He looked around the room as if anybody who lived in it had to be desperateindeed.

'I know your history,' he said. 'You came from a fairly well-to-do family, andas a child you lived in the Eastern quarter. You were not born and bred in theMaze, and you want to get out of it. You've worked hard, but you just are notgoing to succeed in your ambition. Not unless something unusual comes your wayand you have the courage to seize it, no matter what the consequences might be.'

'This has to do with Benna and the jewel, doesn't it?' she said.

He studied her face by the flickering light of the lamp.

'Yes.'

He paused.

'And the purple mage.'

Masha sucked in a deep breath. Her heart thudded far more swiftly than herfatigue could account for. A coldness spread from her toes to the top of herhead, a not unpleasant coldness.

'I've watched in the shadows near your building,' he said. 'Many a night. Andtwo nights ago I saw the Raggah steal into other shadows and watch the samewindow. Fortunately, you did not go out during that time to midwife. Buttonight...'

'Why would the Raggah be interested in me?'

He smiled slowly.

'You're smart enough to guess why. The mage thinks you know more than you let onabout the jewel. Or perhaps he thinks Benna told you more than you've repeated.'

He paused again, then said, 'Did he?'

'Why should I tell you if he did?'

'You owe me for your life. If that isn't enough to make you confide in me,consider this. I have a plan whereby you can not only be free of the Maze, youcan be richer than any merchant, perhaps richer than the governor himself. Youwill even be able to leave Sanctuary, to go to the capital city itself. Oranywhere in the world.'

She thought, if Benna could do it, we can. But then Benna had not got away.