"That's right, Chip."
"Mr. Tony give the captain a real hard time about old Skaw. The Sweaties didn't say nothin'. Didn't even act surprised, just took the remains and pushed off. But Mr. Tony and that other crook they call Marbles, they was fit to be tied. Took the cap'n in his cabin and talked loud at him fer half a hour. Then the cap'n come out and give some orders to the Mate."
Retief sat up and reached for a cigar.
"Mr. Tony and Skaw were pals, eh?"
"He hated Skaw's guts. But with him it was business. Mister, you got a gun?"
"A 2mm needler. Why?"
"The orders cap'n give was to change course fer Alabaster. We're by-passin' Jorgensen's Worlds. We'll feel the course change any minute."
Retief lit the cigar, reached under the mattress and took out a short-barreled pistol. He dropped it in his pocket, looked at Chip.
"Maybe it was a good thought, at that. Which way to the Captain's cabin?"