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He handed over the note. The ambassador read it and raised his eyebrows. "Well?" "It could be authentic," admitted Hoddan. "In other words," said the ambassador, "you are not sure that it is a booby trap an invitation to a date with the police?" "I'm not sure," said Hoddan. "I think I'd better bite. If I have any illusions left after this morning, I'd better find it out.
And while it would cause you bitter anguish if someone dear to you represented a danger to millions of innocent women and children still, under such circumstances you might feel it necessary to do violence to your own emotions." Don Loris looked at him with abrupt suspicion. Hoddan waved the roll.
There were several horses tethered near it, and men who were plainly retainers of the nearby castle reposed in its shade. Hoddan reined in. "Here we part," he told Thal. "When we first met I enabled you to pick the pockets of a good many of your fellow-countrymen. I never asked for my split of the take. I expect you to remember me with affection." Thal clasped both of Hoddan's hands in his.
I thought you'd contrived some way to fake it. I knew there couldn't be such a fleet. Not really! That was a sound job you did with the emigrants, by the way. Most praiseworthy! And the point was that if you ran hogwild with a faked fleet, sooner or later the Space Patrol would have to cut you down to size. And you were doing much too good work to be stopped!" Hoddan blinked.
We sent of our number to find a world to which we could move. Ten years back, they returned. They had found it. The planet Thetis." Again Hoddan had no reaction. The name meant nothing. "We began to prepare," said the old man, his eyes flashing. "Five years since, we were ready. But we had to wait three more before the bargainers were ready to complete the trade.
What'd he do with it? He could've kept it in this boat here. We could take a quick look! What Don Loris don't know don't hurt him!" "I'm going to find Hoddan first," said Thal, with dignity. "We don't have to carry him outside so's Don Loris knows we're looking for loot, but I'm going to find him first." There were other men in the spaceboat now. A full dozen of them.
"I don't understand you!" "I have a secret," said Hoddan. "What is it?" "It will develop," said Hoddan. Don Loris hesitated, essayed to speak, and thought better of it. He shrugged his shoulders and went slowly back to the flight of stone steps. He descended. The Lady Fani started to wring her hands. Then she said hopefully: "What's your secret?" "That your father thinks I have one," said Hoddan.
His presents are not as lavish as they could be. I can make him a return-present of part of the money we won in combat. That frees me of duty to him. Then I could accept the balance of the money from you, and become a retainer of yours." "Oh," said Hoddan. "You need a retainer badly," said Thal. "You do not know the customs here.
I pity 'em if they do!" Hoddan had been on Darth not more than four hours. In that time he'd found himself robbed, had resented it, had been the object of two spirited attempts at assassination, had ridden an excruciating number of miles on an unfamiliar animal, and now found himself in a stone dungeon and deprived of food lest feeding him obligate his host not to cut his throat.
The old man shook his head, looking at Hoddan very affectionately indeed. "We will deliver your letters," he said warmly. "First to Krim, and then to Walden. Then we will go on and let down your letter and gift to your grandfather on Zan. Then we will go on toward Thetis. Our mechanics will work at building machines while we are in overdrive.
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