“Nadeesh the physician,” the big man repeated. “Thanks, Hanse. Oh -where are you staying?
Hanse’s expression became bland and blank, the business face of the thief called Shadowspawn. “I … get around, Strick. If you should want me for anything, just leave word at the Vulgar U or at Sly’s.”
Strick nodded. “Oh, and your young woman-I gave her my amu- let . . .”
“Which served her, me, and Firaqa mighty well,” Hanse assured him. “Let’s, uh, talk about that some other time, all right? I have a young woman with me. Odd that you mentioned Old Earrings, or asked about him-I picked up a nice pair of earrings just last night, as a present for her. Silky. Well, actually her name is Vivispor, but who cares-just a girl I, uh, picked up in Suma.”
“You . . . ‘picked … up’ … a pair of earrings.”
“Right,” Hanse said equably, and was hasty to cut off further com- ment or queries with “And I’m fresh out of a cat. You know, I really got accustomed to havin’ that damned cat with me. I hate to admit it, but I already miss-oh, No!”
For the second time within a half hour or so, Strick sat gazing at a person on the other side of his worktable who was staring past him in surprise unto shock. Since Hanse did not shriek or reach for one or more of his several weapons, however, Strick refrained from giving another demonstration of his swiftness and the fact that he was armed.
Besides, this visitor soon announced its presence in its own voice; a very low and sweet voice at that:
“mew.”
“Damn it. Notable, you sneaked out of Sly’s and followed me again! Up the side of the building next door, even!”