“I might say that I know about the drug, sir.” Three faces looked up in surprise. “Your arrival has made it easier for me to find out some things I’d been curious about for a long time. It’s not very pretty.” There was a long pause, then the youngster stared sharply at Mal. “If I help you escape, will you promise to see that something’s done about it? The drug, I mean.”

Kitten leaned forward eagerly. “You really think you can get us out of here?”

Philip smiled at her most unyouthfully. “If you don’t fear a fair chance of getting shot, electrocuted, or drowned, yes.”

“You know a way out of this maze, we’ll try it,” Mal replied.

“Not only will we see about the drug,” added Kitten coaxingly, “but I’m sure the government will arrange something material in the way of gratitude.”

“And protection from whatever is left of Rose’s petty empire when the Church finishes with it,” added Porsupah.

The youngster looked over at the much smaller alien. When he spoke again, his voice was a good octave higher and the words momentarily unrecognizable. Mal knew a little Tolian, as he did about half a hundred languages. Only enough to trade by, though. The musical syllables rolled off the youth’s palate fluidly and without hesitation.

Philip broke off in what seemed an abrupt manner but probably wasn’t. He left, the panel sliding shut quietly behind him.

“Well,” said Kitten, “what was that all about?”

“His High Tolite is excellent, really remarkable. He even has the diphthongs down, the epiglottal stops, everything.”

“I’m sure he can rattle off the local equivalents of c-a-t and d-o-g without a second breath,” said Kitten, “but what did he say?”

Mal was looking at the closed portal. “Rather surprising talent to find in an apprentice sanitation engineer, wouldn’t you say?”

“Is that what he is?” asked Porsupah. “Well, besides exchanging a regional prayer with me—nice to hear the amenities again—he just asked us to wait. Said he’d return soon and to be ready. He reiterated his feelings about the drug traffic and disclaimed any need for protection. Said he would take care of himself.”

“Also pretty cocky for an apprentice sanitation engineer,” Kitten said. “No matter, if he can slip us out.”

“He added that he hoped both of you were strong swimmers.” Porsupah sat down and began to remove his flexible mukluks. He wiggled each webbed hind foot as it appeared. “The question, of course, did not arise in respect to myself.”

“Really think he can get us out?” Mal queried. He was interested in the little alien’s opinion of their youthful benefactor.

“Why ask me?” Naked, the furry Tolian walked over to the table where the tray of delicacies had been set. He commenced a serious study of the smoked escargot.

“I can say with assurance, however, that I intend to do nothing for the next several minutes, barring earthquake or Redemption, but eat. I’ve had nothing in my belly since we arrived here save memories.”