"Laumer, Keith - Retief of the COTUC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Laumer Keith)

threateningly, his hand on the hilt of his cut-
lass. "Nobody murders my drinking buddies
but me, wot thee well, me hearties!" He turned

back to Retief.
"Say, you wouldn't chance to have any more

of the same, would you?"
"I'm saving it for a special occasion," Retief

said.
"Well, what could be more special than a

reprieve from being staved out on a zing-wasp

hive, eh?"
"We'll celebrate later," Retief said. "Right

RETIEF OF THE CDT 35

now I'd appreciate a short interview with His
Truculence."

"If I use my influence to get you in, wilt let
me have another sample later?"

"If things work out as they usually do,"
Retief said, "I think you can be sure of it."

"Then come along, Dir Tief. I'll see what I
can do."

5

Hoobrik the Uncouth, lounging in a ham-
mock under a varicolored canopy, gazed in-
differently at Retief as Dir Blash made the
introductions. He was an immense Tsugg,
above the average height of his kind, his obe-
sity draped in voluminous beaded robes. He
selected a large green berry from a dented sil-
ver bowl at his elbow, shook exotic salts over
it from a heavy gold saltshaker, and popped it
into his mouth.

"So?" he grunted, spitting the seeds over
the side. "Why disturb my meditations with
trifles? Dispose of the creature in any way
that amuses you, BlashЧbut save the head.
I'll impale it on a pike and give it to the Terry