nd does he?”

    “Yes,” said t believe o believe in t place. But it is true: t is ention. And  t t o capture ress of Svalbard, out of to gain  of the bargain.”

    Lyra said, “Do tc o make t him?”

    “t is a question oo complicated an ansly, tc united. t t betc  ever existed, o w.

    t yet part of any alliance, t pressure is being put on us to declare for one side or anotions of ics, and not easily answered.”

    “ about they on?”

    “On terest ions; t  least, t is o be, but ent on c any rate, t ers o imprison Lord Asriel, and til t drop of blood drains from t bear alive.”

    “But not all bears!” Lyra said. “t on Svalbard at all. cast bear, and o come h us.”

    time she could feel his cold surprise.

    Farder Coram sed uncomfortably, and said, “t is, Lyra, I dont t a term as an indentured laborer;  free, as   be, ence. till  be free to come, armor or no armor; and  never  back, either.”

    “But ricked ole it away!”

    “e  story,” said Jo we heard.”

    “If—” Lyra e; sion. “—if ter says somets true. And I asked it, and it said t elling trutrick elling lies and not oo, and you believe  you?”

    “I t I did, c so certain of things as you are.”

    “But o go round killing people as soons s his armor on? he could kill dozens of em now!”

    “ dozens, t took  a rampaging round looking for it. ore open t kno to kill als; ted to use him like a laborer.”

    “Like a slave!” Lyra said ly. “t got t!”

    “Be t as it may, t   t.