Part 19 (1/2)
”Never had no occasion to,” answered s.h.i.+nny. ”Well, is it a deal, or isn't it?”
”Too much,” snapped Loring.
”That's my price,” said s.h.i.+nny.
”I could take the s.h.i.+p and not give you anything,” sneered Loring.
”If the Solar Guard looked for three months in that jungle, with a hundred men and instruments, do you think you'll find it?”
”I'll give you a fifth share,” said Loring.
”Nope,” said s.h.i.+nny, ”I've named my price. You either take it or leave it!” He glared at Loring.
Mason finally spoke. ”Take it, Loring,” he said, ”and let's get out of here. I'm getting jittery over that investigation that's coming up on the station.”
”All right,” said Loring, ”it's a deal. One quarter share for the s.h.i.+p.”
”Done!” said s.h.i.+nny--”Now I guess we'd better go talk to that boy Manning, eh?”
”Don't you think it'll be a little dangerous taking him along?” whined Mason.
”Yeah, maybe you're right,” said Loring.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
”If it was me,” said s.h.i.+nny, ”I wouldn't give it a second thought.
You're going into _deep_ s.p.a.ce. It ain't like a hop to Mars or t.i.tan.
This is as deep as you can go. If I was you, I'd want the best there is in my crew. And from what I've heard about that young feller, he's the best there is on the radar bridge. You know who his father was?”
”Who?” asked Mason.
”Ken--” s.h.i.+nny suddenly closed his mouth tight. ”Just another s.p.a.ceman,”
he said, ”but a good one!” He rose quickly. ”Well, I'm supposed to meet Manning in an hour at the Cosmos.”
[Ill.u.s.tration]
The three men left the dingy hotel and walked out into the main street of s.p.a.ceman's Row. In a few moments they arrived at the Cafe Cosmos.
Roger was already there, seated at the same table and watching the door. When he saw Loring and Mason with s.h.i.+nny, he eyed them warily.
”Hiya, kid!” greeted Loring. ”Glad to see you took my advice and got away from 'Blast-off' Connel.” Mason waved a salute, and the three men sat down.
Roger ignored Loring and Mason, speaking directly to s.h.i.+nny. ”Did you complete our deal?” he asked softly.
”Nope,” answered s.h.i.+nny. ”I brought you another one instead.”
Roger held out his hand. ”My one hundred credits--_now!_”
”Never mind the credits, kid,” said Loring, ”we've got more important things to talk about.”