Pao Chung shrugged. "A simple question easily answered. While your friend was in my shop I manipulated the hypnotic machines. He talked, chiefly about himself, but also about you. Enough to give me a clue to your real identity, though probably he does not guess it himself. I know that you dare not stay. Eventually, they will check your brain wave patterns and learn ... too much. Which is the greater risk?" "What business is that of yours?" "None, directly," Pao Chung admitted. "But I enjoy fishing in troubled waters. Other people's business can often be turned to my profit. In this case, since we are being frank, I wish to leave with you when you go. Take me along, or I talk before you can make the attempt." Mayhem shone in Angel's eyes but Ferris put a restraining hand on the furry arm. * * * * * "Dead men don't talk," urged Angel hopefully, his non-human tongue licking feral lips. "Wait," ordered Ferris. "If you kill him now, we will have no chance to escape. It would draw too much attention to us." "Besides being foolish," said Pao Chung smoothly. "Both of you are strangers in Castarona. Where would you go? Who would hide you? How long would you last?" "Talk fast," Ferris advised gently. "If you know so much, you know we have little to lose." "Only your lives, perhaps. More, if my deductions are correct. Listen to me. Like you, I am in greater peril here. My offense is a minor one. By now, I should have been fined and let go with a warning. I suspect the authorities of more sinister intentions. It will be easy to find a pretext if they wish to be rid of me. I must escape. Alone, none of us would stand a chance. Together, who knows...?" Ferris consulted his partner with a glance, Angel nodded, but imposed a question. "And afterwards, what of your deductions?" "I will forget them," promised Pao Chung. "See that you do," said Ferris. "Or we will." Pao Chung ignored the prophecy amiably. "I know a possible refuge once we have managed the escape. A man in the city owes me favors. As refuge, of course, it will be temporary. They will have mechanical trackers after us eventually, but not at first. Electronic bloodhounds would spoil their sport, make killing us too easy. But the nature of our sanctuary will give them pause for a time. Complex, interesting and dangerous, it is the one place in Castarona no one will think to look. And there is enough space to hide in for quite a while." "Such a place sounds interesting," Ferris agreed. "But I suppose you know every unsavory rat's nest in Castarona." "Not a rat's nest," said Pao Chung, smiling. "Much better. Have you heard of Khaljean's?" "Who hasn't? That should muddle the pursuit for a day or two. But can you count on Khaljean?"