"Walter Jon Williams - The Crown Jewels" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

"He has the contents of a planet to choose from, ma'am.
I would not be concerned. The chances of our interests
being similar are not great."

"Perhaps the simplest way is just to ask."

"I don't wish to betray our intentions to such an uncer-
tain character. We shall simply watch, and wait."

Her mouth hung open, her tongue lolled. A Khosali
smile- "Still. I haven't seen him in years. Will you join
me, Baron, at the bottom of the set?"

"With pleasure. Countess. Take my arm."

"Drake Maijstral, sir." Mutual sniffs.

"Lieutenant Navarre, sir. 1 see we're both in mourn-
ing." He was a tall man, copper-skinned, about thirty, in
uniform with a mourning cloak.

"I'm afraid I don't recognize the uniform. A local
unit?"

A dismissive laugh. "No. I'm from Pompey. I just
inherited some property here, and 1 have to inspect it."

"Substantial property, I hope."

"Oh, no. Just a house and some land. A lot of bric-a-
brac—my uncle had eccentric tastes, but he wasn't rich.
I'm selling it all."

"I hope you don't think me impertinent for asking."

THE CROWN JEWELS / 9

A shrug. "Not at all. What else is there to talk about,
between strangers?"

". . . Yes. My boot slipped, damn it."

"It was such a beautiful eye. I think it was your eyes
that made me fall in love with you, years ago when 1 was a
child."

"Er. Yes. To be sure."

"Drake Maijstral, sir."