'You mean the purple mage wants we? Why?'

'I do not know. Perhaps he thinks as so many others do. That is, that Benna toldyou more than you have said he did. But come! Quickly!'

'Where?'

'To your place. We can talk there, can't we?'

They walked swiftly towards her building. Smhee kept looking back, but the placewhere they had killed the two men was no longer visible. When they got to thedoor, however, she stopped.

'If I knock on the door for the keeper, the Raggah might hear it,' shewhispered. 'But I have to get in. My daughter is very sick. She needs themedicine I got from Dr Nadeesh.'

'So that's why you were at his home,' Smhee said. 'Very well. You bang on thedoor. I'll be the rearguard.'

He was suddenly gone, moving astonishingly swift and silently for such a fatman. But his aroma lingered.

She did as he'suggested, and presently Shmurt came grumbling to the door andunbolted it. Just as she stepped in she smelled the butter more strongly, andSmhee was inside and pushing the door shut before the startled doorkeeper couldprotest.

'He's all right,' Masha said.

Old Shmurt peered with runny eyes at Smhee by the light of his oil lamp. Evenwith good vision, however, Shmurt couldn't see Smhee's face. It was covered witha green mask.

Shmurt looked disgusted.

'I know your husband isn't much,' he croaked. 'But taking up with thisforeigner, this tub of rotten butter ... shewawl'

'It's not what you think,' she said indignantly.

Smhee said, 'I must take a bath. Everyone knows me at once.'

'Is Eevroen home?' Masha said.

Shmurt snorted and said, 'At this early hour? No, you and your stinking loverwill be safe.'

'Dammit!' Masha said. 'He's here on business!'

'Some business!'

'Mind your tongue, you old fart!' Masha said. 'Or I'll cut it out!'-