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"What sort of general oods, tools, bolts of cloth, foodstuffs--that sort of thing"

"Well, now," Silk said, his nose twitching even more violently "Maybe you and I can do soo, and we're running a little short of supplies You mentioned foodstuffs What sort of foodstuffs?"

The merchant's eyes narrowed "Bread, cheese, butter, dried fruit, hah, those things are going to cost you very dearly Food's scarce in this part of Darshiva"

"Oh," Silk said blandly, "I don't think they'll cost all that reet Urvon when he arrives"

The merchant stared at him in consternation

"You see, my friend," Silk continued, "you have to leave--and very soon, I think That wagon of yours won't carry everything you've got in your shop, and your tea to be able to on My friends and I have fast horses, though, so we can afford to wait a little longer After you leave, we s we need"

The merchant's face went suddenly very pale "That's robbery," he gasped

"Why, yes," Silk admitted blandly, "I believe some people do call it that" He paused for a moment to allow the merchant tirew anguished Then Silk sighed "Unfortunately, I'ht of cheating an honest man--unless I absolutely have to" He lifted a pouch froht or ten silver half-crowns in here," he said "What would you say to five of theeous!" the ret, Silk closed the pouch and tucked it back under his belt "I guess we'll just have to wait, then Do you think you and yourme!" the merchant wailed

"No, not really The way I see it, e have here is a buyer's market That's my offer, friend--five silver half-crowns Take it or leave it We'll wait over there across the street while you decide" He turned his horse and led Garion and Zakath toward a large house on the other side of the street

Zakath was trying very hard to stifle a laugh as they dismounted "We're not quite done yet," Silk muttered "It needs just one more little touch" He went up to the locked door of the house, reached into his boot, and took out a long, pointed needle He probed at the lock for aclick "We'll need a table and three chairs," he told the thee around and find the other things we'll need" He went into the house Garion and Zakath went into the kitchen and carried out a fair-sized table Then they went back for chairs

"What's he up to?" Zakath asked with a look of baffle," Garion said with a certain disgust "He does that fros"

They carried out the chairs and found Silk waiting for theoblets sat on the table "All right, gentlemen," the little Drasnian said "Seat yourselves and have so I saw at the side of the house" He went around the corner and came back after a few minutes with a broad soblet of wine, leaned back in his chair, and put his feet op on the table with the air of a ive him about five minutes," he said

"Who?" Garion asked