The night looked as if it would be another rainy one. It was cooler than usual and dark clouds were scudding across the starlit sky. Eckert and Templin stood in the shadows of the house, watching the dark lane for any casual strollers. Eckert looked at his watch. A few minutes more and Nayova would come out for his evening walk. Eckert had just started to think longingly of his bed and the warmth inside his house when the door opened and Nayova appeared in the opening. Eckert held his breath while the chieftain stood uncertainly in the doorway, testing the night air, and then let it out slowly when Nayova started down the lane. They closed in on him. "The _menshars_ from Earth," he said without alarm. "Is there something you wish?" "We would like you to come with us to our house for a while," Eckert started in. Nayova looked puzzled. "I do not understand. Would not tomorrow do as well?" "I'm afraid it'll have to be tonight." Nayova was obviously not quite sure of their threat. "No, I...." Eckert caught him before he touched the ground. Templin took the rag off the butt of the needle gun, lifted the ruler's feet, and they disappeared into the brush along the lane. They would have to sneak back to the house, Eckert knew, and hope that nobody saw them lugging the unconscious native. He laughed a little grimly to himself. Templin had expected cloak-and-dagger. It looked as if he was going to get more than his share of it, after all. Once inside the house, Eckert arranged the electrodes and the small nerve probes on Nayova, who had come to. "I am sorry," Eckert said formally, "but we find this necessary. You understand that we have to find out all we can about Pendleton. We have no choice." He found it difficult to look the ruler in the face, even with the realization that this was strictly in the line of duty and that the chieftain would not be hurt. "But I have cooperated with you in every way possible!" Nayova protested. "I have told you everything we know!" "That's right," Templin said bluntly. "And now we're going to ask you the same questions." Nayova looked blank for a moment and then reddened as he understood. * * * * * Templin turned to the dials on the little square box. "We would like to know," Eckert said politely, "where you were two weeks ago at this time of night." Nayova looked surprised. "You know that I was at the _halera_, the coming-of-age ceremony. You were there with me, as my guests. You should assuredly know I was there." Eckert looked over at Templin, who nodded shortly. It had been a standard question, to test the apparatus. "Did Pendleton have any enemies here on Tunpesh?" Nayova emphatically shook his head. "To the best of my knowledge, _menshar_ Pendleton had no enemies here. He would have none." Templin's face showed its disappointment. "Who were his friends?" "He had no friends." Templin glowered angrily, but he said nothing.