"I moved back as if burned; then I leaned forward again. 'What do you want?' I asked. "'Please ...' he said, moving his hand toward me. 'Kill ... kill ...' and then he was crying once more. 'It hurts so bad ...' "I got up. I walked across to the other side of the cell. I came back. Then I broke his neck with my knee and my two hands. "I took my pay up. Later I ate the bread and drank the rest of the water. Then I went to sleep. They took him away without question. And two days later, when the next food came, I realized, sort of absently, that without all of that first bread and water I would have starved to death. They finally let me out because they needed the muscle, what was left of it. And the only thing I sometimes think about, the only thing I let myself think about, is whether or not I earned my pay. I guess two of them were mine anyway. But sometimes I take them out and look at them, and wonder where he got the third one from." Urson put his hand in his tunic and brought out three gold coins. "Never been able to spend them, though," he said. He tossed the little pile into the air, and then whipped them back into his fist again, and laughed. "Never was able to spend them on anything." "I'm sorry," Geo said after a moment. Urson looked up. "Why? I guess these are my jewels, huh? Maybe everyone has theirs some place. You think it was old Cat, maybe, sometimes when I was in the brig, perhaps, earning that third coin, slicing out that little four-armed monster's tongue? Somehow I doubt it." "Look, I said I was sorry, Urson." "I know," Urson said. "I know. I guess I've met a hell full of people in my short, wet life, and it could be any one of them." He sighed. "Though I wish I knew which. But I don't think that's the answer." He lifted his hand to his mouth now and gnawed at his thumb nail. "I hope that kid doesn't get as nervous as I do," he laughed. "He'll have such a hell of a lot of nails to bite." Then their skulls nearly split apart. "Hey," said Geo, "that's Snake." "And he's in trouble too," said Urson. He leaped onto the floor and started up the passageway. Geo came after him. "Let me go first," Geo said, "I know where he is." They reached the deck, raced along the side of the cabins, until they reached the door. "Move," ordered Urson. Then he rammed against the door and it flew open. Inside, behind her desk, Argo whirled, her hand on her jewel. "What is the ..." But the moment her concentration turned, Snake, who had been immobile against the opposite wall, suddenly vaulted across the table toward Geo. Geo grabbed the boy to steady him, and immediately one of Snake's hands was at Geo's chest where the jewel hung. "You fools!" hissed Argo. "Don't you understand? He's a spy for Aptor." There was a sudden silence. Then Argo said, "Close the door." Urson closed it. Snake still held Geo and the jewel. "Well," she said. "It is too late now." "What do you mean?" asked Geo.