a word. Then let a
single tear trickle down her cheek, and wiped it away.

Had they known it, this was probably the best course they could have
adopted. This was not what he wanted---a broken and dispirited
prisoner. He wanted something still alive, desiring freedom and
capable of struggle. At once he called the soldiers to him.

"That is all. Leave the one at the door and get below."

"He has a rifle in the study," said one.

"I know that as well as you. You have your orders."

They touched their chests with a closed right fist and were gone. He
seated his guards in two chairs placed on either side of the bedroom
doors.

"I would like a drink, Morgan. Bring one for yourself, and for the
lady. Whatever she likes." When he had left the room, Hunter moved to
sit in a high-backed chair across from her. She looked up at him,
puzzled.

"Please, you must not be afraid of me. Your master is a hard man
because he has to be. We are not ogres." It was suddenly important to
him that Morgan had never had her. "No one is going to hurt you.
Please, won't you trust me?" She said nothing, continued looking down.
The tall man began to re-enter the room, but Hunter waved him off.
"Has Morgan been treating you well?"

"Yes, very well." There were almost tears in her eyes. "But I thought
I was going to be his. I've been good."

"Of course you have." Now he let Morgan enter. On his tray were three
drinks in narrow glasses. He gave one to the Secretary, who drew out a
long stick (for sensing poison) and submerged it in the glass. He gave
another to Elonna and took the third for himself, sitting in a chair at
a small distance to one side.

"Please, drink up," said Hunter. "To your health, Elonna." She made
the toast halfheartedly. "Let's have some music, Morgan. Do you have
a Beethoven program?"

"Of course." He rose to put it on.

"You like Beethoven, don't you?" She nodded.

And so the time passed, with music, small talk and drinks. At
intervals the Secretary asked simple questions about her health,
promised she could stay here with Morgan, even hinted that the purges,
ghastly but imperative, were now over, and that if she had any friends
or relatives still in hiding, perhaps they could be given safe conduct
off the planet.

Indeed, so much time had passed that she began to think nothing more
would happen that night. But it was this very gleam of hope that he
waited for.

"Will you allow