Hakiem is in hiding, afraid for his life. He paid me to fetch you to him, for he
feels the information will be especially valuable to you.’
‘Fetch me to him?’ Jubal rumbled, his temper rising.
“One moment, boy,’ Saliman interceded, speaking for the first time since his
report was interrupted. ‘You say Hakiem paid you? How much?’
‘A silver coin,’ the boy announced proudly.
‘Show it to us!’ Saliman ordered.
The boy’s hand disappeared within his rags. Then he hesitated.
‘You won’t take it from me, will you?’ he asked warily.
‘Show the coin!’ Jubal roared.
Cowed by the sudden outburst, Mungo extended his fist and opened it, revealing.a
silver coin nestled in his palm.
Jubal’s eyes sought Saliman, who raised his eyebrows in silent surprise and
speculation. The fact the boy actually had a silver coin indicated many things.
First: Mungo was probably telling the truth. Street-rats rarely had more than a
few coppers, so a silver coin would have had to come from an outside benefactor.
If the boy had stolen it, he would himself be in hiding, gloating over his ill
gotten wealth -not displaying it openly as he had just done.
Assuming the boy was telling the truth, then Hakiem’s information must indeed be
valuable and the danger to him real. Hakiem was not the sort to give away silver
coins unless he were confident of recouping the loss and making a healthy profit
besides. Even then, he would save the expense and bring the information himself,
were he not truly afraid for his life.
All this flashed through Jubal’s mind as he saw the coin, and Saliman’s