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

"An' I mistake me not," one of the crowbar
wielders said, eyeing Retief sourly, "ye're one

RETIEF OF THE CDT 13

of the Outworld bureaucrats, here to connive
in the allocation of loot, now the Sticky-fingers
have gone."

"Ambassador Clawhammer prefers to refer
to his role as refereeing the elections," Retief
corrected.

"Aye," the Tsugg nodded, "that's what I
said. So how is it ye're interfering with the
free democratic process by coshing Dir Blash
in the midst of exercising his voice in local
affairs?"

"We bureaucrats are a mild lot," Retief clar-
ified, "unless someone gets between us and
our jelly doughnuts."

Red-sash was weaving on his feet, shaking
his head. " 'Tis a scurvy trick," he said blur-
rily, "sneaking a concealed anvil into a friendly
little six-to-one crowbar affray."

"Let's go," one of the others said, "ere he
produces a howitzer from his sleeve." The
banditti mounted their wild-eyed steeds amid
much snorting and tossing of fanged heads.

"But we'll not forget yer visage, Outworlder,"
another promised. "I wot well we'll meet
againЧand next time we'll be none so lenient."

A hubbub of pleased chatter broke out among
the lesser Oberonians as the party passed from
sight.

"Milord hath saved Greatuncle Binkster's
fried fat this day," the small being who had
enlisted Relief's aid cried. The Terran leaned
over, hands on knees, which put his face on a
level only a foot or two above that of the little
fellow.

"Haven't I seen you before?" he asked.