When they gathered from him, and, alas! from my sweet but frail little friend Nita, that the chances were against my signing a certain covenant, they came to what, even now, seems to me a strange decision.

They decided that I must die.

There I fail wholly to follow the workings of your mind, Immelan.

How was my death likely to serve your purpose ?" Immelan was absolutely speechless.

Three times he opened his lips, only to close them again.