“Well, it was recommended to me by Edvick, he’s the
cabbie I hired while I was here, and …”
“That you hired? Why didn’t you . . .”He paused and
seemed to regain a bit of control. “It sounds like you’ve-
got quite a bit to discuss with me … when we have the
time. Right, partner’1.'”‘
“Right, Aahz,” I said, glad to be off the hook for the
moment.
200 Robert Asprin
‘ ‘Is there anything that has to be done before we leave?”
“Well, I’ve got to get some money to the bellhop. I
promised him …”
“Spare me the details . . . for the moment anyway. Any-
thing else?”
“No, Aahz.”
“All right. Finish packing while I hunt up this bellhop
for you. Then, we’re off for Klah … if I can find the
settings on the D-hopper, that is. It’s been a while, and…”
“Save the batteries, cousin,” Pookie said. “I think I can
handle getting us all there without help.”
“You? Since when were you coming along?” Aahz
gaped.
“Since I hired on with Skeeve here,” the bodyguard
countered. “While we’re on the subject, since when did
you need a D-hopper to travel through the dimensions?”
“Um … if the two of you don’t mind,” I said, stuffing
my dirty clothes into my new bag, “could we save all that
until later? Right now, we’ve got a war to catch!”