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

thousand ermils to the next planetfall."

"Which will be?"

"Where I say after we have left Tynar." Dumarest jingled the
money; thick, octagonal coins each set with a precious gem,
accepted tender on any world. "If you've changed your mind say
so now. There are other ships."

"But none as cheap," said Eglantine quickly. "And, perhaps,
none available. But let us not be hasty. All I know is that you
want to charter my ship. To the next planetfall, you say; but that
could be a world on the other side of the galaxy. Where's the
profit in that? A man has to know what he's selling."

"And buying," snapped Dumarest. "From what I hear your
vessel is a wreck. Maybe I'm making a mistake."

"Maybe," Eglantine shrugged and spread his ringed hands.
"What man can claim that never in his life, has he made a
mistake? And yet why should we quarrel? You need my vessel
and I am available. All I ask is for a little information. What
cargo will you be carrying?"
 "None."

Eglantine hid his surprise. No cargo, which meant that
Dumarest was in a hurry to get away and had no wish to travel
on a normal ship. Charters were never cheap, but had certain
advantages; and why should he object when the money was in
plain view? Yet old habits died hard. A man willing to pay so
much might be pressed to pay even more.

Then he looked again at the man before him, and changed his
mind. In any game of bluff Dumarest would be the winner. In
any confrontation he would never lose. There was that look about
him, the hard sureness of a man who had never known the
protection of House, Guild or Organization; who had early
learned to rely on no one but himself.

But still he had to assert his position; as captain he was in
command.

"Our destination," he said. "I must know it. Surely you can see
that."

"As I said, you will be told it after we leave."

"That will be tomorrow at sunset."

"No," said Dumarest. "It will be now. Is your crew aboard?