'Besides,' the smuggler went on, 'doesn't gratitude count for anything? Soon we will eat. Then we will talk, maybe.'

'There's a lot I want to know,' said Dom. 'Who shot at ...'

'Tssh! Questions that can't be answered, why ask them? But do not rule out b a ter.'

'Bater?'

The phnobe looked up.

'You haven't heard of probability math? You, and tomorrow you become Chairman of the Board of Widdershinss and heir to riches untold? Then first we will talk, and then we will eat.'

See-Why hung in the mists that had crept out of the marsh. The island sailed dripping through the clammy curtain, leaving a mist-wake that writhed fantastically over the suddenly sinister marsh.

Fff-Shs came out of the woven hut at one end of the island and pointed into the whiteness.

'The radar says your flyer iss hardly more than a hundred metres thataway. Sso I leave you here. '

They shook hands solemnly. Dom turned and walked down to the water's edge, then turned again as the phnobe hurried after him. He held the little rat-creature, which had spent most of the journey asleep round his neck.

'Tomorrow, maybe, there will be great ceremoniess?'

Dom sighed. 'Yes, I'm afraid there will.'

'And giftss, maybe? That iss the procedure?'

'Yes. But Grandmother says that most will be from those who seek favours. Anyway, they'll be returned.'

'I sseek no favours, nor will you return thiss small gift,' said the phnobe, holding out the struggling creature. 'Take him. You know what he iss?'

'A swamp ig,' nodded Dom. 'He's one of the bearers on our planetary crest, along with the blue flamingo. But the zoo says there's only about three hundred on the planet, I can't...'