"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 12 - Eloise" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

finery, face plastered with cosmetics, eyes hard with experience.
They searched the planes and contours of his face, the line of his
jaw, the mouth which she sensed could so easily become cruel.
For a moment their eyes met and then, without speaking, she
moved away.

Another, younger, confident in her attraction, took her place.

"Hi, mister!" She smiled, resting her hands on the table and
leaning forward so as to display her wares. "You lonely?"

"No."

"Just come in?" She sat and reached for the bottle, the empty
glass resting beside it. "On that trader, maybe?"

"Maybe."

"Where you from?"

"Kalid," Dumarest lied. "Did I offer you a drink?"

"You begrudge it?" Her eyes, over the rim of the half-filled
glass, were innocently wide. "Hell, man, are you that strapped? If
you are, maybe I can help."

Dumarest lifted his own glass, touching it to his lips, eyes
narrowed as he looked past the girl towards the others in the
tavern. A motley collection of spacemen, field workers, pimps
and entrepreneurs. None seemed to be paying him any attention.

"I can help," repeated the girl. "You've a look about
youтАФyou've been in a ring, right?"

"So?"

"I can tell a fighter when I see one. If you're broke I could
arrange something. Ten-inch blades, first cut or to the death. Big
money for a fast man if he wants it. I've a friend who could line it
up if you're interested."
 He asked, knowing the answer, "Is there much of that going
on?"

"Fights?" She shrugged. "Plenty, but you'll need a guide to the
big money. You don't want to be cheated. Why don't I call over
my friend and let him make the proposition?" Without waiting
for an answer she turned, mouth opening as if to shout a name.
It closed as Dumarest leaned forward and closed his fingers
about her wrist.