Conger agreed to kill a stranger he hadnever seen. But he would make no mistakesbecause he had the stranger's skull underhis arm.
"What is this opportunity?"Conger asked. "Go on. I'minterested."
The room was silent; all faceswere fixed on Conger—still in thedrab prison uniform. The Speakerleaned forward slowly.
"Before you went to prison yourtrading business was paying well—allillegal—all very profitable. Nowyou have nothing, except the prospectof another six years in a cell."
Conger scowled.
"There is a certain situation, veryimportant to this Council, that requiresyour peculiar abilities. Also,it is a situation you might find interesting.You were a hunter, were younot? You've done a great deal oftrapping, hiding in the bushes,waiting at night for the game? Iimagine hunting must be a sourceof satisfaction to you, the chase, thestalking—"
Conger sighed. His lips twisted."All right," he said. "Leave thatout. Get to the point. Who do youwant me to kill?"
The Speaker smiled. "All inproper sequence," he said softly.
The car slid to a stop. It wasnight; there was no light anywherealong the street. Conger looked out."Where are we? What is thisplace?"
The hand of the guard pressedinto his arm. "Come. Through thatdoor."
Conger stepped down, onto thedamp sidewalk. The guard cameswiftly after him, and then theSpeaker. Conger took a deep breathof the cold air. He studied the dimoutline of the building rising upbefore them.
"I know this place. I've seen itbefore." He squinted, his eyes growingaccustomed to the dark. Suddenlyhe became alert. "This is—"
"Yes. The First Church." TheSpeaker walked toward the steps."We're expected."
"Expected? Here?"
"Yes." The Speaker mounted thestairs. "You know we're not allowedin their Churches, especially withguns!" He stopped. Two armed soldiersloomed up ahead, one on eachside.
"All right?" The Speaker lookedup at them. They nodded. The doorof the Church was open. Congercould see other soldiers inside,standing about, young soldiers withlarge eyes, gazing at the ikons andholy images.
"I see," he said.
"It was necessary," the Speakersaid. "As you know, we have beensingularly unfortunate in the pastin our relations with the FirstChurch."
"This won't help."
"But it's worth it. You will see."
They passed through the halland into the main chamberwhere the altar piece was, and thekneeling places. The Speakerscarcely glanced at the altar as theypassed by. He pushed open a smallside door and beckoned Congerthrough.
"In here. We have to hurry. Thefaithful will be flocking in soon."
Conger entered, blinking. Theywere in a small chamber, low-ceilinged,with dark panels of oldwood. There was a smell of ashesand smoldering spices in the room.He sniffed. "What's that? Thesmell."
"Cups on the wall. I don'tknow." The Speaker crossed impatientlyto the far side. "Accordingto our information, it is hidden hereby this—"
Conger looked around the room.He saw books and papers, holysigns and images. A strange lowshiver went through him.
"Does my job involve anyone ofthe Church? If it does—"
The Speaker turned, astonished."Can it be that you believe in theFounder? Is it possible, a hunter, akiller—"
"No. Of course not. All theirbusiness about resignation to death,non-violence—"
"What is it, then?"
Conger shrugged. "I've beentaught not t