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he said, 'How did you come by this information?"

'The same way that I know you are a Herald of the Inner Court and that

your name is Toshiro HaseGawa."

The Herald pulled the scarf down to reveal the lower half of his

face.

'I won't warn you again, Brickman.

Tread carefully."

'Do you think we met by chance? You were pinpointed from the moment we

knew the two runaway Mutes had reached this area." It was pure bluff,

put together from the assorted information Cadillac had garnered from

the Iron Masters. But the Herald didn't know that.

'Pinpointed?"

'As the man with his finger on the pulse. Someone we could do business

with." Steve watched the Herald closely. 'Intelligent, imaginative,

resourceful. ambitious."

The last word had the most impact, but it was quickly erased.

Aware that he had lost the initiative, Toshiro fixed Steve with his

expressionless eyes and waited.

Steve stared back, neither challenging nor fearful.

'You don't seem surprised."

'I try to avoid surprises,' replied Toshiro. 'You are the envoy of a

powerful nation. However, I am curious to know why you didn't disclose

this knowledge before."

Steve responded with a calculating smile. 'Have you put all your cards

on the table? Despite the gulf between our two societies you and I are

- with all due respect, sire - two of a kind."

Toshiro conceded the point with a burst of suppressed laughter.

'Brickman, despite your total lack of sensitivity, I'm sure you are

aware there have been several occasions when I've been itching to kill

you - and I could cheerfully do so now." He slammed the half-drawn

sword back into its scabbard. 'One day, perhaps, I may have that

pleasure."

'Not if I see you first."

His spirited reply caused the Herald to slap his thigh.

'Well said! Now - ' he lowered his voice again ' - how do you plan to

escape?"

'We're going to take three of the flying horses,' whispered Steve.

Toshiro frowned. 'But the western border is nearly 1,000 leagues from

here. Can these machines travel that far?"

'One day they will - but not now." Steve fed him the false lead.

'Once we're across the Hudson, we fly south-west to a rendezvous point

near Scranton. The place you call Skaratana."

'Ahh, so..."

'Our own people are flying in to pick us up from there.

We'll be back home before nightfall."

Toshiro tried hard not to look impressed. 'What about the woman?

Where and when do you want her delivered?"

'Don't worry about it. The Consul-General will be bringing her."

The news took Toshiro's breath away. 'You've arranged this?"

'Not yet. I was planning to do that tonight. The Consul-General is

dining with Lord Min-Orota, and won't be back until tomorrow

morning."

Steve had learned of this from a conversation Cadillac had overheard.

'But of course, you already know that."

The Herald did, and had already made plans to take advantage of

Toh-Shiba's absence. But how did Brickman know - and what did his

words imply? 'You ?. . astound me."

'Don't see why,' replied Steve. 'Just doing my job."

'But ' 'There is one thing you could help me with." Steve had taken

the Herald's warning seriously, but sensed that, for the moment, he had

him on the ropes. He cocked a finger at him. 'Did you bring your

horse?"

'Yes ' 'Terrific. I'm glad we had this opportunity to talk, but it's

put me behind schedule. What are the chances of hitching a ride over

to Two Island Lake?"

Despite the tempting offer of another round of bodily delights, Steve

did not linger in Clearwater's arms once the last crucial details had

been ironed out. To return to the Heron Pool meant a long swim to the

west