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“Any chance of fixing it?” Sorensen asked.

“Not a hope,” Drake said. “They ripped out the wiring while they were at it.”

“What do we do now?”

“I don’t know.”

Then the Quedak spoke to them over the walkie-talkie. “I must have your answer right now.”

Nobody said a word.

“In that case,” the Quedak said, “I’m deeply sorry that one of you must die now.”

VII

Rain pelted the iron roof and the gusts of wind increased in intensity. There were rumbles of distant thunder. But within the copra shed, the air was hot and still. The gasoline lantern hanging from the center beam threw a harsh yellow light that illuminated the center of the room but left the corners in deep shadow. The treasure-hunters had moved away from the walls. They were all in the center of the room facing outward, and they made Drake think of a herd of buffalo drawn up against a wolf they could smell but could not see.

Cable said, “Listen, maybe we should try this Quedak Cooperation. Maybe it isn’t so bad as—”

“Shut up,” Drake said.