“No,” she said slowly. “No⁠—there is something you must know⁠—and soon; and then the Silent Ones say you will understand. You, especially, Goodwin, who worship wisdom.”

“Then,” said Larry, “we have the Akka; and we have the four men of us, and among us three guns and about a hundred cartridges⁠—an’⁠—an’ the power of the Three⁠—but what about the Shining One, Fireworks⁠—”

“I do not know.” Again the indecision that had been in her eyes when Yolara had launched her defiance crept back. “The Shining One is strong⁠—and he has his⁠—slaves!”

“Well, we’d better get busy good and quick!” the O’Keefe’s voice rang. But Lakla, for some reason of her own, would pursue the matter no further. The trouble fled from her eyes⁠—they danced.

“Larry darlin’?” she murmured. “I like the touch of your lips⁠—”