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’zants.”
    Bernard Bickel remained with Commandant Boltzen to talk over old times, while the rest of the group returned to the Phoebus . A transformation already had taken place. Under the guidance of Captain Gondar a tall pole had been erected in the center of the pentagonal space enclosed by the tubes and globes. Guy-wires were now strung, and over all were drawn sheets of a metalloid fabric, creating a tent. The stage had been opened, the orchestra pit extended, and when Dame Isabel came to make an inspection she found Madoc Roswyn carefully arranging the collapsible benches around the area. “Hmmf!” said Dame Isabel to herself. “Trying to make herself useful, so that I won’t put her ashore.” She chuckled grimly, and looked about for Roger, but he was nowhere in sight.
    Bernard Bickel presently strolled up. “I’ve had an interesting chat with Commandant Boltzen, and I think I was able to put across our point of view. He still is a trifle dubious, but he agrees that no harm can be done and quite possibly some good.”
    Dame Isabel snorted. “Indeed I should think so!”
    “He also asks that you, I and Captain Gondar join him for dinner, when perhaps he’ll be able to give us more information regarding the byzantaurs.”
    “That is exceedingly gracious of him,” said Dame Isabel. “I shall be glad to go.”
    “I assumed as much and accepted the invitation for all of us.”
    Three hours later Sirius hung close above the horizon, its lower edge touching a bank of soft white mist at the far edge of the plain. The company had gathered outside to watch the coming of twilight and a very impressive sight it was, as Sirius drifted into the clouds, which immediately became suffused with nacreous pinks and greens.
    Dame Isabel, Captain Gondar and Bernard Bickel set off for their dinner engagement. Roger, who wandered morosely off across the plain, now returned to the ship where he became an unintentional eaves-dropper. He had stopped to watch the Sirius-set beside the off-ramp, unaware that Madoc Roswyn and Logan de Appling were sitting on the bottom step, with a canvas panel hiding Roger from their view.
    Roger recognized Madoc Roswyn’s slightly husky voice and stood transfixed. “Logan, please don’t speak like that — you’re really quite wrong.”
    “No, I’m not wrong!” De Appling’s voice quivered with the intensity of his emotion. “You don’t know him as I do!”
    “Captain Gondar has been more than kind to me; he’s treated me with complete consideration, and never tried to force himself upon me, like that unmentionable Roger Wool.”
    Roger’s ears burned and his skin felt crisp and brittle as if a chill wind were playing across his face.
    “He’s just softening you up,” argued de Appling. “He’s a hard man, my darling —”
    “Please don’t call me that, Logan.”
    “— he’s self-centered and unprincipled. I know! I’ve seen him in action.”
    “No, Logan, don’t say things like that. He’s helping me stay aboard the ship, he’s promised Dame Isabel won’t put me off. What more could he do for me?”
    There was a short silence as de Appling mulled over what she had said. Roger did the same.
    Logan de Appling spoke in a neutral voice: “Why is it so important that you make the trip?”
    “Oh — I don’t know.” And Roger could visualize the charming little twist of shoulder, the tilt of head and curve of mouth. “I just want to, I suppose. Would you like me to get off?”
    “You know better than that. But tell me, tell me, please, that you won’t —”
    “Won’t what, Logan?” asked Madoc Roswyn sweetly.
    “Won’t let Adolph Gondar take advantage of you!” de Appling exclaimed fiercely. “The thought gives me the cold shudders. I think I’d kill him, or myself, or do something terrible … Wreck the whole ghastly ship …”
    “Now, Logan, don’t be impulsive. Let’s just watch the lovely Sirius-set. Isn’t it magnificent? And so strange and