"Well they didn't come past me!" Guido countered.
I started to get a very cold feeling in my stomach.
"Aahz, "I said softly.
"If you think I don't know when...."
"AAHZ!"
That brought him up short. He turned to me with an
angry retort on his lips, then he saw my expression.
"What is it, Skeeve? You look as if...."
"There are more than two ways out of that room."
We stared at each other in stunned silence for a few
moments, then we both sprinted for the reception room,
leaving Guido to trail along behind.
The room we had selected for our reception area was
one of the largest in the place, and the only large room
with easy access from the front door. It was furnished in
a style lavish enough to impress even those customers
spoiled by the wonders of the Bazaar who were expect-
ing to see the home office of a successful magician.
There was only one problem with it, and that was the
10
Robert Asprin
focus of our attention as we dashed in.
The only decoration that we had kept from the previ-
ous owners was an ornate tapestry hanging on the north
wall. Usually I'm faster than Aahz, but this time he beat
me to the hanging, sweeping it aside with his arm to re-
veal a heavy door behind it.
Our worst fears were realized.
The door was unlocked and standing ajar.
Chapter Two:
"Success often hinges on choosing a
reliable partner."
