st country one comes to beyond the Sinking Sea."

"What is it like there--how do you amuse yourselves? The same old
murders and sudden deaths?"

"Are you ill?" asked Digrung. "Who is this woman, why are you following
at her heels like a slave? She looks insane to me. What's that
corpse--why are you dragging it around the country with you?"

Tydomin smiled. "I've already heard it said about Matterplay, that if
one sows an answer there, a rich crop of questions immediately springs
up. But why do you make this unprovoked attack on me, Digrung?"

"I don't attack you, woman, but I know you. I see into you, and I
see insanity. That wouldn't matter, but I don't like to see a man of
intelligence like Maskull caught in your filthy meshes."

"I suppose even you clever Matterplay people sometimes misjudge
character. However, I don't mind. Your opinion's nothing to me, Digrung.
You'd better answer his questions, Maskull. Not for his own sake--but
your feminine friend is sure to be curious about your having been seen
carrying a dead man."

Maskull's underlip shot out. "Tell your sister nothing, Digrung. Don't
mention my name at all. I don't want her to know about this meeting of
ours."

"Why not?"

"I don't wish it--isn't that enough?"

Digrung looked impassive.

"Thoughts and words," he said, "which don't correspond with the real
events of the world are considered most shameful in Matterplay."

"I'm not asking you to lie, only to keep silent."

"To hide the truth is a special branch of lying. I can't accede to your
wish. I must tell Joiwind everything, as far as I know it."

Maskull got up, and Tydomin followed his example.

She touched Digrung on the arm and gave him a strange look. "The dead
man is my husband, and Maskull murdered him. Now you'll understand why
he wishes you to hold your tongue."

"I guessed there was some foul play," said Digrung. "It doesn't
matter--I can't falsify facts. Joiwind must know."

"You refuse to consider her feelings?" said Maskull, turning pale.

"Feelings which flourish on illusions, and sicken and die on realities,
aren't worth considering. But Joiwind's are not of that kind."

"If you decline to do what I ask, at least return home without seeing
her; your sister will get very little pleasure out of the meeting when
she hears your news."

"What are these strange relations between you?" demanded Digrung, eying
him with suddenly aroused suspicion.

Maskull stared back in a