“Obviously,” Burton said. “Nor infallible. Otherwise, I would never have awakened in that place before being resurrected. So, who is this person who does not have these symbols on his skin?” He spoke calmly, but his heart beat swiftly. If Kazz was right, he might have detected an agent of the beings who had brought the entire human species to life again. Would They be gods in disguise?
“Robert Spruce!” Frigate said.
“Before we jump to any conclusions,” Monat said, “don’t forget that the omission may have been an accident”
“We’ll find out,” Burton said ominously.
“But why the symbols? Why should we be marked?”
“Probably for identification or numbering purposes,” Monat said. “Who knows, except Those who put us here.”
“Let’s go face Spruce,” Button said.
“We have to catch him first,” Frigate replied. “Kazz made the mistake of mentioning to Spruce that he knew about the symbols. He did so at breakfast this morning. I wasn’t there, but those who were said Spruce turned pale. A few minutes later, he excused himself, and he hasn’t been seen since. We’ve sent search parties out up and down The River, across The River, and also into the hills.”
“His flight is an admission of guilt,” Burton said. He was angry. Was man a kind of cattle branded for some sinister purpose? That afternoon, the drums announced that Spruce had been caught. Three hours later, he was standing before the council table in the newly built meeting hall. Behind the table sat the Council. The doors were closed, for the Councilmen felt that this was something that could be conducted more efficiently without a crowd. However, Monat, Kazz, and Frigate were also present.
“I may as well tell you now,” Burton said, “that we have decided to go to any lengths to get the truth from you. It is against the principles of every one at this table to use torture. We despise and loathe those who resort to torture. But we feel that this is one issue where principles must be abandoned!
“Principles must never be abandoned,” Spruce said evenly. “The end never justifies the means. Even if clinging to them means defeat, death, and remaining in ignorance.”
“There’s too much at stake,” Targoff said. “I, who have been the “victim of unprincipled men; Ruach, who has been tortured several times; the others, we all agree. We’ll use fire and the knife on you if we must. It is necessary that we find out the truth. Now, tell me, are you one of Those responsible for this resurrection?”
“You will be no better than Goring and his kind if you torture me,” Spruce said. His voice was beginning to break. “In fact, you will be far worse off, for you are forcing yourselves to be like him in order to gain something that may not even exist. Or, if it does, may not be worth the price.”
“Tell us the truth,” Targoff said. “Don’t lie. We know that you must be an agent; perhaps one of Those directly responsible!
“There is a fire blazing in that stone over there,” Burton said. “If you don’t start talking at once, you will … well, the roasting you get will be the least of your pain. I am an authority on Chinese and Arabic methods of torture. I assure you that they had some very refined means for extracting the truth. And I have no qualms about putting my knowledge into practice.”
Spruce pale and sweating, said, “You may be denying your eternal life if you do this. It will at least set you far back on your journey, delay the final goal.”
“What is that?” Burton replied.
Spruce ignored him. “We can’t stand pain,” he muttered. “We’re too sensitive.”
“Are you going to talk?” Targoff said.
“Even the idea of self-destruction is painful and to be avoided except when absolutely necessary,” Spruce mumbled. “Despite the fact that I know I shall live again.”
“Put him over the fire,” Targoff said to the two men who held Spruce.
Monat spoke up. “Just one moment. Spruce, the science of my people was much more advanced than that of Earth’s. So I am more qualified to make an educated guess. Perhaps we could spare you the pain of the fire, and the pain of betraying your purpose, if you were merely to affirm what I have to say. That way, you wouldn’t be making a positive betrayal.”
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