"Yes; we've heard about it." A veil of craft and malice drew over the basilisk eyes. "You see, we've got it, too, Corvett." Jarl started. "You've got it--?" "You heard me." Bor Legat's smile grew to a ghoulish grin, leering and macabre. "Sais gave it to us." "Sais--!" Jarl swung sharply. The woman's ripe lips quivered. Once more her color deepened. "Yes, Jarl. I knew the secret. I gave it to them." For a long, taut moment, Jarl studied her. But as before, the dark eyes were unfathomable. He turned back to Bor Legat. "So what are your plans?" "You can guess them, can't you?" the Mercurian chuckled. "All we need is time. You'll buy that for us--you, and the girl, Ylana. Then, when the Federation fleet strikes through the Belt to blast us, we'll have a surprise of our own all ready and waiting for them." "I see." Jarl nodded slowly, but his mind was racing. Then, pouring savage scorn into his voice, he lashed out at the raiders: "Are you utter fools, you _chitzas_? Do you rate _rey_ Gundre as a moonstruck idiot?" He laughed, harsh and curt. "He'll strike, all right; but not the way you expect, nor by the path you hope for! He'll know from the start that you plan to trap him! His ships will break through before you have the chance to trap them--" * * * * * He slashed on, in that vein; and as he talked he could see doubt flare in the chieftains' eyes. Tas Karrel's glance wavered. Toran the _Malya_ frowned and shifted. But Bor Legat the ruthless did not shift or waver. "We'll chance that," he clipped; and in spite of their doubts, the others nodded. Jarl's jaw set hard. "Play it that way, then, if you can." He jerked free of the hands that held him; hooked his thumbs in his belt in a gesture of cold defiance. "_If_ you can...." Bor Legat's arm came down. The proton bomb swung loose at his side as he leaned forward. "If--?" he queried, too gently. Jarl said: "You need two prisoners to keep your traitor bargain. You've only got one." "You mean, you won't give up the girl." The Mercurian was almost purring. "We counted on your being stubborn, Corvett. That's why we held your lovely Sais a prisoner. With her to help, I think we can convince you." With an effort, Jarl held his face immobile. He did not speak. Bor Legat said: "Torture means little to a man like you, Jarl Corvett. I doubt that it would break you. But if you knew your silence would doom this woman...." Sais cried: "No, Jarl--!" Before they could stop her, she was running to him. She threw her arms around him. "Jarl, they're mad with fear of my father's weapon! If you give _rey_ Gundre's daughter to them, they will gamble the fate of the outlaw worlds on their bargain with him--!" For a moment Jarl held her to him. Her warmth, the softness of her body, brought new strain, new tension. The fragrance of her dark hair stabbed like a knife-blade. Slouched on the chart table, Bor Legat smiled and swung the proton grenade. "Well, Corvett?"