Universe Twister - Keith Laumer [50]
"Hold it right there," O'Leary hissed. "I've got a musket aimed at your left kidney. Put down your weapon and stand where you are."
The man stood like a wax figure illustrating Guilt Caught in the Act. He stooped slowly, put down something that glittered in the moonlight and took a hesitant step.
"That's close enough," O'Leary breathed. "How many of you are there?"
"Just me and Moe and, and Charlie, and Sam and Porkeye and Clarence—"
"Clarence?"
"Yeah; he's a new boy, just learning the trade."
"Where are they?"
"Spotted around front. Hey, how'd you get past 'em bud?"
"Easy. I went over them. How did you happen to be staked out here?"
"Well, after all, you had to try one of the gates if you planned to get clear of the city."
"How did you know I was still in the city?"
"Look here, fellow—you expect me to rat on my own chief? I'm not saying any more."
"All right, there's just one more thing I want from you: Where's Lod's headquarters located?"
"Lod? Out west someplace? How do I know?"
"You'd better know, or I'll be annoyed. When I get annoyed, my finger gets twitchy, very twitchy."
"What the heck, everybody knows where Lod hangs out, anyway. I guess if I don't tell you, somebody else will, so what's the percentage in me being a hero, know what I mean?"
"Last chance—the finger is getting nervous."
"Ride west—you'll hit the desert after a half a day's travel. Keep going; there'll be a line of mountains to your left. Follow the foothills till you come to the pass. That's all." O'Leary thought he heard a snicker.
"How far is Lod's stronghold from the pass?"
"Maybe five miles, maybe ten, due west. You can't miss it—if you get that far."
"Why shouldn't I get that far?"
"Let's face it, pal; we got you outnumbered five to one."
O'Leary took a quick step and slammed the five-pound stone in his hand against his informant's skull just above the ear. He folded silently and lay on his face, snoring gently. O'Leary stepped past him, moving off up the alley. He emerged five minutes later half a block from the East Gate. Ready to duck and run if necessary, he strolled past the guard just as the fellow yawned, showing cheap silver filling. Once past him, O'Leary let out a long breath and set out to circle the town. His feet were already getting sore; the new boots had a tendency to pinch. Too bad he hadn't taken the time to steal a horse. He had a long trek ahead; maybe three miles around the town walls, then ten to the desert, then another ten . . .
"Well, there was no help for it—and thinking about blisters didn't help. He settled down for the hike ahead, watching the moon rise above the castellated city wall.
There was a light ahead, glowing in the window of one of the buildings huddled against the wall near the West Gate. Lafayette made his way to it, clambered over a heap of rubbish and came around to the front that faced the twenty-foot wide dirt road that led off to the west. He was ready for a good meal and a bottle of stout ale before he tackled the long night's walk ahead. The shack with the light seemed to be an inn; a sign nailed to a post bore a horrendous portrait of a bush-bearded pirate with a patch over one eye. Not a prepossessing establishment, but it would have to do.
Lafayette pushed through the door and found himself in a surprisingly cozy interior. There were tables to the left, a bar straight ahead, a gaming area to the right where half a dozen grizzled gaffers were arguing querulously over a checkerboard. Oil lanterns on the bar lent a warm light to the scene. O'Leary rubbed his chilled hands together and took a seat. A vastly fat woman wobbled from a shadowy corner and plunked a heavy pewter mug down in front of him.
"What'll it be, love?" she demanded cheerfully. O'Leary ordered roast beef and baked potato and then sampled the beer. Not bad at all. He'd