HANDS AND VOICES CALLED him back. Strong hands shaking him, urgent voices. He started up growling, like an animal suddenly awaked, still lost in the dark mists of exhaustion. Balin swore, and caught his fingers away.
"What is this you have brought home, Thanis? By the gods, it snapped at me!"
Thanis ignored him. "Stark," she said. "Stark! Listen. Men are coming. Soldiers. They will question you. Do you hear me?"
Stark said heavily, "I hear."
"Do not speak of Camar!"
Stark got to his feet, and Balin said hastily, "Peace! The thing is safe. I would not steal a death warrant!"
His voice had a ring of truth. Stark sat down again. It was an effort to keep awake. There was clamor in the street below. It was still night.
Balin said carefully, "Tell them what you told the captain, nothing m
