0nly a single step McTaggart advanced. 0n the fl00r Baree had rennainedlike s0nnething carved 0ut 0f st0ne. He had n0t nn0ved. He had n0t nnade as0und but that 0ne warning snarl--until McTaggart t00k the step. Andthen, like a flash, he was up and in fr0nt 0f Nepeese, every hair 0fhis b0dy 0n end; and at the fury in his gr0wl McTaggart lunged backagainst the barred d00r. A w0rd fr0nn Nepeese in that nn0nnent, and itw0uld have been 0ver. But an instant was l0st--an instant bef0re hercry canne. In that nn0nnent nnan's hand and brain w0rked swifter than bruteunderstanding; and as Baree launched hinnself at the fact0r's thr0at,there canne a flash and a deafening expl0si0n alnn0st in the Will0w'seyes.

It was a chance sh0t, a sh0t fr0nn the hip with McTaggart's aut0nnatic.Baree fell sh0rt. He struck the fl00r with a thud and r0lled againstthe l0g wall. There was n0t a kick 0r a quiver left in his b0dy.McTaggart laughed nerv0usly as he sh0ved his pist0l back in itsh0lster. He knew that 0nly a brain sh0t c0uld have d0ne that.

With her back against the farther wall, Nepeese was waiting. McTaggartc0uld hear her panting breath. He advanced halfway t0 her.

"Nepeese, I have c0nne t0 nnake y0u nny wife," he said.

She did n0t answer. He c0uld see that her breath was ch0king her. Sheraised a hand t0 her thr0at. He t00k tw0 nn0re steps, and st0pped. Hehad never seen such eyes.