House of Shards Read Online Free Page A

wager?”
    “If it wouldn’t compromise my amateur standing.”
    “I’m sure it would not.”
    “In that case, yes. Five novae?”
    “Let's make it twenty.”
    “If you like.”
    Pearl Woman showed delicate incisors that matched her earring. “Done,” she said.
    Maijstral and Geoff Fu George exchanged handclasps while Pearl Woman spoke with Roberta. Maijstral offered two fingers and got one in return. It was, he reflected, nothing more than what he had expected.
    Both men smiled. Their smiles lacked warmth.
    “Maijstral,” said Fu George, “have you heard the rumors coming out of the Constellation Practices Authority?”
    “Referring to Allowed Burglary.”
    “Yes. They're considering an outright condemnation.”
    “That,” said Maijstral, “could be unfortunate.”
    “They could put us in prison. Just for practicing our profession. We'd all have to move to the Empire. And I don’t know about you, Maijstral—” smiling, a bit more warmly “—but I like being a member of the majority species. Call me parochial if you like.”
    “The Constellation suits my temperament as well, Fu George.”
    “Then you'll join in the Burglars' Association? We're going to try to head this off before it gets out of committee.”
    Maijstral sighed. “I suppose I must.”
    “This is no time to be a maverick, Maijstral. Personal style is one thing; survival is quite another. Aldiss is holding the treasury. I hope we can count on a generous contribution, “ A thin smile. ' “The Sporting Commission has agreed to count it for points.”
    Another sigh, this one purely internal. “A generous contribution. Yes.”
    Geoff Fu George smiled again. Maijstral fancied he could feel its warmth on his skin. “I knew you would understand, once this was put to you in person. Aldiss told me he had the damndest time getting ahold of you by post. Even Very Private Letters seemed not to get through.”
    “My life has been irregular, of late.”
    Fu George glanced at Roberta. “I wonder if the Shard is on station?”
    “I’ve no idea.”
    “I am very interested in the answer to that question, Maijstral. Very.”
    Maijstral gave him a look. His green eyes seemed less lazy than before. “Does that mean I am supposed to be uninterested?”
    Fu George shook his head. “Not at all, old man. I was just talking to myself.” He stood on tiptoe and craned his head across the Casino. “Ah. I believe I see Miss Runciter. Have you met her? Oh. I forget. Sorry, Maijstral. Tactless of me.”
    “No need to apologize.”
    “I should join her. You will excuse me?”
    “Certainly.” He offered Fu George his hand. One finger, as was no doubt proper.
    *
    Mr. Sun sat quietly in his blue heaven, awaiting information. He pictured himself as a spider in its lair, his fingers dancing on threads, each thread a monitor, a functionary.
    The spider would never leave its home. Information would flow in, the spider would weigh it, judge it, define a response. Mr. Sun felt himself centered, ready, alive.
    “Third ship's arriving, sir. Viscount Cheng.”
    Khamiss’s sharp Khosali face hovered holographically to one side of Mr. Sun's monitors. Mr. Sun turned to face his assistant. There was a congregation of thieves in the Casino, and he was reluctant to face away.
    “The Drawmiikh is aboard this one, sir,” Khamiss said.
    “I am aware of that, Miss Khamiss,” Sun snapped. His irritation was feigned: he really didn’t mind her reminding him of things he hadn’t actually forgotten, since this gave him a chance to impress listeners with the acuity of his memory.
    “I want you to take charge of the Qlp party personally,” he said. “I don’t know what the creature is doing here, but I don’t want incidents.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Take particular care, Khamiss.”
    “Very well, sir.”
    Her head vanished. Sun, with a happy sigh, returned to his monitors.
    The burglars were talking as if they were old friends. Sun felt a grim satisfaction. If he had