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are sooner or later the prey of cunning tinkerers.  But if there was a method in this plan, then genius created it.”

    Nero tapped the page;  the rest of this manuscript should make interesting reading.  Yet, the lure of the optical card was even greater to him:  There was a message from Kebe on it.
    *
    In the trailer, he dumped the book on the kitchen table.  The microfiches were tucked away in the safe at the way station.  The reader clicked, engulfing the card in its bowels.  The screen lit up, blank.  Still no video–too bad.

    “Hi there.  You know who I am and what I'm talking about, I presume.  You may have started peeling your potato, so to speak.  I bet you found it educational–if you haven't finished yet, believe me, it gets better.
    Well, baby, you're big game now.  I'm happy for your choice, but–how can I say it?  The pastime is dangerous, so start minding your steps.  I might come soon if you can rig your gear to bring me through.”

    The last noise from the message was a sound like the smacking of lips.
    CHAPTER 5

    Stay at home tonight, the cigar case said–who did this?   Jenus picked up rubble at random to drop it again, stepping around the wasteland in a daze.  "My canary is dead," he whispered, lifting the cage.  He looked at the bird rolling across the bottom.  He unlatched the door, inserted his hand to lift the small body.  A terrible suspicion about coal mines crossed his mind:  Dead–the cage is still intact... 
    He went to the phone to call Janet.  After an eternity, she picked up.
    "We're in danger," Jenus said.  "I'm in danger, I mean, and I may have gotten you involved.  I'll be right back..."
    "Jenus, what are you talking about?  The crocodile..."
    "Please listen!  This has nothing to do with The Clearing.  I have no time to explain, no time now.  There’s something I’ve got to tell you–to ask you.  Take my word for it, please, get dressed and be ready to leave in a few minutes.  Pack a bag for a week or two, take some of my stuff.  And cash.  I stepped on a tiger's tail and they may use you to get at me."
    "What do you mean?  Who are they ?"
    "Please, please, let's not waste time.  Just pack, please."
    "I don't understand, but I'll be ready.  I'm looking forward to a good explanation, too."
    *
    Once more the door to Janet's apartment swung open for Jenus.  She was sitting on an armchair, duffel bags at her feet.
    "Inconspicuous clothing, some cash, some food, first aid, and a complement of travel paraphernalia," Janet said.  "Can you explain now?"
    "Later.  Let's go to the air club, I'll arrange a vehicle."
    "Is this a funky way to start a trip, or are we dipping into more hooey?  I’ve really had enough of it for tonight."
    "Later," Jenus said.
    A few framepost stops later, they arrived at the air club, perhaps via Europe, India and West Africa–hard to tell, dialing at random.  Hard to tell, also, whether their destination remained private.
    The air club was empty;  few people hung around after dark.  A phone call endowed Jenus with the codes and password he needed.  Then he walked by the flight desk;  a tired employee greeted him with his eyes on the show chirping from his viewer.  Jenus flashed his flight permit, which the clerk pretended to inspect.
    Jenus and Janet walked to the aircar bays.  "I'm anxious to hear the story behind all this," Janet said. "Your benefit-of-doubt line of credit is almost exhausted, dear."  Then she said, "On the other hand..."
    "What, Jaya?"  Jenus said.  His heavy steps and Janet's lighter ones resounded across the empty hallways.
    "I was telling Corinne the other day," Janet whispered, "that I've been bored.  That's, by the way, how the tip about The Clearing came about.  Seems like a dangerous wish, that of not being bored."
    The aircar in bay 12 was a recent two-seater:  a nice powerful toy.  From the pilot seat, Jenus opened the roof of the bay, powered the engines, cleared take-off with