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

and on it was the palm-sized length of white Troy had
hardly dared to hope he would ever see.

"Contract"—Kyger was clearly in a hurry to have
this done—"to hold a seven-day term. No off-world
clause. Suit you, Horan?"

Troy nodded. Even a seven-day contract was to be
cherished. He asked only one question. "Renewal for

kind?"

"Renewal for kind," the other agreed without hesi-
tation, and Troy's confidence soared. He crossed the
small room, set his right hand flat against that glowing
plate. "Troy Horan, Norden, class two, accepts contract
for seven days, not off-world, from Kyger's," he recited,


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allowing his hand to remain tight against the heated
panel for a full moment before he gave way to Kyger.

The other's hand, wider, the fingers thicker and
blunter at the tips, smacked against the white oblong
in turn.

"Kossi Kyger, registered merchant, accepts contract
for seven days from Troy Horan, laborer. Record it so."

The metallic voice of the recorder chattered back at
them. "It is so sealed and noted."

Kyger returned to his eazi-rest. "Shop uniform in
the storehouse. Any reason for you to go back to the
Dipple tonight?"

Troy paused to shake his head. His few possessions
of any value had been thumb-locked into a Dipple
safe pocket that morning. And the lock would hold
against any touch but his own for ten days. He could
pick up the contents of that very small locker any
time. Was it imagination again, or did Kyger seem to
be relieved?