The Dueling Machine
Public Domain
Chapter 15
The office was that of the new prime minister of the Acquataine Cluster. It had been loaned to Leoh for his conversation with Sir Harold Spencer. For the moment, it seemed like a great double room: half of it was dark, warm woods, rich draperies, floor-to-ceiling bookcases. The other half, from the tri-di screen onward, was the austere, metallic utility of a starship compartment.
Spencer was saying, “So this hired assassin, after killing four men and nearly wrecking a government, has returned to his native worlds.”
Leoh nodded. “He returned under guard. I suppose he is in disgrace, or perhaps even under arrest.”
“Servants of a dictator never know when they will be the ones who are served--on a platter.” Spencer chuckled. “And the Watchman who assisted you, this Junior Lieutenant Hector, what of him?”
“He’s not here just now. The Dulaq girl has him in tow, somewhere. Evidently it’s the first time he’s been a hero--”