Is holding out for a thousand pounds apiece. I'll have to give it to

him, I suppose Sean clutched his temples. Duff, please, man, we're in

over our necks already! Stand back, laddie, and watch the wizard

workIng! going to bed, I suppose I'll have to take your shift again in

the morning if you're determined to spend tomorrow ruining us. That's

not necessary, I've hired that Yankee, Curtis.

You know, your sparring partner. It turns out he's a miner and he's

willing to work for thirty a month. So you can come to town with me and

watch me make you rich. I'm meeting the Greek at Candy's Hotel at nine

o'clock.

Duff was talking and Sean sat silently on the edge of his chair; at ten

the Greek had still not put in an appearance, Duff was moody and Sean

was garrulous with relief. At eleven Sean wanted to go back to the

mine. It's an omen, Duff, God looked down and he saw us sitting here

all ready to make a terrible mistake. "No, " he said, , I can't let

them do it, i'll have the Greek break a leg, I can't let it happen to

such nice boys. " Why don't you go and join a Trappist monastery? Duff

checked his watch. Come on, let's go! Yes, sir! Sean stood up with

alacrity. We'll get back in plenty of time to clean the tables before

lunch. we're not going home, we're going to look for the Greek. Now

listen, Duff I'll listen later, come on. They rode across to the Bright

Angels, left the horses outside and walked in together. It was dark in

the canteen after the sunshine-outside, but even in the gloom a group at

one of the tables caught their attention immediately.

The Greek sat with his back to them; the line of his parting seemed to

be drawn with white chalk and a ruler through the oily black waves of

his hair. Sean's eyes switched from him to the two men that sat across

the table from him. Jews, there was no mistaking it, but there any

similarity ended. The younger one was thin with smooth olive skin drawn

tight across the bold bones of his cheeks; his lips were very red and

his eyes, fringed with girl's lashes, were toffee-brown and melting. In

the chair beside him was a man with a body that had been shaped in wax

then held near a hot flame. Shoulders rounded to the verge of deformity

drooped down over a pearshaped body; with difficulty they supported the

great Taj Mahal domed head. His hair was styled in the fashion of Friar

Tuck, thick only around the ears. But the eyes, the flickering yellow

eyes, there was nothing comical about them. Hradsky, hissed Duff, then

his expression changed. He smiled as he walked across to the table.

Hello, Nikky, I thought we had an appointment The Greek twisted quickly

In his chair. Mr Charleywood, I'm sorry, I was held up. So I see, the

woods are full of highway-men. Sean saw the flush start -to come up out

of Hradsky's collar then sink back again.

Have you sold? Duff asked.

The Greek nodded nervously. I'm sorry, Mr Charleywood, but Mr Hradsky

paid my price and no haggling, cash money, too!

Duff let his eyes wander across the table. Hello, Norman. How's your

daughter? This time the flush escaped from Hradsky's shirt and flooded

over his face. He opened his mouth, his tongue clucked twice, then he

closed it again.

Duff smiled, he looked at the younger Jew. Say it for him, Max. The

toffee eyes dropped to the table top. Mr Hradsky's daughter is very

well. I believe she married soon after my involuntary departure from

Kimberley. That is correct. Wise move, Norman, much wiser than having

your bully boys run me out of town. That wasn't very nice of you.

No one spoke. We must get together some time and have a chat about old

times. Until then, Fa, fa, fare ye we, we, well On the way back to the

mine Sean asked, He's got a daughter? If she looks like him you were

lucky to escape. She didn't, she was like a bunch of ripe grapes with

the bloom on them. I can hardly credit it. Neither could 1. The only

conclusion I could reach was that Max did that job for him as well

rWhat's the story about MaxVHe's the Court Jester. Rumour has it that

after Hradsky has finished hanging it out, Max shakes it for him. Sean

laughed and Duff went on, But don't underestimate Hradsky. His stutter