"'Why, that's right,' Kane said. 'I forgot to mention it. The first thirteen take us through the construction of the unit and the ship and the inventor's successful trial flights. Number fourteen hasn't been translated yet--it takes about a month to decipher each tablet.' "Porter Hays had a disarming way of asking anything he wanted to know. 'And who does it? Do you, Mr. Kane?' "'No. That is, it's a special gift, takes years of study--' "'Then who _does_ decipher them?' "'Well, you see--' It was the first time I'd seen Simon Kane uneasy and at a loss for words. 'My wife does it. She's Egyptian, a scholar in her own right, daughter of one of Egypt's foremost antiquarians.' * * * * * "Hays insisted upon meeting her and, although Kane tried every evasion, he finally left the room and was gone quite a while. During the wait, I talked with young Hays and confirmed my high opinion of him. I wondered how he'd react to Mrs. Kane if she turned out to be the beautiful girl I'd seen in the window a few weeks earlier. "I soon found out, for Kane came back leading the girl by the hand. I might have said 'dragging,' but it wasn't quite that obvious. At closer view, wearing a sort of chiton-draped white dress, she was even more lovely than I'd thought. The long lashes veiled her eyes, except when she acknowledged Kane's introductions with a quick glance and a murmured, 'How do you do.' Her name was Nalja. "Hays was obviously impressed and, in his uninhibited way, said, 'Good Lord, Kane! If I had a dream like this at home, I wouldn't hide her. I'd keep her out on display to make the other guys jealous.' "The girl gave him a grateful look and just a flicker of a smile, but said nothing. "Simon Kane's reaction was curious. The color drained from his face and hostile was the only word for his expression. Then he seemed to get under control and became his genial self. 'My dear,' he said to his wife, 'we thought you could give a hint about the text of the fourteenth tablet. Are you far enough along?' "Her voice was low and throaty, with a slight British accent. 'I'm sorry. I have only just started.' "'Have you no idea what it's about?' "'Only that it seems to be some sort of testimonial. The language symbols are a little different than the others and it's difficult to read.' "Then she was gone and Porter Hays stood looking at the door through which she had passed, as if he had just seen a vision." * * * * * "Wait a minute, Donner," Caples cut in. "How's that tape holding out, young man?" "Fine, Mr. Caples. At least an hour more to go." "All right. Go ahead, Donner. Can't you leave out some of the side issues and get to the finish of this?" "They're all related to the outcome of the matter, Mr. Caples. It wouldn't make any sense at all without them." "Nor with them," said Halleck sourly, staring out the window. * * * * *