They fought seven more duels over the next day and a half. Hector won three of them. It was late afternoon when Leoh called a halt to the tests. “We can still get in another one or two,” the Watchman pointed out. “No need,” Leoh said. “I have all the data I require. Tomorrow Massan meets Odal, unless we can put a stop to it. We have much to do before tomorrow morning.” Hector sagged into the couch. “Just as well. I think I’ve aged seven years in the past seven days.” “No, my boy,” Leoh said gently. “You haven’t aged. You’ve matured.” IX It was deep twilight when the groundcar slid to a halt on its cushion of compressed air before the Kerak Embassy. “I still think it’s a mistake to go in there,” Hector said. “I mean, you could’ve called him on the tri-di just as well, couldn’t you?” Leoh shook his head. “Never give an agency of any government the opportunity to say ‘hold the line a moment’ and then huddle together to consider what to do with you. Nineteen times out of twenty, they’ll end by passing your request up to the next higher echelon, and you’ll be left waiting for weeks.” “Still,” Hector insisted, “you’re simply stepping into enemy territory. It’s a chance you shouldn’t take.” “They wouldn’t dare touch us.” Hector did not reply, but he looked unconvinced. “Look,” Leoh said, “there are only two men alive who can shed light on this matter. One of them is Dulaq, and his mind is closed to us for an indefinite time. Odal is the only other one who knows what happened.” Hector shook his head skeptically. Leoh shrugged, and opened the door of the groundcar. Hector had no choice but to get out and follow him as he walked up the pathway to the main entrance of the Embassy. The building stood gaunt and gray in the dusk, surrounded by a precisely-clipped hedge. The entrance was flanked by a pair of tall evergreen trees. Leoh and Hector were met just inside the entrance by a female receptionist. She looked just a trifle disheveled—as though she had been rushed to the desk at a moment’s notice. They asked for Odal, were ushered into a sitting room, and within a few minutes—to Hector’s surprise—were informed by the girl that Major Odal would be with them shortly. “You see,” Leoh pointed out jovially, “when you come in person they haven’t as much of a chance to consider how to get rid of you.” Hector glanced around the windowless room and contemplated the thick, solidly closed door. “There’s a lot of scurrying going on on the other side of that door, I’ll bet. I mean ... they may be considering how to, uh, get rid of us ... permanently.” Leoh shook his head, smiling wryly. “Undoubtedly the approach closest to their hearts—but highly improbable in the present situation. They have been making most efficient and effective use of the dueling machine to gain their ends.” Odal picked this moment to open the door. “Dr. Leoh ... Lt. Hector ... you asked to see me?”