“That’s fine,” I said. “In your official capacity I guess you wouldn’t hesitate to shoot if anyone looked troublesome?”
“You bet I’d shoot,” he said.
“In that case, brother, you’d better go first. I’ll cover your rear.”
“If you want to lead, go ahead,” he said hastily. “I’ll take full responsibility for any deaths you cause.”
Put like that I hadn’t the heart to refuse. I dived for the door, passed into the main hall.
A dim shape standing by the front door twisted round, fired. I felt the wind from the slug fan my face. I shot the dim shape through the head.
“You see how it is,” I said apologetically to Hoskiss. “People just naturally shoot at me.”
“Don’t let it grieve you,” Hoskiss said, peering round the hall. “You go ahead. You’re faster with a gun than I am. I want to come out of this alive.”
There didn’t seem any further opposition in the hall. I made for the door at the foot of the stairs.
“This way, pal,” I said. “Be ready for action.”