krasna's case. She had, after all, given them the Luvans' secret, and she was necessary to the plan to infiltrate the Fortress and assassinate the leaders of the Faith. But still she bore the slave-mark. "She will be kept under guard and her mind will be intensively probed," the old man announced. "The child with the Earth taint will be destroyed at birth." "No!" Krasna shrieked. "No!" Eldon felt a twinge at her frantic, pitiful cry, but he hardened his heart and did not face her. He did not wait for the inevitable death sentence to be pronounced upon him. He turned away, almost casually, and walked toward the passage. He must find Margaret, attend to the matter of Victor, and then return to Earth. And he must go first to the dread Fortress of Sin, for he would have need of the Gateway. But he was filled with a deep sadness for Krasna and her--their--unborn child. At first the Forest People did not guess his intention, for he screened his thoughts. Then two warriors leaped to block his path with upraised swords. Eldon _thought_, and for the fragment of time it took to pass them they remained immobile. A knife whistled toward his unprotected back. He _felt_ it coming and with incredible swiftness whirled and caught it in mid-air. "Up! Up! Higher!" Eldon concentrated as a blast rod was drawn somewhere behind him. The sizzling lethal charge passed over his head and tore a gaping scar in the plastic ceiling as the aim of the operator was disturbed by his penetrating thought. He risked one look at Krasna. She was struggling to tear loose from her guards and follow. "El-ve-don!" she called. In her voice was the anguish of one who has lost hope. Then he ran, knowing that as soon as the Forest People recovered from their surprise he would be no match for their massed mental powers. VIII