"You have a quick mind, Trehearne," he said. "But it won't do. Thirteen minutes." "Go and get her, Edri," said Trehearne. His mouth was dry, his body drenched with cold sweat. Edri plunged away into the corridor. Trehearne went and stood where Kerrel could see him. He smiled and wondered if Kerrel could hear the knocking of his heart against his ribs. Joris stood motionless, waiting. Kerrel counted off the minutes, and at each count his voice became more strained, his eyes less certain. There were six minutes left when Edri came back with Shairn and thrust her in front of the screen. "You see?" said Trehearne. "I wasn't lying." Kerrel forgot to count. He stared at the girl, the strong lines of his face crumbling into indecision. He said her name once. Suddenly he turned and was gone from the screen. They could hear him shouting somewhere beyond, "Hold your fire! Hold your fire! They have a prisoner aboard." Trehearne knew then that he had not misjudged the depth of the other's passion. And strangely that knowledge was bitter to him. Kerrel came into view again, and Shairn cried out, "Kerrel, they're after something more than these Orthist exiles! I think they're--" Trehearne put his hand over her mouth. "It doesn't matter what she thinks. The important thing is her life. How much is it worth to you, Kerrel?" Kerrel ran his hand nervously over his face and did not answer at once. Trehearne kept his palm firmly on Shairn's mouth. Kerrel shook his head. "You wouldn't kill her, Trehearne." "No, I wouldn't," Trehearne answered. "But I'm only one and there are others aboard. Eleven men of Thuvis, who feel that one life is very little to pay for escape from this hell-hole. Come on, Kerrel, how much is Shairn worth to you? You can have her--free, clear and alive." Kerrel asked, "What do you want?" "A head start." "It won't do you any good. You can't outrun a cruiser." Joris said, "We'll take that chance!" Again Kerrel hesitated. "What are your terms?" Trehearne said, "You will allow us to take off and we'll guarantee to land Shairn safely on the other side of this planet. You will keep your ship here until you receive our message that that has been done. We will both be able to check each other's actions by radar and if your generators are started before our second take-off we'll know it." Kerrel thought, and then asked sullenly, "What assurance have I that you will actually release her?" "You can take my word for that," Trehearne told him. "Either that or blow her to bits with the rest of us." There was another long tense moment of silence. And then Kerrel said, "All right." He spoke the words as though they had a taste of vitriol on his tongue. Joris was out of Communications in one long stride. Kerrel looked at Shairn and cried, "Wait! You must radio your position when you set her down." "We will."