“I’m no killer,” replied the Swagman. “As I said, I’m still not sure exactly what it was that Altair of Altair tried to do to you down there, but I’m certain that I wouldn’t have survived it—and I can assure you that she was much easier to kill than Santiago will be. I’ll supply the information; you’ll supply the expertise. That’s the deal.”

“I’ll take it under consideration.”

“You’d better consider it quickly.”

“Why?” asked Cain sardonically. “Will you find yourself another killer?”

“No,” said the Swagman seriously. “You’re the one I want. After all, you killed Altair of Altair. Do you know how many bounty hunters have died trying to do just that?” He slapped at a flying insect that was buzzing around his face. “But you’re in a race, and every minute you delay is another minute the Angel gains on you.”

“I thought you said something about a planet that’s going to give him problems.”

“I did,” the Swagman assured him. “But he’ll overcome them. He’s the best.”

“Then why didn’t you offer your services to him?”

“Because he doesn’t need them. You do.” He reached out his hand. “Well, have we got a deal?”

Cain stared at his hand without taking it.

“What have you got to lose?” added the Swagman.

Cain stared at him for a long moment, then finally nodded his head almost imperceptibly. “All right—until your information proves wrong.”

“It won’t.”

“Let’s put it to the test. Where does Virtue MacKenzie plan to find the Angel?”

“Lambda Karos Three if she’s lucky.”

“And if she’s not?”

“Either New Ecuador or Questados Four. It depends on what he learns on Lambda Karos.”

Cain stared at him for a moment. “Halfpenny Terwilliger is waiting for me back at my ship. I think I’d better send him off to keep an eye on Virtue while she’s keeping an eye on the Angel, just so we know where we stand.”

“Can you trust him to tell you the truth?” asked the Swagman.

“I can trust him to act in his own self-interest,” replied Cain. “And he’ll get a lot richer by staying loyal to me than by deserting me.”

“Just out of curiosity, if he’s on your payroll, why wasn’t he helping you against Altair of Altair?”

“For the same reason you weren’t,” said Cain. “He’d just have been in the way.”

“Touché,” said the Swagman with a chuckle. “By the way, if he’s the same Terwilliger I’ve heard about, ManMountain Bates is hot on his trail.”