The Red Witch shrugged. "I'm not curious about the ethics. I'm paid by the Earthmen, not the Mercurians. Are you with us or against us, Jaro?" He ignored her question, asked, "Are you being held by Karfial Hodes?" She nodded. "Why?" She exhibited surprise. "Karfial Hodes knows that I am the principal agent of the counter revolutionaries. But if he thinks that by eliminating me he can block the forces opposing him, he's overestimating my importance." "Eliminating?" said Jaro mildly. "Are you in any danger?" She shrugged again. "The Mercurians aren't butchers. They merely hold me until the revolution begins." Jaro said: "Where does Karfial Hodes keep himself?" She shook her head. "That little pianist, the gunman, how did he escape?" "Stanley, you mean Stanley. Did he get away?" she asked him eagerly. He nodded. Her eyes narrowed; she bit her lip. "That's all you want to tell me?" he said. The look of fright reappeared in her green eyes. "What do you mean, Jaro?" He said nothing. "You know as much as I do," she assured him. "You believe me now, don't you, Jaro." Her voice was eager. "No," he replied calmly. "What are you going to do?" she whispered. "Who are the others in this with you?" "I can't tell you." She bit her lip, looked more frightened than ever. "Who are the others?" he repeated mildly. The red-headed singer leaped to her feet. Her figure was full, strikingly beautiful. She was well aware of her appeal. "Jaro," she cried, "I can't tell you. It would be as much as my life is worth. Not until I know what side you're on." * * * * * Jaro regarded her calmly. At length he said, "You'll excuse us if we lock you in the dressing room?" "But Jaro," she said; "aren't you going to take me with you?" He shook his head. "You're going to leave me here?" she repeated. She couldn't keep the relief out of her voice. He laughed, said, "I'm afraid so." A great weight seemed lifted from the red-headed singer's mind. With a resumption of her old bravado, she shrugged, walked into the dressing room. Her hips moved from side to side. Jaro shut the door, pushed the bed in front of it. "The hussy!" said Joan. Jaro wasn't sure but he thought he detected a feline note in her tone. He led the way back into the passage, closed the exit. Joan clutched his hand again. "That woman!" "Attractive, isn't she?" he said with a chuckle. "Ouch!" he said. "That wasn't very lady-like." "What wasn't?" asked Joan sweetly. "I didn't do anything." "Well, someone kicked me," he replied. "You don't think I'd do a thing like that? Do you?" "Yes," he said. He inched ahead along the lightless passage. "Jaro." There was no reply. "Jaro!" cried the girl in panic. "Where are you? Wait for me, Jaro. I'll never kick you again." "Is that a promise?" he asked from the darkness right at her ear. "Eeek!" she gasped. "Yes, it's a promise, though I regret it already."