"Are you willing that I should know you are as great a yellowguard asI am?" Drene's gaunt features blackdened and he set his jaws insilence.

"Don't you care what you do to her?" asked Graylock, unsteadily."It's a viler business than that for which you are punishing me."

For a long time Drene sat there looking down at the weapon on hisknees. And after a while, the other man spoke huskily: "It's badenough either way for me, Drene. I'll do what you wish in thematter. I'll leave the country; I'll stay; whichever you say. 0r,"he exclaimed with a ghastly chuckle, "I'll clean out that automatic for youto-night--if you'll marry her."