His words might have been spoken in all innocence, or might have been spoken deliberately and with malice.

But in either case the result, so far as his listener was concerned, was the same.

A sense of frightened impotence fell upon her--a knowledge that her enemy had a longer reach and a more powerful arm than she had guessed.
By a great effort she controlled her feelings.
"Thank you!" she said, quietly, "but I will not trouble Mr.
Bale-Corphew.

If I may, I will wait in the Place until the Gathering is assembled." Her companion bent his head.
"Permission is granted!" he said.
For a moment longer she stood, burning with apprehensive dread.

On one hand was the Prophet--trapped and unaware of his peril; on the other was Bale-Corphew--implacable, enraged, unrelaxing in his pursuit.