"Andre Norton - Cat's eye" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

The first patroller took charge. Troy answered
questions with the strict truth concerning what he
had seen—but he did not mention the unheard warn-
ings. And Zul either could not or would not elaborate
on that report. Somewhat to Troy's surprise, Kyger
himself stepped out of the second patrol flitter. And
his efficiency matched that of the law. Zul was sent
off to have his hurts tended before Kyger examined
the cage. When Troy helped him swing it out to the
pavement, he was brisk.

"No harm done, officer," he informed the patroller.
"Apparently it was just an attempted highjack—not
that such a theft would have done them any good."

"Why not?" The patroller was a Swatzerkan, his
green-tinged skin showing a faint lacing of scales across
the backs of his hands as he held a small recorder to
catch their answers.

"Because these animals cannot live long without
their own imported food and trained care, officer. They
are a special order—for the Gentle Fern San duk Var—"

The Swatzerkan did not exactly blink, but perhaps
there was a shade more deference in his voice when
he replied, "You have indeed been favored by fortune,
Merchant, in that your shipment did not fall into the
hands of these worms' castings." His eyes touched
briefly on the bound, or webbed, prisoners. "It will be
your wishing to take these precious creatures to your
shop. But one fears that your flitter is beyond the
power of rising—"

"An accommodation will serve."

25




"Ah—so. Mulat, an accommodation for the merchant!"

One of the other patrollers went to the corn unit of
the official flitter. And for the first time Kyger appeared
to really notice Troy.