“They’d of killed you before now, mister, if they had any guts. That’s where we got it over these monkeys. They got no guts.”

“They act scared, Chip. Scared men are killers.”

“They don’t scare me none.” Chip picked up the tray. “I’ll scout around a little and see what’s goin’ on. If the Sweaties figure to do anything about that Skaw feller they’ll have to move fast; they won’t try nothin’ close to port.”

“Don’t worry, Chip. I have reason to be pretty sure they won’t do anything to attract a lot of attention in this sector just now.”

Chip looked at Retief. “You ain’t no tourist, mister. I know that much. You didn’t come out here for fun, did you?”

“That,” Retief said, “would be a hard one to answer.”

4

Retief awoke at a tap on his door.

“It’s me, mister. Chip.”

“Come on in.”

The chef entered the room, locking the door.

“You shoulda had that door locked.” He stood by the door, listening, then turned to Retief.

“You want to get to Jorgensen’s perty bad, don’t you, mister?”

“That’s right, Chip.”

“Mr. Tony gave the Captain a real hard time about old Skaw. The Sweaties didn’t say nothin’. Didn’t even act surprised, just took the remains and pushed off. But Mr. Tony and that other crook they call Marbles, they was fit to be tied. Took the Cap’n in his cabin and talked loud at him fer half a hour. Then the Cap’n come out and give some orders to the mate.”

Retief sat up and reached for a cigar.

“Mr. Tony and Skaw were pals, eh?”

“He hated Skaw’s guts. But with him it was business. Mister, you got a gun?”

“A two-mm needler. Why?”

“The orders Cap’n give was to change course fer Alabaster. We’re bypassin’ Jorgensen’s Worlds. We’ll feel the course change any minute.”

Retief lit the cigar, reached under the mattress and took out a short-barreled pistol. He dropped it in his pocket, looked at Chip.

“Maybe it was a good thought, at that. Which way to the Captain’s cabin?”

“This is it,” Chip said softly. “You want me to keep an eye on who comes down the passage?”

Retief nodded, opened the door and stepped into the cabin. The Captain looked up from his desk, then jumped up.

“What do you think you’re doing, busting in here?”

“I hear you’re planning a course change, Captain.”

“You’ve got damn big ears.”

“I think we’d better call in at Jorgensen’s.”

“You do, huh?” The Captain sat down. “I’m in command of this vessel,” he said. “I’m changing course for Alabaster.”

“I wouldn’t find it convenient to go to Alabaster,” Retief said. “So just hold your course for Jorgensen’s.”

“Not bloody likely.”