aited while her glance swung
about the room, evaluating the place and its occupants in one quick
sweep. Dissatisfied, she turned back to Newlin and again the moonstruck
eyes probed and assessed him.

"Take your pick," he said sharply. "But don't judge them by their
clothes. On Venus, a man in ragged space-leather may have heavy pockets.
Now, take me--"

"I was told I could find Spud Newlin here. Point him out and I'll pay
your fee--"

Newlin was suddenly cautious. "Yes, he's here--but what would a woman
like you want with such a notorious--"

"I'm asking questions, not answering," she said calmly. "And I'm well
aware of his failings. I selected him because of his ... his reputation.
It's revolting, but even such a man may have uses. My requirements of
him, and my reasons for the choice, I will discuss with him. No one
else."

"Free advice, sister. Forget it, and get out of here. He's no good.
Particularly bad, for a choice morsel like you."

"I'm used to making up my own mind. Where is he?"

Newlin shrugged. "You win. I'm Newlin. You take it from there."

Incredulity flooded her face and slowly drained away. "You! Yes, you
could be Newlin. But you're working here. A famous man like you. Why?"

Newlin laughed easily. "It's very simple. I need money. If I can last
through till morning, I'll have it. Now I'll ask the questions. You
answer them. What do you want? Why me?"

A variety of expressions flowed over her mobile features.

"But--you could leave?" she faltered.

"I could, but I won't. This isn't charity night, kid. So go home and
come back another time. Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow won't do. Maybe I've chosen the wrong man, but there's no time
for second chances. I wanted a man with courage, a man used to living
dangerously and going his own way, a man who wouldn't ask questions and
would do anything for money. You sounded like something out of the old
books; a rogue; a rebel."

Newlin sighed. Did it show so much? From the gutter that spawned him, he
had fought and gouged and elbowed his way up. To him all men were
enemies. As a spacebum, he had explored the raw, expanding frontiers as
Man surged from planet to planet. As a hunted outlaw he had existed
perilously on the twilight fringes of civilization. Ruthless and savage,
a thief and despoiler, a criminal and adventurer, he had found his way
back to Earth, Mars, Venus and wrested a niche of sorts within the
citadels he had attempted to overthrow. Despite