ere till the afternoon. We can quickly put that
body out of sight, and, as you seem to detest me so much, the place is
big enough--we needn't talk, or even see each other."

"I don't wish to breathe the same air."

"Singular man!" She was sitting erect and motionless, like a beautiful
statue. "And what of your wonderful interview with Surtur, and all the
undone things which you set out to do?"

"You aren't the one I shall speak to about that. But"--he eyed her
meditatively--"while I'm still here you can tell me this. What's the
meaning of the expression on that corpse's face?"

"Is that another crime, Maskull? All dead people look like that. Ought
they not to?"

"I once heard it called 'Crystalman's face.'"

"Why not? We are all daughters and sons of Crystalman. It is doubtless
the family resemblance."

"It has also been told me that Surtur and Crystalman are one and the
same."

"You have wise and truthful acquaintances."

"Then how could it have been Surtur whom I saw?" said Maskull, more to
himself than to her. "That apparition was something quite different."

She dropped her mocking manner and, sliding imperceptibly toward him,
gently pulled his arm.

"You see--we have to talk. Sit down beside me, and ask me your
questions. I'm not excessively smart, but I'll try to be of assistance."

Maskull permitted himself to be dragged down with soft violence. She
bent toward him, as if confidentially, and contrived that her sweet,
cool, feminine breath should fan his cheek.

"Aren't you here to alter the evil to the good, Maskull? Then what does
it matter who sent you?"

"What can you possibly know of good and evil?"

"Are you only instructing the initiated?"

"Who am I, to instruct anybody? However, you're quite right. I wish to
do what I can--not because I am qualified, but because I am here."

Oceaxe's voice dropped to a whisper. "You're a giant, both in body and
soul. What you want to do, you can do."

"Is that your honest opinion, or are you flattering me for your own
ends?"

She sighed. "Don't you see how difficult you are making the
conversation? Let's talk about your work, not about ourselves."

Maskull suddenly noticed a strange blue light glowing in the northern
sky. It was from Alppain, but Alppain itself was behind the hills. While
he was observing it, a peculiar wave of self-denial, of a disquieting
nature, passed through him. He looked at Oceaxe, and it struck him for
the first time that