not at home right now. He''s gone to the National Convention," replied Edith.

"He''ll be back soon, right? Can I come in to wait? I''ve got something important to hand to him," the man''s eyes never met Edith''s, instead keeping darting around.

"Please," Edith hesitated for a moment but then gestured for him to enter.

Once the man sat down in the living room, his unnatural behaviour became even more apparent. He appeared restless and kept fidgeting, occasionally staring straight at the door or looking around to observe the room with unease. Edith noticed that his complexion was off colour, his eyes were all bloodshot.

"You have something to hand to Citizen Quenet? I can pass it on to him for you," Edith suggested, feeling uncomfortable with the man''s presence.

The man kept his gaze fixed on Charlene''s stiff legs under the blanket. He seemed to take a moment to understand the girl''s meaning.

"Uh, no, don''t bother," he stammered. "I''d better give it to him in person. It''s quite important."

"What is it about?" Edith asked.

The man fell silent for a moment. "I can''t tell. That is, um, the Committee forbids me from telling anyone who''s not involved. That''s all."

"Citizen Quenet has been living with us for a year now, and my cousin is his closest colleague. You can trust us completely. I''ll keep it confidential," Edith assured him.

The man became increasingly evasive and nervously rubbed his hands together, lowering his head without a word.

His attitude made Edith feel even more sus